Comparing the Detection Performance Between Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET/CT in Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Purpose: Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) has been promoted as an auxiliary diagnostic tool for prostate biopsy. However, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) including 68 Ga-PSMA-11, 18 F-DCFPyL, and 18 F-PSMA-1007 applied PET/CT imaging was an emerging diagnostic tool in prostate cancer patients for staging or posttreatment follow-up, even early detecting. Many studies have used PSMA PET for comparison with mpMRI to test the diagnostic ability for early prostate cancer.

Comparison of the synthesis and biological properties of no-carrier-added and carrier-added 4-borono-2-[F]fluorophenylalanine ([F]FBPA).

Purpose: Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), an attractive strategy for cancer treatment, can kill tumor cells and avoid injury to surrounding healthy cells. 4-Borono-2-[F]fluorophenylalanine ([F]FBPA) positron emission tomography (PET) is a reliable tool for patient screening. Due to the relatively low radiochemical yield when employing the electrophilic route, this study was able to develop a new method to produce no-carrier-added (NCA) [F]FBPA and compare the biological characteristics with carrier-added (CA) characteristics.

Dual-tracer positron emission tomography/computed tomography as an imaging probe of lipogenesis in preclinical models of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: lipogenesis is upregulated in many cancers, and targeting it represents a metabolic approach to cancer treatment. However, the treatment response is unpredictable because lipogenic activity varies greatly among individual tumors, thereby necessitating the assessment of lipogenic activity before treatment. Here, we proposed an imaging probe, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with dual tracers combining C-acetate and F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG), to assess the lipogenic activity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and predict the response to lipogenesis-targeted therapy.

Multiplexed Molecular Imaging Strategy Integrated with RNA Sequencing in the Assessment of the Therapeutic Effect of Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Osteoporosis.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a result of an imbalance in bone remodeling. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have been considered as a potentially promising treatment for osteoporosis. However, the therapeutic effect, genetic alterations, and in vivo behavior of exogenous EVs for osteoporosis in mice models remain poorly understood.

Fractionated deep-inspiration breath-hold ZTE Compared with Free-breathing four-dimensional ZTE for detecting pulmonary nodules in oncological patients underwent PET/MRI.

The zero echo time (ZTE) technique has improved the detection of lung nodules in PET/MRI but respiratory motion remains a challenge in lung scan. We investigated the feasibility and performance of fractionated deep-inspiration breath-hold (FDIBH) three-dimensional (3D) ZTE FDG PET/MRI for assessing lung nodules in patients with proved malignancy. Sixty patients who had undergone ZTE FDG PET/MRI and chest CT within a three-day interval were retrospectively included.

Evaluation of Class IIa Histone Deacetylases Expression and In Vivo Epigenetic Imaging in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Epigenetic regulation by histone deacetylase (HDAC) is associated with synaptic plasticity and memory formation, and its aberrant expression has been linked to cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the role of class IIa HDAC expression in AD and monitor it in vivo using a novel radiotracer, 6-(tri-fluoroacetamido)-1-hexanoicanilide ([F]TFAHA). A human neural cell culture model with familial AD (FAD) mutations was established and used for in vitro assays.

Automated Synthesis and Initial Evaluation of (4'-Amino-5',8'-difluoro-1'H-spiro[piperidine-4,2'-quinazolin]-1-yl)(4-[F]fluorophenyl)methanone for PET/MR Imaging of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase.

Background: Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) plays a crucial role in neuroinflammation, especially microglial activity, and may potentially represent a useful biomarker of neuroinflammation. In this study, we carefully defined a strategic plan to develop iNOS-targeted molecular PET imaging using (4'-amino-5',8'-difluoro-1'H-spiro[piperidine-4,2'-quinazolin]-1-yl)(4-fluorophenyl)methanone ([F]FBAT) as a tracer in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced brain inflammation.

Methods: An model, murine microglial BV2 cell line, was used to assess the uptake of [F]FBAT in response to iNOS induction at the cellular level.

Development of Radiofluorinated Nicotinamide/Picolinamide Derivatives as Diagnostic Probes for the Detection of Melanoma.

Regarding the increased incidence and high mortality rate of malignant melanoma, practical early-detection methods are essential to improve patients' clinical outcomes. In this study, we successfully prepared novel picolinamide-benzamide (F-FPABZA) and nicotinamide-benzamide (F-FNABZA) conjugates and determined their biological characteristics. The radiochemical yields of F-FPABZA and F-FNABZA were 26 ± 5% and 1 ± 0.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Ameliorate Alzheimer's Disease Pathology and Improve Cognitive Deficits.

The accumulation of extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques within the brain is unique to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and thought to induce synaptic deficits and neuronal loss. Optimal therapies should tackle the core AD pathophysiology and prevent the decline in memory and cognitive functions. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic performance of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-exosomes), which are secreted membranous elements encapsulating a variety of MSC factors, on AD.

Effect of Cerenkov Radiation-Induced Photodynamic Therapy with F-FDG in an Intraperitoneal Xenograft Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) metastases frequently occur through peritoneal dissemination, and they contribute to difficulties in treatment. While photodynamic therapy (PDT) has the potential to treat OC, its use is often limited by tissue penetration depth and tumor selectivity. Herein, we combined Cerenkov radiation (CR) emitted by F-FDG accumulated in tumors as an internal light source and several photosensitizer (PS) candidates with matched absorption bands, including Verteporfin (VP), Chlorin e6 (Ce6) and 5'-Aminolevulinic acid (5'-ALA), to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy.

Blink-sensing glasses: A flexible iontronic sensing wearable for continuous blink monitoring.

Blink reflex has long been considered closely related to physiological states, from which abundant information on ocular health and activities can be revealed. In this study, a smart glasses wearable has been developed, incorporating a flexible and sensitive pressure sensor, to monitor blink patterns by continuously detecting ocular muscular movements, referred to as blink-sensing glasses. By applying the emerging flexible iontronic sensing (FITS) sensor with the sensitivity of 340 pF/mmHg, the skin pressure variations induced by movements of the orbicularis oculi muscles can be monitored in real time.

GMP-compliant fully automated radiosynthesis of [F]FEPPA for PET/MRI imaging of regional brain TSPO expression.

Background: Expression of translocator protein (TSPO) on the outer mitochondrial membrane of activated microglia is strongly associated with neuroinflammation. The second-generation PET ligand [F]FEPPA specifically binds TSPO to enable in vivo visualization and quantification of neuroinflammation. We optimized a fully automated radiosynthesis method and evaluated the utility of [F]FEPPA, the second-generation PET ligand specifically binds TSPO, in a mouse model of systemic LPS challenge to detect TSPO-associated signals of central and peripheral inflammation.

iWRAP: A Theranostic Wearable Device With Real-Time Vital Monitoring and Auto-Adjustable Compression Level for Venous Thromboembolism.

Objective: Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a commonly underdiagnosed disease with severe consequences and an exceedingly high mortality rate. Conventional compression wraps are devised for therapeutic purpose but lack diagnostic capacity. Recent advances in flexible electronics and wearable technologies offer many possibilities for chronic disease management.

The overview and prospects of BNCT facility at Tsing Hua Open-pool reactor.

The whole picture of the BNCT facility at Tsing Hua Open-pool Reactor will be presented which consists of the following aspects: the construction project, the beam quality, routine operations including the QA program for the beam delivery, determination of boron-10 concentration in blood, T/N ratio, and the clinical affairs including the patient recruit procedure and the patient irradiation procedure. The facility is positioned to serve for conducting clinical trials, emergent (compassionate) treatments, and R&D works.

Similar T/N ratio between F-FBPA diagnostic and BPA therapeutic dosages for boron neutron capture therapy in orthotropic tongue cancer model.

Objective: The tumor-to-normal tissue (T/N) boron ratio is determined in a patient prior to boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) using 4-borono-2-F-fluoro-L-phenylalanine (F-FBPA) positron emission tomography (PET). The T/N ratio is used as a reference parameter to calculate BNCT dose and to evaluate treatment effects. The boronophenylalanine (BPA) dosage for BNCT treatment is higher than the F-FBPA dosage for PET diagnosis.

Risk assessment of macrovascular and microvascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes by analyzing the amplitude variation of the fourth harmonic component of radial pulse wave.

This investigation explored the hypothesis that whether the coefficient of variation of the fourth harmonic amplitude of the radial pulse wave (C4CV) predicts the risk of macrovascular and microvascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Radial pulse wave and brachial blood pressure were measured at baseline in 2324 patients with T2DM and C4CV was calculated using the Fourier series method. Macrovascular and microvascular events during follow-up were determined by medical records.

The first harmonic of radial pulse wave predicts major adverse cardiovascular and microvascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes.

This brief report take a further look on the first harmonic of radial pulse wave (C1) after the 1.8 ± 0.5 years follow-up and demonstrated that the quartile level of C1 independently predicts the risk of cardiovascular death, major adverse cardiovascular events, and microvascular outcomes in 2324 patients with type 2 diabetes.

Nuclear Theranostics in Taiwan.

Boron neutron capture therapy and Y-90 radioembolization are emerging therapeutic methods for uncontrolled brain cancers and hepatic cancers, respectively. These advanced radiation therapies are heavily relied on theranostic nuclear medicine imaging before the therapy for the eligibility of patients and the prescribed-dose simulation, as well as the post-therapy scanning for assessing the treatment efficacy. In Taiwan, the Taipei Veterans General Hospital is the only institute performing the BNCT and also the leading institute performing Y-90 radioembolization.

Fourth harmonic of radial pulse wave predicts adverse cardiac events in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: Studies have shown that the fourth harmonic of the radial pulse wave (C4) is associated with atherosclerotic processes and myocardial ischemia. We sought to investigate whether C4 is an independent predictor of adverse cardiac events (ACE).

Methods: The baseline C4 is calculated using the Fourier series method.

Micro-PET imaging of [18F]fluoroacetate combined with [18F]FDG to differentiate chronic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection from an acute bacterial infection in a mouse model: a preliminary study.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection is one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide and is responsible for 1.7 million deaths per year. The increase in multidrug-resistant TB poses formidable challenges to the global control of tuberculosis.

Effect of Black Tea and Green Tea on the Radial Pulse Spectrum in Healthy Humans.

The consumption of black tea and green tea has been shown to be beneficial for cardiovascular health. Because the chemical composition of the two teas varies widely, the purpose of the study was to investigate whether the consumption of green tea and black tea had different effects on the arterial system. Thirty-three healthy subjects received a single dose of green tea (dose = 0.

The First Harmonic of Radial Pulse as an Early Predictor of Silent Coronary Artery Disease and Adverse Cardiac Events in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

Background: It has been reported that harmonics of radial pulse is related to coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is still unclear whether or not the first harmonics of the radial pulse spectrum is an early independent predictor of silent coronary artery disease (SCAD) and adverse cardiac events (ACE).

Objectives: To measure the risk of SCAD in patients with T2DM and also to survey whether or not an increment of the first harmonic (1) of the radial pulse increases ACE.

The effect of radial pulse spectrum on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Radial pulse spectrum has been shown to correlate with coronary stenosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In academia, it has not been demonstrated that the radial artery pulse spectrum is an independent risk factor for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause mortality. The primary objective of this study is to assess the risk of MACE, in patients with T2DM and to determine if an increase in MACE would be associated with a first harmonic (C1) increase in the radial artery pulse.