Automated estimation of individualized organ-specific dose and noise from clinical CT scans.

Radiation dose and diagnostic image quality are opposing constraints in x-ray CT. Conventional methods do not fully account for organ-level radiation dose and noise when considering radiation risk and clinical task. In this work, we develop a pipeline to generate individualized organ-specific dose and noise at desired dose levels from clinical CT scans.

Optimal weighting strategies for maximizing contrast-to-noise ratio in photon counting CT images.

Background: Photon counting detectors (PCDs) with energy discrimination capabilities have the potential to generate grayscale CT images with improved contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) through optimal weighting of their spectral measurements.

Purpose: This study evaluates the CNR performance of grayscale CT projections and images generated from spectral measurements of PCDs using three energy-weighting strategies: pre-log weighting, post-log weighting, and material decomposition (MD) weighting. This study provides the expressions of optimal weights and maximum achievable CNR of these energy-weighting strategies, which only require the knowledge of detected bin counts and do not require information of PCD energy responses or imaging techniques.

Emulating Low-Dose PCCT Image Pairs with Independent Noise for Self-Supervised Spectral Image Denoising.

Photon counting CT (PCCT) acquires spectral measurements and enables generation of material decomposition (MD) images that provide distinct advantages in various clinical situations. However, noise amplification is observed in MD images, and denoising is typically applied. Clean or high-quality references are rare in clinical scans, often making supervised learning (Noise2Clean) impractical.

ToxoNet: A high confidence map of protein-protein interactions in Toxoplasma gondii.

The apicomplexan intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a major food borne pathogen that is highly prevalent in the global population. The majority of the T. gondii proteome remains uncharacterized and the organization of proteins into complexes is unclear.

Ultra-high-resolution spectral silicon-based photon-counting detector CT for coronary CT angiography: Initial results in a dynamic phantom.

Background: Recent improvements in CT detector technology have led to smaller detector pixels resolving frequencies beyond 20 lp/cm and enabled ultra-high-resolution CT. Silicon-based photon-counting detector (PCD) CT is one such technology that promises improved spatial and spectral resolution. However, when the detector pixel sizes are reduced, the impact of cardiac motion on CT images becomes more pronounced.

Expression of HSP70 in Human Skin After Cryolipolysis Treatment.

Background: Cryolipolysis nonsurgically targets and reduces subcutaneous fat through controlled cooling of skin and underlying fatty tissue. Although skin changes after cryolipolysis treatment have been observed clinically, the mechanisms by which these occur are not well understood.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the epidermal and dermal layers of human skin following cryolipolysis treatment.

Analysis of Wildfire Visualization Systems for Research and Training: Are They Up for the Challenge of the Current State of Wildfires?

Wildfires affect many regions across the world. The accelerated progression of global warming has amplified their frequency and scale, deepening their impact on human life, the economy, and the environment. The temperature rise has been driving wildfires to behave unpredictably compared to those previously observed, challenging researchers and fire management agencies to understand the factors behind this behavioral change.

Multicenter Pivotal Study Demonstrates Safety and Efficacy of a New Cellulite Procedure: Final Results at 12 Months.

Background: Safety and efficacy endpoints for the single-arm, multicenter, open-label pivotal study, CONtrolled Focal Fibrous Band Release Method (CONFFIRM) [NCT04743635] assessing targeted verifiable subcision (TVS) for the treatment of cellulite were met at 3 months postprocedure and have been published. Final, 12-month data describing durability of treatment effect and safety are presented here for the first time.

Objectives: The authors sought to evaluate safety and efficacy out to 12 months of initial treatment for a single TVS procedure performed employing the Avéli device (Revelle Aesthetics, Inc.

Multicenter Pivotal Study Demonstrates Safety and Efficacy of a New Cellulite Procedure: 3-Month Results.

Background: Cellulite is an aesthetic condition affecting the appearance of skin in certain body regions and is associated with body dissatisfaction, psychosocial stress, and decreased quality of life. Previous studies established the safety and feasibility of a novel, minimally invasive device to identify and release septa responsible for cellulite depressions: targeted verifiable subcision (TVS).

Objectives: The objective of this single-arm, open-label, multicenter study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TVS for reducing the appearance of moderate to severe cellulite in adult women.

Global Expert Opinion on Cryolipolysis Treatment Recommendations and Considerations: A Modified Delphi Study.

Background: Cryolipolysis is an increasingly popular nonsurgical fat-reduction procedure. Published treatment guidance and adverse event (AE) management protocols are limited.

Objective: A modified Delphi study aimed to establish global expert consensus on the use of CoolSculpting (Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company, Irvine, CA), a noninvasive cryolipolysis treatment system.

Study of a New Controlled Focal Septa Release Cellulite Reduction Method.

Background: Cellulite is the dimpled appearance of skin that commonly occurs on the buttocks and thighs of postpubertal women. Cellulite can be emotionally distressing, causing many individuals to seek medical attention. A previous first-in-human study established the safety and feasibility of a novel minimally invasive method for selectively identifying and manually releasing the specific septa responsible for causing cellulite depressions in a precise manner.

Facial Aesthetic Priorities and Concerns: A Physician and Patient Perception Global Survey.

Background: Minimally invasive and noninvasive facial aesthetic treatments are increasingly popular, and a greater understanding of patient perspectives on facial aesthetic priorities is needed.

Objectives: The authors surveyed facial aesthetic concerns, desires, and treatment goals of aesthetically conscious men and women, and physicians, in 18 countries.

Methods: This was a global, internet-based survey on desired appearance and experiences with, or interest in, facial aesthetic treatments.

Evaluating Facelift Complications and the Effectiveness of the SMASectomy Technique: A Single Center's 15-Year Experience.

Background: Facelift continues to be one of the most common aesthetic procedures performed in the United States. Although there exist many techniques and variations, superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) manipulation, by way of plication, overlap, or SMASectomy, is common and has been shown to result in favorable cosmesis and durability. However, there is a lack of current complications data in the discussion of this technique.

Molecular and Histological Evidence Detailing Clinically Observed Skin Improvement Following Cryolipolysis.

Background: In addition to body contouring, there is anecdotal and clinical evidence of reduced laxity caused by skin tightening after cryolipolysis. However, it has not been established how cryolipolysis triggers dermal changes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the fundamental mechanisms behind clinically observed dermal changes by molecular and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analytical methods.

An Expert Consensus Study for Informed Consent in Primary Breast Augmentation Surgery.

Background: What constitutes adequate information for decision-making and informed consent is a practical question appropriately answered with deference to expertise.

Objectives: The aims of this study were: (1) to establish consensus on a procedure-specific core information set of essential informed consent information by relevant medical experts for primary breast augmentation surgery; and (2) to define from the clinical perspective the data source and imminence elements of evidence-based risk communication.

Methods: The study followed a modified Delphi expert consensus model.

Feasibility Study of Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation and Cryolipolysis for Abdominal Contouring.

Background: In addition to reducing subcutaneous fat for body contouring, some patients are interested in toning the underlying muscle layer.

Objective: This feasibility study evaluated the safety and efficacy of electromagnetic muscle stimulation (EMMS) alone, cryolipolysis alone, and cryolipolysis with EMMS for noninvasive contouring of abdomen.

Methods: Abdomens of 50 subjects were treated in a study with 3 cohorts: EMMS alone, Cryolipolysis alone, and Cryolipolysis + EMMS in combination.

Insta-Grated Plastic Surgery Residencies: 2020 Update.

Background: Recent evidence shows accelerating worldwide adoption of social media and suggests a commensurate increase in social media use by integrated plastic surgery residency programs in the United States. Programs nationwide are now making strides to include a longitudinal social media component in their plastic surgery curriculum.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the use of Instagram by plastic surgery residency programs and to describe trends in adoption, volume, and content.

Assessment of Wellbeing and Anxiety-related Disorders in Those Seeking Rhinoplasty: A Crowdsourcing-based Study.

Background: Recently, it has been proposed that psychosocial concerns may motivate the demand for aesthetic rhinoplasty. Although successful operations often improve the quality of life and self-esteem symptoms in patients with sound mental health, they may actually result in unsatisfactory outcomes in those patients with significant depression, anxiety, or other severe psychological disorders. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of psychological disorders in patients seeking rhinoplasty.

Defining "Ideal Abs" Through a Crowdsourcing-Based Assessment.

Background: There were almost 12 million nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2016, which represented a 12% increase from the previous year, and popularity is expected to continue rising. Furthermore, nonsurgical fat reduction and body contouring have experienced a dramatic increase in popularity among both men and women. However, there has been very little work focused on the public's perception of the ideal abdominal muscles.

Subfascial Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Capsular Contracture.

Background: Subfascial breast augmentation is a technique originally developed to reduce the risks of capsular contracture while decreasing the postoperative pain associated with subpectoral augmentation. It was pioneered in Brazil by Dr. Graf and others, and recently this technique has gained interest in the aesthetic world.

Contemporary Management of Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for Surgeons.

Background: The decision of surgical approach for hair restoration often involves evaluation of the type of alopecia; however, the impact of surgical hair restoration from existing techniques in specific population subsets has not been comprehensively investigated.

Objectives: The authors sought to systematically review the literature on micrografts, minigrafts, mini-micrografts, tissue grafts, tissue flaps and expanders, as well as evaluate graft survival and satisfaction within specific populations in a meta-analysis.

Methods: PubMed and Scopus literature searches between 1980 and 2018 yielded 57 articles for systematic review and 34 articles for meta-analysis.

Nonsurgical Adjuncts Following Facelift to Achieve Optimal Aesthetic Outcomes: "Icing on the Cake".

This article discusses the various nonsurgical treatments that can be performed in combination with facelift surgery to provide patients with a more complete facial rejuvenation. Nonsurgical adjuncts focus on facial volume enhancement, skin resurfacing, intense pulsed light for pigmentary changes, neuromodulators, and skin care in addition to the surgical techniques used to combat facial aging. Several options exist for skin resurfacing, including dermabrasion, chemical peels, and lasers; the advantages and limitations of each are discussed.

Attitudes, Beliefs, and Practices of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons Regarding Informed Consent.

Background: Best practice for informed consent in aesthetic plastic surgery is a process of shared decision-making, yet evidence strongly suggests this is not commonly reflected in practice nor is it supported by traditional informed consent documents (ICD). Falsely held beliefs by clinicians about shared decision-making may contribute to its lack of adoption.

Objective: The authors sought to understand the baseline attitudes, beliefs, and practices of informed consent among board-certified plastic surgeons with a primarily aesthetics practice.