Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of the Image Quality of MDCT Multiphasic Liver Scans in HCC Patients.

The quality of CT images obtained from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is complex, affecting diagnostic accuracy, precision, and radiation dose assessment due to increased exposure risks. The study evaluated image quality qualitatively and quantitatively by comparing quality levels with an effective radiation dose to ensure acceptable quality accuracy. This study retrospectively reviewed 100 known HCC patients (Li-RADS-5) who underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) multiphasic scans for follow-up of their health condition between January and October 2023.

Recipient Cells Are the Source of Hematologic Malignancies After Graft Failure and Mixed Chimerism in Adults with SCD.

Non-myeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a curative option for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Our traditional goal with this approach has been to achieve a state of mixed donor/recipient chimerism. Recently, we reported an increased risk of hematologic malignancies (HMs) in adults with SCD following graft failure or mixed chimerism.

Corneal Confocal and Specular Microscopic Characteristics in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)-Based Case-Control Study.

Background: Glaucoma, particularly open-angle glaucoma (OAG), is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, associated with optic nerve damage, retinal ganglion cell death, and visual field defects. Corneal biomechanical properties and cellular components, such as corneal nerve and keratocyte densities assessed by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), may serve as biomarkers for glaucoma progression. This study aimed to explore the relationship between corneal nerve parameters, keratocyte density, and optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and controls.

A novel index to predict the cost of green resilient buildings.

Climate change impacts the demand of the construction industry to reduce its carbon footprint while increasing the resilience of the buildings. This twofold need emphasises better understanding and cost prediction of green resilient buildings based on their 'resilience' and 'sustainability', which is very limited or based on obsolete perceptions and stereotypes. This study presents a novel index to predict the cost of converting a conventional building to a green-resilient building.

COVID-19 dynamic modeling of immune variability and multistage vaccination strategies: A case study in Malaysia.

Hybrid-immune and immunodeficient individuals have been identified by the World Health Organization as two vulnerable groups in the context of COVID-19, but their distinct characteristics remain underexplored. To address this gap, we developed an extended compartmental model that simulates the spread of COVID-19 and the impact of administering three doses of the vaccine (first, second, and booster). This study aims to provide insights into how these vulnerable populations respond to vaccination and the dynamics of waning immunity.