Localiser radiographs in CT: Current practice, radiation dose, image quality and clinical applications.

Introduction: Survey or localiser radiographs are integral to CT imaging. However, the diverse functions and roles of the localiser radiograph are often obscure to radiographers and radiologists. This scoping review reports the full scope of localiser radiograph use and function in contemporary CT imaging.

ChatGPT in medical imaging higher education.

Introduction: Academic integrity among radiographers and nuclear medicine technologists/scientists in both higher education and scientific writing has been challenged by advances in artificial intelligence (AI). The recent release of ChatGPT, a chatbot powered by GPT-3.5 capable of producing accurate and human-like responses to questions in real-time, has redefined the boundaries of academic and scientific writing.

Modelling the Pan-European Economic Burden of Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Recent advances open the opportunity of altering the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through lifestyle-based modifications and novel therapies. Ensuring that society is investing limited budgets in the interventions that have the greatest potential to generate tangible impact will require tools to guide policymakers.

Objectives: To build on previous studies to develop an economic model that estimates the societal burden of AD and evaluates the potential impact of novel interventions in six large European countries.

The influence of patient positioning on radiation dose in CT imaging: A narrative review.

Background And Purpose: Although it is fundamental for optimal scanner operation, it is generally accepted that accurate patient centring cannot always be achieved. This review aimed to examine the reported knowledge of the negative impact of patient positioning on radiation dose and image quality during CT imaging. Furthermore, the study evaluated the current optimisation tools and techniques used to improve patient positioning relative to the gantry iso-center.

The Impacts of Vertical Off-Centring, Localiser Direction, Phantom Positioning and Tube Voltage on CT Number Accuracy: An Experimental Study.

Background: This study investigates the effects of vertical off-centring, localiser direction, tube voltage, and phantom positioning (supine and prone) on computed tomography (CT) numbers and radiation dose. Methods: An anthropomorphic phantom was scanned using a Discovery CT750 HD—128 slice (GE Healthcare) scanner at different tube voltages (80, 120, and 140 kVp). Images employing 0° and 180° localisers were acquired in supine and prone positions for each vertical off-centring (±100, ±60, and ±30 mm from the iso-centre).

The impacts of vertical off-centring, tube voltage, and phantom size on computed tomography numbers: An experimental study.

Introduction: This experimental study explored the effect of vertical off-centring on computed tomography (CT) numbers in combination with various tube voltages and phantom sizes for two CT units.

Methods: CIRS Model 062 Electron Density and system performance phantoms were imaged on Siemens Emotion 16-slice CT and GEMINI-GXL scanners, respectively. Uniformity and accuracy were evaluated as a function of vertical off-centring (20, 40, 60, and 80 mm above the gantry isocentre) using different water phantom sizes (18, 20, and 30 cm) and tube voltages (80, 90, 110, 120, 130 and 140 kVp).

The reliability of CT numbers as absolute values for diagnostic scanning, dental imaging, and radiation therapy simulation: A narrative review.

Background And Purpose: The purpose of this review was to examine the reported factors that affect the reliability of Computed Tomography (CT) numbers and their impact on clinical applications in diagnostic scanning, dental imaging, and radiation therapy dose calculation.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using Medline (PubMed), Google Scholar, and Ovid databases which were searched using the keywords CT number variability, CT number accuracy and uniformity, tube voltage, patient positioning, patient off-centring, and size dependence. A narrative summary was used to compile the findings under the overarching theme.

Impacts of Phantom Off-Center Positioning on CT Numbers and Dose Index CTDIv: An Evaluation of Two CT Scanners from GE.

The purpose of this work is to evaluate the impacts of body off-center positioning on CT numbers and dose index CTDIv of two scanners from GE. HD750 and APEX scanners were used to acquire a PBU60 phantom of Kagaku and a 062M phantom of CIRS respectively. CT images were acquired at various off-center positions under automatic tube current modulation using various peak voltages.

0° vs. 180° CT localiser: The effect of vertical off-centring, phantom positioning and tube voltage on dose optimisation in multidetector computed tomography.

Introduction: Patient positioning is an essential consideration for the optimisation of radiation dose during CT examinations. The study objectives seek to explore the effects of vertical off-centring, localiser direction (0° and 180°), and phantom positioning (supine and prone) on radiation dose, using three different tube voltages in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging.

Methods: The trunk of a PBU-60 anthropomorphic phantom was imaged using a Discovery CT750 HD - 128 slice (GE Healthcare).

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Around Breast Cancer and Mammography Screening Among Jordanian Women.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common occurring cancer in women worldwide. To guide current breast cancer screening program, the level of knowledge about breast cancer should be evaluated. This study aims to ascertain the level of breast cancer knowledge including risk factors, signs and symptoms, and early detection methods, especially mammography screening.

Body size and tube voltage dependent corrections for Hounsfield Unit in medical X-ray computed tomography: theory and experiments.

The purpose of this work is to present a body size and tube voltage dependent correction scheme for the Hounsfield Unit, HU, in medical X-ray Computed Tomography imaging. Boltzmann photon transport equation was employed to study X-ray interaction with bulk water in CT imaging. Experimentally measured X-ray output in body of phantoms and attenuation cross sections of water were employed in the derivation of beam intensity in X-ray imaging.

Tip of the Iceberg: Assessing the Global Socioeconomic Costs of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias and Strategic Implications for Stakeholders.

While it is generally understood that Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD) is one of the costliest diseases to society, there is widespread concern that researchers and policymakers are not comprehensively capturing and describing the full scope and magnitude of the socioeconomic burden of ADRD. This review aimed to 1) catalogue the different types of AD-related socioeconomic costs described in the literature; 2) assess the challenges and gaps of existing approaches to measuring these costs; and 3) analyze and discuss the implications for stakeholders including policymakers, healthcare systems, associations, advocacy groups, clinicians, and researchers looking to improve the ability to generate reliable data that can guide evidence-based decision making. A centrally emergent theme from this review is that it is challenging to gauge the true value of policies, programs, or interventions in the ADRD arena given the long-term, progressive nature of the disease, its insidious socioeconomic impact beyond the patient and the formal healthcare system, and the complexities and current deficiencies (in measures and real-world data) in accurately calculating the full costs to society.

Antiepileptic drugs in Rett Syndrome.

Purpose: We investigated drugs most often used to treat epilepsy in Rett Syndrome and their efficacy in a large cohort of Italian patients.

Methods: This is a multi-centre retrospective study. Data of 165 Rett subjects were collected from the patients' files, and hospital charts.

3-D flexible nano-textured high-density microelectrode arrays for high-performance neuro-monitoring and neuro-stimulation.

We introduce a new 3-D flexible microelectrode array for high performance electrographic neural signal recording and stimulation. The microelectrode architecture maximizes the number of channels on each shank and minimizes its footprint. The electrode was implemented on flexible polyimide substrate using microfabrication and thin-film processing.

Severe hypoglycemia in a juvenile diabetic rat model: presence and severity of seizures are associated with mortality.

It is well accepted that insulin-induced hypoglycemia can result in seizures. However, the effects of the seizures, as well as possible treatment strategies, have yet to be elucidated, particularly in juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Here we establish a model of diabetes in young rats, to examine the consequences of severe hypoglycemia in this age group; particularly seizures and mortality.

High-density intracortical microelectrode arrays with multiple metallization layers for fine-resolution neuromonitoring and neurostimulation.

Intracortical microelectrodes play a prominent role in the operation of neural interfacing systems. They provide an interface for recording neural activities and modulating their behavior through electric stimulation. The performance of such systems is thus directly meliorated by advances in electrode technology.

Hippocampal excitability is increased in aged mice.

Aging is known to be associated with a high risk of developing seizure disorders. Currently, the mechanisms underlying this increased seizure susceptibility are not fully understood. Several previous studies have shown a loss of subgroups of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons in the hippocampus of aged rodents, yet the network excitability intrinsic to the aged hippocampus remains to be elucidated.

Early suppression of intracranial EEG signals predicts ischemic outcome in adult mice following hypoxia-ischemia.

The objective of this study is to determine whether early alterations in intracranial EEG activity predict overall outcome in non-anesthetized adult mice following hypoxia-ischemia (HI). Adult C57BL/6 mice received surgical implantation of bilateral intracranial EEG electrodes in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Animals were subjected to a hypoxic-ischemic (HI) episode consisting of permanent occlusion of the right common carotid artery and subsequent systemic hypoxia (8% O(2) for 30 min).

iPS cells to model CDKL5-related disorders.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a progressive neurologic disorder representing one of the most common causes of mental retardation in females. To date mutations in three genes have been associated with this condition. Classic RTT is caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene, whereas variants can be due to mutations in either MECP2 or FOXG1 or CDKL5.

Acute postischemic seizures are associated with increased mortality and brain damage in adult mice.

Postischemic seizures are associated with worsened outcome following stroke, but the underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood. Here we examined acute seizures in adult mice following hypoxia-ischemia (HI) via combined behavioral, electrophysiological, and histological assessments. C57BL/6 mice aged 4-9 months received a permanent occlusion of the right common carotid artery and then underwent a systemic hypoxic episode.

Epilepsy in Rett syndrome: clinical and genetic features.

Epilepsy often occurs in Rett syndrome and is considered a major problem. The aim of this study was to define the clinical features of epilepsy and the correlation between seizures and both genotype and clinical phenotype in the Rett population. One hundred sixty-five patients with Rett syndrome referred to four Italian centers were recruited.

Alterations of cortical and hippocampal EEG activity in MeCP2-deficient mice.

Rett syndrome is a pediatric neurological condition caused by mutations of the gene encoding the transcriptional regulator MECP2. In this study, we examined cortical and hippocampal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in male and female MeCP2-deficient mice at symptomatic stages during different behavioral states. During acute sleep, MeCP2-deficient mice displayed normal delta-like activity in cortex and sharp-wave activity in hippocampus.