Blood Volume as a new functional image-based biomarker of progression in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

RECIST v1.1 has limitations in evaluating progression. We assessed Dynamic Constrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (DCE-CT) identified Blood Volume (BV) for the evaluation of progressive disease (PD) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). BV was quantified prospectively at baseline, after one month, then every three months until PD. Relative changes (ΔBV) were assessed at each timepoint compared with baseline values. The primary endpoint was Time to PD (TTP), the secondary endpoint was Time to the scan prior to PD (PDminus1). Cox proportional hazard models adjusted ΔBV for treatments and International mRCC Database Consortium factors. A total of 62 patients had analyzable scans at the PD timepoint. Median BV was 23.92 mL × 100 g−1 (range 4.40–399.04) at PD and 26.39 mL × 100 g−1 (range 8.70–77.44) at PDminus1. In the final multivariate analysis higher ΔBV was statistically significantly associated with shorter Time to PD, HR 1.11 (95% CI 1.07–1.15, P < 0.001). Also assessed at PDminus1, higher ΔBV was significantly associated with shorter time to PD, HR 1.14 (95% CI 1.01–1.28, P = 0.031). In conclusion, DCE-CT identified BV is a new image-based biomarker of therapy progression in patients with mRCC.

Mapping of Whole-Brain Resting-State Networks with Half-Millimetre Resolution

Resting-state fMRI has been used in numerous studies to map networks in the brain that employ spatially disparate regions. However, attempts to map networks with high spatial resolution have been hampered by conflicting technical demands and associated problems. Results from recent fMRI studies have shown that spatial resolution remains around 0.7 × 0.7 × 0.7 mm3, with only partial brain coverage. This work presents a novel fMRI method, TR-external EPI with keyhole (TR-external EPIK), which can provide a nominal spatial resolution of 0.51 × 0.51 × 1.00 mm3 (0.26 mm3 voxel) with whole-brain coverage. TR-external EPIK enabled the identification of various resting-state networks distributed throughout the brain from a single fMRI session, with mapping fidelity onto the grey matter at 7T. The high-resolution functional image further revealed mesoscale anatomical structures, such as small cerebral vessels and the internal granular layer of the cortex within the postcentral gyrus.

The image of the library through the eyes of immigrant and migrant readers

PurposeDrawing on the survey of Spanish-speaking immigrant and migrant readers in Canada and the US, this study pursues three goals: (1) examine the image of the library held by these readers and trace the change of this image after the international migration; (2) use the study findings to revise and update the currently existing typologies of the image of the library; and (3) understand ethical and effective research practices in the studies of immigrant/migrant communities whereby researchers are external to communities in question.Design/methodology/approachThe data about immigrant/migrant readers were collected through a self-administered survey questionnaire that was available both in print and electronically, both in Spanish and English. The data analysis was guided by hermeneutic phenomenology, as explicated in the article. Theoretical examination of the image of the library relied on the earlier typology developed by V. Stelmakh.FindingsThe study elucidates perceptions of libraries and librarians in both North America and countries of origin held by Spanish-speaking immigrant/migrant readers, and highlights changes that occur in the image of the library as readers move across geographic borders. Building on the empirical data, the article develops a new typology of the image of the library. It also offers insight into ethical and effective ways of engaging with immigrant communities that should be upheld by researchers from outside the communities in question.Originality/valueIt is the first known study that systematically traces the changes in the image of the library which occur alongside geographic and sociocultural migrations. It is also the first known study that focuses specifically on readers rather than library users in general. The new typology consists of four different elements – the cultural image; the functional image; the humanistic image; and the ideological image of the library – and is accompanied by detailed definitions of each.

La doctrina de la potestas omninsular

Before Europeans were «shocked» by the sheer extent of American space opened up by discovery and conquest, the New World was thought —assembled and deconstructed— within the constricting frames of medieval thought. The first functional image that made it possible to «mentally compose» these new spaces was insularity. This image was perfectly suited to the traditional matrix of legal doctrine upheld by the roman papacy that will result in the so-called Alexandrian Bulls of Partition of 1493. The potestas omninsular —developed throughout the Late Middle Ages in Western Europe— constitutes the legal basis that gives meaning to this donation.

magistyka społeczno-kulturowa w średniowiecznej Serbii, czyli o strategii budowania wizerunku serbskich panujących

In the article, a phenomenon of promotion and marketing in the medieval Serbia was discussed, as well as the strategies of creating a specific, desired and functional image of the ruling dynasties. Due to this, the basic communication practices were recalled that is, a management of impression, building the so-called brand (social, political, cultural property of the dynasty, its family pattern), and also specifically conceived branding itself (that is, a management of consciousness and value of the dynastic brand), what ultimately proved that the lineage of social-cultural usage of images, along with the models and devices serving the politics of public relations is deeply rooted in the middle ages. The phenomenon of promotion and marketing in the medieval Serbia was presented on the basis of the medieval Serbian literature, hagiography, hymnography, historiography, and iconographic implementations were also included. The article presents images of rulers and dynasties prevailing in the historical, religious and ideological context, the phenomenon of promotion and marketing in the context of characteristic ideological structures, such as state and church tradition, imperial-monastic tradition, charismatic dynasty, sanctity of the ruling family, land and the Serbian nation e.t.c. The timeless phenomenon of promotion and marketing has been presented as a lasting component of shaping the culture model of the medieval Serbia.

Graph Theory Analysis of Microstates in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders of childhood and youth. The diagnosis of ADHD remains essentially clinical, based on history and questionnaires for symptom assessment, therefore, a biomarker can be of great value to reduce the inherent uncertainty of clinical diagnosis. In recent years, several studies have been carried out to assess the usefulness of neurophysiological (electroencephalography - EEG)and functional image data to assist in the process of diagnosing ADHD. Previous researches have revealed evidences that microstates are selectively affected by ADHD, indicating that their analysis may be a useful tool in methods of automatic disease identication. In this paper is proposed a new methodology for the detection of ADHD using EEG microstate analysis and graph theory. The proposed method allows modeling and interpreting each microstate as a complex network, which permits to identify the effect of ADHD on some characteristics of the built networks. In addition, it provides useful information to identify ADHD and subtypes patients with an accuracy around 99%, indicating that the proposed method is promising.