Background
Deep learning‐based reconstruction (DLR) can potentially improve image quality by reduction of noise, thereby enabling fast acquisition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, a ...systematic evaluation of image quality and diagnostic performance of MRI using short acquisition time with DLR has rarely been investigated in men with prostate cancer.
Purpose
To assess the image quality and diagnostic performance of MRI using short acquisition time with DLR for the evaluation of extraprostatic extension (EPE).
Study Type
Retrospective.
Population
One hundred and nine men.
Field Strength/Sequence
3 T; turbo spin echo T2‐weighted images (T2WI), echo‐planar diffusion‐weighted, and spoiled gradient echo dynamic contrast‐enhanced images.
Assessment
To compare image quality, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) and subjective analysis using Likert scales on three T2WIs (MRI using conventional acquisition time, MRI using short acquisition time fast MRI, and fast MRI with DLR) were performed. The diagnostic performance for EPE was evaluated by three independent readers.
Statistical Tests
SNR, CNR, and image quality scores across the three imaging protocols were compared using Friedman tests. The diagnostic performance for EPE was assessed using the area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Fast MRI with DLR demonstrated significantly higher SNR (mean ± SD, 14.7 ± 6.8 vs. 8.8 ± 4.9) and CNR (mean ± SD, 6.5 ± 6.3 vs. 3.4 ± 3.6) values and higher image quality scores (median, 4.0 vs. 3.0 for three readers) than fast MRI. The AUCs for EPE were significantly higher with the use of DLR (0.86 vs. 0.75 for reader 2 and 0.82 vs. 0.73 for reader 3) compared with fast MRI, whereas differences were not significant for reader 1 (0.81 vs. 0.74; P = 0.09).
Data Conclusion
DLR may be useful in reducing the acquisition time of prostate MRI without compromising image quality or diagnostic performance.
Level of Evidence
4
Technical Efficacy
Stage 3
Background
There appears to be less agreement in the identification of cancers in the transition zone (TZ), which is not as reliable as those in peripheral zone when using the Prostate Imaging ...Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) version 2 (v2). In response to such shortcomings, the updated version 2.1 was introduced, which incorporated diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) into category 2 and clarified lexicons.
Purpose
To compare the diagnostic performance for the detection of clinically significant TZ prostate cancers (csPCa) and interreader agreement between PI‐RADS v2.1 and v2.
Study Type
Retrospective study.
Population
In all, 142 patients, 201 TZ lesions.
Field Strength/Sequence
3.0T; T2‐weighted image and DWI.
Assessment
Lesions were scored by three independent readers using PI‐RADS v2 and v2.1.
Statistical Tests
The sensitivity and specificity at category ≥3 were compared between v2 and v2.1 using the generalized estimating equation model. Detection rates for csPCa of upgraded and downgraded lesions in the use of PI‐RADS v2.1 from v2 were assessed. Interreader agreement was assessed using κ statistics.
Results
PI‐RADS v2.1 showed a higher sensitivity and specificity (94.5% and 60.9%) than v2 (91.8% and 56.3%) for category ≥3 lesions in the detection of csPCa, although not significantly. Of eight upgraded lesions from category 2 to 3 (2 + 1) with an incorporated DWI, 50% (4/8) were csPCa. This was significantly higher than category 2 lesions (4.4%; P = 0.003). No csPCa was detected among the 22.8% (46/201) downgraded lesions. There was a moderate interreader agreement for scores ≥3 (κ = 0.565) in v2.1, which was slightly higher than that for v2 (κ = 0.534), although not significantly.
Data Conclusion
PI‐RADS v2.1 provides moderate and comparable interreader agreement at category ≥3 than v2 in the TZ lesions. Upgraded lesions from category 2 to 3 demonstrated a higher detection rate of csPCa than category 2 lesions in v2.1.
Level of Evidence
4
Technical Efficacy Stage
2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:577–586.
The solid‐state nanopore has attracted much attention as a next‐generation DNA sequencing tool or a single‐molecule biosensor platform with its high sensitivity of biomolecule detection. The platform ...has advantages of processability, robustness of the device, and flexibility in the nanopore dimensions as compared with the protein nanopore, but with the limitation of insufficient spatial and temporal resolution to be utilized in DNA sequencing. Here, the fundamental principles of the solid‐state nanopore are summarized to illustrate the novelty of the device, and improvements in the performance of the platform in terms of device fabrication are explained. The efforts to reduce the electrical noise of solid‐state nanopore devices, and thus to enhance the sensitivity of detection, are presented along with detailed descriptions of the noise properties of the solid‐state nanopore. Applications of 2D materials including graphene, h‐BN, and MoS2 as a nanopore membrane to enhance the spatial resolution of nanopore detection, and organic coatings on the nanopore membranes for the addition of chemical functionality to the nanopore are summarized. Finally, the recently reported applications of the solid‐state nanopore are categorized and described according to the target biomolecules: DNA‐bound proteins, modified DNA structures, proteins, and protein oligomers.
The solid‐state nanopore has attracted much attention as a next‐generation DNA sequencing tool or a single‐molecule biosensor platform with its high sensitivity of biomolecule detection. The history, fundamental principles, improvements in the performance, and the recently reported applications of the solid‐state nanopore are highlighted, with a focus on devices, materials, and fabrication methods.
Background
The Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) was introduced in 2012 and updated to version 2.1 (v2.1) in early 2019 to improve diagnostic performance and interreader ...reliability.
Purpose
To evaluate the diagnostic performance of PI‐RADS v2.1 in comparison with v2.
Methods
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases to identify studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of PI‐RADS v2.1 for diagnosing clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa).
Study Type
Systematic review and meta‐analysis.
Subject
One thousand two hundred forty‐eight patients with 1406 lesions from 10 eligible articles.
Field Strength/sequence
Conventional MR sequences at 1.5 T and 3 T.
Assessment
Two reviewers independently identified and reviewed the original articles reporting diagnostic performance of PI‐RADS v2.1.
Statistical Tests
Meta‐analytic summary sensitivity and specificity were calculated using a bivariate random effects model. Meta‐analytic sensitivity and specificity between PI‐RADS v2 and v2.1 were compared.
Results
The pooled sensitivity and specificity of PI‐RADS v2.1 were 87% (95% confidence intervals, 82–91%) and 74% (63–82%), respectively. In five studies available for a head‐to‐head comparison between PI‐RADS v2.1 and v2, there were no significant differences in either sensitivity (90% 86–94% vs. 88% 83–93%, respectively) or specificity (76% 59–93% vs. 61% 39–83%, respectively; P = 0.37). The sensitivity and specificity were 81% (73–87%) and 82% (68–91%), respectively, for a PI‐RADS score cutoff of ≥4, and 94% (88–97%) and 56% (35–97%) for ≥3. Regarding the zonal location, the sensitivity and specificity for the transitional zone only were 90% (84–96%) and 76% (62–90%) respectively, whereas for the whole gland they were 85% (79–91%) and 71% (57–85%).
Data Conclusion
PI‐RADS v2.1 demonstrated good overall performance for the diagnosis of csPCa. PI‐RADS v2.1 tended to show higher specificity than v2, but the difference lacked statistical significance.
Level of Evidence
3
Technical Efficacy Stage
3
Abstract Background Both air pollution and weather impact hospitalization for respiratory diseases. However, few studies have investigated the contribution of weather to hospitalization related to ...the adverse effects of air pollution. This study analyzed the effects of particulate matter (PM) on daily respiratory-related hospital admissions, taking into account meteorological factors. Methods Daily hospital admissions for respiratory diseases (acute bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma) between 2007 and 2010 were extracted from the National Health Insurance Corporation, Korea. Patients were divided into three age-based groups (0–15, 16–64, and ≥65 years). PM levels were obtained from 19 monitoring stations in Busan. Results The mean number of patients admitted for acute bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma was 5.8 ± 11.9, 4.4 ± 6.1, and 3.3 ± 3.3, respectively. During that time, the daily mean PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were 49.6 ± 20.5 and 24.2 ± 10.9 μg/m3 , respectively. The mean temperature anomaly was 7.0 ± 2.3 °C; the relative humidity was 62.0 ± 18.0%. Hospital admission rates for respiratory diseases increased with increasing PM and temperature, and with decreasing relative humidity. A multivariate analysis including PM, temperature anomaly, relative humidity, and age showed a significant increase in respiratory-related admissions with increasing PM levels and a decreasing relative humidity. Higher PM2.5 levels had a greater effect on respiratory-related hospital admission than did PM10 levels. Children and the elderly were the most susceptible to hospital admission for respiratory disease. Conclusions PM levels and meteorological factors impacted hospitalization for respiratory diseases, especially in children and the elderly. The effect of PM on respiratory diseases increased as the relative humidity decreased.
Isotropic InP/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) are prepared at a high reaction temperature, which facilitates ZnSe shell growth on random facets of the InP core. Fast crystal growth enables stacking ...faults elimination, which induces anisotropic growth, and as a result, improves the photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield by nearly 20%. Herein, the effect of the QD morphology on photophysical properties is investigated by observing the PL blinking and ultrafast charge carrier dynamics. It is found that hot hole trapping is considerably suppressed in isotropic InP QDs, indicating that the stacking faults in the anisotropic InP/ZnSe structures act as defects for luminescence. These results highlight the importance of understanding the correlation between QD shapes and hot carrier dynamics, and present a way to design highly luminescent QDs for further promising display applications.
Kinetically fast ZnSe shell growth by controlling reaction temperature produces InP/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with uniform shape. The isotropic InP/ZnSe/ZnS QDs show a significant improvement of photoluminescence quantum yield by 20% compared to pristine InP/ZnSe/ZnS QDs. Hot carrier trapping is especially suppressed in InP QDs with uniform shells by eliminating the structural defects induced by stacking faults.
The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of trace metals in the blood of the general Korean population. A total of 258 healthy individuals, according to their regular medical check-ups, ...(119 males and 139 females, age ranging from 12 to 78 years old) were enrolled from December 2014 to December 2016. Levels of 10 trace elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The geometric mean (GM) levels for lead, arsenic, cesium, mercury, aluminum, cadmium, copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc were 15.97 μg/L, 7.19 μg/L, 2.39 μg/L, 3.41 μg/L, 10.57 μg/L, 0.78 μg/L, 979.8 μg/L, 11.06 μg/L, 111.37 μg/L, and 872.7 μg/L, respectively. There were significant gender-related differences in the levels of several metals; male individuals had higher Pb, As, Cs, Hg, and Se than females, while females had higher Cd, Cu, and Mn than males. We noticed remarkably high blood levels of Hg, As and Al in the Korean population. The element concentrations reported represent a new contribution to the knowledge of the blood chemistry for the Korea population. The data can be used to assess the clinical health of this population.
Although obesity is associated with numerous diseases, the risks of disease may depend on metabolic health. Associations between the gut microbiota, obesity, and metabolic syndrome have been ...reported, but differences in microbiomes according to metabolic health in the obese population have not been explored in previous studies. Here, we investigated the composition of gut microbiota according to metabolic health status in obese and overweight subjects. A total of 747 overweight or obese adults were categorized by metabolic health status, and their fecal microbiota were profiled using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. We classified these adults into a metabolically healthy group (MH, N = 317) without any components of metabolic syndrome or a metabolically unhealthy group (MU, N = 430) defined as having at least one metabolic abnormality. The phylogenetic and non-phylogenetic alpha diversity for gut microbiota were lower in the MU group than the MH group, and there were significant differences in gut microbiota bacterial composition between the two groups. We found that the genus Oscillospira and the family Coriobacteriaceae were associated with good metabolic health in the overweight and obese populations. This is the first report to describe gut microbial diversity and composition in metabolically healthy and unhealthy overweight and obese individuals. Modulation of the gut microbiome may help prevent metabolic abnormalities in the obese population.
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