Wildfire-sourced fine particulate matter and preterm birth risks in Brazil: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

Wildfire-specific particulate matter with diameters ≤ 2.5 µm (PM) is the key component of wildfire smoke, with potentially higher toxicity than PM from other sources. In this nationwide population-based cohort study, we included 22,163,195 births from Brazil during 20102019.

Partnering with Panama: Exploring Anthropometrics, Dietary Patterns, and the Built Food Environment of School-aged Children.

Childhood obesity is a global public health concern in developed and developing countries. Approximately 3 in 10 Panamanian children suffer from obesity, and overweight/obesity is responsible for the highest number of premature or avoidable deaths in this country. A formative community assessment and exploration of the built food environment was conducted.

Soft Tissue Response on 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT in Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer Treated With 223Ra-Dichloride: A Possible Abscopal Effect?

Two patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer and symptomatic skeletal metastases underwent F-fluorocholine PET/CT prior to treatment with Ra-dichloride to reveal additional active lesions in the prostate gland and lymph nodes. Subsequent scans performed at the midpoint and end of Ra-dichloride therapy showed resolution of this soft tissue activity alongside declining bone lesion activity. Concomitant increases in plasma interleukin 6 were detected, suggesting that immune system activation may have mediated the soft tissue response.

Prediction of PSA Progression in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Based on Treatment-Associated Change in Tumor Burden Quantified by 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT.

Unlabelled: Measurements of metabolically active tumor volume (MATV) can be applied to (18)F-fluorocholine PET/CT to quantify whole-body tumor burden. This study evaluated the serial application of these measurements as systemic treatment response markers and predictors of disease progression in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Methods: Forty-two patients completed sequential (18)F-fluorocholine PET/CT scans before and 1-3 mo after starting treatment for CRPC.

Prognosis Related to Metastatic Burden Measured by ¹⁸F-Fluorocholine PET/CT in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Unlabelled: This study investigated the prognostic significance of metabolically active tumor volume (MATV) measurements applied to (18)F-fluorocholine PET/CT in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Methods: (18)F-fluorocholine PET/CT imaging was performed on 30 patients with CRPC. Metastatic disease was quantified on the basis of maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)), MATV, and total lesion activity (TLA = MATV × mean standardized uptake value).

Detection of recurrent prostate cancer with 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT in relation to PSA level at the time of imaging.

Purpose: To evaluate fluorine-18 fluorocholine (FCH) PET/CT for the detection of recurrent prostate cancer in relation to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.

Methods: FCH PET/CT was performed in 50 patients with rising PSA levels at follow-up of primary treatment of prostate cancer (radical prostatectomy in 28, radiation therapy in 13, and brachytherapy in 9). PET detection rates were determined at various PSA thresholds and examined by receiver operating characteristic analysis.

(18)F-Choline PET/CT imaging of RECIST measurable lesions in hormone refractory prostate cancer.

Purpose: Apply measurability criteria based on the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) to lesions found on (18)F-choline positron emission tomography (PET)/computerized tomography (CT) in patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer.

Methods: Whole-body PET followed by CT or in-line PET/CT using 3.3-4 MBq/kg of (18)F-choline was performed prospectively on 30 patients with prostate cancer, castrate testosterone levels, and rising post-treatment prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels.

A feasibility study of methodology for recruitment and for comparative testing of ciliary function in Hawaiians and Caucasians.

Native Hawaiians have higher lung cancer incidence and mortality than other ethnic groups, even after controlling for smoking. Could reduced mucociliary clearance, suspected in Polynesians, play a role? In this pilot study of 9 Hawaiian and 8 Caucasian men, mean velocities were faster although not statistically significant in Caucasians. This pilot also generated recommendations on subject recruitment, measures, and data analysis for future studies.

Use of step-section histopathology to evaluate 18F-fluorocholine PET sextant localization of prostate cancer.

To assess positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine-18 fluorocholine for sextant localization of malignant prostate tumors. Histopathologic analysis was performed on step-sectioned whole-mounted prostate specimens from 15 patients who underwent PET with fluorocholine prior to radical prostatectomy. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) corresponding to prostate sextants on PET was measured by region of interest analysis and compared with histopathologic results.

Cancer imaging with fluorine-18-labeled choline derivatives.

The choline transporter and choline kinase enzyme frequently are overexpressed in malignancy. Therefore, positron-emitter-labeled compounds derived from choline have the potential to serve as oncologic probes for positron emission tomography. The fluorine-18 ((18)F)-labeled choline derivative fluorocholine (FCH) in particular has demonstrated potential utility for imaging of a variety of neoplasms, including those of the breast, prostate, liver, and brain.

Solitary brain lesions enhancing at MR imaging: evaluation with fluorine 18 fluorocholine PET.

Purpose: To prospectively determine whether differences between benign and malignant brain lesions can be depicted with fluorine 18 ((18)F) fluorocholine positron emission tomography (PET).

Materials And Methods: Thirty consecutive patients (14 women, 16 men; age range, 26-79 years) with solitary brain lesions that were enhanced at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging underwent whole-brain (18)F-fluorocholine PET after giving informed consent in this institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant study. Histopathologic diagnoses were made in 24 cases (13 high-grade gliomas, eight metastases to the brain, and three benign lesions).

Oral R115866 in the treatment of moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris: an exploratory study.

Background: R115866 (Rambazole; Barrier Therapeutics NV, Geel, Belgium), a new-generation retinoic acid metabolism-blocking agent, is a nonretinoid compound enhancing intracellularly the endogenous levels of all-trans-retinoic acid by blocking its catabolism. By virtue of this property, and the proven positive effects of retinoids in the treatment of acne, R115866 could potentially be a useful drug for acne.

Objectives: To explore the efficacy, safety and tolerability of systemic R115866 in male patients with moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris (at least 15 papules and/or pustules and at least two nodulocystic lesions).

Localization of primary prostate cancer with dual-phase 18F-fluorocholine PET.

Unlabelled: This study compared 18F-fluorocholine uptake in malignant and benign areas of the prostate at 2 time points to determine the suitability of delayed or dual-phase 18F-fluorocholine PET for localizing malignancy in the prostate gland.

Methods: Twenty-six men (15 newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, 2 with recurrent prostate cancer, 6 with no evidence of prostate cancer recurrence after treatment, and 3 with no history of prostate cancer) underwent dual-phase PET consisting of initial whole-body PET starting 7 min after injection of 3.3-4 MBq/kg of 18F-fluorocholine followed by 1-h delayed PET of the pelvis.

Application of intravenous contrast in PET/CT: does it really introduce significant attenuation correction error?

Unlabelled: The current perception of using contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) for attenuation correction (AC) is that of caution, as it might lead to erroneously elevated (18)F-FDG uptake on the PET scan. This study evaluates in vivo whether an intravenous iodinated contrast agent produces a significant AC artifact in the level of standardized uptake value (SUV) changes in PET/CT.

Methods: Fifty-four patients referred for whole-body (WB) PET/CT scans were enrolled and subdivided into 2 groups.

Prostate cancer localization with 18fluorine fluorocholine positron emission tomography.

Purpose: We evaluated positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine fluorocholine (F FCH) for the pretreatment localization of prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: A total of 17 patients with prostate cancer who had not yet received treatment for the disease underwent whole body PET following intravenous administration of 3.3 to 4 MBq/kg F FCH.

Combined use of F-18 fluorocholine positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance spectroscopy for brain tumor evaluation.

Background: Choline metabolism is often abnormal in malignant brain tumors.

Methods: Brain positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with F-18 fluorocholine (FCH) was performed on 2 patients with intracranial lesions suspected to be high-grade malignant gliomas on the basis of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and multivoxel 1H-MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) findings. Standardized uptake value (SUV) measurements on PET were compared with measurements of choline/creatine metabolite ratio on MRSI in corresponding regions.

Reduction of myocardial 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose uptake artifacts in positron emission tomography using dietary carbohydrate restriction.

Purpose: The use of carbohydrate restriction prior to 2-deoxy-2-[18F] positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) to reduce image artifacts caused by myocardial FDG uptake was investigated.

Procedures: Ninety-six whole-body FDG-PET scans were studied. Dietary intake of the meal prior to scanning was recorded.

Correlation of single photon emission computed tomography parameters as a noninvasive alternative to liver biopsies in assessing liver involvement in the setting of HIV and hepatitis C virus coinfection: a multicenter trial of the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group.

Performing a liver biopsy in patients infected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is considered the standard of practice to assess hepatic involvement but carries risks to patients. This pilot study was designed to identify single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) parameters that correlate with liver disease stage. HIV-coinfected and HCV-coinfected individuals undergoing a liver biopsy had a SPECT scan performed.

Comparison of automatic quantification software for the measurement of ventricular volume and ejection fraction in gated myocardial perfusion SPECT.

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of three different software packages for the calculation of ejection fraction (EF) and end diastolic volume (EDV) from gated myocardial single photon emission computed tomography studies. Two hundred patients undergoing gated stress myocardial perfusion scans were analysed retrospectively. Patients were grouped as follows: small heart (n=31), normal perfusion scan (n=71), and scan with perfusion defects (n=98).

Impact of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography on patient management: first year's experience in a clinical center.

Purpose: To measure the impact of whole-body fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) on patient management during its first year of use in a community hospital.

Materials And Methods: First-year FDG-PET impact was determined from 463 referring physicians' evaluations of their patients' PET imaging results using two surveys. Survey 1 was given to all physicians referring patients to PET to discover whether PET changed patient management or had decision-making value in the patient's clinical algorithm.

1. Positron Emission Tomography of Thoracic Malignancies. Reduction of Myocardial Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake Artifacts With a Carbohydrate Restricted Diet.

Purpose: To reduce the artifact caused by cardiac uptake of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG); we investigated the change in myocardial FDG uptake after placing a group of patients on a carbohydrate-restricted diet.Methods: Case control study involving 130 whole body FDG PET scans. 73 scans were of patients on carbohydrate-restriction; the remaining 57 were without dietary restrictions.

Sentinel node staging for cutaneous melanoma in a university-affiliated community care setting.

Background: The feasibility of intraoperative lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymphadenectomy (SLND) in settings other than high-volume specialized clinics has been questioned. We sought to determine the feasibility of SLND in a university-affiliated private teaching hospital.

Methods: A multidisciplinary sentinel node program was established to include surgeons, nuclear medicine physicians, and pathologists.