Decreased gray matter volume in the anterior cerebellar of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder comorbid oppositional defiant disorder children with associated cerebellar-cerebral hyperconnectivity: insights from a combined structural MRI and resting-state fMRI study.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) are highly comorbid. Many prior investigations have found that ADHD relates to anatomical abnormalities in gray matter. The abnormal gray matter of ADHD comorbid ODD is still poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the effect of comorbid ODD on gray matter volume (GMV) and functional alterations in ADHD. All data were provided by the ADHD-200 Preprocessed Repository, including 27 ADHD-only children, 27 ADHD + ODD children, and 27 healthy controls aged 9-14 years. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and functional connectivity (FC) of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were used to compare the difference in GMV and FC between ADHD + ODD, ADHD-only, and healthy children. The results showed that ADHD children with comorbid ODD had a more significant reduction in cerebellar volume, mainly in the anterior regions of the cerebellum (Cerebellum_4_5). The Cerebellum_4_5 showed increased functional connectivity with multiple cortical regions. These brain regions include numerous executive functioning (EF) and brain default mode network (DMN) nodes. The GMV abnormalities and excessive connectivity between brain regions may further exacerbate the emotional and cognitive deficits associated with ADHD.

Distribution pattern of iron deposition in the basal ganglia of different motor subtypes of Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: The quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) technique was used to analyze the distribution pattern of iron deposition in the basal ganglia region of patients with motor subtypes of Parkinson's disease (PD) and to explore the difference in iron content in the basal ganglia region of PD motor subtypes on the major motor symptomatic side. METHODS: The study included 76 patients with PD and 37 healthy controls (HC). Patients with PD were divided into two groups: postural instability/gait disorder (PIGD)(n = 48), and tremor dominance (TD)(n = 28). We classified patients with PD according to the side of the major motor symptoms as left PIGD (n = 23), left TD (n = 14), right PIGD (n = 25), and right TD (n = 14). All subjects underwent brain magnetic resonance scanning to obtain QSM and susceptibility values in the corresponding regions of interest (ROI). RESULTS: (1) Compared with the HC, the bilateral SN in the PD-PIGD and TD group showed greater susceptibility values. The susceptibility values in the left CN, bilateral PUT were also greater in the PD-PIGD group than the HC. (2) Compared with the TD, the left PUT susceptibility values were greater in the PIGD group, especially in patients whose major symptomatic side were on the right limb. (3) Correlation analysis showed that in the PD group, bilateral SN was positively correlated with the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale III part scores of the Movement Disorder Society (MDS-UPDRS III) and the Hoehn-Yahr stage. Bilateral dentate nucleus (DN) susceptibility values were significantly positively correlated with TD scores, and left PUT susceptibility values were positively correlated with PIGD scores. The left SN within the PIGD group was positively correlated with the PIGD score. CONCLUSION: There were different iron deposition patterns in the basal ganglia between the PD-PIGD and TD groups. There also seems to be a difference in iron deposition in PD motor subtypes on different major motor symptom sides.

Differentiating between cardiac amyloidosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on non-contrast cine-magnetic resonance images using machine learning-based radiomics.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether texture analysis (TA) and machine learning-based classifications can be applied in differential diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) using non-contrast cine cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images. Methods: In this institutional review board-approved study, we consecutively enrolled 167 patients with CA (n = 85), HCM (n = 82), and 84 patients with normal CMR served as controls. All cases were randomized into training [119 patients (70%)] and validation [48 patients (30%)] groups. A total of 275 texture features were extracted from cine images. Based on regression analysis with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), nine machine learning models were established and their diagnostic performance determined. Results: Nineteen radiomics texture features derived from cine images were used to differentiate CA and HCM. In the validation cohort, the support vector machine (SVM), which had an accuracy of 0.85, showed the best performance (MCC = 0.637). Gray level non-uniformity (GLevNonU) was the single most effective feature. The combined model of radiomics texture features and conventional MR metrics had superior discriminatory performance (AUC = 0.89) over conventional MR metrics model (AUC = 0.79). Moreover, results showed that GLevNonU levels in HCM patients were significantly higher compared with levels in CA patients and control groups (P < 0.001). A cut-off of GLevNonU ≥ 25 was shown to differentiate between CA and HCM patients, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 (CI:0.804-0.920). Multiple comparisons tests showed that GLevNonU was significantly greater in LGE+, relative to LGE-patient groups (CA+ vs. CA- and HCM+ vs. HCM-, P = 0.01, 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Machine learning-based classifiers can accurately differentiate between CA and HCM on non-contrast cine images. The radiomics-MR combined model can be used to improve the discriminatory performance. TA may be used to assess myocardial microstructure changes that occur during different stages of cardiomyopathies.

Volumetric analysis of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging in preoperative assessment of non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the prediction of tumor grade, lymph node metastasis and pleural invasion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) before surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 65 patients diagnosed with NSCLC by surgery were enrolled. IVIM-DWI (10 b-values, 0-1000 s/mm2) was performed before surgery. The mean and minimum ADC (ADCmean, ADCmin) and IVIM parameters D, D* and f were independently measured and calculated by 2 radiologists by drawing regions of interest (ROIs) including the solid component of the whole tumor. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were analysed. Spearman analysis was used to determine the correlation between IVIM parameters and tumor differentiation. Independent sample t-tests (normal distribution) or Mann-Whitney U tests (non-normal distribution) were used to compare the differences between the parameters in moderately-well and poorly differentiated groups, with and without lymph node metastasis and pleural invasion groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated. RESULTS: The ADCmean, ADCmin, D and f values were negatively correlated with the pathological grades of tumor (P < 0.05). The ADCmean and D values of patients with poor differentiation and lymph node metastasis were significantly lower than that of patients with moderately-well differentiation and without lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001-0.012). The D value was significantly lower and f value was significantly higher among patients with pleural invasion than those without (P = 0.033 and < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was larger for D in predicting the degree of differentiation (0.832) and lymph node metastasis (0.806), and higher for f in predicting pleural invasion (0.832). CONCLUSIONS: IVIM is useful for predicting the tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis and pleural invasion in NSCLC patients before surgery.

Volumetric Analysis of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Diffusion-Weighted Imaging for Predicting the Response to Chemotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to prospectively investigate intravoxel incoherent motion parameters to predict the response to chemotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS: From July 2016 to March 2018, 30 advanced NSCLC patients were enrolled and underwent chest intravoxel incoherent motion-diffusion-weighted imaging at Siemens 3T magnetic resonance imaging before and at the end of the first cycle of chemotherapy. Regions of interest were drawn including the whole tumor volume to derive the apparent diffusion coefficient value, D, D*, and f, respectively. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to evaluate the cutoff values of continuous variables. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the independent predictors of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test were generated. RESULTS: Among the 30 patients, 28 cases (93.3%) died and 2 cases (6.7%) survived till the closeout date. Univariate Cox regression analyses revealed that the significant predictors of PFS and OS were the tumor size reduction rate, the change rates of D and apparent diffusion coefficient values, and the D value before therapy (PFS: P = 0.015, hazard ratio [HR] = 2.841; P < 0.001, HR = 5.840; P = 0.044, HR = 2.457; and P = 0.027, HR = 2.715; OS: P = 0.008, HR = 2.987; P < 0.001, HR = 4.357; P = 0.006, HR = 3.313; and P = 0.013, HR = 2.941, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that △D% was identified as independent predictors of both PFS and OS (P = 0.003, HR = 9.200 and P = 0.016, HR = 4.617). In addition, the cutoff value of △D% was 21.06% calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the PFS and OS were significantly greater in the group of patients with △D% larger than 21.06% (log-rank test, χ2 = 16.453, P < 0.001; χ2 = 13.952, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intravoxel incoherent motion-diffusion-weighted imaging was preferred for predicting the prognosis of advanced NSCLC patients treated with chemotherapy. A D increase more than 21.06% at 1 month was associated with a lower rate of disease progression and death.

B1 -Corrected T1 Mapping in Lung Cancer: Repeatability, Reproducibility, and Identification of Histological Types.

BACKGROUND: T1 mapping can potentially quantitatively assess the intrinsic properties of tumors. B1 correction can reduce the magnetic field inhomogeneity. PURPOSE: To assess the repeatability and reproducibility of B1 -corrected T1 mapping for lung cancer and the ability to identify pathological types. STUDY TYPE: Prospective reproducibility study. POPULATION: Sixty lung cancer patients (22 with emphysema) with a total of 60 lesions (adenocarcinoma [n = 23], squamous cell carcinoma [n = 19], and small-cell lung cancer [SCLC] [n = 18]). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A 3 T/B1 -corrected 3D variable flip angle T1 mapping and free-breathing diffusion-weighted imaging. ASSESSMENT: Intraobserver, interobserver, and test-retest reproducibility of minimum, maximum, mean, and SD of lung tumor T1 values were assessed. The correlation between mean T1 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and differences between different histological types of lung cancer were evaluated. STATISTICAL TESTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), within-subject coefficients of variation (WCVs), Bland-Altman plots, Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), and analysis of variance (ANOVA). A P value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in minimum, maximum, mean, and SD T1 values for repeated measurements (intraobserver and interobserver) and repeated examinations (P = 0.103-0.979). All parameters showed good intraobserver, interobserver and test-retest reproducibility (ICC, 0.780-0.978), except the maximum T1 value (ICC, 0.645-0.922). The mean T1 exhibited the best reproducibility and repeatability, with an average difference <6% for repeated measurements, <8% for repeated scans in lung cancer patients, and<10% for repeated scans in those with emphysema. The mean T1 correlated moderately with ADC (r = -0.580, -0.516, and -0.511 for observers A, B, and C). Both mean T1 and mean ADC were significantly different in SCLC patients compared with those in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma patients. DATA CONCLUSION: The mean T1 from B1 -corrected T1 mapping is a repeatable parameter with the potential to identify histological types of lung cancer and thus may be a promising imaging biomarker for characterizing lung cancer. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

The value of diffusion-weighted imaging based on monoexponential and biexponential models for the diagnosis of benign and malignant lung nodules and masses.

OBJECTIVES: The objective is to compare the efficacy of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) parameters of mean and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean and ADCmin) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in the differentiation of benign and malignant lung nodules and masses. METHODS: Lung lesions measured larger than 1.5 cm on CT were included between August 2015 and September 2018. DWI (10 b-values, 0-1000 s/mm2) scans were performed, and the data were post-processed to derive the ADCmean, ADCmin and IVIM parameters of true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*) and perfusion fraction (f). An independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare benign and malignant parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated and a Z test was used. RESULTS: 121 patients were finally enrolled, each with one lesion. Examined 121 lesions were malignant in 88 (72.7%) and benign in 33 (27.3%). The ADCmean of malignant pulmonary nodules was significantly lower than that of benign pulmonary nodules (t = 3.156, p = 0.006), whereas the other parameters revealed no significant differences (p = 0.162-0.690). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that an ADCmean threshold value of 1.43 × 10-3 mm2/s yielded 88.57% sensitivity and 64.29% specificity. While for lung masses, the ADCmean, ADCmin, D and D* values in malignant pulmonary masses were significantly lower (P﹤0.001-0.011). Among them, the D value exhibited the best diagnostic performance when the threshold of D was 1.23 × 10-3mm2/s, which yielded a sensitivity of 90.57% and a specificity of 89.47% (Z = 2.230, 3.958, 2.877 and p = 0.026, ﹤0.001 and 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: ADC is the most robust parameter to differentiate benign and malignant lung nodules, whereas D is the most robust parameter to differentiate benign and malignant lung masses. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This is the first study to compare all the quantitative parameters of DWI and IVIM mentioned in the literatures for assessing lung lesions; Second, we divided the lesions into lung nodules and lung masses with the size of 3 cm as the boundary.

Iridium-Catalyzed Highly Enantioselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Aryl N-Heteroaryl Ketones with N-Oxide as a Removable ortho-Substituent.

A highly enantioselective transfer hydrogenation of non-ortho-substituted aryl N-heteroaryl ketones, using readily available chiral diamine-derived iridium complex (S,S)-1f as a catalyst and sodium formate as a hydrogen source in a mixture of H2O/i-PrOH (v/v = 1:1) under ambient conditions, is described. The chiral aryl N-heteroaryl methanols were obtained with up to 98.2% ee by introducing an N-oxide as a removable ortho-substituent. In contrast, no more than 15.1% ee was observed in the absence of an N-oxide moiety. Furthermore, the practical utility of this protocol was also demonstrated by gram-scale asymmetric synthesis of bepotastine besilate in 51% total yield and 99.9% ee.

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) Study of Early Traumatic Brain Injury in Rabbits.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dynamic changes of cerebral metabolism and degree of trauma in rabbit models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS). MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-five Chinese rabbits were randomly divided into control, mild, moderate, and severe TBI groups. ¹H-MRS was performed 1, 6, and 24 h after trauma. The concentrations of NAA, Cr, Cho, and Lac, and NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios in each group, were estimated. RESULTS Compared with the control group, NAA, Cr, and Cho peaks were decreased. NAA/Cr ratio in the ipsilateral cortex was reduced in the mild, moderate, and severe TBI groups by 12.79%, 28.90%, and 45.02% at 1 h, and decreased by 25.11%, 39.81%, and 51.18% at 24 h after trauma, respectively. There were significant negative correlations between NAA/Cr ratio and severity of attack. Cho/Cr ratio in the ipsilateral cortex in the mild, moderate, and severe TBI groups was decreased by 10.86%, 15.94%, and 34.78% at 1 h, and reduced by 24.63%, 29.71%, and 42.02% at 6 h, respectively, and increased slightly at 24 h after trauma. The Lac/Cr ratio in the injured side was increased, most obviously in the severe TBI group. NAA/Cr ratio and Cho/Cr ratio showed significant changes between each group at the same time point. CONCLUSIONS ¹H-MRS can noninvasively and dynamically detect metabolic changes in early TBI. The NAA/Cr ratio is most sensitive, and has positive significance for early diagnosis and prognosis assessment of TBI.

[Influence of community structure of phosphorus removing bacteria under oxygen contain in processes for phosphorus removal].

It was studied for community structure of microorganisms in the phosphorus removal processes under the circulating situation, and analyzed for microorganism's structure and behavior characteristics by the molecular biology technique with direct obtaining of DNA from samples of activated sludge, and by nested PCR and DGGE. It was also determined community structure of microorganisms. It was analyzed structures of Proteobacteria and Acidobacterium by 16S rDNA V3 area gene fragments sequences in activated sludge. By comparing gene sequences in the National Center of Biological Information (NCBI), were determined the kinds of part of microorganisms. Analyzing the low of changes of preponderant bacteria in anaerobic/aerobic and anaerobic/anoxic conditions takes to know, that under the stable situation of phosphorus removing, the system of microorganism's structure can kept mostly constant. Minority races that have changed in amount or kind has something to do with the variation of oxygen level in the system, but structure totally can adapt the environmental conditions of the processes, while it placed in dynamic varieties.

An unexpected co-crystal with a variable degree of order: 1:1 rac-1,2-cyclohexanediol/triphenylphosphine oxide.

A 1:1 co-crystal of rac-trans-1,2-C(6)H(10)(OH)(2) and (C(6)H(5))(3)PO has been found that is unusual because there are no strong interactions between the two kinds of molecules, which are segregated into layers. Furthermore, neither pure rac-1,2-cyclohexanediol (CHD) nor pure triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) has any obvious packing problem that would make the formation of inclusion complexes likely. The TPPO layers are very much like those found in two of the four known polymorphs of pure TPPO. The hydrogen-bonded ribbons of CHD are similar to those found in other vic-diol crystals. The co-crystals are triclinic (space group P\overline 1), but the deviations from monoclinic symmetry (space group C2/c) are small. The magnitudes of those deviations depend on the solvent from which the crystal is grown; the deviations are largest for crystals grown from acetone, smallest for crystals grown from toluene, and intermediate for crystals grown from ethanol. The deviations arise from incomplete enantiomeric disorder of the R,R and S,S diols; this disorder is not required by symmetry in either space group, but occupancy factors are nearly 0.50 when the structure is refined as monoclinic. When the structure is refined as triclinic the deviations of the occupancy factors from 0.50 mirror the deviations from monoclinic symmetry because information about the partial R,R/S,S ordering is transmitted from one diol layer to the next through the very pseudosymmetric TPPO layer. Analyses suggest individual CHD layers are at least mostly ordered. The degree of order seems to be established at the time the crystal is grown and is unlikely to change with heating or cooling. Thermal data suggest the existence of the co-crystal is a consequence of kinetic rather than thermodynamic factors.

Solid-state compounds of stereoisomers: cis and trans isomers of 1,2-cyclohexanediol and 2,3-tetralindiol.

The phases of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2,3-naphthalenediol (or 2,3-tetralindiol) and of 1,2-cyclohexanediol have been investigated. The structure of a very stable 1:1 compound (or co-crystal) of the cis and trans isomers of 2,3-tetralindiol, the existence of which has been known for nearly a century, has finally been determined. No evidence of any analogous compound between the cis and trans isomers of 1,2-cyclohexanediol has been found. The formation of solid-state compounds of stereoisomers is rare; it probably occurs only if the crystal packing of at least one of the isomers is unfavorable, e.g. if at least one of the melting points is lower than expected. Compound formation is usually unlikely because of the difficulty of simultaneously optimizing the translational spacings for both isomers, but that packing problem is avoided in the cis/trans compound of 2,3-tetralindiol because the two isomers are in very similar environments. In the structures of the individual 2,3-tetralindiol isomers there are clear conflicts between the competing packing requirements of the 1,2-diol moiety and the aromatic ring system; these conflicts are resolved better in the co-crystal than in the structures of the individual isomers.

DGGE analysis of 16S rDNA of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in chemical-biological flocculation and chemical coagulation systems.

Microbial community DNA was extracted from activated sludge samples taken from a chemical bioflocculation process and a chemical coagulation process in Shanghai, China. 16S rDNA of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB)was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction and fingerprinted by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis for microbial structure analysis. The Shannon diversity index of each sample was determined. The results indicated that the microbial structure of AOB in chemical bioflocculation process was comparable at two operational conditions. The ammonia-oxidizing bacterial communities were similar in three channels of the chemical bioflocculation process and in three serial tanks in the chemical coagulation process at the same condition. The diversity of microbial structures in the chemical bioflocculation process was higher than in the chemical coagulation process, in which the microbial structure was similar to that in the influent. Although the microbial study provides insights to the nitrification removal, higher microbial diversity of AOB does not necessarily mean higher ammonia oxidization. Molecular analysis should be combined with chemical assays to optimize operational conditions.

Biodiversity analysis of microbial community in the chem-bioflocculation treatment process.

Total DNA was directly extracted from environmental samples and amplified with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The PCR products were fingerprinted via denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Significant differences were observed in the microbial community structures between traditional treatment process and chem-bioflocculation process. The microbial community structure shift at different sampling locations in chem-bioflocculation process and on two typical operational conditions was studied. 16S rDNA V3 regions of some dominant species were sequenced and the species were identified. The microbial communities were stable in both the chem-bioflocculation process and the activated sludge process under various experimental conditions presented in this work. The attached growth treatment process was less stable when operational conditions changed.

[Characteristics of municipal sewage chem-bioflocculation treatment process by using PCR-DGGE technology].

It is reported that without cultivation, DNA could be directly extracted from environmental samples with molecular biological methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturting gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). To analyze the community diversity of activated sludge and bio-film in the municipal sewage, work was done to directly extrude crude DNA from activated sludge and bio-film samples, separate and amplify 16S rDNA by PCR and sequence it with DGGE. The results show the significant microbe community difference between cultivated and uncultivated activated sludge. Further research on the community diversity of two different sewage treatment processes was done and initial discussion on the microbial distribution in the same reactor and microbial structure in different experimental conditions was carried out. The sequences of several 16S rDNA DGGE fragments were determined and some possible bacteria were confirmed in comparision in GeneBank (NCBI). The results show that the PCR-DGGE technology combined with sequences determination is a feasible and efficient method for microorganism analysis in environmental sample.