Comparison Between Diffusion-Weighted MRI and I-123-mIBG Uptake in Primary High-Risk Neuroblastoma

Background: High-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) has a variable response to preoperative chemotherapy. It is not possible to differentiate viable vs. nonviable residual tumor before surgery. Purpose: To explore the association between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI), 123I-meta-iodobenzyl-guanidine (123I-mIBG) uptake, and histology before and after chemotherapy. Study Type: Retrospective. Subjects: Forty patients with HR-NB. Field Strength/Sequence: 1.5T axial DW-MRI (b = 0,1000 s/mm2 ) and T2-weighted sequences. 123I-mIBG scintigraphy planar imaging (all patients), with additional 123I-mIBG single-photon emission computed tomography / computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging (15 patients). Assessment: ADC maps and 123I-mIBG SPECT/CT images were coregistered to the T2-weighted images. 123I-mIBG uptake was normalized with a tumor-to-liver count ratio (TLCR). Regions of interest (ROIs) for primary tumor volume and different intratumor subregions were drawn. The lower quartile ADC value (ADC25prc) was used over the entire tumor volume and the overall level of 123I-mIBG uptake was graded into avidity groups. Statistical Tests: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression were used to compare ADC and MIBG values before and after treatment. Threshold values to classify tumors as viable/necrotic were obtained using ROC analysis of ADC and TLCR values. Results: No significant difference in whole-tumor ADC25prc values were found between different 123I-mIBG avidity groups pre- (P = 0.31) or postchemotherapy (P = 0.35). In the “intratumor” analysis, 5/15 patients (prechemotherapy) and 0/14 patients (postchemotherapy) showed a significant correlation between ADC and TLCR values (P < 0.05). Increased tumor shrinkage was associated with lower pretreatment tumor ADC25prc values (P < 0.001); no association was found with pretreatment 123I-mIBG avidity (P = 0.17). Completely nonviable tumors had significantly lower postchemotherapy ADC25prc values than tumors with >10% viable tumor (P < 0.05). Both pre- and posttreatment TLCR values were significantly higher in patients with >50% viable tumor than those with 10–50% viable tumor (P < 0.05). Data Conclusion: 123I-mIBG avidity and ADC values are complementary noninvasive biomarkers of therapeutic response in HR-NB. Level of Evidence: 4. Technical Efficacy Stage: 3

Urease activity in soybean meal products

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141471/1/aocs0360.pd

The Immediate Effects of Foam Rolling and Stretching on Iliotibial Band Stiffness:A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundIliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is a common clinical condition likely caused by abnormal compressive forces to the iliotibial band (ITB). Stretching interventions are common in ITBS treatment and may predominantly affect tensor fascia latae (TFL). Another ITBS treatment is foam rolling, which may more directly affect the ITB. Shear wave ultrasound elastography (SWUE) measures real-time soft tissue stiffness, allowing tissue changes to be measured and compared.PurposeTo examine effects of foam rolling and iliotibial complex stretching on ITB stiffness at 0 degrees and 10 degrees of hip adduction and hip adduction passive range of motion (PROM).Study DesignRandomized controlled trial.MethodsData from 11 males (age = 30.5 +/- 9.0 years, Body Mass Index (BMI) = 27.8 +/- 4.0) and 19 females (age = 23.5 +/- 4.9, BMI = 23.2 +/- 2.1) were analyzed for this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, stretching, and foam rolling. Shear wave ultrasound elastography measurements included ITB Young's modulus at the mid-thigh, the distal femur and the TFL muscle belly. ITB-to-femur depth was measured at mid-thigh level. Hip adduction PROM was measured from digital images taken during the movement.ResultsNo significant interactions or main effects were found for group or time differences in ITB Young's modulus at the three measured locations. The ITB stiffness at the mid-thigh and distal femur increased with 10 degrees adduction, but TFL stiffness did not increase. A main effect for adduction PROM was observed, where PROM increased 0.8 degrees post-treatment (p = 0.02).ConclusionA single episode of stretching and foam rolling does not affect short-term ITB stiffness. The lack of ITB stiffness changes may be from an inadequate intervention stimulus or indicate that the interventions have no impact on ITB stiffness.</p

Introduction to the Issue on Hybrid Analog-Digital Signal Processing for Hardware-Efficient Large-Scale Antenna Arrays (Part I)

The papers in this special section focus on hybrid analog-digital signal processing for hardware efficient large scale antenna arrays. Hybrid analog-digital (HAD) processing provides a key technology for the coming generations of wireless networks, as a means of obtaining hardware-efficient transceivers. The principle behind HAD is that the transceiver processing is divided into the analog and digital domain, where networks of analog components implement large-dimensional processing at the transceiver front end, allowing for a low-dimensional digital processing which necessitates only a few RF chains. This technology has recently been brought at the forefront of research motivated by the proliferation of millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications, as a solution to circumvent the use of large numbers of expensive mmWave RF components. Its scope however is not limited solely tommWave, as hardwareefficient transmission is key for small cell deployments in the microwave frequencies and also in emerging applications such as the internet of things (IoT) involving massive connectivity. All these applications still rely on transceivers capable of beamforming, using cheap, low-power, and physically small devices. Accordingly, the aim of this Special Issue (SI) has been to gather the relevant contributions focusing on the practical challenges of hybrid analog-digital transmission

Chiral symmetry breaking in dimensionally regularized nonperturbative quenched QED

In this paper we study dynamical chiral symmetry breaking in dimensionally regularized quenched QED within the context of Dyson-Schwinger equations. In D < 4 dimensions the theory has solutions which exhibit chiral symmetry breaking for all values of the coupling. To begin with, we study this phenomenon both numerically and, with some approximations, analytically within the rainbow approximation in the Landau gauge. In particular, we discuss how to extract the critical coupling alpha_c = pi/3 relevant in four dimensions from the D dimensional theory. We further present analytic results for the chirally symmetric solution obtained with the Curtis-Pennington vertex as well as numerical results for solutions exhibiting chiral symmetry breaking. For these we demonstrate that, using dimensional regularization, the extraction of the critical coupling relevant for this vertex is feasible. Initial results for this critical coupling are in agreement with cut-off based work within the currently achievable numerical precision.Comment: 24 pages, including 5 figures; submitted to Phys. Rev.

Training volume and previous injury as associated factors for running-related injuries by race distance: A cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship between weekly pre-competition running volume and the presence of running-related injuries (RRIs) by race distance. Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to 25,000 participants, 14 days following the running event. The questionnaire included the presence and topography of RRIs, previous injury in the last 12 months, running experience, training, and sociodemographic characteristics. Univariate and multivariable binomial regression was used to analyse the crude and adjusted relationship of RRI and training volumes. Results: 4380 surveys were analysed (10km, n=1316; 21km, n= 2168; 42km, n=896). The median age was 36 years. Previous injury was reported by 51.8% of the respondents. Median training volume in the previous month was 15 km/week (IQR 6-24), 30 km/week (IQR 15-40) and 45 km/week (IQR 30-60), for the 10km, 21km, and 42km distances, respectively. During the race, 14.1% reported a RRI, with 43.1% located at the knee. The multivariable analysis showed previous injury and distance as the main associated factors, whereas weekly training volume, age, and previous participation were protective. Conclusion: Race is an inciting event for developing a RRI. Running race distance is an important factor itself and should be incorporated with other modifiable risk factors in current injury models

Reshaping Curriculum to Enhance the Relevance of Literary Competence in Children's Education06

Twenty-first century learners face a multi-literacy landscape as they strive to acquire the cognitive skills needed for independent learning, apply linguistic skills to other knowledge base, and become computer literate. This article envisions a combination of skill sets and knowledge bases as the foundation of a literary competence-based curriculum. Such a curriculum would have the goal of enhancing young learners"critical thinking abilities; this would also help them take charge of the cognitive,linguistic, and sociocultural dimensions of written and spoken language in order to make learning transferable and applicable to the real world

Compliance or pragmatism: How do academics deal with managerialism in higher education? A comparative study in three countries

Universities throughout Europe have adopted organisational strategies, structures, technologies, management instruments and values that are commonly found in the private sector. While these alleged managerial measures may be considered useful, and have a positive effect on the quality of teaching and research, there is also evidence of detrimental effects on primary tasks. The consequences of such managerial measures were investigated through 48 interviews with staff members at 10 universities in the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK. The results were analysed and interpreted within the framework of institutional and professional theory, by linking them to three central themes: 'symbolic compliance', 'professional pragmatism' and 'formal instrumentality'. These themes explain why and how the respondents dissociated themselves from the managerial measures imposed upon them. This occurred often for pragmatic and occasionally for principled reasons. © 2012 Society for Research into Higher Education