0000000000213281
AUTHOR
Angel Alberich-bayarri
Reproducibility and accuracy in the morphometric and mechanical quantification of trabecular bone from 3Tesla magnetic resonance images
Abstract Objective We used an animal model to analyze the reproducibility and accuracy of certain biomarkers of bone image quality in comparison to a gold standard of computed microtomography (μCT). Materials and methods We used magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and μCT to study the metaphyses of 5 sheep tibiae. The MR images (3 T) were acquired with a T1-weighted gradient echo sequence and an isotropic spatial resolution of 180 μm. The μCT images were acquired using a scanner with a spatial resolution of 7.5 μm isotropic voxels. In the preparation of the images, we applied equalization, interpolation, and thresholding algorithms. In the quantitative analysis, we calculated the percentage of …
Randomized pilot study and qualitative evaluation of a clinical decision support system for brain tumour diagnosis based on SV 1H MRS: Evaluation as an additional information procedure for novice radiologists
The results of a randomized pilot study and qualitative evaluation of the clinical decision support system Curiam BT are reported. We evaluated the system's feasibility and potential value as a radiological information procedure complementary to magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to assist novice radiologists in diagnosing brain tumours using MR spectroscopy (1.5 and 3.0T). Fifty-five cases were analysed at three hospitals according to four non-exclusive diagnostic questions. Our results show that Curiam BT improved the diagnostic accuracy in all the four questions. Additionally, we discuss the findings of the users' feedback about the system, and the further work to optimize it for real envir…
Radiomics and radiogenomics in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Potential contribution to patient management and challenges
Abstract The application of imaging biomarkers in oncology is still in its infancy, but with the expansion of radiomics and radiogenomics a revolution is expected in this field. This may be of special interest in head and neck cancer, since it can promote precision medicine and personalization of treatment by overcoming several intrinsic obstacles in this pathology. Our goal is to provide the medical oncologist with the basis to approach these disciplines and appreciate their main uses in clinical research and clinical practice in the medium term. Aligned with this objective we analyzed the most relevant studies in the field, also highlighting novel opportunities and current challenges.
Modification of longitudinal relaxation time (T1) as a biomarker of patellar cartilage degeneration
Abstract Objectives To study the viability of longitudinal relaxation time ( T1 ) of patellar cartilage as a biomarker of the degree of degeneration. Material and methods We included 15 subjects classified into three groups according to clinical criteria (pain, functional limitation, and duration of symptoms) and imaging criteria as follows: (a) normal (3 men, 2 women; age 30 ± 14 years), (b) with initial degeneration of the patellar cartilage (3 men, 2 women; age 30 ± 6 years), or (c) with advanced degeneration (3 men, 2 women; age 57 ± 10 years). All underwent MRI examination using special echo-gradient sequences to segment the cartilage and calculate the T1 maps. We selected the entire c…
Allopurinol partially prevents disuse muscle atrophy in mice and humans
AbstractDisuse muscle wasting will likely affect everyone in his or her lifetime in response to pathologies such as joint immobilization, inactivity or bed rest. There are no good therapies to treat it. We previously found that allopurinol, a drug widely used to treat gout, protects muscle damage after exhaustive exercise and results in functional gains in old individuals. Thus, we decided to test its effect in the prevention of soleus muscle atrophy after two weeks of hindlimb unloading in mice, and lower leg immobilization following ankle sprain in humans (EudraCT: 2011-003541-17). Our results show that allopurinol partially protects against muscle atrophy in both mice and humans. The pro…
Reproducibilidad y exactitud en la cuantificación morfométrica y mecánica del hueso trabecular a partir de imágenes de resonancia magnética de Tesla
Resumen Objetivo En este trabajo se analizan en un modelo animal la reproducibilidad y la exactitud de ciertos biomarcadores de imagen de calidad osea utilizando como patron de referencia la microtomografia computarizada (μTC). Material y metodos Se estudiaron con RM y μTC 5 metafisis tibiales de oveja. Las imagenes de RM (3 Tesla) se adquirieron con una secuencia eco de gradiente potenciada en T1 y una resolucion espacial isotropica de 180 μm. Las imagenes de μTC se adquirieron en un escaner con una resolucion espacial de 7,5 μm en voxeles isotropicos. En la preparacion de las imagenes se aplicaron algoritmos de ecualizacion, interpolacion y umbralizacion. En el analisis cuantitativo se ca…
The Gut Metagenome Changes in Parallel to Waist Circumference, Brain Iron Deposition, and Cognitive Function.
Context Microbiota perturbations seem to exert modulatory effects on emotional behavior, stress-, and pain-modulation systems in adult animals; however, limited information is available in humans. Objective To study potential relationships among the gut metagenome, brain microstructure, and cognitive performance in middle-aged, apparently healthy, obese and nonobese subjects after weight changes. Design This is a longitudinal study over a 2-year period. Setting A tertiary public hospital. Patients or other participants Thirty-five (18 obese) apparently healthy subjects. Intervention(s) Diet counseling was provided to all subjects. Obese subjects were followed every 6 months. Main outcome me…
The Brain Resting-State Functional Connectivity Underlying Violence Proneness: Is It a Reliable Marker for Neurocriminology? A Systematic Review
Introduction: There is growing scientific interest in understanding the biological mechanisms affecting and/or underlying violent behaviors in order to develop effective treatment and prevention programs. In recent years, neuroscientific research has tried to demonstrate whether the intrinsic activity within the brain at rest in the absence of any external stimulation (resting-state functional connectivity; RSFC) could be employed as a reliable marker for several cognitive abilities and personality traits that are important in behavior regulation, particularly, proneness to violence. Aims: This review aims to highlight the association between the RSFC among specific brain structures and the…