Brain volume estimation from post-mortem newborn and fetal MRI

AbstractObjectiveMinimally invasive autopsy using post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valid alternative to conventional autopsy in fetuses and infants. Estimation of brain weight is an integral part of autopsy, but manual segmentation of organ volumes on MRI is labor intensive and prone to errors, therefore unsuitable for routine clinical practice. In this paper we aim to show that volumetric measurements of the post-mortem fetal and neonatal brain can be accurately estimated using semi-automatic techniques and a high correlation can be found with the weights measured from conventional autopsy results.MethodsThe brains of 17 newborn subjects, part of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Autopsy Study (MaRIAS), were segmented from post-mortem MR images into cerebrum, cerebellum and brainstem using a publicly available neonate brain atlas and semi-automatic segmentation algorithm. The results of the segmentation were averaged to create a new atlas, which was then used for the automated atlas-based segmentation of 17 MaRIAS fetus subjects. As validation, we manually segmented the MR images from 8 subjects of each cohort and compared them with the automatic ones. The semi-automatic estimation of cerebrum weight was compared with the results of the conventional autopsy.ResultsThe Dice overlaps between the manual and automatic segmentations are 0.991 and 0.992 for cerebrum, 0.873 and 0.888 for cerebellum and 0.819 and 0.815 for brainstem, for newborns and fetuses, respectively. Excellent agreement was obtained between the estimated MR weights and autopsy gold standard ones: mean absolute difference of 5 g and 2% maximum error for the fetus cohort and mean absolute difference of 20 g and 11% maximum error for the newborn one.ConclusionsThe high correlation between the obtained segmentation and autopsy weights strengthens the idea of using post-mortem MRI as an alternative for conventional autopsy of the brain

Does regular walking improve lipid levels in adults?

Q: Evidence-based answer: Minimally. Regular moderateintensity walking for a period of 4 or more weeks minimally decreased total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels by about 7 mg/dL in women with overweight or obesity (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, systematic review and meta-analysis on disease-oriented evidence). For adults ages 40 to 65 years, regular walking for 3 or more months inconsistently affected cholesterol and triglyceride levels (SOR: C, based on 3 randomized controlled trials [RCTs] with disease-oriented evidence).Kayla Hatchell, MD; Emily Chin, DO; Brian Vukelic, MD; Katherine Fortenberry, PhD; Dominick Ose, DrPH; Eliza Taylor, MPH, BS, CHES; Rachel Goossen, MD (University of Utah), Rick Guthmann, MD, MPH (Advocate Health Care Illinois Masonic Medical Center Program)Includes bibliographical reference

Recital Program

This Recital Program presents the efforts of students to master specific pieces in their time practicing with the Utah State University Youth Conservatory.https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/music_programs/1116/thumbnail.jp

Clinical risk prediction for pre-eclampsia in nulliparous women: development of model in international prospective cohort

Objectives To develop a predictive model for pre-eclampsia based on clinical risk factors for nulliparous women and to identify a subgroup at increased risk, in whom specialist referral might be indicated

A New Analysis of 8 Spitzer Phase Curves and Hot Jupiter Population Trends: Qatar-1b, Qatar-2b, WASP-52b, WASP-34b, and WASP-140b

With over 30 phase curves observed during the warm Spitzer mission, the complete data set provides a wealth of information relating to trends and three-dimensional properties of hot Jupiter atmospheres. In this work we present a comparative study of seven new Spitzer phase curves for four planets with equilibrium temperatures of T$_{eq}\sim$ 1300K: Qatar-2b, WASP-52b, WASP-34b, and WASP-140b, as well as the reanalysis of the 4.5 \micron Qatar-1b phase curve due to the similar equilibrium temperature. In total, five 4.5 \micron phase curves and three 3.6 \micron phase curves are analyzed here with a uniform approach. Using these new results, in combination with literature values for the entire population of published Spitzer phase curves of hot Jupiters, we present evidence for a linear trend of increasing hot spot offset with increasing orbital period, as well as observational evidence for two classes of planets in apparent redistribution vs. equilibrium temperature parameter space, and tentative evidence for a dependence of hot spot offset on planetary surface gravity in our $\sim$ 1300 K sample. We do not find trends in apparent heat redistribution with orbital period or gravity. Non-uniformity in literature Spitzer data analysis techniques precludes a definitive determination of the sources or lack of trends.Comment: 22 pages, 13 figures, 6 tables. Accepted for publication in AAS journal

Christian Correspondence: Being A Collection Of Letters Written By The Late Rev. John Wesley And Several Methodists Preachers, In Connection With Him. To The Late Mrs. Eliza Bennis, With Her Answers

Facsimile Reproductionhttps://place.asburyseminary.edu/bennisbooks/1000/thumbnail.jp

Prediction of Small for Gestational Age Infants in Healthy Nulliparous Women Using Clinical and Ultrasound Risk Factors Combined with Early Pregnancy Biomarkers

Objective Most small for gestational age pregnancies are unrecognised before birth, resulting in substantial avoidable perinatal mortality and morbidity. Our objective was to develop multivariable prediction models for small for gestational age combining clinical risk factors and biomarkers at 15±1 weeks’ with ultrasound parameters at 20±1 weeks’ gestation. Methods Data from 5606 participants in the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (SCOPE) cohort study were divided into Training (n = 3735) and Validation datasets (n = 1871). The primary outcomes were All-SGA (small for gestational age with birthweight <10th customised centile), Normotensive-SGA (small for gestational age with a normotensive mother) and Hypertensive-SGA (small for gestational age with an hypertensive mother). The comparison group comprised women without the respective small for gestational age phenotype. Multivariable analysis was performed using stepwise logistic regression beginning with clinical variables, and subsequent additions of biomarker and then ultrasound (biometry and Doppler) variables. Model performance was assessed in Training and Validation datasets by calculating area under the curve. Results 633 (11.2%) infants were All-SGA, 465(8.2%) Normotensive-SGA and 168 (3%) Hypertensive-SGA. Area under the curve (95% Confidence Intervals) for All-SGA using 15±1 weeks’ clinical variables, 15±1 weeks’ clinical+ biomarker variables and clinical + biomarkers + biometry /Doppler at 20±1 weeks’ were: 0.63 (0.59–0.67), 0.64 (0.60–0.68) and 0.69 (0.66–0.73) respectively in the Validation dataset; Normotensive-SGA results were similar: 0.61 (0.57–0.66), 0.61 (0.56–0.66) and 0.68 (0.64–0.73) with small increases in performance in the Training datasets. Area under the curve (95% Confidence Intervals) for Hypertensive-SGA were: 0.76 (0.70–0.82), 0.80 (0.75–0.86) and 0.84 (0.78–0.89) with minimal change in the Training datasets. Conclusion Models for prediction of small for gestational age, which combine biomarkers, clinical and ultrasound data from a cohort of low-risk nulliparous women achieved modest performance. Incorporation of biomarkers into the models resulted in no improvement in performance of prediction of All-SGA and Normotensive-SGA but a small improvement in prediction of Hypertensive-SGA. Our models currently have insufficient reliability for application in clinical practice however, they have potential utility in two-staged screening tests which include third trimester biomarkers and or fetal biometry

Smaller than expected bright-spot offsets in Spitzer phase curves of the hot Jupiter Qatar-1b

We present \textit{Spitzer} full-orbit thermal phase curves of the hot Jupiter Qatar-1b, a planet with the same equilibrium temperature---and intermediate surface gravity and orbital period---as the well-studied planets HD 209458b and WASP-43b. We measure secondary eclipse of $0.21 \pm 0.02 \%$ at $3.6~\mu$m and $0.30 \pm 0.02 \%$ at $4.5~\mu$m, corresponding to dayside brightness temperatures of $1542^{+32}_{-31}$~K and $1557^{+35}_{-36}$~K, respectively, consistent with a vertically isothermal dayside. The respective nightside brightness temperatures are $1117^{+76}_{-71}$~K and $1167^{+69}_{-74}$~K, in line with a trend that hot Jupiters all have similar nightside temperatures. We infer a Bond albedo of $0.12_{-0.16}^{+0.14}$ and a moderate day-night heat recirculation efficiency, similar to HD 209458b. General circulation models for HD 209458b and WASP-43b predict that their bright-spots should be shifted east of the substellar point by tens of degrees, and these predictions were previously confirmed with \textit{Spitzer} full-orbit phase curve observations. The phase curves of Qatar-1b are likewise expected to exhibit eastward offsets. Instead, the observed phase curves are consistent with no offset: $11^{\circ}\pm 7^{\circ}$ at $3.6~\mu$m and $-4^{\circ}\pm 7^{\circ}$ at $4.5~\mu$m. The discrepancy in circulation patterns between these three otherwise similar planets points to the importance of secondary parameters like rotation rate and surface gravity, and the presence or absence of clouds, in determining atmospheric conditions on hot Jupiters.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in A

The Need for Laboratory Measurements and Ab Initio Studies to Aid Understanding of Exoplanetary Atmospheres

We are now on a clear trajectory for improvements in exoplanet observations that will revolutionize our ability to characterize their atmospheric structure, composition, and circulation, from gas giants to rocky planets. However, exoplanet atmospheric models capable of interpreting the upcoming observations are often limited by insufficiencies in the laboratory and theoretical data that serve as critical inputs to atmospheric physical and chemical tools. Here we provide an up-to-date and condensed description of areas where laboratory and/or ab initio investigations could fill critical gaps in our ability to model exoplanet atmospheric opacities, clouds, and chemistry, building off a larger 2016 white paper, and endorsed by the NAS Exoplanet Science Strategy report. Now is the ideal time for progress in these areas, but this progress requires better access to, understanding of, and training in the production of spectroscopic data as well as a better insight into chemical reaction kinetics both thermal and radiation-induced at a broad range of temperatures. Given that most published efforts have emphasized relatively Earth-like conditions, we can expect significant and enlightening discoveries as emphasis moves to the exotic atmospheres of exoplanets.Comment: Submitted as an Astro2020 Science White Pape