Visual vs Fully Automatic Histogram-Based Assessment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Progression Using Sequential Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT)

Objectives To describe changes over time in extent of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) at multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) assessed by semi-quantitative visual scores (VSs) and fully automatic histogram-based quantitative evaluation and to test the relationship between these two methods of quantification. Methods Forty IPF patients (median age: 70 y, interquartile: 62-75 years;M:F, 33: 7) that underwent 2 MDCT at different time points with a median interval of 13 months (interquartile: 10-17 months) were retrospectively evaluated. In-house software YACTA quantified automatically lung density histogram (10th-90th percentile in 5th percentile steps). Longitudinal changes in VSs and in the percentiles of attenuation histogram were obtained in 20 untreated patients and 20 patients treated with pirfenidone. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the relationship between VSs and selected percentiles. Results In follow-up MDCT, visual overall extent of parenchymal abnormalities (OE) increased in median by 5 %/year (interquartile: 0 %/y;+11 %/y). Substantial difference was found between treated and untreated patients in HU changes of the 40th and of the 80th percentiles of density histogram. Correlation analysis between VSs and selected percentiles showed higher correlation between the changes (Delta) in OE and Delta 40th percentile (r=0.69;p<0.001) as compared to Delta 80th percentile (r=0.58;p<0.001);closer correlation was found between Delta ground-glass extent and Delta 40th percentile (r=0.66, p<0.001) as compared to Delta 80th percentile (r=0.47, p=0.002),while the Delta reticulations correlated better with the Delta 80th percentile (r=0.56, p<0.001) in comparison to Delta 40th percentile (r=0.43, p=0.003). Conclusions There is a relevant and fully automatically measurable difference at MDCT in VSs and in histogram analysis at one year follow-up of IPF patients, whether treated or untreated: Delta 40th percentile might reflect the change in overall extent of lung abnormalities, notably of ground-glass pattern;furthermore Delta 80th percentile might reveal the course of reticular opacities

Visual vs Fully Automatic Histogram-Based Assessment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Progression Using Sequential Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT)

Objectives To describe changes over time in extent of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) at multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) assessed by semi-quantitative visual scores (VSs) and fully automatic histogram-based quantitative evaluation and to test the relationship between these two methods of quantification. Methods Forty IPF patients (median age: 70 y, interquartile: 62-75 years;M:F, 33: 7) that underwent 2 MDCT at different time points with a median interval of 13 months (interquartile: 10-17 months) were retrospectively evaluated. In-house software YACTA quantified automatically lung density histogram (10th-90th percentile in 5th percentile steps). Longitudinal changes in VSs and in the percentiles of attenuation histogram were obtained in 20 untreated patients and 20 patients treated with pirfenidone. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the relationship between VSs and selected percentiles. Results In follow-up MDCT, visual overall extent of parenchymal abnormalities (OE) increased in median by 5 %/year (interquartile: 0 %/y;+11 %/y). Substantial difference was found between treated and untreated patients in HU changes of the 40th and of the 80th percentiles of density histogram. Correlation analysis between VSs and selected percentiles showed higher correlation between the changes (Delta) in OE and Delta 40th percentile (r=0.69;p<0.001) as compared to Delta 80th percentile (r=0.58;p<0.001);closer correlation was found between Delta ground-glass extent and Delta 40th percentile (r=0.66, p<0.001) as compared to Delta 80th percentile (r=0.47, p=0.002),while the Delta reticulations correlated better with the Delta 80th percentile (r=0.56, p<0.001) in comparison to Delta 40th percentile (r=0.43, p=0.003). Conclusions There is a relevant and fully automatically measurable difference at MDCT in VSs and in histogram analysis at one year follow-up of IPF patients, whether treated or untreated: Delta 40th percentile might reflect the change in overall extent of lung abnormalities, notably of ground-glass pattern;furthermore Delta 80th percentile might reveal the course of reticular opacities

A meta-analysis of previous falls and subsequent fracture risk in cohort studies

NC Harvey acknowledges funding from the UK Medical Research Council (MC_PC_21003; MC_PC_21001). The WHI program is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through 75N92021D00001, 75N92021D00002, 75N92021D00003, 75N92021D00004, and 75N92021D00005. Funding for the MrOS USA study comes from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), and NIH Roadmap for Medical Research under the following grant numbers: U01 AG027810, U01 AG042124, U01 AG042139, U01 AG042140, U01 AG042143, U01 AG042145, U01 AG042168, U01 AR066160, and UL1 TR000128. Funding for the SOF study comes from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), supported by grants (AG05407, AR35582, AG05394, AR35584, and AR35583). Funding for the Health ABC study was from the Intramural research program at the National Institute on Aging under the following contract numbers: NO1-AG-6–2101, NO1-AG-6–2103, and NO1-AG-6–2106.Peer reviewedPostprin

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Autumn sowing of facultative triticale results in higher biomass production and nitrogen uptake compared to spring sowing

Climate change will decrease precipitation in summer for Central Europe. Consequently, summer drought will affect crops, especially when sown late. Studies reported superior yields of triticale compared to wheat under suboptimal conditions like drought. The worldwide importance of triticale, however, is low and research on this crop is scarce. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the development, growth, nitrogen (N) uptake and N utilisation of two autumn- and spring-sown facultative triticale varieties in two consecutive growing seasons under temperate climate conditions in Central Europe. Autumn-sown facultative triticale showed slower development, earlier harvest dates, higher soil coverage early in the season as well as higher crop stand height, above-ground dry matter, crop growth rate, N yield and N utilisation efficiency. Spring sowing of facultative triticale, however, resulted in a higher relative growth rate, N concentration and relative N uptake rate. Drought stress in the second season affected crop stand height, soil coverage, above-ground dry matter, crop growth rate, N concentration, N yield, N utilisation efficiency, soil water content and soil mineral N content. Autumn-sown triticale showed better adaption to dry conditions compared to spring-sown triticale. Among varieties, cv. Agrano performed better under optimal and cv. Trimmer under suboptimal conditions

Visual vs fully automatic histogram-based assessment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Progression Using Sequential Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT)

Objectives To describe changes over time in extent of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) at multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) assessed by semi-quantitative visual scores (VSs) and fully automatic histogram-based quantitative evaluation and to test the relationship between these two methods of quantification. Methods Forty IPF patients (median age: 70 y, interquartile: 62-75 years; M:F, 33:7) that underwent 2 MDCT at different time points with a median interval of 13 months (interquartile: 10-17 months) were retrospectively evaluated. In-house software YACTA quantified automatically lung density histogram (10th-90th percentile in 5th percentile steps). Longitudinal changes in VSs and in the percentiles of attenuation histogram were obtained in 20 untreated patients and 20 patients treated with pirfenidone. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the relationship between VSs and selected percentiles. Results In follow-up MDCT, visual overall extent of parenchymal abnormalities (OE) increased in median by 5 %/year (interquartile: 0 %/y; +11 %/y). Substantial difference was found between treated and untreated patients in HU changes of the 40th and of the 80th percentiles of density histogram. Correlation analysis between VSs and selected percentiles showed higher correlation between the changes (δ) in OE and δ 40th percentile (r=0.69; p<0.001) as compared to δ 80th percentile (r=0.58; p<0.001); closer correlation was found between δ ground-glass extent and δ 40th percentile (r=0.66, p<0.001) as compared to δ 80th percentile (r=0.47, p=0.002), while the δ reticulations correlated better with the δ 80th percentile (r=0.56, p<0.001) in comparison to δ 40th percentile (r=0.43, p=0.003). Conclusions There is a relevant and fully automatically measurable difference at MDCT in VSs and in histogram analysis at one year follow-up of IPF patients, whether treated or untreated: δ 40th percentile might reflect the change in overall extent of lung abnormalities, notably of ground-glass pattern; furthermore δ 80th percentile might reveal the course of reticular opacities

PoCOsteo: Personalized fracture risk prediction via point-of-care device

Osteoporosis and associated fractures are a major burden for individuals and society. Risk prediction is therefore highly warranted, as no simple, precise or sensitive tools for identification of individuals at risk of osteoporosis are currently available, mainly due to the multifactorial causes of osteoporosis including clinical, lifestyle and genetic factors. Early stage and easily accessible identification of high-risk individuals who might best benefit from prophylaxis should therefore include various technologies such as molecular medicine, nanobiotechnology, microfluidics, and biochemistry. The PoCOsteo project, funded by the European Commission in the framework of H2020-NMBP-X-KET-2017 (Grant Agreement number 767325), integrates proteomics and genomics technology into the development of a functional point of care (PoC) microfluidic device for osteoporosis risk detection. This device is aimed to be used by physicians to improve the prediction of potential fractures and to provide timely personalized care for affected individuals. In addition, monitoring of the treatment processes via this in-office test should provide results in real-time during consultation, thus reducing the low-compliance-rate, commonly reported in osteoporotic patients more efficiently and at lower costs. The design of this PoC tool will limit the amount of both expensive reagents and complex procedures and blood volume needed for the tests and should therefore be suitable also in countries with lack of reimbursement and lower medical care standards. The overall objective of the currently proposed PoCOsteo project therefore is the development, clinical validation and preparation for commercialization of a PoC tool for bone disease (i.e. osteoporosis) prevention, detection and treatment with academic/research partners from 5 countries (Gent University, University Rovira I Virgili, Fraunhofer IMM, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Medical University of Graz) and 3 SME’s (Labman, MicroLIQUID and Fundico) with a detailed project plan

Visualization of the fully automatic lung parenchyma segmentation as obtained by in-house YACTA software.

<p>Sagittal reconstruction image of a non-enhanced MDCT scan obtained from a patient suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) not included in the current trial. YACTA software automatically segmented lung parenchyma and trachea-bronchial tree, emphasized as green and orange overlay respectively (window width: 1600 HU; level: -600 HU). Note that the segmentation algorithm fails to segment portions of the lung parenchyma in the sub-pleural space of the recessus, due to its similar density to the chest wall. (MDCT = multidetector computed tomography).</p