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A comprehensive evaluation of various sensitivity analysis methods: A case study with a hydrological model

Sensitivity analysis (SA) is a commonly used approach for identifying important parameters that dominate model behaviors. We use a newly developed software package, a Problem Solving environment for Uncertainty Analysis and Design Exploration (PSUADE), to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of ten widely used SA methods, including seven qualitative and three quantitative ones. All SA methods are tested using a variety of sampling techniques to screen out the most sensitive (i.e., important) parameters from the insensitive ones. The Sacramento Soil Moisture Accounting (SAC-SMA) model, which has thirteen tunable parameters, is used for illustration. The South Branch Potomac River basin near Springfield, West Virginia in the U.S. is chosen as the study area. The key findings from this study are: (1) For qualitative SA methods, Correlation Analysis (CA), Regression Analysis (RA), and Gaussian Process (GP) screening methods are shown to be not effective in this example. Morris One-At-a-Time (MOAT) screening is the most efficient, needing only 280 samples to identify the most important parameters, but it is the least robust method. Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS), Delta Test (DT) and Sum-Of-Trees (SOT) screening methods need about 400–600 samples for the same purpose. Monte Carlo (MC), Orthogonal Array (OA) and Orthogonal Array based Latin Hypercube (OALH) are appropriate sampling techniques for them; (2) For quantitative SA methods, at least 2777 samples are needed for Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (FAST) to identity parameter main effect. McKay method needs about 360 samples to evaluate the main effect, more than 1000 samples to assess the two-way interaction effect. OALH and LPτ (LPTAU) sampling techniques are more appropriate for McKay method. For the Sobol' method, the minimum samples needed are 1050 to compute the first-order and total sensitivity indices correctly. These comparisons show that qualitative SA methods are more efficient but less accurate and robust than quantitative ones.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Calibration and Data Analysis of the MC-130 Air Balance

Design, calibration, calibration analysis, and intended use of the MC-130 air balance are discussed. The MC-130 balance is an 8.0 inch diameter force balance that has two separate internal air flow systems and one external bellows system. The manual calibration of the balance consisted of a total of 1854 data points with both unpressurized and pressurized air flowing through the balance. A subset of 1160 data points was chosen for the calibration data analysis. The regression analysis of the subset was performed using two fundamentally different analysis approaches. First, the data analysis was performed using a recently developed extension of the Iterative Method. This approach fits gage outputs as a function of both applied balance loads and bellows pressures while still allowing the application of the iteration scheme that is used with the Iterative Method. Then, for comparison, the axial force was also analyzed using the Non-Iterative Method. This alternate approach directly fits loads as a function of measured gage outputs and bellows pressures and does not require a load iteration. The regression models used by both the extended Iterative and Non-Iterative Method were constructed such that they met a set of widely accepted statistical quality requirements. These requirements lead to reliable regression models and prevent overfitting of data because they ensure that no hidden near-linear dependencies between regression model terms exist and that only statistically significant terms are included. Finally, a comparison of the axial force residuals was performed. Overall, axial force estimates obtained from both methods show excellent agreement as the differences of the standard deviation of the axial force residuals are on the order of 0.001 % of the axial force capacity.

Booth, Dennis↗

Morphological traits for allometric scaling of the European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758) from Southern Portugal population

Abstract The present study aimed to determine the allometric scaling among a selection of morphological traits in European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) to estimate fish body weight. A set of morphological traits (fish body weight, length, height, and width) were directly measured in 146 fish of a recirculating aquaculture system, with body weights ranging from 17.11 to 652.21 g. In addition, a collection of digital imagery of each anesthetized fish from the side and top views were used to estimate other traits (indirect measures). Multiple regression analysis and regression coefficients were calculated using all possible combinations of biometric data (predictors) to estimate fish body weight, applying different numerical fitting models (linear, log‐linear, quadratic, exponential). The results showed that the best combination of traits for estimating fish body weight were fish body width, length and height, collected from direct measure ( R 2 = 0.995), for a log‐linear model fitting, which revealed more accurate determinations than the most commonly used length–weight relationship. Nevertheless, other combinations of morphological traits and fitting models were also found to be suitable in successfully predict fish body weight, with variability ranging between 92.5% and 98.5%. For indirect measures, the best predictor was a combination of traits from top view (width, eye distance and area without fins) fitted with a log‐linear function. These results comprise a relevant baseline in supporting the high potential of noninvasive methods to accurately follow the growth of European sea bass juveniles, recurring to imagery analysis of anesthetized fish. It has major potential applications in feeding consumption trials and fish growth models, as it allows for continuously following up fish growth under different experimental conditions without therein distress derived from manipulation.

Azevedo, Ana↗

A meta-analysis of global cropland soil carbon changes due to cover cropping

Including cover crops within agricultural rotations may increase soil organic carbon (SOC). However, contradictory findings generated by on-site experiments make it necessary to perform a comprehensive assessment of interactions between cover crops, environmental and management factors, and changes in SOC. In this study, we collected data from studies that compared agricultural production with and without cover crops, and then analyzed those data using meta-analysis and regression. Our results showed that including cover crops into rotations significantly increased SOC, with an overall mean change of 15.5% (95% confidence interval of 13.8% to 17.3%). Whereas medium-textured soils had highest SOC stocks with (mean = 39 Mg ha-1) and without (mean = 37 Mg ha-1) cover crops, fine-textured soils showed the greatest increase in SOC after the inclusion of cover crops (mean change of 39.5%). Coarse-textured (11.4%) and medium-textured soils (10.3%) had comparatively smaller changes in SOC. Cover crop mixtures resulted in greater increases in SOC compared to mono-species cover crops, and using legumes resulted in greater SOC increases than grasses and broadleaf species. Cover cropping was associated with significant SOC increases in shallow soils (= 30 cm), but not in subsurface soils (> 30 cm). The regression analysis revealed that SOC changes from cover cropping were correlated with improvements in soil quality, specifically decreased runoff and erosion and increased mineralizable carbon, mineralizable nitrogen, and soil nitrogen. Soil carbon change was also affected by annual temperature, number of years after start of cover crop usage, latitude, and initial SOC concentrations. Finally, the mean rate of carbon sequestration from cover cropping across all studies was 0.56 Mg ha-1 yr-1. If 15% of current global cropland were to adopt cover crops, this value would translate to 0.17 Pg of carbon sequestered per year or ~1-2% of current fossil fuels emissions. Altogether, these results indicated that inclusion of cover crops into agricultural rotations can enhance soil carbon concentrations, improve many soil quality parameters, and serve as a potential sink for atmosphere CO2.

Cover crop, soil organic carbon, soil quality, soi↗

An Integrated Analysis of the Physiological Effects of Space Flight: Executive Summary

A large array of models were applied in a unified manner to solve problems in space flight physiology. Mathematical simulation was used as an alternative way of looking at physiological systems and maximizing the yield from previous space flight experiments. A medical data analysis system was created which consist of an automated data base, a computerized biostatistical and data analysis system, and a set of simulation models of physiological systems. Five basic models were employed: (1) a pulsatile cardiovascular model; (2) a respiratory model; (3) a thermoregulatory model; (4) a circulatory, fluid, and electrolyte balance model; and (5) an erythropoiesis regulatory model. Algorithms were provided to perform routine statistical tests, multivariate analysis, nonlinear regression analysis, and autocorrelation analysis. Special purpose programs were prepared for rank correlation, factor analysis, and the integration of the metabolic balance data.

Leonard, J. I.↗

Energy Intensity Baselining and Tracking Guidance

Each company joining the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Better Buildings, Better Plants Program (Better Plants) commits to establishing an energy consumption and energy intensity (EI) baseline and to tracking its energy performance over a 10-year period against that baseline. The baseline must reflect a company’s energy consumption over a 12-month period, covering all its U.S.-based operations. Energy consumption is calculated by fuel type in terms of primary energy (also known as source energy). EI is broadly defined as the amount of energy consumed per unit of output produced. For this guidance document and for the program, the term energy performance represents an evaluation of a facility’s capacity to use energy efficiently. Metrics used to assess a facility’s energy performance can include EI, energy consumption, improvements in EI, etc. Establishing an energy baseline and tracking system is a critical first step in effectively managing energy use. Developing a baseline can help a company understand energy use within the corporation and give it a point of comparison to evaluate future efforts to improve energy performance. It can also support efforts to validate a company’s energy management activities, improve comparative analyses when using benchmarks, and help in predicting future energy needs. In addition, a company that normalizes its performance data can determine highly defensible measures of energy savings generated through implemented energy efficiency projects. Establishing a baseline and tracking energy performance is also a requirement for ISO 50001 certification. Although basic energy data can be collected through utility bills, most manufacturers will have to perform additional analyses to develop accurate and robust energy baselines and tracking systems. Energy is consumed in many ways within the manufacturing sector and can come from multiple sources. Energy is sometimes generated and sold to other parties or captured and reused on-site. External events can exert a significant impact on a facility or company’s energy use independent of any purposeful efforts to improve energy efficiency. Operational changes, such as production shifts—which may be inevitable for some companies over the 10-year period covered by the program—can also make a big difference in energy use. Since Better Plants asks companies to account for all their U.S.-based operations, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures can also have significant implications for a company’s energy metrics. This document aims to demystify the sometimes complex baselining process. It devotes special attention to the task of normalizing and adjusting energy consumption to account for external factors, such as weather and production changes. A key recommendation is that companies use regression analysis to normalize their energy consumption data whenever possible. Regression analysis is a statistical technique that estimates the dependence of a variable (i.e., energy use in the context of Better Plants) on one or more independent variables such as ambient temperature, while controlling for the influence of other variables at the same time. A properly developed regression analysis can provide a reliable estimate of energy savings resulting from energy improvement strategies and projects by accounting for the effects of variables such as annual production levels and weather. DOE has developed a companion Energy Performance Indicator software tool (EnPI) to simplify the baselining process. This tool can run regression models, calculate changes in EI at the facility level, and automatically compile facility-level data into a corporate-wide metric. Note that although the relevant equations used to calculate EI are provided in this document, the EnPI tool will automatically perform most calculations for the user. Additionally, Better Plants Partners (Partners) can call on their Technical Account Manager (TAM) to help them establish a baseline and assist with the necessary calculations to track progress.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Pregnancy outcome after first trimester exposure to domperidone—An observational cohort study

Abstract Aim To assess the teratogenic risk of domperidone by comparing the incidence of major malformation with domperidone to a control. Methods Pregnancy outcome data were obtained for women at two Japanese facilities that provide counseling on drug use during pregnancy between April 1988 and December 2017. The incidence of major malformation was calculated among infants born to women taking domperidone ( n = 519), nonteratogenic drugs (control, n = 1673), or metoclopramide (reference, n = 241) during the first trimester of pregnancy. Using the control group as reference, the crude odds ratio (OR) of the incidence of major malformation in the domperidone and metoclopramide groups was calculated using univariable logistic regression analysis. Adjusted OR was also calculated using multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for various other factors. Results The incidence of major malformation was 2.9% (14/485, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6–4.8) in the domperidone group, 1.7% (27/1554, 95%CI: 1.1–2.5) in the control group, and 3.6% (8/224, 95%CI: 1.6–6.9) in the metoclopramide group. The adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis showed no significant difference in incidence between the control and domperidone groups (adjusted OR: 1.86 [95%CI: 0.73–4.70], p = 0.191) or between the control and metoclopramide groups (adjusted OR: 2.20 [95%CI: 0.69–6.98], p = 0.183). Conclusions This observational cohort study showed that domperidone exposure during the first trimester was not associated with increased risk of major malformation in infants. These results may help alleviate the anxiety of patients who took domperidone during pregnancy.

Hishinuma, Kayoko↗

The comparison of semiempirical and ab initio molecular modeling methods in activity and property evaluation of selected antimicrobial sulfonamides

A group of sulfonamides exhibiting antimicrobial activity was analyzed with the application of quantitative structure–activity/property relationships method. The purpose of this study was to show the common and differentiating characteristics of the analyzed chemical structures alike physicochemically as well as pharmacologically based on the quantum-chemical calculations both in vacuo and in the aquatic environment together with their microbiological activity and chromatographic retention data. The semiempirical and ab initio level of in silico molecular modeling was performed for calculations of statistically significant molecular descriptors to compare obtained results. The relationship between the structure and biological activity and physicochemical parameters data was able to class and describe analyzed molecules and the applied chemometric approaches (principal component analysis, factor analysis, and multiple regression analysis) revealed the influential features of the tested structures responsible for the antimicrobial activity.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

WE-AB-202-02: Incorporating Regional Ventilation Function in Predicting Radiation Fibrosis After Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Lung Cancer

Purpose: To investigate the incorporation of pre-therapy regional ventilation function in predicting radiation fibrosis (RF) in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with concurrent thoracic chemoradiotherapy. Methods: 37 stage III NSCLC patients were retrospectively studied. Patients received one cycle of cisplatin-gemcitabine, followed by two to three cycles of cisplatin-etoposide concurrently with involved-field thoracic radiotherapy between 46 and 66 Gy (2 Gy per fraction). Pre-therapy regional ventilation images of the lung were derived from 4DCT via a density-change-based image registration algorithm with mass correction. RF was evaluated at 6-months post-treatment using radiographic scoring based on airway dilation and volume loss. Three types of ipsilateral lung metrics were studied: (1) conventional dose-volume metrics (V20, V30, V40, and mean-lung-dose (MLD)), (2) dose-function metrics (fV20, fV30, fV40, and functional mean-lung-dose (fMLD) generated by combining regional ventilation and dose), and (3) dose-subvolume metrics (sV20, sV30, sV40, and subvolume mean-lung-dose (sMLD) defined as the dose-volume metrics computed on the sub-volume of the lung with at least 60% of the quantified maximum ventilation status). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the predictability of these metrics for RF. Results: In predicting airway dilation, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) values for (V20, MLD), (fV20, fMLD), and (sV20, and sMLD) were (0.76, 0.70), (0.80, 0.74) and (0.82, 0.80), respectively. The logistic regression p-values were (0.09, 0.18), (0.02, 0.05) and (0.004, 0.006), respectively. With regard to volume loss, the corresponding AUC values for these metrics were (0.66, 0.57), (0.67, 0.61) and (0.71, 0.69), and p-values were (0.95, 0.90), (0.43, 0.64) and (0.08, 0.12), respectively. Conclusion: The inclusion of regional ventilation function improved predictability of radiation fibrosis. Dose-subvolume metrics provided a promising method for incorporating functional information into the conventional dose-volume parameters for outcome assessment.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

MicroRNA-224 targets ERG2 and contributes to malignant progressions of meningioma

MicroRNA-224 is overexpressed in various malignant tumors with poor prognosis, which plays a critical role in biological processes including cell proliferation, apoptosis and several developmental and physiological progressions. However, the potential association between miR-224 and clinical outcome in patients with meningiomas remains unknown. Here, we investigate miR-224 expression and biological functions in meningiomas. MiR-224 expression was measured by Northern blot analysis and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in meningioma and normal brain tissues. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to exam its correlation with clinicopathological features and prognostic value. The biological effects of miR-224 on the cell proliferation and apoptosis in meningioma cells were examined by MTT assay and apoptosis assay. We found the expression levels of miR-224 were significantly higher in meningioma tissues than that in normal brain, positively correlated with advanced pathological grade. Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that meningioma patients with low miR-224 expression exhibited significantly prolonged overall and recurrence-free survival. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ERG2 was an identical candidate target gene of MiR-224 in vitro. Our results indicated that downregulation of miR-224 suppressed cell growth and resulted in the enhancement of cell apoptosis through activation of the ERG2-BAK-induced apoptosis pathway. Our findings imply the miR-224 expression could predict the overall survival and recurrence-free survival of patients with meningioma and it might be a promising therapeutic target for treating malignant meningiomas. - Highlights: • MiR-224 expression is correlates with prognosis in meningioma patients. • ERG2 is a novel downstream target of miR-224. • MiR-224 suppressed cell growth and enhanced apoptosis in IOMM-Lee and CH157 cells. • MiR-224 is an upstream regulator of the ERG2-BAK-induced apoptosis pathway.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Associations of blood lead, cadmium, and mercury with estimated glomerular filtration rate in the Korean general population: Analysis of 2008-2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between blood lead, cadmium, and mercury levels with estimated glomerular filtration rate in a general population of South Korean adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on data obtained in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) (2008-2010). The final analytical sample consisted of 5924 participants. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the MDRD Study equation as an indicator of glomerular function. Results: In multiple linear regression analysis of log2-transformed blood lead as a continuous variable on eGFR, after adjusting for covariates including cadmium and mercury, the difference in eGFR levels associated with doubling of blood lead were -2.624 mL/min per 1.73 m Superscript-Two (95% CI: -3.803 to -1.445). In multiple linear regression analysis using quartiles of blood lead as the independent variable, the difference in eGFR levels comparing participants in the highest versus the lowest quartiles of blood lead was -3.835 mL/min per 1.73 m Superscript-Two (95% CI: -5.730 to -1.939). In a multiple linear regression analysis using blood cadmium and mercury, as continuous or categorical variables, as independent variables, neither metal was a significant predictor of eGFR. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI values for reduced eGFR calculated for log2-transformed blood metals and quartiles of the three metals showed similar trends after adjustment for covariates. Discussion: In this large, representative sample of South Korean adults, elevated blood lead level was consistently associated with lower eGFR levels and with the prevalence of reduced eGFR even in blood lead levels below 10 {mu}g/dL. In conclusion, elevated blood lead level was associated with lower eGFR in a Korean general population, supporting the role of lead as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Analysis of a Rocket Based Combined Cycle Engine during Rocket Only Operation

The all rocket mode of operation is a critical factor in the overall performance of a rocket based combined cycle (RBCC) vehicle. However, outside of performing experiments or a full three dimensional analysis, there are no first order parametric models to estimate performance. As a result, an axisymmetric RBCC engine was used to analytically determine specific impulse efficiency values based upon both full flow and gas generator configurations. Design of experiments methodology was used to construct a test matrix and statistical regression analysis was used to build parametric models. The main parameters investigated in this study were: rocket chamber pressure, rocket exit area ratio, percent of injected secondary flow, mixer-ejector inlet area, mixer-ejector area ratio, and mixer-ejector length-to-inject diameter ratio. A perfect gas computational fluid dynamics analysis was performed to obtain values of vacuum specific impulse. Statistical regression analysis was performed based on both full flow and gas generator engine cycles. Results were also found to be dependent upon the entire cycle assumptions. The statistical regression analysis determined that there were five significant linear effects, six interactions, and one second-order effect. Two parametric models were created to provide performance assessments of an RBCC engine in the all rocket mode of operation.

Smith, T. D.↗

Identifying key factors of the seawater intrusion model of Dagu river basin, Jiaozhou Bay

Highlights: • The key factors of seawater intrusion model is identified by mutual entropy analysis. • Precipitation rate and groundwater pumping are the key factors for seawater intrusion. • The hydraulic conductivity of zone 1 has significant influence on seawater intrusion. Seawater intrusion is a complex groundwater - seawater interaction process, and it is influenced by many factors from ground surface to underground, from groundwater to seawater. Generally, for seawater intrusion model, some model parameters and boundary conditions are always specified by model users’ personal experiences or literature's reference value. The defective model would damage the groundwater management for controlling and preventing seawater intrusion when making decisions are based on this model. In order to improve the reliability of seawater intrusion model, the influences of model inputs on output should be identified prior at optimizing model inputs. Dagu river basin, Jiaozhou Bay is one of the most serious areas of seawater intrusion in China, and it is chosen as the study area in this study. The seawater intrusion model of Dagu river basin is built based on a general program SEAWAT4. The key influence factors of model output are analyzed by two sensitivity analysis methods, i.e., stepwise regression and mutual entropy. The results demonstrated that the most important influence factors which have largest sensitivities to groundwater Cl{sup -} concentration are the precipitation rate and groundwater pumping in agriculture area. In addition, the hydraulic conductivity of zone 1 has a non-negligible influence on seawater intrusion process. Stepwise regression analysis is capable of identifying most important influence factor, and it can’t handle complicated nonlinear input-output relationship. Mutual entropy analysis is reliable for identifying the influence factors for complex seawater intrusion model.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Subintimal Angioplasty of Long Chronic Total Femoropopliteal Occlusions: Long-Term Outcomes, Predictors of Angiographic Restenosis, and Role of Stenting

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to report the results of a prospective single-center study analyzing the long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes of subintimal angioplasty (SIA) for the treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) of the femoropopliteal artery. Materials and Methods: Patients with severe intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia (CLI) were enrolled in the study. All lesions were treated with SIA and provisional stenting. Primary end points were technical success, patient survival, limb salvage, lesion primary patency, angiographic binary restenosis (>50%), and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Regular clinical and angiographic follow-up was set at 6 and 12 months and yearly thereafter. Study end points were calculated with life-table survival analysis. Proportional-hazards regression analysis with a Cox-model was applied to adjust for confounding factors of heterogeneity. Results: Between May 2004 and July 2009, 98 patients (105 limbs, patient age 69.3 {+-} 9.9 years) were included in the study. Technical success rate was 91.4% with a lesion length of 121 {+-} 77 mm. Limb-salvage and survival rates were 88.7% and 84.1% at 3 years, respectively. After 12, 24, and 36 months, primary patency was 80.1%, 42.3%, and 29.0%, angiographic binary restenosis was 37.2%, 68.6%, and 80.0%, and TLR was 84.8%, 73.0%, and 64.5%, respectively. CLI was the only adverse predictor for decreased primary patency (hazard ratio [HR] 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-0.80, p = 0.012), whereas significantly less restenosis was detected after spot stenting of the entry and/or re-entry site (HR 0.31; 95% CI 0.10-0.89, p = 0.01 and HR 0.20; 95% CI 0.07-0.56, p = 0.002, respectively). Conclusions: Subintimal angioplasty is a safe and effective revascularization technique for the treatment of CTOs of the femoropopliteal artery. Provisional stenting may have a role at the subintimal entry or true lumen re-entry site.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter-Related Infections in a Cohort of Hospitalized Adult Patients

PurposeTo determine the incidence and the risks factors of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-related infectious complications.Materials and MethodsMedical charts of every in-patient that underwent a PICC insertion in our hospital between January 2010 and October 2013 were reviewed. All PICC-related infections were recorded and categorized as catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI), exit-site infections, and septic thrombophlebitis.ResultsNine hundred and twenty-three PICCs were placed in 644 unique patients, mostly male (68.3 %) with a median age of 58 years. 31 (3.4 %) PICC-related infections occurred during the study period corresponding to an infection rate of 1.64 per 1000 catheter-days. We observed 27 (87.1 %) CR-BSI, corresponding to a rate of 1.43 per 1000 catheter-days, 3 (9.7 %) septic thrombophlebitis, and 1 (3.2 %) exit-site infection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a higher PICC-related infection rate with chemotherapy (odds ratio (OR) 7.2–confidence interval (CI) 95 % [1.77–29.5]), auto/allograft (OR 5.9–CI 95 % [1.2–29.2]), and anti-coagulant therapy (OR 2.2–95 % [1.4–12]).ConclusionChemotherapy, auto/allograft, and anti-coagulant therapy are associated with an increased risk of developing PICC-related infections.Clinical AdvanceChemotherapy, auto/allograft, and anti-coagulant therapy are important predictors of PICC-associated infections. A careful assessment of these risk factors may be important for future success in preventing PICC-related infections.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Initial Experience with Balloon-Occluded Trans-catheter Arterial Chemoembolization (B-TACE) for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PurposeThis study was performed to evaluate the accumulation of lipiodol emulsion (LE) and adverse events during our initial experience of balloon-occluded trans-catheter arterial chemoembolization (B-TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with conventional TACE (C-TACE).MethodsB-TACE group (50 cases) was compared with C-TACE group (50 cases). The ratio of the LE concentration in the tumor to that in the surrounding embolized liver parenchyma (LE ratio) was calculated after each treatment. Adverse events were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Effects (CTCAE) version 4.0.ResultsThe LE ratio at the level of subsegmental showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (t test: P < 0.05). Only elevation of alanine aminotransferase was more frequent in the B-TACE group, showing a statistically significant difference (Mann–Whitney test: P < 0.05). While B-TACE caused severe adverse events (liver abscess and infarction) in patients with bile duct dilatation, there was no statistically significant difference in incidence between the groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that the significant risk factor for liver abscess/infarction was bile duct dilatation (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe LE ratio at the level of subsegmental showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (t test: P < 0.05). B-TACE caused severe adverse events (liver abscess and infarction) in patients with bile duct dilatation.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Msi2 plays a carcinogenic role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin and Hedgehog signaling pathways

Highlights: • Msi2 is upregulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines. • Msi2 is associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis of ESCC patients. • Msi2 promotes ESCC cell proliferation, EMT and migration. • Msi2 functions by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin and Hh signaling pathways. Msi2 has been widely reported to be upregulated and strongly associated with fast progress and poor prognosis in many cancers. However, the expression and role of Msi2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unknown. In this study, we found that Msi2 was upregulated in ESCC clinical samples, and was significantly associated with tumor size, differentiation status, and lymph node metastasis in ESCC patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Msi2 was an independent predictor for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Moreover, knockdown of Msi2 impaired ESCC cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration, while overexpression of Msi2 promoted ESCC cell proliferation, EMT and migration in vitro. Animal experiments also confirmed that Msi2 promoted ESCC cell proliferation in vivo. Mechanistically, Msi2 promoted ESCC cell proliferation, EMT and migration via regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathways. Taken together, our study suggested that Msi2 could serve as a candidate for diagnosis and prognosis and as a potential therapeutic target in ESCC.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

FADD Expression as a Prognosticator in Early-Stage Glottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx Treated Primarily With Radiotherapy

Purpose: We recently reported on the identification of the Fas-associated death domain (FADD) as a possible driver of the chromosome 11q13 amplicon and the association between increased FADD expression and disease-specific survival in advanced-stage laryngeal carcinoma. The aim of this study was to examine whether expression of FADD and its Ser194-phosphorylated isoform (pFADD) predicts local control in patients with early-stage glottic carcinoma primarily treated with radiotherapy only. Methods and Materials: Immunohistochemical staining for FADD and pFADD was performed on pretreatment biopsy specimens of 92 patients with T1-T2 glottic squamous cell carcinoma primarily treated with radiotherapy between 1996 and 2005. Cox regression analysis was used to correlate expression levels with local control. Results: High levels of pFADD were associated with significantly better local control (hazard ratio, 2.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-5.55; p = 0.040). FADD overexpression showed a trend toward better local control (hazard ratio, 3.656; 95% confidence interval, 0.853-15.663; p = 0.081). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high pFADD expression was the best predictor of local control after radiotherapy. Conclusions: This study showed that expression of phosphorylated FADD is a new prognostic biomarker for better local control after radiotherapy in patients with early-stage glottic carcinomas.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗