A 128-channel receive array with enhanced SNR performance for 10.5 tesla brain imaging.

Purpose: To develop and characterize the performance of a 128-channel head array for brain imaging at 10.5 tesla and evaluate the potential of brain imaging at this unique, >10 tesla magnetic field.

Methods: The coil is composed of a 16-channel self-decoupled loop transmit/receive array with a 112-loop receive-only (Rx) insert.

PIFON-EPT: MR-Based Electrical Property Tomography Using Physics-Informed Fourier Networks.

We propose Physics-Informed Fourier Networks for Electrical Properties (EP) Tomography (PIFON-EPT), a novel deep learning-based method for EP reconstruction using noisy and/or incomplete magnetic resonance (MR) measurements. Our approach leverages the Helmholtz equation to constrain two networks, responsible for the denoising and completion of the transmit fields, and the estimation of the object's EP, respectively. We embed a random Fourier features mapping into our networks to enable efficient learning of high-frequency details encoded in the transmit fields.

Accelerated MRI reconstructions via variational network and feature domain learning.

We introduce three architecture modifications to enhance the performance of the end-to-end (E2E) variational network (VarNet) for undersampled MRI reconstructions. We first implemented the Feature VarNet, which propagates information throughout the cascades of the network in an N-channel feature-space instead of a 2-channel feature-space. Then, we add an attention layer that utilizes the spatial locations of Cartesian undersampling artifacts to further improve performance.

Performance of receive head arrays versus ultimate intrinsic SNR at 7 T and 10.5 T.

Purpose: We examined magnetic field dependent SNR gains and ability to capture them with multichannel receive arrays for human head imaging in going from 7 T, the most commonly used ultrahigh magnetic field (UHF) platform at the present, to 10.5 T, which represents the emerging new frontier of >10 T in UHFs.

Methods: Electromagnetic (EM) models of 31-channel and 63-channel multichannel arrays built for 10.

Computational methods for the estimation of ideal current patterns in realistic human models.

Purpose: To introduce a method for the estimation of the ideal current patterns (ICP) that yield optimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for realistic heterogeneous tissue models in MRI.

Theory And Methods: The ICP were calculated for different surfaces that resembled typical radiofrequency (RF) coil formers. We constructed numerical electromagnetic (EM) bases to accurately represent EM fields generated by RF current sources located on the current-bearing surfaces.

The Effect of Ball Heading and Subclinical Concussion On the Neuromuscular Control Of The Lower Limb: A Systematic Review.

Background: Soccer is unique among sports because it is the only sport that involves purposeful use of the head to control, pass, or shoot the ball. Over the previous five years, a relationship between lower extremity (LE) injury and sports related concussion (SRC) has been established in various sporting populations. Athletes at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels have demonstrated a greater risk for sustaining a LE injury post SRC.

The Effects of a Single Session of a Rhythmic Movement Program on Selected Biopsychological Parameters in PD Patients: A Methodological Approach.

The aim of the present study is to examine the acute effects of a specially designed musicokinetic (MSK) program for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) on (a) anxiety levels, (b) select kinematic and kinetic parameters, and (c) frontal cortex hemodynamic responses, during gait initiation and steady-state walking. : This is a blind cross-over randomized control trial (RCT) in which 13 volunteers with PD will attend a 45 min MSK program under the following conditions: (a) a synchronous learning format and (b) an asynchronous remote video-based format. Changes in gait biomechanics and frontal cortex hemodynamic responses will be examined using a 10-camera 3D motion analysis (Vicon T-series, Oxford, UK), and a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (f-NIRS-Portalite, Artinis NL) system, respectively, while anxiety levels will be evaluated using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale.

A Hybrid Volume-Surface Integral Equation Method for Rapid Electromagnetic Simulations in MRI.

Objective: We developed a hybrid volume surface integral equation (VSIE) method based on domain decomposition to perform fast and accurate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulations that include both remote and local conductive elements.

Methods: We separated the conductive surfaces present in MRI setups into two domains and optimized electromagnetic (EM) modeling for each case. Specifically, interactions between the body and EM waves originating from local radiofrequency (RF) coils were modeled with the precorrected fast Fourier transform, whereas the interactions with remote conductive surfaces (RF shield, scanner bore) were modeled with a novel cross tensor train-based algorithm.

The Effects of Action Observation Therapy as a Rehabilitation Tool in Parkinson's Disease Patients: A Systematic Review.

During Action Observation (AO), patients observe human movements that they then try to imitate physically. Until now, few studies have investigated the effectiveness of it in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, due to the diversity of interventions, it is unclear how the dose and characteristics can affect its efficiency.

Compression of volume-surface integral equation matrices via Tucker decomposition for magnetic resonance applications.

In this work, we propose a method for the compression of the coupling matrix in volume-surface integral equation (VSIE) formulations. VSIE methods are used for electromagnetic analysis in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications, for which the coupling matrix models the interactions between the coil and the body. We showed that these effects can be represented as independent interactions between remote elements in 3D tensor formats, and subsequently decomposed with the Tucker model.

Vaccination coverage among school children in Western Greece from 2016 to 2019.

Vaccine hesitancy has increased, which has an effect on vaccine uptake. The aim of our study was to investigate childhood vaccination coverage in Western Greece and identify factors affecting it. We also aimed to assess trends in childhood vaccination coverage nationwide.

Changing trends in the prevalence of childhood asthma over 40 years in Greece.

Background: A series of repeated questionnaire surveys among 8- to 9-year-old school children in the city of Patras, Greece, demonstrated a continuous rise in the prevalence of wheeze/asthma from 1978 to 2003, with a plateau between 2003 and 2008. We further investigated wheeze/asthma trends within the same environment over the last decade.

Methods: Two follow-up surveys were conducted in 2013 (N = 2554) and 2018 (N = 2648).

Magnetic-Resonance-Based Electrical Property Mapping Using Global Maxwell Tomography With an 8-Channel Head Coil at 7 Tesla: A Simulation Study.

Objective: Global Maxwell Tomography (GMT) is a recently introduced volumetric technique for noninvasive estimation of electrical properties (EP) from magnetic resonance measurements. Previous work evaluated GMT using ideal radiofrequency (RF) excitations. The aim of this simulation study was to assess GMT performance with a realistic RF coil.

Noninvasive Estimation of Electrical Properties From Magnetic Resonance Measurements via Global Maxwell Tomography and Match Regularization.

Objective: In this paper, we introduce global Maxwell tomography (GMT), a novel volumetric technique that estimates electric conductivity and permittivity by solving an inverse scattering problem based on magnetic resonance measurements.

Methods: GMT relies on a fast volume integral equation solver, MARIE, for the forward path, and a novel regularization method, match regularization, designed specifically for electrical property estimation from noisy measurements. We performed simulations with three different tissue-mimicking numerical phantoms of different complexity, using synthetic transmit sensitivity maps with realistic noise levels as the measurements.

No benefit of autologous transfusion drains in total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose And Hypothesis: Autologous blood transfusion drains are commonly used to reduce allogeneic blood transfusion rate after total knee arthroplasty. There is conflicting evidence as to whether autologous transfusion drains (ABT drains) were effective when restrictive transfusion triggers were used. The aim of our study was to ascertain where, as a part of a blood management protocol, autologous blood transfusion drains reduce the allogeneic blood transfusion rate after total knee arthroplasty.

An adhesive elastomeric supramolecular polyurethane healable at body temperature.

In this paper, we report the synthesis and healing ability of a non-cytotoxic supramolecular polyurethane network whose mechanical properties can be recovered efficiently (>99%) at the temperature of the human body (37 °C). Rheological analysis revealed an acceleration in the drop of the storage modulus above 37 °C, on account of the dissociation of the supramolecular polyurethane network, and this decrease in viscosity enables the efficient recovery of the mechanical properties. Microscopic and mechanical characterisation has shown that this material is able to recover mechanical properties across a damage site with minimal contact required between the interfaces and also demonstrated that the mechanical properties improved when compared to other low temperature healing elastomers or gel-like materials.

Influence of Antenatal Glucocorticosteroid Exposure on Osteoprotegerin and Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor x03BA;B Ligand Levels in Newborn Infants.

Background/aims: The physiologic relevance of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and the receptor activator of nuclear factor x03BA;B ligand (RANKL) in the preterm neonate is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of prematurity on OPG and RANKL concentrations at birth and to investigate in particular whether antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) exposure affects serum OPG and RANKL levels in premature neonates.

Methods: Quantitative determination (enzyme immunoassay) of serum OPG and RANKL at 24 postnatal hours was performed in 47 healthy term neonates, 43 preterm newborns not exposed to ACS, and 55 preterm infants exposed to ACS.

Neonatal intensive care unit candidemia: epidemiology, risk factors, outcome, and critical review of published case series.

Evaluation of epidemiological trends, risk factors, and clinical outcome associated with candidemia at a neonatal intensive care unit is reported. From January 2005 to December 2009, forty candidemia cases were identified. C.

Clinical and microbiological profile of persistent coagulase-negative staphylococcal bacteraemia in neonates.

An atypical pattern of coagulase-negative staphylococcal (CoNS) sepsis, characterized by persistence despite aggressive antibiotic therapy, has been described in neonates cared for in neonatal intensive-care units. Our aim was to analyse the clinical, microbiological and molecular determinants of this persistent CoNS bacteraemia. Neonates with late-onset CoNS bacteraemia were studied for a 2-year period.