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Gland Surgery Oct 2023Accurate breast volume estimation is essential for symmetrical breast reconstruction. Easy conversion of the weight of the resected breast tissue to volume could result...
BACKGROUND
Accurate breast volume estimation is essential for symmetrical breast reconstruction. Easy conversion of the weight of the resected breast tissue to volume could result in precise volume measurements. This study aimed to introduce the use of a mathematical constant (k) to estimate the breast volume from the weight.
METHODS
Eighty-nine female patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between September 2010 and February 2011 were enrolled in this prospective study. The mammographic density of each patient was classified according to the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) into groups a, b, c, and d. The breast density number and mathematical constant (k) were calculated, and the data matched. This technique was validated by comparing the measured and calculated volumes.
RESULTS
Sixty-six, 22, and 1 patients underwent total mastectomies (TMs), skin-sparing mastectomies (SSMs), and nipple-sparing mastectomies (NSMs), respectively. The breast densities were 1.0629, 1.1545, and 1.2233 g/mL, and the constant number (k) was 0.9409, 0.8662, and 0.8175 for BI-RADS a, combined BI-RADS b and c, and BI-RADS d, respectively. The validation process showed no significant differences between the measured and calculated volumes [95% confidence interval (95% CI)]. The correlation coefficient (r) was 0.984.
CONCLUSIONS
Accurate breast volume estimation is a key factor in achieving symmetry in breast reconstruction. Combining existing data, including the weight of the resected breast tissue and mammographic density findings, an easy and accurate method to calculate the resected breast volume was introduced.
PubMed: 38021204
DOI: 10.21037/gs-23-262 -
Bioscience Reports Oct 2023Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder that primarily causes symmetrical polyarthritis and bone deformity. In RA patients,...
BACKGROUND
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder that primarily causes symmetrical polyarthritis and bone deformity. In RA patients, sight-threatening inflammatory eye complications would be expected.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study is to ascertain the macular retinal vessel density changes in RA patients and controls using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and to investigate the association between disease and microvascular density alterations.
METHODS
A total of 12 RA patients (24 eyes) and 12 age- and gender-matched control participants (24 eyes) were recruited to the study. We used the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study partitioning, hemispheric quadrants and annular partitioning to segment each image into different subregions. The vascular density of superficial retina layer, deep retina layer and conjunctival capillary plexus was quantitatively measured by OCTA and compared with the control group. Correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between STMI and conjunctival capillaries densities.
RESULTS
In the superficial retinal layer, the vascular density of S, I, L, SL, SR, IL and C1-C5 were significantly decreased in the RA group compared with the control group (P<0.05). For the deep retinal layer, the vascular density of S, SL, SR, IL, C1, C2 and C4 also decreased in RA group. A significant positive correlation was indicated between conjunctival vascular and STMI densities (r = 0.713, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
OCTA results suggest that RA patients present with a reduced macular retinal vascular density. These subtle alterations of ocular microcirculation may precede severe eye involvements and may be a potential biomarker for early distinguishing abnormal eyes from healthy eyes.
Topics: Humans; Female; Fluorescein Angiography; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Retina; Microvessels; Arthritis, Rheumatoid
PubMed: 37665319
DOI: 10.1042/BSR20230045 -
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2023Person-specific computational models can estimate transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) current dose delivered to the brain and predict treatment response....
BACKGROUND
Person-specific computational models can estimate transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) current dose delivered to the brain and predict treatment response. Artificially created electrode models derived from virtual 10-20 EEG measurements are typically included in these models as current injection and removal sites. The present study directly compares current flow models generated via artificially placed electrodes ("artificial" electrode models) against those generated using real electrodes acquired from structural MRI scans ("real" electrode models) of older adults.
METHODS
A total of 16 individualized head models were derived from cognitively healthy older adults (mean age = 71.8 years) who participated in an in-scanner tDCS study with an F3-F4 montage. Visible tDCS electrodes captured within the MRI scans were segmented to create the "real" electrode model. In contrast, the "artificial" electrodes were generated in ROAST. Percentage differences in current density were computed in selected regions of interest (ROIs) as examples of stimulation targets within an F3-F4 montage.
MAIN RESULTS
We found significant inverse correlations ( < 0.001) between median current density values and brain atrophy in both electrode pipelines with slightly larger correlations found in the artificial pipeline. The percent difference (PD) of the electrode distances between the two models predicted the median current density values computed in the ROIs, gray, and white matter, with significant correlation between electrode distance PDs and current density. The correlation between PD of the contact areas and the computed median current densities in the brain was found to be non-significant.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates potential discrepancies in generated current density models using real versus artificial electrode placement when applying tDCS to an older adult cohort. Our findings strongly suggest that future tDCS clinical work should consider closely monitoring and rigorously documenting electrode location during stimulation to model tDCS montages as closely as possible to actual placement. Detailed physical electrode location data may provide more precise information and thus produce more robust tDCS modeling results.
PubMed: 38077189
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1274114 -
JOR Spine Mar 2024Composite models have become commonplace for the assessment of fixation and stability of total joint replacements; however, there are no comparable models for the...
PURPOSE
Composite models have become commonplace for the assessment of fixation and stability of total joint replacements; however, there are no comparable models for the cervical spine to evaluate fixation. The goal of this study was to create the framework for a tunable non-homogeneous model of cervical vertebral body by identifying the relationships between strength, in-fill density, and lattice structure and creating a final architectural framework for specific strengths to be applied to the model.
METHODS
The range of material properties for cervical spine were identified from literature. Using additive manufacturing software, rectangular prints with three lattice structures, gyroid, triangle, zig-zag, and a range of in-fill densities were 3D-printed. The compressive and shear strengths for all combinations were calculated in the axial and coronal planes. Eleven unique vertebral regions were selected to represent the distribution of density. Each bone density was converted to strength and subsequently correlated to the lattice structure and in-fill density with the desired material properties. Finally, a complete cervical vertebra model was 3D-printed to ensure sufficient print quality.
RESULTS
Materials testing identified a relationship between in-fill densities and strength for all lattice structures. The axial compressive strength of the gyroid specimens ranged from 1.5 MPa at 10% infill to 31.3 MPa at 100% infill and the triangle structure ranged from 2.7 MPa at 10% infill to 58.4 MPa at 100% infill. Based on these results, a cervical vertebra model was created utilizing cervical cancellous strength values and the corresponding in-fill density and lattice structure combination. This model was then printed with 11 different in-fill densities ranging from 33% gyroid to 84% triangle to ensure successful integration of the non-homogeneous in-fill densities and lattice structures.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings from this study introduced a framework for using additive manufacturing to create a tunable, customizable biomimetic model of a cervical vertebra.
PubMed: 38222806
DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1285 -
PloS One 2023Aggregation into groups may affect performance of individuals through the balance and strength of facilitative versus competitive interactions. We studied in situ how...
Aggregation into groups may affect performance of individuals through the balance and strength of facilitative versus competitive interactions. We studied in situ how seasonal variation in abiotic environment affects this balance for blue mussels, a semi-sessile species. We hypothesize that seasonal variation in stresses and resources affects the strength of the interaction. We expected that, in benign conditions (here: high food availability, medium temperatures, low hydrodynamic stress), performance is dominated by growth and is better at low densities, while at adverse conditions (here: low food availability, low or high temperatures, high hydrodynamic stress), performance is dominated by survival and higher at high densities. Mussels were kept in shallow subtidal exclosures at 10 different densities for a one-month period. This exact procedure was repeated seven times at the same location within a one-year period. We measured development in mussel patch shape, performance, and environmental parameters. Environmental conditions for mussels were most benign in summer and most adverse in winter. Patches developed into less complex shapes at lower densities, but also after stronger hydrodynamic disturbances. Towards summer, mussels became more active, aggregation behavior increased, and interactions became more pronounced. Towards winter, mussels became less active: aggregation behavior and growth rates declined and at the lowest temperatures survival started to decrease with mussel density. Survival and growth (by proxy of mussel condition) were both density-dependent; however, contrary to our expectations we found positive interactions between density and survival at the most benign conditions in summer and negative interactions at the most adverse conditions in winter. In between the two seasons, the strength of the interactions increased towards summer and decreased towards winter following a bell-shaped pattern. This pattern might be explained by the environmental mediated aggregation behavior of the mussels. The obvious seasonal pattern in balance and strength of density-dependent interactions demonstrates that strength and direction of intra-specific interactions are both strongly affected by environmental context.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Seasons; Mytilus edulis; Competitive Behavior
PubMed: 37856481
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293142 -
Breast Cancer Research : BCR May 2024Mammographic density (MD) has been shown to be a strong and independent risk factor for breast cancer in women of European and Asian descent. However, the majority of...
BACKGROUND
Mammographic density (MD) has been shown to be a strong and independent risk factor for breast cancer in women of European and Asian descent. However, the majority of Asian studies to date have used BI-RADS as the scoring method and none have evaluated area and volumetric densities in the same cohort of women. This study aims to compare the association of MD measured by two automated methods with the risk of breast cancer in Asian women, and to investigate if the association is different for premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
METHODS
In this case-control study of 531 cases and 2297 controls, we evaluated the association of area-based MD measures and volumetric-based MD measures with breast cancer risk in Asian women using conditional logistic regression analysis, adjusting for relevant confounders. The corresponding association by menopausal status were assessed using unconditional logistic regression.
RESULTS
We found that both area and volume-based MD measures were associated with breast cancer risk. Strongest associations were observed for percent densities (OR (95% CI) was 2.06 (1.42-2.99) for percent dense area and 2.21 (1.44-3.39) for percent dense volume, comparing women in highest density quartile with those in the lowest quartile). The corresponding associations were significant in postmenopausal but not premenopausal women (premenopausal versus postmenopausal were 1.59 (0.95-2.67) and 1.89 (1.22-2.96) for percent dense area and 1.24 (0.70-2.22) and 1.96 (1.19-3.27) for percent dense volume). However, the odds ratios were not statistically different by menopausal status [p difference = 0.782 for percent dense area and 0.486 for percent dense volume].
CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the associations of mammographic density measured by both area and volumetric methods and breast cancer risk in Asian women. Stronger associations were observed for percent dense area and percent dense volume, and strongest effects were seen in postmenopausal individuals.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Case-Control Studies; Breast Density; Middle Aged; Asian People; Adult; Risk Factors; Mammography; Aged; Postmenopause; Premenopause; Odds Ratio; Mammary Glands, Human
PubMed: 38750574
DOI: 10.1186/s13058-024-01829-2 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Accurate prediction of fluctuations of wildlife local number of individuals is crucial for effective population management to minimise human-wildlife conflicts. Climate,...
Accurate prediction of fluctuations of wildlife local number of individuals is crucial for effective population management to minimise human-wildlife conflicts. Climate, habitat, food availability, and density dependence are among the main factors influencing mammalian population dynamics. In southern Europe, precipitation and temperature, particularly during summer have been suggested as key factors affecting wild boar (Sus scrofa L.). However, there is uncertainty regarding the role of these factors and the mechanisms driving population fluctuations. This study utilized long-term data of wild boar populations from 14 study sites collected for 23 years in Catalonia, Spain, to analyse the factors that drive population density and growth rate. Generalized Additive Mixed Models (GAMM) explained respectively, 94 % and 65 % of the density and growth rate variability. Spring precipitation in both current and previous year, female weight, and forest cover (particularly above 60 %) were directly associated with higher wild boar densities and population growth rates. The interaction between crop cover and total annual precipitation also played a significant role in determining population density. Higher densities were linked to lower population growth in the following year, likely due to a density-dependent process. These results suggest that the expected decrease in rainfall linked with global warming may limit the availability of natural resources and potentially slow wild boar population growth. Nevertheless, wild boar can exploit alternative anthropogenic food sources, potentially leading to an increase of human-wildlife conflicts. Therefore, incorporating management policies aimed at restricting wild boar access to human food sources is key for controlling their reproductive output. Additionally, landscape management strategies targeted at diminishing refuge and resource availability in regions experiencing high wild boar impact are essential for contributing to sustainable coexistence between wild boars and human populations.
Topics: Animals; Sus scrofa; Spain; Population Density; Population Growth; Ecosystem; Population Dynamics; Animals, Wild; Conservation of Natural Resources
PubMed: 38697537
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172739 -
Fish and Shellfish Immunology Reports Dec 2023Scientific research into fish wellness is critical, and the concerns about crowding-related stress due to increased stocking density are inevitable. Taking this into...
Scientific research into fish wellness is critical, and the concerns about crowding-related stress due to increased stocking density are inevitable. Taking this into consideration, the study defines the physiological signature of (Butter catfish) in a biofloc system when subjected to varying levels of stocking density. Fish (mean weight = 1.21 ± 0.08, = 600) were randomly stocked in 40-L glass aquaria at stocking densities of 0.5 g/L (T1), 1 g/L (T2), 1.5 g/L (T3), and 2 g/L (T4) and fed a 35% protein diet. After the 90-day trial, the physio-biochemical, molecular, and tissue-level changes were assessed. An integrated biomarker response (IBR) analysis for the key stress indicators aided us in better understanding them. There was a significant difference in blood count between T1 and T4 (total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume). T1 had higher levels of globulin and total plasma protein, but T2 had higher levels of albumin. Only in T1 did the respiratory burst and lysozyme activity appear to be higher (p < 0.05). Increased stocking densities had a significant impact on the liver function enzymes, GOT and GPT (p < 0.05). In comparison to lower densities (T1 & T2), higher stocking density (T3 & T4) was found to raise glucose and cortisol levels (p < 0.05). Antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and malondialdehyde were found to be more pronounced in lower density tissues (T1). Furthermore, the IBR plots show that lower densities have better health than higher densities. At higher stocking densities, mRNA expression of , IL-1, and IL-20 increased (p < 0.05) in kidney and liver tissues. The Nrf-2 and Tlr-9 genes were also upregulated. Also, when stocking density was increased, tissue-level histo-architectural changes were more pronounced than when stocking density was kept low. The findings of this study show that the welfare of Butter catfish cultured at high density in biofloc systems suffers from severe stress, and therefore draw more attention to the development of a species-specific standard rearing methodology in the pursuit of a profitable aqua-farming enterprise.
PubMed: 37529203
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsirep.2023.100112 -
PeerJ 2023The Pollard-Yates transect is a widely used method for sampling butterflies. Data from these traditional transects are analyzed to produce density estimates, which are...
The Pollard-Yates transect is a widely used method for sampling butterflies. Data from these traditional transects are analyzed to produce density estimates, which are then used to make inferences about population status or trends. A key assumption of the Pollard-Yates transect is that detection probability is 1.0, or constant but unknown, out to a fixed distance (generally 2.5 m on either side of a transect line). However, species-specific estimates of detection probability would allow for sampling at farther distances, resulting in more detections of individuals. Our objectives were to (1) evaluate butterfly density estimates derived from Pollard-Yates line transects and distance sampling, (2) estimate how detection probabilities for butterflies vary across sampling distances and butterfly wing lengths, and (3) offer advice on future butterfly sampling techniques to estimate population density. We conducted Pollard-Yates transects and distance-sampling transects in central Iowa in 2014. For comparison to densities derived from Pollard-Yates transects, we used Program DISTANCE to model detection probability (p) and estimate density (D) for eight butterfly species representing a range of morphological characteristics. We found that detection probability among species varied beyond 2.5 m, with variation apparent even within 5 m of the line. Such variation correlated with wing size, where species with larger wing size generally had higher detection probabilities. Distance sampling estimated higher densities at the 5-m truncation for five of the eight species tested. At this truncation, detection probability was <0.8 for all species, and ranged from 0.53 to 0.79. With the exception of the little yellow (), species with median wing length <5.0 mm had the lowest detection probabilities. We recommend that researchers integrate distance sampling into butterfly sampling and monitoring, particularly for studies utilizing survey transects >5 m wide and when smaller species are targeted.
Topics: Animals; Butterflies; Iowa; Population Density; Species Specificity; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37842044
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16165 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023In this cross-sectional study, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) findings were compared in patients with gout ( = 30) and healthy participants ( = 32)....
In this cross-sectional study, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) findings were compared in patients with gout ( = 30) and healthy participants ( = 32). The superficial and deep vessel density variables measured using OCT-A were compared between the groups. The superficial foveal and perifoveal vessel densities of the patient group were lower than those of the healthy participants ( = 0.014 and = 0.045, respectively). However, all superficial and parafoveal vessel densities were similar in both groups ( = 0.469 and = 0.284, respectively). The deep capillary plexus density measurements of the whole-zone, foveal, parafoveal, and perifoveal vessel densities using OCT-A revealed no significant differences between the groups ( = 0.251, = 0.074, = 0.177, and = 0.881, respectively). A higher serum uric acid (SUA) level was found to be independently associated with a decreased superficial capillary plexus density and an increased choriocapillary flow deficit in the study population. Men were less sensitive to high SUA levels than women. These findings suggest that an elevated uric acid concentration may play a role in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease through changes in the microvasculature, as shown by the OCT-A parameters.
PubMed: 38132235
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13243651