Regional Distribution of Extracellular Volume Quantified by Cardiac CT in Aortic Stenosis: Insights Into Disease Mechanisms and Impact on Outcomes.

Background: Extracellular volume fraction (ECV) is a marker for myocardial fibrosis and infiltration, can be quantified using cardiac computed tomography (ECV), and has prognostic utility in several diseases. This study aims to map out regional differences in ECV to obtain greater insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of ECV expansion and its clinical implications.

Methods: Three prospective cohorts were included: patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and coexisting AS and transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis were referred for a transcatheter aortic valve replacement and had ECG-gated CT angiography and Technetium-99m-labelled 3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid scintigraphy to differentiate between the 2 cohorts.

Coercive measures in psychiatry - When do they occur and who is at risk?

Coercive measures (CM) in psychiatry adversely affect patients and efforts to minimize CM are steadily increasing. One area that has not been a strong focus of preventative efforts to date is the time of use of CM during hospitalization although previous research indicates that the admission situation and early hospitalization are times of increased risk for CM. This study therefore aims to contribute to the body of research in this field by analyzing in detail the times of use of CM and identifying patient characteristics serving as predictors for CM during early hospitalization.

A novel method for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma response to chemoembolization using an intraprocedural CT hepatic arteriography-based enhancement mapping: a proof-of-concept analysis.

Background: To evaluate the feasibility of a novel approach for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) response to drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) using computed tomography hepatic arteriography enhancement mapping (CTHA-EM) method.

Methods: This three-institution retrospective study included 29 patients with 46 HCCs treated with DEB-TACE between 2017 and 2020. Pre- and posttreatment CTHA-EM images were generated using a prototype deformable registration and subtraction software.

Utilizing an emergency medicine stabilization team to provide critical care in a rural health system.

Introduction: Over the past decade, Emergency Department (ED) patient volumes have increased more than available hospital ICU capacity. This has led to increased boarding and crowding in EDs, requiring new methods of providing intensive care. Many hospitals nationwide have developed ICU boarding mitigation strategies at the hospital and ED level or implemented ED-based resuscitative care units to improve patient care and disposition.

Patient communication ability as predictor of involuntary admission and coercive measures in psychiatric inpatient treatment.

Coercive measures (CM) and involuntary admission to psychiatric treatment can have detrimental consequences for patients. Past research shows that certain clinical, treatment and admission-related characteristics put patients at a higher risk of experiencing CM and involuntary admission. Although of high societal importance, the association between patients' communication ability and CM and involuntary admission has not been subject of past research.

Adolescent Positivity and Future Orientation, Parental Psychological Control, and Young Adult Internalising Behaviours during COVID-19 in Nine Countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many young adults' lives educationally, economically, and personally. This study investigated associations between COVID-19-related disruption and perception of increases in internalising symptoms among young adults and whether these associations were moderated by earlier measures of adolescent positivity and future orientation and parental psychological control. Participants included 1329 adolescents at Time 1, and 810 of those participants as young adults ( age = 20, 50.

Extracellular Volume Quantification With Cardiac Late Enhancement Scanning Using Dual-Source Photon-Counting Detector CT.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of cardiac late enhancement (LE) scanning for extracellular volume (ECV) quantification with dual-source photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT).

Materials And Methods: In this institutional review board-approved study, 30 patients (mean age, 79 years; 12 women; mean body mass index, 28 kg/m2) with severe aortic stenosis undergoing PCD-CT as part of their preprocedural workup for transcatheter aortic valve replacement were included. The scan protocol consisted of a nonenhanced calcium-scoring scan, coronary CT angiography (CTA) followed by CTA of the thoracoabdominal aorta, and a low-dose LE scan 5 minutes after the administration of 100 mL contrast media (all scans electrocardiogram-gated).

Photon-Counting Detector CT-Based Vascular Calcium Removal Algorithm: Assessment Using a Cardiac Motion Phantom.

Objectives: The diagnostic performance of coronary computed tomography angiography is known to be negatively affected by the presence of severely calcified plaques in the coronary arteries. In this article, the performance of a novel image reconstruction algorithm (PureLumen) based on spectral CT data of a first-generation dual-source photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) system was assessed in a phantom study. PureLumen tries to remove only the calcified contributions from the image while leaving the rest unmodified.

Dynamic Myocardial Perfusion CT for the Detection of Hemodynamically Significant Coronary Artery Disease.

Objectives: In this international, multicenter study, using third-generation dual-source computed tomography (CT), we investigated the diagnostic performance of dynamic stress CT myocardial perfusion imaging (CT-MPI) in addition to coronary CT angiography (CTA) compared to invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Background: CT-MPI combined with coronary CTA integrates coronary artery anatomy with inducible myocardial ischemia, showing promising results for the diagnosis of hemodynamically significant coronary artery disease in single-center studies.

Methods: At 9 centers in Europe, Japan, and the United States, 132 patients scheduled for ICA were enrolled; 114 patients successfully completed coronary CTA, adenosine-stress dynamic CT-MPI, and ICA.

Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging as a Monitoring Tool for On-Demand Manufacturing of Inkjet-Printed Formulations.

This study evaluates the potential use of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) for quantitative determination of the drug amount in inkjet-printed dosage forms. We chose metformin hydrochloride as a model active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and printed it onto gelatin films using a piezoelectric inkjet printing system. An industry-ready NIR-HSI sensor combined with a motorized movable linear stage was applied for spectral acquisition.

Feasibility of a specific task-oriented training versus its combination with manual therapy on balance and mobility in people post stroke at the chronic stage: study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: Large studies have shown that stroke is among the most relevant causes of acquired adult disability. Walking and balance impairment in stroke survivors often contribute to a restriction in daily activities and social participation. Task-oriented training (TOT) is an effective treatment strategy and manual therapy (MT) is used successfully to enhance ankle joint flexibility in this population.

Intraoperative blood loss as indicated by haemoglobin trend is a predictor for the development of postoperative spinal implant infection-a matched-pair analysis.

Background: With a reported rate of 0.7-20%, postoperative spinal implant infection (PSII) is one of the most common complications after spine surgery. While in arthroplasty both haematoma formation and perioperative blood loss have been identified as risk factors for developing periprosthetic joint infections and preoperative anaemia has been associated with increased complication rates, literature on the aetiology of PSII remains limited.

Fusion of Preinterventional MR Imaging With Liver Perfusion CT After RFA of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Early Quantitative Prediction of Local Recurrence.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of fusion of pretreatment magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with posttreatment perfusion-CT (P-CT) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and to determine treatment success in an objective, quantitative way.

Materials And Methods: In this institutional review board-approved study, 39 patients (78.4% male; mean age 68.

Identifying Cardiac Amyloid in Aortic Stenosis: ECV Quantification by CT in TAVR Patients.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to validate computed tomography measured ECV (ECV) as part of routine evaluation for the detection of cardiac amyloid in patients with aortic stenosis (AS)-amyloid.

Background: AS-amyloid affects 1 in 7 elderly patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Bone scintigraphy with exclusion of a plasma cell dyscrasia can diagnose transthyretin-related cardiac amyloid noninvasively, for which novel treatments are emerging.

A new score for characterizing the visibility of anatomical structures during ultrasound guided regional anesthesia: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: To identify anatomical structures using sonography can be challenging, yet it is a basic requirement for effective and safe ultrasound guided nerve blocks. In clinical routine, we find a wide variety in the visibility of anatomical structures. Aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a newly developed visibility score for anatomical structures in ultrasound guided regional anesthesia.

DPD Quantification in Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Novel Imaging Biomarker.

Objectives: To assess whether single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) quantification of bone scintigraphy would improve diagnostic accuracy and offer a means of quantifying amyloid burden.

Background: Transthyretin-related cardiac amyloidosis is common and can be diagnosed noninvasively using bone scintigraphy; interpretation, however, relies on planar images. SPECT/CT imaging offers 3-dimensional visualization.

Comparing the outcomes of two independent computed tomography perfusion softwares and their impact on therapeutic decisions in acute ischemic stroke.

Background: To compare the computed tomography perfusion (CTP) outcomes derived from two commercial CTP processing software and evaluate their concordance in terms of eligibility for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), based on DEFUSE III criteria.

Methods: A total of 118 patients (62 patients in the MT group and 56 patients in the non-MT (NMT) group) were included. Volumetric perfusion outputs were compared between Syngo.

Minimizing cortical disturbance to access ventricular subependymoma - A novel approach utilizing spinal minimally invasive tubular retractor system.

Background: Subependymomas are rare benign tumors found primarily in the lateral and fourth ventricles. Patients become symptomatic when the tumor obstructs cerebrospinal fluid pathways. We present a novel minimally invasive technique for lateral ventricular subependymoma resection.

Computed Tomography for 4-Dimensional Angiography and Perfusion Imaging of the Prostate for Embolization Planning of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a computed tomography (CT) protocol enabling the visualization of the prostatic artery (PA) before prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in benign prostatic hyperplasia, which provides quantitative perfusion information of the prostate gland.

Materials And Methods: In this institutional review board-approved study, 22 consecutive patients (mean age, 67 ± 7 years) who were planned to undergo PAE underwent a dynamic CT scan of the pelvis (scan range, 22.4 cm; cycle time, 1.

Achieving comparable perfusion results across vendors. The next step in standardizing stroke care: a technical report.

Background: The role of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has been further expanded by recent trials which relied on the results of CT perfusion (CTP) imaging. However, CTP parameters for ischemia and infarct can vary significantly across different vendors.

Methods: We compared the outcomes of the Siemens CTP software against the clinically validated RAPID software in 45 consecutive patients with suspected AIS.

Prediction of Local Tumor Progression after Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Assessment of Ablative Margin Using Pre-RFA MRI and Post-RFA CT Registration.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical impact of using registration software for ablative margin assessment on pre-radiofrequency ablation (RFA) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and post-RFA computed tomography (CT) compared with the conventional side-by-side MR-CT visual comparison.

Materials And Methods: In this Institutional Review Board-approved prospective study, 68 patients with 88 hepatocellulcar carcinomas (HCCs) who had undergone pre-RFA MRI were enrolled. Informed consent was obtained from all patients.

A multi-amplicon 16S rRNA sequencing and analysis method for improved taxonomic profiling of bacterial communities.

Metagenomic sequencing of bacterial samples has become the gold standard for profiling microbial populations, but 16S rRNA profiling remains widely used due to advantages in sample throughput, cost, and sensitivity even though the approach is hampered by primer bias and lack of specificity. We hypothesized that a hybrid approach, that combined targeted PCR amplification with high-throughput sequencing of multiple regions of the genome, would capture many of the advantages of both approaches. We developed a method that identifies and quantifies members of bacterial communities through simultaneous analysis of multiple variable regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene.

Comprehensive morphologic and functional imaging of heart transplant patients: first experience with dynamic perfusion CT.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of a combined protocol with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and stress CT perfusion imaging (CTP) in heart transplant patients for comprehensive morphological and functional imaging.

Methods: In this prospective study, 13 patients undergoing routine follow-up 8±6 years after heart transplantation underwent CCTA and dynamic adenosine stress CTP using a third-generation dual-source CT scanner, cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) adenosine stress perfusion imaging at 1.5 T, and catheter coronary angiography.