Nitrogen sources differentially affect respiration, growth, and carbon allocation in Andean and Lowland ecotypes of Chenopodium quinoa Willd.

Chenopodium quinoa Willd. is a native species that originated in the High Andes plateau (Altiplano) and its cultivation spread out to the south of Chile. Because of the different edaphoclimatic characteristics of both regions, soils from Altiplano accumulated higher levels of nitrate (NO3-) than in the south of Chile, where soils favor ammonium (NH4 +) accumulation. To elucidate whether C. quinoa ecotypes differ in several physiological and biochemical parameters related to their capacity to assimilate NO3- and NH4 +, juvenile plants of Socaire (from Altiplano) and Faro (from Lowland/South of Chile) were grown under different sources of N (NO3- or NH4 +). Measurements of photosynthesis and foliar oxygen-isotope fractionation were carried out, together with biochemical analyses, as proxies for the analysis of plant performance or sensitivity to NH4 +. Overall, while NH4 + reduced the growth of Socaire, it induced higher biomass productivity and increased protein synthesis, oxygen consumption, and cytochrome oxidase activity in Faro. We discussed that ATP yield from respiration in Faro could promote protein production from assimilated NH4 + to benefit its growth. The characterization of this differential sensitivity of both quinoa ecotypes for NH4 + contributes to a better understanding of nutritional aspects driving plant primary productivity.

Feasibility of clinical studies of chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging of prostate cancer at 7 T.

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) has been explored for differentiation between tumour and benign tissue in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. With ultrahigh field strengths such as 7-T, the increase of spectral resolution and sensitivity could allow for selective detection of amide proton transfer (APT) at 3.5 ppm and a group of compounds that resonate at 2 ppm (i.e., [poly]amines and/or creatine). The potential of 7-T multipool CEST analysis of the prostate and the detection of PCa was studied in patients with proven localised PCa who were scheduled to undergo robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Twelve patients were prospectively included (mean age 68.0 years, mean serum prostate-specific antigen 7.8ng/mL). A total of 24 lesions larger than 2 mm were analysed. Used were 7-T T2-weighted (T2W) imaging and 48 spectral CEST points. Patients received 1.5-T/3-T prostate magnetic resonance imaging and galium-68-prostate-specific membrane antigen-positron emission tomography/computerised tomography to determine the location of the single-slice CEST. Based on the histopathological results after RARP, three regions of interest were drawn on the T2W images from a known malignant zone and benign zone in the central and peripheral zones. These areas were transposed to the CEST data, from which the APT and 2-ppm CEST were calculated. The statistical significance of the CEST between the central zone, the peripheral zone, and tumour was calculated using a Kruskal-Wallis test. The z-spectra showed that APT and even a distinct pool that resonated at 2 ppm were detectable. This study showed a difference trend in the APT levels, but no difference in the 2-ppm levels when tested between the central zone, the peripheral zone, and tumour (H(2) = 4.8, p = 0.093 and H(2) = 0.86, p = 0.651, respectively). Thus, to conclude, we could most likely detect APT and amines and/or creatine levels noninvasively in prostate using the CEST effect. At group level, CEST showed a higher level of APT in the peripheral versus the central zone; however, no differences of APT and 2-ppm levels were observed in tumours.

Migration as a Vector of Economic Losses From Disaster-Affected Areas in the United States.

We introduce the consideration of human migration into research on economic losses from extreme weather disasters. Taking a comparative case study approach and using data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York/Equifax Consumer Credit Panel, we document the size of economic losses attributable to migration from 23 disaster-affected areas in the United States before, during, and after some of the most costly hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires on record. We then employ demographic standardization and decomposition to determine if these losses primarily reflect changes in out-migration or the economic resources that migrants take with them. Finally, we consider the implications of these losses for changing spatial inequality in the United States. While disaster-affected areas and their populations differ in their experiences of and responses to extreme weather disasters, we generally find that, relative to the year before an extreme weather disaster, economic losses via migration from disaster-affected areas increase the year of and after the disaster, these changes primarily reflect changes in out-migration (vs. the economic resources that migrants take with them), and these losses briefly disrupt the status quo by temporarily reducing spatial inequality.

Frecuencia de y cesáreas en establecimientos públicos y privados de la Provincia de Concepción, Chile, 2001-2019 / Caesareans section frequency in public and private establishments of the Province of Concepción, Chile, 2001-2019

Introducción: El porcentaje nacional de cesárea supera las recomendaciones internacionales, alcanzando altos niveles, con consecuencias significativas en la salud de la mujer. Por esta razón es un problema necesario de analizar. Objetivo: Describir la situación epidemiológica de las cesáreas en la Provincia de Concepción, periodo 2001-2019, según establecimiento y previsión. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, ecológico, transversal. Incluye universo de partos en la Provincia de Concepción 2001-2019, datos del Departamento de Estadísticas e Información de Salud (DEIS). Recopilación y análisis según técnicas descriptivas en Microsoft Excel® Resultados: En establecimientos públicos, el número de partos disminuyó un 60.6%. En establecimientos privados aumentó 4.8 veces, junto al 39% de incremento en las cesáreas. Las pacientes pertenecientes al grupo A de menores ingresos de la aseguradora de salud pública, Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA), presentaron un porcentaje estable de cesáreas, en torno al 25%, mientras que el grupo D (de mayores ingresos) aumentó un 47.8% entre los años 2005 y 2009. Entre 2002 y 2019 el porcentaje promedio de cesáreas de pacientes pertenecientes a las aseguradoras privadas, Instituciones de Salud Previsional (ISAPRE), fue del 66.5%. Conclusiones: Se observó un aumento de cesáreas muy especialmente en recintos privados. La previsión de salud es un factor que considerar, particularmente el grupo FONASA-D, que presentó la mayor alza en las cesáreas, incluso más que las gestantes de ISAPRE. El porcentaje alarmante de cesáreas, especialmente en establecimientos privados, debe ser preocupación prioritaria para nuestro sistema de salud.

Introduction: The national caesarean section rate exceeds international recommendations, reaching elevated levels, with significant consequences on women's health. For this reason it is a necessary problem to analyze. Objective: To describe the epidemiological situation of caesarean sections in the Province of Concepción, period 2001-2019, according to establishment and forecast. Material and methods: Observational, descriptive, ecological, longitudinal study. Includes universe of births in the Province of Concepción 2001-2019, data from the Department of Statistics and Health Information (DEIS). Collection and analysis according to descriptive techniques in Microsoft Excel®. Results: In public establishments, the number of deliveries decreased by 60.6%. In private establishments it increased 4.8 times, together with the 39% increase in cesarean sections. Patients belonging to group A with the lowest income of the public health insurer, National Health Fund (FONASA), presented a stable percentage of caesarean sections, around 25%, while group D (with the highest income) increased 47.8% between 2005 and 2009. Between 2002 and 2019, the average percentage of caesarean sections of patients belonging to private insurers, Institutions of Social Security (ISAPRE), was 66.5%. Conclusions: An increase in caesarean sections was observed, especially in private facilities. Health insurance is a factor to consider, particularly the FONASA-D group, which presented the highest increase in cesarean sections, even more than ISAPRE pregnant women. The alarming percentage of caesarean sections, especially in private establishments, should be a priority concern for our health system.

Comparación del rendimiento académico basado en metodología TBL y metodología tradicional de enseñanza en estudiantes de odontología en Santiago de Chile / Comparison of academic. Performance based on TBL methodology and traditional teaching methodology in dentistry students in Santiago de Chile

INTRODUCCION Con el pasar de los años han surgido metodologías activas de enseñanza, donde el estudiante pasa a tener un rol protagonista. La metodología activa Team Based Learning (TBL) promueve la participación de los estudiantes tanto de manera individual como grupal permitiendo fomentar el aprendizaje y aplicar contenidos enseñados. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el rendimiento académico obtenido por los estudiantes en la asignatura de cariología mediante metodología tradicional en los años 2016, 2017 y 2018; y metodología TBL en el año 2019. MATERIAL Y METODOS Se realizó un diseño analítico transversal donde se compararon los promedios de calificaciones de certámenes 1 y 2 de cariología de los estudiantes de la carrera de Odontología de la Universidad Finis Terrae entre los años 2016 y 2019; dicha población se estratificó en función de año académico y tipo de metodología. RESULTADOS Los resultados muestran que el promedio de las calificaciones de los certámenes 1 y 2 de cariología obtenido por los estudiantes mediante metodología tradicional de aprendizaje fue de 4,79 y mediante metodología TBL es de 5,01, existiendo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre ambos grupos de estudio (p = 0,03). CONCLUSION El rendimiento académico en cariología, obtenido por los estudiantes mediante metodología TBL el año 2019 fue significativamente mayor que aquel obtenido por los estudiantes mediante metodología tradicional en los años 2016, 2017 y 2018.

INTRODUCTION Over the years, active teaching methodologies have emerged, where the student play a leading role. The active Team Based Learning (TBL) methodology promotes participation of students both individually and in groups allowing to promote the learning and applying taught content. The aim of this study was to compare the academic performanc he students in the subject of cariology through traditional methodology in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018; and TBL methodology in 2019. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional analytical design was conducted where the grade point of test 1 and 2 of cariology of Dentistry students from University Finis Terrae between the years 2016 and 2019, were averaged. The population was stratified according to academic year and type of methodology. RESULTS The results show that the average of the qualifications of test 1 and 2 of cariology obtained by students through traditional learning methodology was 4.79 and through TBL methodology is 5.01, there being a statistically significant difference between both study groups (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION The academic performance in cariology, obtained by the students through the TBL methodology on year 2019 was significantly higher than that obtained by the students through the methodology traditional in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018

A mask-compatible, radiolucent, 8-channel head and neck receive array for MRI-guided radiotherapy treatments and pre-treatment simulation.

Immobilization masks are used to prevent patient movement during head and neck (H&N) radiotherapy. Motion restriction is beneficial both during treatment, as well as in the pre-treatment simulation phase, where magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used for target definition. However, the shape and size of the immobilization masks hinder the use of regular, close-fitting MRI receive arrays. In this work, we developed a mask-compatible 8-channel H&N array that consists of a single-channel baseplate, on which the mask can be secured, and a flexible 7-channel anterior element that follows the shape of the mask. The latter uses high impedance coils to achieve its flexibility and radiolucency. A fully-functional prototype was manufactured, its radiolucency was characterized, and the gain in imaging performance with respect to current clinical setups was quantified. Dosimetry measurements showed an overall dose change of -0.3%. Small, local deviations were up to -2.7% but had no clinically significant impact on a full treatment plan, as gamma pass rates (3%/3 mm) only slightly reduced from 97.9% to 97.6% (clinical acceptance criterion: ≥95%). The proposed H&N array improved the imaging performance with respect to three clinical setups. The H&N array more than doubled (+123%) and tripled (+246%) the signal-to-noise ratio with respect to the clinical MRI-simulation and MR-linac setups, respectively.G-factors were also lower with the proposed H&N array. The improved imaging performance resulted in a clearly visible signal-to-noise ratio improvement of clinically used TSE and DWI acquisitions. In conclusion, the 8-channel H&N array improves the imaging performance of MRI-simulation and MR-linac acquisitions, while dosimetry suggests that no clinically significant dose changes are induced.

User Beware: Concerning Findings from the Post 2011-2012 U.S. Internal Revenue Service Migration Data.

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) makes publicly and freely available period migration data at the state and county levels. Among their uses, these data inform estimates of net-migration as part of the U.S. Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program, which, in turn, are used for producing other annual statistics, survey design, business and community planning, and federal funding allocations. Building on and extending prior research, we devote this Research Brief to documenting from multiple new angles a highly concerning and apparently systemic problem with the IRS migration data since the IRS took over responsibilities for preparing these data from the U.S. Census Bureau in 2011. As we then discuss, despite the fact that the IRS provides documentation detailing changes that it made to how it prepares these data relative to how the U.S. Census Bureau prepared them, it is not clear why or how these changes would result in the problem detailed in our analysis. Given that this problem appears to be an internal one within the IRS, we conclude by suggesting that the post 2011-12 IRS migration data not be used until this problem is resolved, and we encourage the IRS to do so quickly, transparently, and collaboratively.

Metabolic imprint induced by seed halo-priming promotes a differential physiological performance in two contrasting quinoa ecotypes.

"Memory imprint" refers to the process when prior exposure to stress prepares the plant for subsequent stress episodes. Seed priming is a strategy to change the performance of seedlings to cope with stress; however, mechanisms associated with the metabolic response are fragmentary. Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses that affect crop production in arid and semiarid areas. Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (Amaranthaceae) is a promising crop to sustain food security and possesses a wide genetic diversity of salinity tolerance. To elucidate if the metabolic memory induced by seed halo-priming (HP) differs among contrasting saline tolerance plants, seeds of two ecotypes of Quinoa (Socaire from Atacama Salar, and BO78 from Chilean Coastal/lowlands) were treated with a saline solution and then germinated and grown under different saline conditions. The seed HP showed a more positive impact on the sensitive ecotype during germination and promoted changes in the metabolomic profile in both ecotypes, including a reduction in carbohydrates (starch) and organic acids (citric and succinic acid), and an increase in antioxidants (ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol) and related metabolites. These changes were linked to a further reduced level of oxidative markers (methionine sulfoxide and malondialdehyde), allowing improvements in the energy use in photosystem II under saline conditions in the salt-sensitive ecotype. In view of these results, we conclude that seed HP prompts a "metabolic imprint" related to ROS scavenger at the thylakoid level, improving further the physiological performance of the most sensitive ecotype.

Situación epidemiológica de los egresos hospitalarios por suicidio en Chile período 2001-2019 / Epidemiological situation of hospital discharges due to suicide in Chile period 2001- 2019

Introducción: El suicidio es un problema de salud pública en aumento a nivel mundial y nacional, con diferencias en su distribución según características sociodemográficas. El objetivo del estudio es describir la situación epidemiológica de defunciones hospitalarias en Chile por suicidio consumado en el período 2001-2019 según sexo, edad, región de residencia y mecanismo empleado. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, ecológico y longitudinal. Incluyó a las defunciones hospitalarias en Chile 2001-2019 de las bases de egresos hospitalarios del Departamento de Estadísticas e Información de Salud e Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Considerando aquellos con egresados como fallecidos por lesiones autoinfligidas, sin criterios de exclusión. Recopilados y analizados según técnicas descriptivas en Microsoft Excel® para obtener importancia relativa. Las variables estudiadas fueron sexo, edad, región de residencia, año y diagnóstico de egreso. No requirió aprobación del comité de ética. Resultados: Se observaron 640 suicidios con predominio masculino durante todo el período y concentrando el 68,9% de los casos entre 21-39 años. A nivel territorial, destaca la región Metropolitana con 41,3% de las defunciones. El método más empleado fue el envenenamiento (56,3%), seguido en frecuencia por ahorcamiento (15,4%) y humo, fuego o llamas (9,5%), respectivamente. Conclusión: Los casos de suicidio en Chile se concentran en población de sexo masculino y joven con mayor predilección por métodos violentos en comparación a su contraparte femenina, lo cual se condice con la evidencia internacional. Es necesario focalizar la estrategia preventiva en este grupo, al presentar menor índice de consulta en salud mental.

Introduction: Suicide is a growing public health problem at global and national levels, with differences in its distribution according to sociodemographic characteristics. The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiological situation of hospital deaths in Chile due to consummated suicide in the period 2001-2019 according to sex, age, region of residence and mechanism used. Material y methods: Observational, descriptive, ecological and longitudinal study. It included hospital deaths in Chile 2001-2019 from the hospital discharge databases of the Department of Statistics and Health Information and the National Institute of Statistics. Considering those discharged as deceased due to self-inflicted injuries, without exclusion criteria. Collected and analyzed according to descriptive techniques in Microsoft Excel® to obtain relative importance. The variables studied were sex, age, region of residence, year and discharge diagnosis. Ethics committee approval was not required. Results: 640 suicides were observed with a male predominance throughout the period and concentrating 68.9% of the cases between 21-39 years. At the territorial level, the Metropolitan region stands out with 41.3% of deaths. The most used method was poisoning (56.3%), followed in frequency by hanging (15.4%) and smoke, fire or flames (9.5%), respectively. Discussion: Suicide cases in Chile are concentrated in the male and young population with a greater predilection for violent methods compared to their female counterparts, which is consistent with international evidence. It is necessary to focus on the preventive strategy on this group, as they present a lower rate of consultation in mental health.

Feasibility of 31 P spectroscopic imaging at 7 T in lung carcinoma patients.

Currently, it is difficult to predict effective therapy response to molecular therapies for the treatment of lung cancer based solely on anatomical images. 31 P MR spectroscopic imaging could provide as a non-invasive method to monitor potential biomarkers for early therapy evaluation, a necessity to improve personalized care and reduce cost. However, surface coils limit the imaging volume in conventional 31 P MRSI. High-energetic adiabatic RF pulses are required to achieve flip angle homogeneity but lead to high SAR. Birdcage coils permit use of conventional amplitude modulated pulses, even over large FOV, potentially decreasing overall SAR massively. Here, we investigate the feasibility of 3D 31 P MRSI at 7 T in lung carcinoma patients using an integrated 31 P birdcage body coil in combination with either a dual-coil or a 16-channel receiver. Simulations showed a maximum decrease in SNR per unit of time of 8% for flip angle deviations in short TR low flip-angle excitation 3D CSI. The minimal SNR loss allowed for fast 3D CSI without time-consuming calibration steps (>10:00 min.). 31 P spectra from four lung carcinoma patients were acquired within 29:00 minutes and with high SNR using both receivers. The latter allowed discrimination of individual phosphodiesters, inorganic phosphate, phosphocreatine and ATP. The receiver array allowed for an increased FOV compared to the dual-coil receiver. 3D 31 P-CSI were acquired successfully in four lung carcinoma patients using the integrated 31 P body coil at ultra-high field. The increased spectral resolution at 7 T allowed differentiation of multiple 31 P metabolites related to phospholipid and energy metabolism. Simulations provide motivation to exclude 31 P B1 calibrations, potentially decreasing total scan duration. Employing large receiver arrays improves the field of view allowing for full organ coverage. 31 P MRSI is feasible in lung carcinoma patients and has potential as a non-invasive method for monitoring personalized therapy response in lung tumors.

Seed characterization and early nitrogen metabolism performance of seedlings from Altiplano and coastal ecotypes of Quinoa.

BACKGROUND: Early seed germination and a functional root system development during establishment are crucial attributes contributing to nutrient competence under marginal nutrient soil conditions. Chenopodium quinoa Willd (Chenopodiaceae) is a rustic crop, able to grow in marginal areas. Altiplano and Coastal/Lowlands are two representative zones of quinoa cultivation in South America with contrasting soil fertility and edaphoclimatic conditions. In the present work, we hypothesize that the ecotypes of Quinoa from Altiplano (landrace Socaire) and from Coastal/Lowland (landrace Faro) have developed differential adaptive responses in order to survive under conditions of low availability of N in their respective climatic zones of Altiplano and Lowlands. In order to understand intrinsic differences for N competence between landraces, seed metabolite profile and germinative capacity were studied. Additionally, in order to elucidate the mechanisms of N uptake and assimilation at limiting N conditions during establishment, germinated seeds of both landraces were grown at either sufficient nitrate (HN) or low nitrate (LN) supply. We studied the photosynthetic performance, protein storage, root morphometrical parameters, activity and expression of N-assimilating enzymes, and the expression of nitrate transporters of roots in plants submitted to the different treatments. RESULTS: Seeds from Socaire landrace presented higher content of free N-related metabolites and faster seed germination rate compared to Faro landrace. Seedlings of both ecotypes presented similar physiological performance at HN supply, but at LN supply their differences were exalted. At LN, Socaire plants showed an increased root biomass (including a higher number and total length of lateral roots), a differential regulation of a nitrate transporter (a NPF6.3-like homologue) belonging to the Low Affinity Transport System (LATS), and an upregulation of a nitrate transporter (a NRT2.1-like homologue) belonging to the High Affinity nitrate Transport System (HATS) compared to Faro. These responses as a whole could be linked to a higher amount of stored proteins in leaves, associated to an enhanced photochemical performance in Altiplano plants, in comparison to Lowland quinoa plants. CONCLUSIONS: These differential characteristics of Socaire over Faro plants could involve an adaptation to enhanced nitrate uptake under the brutal unfavorable climate conditions of Altiplano.

Metabolite cycled liver 1 H MRS on a 7 T parallel transmit system.

INTRODUCTION: Single-voxel 1 H MRS in body applications often suffers from respiratory and other motion induced phase and frequency shifts, which lead to incoherent averaging and hence to suboptimal results. METHODS: Here we show the application of metabolite cycling (MC) for liver STEAM-localized 1 H MRS on a 7 T parallel transmit system, using eight transmit-receive fractionated dipole antennas with 16 additional, integrated receive loops. MC-STEAM measurements were made in six healthy, lean subjects and compared with STEAM measurements using VAPOR water suppression. Measurements were performed during free breathing and during synchronized breathing, for which the subjects did breathe in between the MRS acquisitions. Both intra-session repeatability and inter-session reproducibility of liver lipid quantification with MC-STEAM and VAPOR-STEAM were determined. RESULTS: The preserved water signal in MC-STEAM allowed for robust phase and frequency correction of individual acquisitions before averaging, which resulted in in vivo liver spectra that were of equal quality when measurements were made with free breathing or synchronized breathing. Intra-session repeatability and inter-session reproducibility of liver lipid quantification were better for MC-STEAM than for VAPOR-STEAM. This may also be explained by the more robust phase and frequency correction of the individual MC-STEAM acquisitions as compared with the VAPOR-STEAM acquisitions, for which the low-signal-to-noise ratio lipid signals had to be used for the corrections. CONCLUSION: Non-water-suppressed MC-STEAM on a 7 T system with parallel transmit is a promising approach for 1 H MRS applications in the body that are affected by motion, such as in the liver, and yields better repeatability and reproducibility compared with water-suppressed measurements.

In Vivo Metabolic Regulation of Alternative Oxidase under Nutrient Deficiency-Interaction with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Rhizobium Bacteria.

The interaction of the alternative oxidase (AOX) pathway with nutrient metabolism is important for understanding how respiration modulates ATP synthesis and carbon economy in plants under nutrient deficiency. Although AOX activity reduces the energy yield of respiration, this enzymatic activity is upregulated under stress conditions to maintain the functioning of primary metabolism. The in vivo metabolic regulation of AOX activity by phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) and during plant symbioses with Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Rhizobium bacteria is still not fully understood. We highlight several findings and open questions concerning the in vivo regulation of AOX activity and its impact on plant metabolism during P deficiency and symbiosis with AMF. We also highlight the need for the identification of which metabolic regulatory factors of AOX activity are related to N availability and nitrogen-fixing legume-rhizobia symbiosis in order to improve our understanding of N assimilation and biological nitrogen fixation.

Inherently decoupled 1 H antennas and 31 P loops for metabolic imaging of liver metastasis at 7 T.

High field 31 P spectroscopy has thus far been limited to diffuse liver disease. Unlike lower field-strength scanners, there is no body coil in the bore of the 7 T and despite inadequate penetration depth (<10 cm), surface coils are the current state-of-the-art for acquiring anatomical images to support multinuclear studies. We present a system of proton antennas and phosphorus loops for 31 P spectroscopy and provide the first ultrahigh-field phosphorus metabolic imaging of a tumor in the abdomen. Herein we characterize the degree to which antennas are isolated from underlying loops. Next, we evaluate the penetration depth of the two antennas available during multinuclear examinations. Finally, we combine phosphorus spectroscopy (two loops) with parallel transmit imaging (eight antennas) in a patient. The loops and antennas are inherently decoupled (no added circuitry, <0.1% power coupling). The penetration depth of two antennas gives twice that of conventional loops. The liver and full axial slice of the abdomen were imaged with eight transmit/receive antennas using parallel transmit B1-shimming to overcome image voids. Phosphorus spectroscopy from a liver metastasis resolved individual peaks for phosphocholine and phosphoethenalomine. Proton antennas are inherently decoupled from phosphorus loops. By using two proton antennas it is possible to perform region-of-interest image-based shimming in over 80% of the liver volume, thereby enabling phosphorus spectroscopy of localized disease. Shimming of the full extent of the abdominal cross-section is feasible using a parallel transmit array of eight antennas. A system architecture capable of supporting eight-channel parallel transmit and multinuclear spectroscopy is optimal for supporting multiparametric body imaging, including metabolic imaging, for monitoring the response of patients with liver metastases to cancer treatments and for patient risk stratification. In the meantime, the existing infrastructure using two antennas is sufficient for preliminary studies in metabolic imaging of tumors in the liver.

On the magnetic field dependence of deuterium metabolic imaging.

Deuterium metabolic imaging (DMI) is a novel MR-based method to spatially map metabolism of deuterated substrates such as [6,6'-2 H2 ]-glucose in vivo. Compared with traditional 13 C-MR-based metabolic studies, the MR sensitivity of DMI is high due to the larger 2 H magnetic moment and favorable T1 and T2 relaxation times. Here, the magnetic field dependence of DMI sensitivity and transmit efficiency is studied on phantoms and rat brain postmortem at 4, 9.4 and 11.7 T. The sensitivity and spectral resolution on human brain in vivo are investigated at 4 and 7 T before and after an oral dose of [6,6'-2 H2 ]-glucose. For small animal surface coils (Ø 30 mm), the experimentally measured sensitivity and transmit efficiency scale with the magnetic field to a power of +1.75 and -0.30, respectively. These are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions made from the principle of reciprocity for a coil noise-dominant regime. For larger human surface coils (Ø 80 mm), the sensitivity scales as a +1.65 power. The spectral resolution increases linearly due to near-constant linewidths. With optimal multireceiver arrays the acquisition of DMI at a nominal 1 mL spatial resolution is feasible at 7 T.

Measurement of T1 and T2 relaxation times of the pancreas at 7 T using a multi-transmit system.

OBJECTIVE: To determine T1 and T2 relaxation times of healthy pancreas parenchyma at 7 T using a multi-transmit system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six healthy subjects were scanned with a 7 T MR system using eight parallel transceiver antennas, each with two additional receive loops. A Look-Locker sequence was used to obtain images for T1 determination, while T2 was obtained from spin-echo images and magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements with different echo times. T1 and T2 times were calculated using a mono-exponential fit of the average magnitude signal from a region of interest in the pancreas and were tested for correlation with age. RESULTS: The age range of the included subjects was 21-72 years. Average T1 and T2 relaxation times in healthy pancreas were 896 ± 149 ms, and 26.7 ± 5.3 ms, respectively. No correlation with age was found. CONCLUSION: T1 and T2 relaxation times of the healthy pancreas were reported for 7 T, which can be used for image acquisition optimization. No significant correlations were found between age and T1 or T2 relaxation times of the pancreas. Considering their low standard deviation and no observable age dependence, these values may be used as a baseline to study potentially pancreatic tissue affected by disease.

Design and characterization of an eight-element passively fed meander-dipole array with improved specific absorption rate efficiency for 7 T body imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the transmit efficiency and specific absorption rate (SAR) efficiency of a new eight-element passively fed meander-dipole antenna array designed for body MRI at 7 T, and to compare these values with a conventional directly fed meander-dipole array. METHODS: The main radiating element of the passively fed dipole is printed on one side of a dielectric substrate and is capacitively coupled to a shorter feeding element (connected to the coaxial cable) printed on the opposite side of the substrate. The transmit (B1+ ) field and SAR were simulated on a phantom and on a human voxel model for both a passively fed and a directly fed single element. Two eight-channel arrays containing, respectively, directly and passively fed meander dipoles were then simulated, and experimental B1+ maps and T2 -weighted spin echo images of the prostate were obtained in vivo for four healthy volunteers. RESULTS: In simulations, the mean transmit efficiency (B1+ per square root input power) value in the prostate was ~ 12.5% lower, and the maximum 10 g average SAR was 44% lower for the array containing passively fed dipoles, resulting in ~ 15% higher SAR efficiency for the passively fed array. In vivo RF-shimmed turbo spin echo images were acquired from both arrays, and showed image SNRs within 5% of one another. CONCLUSION: A passive-feeding network for meander-dipole antennas has been shown to be a simple method to increase the SAR efficiency of a multi-element array used for body imaging at high fields. We hypothesize that the main reason for the increase in SAR efficiency is the storage of the strong conservative electric field in the dielectric between the feeding element and the radiating element of the dipole. The passive-feeding approach can be generalized to other dipole geometries and configurations.

[Between religion and the State: the case of the Expo Promo Salud events in the province of Buenos Aires]. / Entre las religiones y el Estado: el caso de las Expo Promo Salud en la provincia de Buenos Aires.

Religions have historically established ways to regulate the lives of their followers, impacting conceptions of wellbeing and health. Likewise, state agencies have incorporated a more complex definition of health, including a lack of bodily illness, stability, and social, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Using the category of care in a broad sense, we seek to put these conceptualizations into tension in order to identify points of agreement and discrepancy among the ways of defining health and wellbeing by state and religious agents. Using a qualitative approach, content analysis of documents, participant observation and formal and informal interviews with state and religious agents were carried out in the framework of two events held in 2016 and 2017 by the Buenos Aires Provincial Office of Religions under the name Expo Promo Salud. These events were generated to make visible the actions carried out by religions in the area of health in general and problematic drug use in particular. In this way, the article seeks to analyze the ways of discursively defining care, health and wellbeing and their possible impact on the design of public policies.

Las religiones han establecido históricamente formas de regular la vida de sus fieles, que impactan en la concepción del bienestar y la salud. A su vez, espacios estatales han complejizado la definición de salud, incluyendo la no enfermedad del cuerpo, la estabilidad y bienestar social, psicológico, emocional y espiritual. Partiendo de la categoría de cuidado en un sentido amplio, nos proponemos tensionar estas conceptualizaciones a fin de dar cuenta de los puntos de encuentro y discrepancia entre las formas de definición de salud y bienestar por parte de agentes estatales y religiosos. Para ello, desde un enfoque cualitativo, se realizó análisis de contenido de documentos, observación participante y entrevistas formales e informales con agentes estatales y religiosos en el marco de dos eventos organizados, en 2016 y 2017, por la Dirección Provincial de Cultos denominados Expo Promo Salud, espacios instituidos para visibilizar las acciones realizadas por las religiones en el área de la salud en general y del consumo problemático de drogas en particular. A partir de allí esperamos contribuir a las formas de definición discursiva del cuidado, la salud y el bienestar y su posible impacto a la hora de diseñar políticas públicas.

Entre las religiones y el Estado: el caso de las Expo Promo Salud en la provincia de Buenos Aires / Between religion and the State: the case of the Expo Promo Salud events in the province of Buenos Aires

RESUMEN Las religiones han establecido históricamente formas de regular la vida de sus fieles, que impactan en la concepción del bienestar y la salud. A su vez, espacios estatales han complejizado la definición de salud, incluyendo la no enfermedad del cuerpo, la estabilidad y bienestar social, psicológico, emocional y espiritual. Partiendo de la categoría de cuidado en un sentido amplio, nos proponemos tensionar estas conceptualizaciones a fin de dar cuenta de los puntos de encuentro y discrepancia entre las formas de definición de salud y bienestar por parte de agentes estatales y religiosos. Para ello, desde un enfoque cualitativo, se realizó análisis de contenido de documentos, observación participante y entrevistas formales e informales con agentes estatales y religiosos en el marco de dos eventos organizados, en 2016 y 2017, por la Dirección Provincial de Cultos denominados Expo Promo Salud, espacios instituidos para visibilizar las acciones realizadas por las religiones en el área de la salud en general y del consumo problemático de drogas en particular. A partir de allí esperamos contribuir a las formas de definición discursiva del cuidado, la salud y el bienestar y su posible impacto a la hora de diseñar políticas públicas.

ABSTRACT Religions have historically established ways to regulate the lives of their followers, impacting conceptions of wellbeing and health. Likewise, state agencies have incorporated a more complex definition of health, including a lack of bodily illness, stability, and social, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Using the category of care in a broad sense, we seek to put these conceptualizations into tension in order to identify points of agreement and discrepancy among the ways of defining health and wellbeing by state and religious agents. Using a qualitative approach, content analysis of documents, participant observation and formal and informal interviews with state and religious agents were carried out in the framework of two events held in 2016 and 2017 by the Buenos Aires Provincial Office of Religions under the name Expo Promo Salud. These events were generated to make visible the actions carried out by religions in the area of health in general and problematic drug use in particular. In this way, the article seeks to analyze the ways of discursively defining care, health and wellbeing and their possible impact on the design of public policies.

Maximizing sensitivity for fast GABA edited spectroscopy in the visual cortex at 7 T.

The combination of functional MRI (fMRI) and MRS is a promising approach to relate BOLD imaging to neuronal metabolism, especially at high field strength. However, typical scan times for GABA edited spectroscopy are of the order of 6-30 min, which is long compared with functional changes observed with fMRI. The aim of this study is to reduce scan time and increase GABA sensitivity for edited spectroscopy in the human visual cortex, by enlarging the volume of activated tissue in the primary visual cortex. A dedicated setup at 7 T for combined fMRI and GABA MRS is developed. This setup consists of a half volume multi-transmit coil with a large screen for visual cortex activation, two high density receive arrays and an optimized single-voxel MEGA-sLASER sequence with macromolecular suppression for signal acquisition. The coil setup performance as well as the GABA measurement speed, SNR, and stability were evaluated. A 2.2-fold gain of the average SNR for GABA detection was obtained, as compared with a conventional 7 T setup. This was achieved by increasing the viewing angle of the participant with respect to the visual stimulus, thereby activating almost the entire primary visual cortex, allowing larger spectroscopy measurement volumes and resulting in an improved GABA SNR. Fewer than 16 signal averages, lasting 1 min 23 s in total, were needed for the GABA fit method to become stable, as demonstrated in three participants. The stability of the measurement setup was sufficient to detect GABA with an accuracy of 5%, as determined with a GABA phantom. In vivo, larger variations in GABA concentration are found: 14-25%. Overall, the results bring functional GABA detections at a temporal resolution closer to the physiological time scale of BOLD cortex activation.