Applications of SPECT/CT in the Evaluation of Spinal Pathology: A Review.

Background: Accurate identification of pain generators in the context of low back and spine-related pain is crucial for effective treatment. This review aims to evaluate the potential usefulness of single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography (SPECT/CT) as an imaging modality in guiding clinical decision-making.

Methods: A broad scoping literature review was conducted to identify relevant studies evaluating the use of SPECT/CT in patients with spine-related pain.

Is Subjective Cognitive Decline Associated with Behavioral Health Outcomes Among Mothers?

Objectives: Studies suggests that pregnancy can alter the maternal neurological function of the brain (i.e., result in cognitive decline) in a way that remains prevalent well into middle and older adulthood.

Nursing Care for Metastatic Bone Cancer: Trends for the Future.

To effectively treat patients and minimize viral exposure, oncology nurses and radiology departments during COVID-19 had to re-examine the ability to offer palliative radiation treatments to people with metastatic bone cancer. Decreasing potential exposure to the virus resulted in extra measures to keep patients and personnel safe. Limiting radiotherapy treatments, social distancing, and limiting caregivers were a few of the ways that oncology patients were impacted by the pandemic.

Metastatic mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the spine managed with nonsurgical treatment: A case report and review of the literature.

In this report, we present a rare case of a 17-year-old male patient with metastatic mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MCS) managed with nonsurgical treatment who subsequently demonstrated a favorable response to concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy, followed with pazopanib target therapy. Further study regarding nonoperative care for metastatic MCS of spine is warranted.

Lung Cancer Screening Using Low-Dose Computed Tomography.

Lung and bronchus cancers account for almost 13% of new cancer cases and are responsible for approximately 23% of cancer deaths in the United States. Lung cancer has a poor prognosis, primarily because of advanced disease stage at initial diagnosis. An estimated 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking tobacco, and although smoking rates have decreased in recent decades, millions of people are eligible for lung cancer screening each year because they smoke.

Preliminary Evaluation of Standing Full-Length Plain Radiographs Utility in an Adult Degenerative Spine Practice.

Introduction: The role of weight-bearing full-length standing radiographs (FLSRs) of the spine in the preoperative workup of adult degenerative disease of the lumbar spine is a subject of increasing research. This investigation aims to determine whether FLSR influences preoperative planning decisions.

Methods: In this prospective study, eight spine surgeons reviewed two 30-patient case series.

Detection and Stabilization of a Previously Unknown Two-Dimensional (Pseudo)polymorph using Lateral Nanoconfinement.

We report on the detection and stabilization of a previously unknown two-dimensional (2D) pseudopolymorph of an alkoxy isophthalic acid using lateral nanoconfinement. The self-assembled molecular networks formed by the isophthalic acid derivative were studied at the interface between covalently modified graphite and an organic solvent. When self-assembled on graphite with moderate surface coverage of covalently bound aryl groups, a previously unknown metastable pseudopolymorph was detected.

A chemisorbed interfacial layer for seeding atomic layer deposition on graphite.

The integration of graphene, and more broadly two-dimensional materials, into devices and hybrid materials often requires the deposition of thin films on their usually inert surface. As a result, strategies for the introduction of surface reactive sites have been developed but currently pose a dilemma between robustness and preservation of the graphene properties. A method is reported here for covalently modifying graphitic surfaces, introducing functional groups that act as reactive sites for the growth of high quality dielectric layers.

Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing profession that shows continued promise for diagnostic imaging in various disciplines, including dermatology and pathology. The benefits of AI, however, extend beyond the imaging department as radiation oncology departments begin to automate labor-intensive treatment planning processes. Given the increase in interest and research concerning AI, radiologic technologists must become familiar with AI terminology, current and potential applications, challenges, and patient perspectives.

Promoting Interdisciplinary Communication as a Vital Function of Effective Teamwork to Positively Impact Patient Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Employee Engagement.

Introduction: Failure to effectively communicate between disciplines negatively impacts patient care, and therefore, outcomes and satisfaction. The integration ofspecific communication skill sets between disciplines is not commonly a part oftraditional curriculum across health care programs.

Case And Outcomes: Patient scenario where inter-disciplinary communication is the focus, not the specific patient situation.

Mentoring in Radiologic Science.

Mentoring occurs every day in the workplace, as experienced employees (mentors) help guide inexperienced ones (protégés) toward a common goal. Both the mentor and protégé possess hallmark characteristics that contribute to a successful mentorship. The typology of mentoring includes formal versus informal, as well as group, one-on-one, peer, remote, and invisible mentors.

Visualization of the Cervicothoracic Junction With EOS Imaging Is Superior to Conventional Lateral Cervical Radiographs.

Study Design: Single-center retrospective review.

Objectives: The cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) is typically difficult to visualize using traditional radiographs. Whole-body stereoradiography (EOS) allows for imaging of the entire axial skeleton in a weightbearing position without parallax error and with lower radiation doses.

Porous Self-Assembled Molecular Networks as Templates for Chiral-Position-Controlled Chemical Functionalization of Graphitic Surfaces.

Controlled covalent functionalization of graphitic surfaces with molecular scale precision is crucial for tailored modulation of the chemical and physical properties of carbon materials. We herein present that porous self-assembled molecular networks (SAMNs) act as nanometer scale template for the covalent electrochemical functionalization of graphite using an aryldiazonium salt. Hexagonally aligned achiral grafted species with lateral periodicity of 2.

Patient Perceptions of Physician Ownership in Spine Care.

Study Design: This was a prospective study.

Objective: This study aims to determine the perspectives of patients seeking spine care in regard to physician ownership of surgical facilities and to understand the importance of disclosing financial conflicts.

Summary Of Background Data: There has been limited investigation regarding patient perceptions of the proprietary structure of surgical facilities.

Interface Chemistry of Graphene/Cu Grafted By 3,4,5-Tri-Methoxyphenyl.

Chemical reaction with diazonium molecules has revealed to be a powerful method for the surface chemical modification of graphite, carbon nanotubes and recently also of graphene. Graphene electronic structure modification using diazonium molecules is strongly influenced by graphene growth and by the supporting materials. Here, carrying on a detailed study of core levels and valence band photoemission measurements, we are able to reconstruct the interface chemistry of trimethoxybenzenediazonium-based molecules electrochemically grafted on graphene on copper.

Comparing Allografts to Autografts for Maintenance of Cervical Sagittal Parameters and Clinical Outcomes Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion With Anterior Cervical Plating.

Objective: Current literature has not shown if using either allograft or autograft differentially affects postoperative cervical sagittal parameters. The goal of this study was to compare sagittal alignment and patient-reported outcomes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with allograft versus autograft.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of patients who underwent single-level ACDF was conducted.

Graphite and Graphene Fairy Circles: A Bottom-Up Approach for the Formation of Nanocorrals.

A convenient covalent functionalization approach and nanopatterning method of graphite and graphene is developed. In contrast to expectations, electrochemically activated dediazotization of a mixture of two aryl diazonium compounds in aqueous media leads to a spatially inhomogeneous functionalization of graphitic surfaces, creating covalently modified surfaces with quasi-uniform spaced islands of pristine graphite or graphene, coined nanocorrals. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry approaches are compared.

Traumatic Fracture of the Pediatric Cervical Spine: Etiology, Epidemiology, Concurrent Injuries, and an Analysis of Perioperative Outcomes Using the Kids' Inpatient Database.

Background: The study aimed to characterize trends in incidence, etiology, fracture types, surgical procedures, complications, and concurrent injuries associated with traumatic pediatric cervical fracture using a nationwide database.

Methods: The Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) was queried. Trauma cases from 2003 to 2012 were identified, and cervical fracture patients were isolated.

Phase selectivity triggered by nanoconfinement: the impact of corral dimensions.

By using a novel protocol to spatially confine molecules in well-defined small 2D areas, the so-called nanocorrals, we show using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) how this kind of confinement affects self-assembled molecular network (SAMN) formation at a liquid-solid interface. The 2D lateral confinement, imposed by the size of the nanocorrals, has a clear impact on the phase selectivity of a molecule that can form both low-density and high-density SAMNs, the high-density phase being promoted by the confinement.

Steric and Electronic Effects of Electrochemically Generated Aryl Radicals on Grafting of the Graphite Surface.

Grafting of aryl radicals generated by electrochemical reduction of aryldiazonium salts has been extensively studied on various surfaces. However, there exists two unclear aspects; the first one is the generality of the blocking ability of simple functional groups toward multilayer growth, and the second one is the electronic impact of substituent groups of aryl radicals on grafting efficiency. To address these aspects, we have studied the electrochemical functionalization of graphite using aryldiazonium salts having electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups at the 3,4,5-positions.

Self-Assembled Monolayers as Templates for Linearly Nanopatterned Covalent Chemical Functionalization of Graphite and Graphene Surfaces.

An approach for nanoscale covalent functionalization of graphite surfaces employing self-assembled molecular monolayers of n-alkanes as templating masks is presented. Linearly aligned aryl groups with a lateral periodicity of 5 or 7 nm are demonstrated utilizing molecular templates of different lengths. The key feature of this approach is the use of a phase separated solution double layer consisting of a thin organic layer containing template molecules topped by an aqueous layer containing aryldiazonium molecules capable of electrochemical reduction to generate aryl radicals which bring about surface grafting.

Unidirectional supramolecular self-assembly inside nanocorrals via in situ STM nanoshaving.

Self-assembly of an alkylated diacetylene derivative is spatially confined via in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) nanoshaving inside covalently modified highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (CM-HOPG). In contrast to unconstrained self-assembly that occurs randomly along three thermodynamically equivalent surface lattice directions, spatially confined assemblies are shown to form along chosen substrate orientations. Experimental statistics suggest two mechanisms for breaking the rotational degeneracy of the surface.