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Degenerated discs have shorter T2-relaxation time and lower MR signal. The location of the signal-intensity-weighted-centroid reflects the water distribution within a region-of-interest (ROI). This study compared the reliability of the location of the signal-intensity-weighted-centroid to mean signal intensity and area measurements. L4-L5 and L5-S1 discs were measured on 43 mid-sagittal T2-weighted 3T MRI images in adults with back pain. One rater analysed images twice and another once, blinded to measurements. Discs were semi-automatically segmented into a whole disc, nucleus, anterior and posterior annulus. The coordinates of the signal-intensity-weighted-centroid for all regions demonstrated excellent intraclass-correlation-coefficients for intra- (0.99-1.00) and inter-rater reliability (0.97-1.00). The standard error of measurement for the Y-coordinates of the signal-intensity-weighted-centroid for all ROIs were 0 at both levels and 0 to 2.7 mm for X-coordinates. The mean signal intensity and area for the whole disc and nucleus presented excellent intra-rater reliability with intraclass-correlation-coefficients from 0.93 to 1.00, and 0.92 to 1.00 for inter-rater reliability. The mean signal intensity and area had lower reliability for annulus ROIs, with intra-rater intraclass-correlation-coefficient from 0.5 to 0.76 and inter-rater from 0.33 to 0.58. The location of the signal-intensity-weighted-centroid is a reliable biomarker for investigating the effects of disc interventions.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/bmt-2016-0178 | DOI Listing |
Langmuir
September 2025
Federal University of São Paulo, Laboratory of Hybrid Materials, Diadema, São Paulo 09913-030, Brazil.
This study demonstrates the successful fabrication of nanostructured Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films combining the conjugated copolymer poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene--3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PDOF--PEDOT) with spherical and triangular silver nanoparticles (AgNP). The LB technique allowed precise control over the molecular arrangement and distribution of the nanoparticles at the air-water interface, resulting in compact, reproducible and structurally ordered nanocomposite films. The structural and morphological properties of the interfacial monolayers and LB films were investigated using surface pressure-area isotherms, Brewster angle microscopy, polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and quartz crystal microbalance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
September 2025
Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan.
All organisms are exposed to various stressors, which can sometimes lead to organismal death, depending on their intensity. While stress-induced organismal death has been observed in many species, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of stress-induced organismal death in the fruit fly .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJpn J Ophthalmol
September 2025
Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Room E7, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
Abtract: PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between corneal backscatter and visual function in patients with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD).
Study Design: Prospective case series.
Methods: This study included 53 eyes from 38 patients with FECD.
Anal Sci
September 2025
Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique; however, its quantitative application has been limited by the instability of substrates and significant signal fluctuations. In this study, we demonstrated that 4-aminobenzenethiol (4-ATP) can be quantitatively detected through statistical analysis of SERS signal intensity distributions obtained using citrate-stabilized AuNPs, biotin-functionalized AuNPs, and gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-bound polystyrene (PS) microparticles. Raman spectra obtained in bulk aqueous solution under static conditions showed that the detection sensitivity of 4-ATP using AuNP-bound PS microparticles was approximately twice that achieved with citrate-stabilized AuNPs or biotin-modified AuNPs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFElife
September 2025
Division of Intramural Research, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States.
Wnt proteins are critical signaling molecules in developmental processes across animals. Despite intense study, their evolutionary roots have remained enigmatic. Using sensitive sequence analysis and structure modeling, we establish that the Wnts are part of a vast assemblage of domains, the Lipocone superfamily, defined here for the first time.
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