CT radiation dose reduction with tin filter for localisation/characterisation level image quality in PET-CT: a phantom study.

Background: The tin filter has allowed radiation dose reduction in some standalone diagnostic computed tomography (CT) applications. Yet, 'low-dose' CT scans are commonly used in positron emission tomography (PET)-CT for lesion localisation/characterisation (L/C), with higher noise tolerated. Thus, dose reductions permissible with the tin filter at this image quality level may differ.

Ultra-low-dose CT for attenuation correction: dose savings and effect on PET quantification for protocols with and without tin filter.

Background: Ultra-low-dose (ULD) computed tomography (CT) scans should be used when CT is performed only for attenuation correction (AC) of positron emission tomography (PET) data. A tin filter can be used in addition to the standard aluminium bowtie filter to reduce CT radiation dose to patients. The aim was to determine how low CT doses can be, when utilised for PET AC, with and without the tin filter, whilst providing adequate PET quantification.

Redox processes acidify and decarboxylate steam-pretreated lignocellulosic biomass and are modulated by LPMO and catalase.

Background: The bioconversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks to ethanol is being commercialised, but further process development is required to improve their economic feasibility. Efficient saccharification of lignocellulose to fermentable sugars requires oxidative cleavage of glycosidic linkages by lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs). However, a proper understanding of the catalytic mechanism of this enzyme class and the interaction with other redox processes associated with the saccharification of lignocellulose is still lacking.

[Acute promyelocytic leukaemia].

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia has changed from being a highly fatal to a highly curable disease. Over time, key discoveries have identified the genetic and molecular abnormalities, which cause the disease. First choice of treatment has now changed from all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy to a chemo-free combination of arsenic trixoide and ATRA.

[Periostal interposition in epiphysiolysis, diagnosed by ultrasound].

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is a rapidly expanding diagnostic field. High frequency transducers with high spacial resolution make it possible to demonstrate superficial soft tissue structures such as tendons, muscles, ligaments and even, under certain circumstances, fractures and periosteum. A case is presented where ultrasound clearly visualised periostal interposition in a distal tibial epiphysiolysis in an eight year-old boy, and some aspects of ultrasound in musculo-skeletal imaging are discussed.