Assessment of Volumetric Dense Tissue Segmentation in Tomosynthesis Using Deep Virtual Clinical Trials.

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging requires careful evaluation of machine-learning algorithms. We propose the use of a "deep virtual clinical trial" (DeepVCT) method to effectively evaluate the performance of AI algorithms. In this paper, DeepVCTs have been proposed to elucidate limitations of AI applications and predictions of clinical outcomes, avoiding biases in study designs. The DeepVCT method was used to evaluate the performance of nnU-Net models in assessing volumetric breast density (VBD) from digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images. In total, 2,010 anatomical breast models were simulated. Projections were simulated using the acquisition geometry of a clinical DBT system. The projections were reconstructed using 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 mm plane spacing. nnU-Net models were developed using the center-most planes of the reconstructions with the respective ground-truth. The results show that the accuracy of the nnU-Net improves significantly with DBT images reconstructed with 0.1 mm plane spacing (78.4×205.3×40.1 mm3). The segmentations resulted in Dice values up to 0.84 with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92. The optimization of plane spacing for VBD assessment was used as an exemplar of a DeepVCT application, allowing us to interpret better the input parameters and outcomes of the nnU-Net. Thus, DeepVCTs can provide a plethora of evidence to predict the efficacy of these algorithms using large-scale simulation-based data.

Test station to characterize the emission of a LiDAR.

A test station setup devised to measure the emission characteristics and beam propagation parameters of a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system is presented. The main blocks of the station to measure the accessible emission, wavelength peak and FWHM, pulse duration, pulse repetition rate, horizontal and vertical angular resolution, field of view, beam propagation factor M 2, beam waist size, waist location, and divergence are described. The performance of this test station was demonstrated using a commercial spinning LiDAR, a Velodyne VLP-16, which successfully enables these measurements for a laser beam with a wavelength of 913 nm.

Sucking insects and their predators on tree canopies of a monocultural stand of Caryocar brasiliense

Abstract Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) trees are widely distributed throughout the Cerrado ecosystem. The fruits of C. brasiliense trees are used by humans for food and as the main income source in many communities. C. brasiliense conservation is seriously threatened due to habitat loss caused by the land-use change. Sucking insects constitute an important ecological driver that potentially impact C. brasiliense survival in degraded environments. In addition, insects sampling methodologies for application in studies related to the conservation of C. brasiliense are poorly developed. In this study, sucking insects (Hemiptera) and their predators were recorded in three vertical strata of Caryocar brasiliense canopies. The distribution of sucking species showed vertical stratification along the canopy structure of C. brasiliense. The basal part of the canopy had the highest numbers of sucking insects Aphis gossypii (Glover 1877) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Bemisia tabaci (Genn. 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and their predators Chrysoperla sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), spiders (Araneae), and Zelus armillatus (Lep. & Servi., 1825) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Predators' distribution follows the resource availability and preferred C. brasiliense tree parts with a higher abundance of prey.

Resumo Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) é amplamente distribuído por todo o ecossistema de cerrado. Os frutos de C. brasiliense são utilizados na alimentação humana e constitui uma importante fonte de renda para muitas comunidades. A perda de habitat provocada pelas mudanças de uso da terra coloca em risco a conservação de C. brasiliense. Insetos sugadores constituem um importante fator ecológico que, potencialmente, afeta o fitness de C. brasiliense em ambientes degradados. Além disso, as metodologias de amostragem de insetos para aplicação em estudos relacionados à conservação de C. brasiliense são pouco desenvolvidas. Neste estudo, o número de insetos sugadores (Hemiptera) e seus predadores foram avaliados em três estratos verticais do dossel de C. brasiliense. A distribuição das espécies sugadoras apresentou estratificação vertical ao longo da estrutura do dossel. O estrato basal do dossel apresentou o maior número de insetos sugadores Aphis gossypii (Glover 1877) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) e Bemisia tabaci (Genn. 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), e seus predadores Chrysoperla sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), aranhas (Araneae) e Zelus armillatus (Lep. & Servi., 1825) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Os predadores distribuíram-se de acordo com a disponibilidade de recursos, ocorrendo em maior número nas partes do dossel com maior abundância de suas presas.

Sucking insects and their predators on tree canopies of a monocultural stand of Caryocar brasiliense / Insetos sugadores e seus predadores na copa de Caryocar brasiliense em sistema de monocultura

Abstract Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) trees are widely distributed throughout the Cerrado ecosystem. The fruits of C. brasiliense trees are used by humans for food and as the main income source in many communities. C. brasiliense conservation is seriously threatened due to habitat loss caused by the land-use change. Sucking insects constitute an important ecological driver that potentially impact C. brasiliense survival in degraded environments. In addition, insects sampling methodologies for application in studies related to the conservation of C. brasiliense are poorly developed. In this study, sucking insects (Hemiptera) and their predators were recorded in three vertical strata of Caryocar brasiliense canopies. The distribution of sucking species showed vertical stratification along the canopy structure of C. brasiliense. The basal part of the canopy had the highest numbers of sucking insects Aphis gossypii (Glover 1877) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Bemisia tabaci (Genn. 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and their predators Chrysoperla sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), spiders (Araneae), and Zelus armillatus (Lep. & Servi., 1825) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Predators' distribution follows the resource availability and preferred C. brasiliense tree parts with a higher abundance of prey.

Resumo Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) é amplamente distribuído por todo o ecossistema de cerrado. Os frutos de C. brasiliense são utilizados na alimentação humana e constitui uma importante fonte de renda para muitas comunidades. A perda de habitat provocada pelas mudanças de uso da terra coloca em risco a conservação de C. brasiliense. Insetos sugadores constituem um importante fator ecológico que, potencialmente, afeta o fitness de C. brasiliense em ambientes degradados. Além disso, as metodologias de amostragem de insetos para aplicação em estudos relacionados à conservação de C. brasiliense são pouco desenvolvidas. Neste estudo, o número de insetos sugadores (Hemiptera) e seus predadores foram avaliados em três estratos verticais do dossel de C. brasiliense. A distribuição das espécies sugadoras apresentou estratificação vertical ao longo da estrutura do dossel. O estrato basal do dossel apresentou o maior número de insetos sugadores Aphis gossypii (Glover 1877) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) e Bemisia tabaci (Genn. 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), e seus predadores Chrysoperla sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), aranhas (Araneae) e Zelus armillatus (Lep. & Servi., 1825) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Os predadores distribuíram-se de acordo com a disponibilidade de recursos, ocorrendo em maior número nas partes do dossel com maior abundância de suas presas.

Aerobic exercise prevents cardiomyocyte damage caused by oxidative stress in early cardiovascular disease by increasing vascularity while L-arginine supplementation prevents it by increasing activation of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase.

L-Arginine and chronic exercise reduce oxidative stress. However, it is unclear how they affect cardiomyocytes during cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. The aim of this research was to investigate the possible effects of L-arginine supplementation and aerobic training on systemic oxidative stress and their consequences on cardiomyocytes during cardiometabolic disease onset caused by excess fructose. Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: control (C), fructose (F, 10% fructose in water), fructose training (FT; moderate running, 50-70% of the maximal velocity), and fructose arginine (FA; 880 mg/kg/day). Fructose was given for two weeks and fructose plus treatments for the subsequent eight weeks. Body composition, blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, nitrite, metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity, left ventricle histological changes, microRNA-126, -195, and -146, eNOS, p-eNOS, and TNF-α expressions were analyzed. Higher abdominal fat mass, triacylglycerol level, and insulin level were observed in the F group, and both treatments reversed these alterations. Myocardial vascularization was impaired in fructose-fed groups, except in FT. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was observed in all fructose-fed groups. TNF-α levels were higher in fructose-fed groups than in the C group, and p-eNOS levels were higher in the FA than in the C and F groups. Lipid peroxidation was higher in the F group than in the FT and C groups. During CVD onset, moderate aerobic exercise reduced lipid peroxidation, and both training and L-arginine prevented metabolic changes caused by excessive fructose. Myocardial vascularization was impaired by fructose, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy appeared to be influenced by pro-inflammatory and oxidative environments.

Evaluation of Bond Strength and Fracture Load of Teeth With Flared Root Canals Restored With Prefabricated, Anatomical, and Computer-aided Design and Computer-aided Manufacturing Fiber Posts.

PURPOSE: This study compared the use of anatomical glass fiber posts using bulk-fill composite resin with computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) milled glass fiber post in oversized root canals, through bond strength (BS) and fracture resistance (FR) tests (fracture load). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 48 mandibular premolars were selected, half of them had their crowns removed at the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and the other half were sectioned 2 mm above the CEJ. Subsequently, teeth were endodontically treated. After 1 week, the standard preparation of the canals was carried out, and the roots were divided into three groups (n=16), according to the use of different restorative techniques (control: prefabricated glass fiber post [PFP], direct anatomical glass fiber post [AFP], and CAD/CAM milled glass fiber post [MFP]). After luting procedures using Single Bond Universal and RelyX Ultimate (3M ESPE), for eight teeth in each group, six specimens were obtained (two slices from each root third: cervical, middle, and apical). For the remaining eight roots of each group, standardized preparations for metal-free crowns, milling of 5 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline, cementation of the crowns, and periodontal ligament simulation were performed. Then, for each group, the BS was evaluated through the push-out test, and the FR was evaluated in compression. The data obtained from BS were submitted to two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA; group vs root region) and Tukey (α=0.05) and from FR to one-way ANOVA (group) and Tukey (α=0.05). RESULTS: For the BS test, the MFP group was statistically superior to the PFP group in all root regions and was statistically superior to the AFP group only in the cervical region, being statistically similar in the middle and apical root regions. For the FR test, the MFP group was statistically superior to the PFP and AFP groups. CONCLUSION: The milled fiber post technique can be a legitimate alternative in the restoration of weakened roots with flared root canals.

Relevance of the diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions to antineoplastic and biological agents: experience with drug provocation test.

Summary: Background. Evidence regarding drug provocation test (DPT) with chemotherapeutic agents is scarce. The aim of our study is to describe the experience of DPT in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to antineoplastic and biological agents. Methods. This was an eight-year retrospective, observational, descriptive study of patients with a history of HSRs to chemotherapy who were submitted to DPT. Anamnesis, skin tests (ST) and DPT were analyzed. Patients with a negative DPT were submitted to at least one regular supervised administration (RSA). Patients with positive DPT or HSR during RSA were offered rapid drug desensitization (RDD). Results. A total of 54 patients were submitted to DPT. The most common suspected drugs were platins (n = 36), followed by taxanes (n = 11). Most initial reactions were classified as grade II (n = 39) according to Brown's grading system. ST with platinum (n = 35), taxanes (n = 10) and biological agents (n = 4) were negative, except for one intradermal test with paclitaxel, which was positive. A total of 64 DPTs were performed. Eleven percent of all DPTs were positive (platins (n = 6), doxorubicin (n = 1)). Of the 57 RSA with the culprit drugs, 2 were positive (platins). The diagnosis of hypersensitivity was confirmed by DPT/RSA in 9 patients. All patients with positive DPT/RSA presented HSRs of equal or less severity than the initial one. Conclusions. DPT followed by RSA allowed to exclude HSRs in 45 patients (55 culprit drugs). DPT before desensitization prevents non-hypersensitivity patients from undergoing RDD. In our study DPT was safe, all reactions were managed by an allergist.

Molecular detection of Aspergillus in respiratory samples collected from patients at higher risk of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

OBJECTIVE: Aspergillosis diagnosis depends on the detection of Aspergillus in biological samples ─ usually using cultural and immunoenzyme techniques ─ but their sensitivity and specificity varies. We aimed to study the prevalence of Aspergillus in patients at higher risk of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (i.e., HIV-infected patients and individuals with active or previous tuberculosis), and to determine the potential role of molecular approaches to increase detection of Aspergillus in respiratory samples. METHODS: The DNA extracted from 43 respiratory samples that had been previously analyzed by immunoenzyme and/or cultural techniques was amplified by real-time multiplex PCR, and the results of these methods were compared. We also sequenced the ITS1 region and the calmodulin gene in 10 respiratory samples to perform a pilot metagenomic study to understand the ability of this methodology to detect potential pathogenic fungi in the lung mycobiome. RESULTS: Real-time Aspergillus PCR test exhibited a higher positivity rate than the conventional techniques used for aspergillosis diagnosis, particularly in individuals at risk for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. The metagenomic analysis allowed for the detection of various potentially pathogenic fungi. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular techniques, including metagenomics, have great ability to detect potentially pathogenic fungi rapidly and efficiently in human biological samples.

Can static hyperinflation predict exercise capacity in COPD?

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis and severity assessment of COPD relies on spirometry, and in particular the FEV1. However, it has been proposed that hyperinflation and air-trapping are better predictors of exercise capacity and mortality than the FEV1. RESEARCH: QUESTION: Does static hyperinflation predict exercise capacity? METHODS: We conducted an observational prospective study. Patients with COPD referred to the lung function laboratory were consecutively recruited. Patients with hyperinflation (the experimental group) were compared to patients without hyperinflation (the control group). The sample sizes were determined assuming an effect size of 0.5 and a power of 0.80. RESULTS: We recruited 124 participants, of whom 87% were male, the mean age was 66.1 ± 8.8 years. 67% were symptomatic (GOLD B or D). Airflow limitation was moderate to severe in the majority of patients (median FEV1 47%, IQR 38-65%) and 43% of patients had static hyperinflation. The median 6MWD was 479 meters (404-510) and peak workload in CPET was 64 watts (46-88) with peak VO2 1.12 L/min, 0.89-1.31 L/min. Patients with lower FEV1, DLCO and IC/TLC and higher RV/TLC had reduced exercise capacity in both 6MWT and CPET, measured as lower distance, greater desaturation and ∆Borg dyspnoea, and reduced workload, peak VO2 and peak VE and higher desaturation and ventilatory limitation (VE/MVV). An IC/TLC < 0.33 predicted reduced exercise performance (peak O2 <60%). Dyspnoea assessed by mMRC and QoL measured by CAT and CCQ were also worse in the hyperinflation in COPD patients. CONCLUSION: In COPD patients, IC/TLC and RV/TLC are valuable predictors of exercise performance in both 6MWT and CPET and PRO.

Street scars: Suicide ideation and suicide attempt among street-involved adolescents and youth in southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts as well as suicide attempts' associated factors among street-involved youth in southern Brazil. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study was conducted with street-involved adolescents and children from Porto Alegre and Rio Grande, Brazil. METHODS: A respondent-driven sampling strategy was used to access this hard-to-reach population quickly and efficiently. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted, with the latter being binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicide attempts was 16.3%, while the frequency of suicidal ideation was 30.9%. Most participants were male, aged between 16 and 18 years, with no ties to school and family. Almost half of the sample had been in a street situation for five years or more, and two-thirds reported spending more than seven hours a day on the streets. Variables independently associated with suicide attempts were aged 19-21 years old, with reduced ties with school and family, having had an experience of sexual abuse, and lifetime use of crack. CONCLUSIONS: Public policies targeting the strengthening ties of street-involved children, adolescents, and youth with school and family might reduce their vulnerability to threats, such as sexual abuse and use of crack, and hence focus on decreasing suicide attempts.

Aerobic exercise prevents cardiomyocyte damage caused by oxidative stress in early cardiovascular disease by increasing vascularity while L-arginine supplementation prevents it by increasing activation of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase

L-Arginine and chronic exercise reduce oxidative stress. However, it is unclear how they affect cardiomyocytes during cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. The aim of this research was to investigate the possible effects of L-arginine supplementation and aerobic training on systemic oxidative stress and their consequences on cardiomyocytes during cardiometabolic disease onset caused by excess fructose. Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: control (C), fructose (F, 10% fructose in water), fructose training (FT; moderate running, 50-70% of the maximal velocity), and fructose arginine (FA; 880 mg/kg/day). Fructose was given for two weeks and fructose plus treatments for the subsequent eight weeks. Body composition, blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, nitrite, metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity, left ventricle histological changes, microRNA-126, -195, and -146, eNOS, p-eNOS, and TNF-α expressions were analyzed. Higher abdominal fat mass, triacylglycerol level, and insulin level were observed in the F group, and both treatments reversed these alterations. Myocardial vascularization was impaired in fructose-fed groups, except in FT. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was observed in all fructose-fed groups. TNF-α levels were higher in fructose-fed groups than in the C group, and p-eNOS levels were higher in the FA than in the C and F groups. Lipid peroxidation was higher in the F group than in the FT and C groups. During CVD onset, moderate aerobic exercise reduced lipid peroxidation, and both training and L-arginine prevented metabolic changes caused by excessive fructose. Myocardial vascularization was impaired by fructose, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy appeared to be influenced by pro-inflammatory and oxidative environments.

Advanced design of a x-ray absorption spectroscopy setup for measuring transition metals speciation in molten carbonates, hydroxides and hydrogenosulfates.

Battery recycling is currently becoming a crucial issue. One possible treatment path involves the use of molten salts. A mechanistic understanding of the underlying processes requires being able to analyze in situ speciation in molten salts at various temperatures. This can be advantageously achieved using x-ray absorption spectroscopy, the use of Quick-EXAFS facilities being particularly appropriate. Consequently, this paper presents the design and development of a new setup allowing carrying out Quick-EXAFS experiments in oxidizing molten salts at high temperatures. We describe the different components of a cell and the performance of the heating device. We illustrate the capabilities of the setup by analyzing the temperature evolution of Co speciation upon dissolution of LiCoO2, a typical battery electrode material, in molten carbonates, hydroxides, and hydrogenosulphates.

Synchronization performance affects gait variability measures during cued walking.

BACKGROUND: Incorporating variability within gait rehabilitation offers a promising approach to restore functional capacity. However, it's success requires adequate synchronization, a parameter that lacks report in most of the literature regarding cued gait training. RESEARCH QUESTION: How changes to synchronization performance during fractal-like and isochronous cueing impacts gait variability measures? METHODS: We asked twelve young male participants to walk in synchronization to two different temporally structure cueing (isochronous [ISO] and fractal [FRC]). We have also manipulated the cueing's tempo by increasing and decreasing it by 5% to manipulate synchronization, resulting in six conditions (stimuli [ISO,FRC] x tempo [SLOW, NORMAL, FAST]). The normal condition was set from an uncued trial through the participant's self-paced stride time. Synchronization performance (ASYNC) and gait variability (fractal scaling and coefficient of variation) were calculated from stride time data ( -ISIs,CV-ISIs). Repeated measures analysis of variance or Aligned Rank Transform were conducted to determine significant differences between metronome tempo and stimuli for the dependent variables RESULTS: Our results showed a FAST tempo decreases synchronization performance (ASYNC) and leads to lower -ISIs, for both ISO and FRC stimuli. This indicates that when an individual exhibits poor synchronization during cued gait training, his/her gait variability patterns will not follow the temporal structure of the presented metronome. Specifically, if the individual poorly synchronizes to the cues, the gait patterns become more random, a condition typically observed in older adults and neurological patients, which runs contrary to the hypothesis when using fractal-like metronomes. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides supporting evidence that measuring synchronization performance in cued training is fundamental for a proper clinical interpretation of its effects. This is particularly relevant for the recent and ongoing clinical research using fractal-like metronomes since the expected gait patterns are dependent on the synchronization performance. Randomized control trials must incorporate synchronization performance related measures.

Genetic and morphological identification of filarial worm from Iberian hare in Portugal.

The Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) is an endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula and the only hare species found in Portugal, although also being present in some areas of Spain. The reduction of wild hare populations due to several ecological and sanitary factors, has been raising growing concerns in the recent years. Despite different helminth species were already described in Iberian hares in Portugal, to this date, no filarial worms have been identified in this species. Furthermore, only a few studies on lagomorphs' onchocercid worms are available, referring to other hosts species of hares and/or rabbits. In this study, we describe the presence of filarial worms in the blood vessels of two adult Iberian hares collected in 2019 in continental Portugal. Morphology and sequencing data from the 12S rRNA, coxI, 18S rRNA, myoHC, hsp70 and rbp1 genes, showed that the filaroid species were genetically related with Micipsella numidica. However, the extension of the genetic differences found with M. numidica suggests that the filaroids specimens under study belong to a new species, that we provisionally named Micipsella iberica n. sp.. The body location of this putative new parasite species and its physiological implications indicate that it may constitute a potential menace to the already fragile Iberian hare justifying, therefore, further investigation regarding the morphological characterization, prevalence and real clinical impact of this new parasite in hares.

Positive relationships between insects and negative with spiders on Acacia auriculiformis (Fabaceae) plants in the savannah biome and their distribution pattern.

Forest restoration is mainly based on plant-soil relationships and plant species with economic potential, but those between insects and other arthropods are also important to this reestablishment. The objective was to evaluate, during 24 months, the relationships between tending ants, Hemiptera phytophagous, predators and their distribution pattern (aggregated, random or uniform). The arthropods were sampled, stored and identified and their relationships and distribution patterns calculated with the BioDiversity-Pro software. The number of tending ants and phytophagous Hemiptera, Brachymyrmex sp. and Aethalion reticulatum, Cephalotes and Aleyrodidae were positively correlated. Tending ants were negatively correlated with Sternorrhyncha predators on A. auriculiformis saplings. The distribution of arthropods was aggregated, except for Teudis sp. and Cephalocoema sp., with a random pattern. The herbivores Stereoma anchoralis, Aethalion reticulatum and Tetragonisca angustula and the predators Brachymyrmex sp. and Dolichopodidae were the most abundant arthropods. The relationships between the arthropods studied on A. auriculiformis indicate that this plant, even introduced, is suitable for programs to recover degraded areas in the savannah.