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After the initiation of inflammation, a series of processes start to resolve the inflammation. A group of endogenous lipid mediators, namely specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators is at the top list of inflammation resolution. Resolvin D1 (RvD1), is one of the lipid mediators with significant anti-inflammatory properties. It is produced from docosahexaenoic acid (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid) in the body. In this article, we aimed to review the most recent findings concerning the pharmacological effects of RvD1 in the central nervous system with a focus on major neurological diseases and dysfunctions. A literature review of the past studies demonstrated that RvD1 plasma level changes during mania, depression, and Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, RVD1 and its epimer, aspirin-triggered RvD1 (AT-RvD1), have significant therapeutic effects on experimental models of ischemic and traumatic brain injuries, memory dysfunction, pain, depression, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Interestingly, the beneficial effects of RvD1 and AT-RvD1 were mostly induced at nanomolar and micromolar concentrations implying the significant potency of these lipid mediators in treating diseases with inflammation.

SARS‐CoV‐2 mortality has been extensively studied in relation to host susceptibility. How sequence variations in the SARS‐CoV‐2 genome affect pathogenicity is poorly understood. Starting in October 2020, using the methodology of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), we looked at the association between whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) data of the virus and COVID‐19 mortality as a potential method of early identification of highly pathogenic strains to target for containment. Although continuously updating our analysis, in December 2020, we analyzed 7548 single‐stranded SARS‐CoV‐2 genomes of COVID‐19 patients in the GISAID database and associated variants with mortality using a logistic regression. In total, evaluating 29,891 sequenced loci of the viral genome for association with patient/host mortality, two loci, at 12,053 and 25,088 bp, achieved genome‐wide significance (p values of 4.09e−09 and 4.41e−23, respectively), though only 25,088 bp remained significant in follow‐up analyses. Our association findings were exclusively driven by the samples that were submitted from Brazil (p value of 4.90e−13 for 25,088 bp). The mutation frequency of 25,088 bp in the Brazilian samples on GISAID has rapidly increased from about 0.4 in October/December 2020 to 0.77 in March 2021. Although GWAS methodology is suitable for samples in which mutation frequencies varies between geographical regions, it cannot account for mutation frequencies that change rapidly overtime, rendering a GWAS follow‐up analysis of the GISAID samples that have been submitted after December 2020 as invalid. The locus at 25,088 bp is located in the P.1 strain, which later (April 2021) became one of the distinguishing loci (precisely, substitution V1176F) of the Brazilian strain as defined by the Centers for Disease Control. Specifically, the mutations at 25,088 bp occur in the S2 subunit of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein, which plays a key role in viral entry of target host cells. Since the mutations alter amino acid coding sequences, they potentially imposing structural changes that could enhance viral infectivity and symptom severity. Our analysis suggests that GWAS methodology can provide suitable analysis tools for the real‐time detection of new more transmissible and pathogenic viral strains in databases such as GISAID, though new approaches are needed to accommodate rapidly changing mutation frequencies over time, in the presence of simultaneously changing case/control ratios. Improvements of the associated metadata/patient information in terms of quality and availability will also be important to fully utilize the potential of GWAS methodology in this field.

We present a probabilistic framework to generate character animations based on weak control signals, such that the synthesized motions are realistic while retaining the stochastic nature of human movement. The proposed architecture, which is designed as a hierarchical recurrent model, maps each sub-sequence of motions into a stochastic latent code using a variational autoencoder extended over the temporal domain. We also propose an objective function which respects the impact of each joint on the pose and compares the joint angles based on angular distance. We use two novel quantitative protocols and human qualitative assessment to demonstrate the ability of our model to generate convincing and diverse periodic and non-periodic motion sequences without the need for strong control signals.

In the cases of acute rivaroxaban overdose, conservative management without prothrombin complex concentrate or other coagulation factors may be sufficient if renal function is normal and there is no bleeding.

Background In resuscitation medicine, effectively managing cognitive load in high-stakes environments has important implications for education and expertise development. There exists the potential to tailor educational experiences to an individual's cognitive processes via real-time physiologic measurement of cognitive load in simulation environments. Objective The goal of this research was to test a novel simulation platform that utilized artificial intelligence to deliver a medical simulation that was adaptable to a participant's measured cognitive load. Methods The research was conducted in 2019. Two board-certified emergency physicians and two medical students participated in a 10-minute pilot trial of a novel simulation platform. The system utilized artificial intelligence algorithms to measure cognitive load in real time via electrocardiography and galvanic skin response. In turn, modulation of simulation difficulty, determined by a participant's cognitive load, was facilitated through symptom severity changes of an augmented reality (AR) patient. A postsimulation survey assessed the participants' experience. Results Participants completed a simulation that successfully measured cognitive load in real time through physiological signals. The simulation difficulty was adapted to the participant's cognitive load, which was reflected in changes in the AR patient's symptoms. Participants found the novel adaptive simulation platform to be valuable in supporting their learning. Conclusion Our research team created a simulation platform that adapts to a participant's cognitive load in real-time. The ability to customize a medical simulation to a participant's cognitive state has potential implications for the development of expertise in resuscitation medicine.

Differentiating compressional growth strata from halokinetic sequences is not straightforward in foreland fold-and-thrust belts where compressional and diapiric processes were coeval. Although there are numerous studies on the role of salt layers in fold-and-thrust belts, very few focus on syntectonic evaporites where they are thick enough to develop diapirism. The tectonic structures of the northern Dezful Embayment, along the footwall of the Zagros Mountain Front Fault, show a complex evolution interpreted in this study by the concurrence of folding, thrusting and pre- and syn-shortening diapirism of the lower Miocene Gachsaran evaporites. We explore this tectonic-diapiric-sedimentary interplay by combining field studies and remote-sensing mapping, detailed stratigraphy and sedimentology, high-quality seismic data, and step-by-step balanced tectono-sedimentary restorations. Initial diapirism occurred soon after the deposition of at least 1.5 km thick Miocene Gachsaran evaporites during the sedimentation of up to 5 km thick Aghajari, Lahbari and Bakhtyari formations, which display syntectonic mixed growth strata and halokinetic sequences. These sedimentary sequences filled salt-related minibasins, from which the Azanak Minibasin is the deepest, limited by growing salt walls and salt anticlines (Azanak thrust-weld and the Saland-Lali anticline). Palaeocurrents and clasts compositions document fluvial diversions and exposure and erosion of Gachsaran evaporites along the active salt walls. Although, by further shortening, the precursor salt walls squeezed and reactivated as thrust-welds structuring a duplex of overriding minibasins. During the deposition of the middle-late Miocene Aghajari Formation, Kazhdumi and Pabdeh source rocks were buried to oil-expulsion depths, and Sarvak and Asmari reservoirs were mildly folded in large and open anticlines. The Gachsaran system in the northern Dezful Embayment is collated with the structures of preshortening Hormuz salt and syn-shortening Fars salt to highlight the important role of these ductile units in the tectonic evolution of the Zagros fold belt that is compared to syn-compressional salt-related Pyrenees, Carpathians, Sivas and Kuga fold belts., This research was funded by a partnership between the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, Iran, and the Group of Dynamics of the Lithosphere (GDL), Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera, ICTJA-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain, as well as by the ALPIMED (PIE-CSIC-201530E082) project.

Background Induction of podoplanin by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been shown in a number of lesions but not in odontogenic tumors (OTs). We evaluated the association between these markers in OTs for the first time and compared their expression among the different neoplasms. Methods Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody against podoplanin and TGF-β was performed on 76 odontogenic cysts and tumors. Spearman's correlation coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U tests followed by adjustment with Bonferroni were used for statistical analysis (P Results A significant difference in podoplanin expression was found among the lesions consisting of solid ameloblastomas, adenomatoid odontogenic tumors, ameloblastic fibromas, odontogenic myxomas (OMs), odontogenic keratocysts, and calcifying odontogenic cysts. Significant differences were observed only between OMs and each of the other neoplasms. Podoplanin immunostaining in the connective tissue was absent in most lesions. TGF-β was significantly different among the study sample but not between the lesions in paired comparisons. None of the studied OTs showed significant correlations between podoplanin-TGF-β, in either the epithelium or the stroma. These markers were also descriptively reported in calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors. Conclusions The inductive effect of TGF-β on podoplanin seems to be limited, if any, in odontogenic lesions. Podoplanin appears to play a role in some aspects of OTs with epithelial or mixed origins. Despite the possible participation of podoplanin in tumorigenesis, it may not necessarily be involved in the aggressive behavior of OTs.

Background The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components among the Iranian adult population in 2011 and to investigate changes between 2007 and 2011. Methods Data from two rounds of the Surveillance of Risk Factors of Non-communicable Diseases national surveys conducted in 2007 and 2011 were pooled. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to International Diabetes Federation criteria. Results In 2007, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults aged 25–64 years was 35.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 34.27–37.63), which decreased to 32.96 (95% CI 30.73–35.18) in 2011 (P = 0.0108). Despite this overall decline, the prevalence of central obesity (P = 0.1383), raised triglycerides (P = 0.3058), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; P = 0.5595) remained constant. There was a trend towards a decline in the proportion of individuals with increased blood pressure (P = 0.0978), and the proportion of adults with increased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) increased (P < 0.0001). In 2011, the prevalence of central obesity, raised triglycerides, reduced HDL-C, increased blood pressure and increased FPG was 51.88 (95% CI 48.97–54.79), 36.99 (95% CI 34.52–39.45), 54.72 (95% CI 50.87–58.57), 38.92 (95% CI 36.19–41.64), and 24.97 (95% CI 22.02–27.93) respectively. Conclusions Over the period 2007–11, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome has decreased slightly in Iran, although prevalence of increased FPG has increased significantly. One-third of the Iranian adult population is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

A strategy for labeling native enzymes in a manner that preserves their activity is reported: capture-tag-release (CTR). Key to this approach is the small molecule CTR probe that contains an enzyme inhibitor, benzophenone crosslinker, and aryl phosphine ester. After UV-derived capture of the enzyme, addition of an azide-containing tag triggers a Staudinger ligation that labels the enzyme. A further consequence of the Staudinger ligation is fragmentation of the CTR probe, thus releasing the inhibitor and restoring enzymatic activity. As a proof-of-principle, the CTR strategy was applied to the hydrolase β-galactosidase. The enzyme was efficiently labeled with biotin, and the kinetic data for the biotinylated enzyme were comparable to those for unlabeled β-galactosidase. The CTR probe exhibits excellent targeting specificity, as it selectively labeled β-galactosidase in a complex protein mixture.

Tertiary-relict Hyrcanian (Caspian) forest along the shores of the southern Caspian Sea is a center of biodiversity. Still, there is little information on plant diversity patterns in this area. This study evaluated plant diversity, variation in life forms, and geographical distribution of the zonal vegetation types and their relationships with environmental variables, in the educational and experimental forest of Kheyrudkenar, an important protected area in the central Hyrcanian forest of northern Iran. For this purpose, 226 vegetation plots of 400 m2 were laid out along two altitudinal transects from the lowlands (100 m a.s.l.) to the timberline (2000 m a.s.l.). Four vegetation types were identified using modified TWINSPAN, indirect and direct gradient analyses. Species-related (species diversity indices, life form and phytogeographical elements) and environmental variables (climate, topographic and soil variables) were calculated and subjected to one-way ANOVA among the vegetation types. Both constrained (CCA) and unconstrained (DCA) ordination analyses showed an almost identical variation of the floristic composition along their axes and demonstrated that there are two main gradients in the Hyrcanian forest. Elevation together with annual precipitation and mean annual temperature were the most important factors controlling the floristic composition in the area. Topographic features such as slope inclination and heat index were found to be important within an elevation zone/vegetation type. Soil physical and chemical properties were of secondary importance for the separation of the vegetation types. This knowledge will be useful for forest management and conservation practices in the Hyrcanian area with its distinct and unique flora and vegetation.

The Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran support a great diversity of bird species. Yet, the ecological relationships of cavity-nesting birds (CNBs), the main components of forest bird communities in this area, remain unknown. We examined the importance of ecological factors in 90 study plots during the breeding season to predict the probability distribution and habitat suitability of primary cavity nesters (PCNs), secondary cavity nesters (SCNs) and weak primary cavity nesters (WPCNs). Ecological factors included forest structure, habitat complexity, geographical attributes and dead tree features. The significant habitat parameters determining the presence-absence of each CNB species were also determined. PCN richness and abundance were most influenced by the density of larger trees, snags (standing dead trees) and logs (fallen dead trees). The densities of snags, logs and larger trees and the extent of the shrub layer influenced distributions of SCNs. The Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea) was the only WPCN identified, and its distribution was strongly affected by altitude and by larger snags and trees in complex habitats. Our results showed that CNB species could be classified in three groups: (1) species dependent on mature forests, (2) species dependent on younger forests and (3) species adaptable to different forest stages. Overall, snags and logs played vital roles in the habitat preferences of CNB communities as well as in forest structure and complexity.

The crucial concept of modeling and synthesis/control of human motion including face and body for animation has been widely studied and explored in the literature. In this regard, the audience's perception of generated or recorded animation scenes is of critical importance. In this paper, we explore and conceptualize the general notions that need to be taken into account for human motion to maintain perceptual accuracy. We propose a paradigm called Perceptual Validity composed of four major components, which are discussed in detail. The model is concerned with different aspects of the scene such as correct illustration of the stimuli, context, and local/global relations of various visual cues present in human motion. Satisfying all the proposed principles, based on the literature, seems compulsory and vital for synthesis of perceptually valid animation scenes of human motion. We investigate the relative significance of the different components of the paradigm using feedback from expert animators and conduct a case study on one of the components of the paradigm. For further evaluation and exploration, Disney's principles of animation are discussed and compared against our proposed paradigm. We argue that while there are significant parallels and overlaps, our model is only focused on and more inclusive towards human motion and can therefore provide a valuable set of guidelines for animators in the field of character animation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background The goal of this research was to measure the age-sex standardized prevalence of pre-diabetes (pre-DM) and diabetes (DM), and the effectiveness of diabetes management (using HbA1C as the indicator) in an urban area in Iran. Methods Using a randomized cluster household survey, we recruited 5900 individuals whose age ranged from 15 to 75 from Kerman for assessing coronary artery disease risk factors (KERCADRS) including diabetes. In 2010 and 2011, all of the participants were interviewed by trained staff for medical history and physical activities, and were then examined for blood pressure and anthropometric measures. Venus blood sample was also collected for fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c. Results The age-sex standardized prevalence of pre-diabetes, diagnosed and undiagnosed was 18.7%, 6.3% and 2.7%, respectively. Diabetes increased by age (from 14.7% in the 15–24 years old group to 28.4% in the 65–75 years old group), particularly after 40 years. Occasional opium users had the highest prevalence of Pre-DM (34.6%). Seventy-nine percent of the depressed and 75.5% of the anxious participants with diagnosed-DM were identified as uncontrolled-DM. More than 60% of diagnosed diabetic cases had impaired HbA1c. Overweight and obesity (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.6) and low physical activity (AOR 1.5) were the most preventable risk factors associated with diabetes. Conclusion Considerable prevalence of diabetes, susceptibility in progressing to diabetes and uncontrolled diabetes among individuals living in Kerman, suggested ineffective prevention and treatment of diabetes in urban areas in Iran. Successful experience regarding primary health-care in rural areas should be expanded to urban settings. 摘要 背景： 这项研究的目的是在伊朗市区调查经过年龄-性别标准化后的糖尿病前期（pre-DM）以及糖尿病（DM）的患病率，并且调查了糖尿病的治疗效果（用HbA1c作指标）。 方法： 使用随机聚类家庭调查法，我们招募了5900名来自克尔曼的受试者，他们的年龄为15至75岁，评估了包括糖尿病在内的冠心病危险因素（Kerman for assessing coronary artery disease risk factors，KERCADRS）。在2010与2011年，所有的参与者都由受过训练的医务人员来接诊，记录他们的医疗史以及体力活动情况，接着进行血压与人体测量学的检查。还要搜集静脉血样用来测定空腹血糖与HbA1c。 结果： 年龄-性别标准化后的糖尿病前期、已诊断的以及未诊断的糖尿病患病率分别为18.7%、6.3%与2.7%。糖尿病患病率随着年龄增长而增加（从15–24岁年龄组的14.7%至65-75岁年龄组的28.4%），特别是40岁以后。偶尔吸食鸦片的人群的Pre-DM患病率最高（34.6%）。在合并已诊断DM的患者中，79%的抑郁症以及75.5%的焦虑症参与者被判定为未控制的DM。60%以上的已诊断糖尿病病例的HbA1c异常。超重与肥胖（校正后的优势比[AOR]为1.6）以及低体力活动（AOR为1.5）是最有可能得到预防的糖尿病相关危险因素。 结论： 生活在克尔曼的人群的糖尿病患病率、容易进展为糖尿病以及未控制的糖尿病患病率相当高，这提示伊朗市区的糖尿病预防与治疗工作效果不佳。应该将农村地区有关初级卫生保健的成功经验扩展到城市环境中。

Background In addition to ultraviolet radiation exposure, various molecular markers may differ between oral mucosal and cutaneous head and neck melanomas and lead to variations in their biologic behavior and prognosis. The aim of this study was to compare four such markers, namely microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF), P75, P53, and Ki-67 in malignant melanomas originating from the oral cavity and head and neck skin. Methods A total of 19 oral mucosal and 23 head and neck cutaneous melanomas were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against MITF, P75, P53, and Ki-67. Statistical comparison of data was performed by t-test and chi-square analysis (P

Background To evaluate ultra-short-echo-time (UTE) MRI pulmonary signal-intensity measurements and reproducibility in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods A two-dimensional sequence (echo-time = 0.05 ms; acquisition-time = 13 s) with interleaved half-pulse excitation and radial ramp-sampling was used with compressed-sensing to reconstruct UTE images from under-sampled data. Five healthy volunteers and 15 subjects with COPD provided written informed consent to imaging and pulmonary-function-tests. Healthy volunteers underwent MRI at four lung volumes: full-expiration, functional-residual-capacity (FRC), FRC+1L, and full-inhalation; COPD patients underwent computed-tomography (CT) and MRI at FRC+1L. Three-week reproducibility was evaluated and the relative area of the density histogram ≤ −950 HU (RA950) was compared with mean MRI signal-intensity. The 15th percentile of signal-intensity-histogram (SI15) was compared with the 15th percentile of the CT-density-histogram (HU15). Results In healthy subjects, signal-intensity correlated with the inverse of lung volume (r = 0.99; P = 0.007). Contrast-to-noise and signal-to-noise ratios were significantly improved for 32-channel UTE (P

Transport time scales are key parameters for understanding the hydrodynamic and biochemical processes within estuaries. In this study, the flushing and residence times within the Arvand River estuary have been estimated using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model called CE-QUAL-W2. The model has been calibrated and verified by two different sets of field data and using the k-e vertical eddy diffusivity scheme. Flushing time has been estimated using different methods such as the tidal prism and fraction of freshwater methods. Moreover, residence times have been investigated using pulse residence time, estuarine residence time and remnant function approaches. The results have shown that different methods yield different time scales, and freshwater inflow has the greatest impact upon estimation of residence time, whereas tidal circulation hardly contributes to residence time at all. It has also been shown that the neap-spring circulation and start phase of simulations have negligible effects on the Arvand's time scales. The investigation of bathymetry showed that two sills of the estuary tend to significantly increase residence time. Understanding the applicability of these time scales and their estimation approaches helps us to evaluate the water quality management of estuaries. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In this study, an investigation of the rheological behavior of starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/titanium oxide (TiO2) nanofluids was performed. It revealed that the rheological behavior of starch suspensions displays a particular change due to the presence of PVA and TiO2. All examined fluids demonstrated non-Newtonian behavior and followed the Power law model. The main and interacting effects of starch, PVA, and TiO2 nanoparticles concentrations were studied using the analysis of variance. The results indicated that the flow behavior index (n), as well as the consistency index (K) of suspensions, is influenced by the PVA and TiO2 contents. The flow behavior index (n) decreased and consistency index (K) increased by an increase in PVA concentration. A reverse trend is observed by the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles to starch and PVA blend suspensions. The difference in rheological behaviors was ascribed to the presence of binary and triplet interactions between starch, PVA, and TiO2 nanoparticles. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44062.

Purpose: Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) is the primary dose-limiting toxicity for radiation therapy of the lung, and although the effects of radiation dose on RILI development have been well characterized, the influence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on the development of RILI and other outcomes is not well understood. The purpose of this small pilot study was to evaluate the relationship between hyperpolarized3He magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) measurements of COPD with RILI and 12-month survival in lungcancer patients undergoing radical radiotherapy and to evaluate the feasibility of pulmonary functional MRI as an image guidance/planning tool for radiation therapy. Methods: Fifteen non-small cell and small cell lungcancer patients underwent pulmonary function tests, x-ray computed tomography(CT), and hyperpolarized3He MRI prior to radical radiation therapy (≥60 Gy). Conventional thoracic 1H and hyperpolarized 3He MRI were acquired to generate ventilation defect percent and the apparent diffusion coefficient for the ipsilateral and contralateral lungs independently. CT was acquired postradiation therapy and qualitatively evaluated for radiological evidence of RILI and 12-month survival was reported. Results: Hyperpolarized3He MRI measurements of COPD classified 10/15 subjects with contralateral lung COPD (CLC), and five subjects without COPD [contralateral lung normal (CLN)]. Of the 10 subjects with CLC, only four had a previous clinical diagnosis of COPD. CTimages were acquired postradiation therapy for 13 subjects, and for eight (62%) of these there was qualitative evidence of RILI, including 5/9 CLC and 3/4 CLN subjects. The one-year survival was 2/10 for CLC and 3/5 for CLN subjects. Conclusions: In this small pilot study, we report the use of3He MRI to stratify lungcancer patients based on MRI evidence of COPD and showed that comorbid COPD was present in the majority of lungcancer subjects stratified for radiation therapy.Lungcancer patients with imaging evidence of COPD did not have an increased incidence of RILI compared to patients without COPD. However, preliminary data presented here indicated that one-year survival in COPD subjects was lower than expected based on previously published survival rates, which may have implications for radiation therapy in lungcancer patients with comorbid COPD.

In this investigation, the effects of some important parameters on the flow patterns in a narrow vertical channel for counter-current vapour–liquid flow of an ethanol–water system were studied. The parameters included the liquid Reynolds number, ethanol concentration, contact angle, and pressure drop. The vapour phase velocity profile was significantly influenced by the pressure drop through the channel. The ethanol concentration and liquid Reynolds number were found to have a significant impact on the liquid holdup (average film thickness) as well as the velocity profiles in the liquid and vapour phases. In the ranges studied, the contact angle and pressure drop were found to have a negligible effect on the liquid holdup. Dans cette analyse, les effets de certains parametres importants sur les modeles de courant dans un canal vertical etroit pour un courant liquide-vapeur contre-courant d'un systeme ethanol-eau ont ete etudies. Les parametres comprenaient le nombre de Reynolds liquide, la concentration d'ethanol, l'angle de contact et la perte de charge. Le profil des vitesses de la phase gazeuse a ete considerablement influence par la perte de charge dans le canal. On a decouvert que la concentration d'ethanol et le nombre de Reynolds liquide avaient une incidence importante sur la retenue de liquide (epaisseur moyenne du film) ainsi que sur les profils des vitesses lors des phases liquide et gazeuse. Dans les etendues mesurees, on a decouvert que l'angle de contact et la perte de charge ont eu un effet negligeable sur la retenue de liquide. Can. J. Chem. Eng. © 2010 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering

Purpose: Therapeutic radiationdoses for thoracic tumors are significantly restricted to decrease the risk of nontumor tissue damage, yet radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) still occurs in over 1 ∕ 3 of thoracic radiation treatment cases. Although RILI can be clinically monitored using pulmonary function measurements, the regional functional effects of the injury are not well understood. Hyperpolarized He 3 magnetic resonance imaging provides measurements of regional lung function and structure with high spatial and temporal resolution; the authors use this tool longitudinally for the first time in seven subjects after clinical diagnosis of RILI in order to better understand regional changes in lung function and structure post-RILI. Methods: All subjects underwent spirometry, plethysmography, and MRI at 3.0 T 35.1 ± 12.2 weeks after radiation therapy commenced. Thoracic H 1 , static He 3 ventilation, and He 3 diffusion-weighted images were acquired to generate the He 3 apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and He 3 percent ventilated volume (PVV). Four subjects returned 22.0 ± 0.8 weeks after baseline imaging for follow-up spirometry and He 3 MRI measurements of ADC and PVV. Results: At baseline, PVV was significantly different ( p = 0.025 ) and lower in the ipsilateral diseased lung ( 55 ± 29 % ) compared to the contralateral nondiseased lung ( 88 ± 5 % ) . Longitudinally, significant increases were observed for He 3 MRI PVV ( 16 % ± 6 % , p = 0.012 ) and He 3 MRI ADC ( 0.02 ± 0.01 cm 2 ∕ s , p = 0.003 ) in the contralateral lung only, in the four subjects who returned for follow-up, while no changes in the ipsilateral lung were reported. Conclusions: Hyperpolarized He 3 MRI was well tolerated in all subjects with moderate to severe RILI. Functional improvements and microstructural changes were observed in the contralateral lung, while the ipsilateral lung remained stable, suggesting that functional compensatory changes may have occurred in the contralateral lung due to ipsilateral lung radiation-induced injury.