Formulation of Microemulsion-Based Gels for Enhanced Topical Administration of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly administered orally to manage pain and inflammation, but they can have negative gastrointestinal side effects. Topical delivery is an alternative, and microemulsions (μEs) have been shown to be effective in facilitating, but they suffer from a liquid nature and low long-term retention on the skin. Hence, microemulsified gels (μEGs) have been developed, and in this study, we explored certain μEGs with diclofenac sodium (DF-Na) and naproxen sodium (NP-Na) with the hypothesis to ensure a slower and more sustained delivery of NSAIDs through the skin.

Development and validation of a machine learning model to predict myocardial blood flow and clinical outcomes from patients' electrocardiograms.

We develop a machine learning (ML) model using electrocardiography (ECG) to predict myocardial blood flow reserve (MFR) and assess its prognostic value for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Using 3,639 ECG-positron emission tomography (PET) and 17,649 ECG-single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) data pairs, the ML model is trained with a swarm intelligence approach and support vector regression (SVR). The model achieves a receiver-operator curve (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) of 0.

Microwave-Assisted Catalytic Deconstruction of Plastics Waste into Nanostructured Carbon and Hydrogen Fuel Using Composite Magnetic Ferrite Catalysts.

Finding new catalysts and pyrolysis technologies for efficiently recycling wasted plastics into fuels and structured solid materials of high selectivity is the need of time. Catalytic pyrolysis is a thermochemical process that cracks the feedstock in an inert gas environment into gaseous and liquid fuels and a residue. This study is conducted on microwave-assisted catalytic recycling of wasted plastics into nanostructured carbon and hydrogen fuel using composite magnetic ferrite catalysts.

Study of Cation Distribution and Photocatalytic Activity of Nonthermal Plasma-Modified NiZnFeO Magnetic Nanocomposites.

In this study, NiZnFeO composite was synthesized using a sol-gel route and subjected to nonthermal plasma treatment for tailoring their cations' distribution and physicochemical, magnetic, and photocatalytic properties. Microwave plasma treatment was given to the composites for 60 min in support of postsynthesis sintering at 700 °C for 5 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was conducted on pre- and postplasma-modified ferrite composites to identify phase-pure cubic spinel structure and cations' distribution.

Patient-level explainable machine learning to predict major adverse cardiovascular events from SPECT MPI and CCTA imaging.

Background: Machine learning (ML) has shown promise in improving the risk prediction in non-invasive cardiovascular imaging, including SPECT MPI and coronary CT angiography. However, most algorithms used remain black boxes to clinicians in how they compute their predictions. Furthermore, objective consideration of the multitude of available clinical data, along with the visual and quantitative assessments from CCTA and SPECT, are critical for optimal patient risk stratification.

Prognostic value of positron emission tomography derived myocardial flow reserve: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-derived myocardial flow reserve (MFR) has been shown to have a role in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the body of literature and synthesize the evidence on the prognostic role of PET-derived MFR in patients with known or suspected CAD.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of the Medline database from its inception to August 2023, in humans, in any language, was conducted for clinical studies examining the prognostic value of PET imaging in patients of any age, sex, and CAD status.

Prognostic value of global myocardial flow reserve in patients with history of coronary artery bypass grafting.

Aims: It is not well understood whether positron emission tomography (PET)-derived myocardial flow reserve (MFR) is prognostic among patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients with a clinical indication for PET were enrolled in the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center PET registry and followed prospectively for incident outcomes. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI)/unplanned revascularization, and heart failure admissions.

Coronary microvascular health in symptomatic patients with prior COVID-19 infection: an updated analysis.

Aims: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to determine the effects of prior coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the coronary microvasculature accounting for time from COVID-19, disease severity, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and in subgroups of patients with diabetes and those with no known coronary artery disease.

Methods And Results: Cases consisted of patients with previous COVID-19 who had clinically indicated positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and were matched 1:3 on clinical and cardiovascular risk factors to controls having no prior infection.

The Role of Cardiac PET in Diagnosis and Prognosis of Ischemic Heart Disease: Optimal Modality Across Different Patient Populations.

Purpose Of Review: Despite single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) being the most used nuclear imaging technique for diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD), many now consider positron emission tomography (PET) as a superior modality. This review will focus on the advances of cardiac PET in recent years and its advantages compared to SPECT in diagnosis and prognosis of CAD.

Recent Findings: PET's higher resolution and enhanced diagnostic accuracy, as well as lower radiation exposure, all help explain the rationale for its wider spread and use.

Advances in Digital PET Technology and Its Potential Impact on Myocardial Perfusion and Blood Flow Quantification.

Purpose Of Review: In this review, we explore the development of digital PET scanners and describe the mechanism by which they work. We dive into some technical details on what differentiates a digital PET from a conventional PET scanner and how such differences lead to better imaging characteristics. Additionally, we summarize the available evidence on the improvements in the images acquired by digital PET as well as the remaining pitfalls.

Incremental prognostic value of positron emission tomography-derived myocardial flow reserve in patients with and without diabetes mellitus.

Aims: We aimed to assess the incremental prognostic value of positron emission tomography (PET)-derived myocardial flow reserve (MFR) among patients with diabetes and those without diabetes.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients with clinically indicated PET MPI for suspected or established coronary artery disease (CAD) were included. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) in mL/min/g was obtained from dynamic images at rest and stress, while MFR was calculated as the ratio of stress to rest MBF.

The utility of beta-hydroxybutyrate in detecting myocardial glucose uptake suppression in patients undergoing inflammatory [18F]-FDG PET studies.

Purpose: We evaluated whether serum beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) can identify adequate suppression of the left ventricle (LV) among patients undergoing [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([18F]-FDG PET) for cardiac inflammatory/infectious studies.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent [18F]-FDG PET imaging were included. Serum BHB levels were measured in all patients on the day of imaging prior to injecting [18F]-FDG.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Patients Operated on for Renal Cell Carcinoma: Experience from a Tertiary Care Center in a Developing Country.

Purpose: With nearly 500,000 new cases and over 150,000 deaths worldwide in 2020, renal cancers remain a significant component of the global burden of cancer. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical presentation, peri-operative condition and short-term outcome of patients operated with the primary diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at a large tertiary care referral center.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective institution-based study was done.

Clinical utility of coronary artery computed tomography angiography- What we know and What's new?

Coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography (CCTA) is increasingly recognized for diagnosing obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) among patients presenting with chest pain. In this review, we summarize the utility of CCTA to determine luminal stenosis and identifying coronary plaques with high-risk features. We review different scoring systems that can quantify total plaque burden including how artificial intelligence can facilitate more detailed plaque assessment.

Incremental prognostic value of digital positron emission tomography derived myocardial flow reserve: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) is a robust diagnostic and prognostic test in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to assess the incremental prognostic value of myocardial flow reserve (MFR) using the latest generation of digital PET scanners.

Methods: Consecutive patients with clinically indicated PET MPI for suspected or known CAD were included.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities and Determinants of Sufficient Physical Activity Levels.

Introduction: Adequate physical activity is an integral requirement for achieving cardiovascular health. Physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Hence, it is important to identify racial/ethnic groups that are less likely to achieve sufficient physical activity levels, and to address barriers to meeting physical activity requirements.