Search

Abstract Wall shear stress (WSS)—a key regulator of endothelial function—is commonly estimated in vivo using simplified mathematical models based on Poiseuille's flow, assuming a quasi‐steady parabolic velocity distribution, despite evidence that more rapidly time‐varying, pulsatile blood flow during each cardiac cycle modulates flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) in large arteries of healthy subjects. More exact and accurate models based on the well‐established Womersley solution for rapidly changing blood flow have not been adopted clinically, potentially because the Womersley solution relies on the local pressure gradient, which is difficult to measure non‐invasively. We have developed an open‐source method for automatic reconstruction of unsteady, Womersley‐derived velocity profiles, and WSS in conduit arteries. The proposed method (available online at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7576408) requires only the time‐averaged diameter of the vessel and time‐varying velocity data available from non‐invasive imaging such as Doppler ultrasound. Validation of the method with subject‐specific computational fluid dynamics and application to synthetic velocity waveforms in the common carotid, brachial, and femoral arteries reveals that the Poiseuille solution underestimates peak WSS 38.5%–55.1% during the acceleration and deceleration phases of systole and underestimates or neglects retrograde WSS. Following evidence that oscillatory shear significantly augments vasodilator production, it is plausible that mischaracterization of the shear stimulus by assuming parabolic flow leads to systematic underestimates of important biological effects of time‐varying blood velocity in conduit arteries.

Abstract: Introduction: Academic leagues are Brazilian student-led initiatives aimed at doing multiple extracurricular activities in a medical school. The leagues exist in almost all the universities of the country. Purpose: To characterize the activity profile of the academic leagues of a medical school. Method: Quali-quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study that collected data on academic leagues such as: year of foundation, number of members, number of teachers, types of selection and admission and activities performed. Results: Of the 52 active leagues, 27 provided data. The average number of students was 21.6 ± 10.4, ranging from 07 to a maximum of 48. Most respondents (77.8%) had only one teacher. The performed activities were mainly theoretical classes, discussion of clinical cases, practical activities, production of scientific articles, publications in social networks, solidarity activities and organization of their own events. Conclusions: Academic leagues are student-led initiatives with great potential to expand medical school actions using the existing structure. With their activities mapped and guided by management, academic leagues can be great catalysts for complementary activities and can contribute greatly to the training of new doctors.

Abstract The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is native to the Americas and a major pest of corn and several other crops of economic importance. The species has characteristics that make it of particular concern as an invasive pest, including broad host range, long-distance migration behavior, and a propensity for field-evolved pesticide resistance. The discovery of fall armyworm in western Africa in 2016 was followed by what was apparently a remarkably rapid spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa by 2018, causing economic damage estimated in the tens of billions USD and threatening the food security of the continent. Understanding the history of the fall armyworm invasion of Africa and the genetic composition of the African populations is critical to assessing the risk posed to different crop types, the development of effective mitigation strategies, and to make Africa less vulnerable to future invasions of migratory moth pests. This paper tested and expanded on previous studies by combining data from 22 sub-Saharan nations during the period from 2016 to 2019. The results support initial descriptions of the fall armyworm invasion, including the near absence of the strain that prefers rice, millet, and pasture grasses, while providing additional evidence that the magnitude and extent of FAW natural migration on the continent is more limited than expected. The results also show that a second entry of fall armyworm likely occurred in western Africa from a source different than that of the original introduction. These findings indicate that western Africa continues to be at high risk of future introductions of FAW, which could complicate mitigation efforts.

Abstract Current breast tumor margin detection methods are destructive, time-consuming, and result in significant reoperative rates. Dual-modality photoacoustic tomography (PAT) and ultrasound has the potential to enhance breast margin characterization by providing clinically relevant compositional information with high sensitivity and tissue penetration. However, quantitative methods that rigorously compare volumetric PAT and ultrasound images with gold-standard histology are lacking, thus limiting clinical validation and translation. Here, we present a quantitative multimodality workflow that uses inverted Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (iSPIM) to facilitate image co-registration between volumetric PAT-ultrasound datasets with histology in human invasive ductal carcinoma breast tissue samples. Our ultrasound-PAT system consisted of a tunable Nd:YAG laser coupled with a 40 MHz central frequency ultrasound transducer. A linear stepper motor was used to acquire volumetric PAT and ultrasound breast biopsy datasets using 1100 nm light to identify hemoglobin-rich regions and 1210 nm light to identify lipid-rich regions. Our iSPIM system used 488 nm and 647 nm laser excitation combined with Eosin and DRAQ5, a cell-permeant nucleic acid binding dye, to produce high-resolution volumetric datasets comparable to histology. Image thresholding was applied to PAT and iSPIM images to extract, quantify, and topologically visualize breast biopsy lipid, stroma, hemoglobin, and nuclei distribution. Our lipid-weighted PAT and iSPIM images suggest that low lipid regions strongly correlate with malignant breast tissue. Hemoglobin-weighted PAT images, however, correlated poorly with cancerous regions determined by histology and interpreted by a board-certified pathologist. Nuclei-weighted iSPIM images revealed similar cellular content in cancerous and non-cancerous tissues, suggesting malignant cell migration from the breast ducts to the surrounding tissues. We demonstrate the utility of our nondestructive, volumetric, region-based quantitative method for comprehensive validation of 3D tomographic imaging methods suitable for bedside tumor margin detection.

Objective: Induction of browning in white adipose tissue (WAT) increases energy expenditure and may be an attractive target for the treatment of obesity. Since activation of Fas (CD95) induces pathways known to blunt expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), we hypothesized that Fas expression in adipocytes inhibits WAT browning and thus contributes to the development of obesity. Methods: Adipocyte‐specific Fas knockout (FasΔadipo) and control littermate (FasF/F) mice were fed a regular chow diet or a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks. Energy expenditure was assessed by indirect calorimetry, and browning was determined in subcutaneous WAT. In vitro, UCP1 was analyzed in subcutaneous murine adipocytes treated with or without Fas ligand. Moreover, FAS expression in WAT was correlated to UCP1 and percentage of body fat in human individuals. Results: HFD‐fed FasΔadipo mice displayed reduced body weight gain and blunted adiposity compared to control littermates. Concomitantly, whole‐body energy expenditure and WAT browning were elevated. In cultured adipocytes, Fas ligand treatment blunted isoproterenol‐induced UCP1 protein levels. In support of these findings in rodents, FAS expression in WAT correlated negatively with UCP1 but positively with adiposity in human individuals. Conclusions: Fas activation in adipocytes contributes to HFD‐associated adiposity in rodents and may be a therapeutic target to reduce obesity and associated diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In post-mortem (PM) fetal and neonatal imaging, relevant clinical information is crucial for accurate interpretation and diagnosis; however, it is usually incomplete. Objective: To propose a standardized template for PM fetal and neonatal imaging referrals to enhance communication between referring clinicians and reporting radiologists. Materials and methods: A modified Delphi approach was conducted amongst members of the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) PM Task Force and other recommended PM imaging specialists worldwide to determine consensus on necessary information. These were based on three pre-existing referral templates already in use across a variety of centers. The study ran for 4 months (December 2023–April 2024). Results: Nineteen specialists from 17 centers worldwide formed our expert panel. The final agreed referral template information includes the patient's identification details (mother and fetus when available), fetal/neonatal information (gestational age, sex, type of demise (including type of termination of pregnancy (i.e., surgical or medical)), date and time of fetal demise (+ delivery) or neonatal death, singleton/multiple pregnancy, clinical information (obstetrical history, prenatal imaging findings, amniocentesis findings, physical external examination findings), provisional clinical diagnosis, and ordering physician's information. Conclusion: A comprehensive referral template has been created, representing expert consensus on the minimum data required for the conduct of quality PM fetal and neonatal imaging, with the goal of facilitating accuracy of image interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tendon biomechanical properties and fibril organization are altered in patients with diabetes compared to healthy individuals, yet few biomarkers have been associated with in vivo tendon properties. We investigated the relationships between in vivo imaging‐based tendon properties, serum variables, and patient characteristics across healthy controls (n = 14, age: 45 ± 5 years, body mass index [BMI]: 24 ± 1, hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]: 5.3 ± 0.1%), prediabetes (n = 14, age: 54 ± 5 years, BMI: 29 ± 2; HbA1c: 5.7 ± 0.1), and type 2 diabetes (n = 13, age: 55 ± 3 years, BMI: 33 ± 2, HbA1c: 6.7 ± 0.3). We used ultrasound speckle‐tracking and measurements from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to estimate the patellar tendon in vivo tangent modulus. Analysis of plasma c‐peptide, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐6, IL‐8, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), adiponectin, leptin, insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) was completed. We built regression models incorporating statistically significant covariates and indicators for the clinically defined groups. We found that tendon cross‐sectional area normalized to body weight (BWN CSA) and modulus were lower in patients with type 2 diabetes than in healthy controls (p < 0.05). Our regression analysis revealed that a model that included BMI, leptin, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), age, and group explained ~70% of the variability in BWN CSA (R2 = 0.70, p < 0.001). For modulus, including the main effects LDL, groups, HbA1c, age, BMI, cholesterol, IGF‐1, c‐peptide, leptin, and IL‐6, accounted for ~54% of the variability in modulus (R2 = 0.54, p < 0.05). While BWN CSA and modulus were lower in those with diabetes, group was a poor predicter of tendon properties when considering the selected covariates. These data highlight the multifactorial nature of tendon changes with diabetes and suggest that blood variables could be reliable predictors of tendon properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several well-known medical conditions in which posture and gravity interact with natural history, including pregnancy. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of interactions between maternal posture and maternal physiology and pathophysiology at rest during pregnancy. We conducted a systematic literature search of the MEDLINE database and identified 644 studies from 1991 through 2021, inclusive, that met our inclusion criteria. We present a narrative review of the resulting literature and highlight discrepancies, research gaps, and potential clinical implications. We organize the results by organ system and, commencing with the neurological system, proceed in our synthesis generally in the craniocaudal direction, concluding with the skin. The circulatory system warranted our greatest and closest consideration-literature concerning the dynamic interplay between physiology (heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, blood pressure, and systemic vascular resistance), pathophysiology (e.g., hypertension in pregnancy), and postural changes provide an intricate and fascinating example of the importance of the subject of this review. Other organ systems discussed include respiratory, renal, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, abdominal, and endocrine. In addition to summarizing the existing literature on maternal posture-physiology interactions, we also point out gaps and opportunities for further research and clinical developments in this area. Overall, our review provides both insight into and relevance of maternal posture-physiology interactions vis à vis healthcare's mission to improve health and wellness during pregnancy and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This retrospective chart review of netarsudil (Rhopressa) characterizes intra-ocular pressure (IOP) reduction, drug tolerance, drug cost, and compliance in a tertiary university Midwest clinic in a variety of glaucoma diagnoses on patients prescribed netarsudil 01/2017 to 5/2020. Methods: Patient demographics, primary diagnosis, indication for medication, prescription date, prescription fill status, duration of use, discontinuation reason, and number of IOP-lowering medications were noted. Confounding medication changes were excluded from IOP analysis. The IOP difference between the first visit after starting netarsudil and the baseline (mean before starting netarsudil on the stable medication regimen) was calculated. Results: A total of 133 patients were prescribed netarsudil (age 69 ± 20 years, 59% females, 79% white, 86% primary glaucoma) as adjunct glaucoma medication (mean medications 3.2 ± 0.9). Indications were lowering IOP (mean baseline IOP 20.0 ± 6 mmHg) and drug regimen simplification. Prescription was not filled by 22/133 subjects because of the cost (68%) and the need for surgery (23%). No demographic factors were associated with prescription fill status. A total of 101 eyes of 76 patients were used for IOP analysis. The mean change in IOP was –0.8 ± 6.4 mmHg, (IOP decrease in 67%, increase or no change in 33% eyes). Netarsudil was discontinued in 52% (50/96) patients; the reasons include surgery for IOP control (42%), allergies (30%), cost (14%), and paradoxical rise in IOP (12%). Conclusion: Netarsudil was used as adjunct third or fourth line medication at a glaucoma practice in Midwestern USA. 17% of prescriptions went unfilled; netarsudil was discontinued in 52% of patients. IOP response was variable in this population with severe complex glaucoma.

Abstract Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation and expansion is highly complex and multifactorial, and the improvement of animal models is an important step to enhance our understanding of AAA pathophysiology. In this study, we explore our ability to influence aneurysm growth in a topical elastase plus β-Aminopropionitrile (BAPN) mouse model by varying elastase concentration and by altering the cross-linking capability of the tissue. To do so, we assess both chronic and acute effects of elastase concentration using volumetric ultrasound. Our results suggest that the applied elastase concentration affects initial elastin degradation, as well as long-term vessel expansion. Additionally, we assessed the effects of BAPN by (1) removing it to restore the cross-linking capability of tissue after aneurysm formation and (2) adding it to animals with stable aneurysms to interrupt cross-linking. These results demonstrate that, even after aneurysm formation, lysyl oxidase inhibition remains necessary for continued expansion. Removing BAPN reduces the aneurysm growth rate to near zero, resulting in a stable aneurysm. In contrast, adding BAPN causes a stable aneurysm to expand. Altogether, these results demonstrate the ability of elastase concentration and BAPN to modulate aneurysm growth rate and severity. The findings open several new areas of investigation in a murine model that mimics many aspects of human AAA.

Abstract The fall armyworm [FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith)], a moth native to America, has spread throughout the world since it was first discovered in Africa in 2016. The FAW is a polyphagous migratory pest that can travel over long distances using seasonal winds or typhoons because of its excellent flying ability, causing serious damage to many crops. For effective FAW control, accurate species identification is essential at the beginning of the invasion. In this study, the FAW-specific gene Sf00067 was discovered by performing bioinformatics to develop a fast and accurate tool for the species-specific diagnosis of this pest. An Sf00067 loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed, and optimal conditions were established. The Sf00067 6 primer LAMP (Sf6p-LAMP) assay established in this study was able to diagnose various genotype-based strains of FAW captured in Korea and FAWs collected from Benin, Africa. Our FAW diagnostic protocol can be completed within 30 min, from the process of extracting genomic DNA from an egg or a 1st instar larva to species determination.

Aortic dissection occurs when a weakened portion of the intima tears, and a separation of layers propagates along the aortic wall to form a false lumen filled with active blood flow or intramural thrombus. The unpredictable nature of aortic dissection formation and need for immediate intervention leaves limited serial human image data to study the formation and morphological changes that follow dissection. We used volumetric ultrasound examination, histology, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine intramural thrombi at well-defined timepoints after dissection occurs in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice infused with angiotensin II (n = 71). Stratification of red blood cell (RBC) morphologies (biconcave, intermediate biconcave, intermediate polyhedrocyte, and polyhedrocyte) in the thrombi with scanning electron microscopy (n = 5) was used to determine degree of thrombus deposition/contraction. Very few biconcave RBCs (1.2 ± 0.6%) were in the thrombi, and greater amounts of intermediate biconcave RBCs (25.8 ± 6.7%) were located in the descending thoracic portion of the dissection while more polyhedrocytes (14.6 ± 5.1%) and fibrin (42.3 ± 4.5%; P < .05) were found in the distal suprarenal aorta. Thrombus deposition likely plays some role in patient outcomes, and this multimodality technique can help investigate thrombus deposition and characteristics in experimental animal models and human tissue samples.

The influence of water deficit on plant physiological and biochemical responses as measured by the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) has not been investigated in cultivars developed by the world's largest soybean producer. This information can help obtain plants with improved tolerance to the abiotic stress that most affects soybean production in Brazil, enabling adaptation to edaphoclimatic conditions to enhance the crop's yield potential. We aim to determine the FTSW threshold for transpiration and evaluate changes in the growth, physiological activities, and biochemical and antioxidant responses of soybean cultivars. Three trials were sown on 11/19/2018 (T1), 12/28/2018 (T2), and 9/9/2019 (T3), representing almost the entire soybean sowing window in Brazil. The estimated FTSW threshold values were 0.33, 0.29, and 0.31 in T1; 0.35, 0.41, and 0.43 in T2; and 0.31, 0.49, and 0.45 in T3 for cultivars BMX GARRA IPRO, DM 66I68 RSF IPRO, and NA 5909 RG, respectively. In the three trials, NA 5909 RG showed the greatest height. The POD enzyme was activated in non-irrigated plants in T2 only in cvs. DM 66I68 RSF IPRO and NA 5909 RG. We conclude that cvs. DM 66I68 RSF IPRO and NA 5909 RG showed a more efficient stomatal control, conserving soil water for a longer time, which indicates greater tolerance to water deficit.

Cardiomyopathy (CM) is the leading cause of death for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). While DMD CM progresses rapidly and fatally for some in teenage years, others can live relatively symptom-free into their thirties or forties. Because CM progression is variable, there is a critical need for biomarkers to detect early onset and rapid progression. Despite recent advances in imaging and analysis, there are still no reliable methods to detect the onset or progression rate of DMD CM. Cardiac strain imaging is a promising technique that has proven valuable in DMD CM assessment, though much more work has been done in adult CM patients. In this review, we address the role of strain imaging in DMD, the mechanical and functional parameters used for clinical assessment, and discuss the gaps where emerging imaging techniques could help better characterize CM progression in DMD. Prominent among these emerging techniques are strain assessment from 3D imaging and development of deep learning algorithms for automated strain assessment. Improved techniques in tracking the progression of CM may help to bridge a crucial gap in optimizing clinical treatment for this devastating disease and pave the way for future research and innovation through the definition of robust imaging biomarkers and clinical trial endpoints.

The horticulture industry in Benin is under threat due to fruit fly infestation on important crops such as cucurbits and mango. Given the economic losses due to fruit fly infestations, population dynamics of fruit flies on these crops were monitored over 6 years (2004–2010) using three parapheromones—cuelure, methyl eugenol and terpinyl acetate. A total of 2,714,186 specimens belonging to 14 species in four genera (Bactrocera, Ceratitis, Dacus and Zeugodacus) were collected. Bactrocera dorsalis was the dominant species that accounted for 89%, 89.6% and 77.2% of captures in the Forest Savannah Mosaic (FSM), Southern Guinea Savannah (SGS) and Northern Guinea Savannah (NGS) agro-ecosystems, respectively. Shannon index values of species diversity differed significantly among agro-ecosystems, with highest diversity in FSM followed by SGS and NGS. Temperature, rainfall and relative humidity (RH) positively influenced the abundance of Dacus species and Zeugodacus cucurbitae across the three agro-ecosystems. Monthly mean temperatures were in a range suitable for development and reproduction of fruit flies, although minimum temperatures could be below such range, which may explain the lower abundance of fruit fly populations during this period of the year. The abundance of B. dorsalis was negatively correlated with maximum temperature and positively correlated with RH and rainfall. Ceratitis species assemblages were significantly affected by minimum temperatures, rainfall and agro-ecosystem. Populations of B. dorsalis and Ceratitis cosyra dropped drastically in August, while those of Z. cucurbitae and Dacus punctatifrons increased sharply from August. Results of this study provide a platform for developing a comprehensive and sustainable management strategy for B. dorsalis and other fruit flies in the three agro-ecosystems to protect the horticulture industry in Benin.