3D Mechanical Wave Imaging for Myocardial Stiffness Assessment: Automation and measurements

The propagation velocity of mechanical waves (MW) in the heart is directly related to the properties of the myocardium. Direct measurement of changes in the tissue properties provides a more accurate assessment of cardiac function and health than current measures, such as ejection fraction and strain imaging, and often require complex evaluation procedures involving multiple parameters. The study of complex, high-velocity propagation patterns of natural MW in the heart can be achieved using high-frame-rate (HFR) imaging in three dimensions, made possible by recent advancements in ultrasound technology. In this work, we utilized 3D HFR imaging to quantify the MW propagation velocity based on the time-of-flight of the MW propagation in 3D. First, we developed a robust methodology for automatically measuring 3D MW velocity, enabling both high-throughput and in-depth analysis. This further facilitated the development of a clinical tool in the future. Secondly, we assessed the validity of this pipeline through a method comparison (1D vs. 2D vs. 3D) and evaluated the impact of various parameters. Finally, the optimized pipeline was tested clinically on patients with aortic stenosis and acute myocardial infarction and healthy volunteers. 3D wave propagation exhibited complex patterns that varied significantly depending on the source of the MW. We showed that these complexities can lead to measurement inaccuracies in 1D/2D velocity estimation methods due to misalignment with the wave direction, whereas 3D estimation is robust against such errors. Moreover, without 3D visualization, measurement errors in 1D/2D may go undetected or be mistaken for pathology. Our results indicate that, while the developed pipeline remained stable under minor variations, the processing parameters affected the results. Finally, 3D MW velocities were consistent with common indices, such as the wall motion score index and ejection fraction, in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The 3D velocity map may also provide the potential to detect infarction areas, improving treatment planning—an aspect that requires further investigation in future studies

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Association with Serum Inflammatory Factors Stress Oxidative and Appetite in COVID-19 Patients

Background and Objectives: The Mediterranean diet's bioactive components are suggested to strengthen the immune system and to exert anti-inflammatory actions. This study investigated the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet with serum inflammatory factors, total antioxidant capacity, appetite, and symptoms of COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 Iranian COVID-19 patients selected by a simple random method. The ten-item Mediterranean diet adherence questionnaire was used to assess diet adherence. At the beginning of the study, 5 cc of blood was taken from all patients for measurement of serum interleukin 1β) IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). A human ELISA kit with serial number 950.090.096 produced by the Diaclone Company was used to test this cytokine using the sandwich ELISA method. Results: One hundred and five patients presented a high adherence and 495 patients presented a low adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The incidence of fever, cough, diarrhea, taste changes, and pneumonia severity index were significantly lower in patients who adhered to the Mediterranean diet more than other patients. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (5.7 ± 2.1 vs. 6.9 ± 2.8 p = 0.02), interleukin 1 beta (3.2 ± 0.02 vs. 4.9 ± 0.01 p = 0.02), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (17.08 ± 4.2 vs. 19.8 ± 2.5 p = 0.03), and malondialdehyde (5.7 ± 0.2 vs. 6.2 ± 0.3 p = 0.02) were significantly lower in patients who adhered more to the Mediterranean diet than other patients. Conclusion: The Mediterranean diet can improve the symptoms and elevated serum inflammatory factors in COVID-19 patients, so clinical trial studies are suggested to confirm this effect

Measurements of Pulsating Turbulent Water Flow in a Tube

The experimental method associated with obtaining meaningful information from the hot-film anemometer signals in fully developed pulsating turbulent flow where the pulsations are sinusoidal in time is discussed. The results of a number of experiments in water reveal the nature of the longtime and short-time average velocity and pressure. Velocity measurements between 0.95 radii and the centerline demonstrate that the long-time average velocity distribution is coincident with that for steady turbulent flow at the same Reynolds number. Also, no significant differences between the longtime average axial pressure drop in the pulsating and steady flows were noted, although this requires further investigation in view of the increases in the Reynolds stress observed in pulsating air flow. The distribution of the measured pulsating velocity component depends upon the dimensionless turbulent frequency. At the lowest values of the frequency, the profile is turbulent-like, while at higher values, the maximum in the velocity shifts from the centerline towards the wall and a uniform speed region exists over the central portion of the tube. An eddy viscosity model displays many of the important characteristics of the observed pulsating velocity. Using the results of this model and the experimental observations, limits of the laminar frequency parameter which delineates the response of the flow are suggested. Recordings of the instantaneous velocity signal suggest the short-time behavior of the axial turbulence intensity to be generally that of increasing during deceleration of the flow and decreasing during acceleration

A systematic review on the correlation between skeletal and jawbone mineral density in osteoporotic subjects

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to assess whether the systemic skeletal reduction of bone mineral density (BMD) that characterizes osteoporotic subjects is also associated with a reduction of BMD in the jawbones. Material and methods: Two reviewers searched independently and in duplicate three databases up to May 2014 and assessed the risk of bias using a tailored version of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). Only papers reporting either Pearson's correlation coefficient or Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between skeletal and jawbone mineral density in more than five osteoporotic subjects were selected. Results: From 1763 citations, 64 full-text papers were screened and five papers that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. None of the included studies complied with all NOS criteria, and as only two studies were eligible for meta-analysis, this was not performed. Conclusions: Only limited conclusions can be drawn from this systematic review, due to the small number of studies included, their heterogeneity, and their high risk of bias. Future studies that take into consideration both upper and lower jaws, that use the same technique to measure skeletal and jaw BMD (ideally dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, DXA), and that account for confounding variables (such as medications/diseases affecting bone metabolism and demographics) are needed to provide more robust conclusions

Changes in the Epidemiology of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Northeastern Iran.

The province of Khorasan-Razavi in the North East of Iran is an endemic area for anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL caused mainly by Leishmania tropica) and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL caused mainly by Leishmania major). Based on clinical signs, some cities were considered as ACL foci while others were considered to be endemic for ZCL. This paper reviews studies performed on patients diagnosed with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) via the use of direct slide examination, ELISA, electrophoresis isoenzyme, RAPD PCR and PCR in Mashhad; the study also includes cases of CL in other cities of the Khorasan-Razavi province where only PCR used as a diagnostic tool. The data show that both Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major caused CL in most of the cities investigated. Our review shows that Leishmania major was found in areas where ACL is prevalent and Leishmania tropica was observed in areas with high incidence of ZCL. This distribution represents a major change in the epidemiological pattern of Leishmania in the Khorasan-Razavi province

Economics of Underground Distribution Cables

The economics of the primary underground distribution cables are considered. Single-phase circuits are examined using different distribution system options. Within each option, the present worth of the total cost of the cable installation is optimized. If more than one option can be utilized, the appropriate costs are compared and the most economical option is selected

The impact of socioeconomic status on life satisfaction

The stratification system in India has resulted in the socioeconomic inequality in society and defines women domestic workers as one of the lowest segments of society. This qualitative and quantitative study aims at describing the problems of female domestic workers, the relationship of their employers with them, and exploring the impact of socioeconomic status mainly, occupation, education, and income on life satisfaction. We used ethnographic observation and in-depth interview over a 4 year period in Mysore (a city in the south of India). Furthermore, our quantitative research was guided by convenience sampling technique with selecting 125 (65 domestic workers, 60 employers). We prepared a structured questionnaire for gathering demographic information, i. e. age, education, marital status, occupation, and religion. To measure the degree of life satisfaction, we administered Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al. J Person Assess 49(1):71-75, 1985). The data were collected during September and October 2011. The hypotheses were tested by applying Pearson correlation, regression, and t test (SPSS, version 18). The results of our observation and interview indicate that domestic workers suffer from various problems inside and outside their homes. The relationship between domestic workers and employers is a master-servant relationship. Domestic workers remain as an unorganized job group though in 2004 the Karnataka Minimum Wage Act was passed. Our quantitative findings reveal that there is a positive correlation between socioeconomic status and life satisfaction. This type of study displays that enacting law is not sufficient; it necessitates implementing and monitoring properly. This study suggests measures for supporting female domestic workers