Blood Oxygenation Quantification in Multispectral Photoacoustic Tomography Using a Convex Cone Approach.

Multispectral photoacoustic tomography (PAT) can create high spatial and temporal resolution images of oxygen saturation (sO2) distribution in deep tissue. However, unknown distributions of photon absorption and scattering introduces complex modulations to the photoacoustic (PA) spectra, dramatically reducing the accuracy of sO2 quantification. In this study, a rigorous light transport model was employed to unveil that the PA spectra corresponding to distinct sO2 values can be constrained within separate convex cones (CCs).

Healthcare resource utilization and costs among patients with rheumatoid arthritis on biologic therapies in Taiwan: A 1-year mirror-image study using a national claims database.

Objectives: This nationwide population-based study aimed at evaluating healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving biologic therapies in Taiwan.

Design And Setting: A retrospective cohort of 2,425 RA patients who had received first-line tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonist treatment for at least 6 months (the baseline period) between 2007 and 2011 was identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan.

Outcome Measures: Healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs of those patients were analyzed and compared 1 year before the index date and during the 1-year follow-up.

Low bone mineral density may be associated with long-term risk of cancer in the middle-aged population: A retrospective observational study from a single center.

Background: It is generally understood that cancer patients are at an increased risk for osteoporosis. Additionally, recent studies have suggested a shared pathophysiological mechanism between the development of cancer and osteoporosis. The purpose of this investigation was to investigate whether low bone mineral density is associated with cancer risk.

HIV-1 gp41 ectodomain enhances Cryptococcus neoformans binding to human brain microvascular endothelial cells via gp41 core-induced membrane activities.

Cryptococcus neoformans causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis, particularly prevalent in AIDS patients. The interrelationship between C. neoformans and HIV-1 is intriguing, as both pathogens elicit severe neuropathological complications.

HIV-1 gp41 ectodomain enhances Cryptococcus neoformans binding to HBMEC.

Cryptococcus neoformans infection has significantly increased recently, particularly in AIDS patients and immunocompromised individuals. C. neoformans has a predilection to the brain, resulting in devastating meningoencephalitis.