3D Coronary Vessel Reconstruction from Bi-Plane Angiography Using Graph Convolutional Networks

X-ray coronary angiography (XCA) is used to assess coronary artery disease and provides valuable information on lesion morphology and severity. However, XCA images are 2D and therefore limit visualisation of the vessel. 3D reconstruction of coronary vessels is possible using multiple views, however lumen border detection in current software is performed manually resulting in limited reproducibility and slow processing time. In this study we propose 3DAngioNet, a novel deep learning (DL) system that enables rapid 3D vessel mesh reconstruction using 2D XCA images from two views. Our approach learns a coarse mesh template using an EfficientB3-UNet segmentation network and projection geometries, and deforms it using a graph convolutional network. 3DAngioNet outperforms similar automated reconstruction methods, offers improved efficiency, and enables modelling of bifurcated vessels. The approach was validated using state-of-the-art software verified by skilled cardiologists

Molecular Markers in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Nonmelanoma skin carcinoma (NMSC) is the most frequent cancer in the USA with over 1.3 million new diagnoses a year; however due to an underappreciation of its associated mortality and growing incidence and its ability to be highly aggressive, the molecular mechanism is not well delineated. Whereas the molecular profiles of melanoma have been well characterized, those for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) have trailed behind. This importance of the new staging paradigm is linked to the ability currently to better clinically cluster similar biologic behavior in order to risk-stratify lesions and patients. In this paper we discuss the trends in NMSC and the etiologies for the subset of NMSC with the most mortality, cutaneous SCC, as well as where the field stands in the discovery of a molecular profile. The molecular markers are highlighted to demonstrate the recent advances in cSCC

Wall shear stress estimated by 3D-QCA can predict cardiovascular events in lesions with borderline negative fractional flow reserve

Background and aims: There is some evidence of the implications of wall shear stress (WSS) derived from three-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography (3D-QCA) models in predicting adverse cardiovascular events. This study investigates the efficacy of 3D-QCA-derived WSS in detecting lesions with a borderline negative fractional flow reserve (FFR: 0.81–0.85) that progressed and caused events. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we identified 548 patients who had at least one lesion with an FFR 0.81–0.85 and complete follow-up data; 293 lesions (286 patients) with suitable angiographic characteristics were reconstructed using a dedicated 3D-QCA software and included in the analysis. In the reconstructed models blood flow simulation was performed and the value of 3D-QCA variables and WSS distribution in predicting events was examined. The primary endpoint of the study was the composite of cardiac death, target lesion related myocardial infarction or clinically indicated target lesion revascularization. Results: During a median follow-up of 49.4 months, 37 events were reported. Culprit lesions had a greater area stenosis [(AS), 66.1% (59.5–72.3) vs 54.8% (46.5–63.2), p<0.001], smaller minimum lumen area [(MLA), 1.66 mm2 (1.45–2.30) vs 2.10 mm2 (1.69–2.70), p=0.011] and higher maximum WSS [9.0 Pa (5.10–12.46) vs 5.0 Pa (3.37–7.54), p < 0.001] than those that remained quiescent. In multivariable analysis, AS [hazard ratio (HR): 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.10, p=0.001] and maximum WSS (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.14, p=0.012) were the only independent predictors of the primary endpoint. Lesions with an increased AS (≥58.6%) that were exposed to high WSS (≥7.69Pa) were more likely to progress and cause events (27.8%) than those with a low AS exposed to high WSS (7.4%) or those exposed to low WSS that had increased (12.8%) or low AS (2.7%, p<0.001). Conclusions: This study for the first time highlights the potential value of 3D-QCA-derived WSS in detecting, among lesions with a borderline negative FFR, those that cause cardiovascular events

Predictive value of the QFR in detecting vulnerable plaques in non-flow limiting lesions: a combined analysis of the PROSPECT and IBIS-4 study

“This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-020-01805-9”

Tensiones residuales en uniones soldadas por FSW en aluminio 7075-T651

Las tensiones residuales pueden ser un aspecto de relevancia en la integridad estructural de componentes en servicio, pudiendo presentar una importante influencia sobre la vida a la fatiga, entre otros mecanismos de falla. El proceso de soldadura por fricción-agitación (FSW) ha revolucionado en los últimos años el campo de la tecnología de la soldadura. Su mayor aplicación se ha dado en las aleaciones de aluminio, aunque hoy en día se utiliza para prácticamente todos los materiales. Una de las ventajas enunciadas de este proceso es el menor nivel de tensiones residuales resultantes, debido a que se produce en estado sólido por lo que los gradientes térmicos durante la soldadura son menores. Entre las aleaciones de aluminio de uso estructural, las aleaciones termoenvejecibles de la serie 7XXX se utilizan habitualmente en la industria aeronáutica y aeroespacial debido a su alta resistencia mecánica. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar el efecto de la velocidad de avance en FSW sobre las tensiones residuales en juntas de aluminio AA7075-T651, mediante la técnica de seccionamiento. Se soldaron probetas de dicha aleación de 150x150x4mm mediante FSW, variando la velocidad de avance entre 51 y 206 mm.min-1. Durante la soldadura se adquirieron los ciclos térmicos. Posteriormente se midieron las tensiones residuales longitudinales a distintas distancias del cordón de soldadura, en cada caso. A partir de los ciclos térmicos adquiridos se obtuvieron los gradientes térmicos en la zona de medición. Las tensiones residuales máximas se encontraron entre 52 y 78 MPa, correspondiente entre 10 y 15 % del límite de fluencia del material. Las mismas aumentaron con la velocidad de avance, consistentemente con un aumento en el gradiente térmico observado. Dichos valores de tensiones residuales son menores que los obtenidos para la soldadura de estos materiales mediante procesos del tipo GMAW.Residual stresses could be a relevant issue in the structural integrity of a component in service and usually have a major influence on their fatigue life, among other failure mechanisms. In recent years Friction-Stir Welding (FSW) has revolutionized the welding technology. Its main application has been given in aluminum alloys, but nowadays can be applicable to different materials. One of the several advantages of this process is a lower level of residual stresses, because the thermal gradients introduced during welding are lower. Among aluminum alloys used for structural applications, 7XXX strain-aged series are usually employed in the aerospace industry, because of their high strength. The aim of this paper is to analyze the effect of welding speed of FSW on residual stresses in aluminum AA7075-T651 joints, using sectioning technique. Coupons were welded AA7075-T651 FSW of 150x150x4 mm by varying the welding speed between 51 and 206 mm.min-1. During the welding thermal cycles were acquired. Subsequently, longitudinal residual stresses measured at different distances from the weld, in each case. Based on the acquired thermal cycling thermal gradients were obtained in the measurement area. Maximum residual stresses ranged from 52 to 78 MPa, corresponding to a range of 10 and 15% of the yield strength. They increased with increasing welding speed, consistent with an increase in the thermal gradient observed. These residual stresses values are lower than those obtained for the welding of these materials by type GMAW processes

Lignosulfonic Acid Exhibits Broadly Anti-HIV-1 Activity – Potential as a Microbicide Candidate for the Prevention of HIV-1 Sexual Transmission

Some secondary metabolites from plants show to have potent inhibitory activities against microbial pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), Treponema pallidum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, etc. Here we report that lignosulfonic acid (LSA), a polymeric lignin derivative, exhibits potent and broad activity against HIV-1 isolates of diverse subtypes including two North America strains and a number of Chinese clinical isolates values ranging from 21.4 to 633 nM. Distinct from other polyanions, LSA functions as an entry inhibitor with multiple targets on viral gp120 as well as on host receptor CD4 and co-receptors CCR5/CXCR4. LSA blocks viral entry as determined by time-of-drug addiction and cell-cell fusion assays. Moreover, LSA inhibits CD4-gp120 interaction by blocking the binding of antibodies specific for CD4-binding sites (CD4bs) and for the V3 loop of gp120. Similarly, LSA interacts with CCR5 and CXCR4 via its inhibition of specific anti-CCR5 and anti-CXCR4 antibodies, respectively. Interestingly, the combination of LSA with AZT and Nevirapine exhibits synergism in viral inhibition. For the purpose of microbicide development, LSA displays low in vitro cytotoxicity to human genital tract epithelial cells, does not stimulate NF-κB activation and has no significant up-regulation of IL-1α/β and IL-8 as compared with N-9. Lastly, LSA shows no adverse effect on the epithelial integrity and the junctional protein expression. Taken together, our findings suggest that LSA can be a potential candidate for tropical microbicide