Machine learning in cardiac CT: Basic concepts and contemporary data.

Propelled by the synergy of the groundbreaking advancements in the ability to analyze high-dimensional datasets and the increasing availability of imaging and clinical data, machine learning (ML) is poised to transform the practice of cardiovascular medicine. Owing to the growing body of literature validating both the diagnostic performance as well as the prognostic implications of anatomic and physiologic findings, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is now a well-established non-invasive modality for the assessment of cardiovascular disease. ML has been increasingly utilized to optimize performance as well as extract data from CCTA as well as non-contrast enhanced cardiac CT scans.

Maximization of the usage of coronary CTA derived plaque information using a machine learning based algorithm to improve risk stratification; insights from the CONFIRM registry.

Introduction: Machine learning (ML) is a field in computer science that demonstrated to effectively integrate clinical and imaging data for the creation of prognostic scores. The current study investigated whether a ML score, incorporating only the 16 segment coronary tree information derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), provides enhanced risk stratification compared with current CCTA based risk scores.

Methods: From the multi-center CONFIRM registry, patients were included with complete CCTA risk score information and ≥3 year follow-up for myocardial infarction and death (primary endpoint).

Disparities in breast cancer: a multi-institutional comparative analysis focusing on American Hispanics.

Unlabelled: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic/Latino women nationwide. Hispanic women are more likely to be presented with advanced disease and adverse prognosis subtypes. The aim of this study is to describe the clinico- pathological characteristics and disparities in breast cancer in this group at two tertiary care University-based medical centers.

Daily Image Guidance With Cone Beam Computed Tomography May Reduce Radiation Pneumonitis in Unresectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of daily image-guided radiation therapy technique on clinical outcomes in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy.

Methods And Materials: We compared patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer receiving daily cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) after an initial 4-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) simulation (n = 76) with those receiving daily 2-dimensional orthogonal kilovoltage (kV) imaging (n = 48). The primary endpoint was time to grade ≥2 radiation pneumonitis (RP2), estimated with the cumulative incidence method, compared with Gray's test, and modeled with the Fine-Gray method.

Cyclopentadienyl-Ru(II)-Pyridylamine Complexes: Synthesis, X-ray Structure, and Application in Catalytic Transformation of Bio-Derived Furans to Levulinic Acid and Diketones in Water.

A series of cationic half-sandwich cyclopentadienyl-ruthenium(II)-pyridylamine complexes, [(η-CH)Ru(κ-L)(PPh)] (L = N-substituted pyridylamine ligands) ([Ru]-1-[Ru]-6), along with the analogous cyclopentadienyl-ruthenium(II)- N-isopropylpyridylimine complex [(η-CH)Ru(κ-L)(PPh)] (L = N-isopropylpyridylimine) ([Ru]-7), have been synthesized in good yields. Structural identities of all the complexes have been authenticated by H, C, and P NMR, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. The synthesized complexes exhibited high catalytic activity for the transformation of the bio-derived furans, 2-furfural (furfural), 5-methyl-2-furfural (5-MF), and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5-HMF) to levulinic acid (LA) and the diketones, 3-hydroxyhexane-2,5-dione (3-HHD), 1-hydroxyhexane-2,5-dione (1-HHD), and hexane-2,5-dione (HD) in water.

Hispanic Americans and Non-Hispanic White Americans Have a Similar Inflammatory Bowel Disease Phenotype: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a devastating immune-mediated disease on the rise in Hispanics living in the USA. Prior observational studies comparing IBD characteristics between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites (NHW) have yielded mixed results.

Aims: We performed a meta-analysis of observational studies examining IBD phenotype in Hispanics compared to NHW.

Counteractive mechanism (s) of salicylic acid in response to lead toxicity in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. cv. Varuna.

Salicylic acid alleviates lead toxicity in Brassica juncea (L.) by promoting growth under non-stress and activating stress-defense mechanism (s) under lead stress conditions. It also boosts the ascorbate-glutathione cycle and thus helps in minimizing oxidative and DNA damage.

Purtscher-like retinopathy: A rare ocular finding in nephrotic syndrome.

In this report, we present a case of Purtscher-like retinopathy in a 12-year-old male child with nephrotic syndrome. He was a known case of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, frequent relapser with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, who presented with complaints of difficulty in vision in both eyes. The fundus examination showed multiple cotton-wool spots and Purtscher fleckens centered around the optic nerve head with superficial retinal hemorrhages in both eyes.

Functional neurological disorders in Parkinson disease.

Objective: To ascertain demographic and clinical features of Parkinson disease (PD) associated with functional neurological features.

Methods: A standardised form was used to extract data from electronic records of 53 PD patients with associated functional neurological disorders (PD-FND) across eight movement disorders centres in the USA, Canada and Europe. These subjects were matched for age, gender and disease duration to PD patients without functional features (PD-only).

Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Modeling Studies of Propargyl-Containing 2,4,6-Trisubstituted Pyrimidine Derivatives as Potential Anti-Parkinson Agents.

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors are potential drug candidates for the treatment of various neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease. A total of 20 new propargyl-containing 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and screened for MAO inhibition using Amplex Red assays. All the synthesized compounds were found to be reversible and selective inhibitors of the MAO-B isoform at sub-micromolar concentrations.

Disseminated cystic nodal metastasis in renal cell carcinoma mimicking systemic hydatidosis on imaging.

Cystic metastases in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are very rare. Very few case reports can be found in literature. Retroperitoneal cystic nodal metastases have been reported in head and neck tumors.

Successful Percutaneous Retrieval of IVC Filter with Wide Retroperitoneal Penetration Presenting with Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Symptomatic penetration of the retroperitoneal structures by inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is a rare clinical entity. Vast majority of these patients require laparotomy and open retrieval of the filter. We report a case of a filter penetrating into the duodenum within two months of implantation resulting in gastrointestinal bleeding.

Cholangioscopy Is Safe and Feasible in Elderly Patients.

Background & Aims: Although cholangioscopy is widely used during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatiography (ERCP), its safety and feasibility for elderly patients are not well established. We aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of cholangioscopy in elderly patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of all ERCPs with single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC) performed at 3 tertiary referral hospitals from March 2012 through October 2015.

Investigation of Upconversion, downshifting and quantum -cutting behavior of Eu, Yb, Bi co-doped LaNbO phosphor as a spectral conversion material.

This work presents the spectral conversion characteristics [upconversion (UC), downshifting (DS) and quantum-cutting (QC) optical processes] of Eu, Yb and Bi co-doped LaNbO (LBO) phosphor samples synthesized by solid state reaction technique. The crystal structure and the pure phase formation have been confirmed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The surface morphology and particle size are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

PLGA nanoformulation of sparfloxacin enhanced antibacterial activity with photoprotective potential under ambient UV-R exposure.

Sparfloxacin (SPFX) is a broad spectrum antibiotic which inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase enzyme activity. However, photodegradation in the presence of UVA limits its antibacterial activity and induces phototoxicity. Thus, to encounter this problem, we have developed poly d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) loaded SPFX nanoparticles.

The association between mood state and chronobiological characteristics in bipolar I disorder: a naturalistic, variable cluster analysis-based study.

Background: Multiple types of chronobiological disturbances have been reported in bipolar disorder, including characteristics associated with general activity levels, sleep, and rhythmicity. Previous studies have focused on examining the individual relationships between affective state and chronobiological characteristics. The aim of this study was to conduct a variable cluster analysis in order to ascertain how mood states are associated with chronobiological traits in bipolar I disorder (BDI).

Lifetime alcohol consumption and severity in alcohol dependence syndrome.

Introduction: Alcohol dependence syndrome is a major public health issue globally and is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. The total dose of alcohol consumed has been linked to liver diseases, pancreatitis, and other alcohol-related medical consequences. However, this has not been studied in relation to severity of dependence; although it is well known that alcohol causes neuronal damage, which in turn potentiates dependence.

Behavioral interventions as a treatment for epilepsy: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a stress-reduction intervention in participants with medication-resistant epilepsy.

Methods: Adults with medication-resistant focal epilepsy (n = 66) were recruited from 3 centers and randomized to 1 of 2 interventions: (1) progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) with diaphragmatic breathing, or (2) control focused-attention activity with extremity movements. Following an 8-week baseline period, participants began 12 weeks of double-blind treatment.

Single arm phase II study of oral vitamin B12 for the treatment of musculoskeletal symptoms associated with aromatase inhibitors in women with early stage breast cancer.

Breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy with aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) often experience musculoskeletal and joint-related side effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Vitamin B12 supplements on musculoskeletal symptoms such as pain and arthralgias induced by AIs and to correlate response with serum and inflammatory biomarkers. Upon receiving approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), the majority of the patients consented into the study were treated at the Texas Tech Breast Care Center.

Evaluation of Atherosclerotic Plaque in Non-invasive Coronary Imaging.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Over the last decade coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has gained wide acceptance as a reliable, cost-effective and non-invasive modality for diagnosis and prognostication of CAD. Use of CCTA is now expanding to characterization of plaque morphology and identification of vulnerable plaque.

Clinico-pathologic disparities of breast cancer in Hispanic/Latina women.

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic/Latina women nationwide. Limited cancer research has been conducted in this population. El Paso, Texas is a large border city with a population of around 900,000, of which 85% are Latinos and would provide a suitable setting for this study.

Prognosis of patients with secondary mitral regurgitation and reduced ejection fraction.

Objective: The impact of the severity of secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) on the risk of death and heart failure (HF) hospitalisations in patients with reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic function is poorly defined. The study sought to identify the incremental risk of secondary MR in patients with reduced LV systolic function.

Methods: We studied 615 consecutive patients with LV ejection fraction ≤35% by transthoracic echocardiography at a single medical centre.

Selective estrogen receptor modulator ormeloxifene suppresses embryo implantation via inducing miR-140 and targeting insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor in rat uterus.

Ormeloxifene, the non-steroidal SERM contraceptive, inhibits endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation via countering nidatory estrogen. However, the molecular mechanism of ormeloxifene action responsible for its contraceptive efficacy still remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to identify the miRNAs modulated under the influence of ormeloxifene and to explore their role in endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation.

Tablet-Based Application for Objective Measurement of Motor Fluctuations in Parkinson Disease.

Background: The motor subscale of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS-III) has limited applicability for the assessment of motor fluctuations in the home setting.

Methods: To assess whether a self-administered, tablet-based application can reliably quantify differences in motor performance using two-target finger tapping and forearm pronation-supination tasks in the ON (maximal dopaminergic medication efficacy) and OFF (reemergence of parkinsonian deficits) medication states, we recruited 11 Parkinson disease (PD) patients (age, 60.6 ± 9.