The Effect of Dipeptide Repeat Proteins on FUS/TDP43-RNA Condensation in C9orf72 ALS/FTD.

Condensation of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) with RNA is essential for cellular function. The most common familial cause of the diseases ALS and FTD is C9orf72 repeat expansion disorders that produce dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs). We explore the hypothesis that DPRs disrupt the native condensation behavior of RBPs and RNA through molecular interactions resulting in toxicity.

Continuous erector spinae plane block versus thoracic epidural analgesia in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a prospective randomized open-label non-inferiority trial.

Background And Objectives: The evolving surgical techniques in thoracoscopic surgery necessitate the exploration of anesthesiological techniques. This study aimed to investigate whether incorporating a continuous erector spinae plane (ESP) block into a multimodal analgesia regimen is non-inferior to continuous thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) in terms of quality of postoperative recovery for patients undergoing elective unilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label non-inferiority trial between July 2020 and December 2022.

Feasibility of Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction Calculation Using Electrocardiographically Gated SPECT Acquisition of 99m Tc-HDP Bone Scintigraphy in Cardiac Amyloidosis.

We performed bone scintigraphy in 6 patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis. To evaluate feasibility of left ventricle function analysis, we additionally performed electrocardiographically gated SPECT acquisition. The cardiac-gated SPECT data confirmed adequate tracer uptake for automatic myocardial contour determination.

Continuous erector spinae plane block versus thoracic epidural analgesia in video-assisted thoracic surgery: a study protocol for a prospective randomized open label non-inferiority trial.

Background: Thoracic epidural analgesia is considered the gold standard for pain relief in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. This neuraxial technique blocks pain sensation by injecting a local anesthetic agent in the epidural space near the spinal cord to block spinal nerve roots. Recently, the erector spinae plane block has been introduced as a practical alternative to the thoracic epidural.

Diabetes Mellitus-Related Fractional Glucose Uptake in Men and Women Imaged With F-FDG PET-CT.

Context: Cohort studies show that cognitive dysfunction and both vascular and Alzheimer's dementia are more common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Objective: To review and compare brain volume and F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in brain of individuals age 60 to 70 years with or without type 2 diabetes.

Design: We searched 620 medical records for negative FDG PET-CT scans obtained during 33 months.

Unexplained mortality differences between septic shock trials: a systematic analysis of population characteristics and control-group mortality rates.

Purpose: Although the definition of septic shock has been standardized, some variation in mortality rates among clinical trials is expected. Insights into the sources of heterogeneity may influence the design and interpretation of septic shock studies. We set out to identify inclusion criteria and baseline characteristics associated with between-trial differences in control group mortality rates.

FDG-PET/CT Limited to the Thorax and Upper Abdomen for Staging and Management of Lung Cancer.

Purpose: This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of [F-18]-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) of the chest/upper abdomen compared to the generally performed scan from head to upper thighs, for staging and management of (suspected) lung cancer in patients with no history of malignancy or complaints outside the thorax.

Methods: FDG-PET/CT scans of 1059 patients with suspected or recently proven lung cancer, with no history of malignancy or complaints outside the thorax, were analysed in a retrospective multi-centre trial. Suspect FDG-avid lesions in the chest and upper abdomen, the head and neck area above the shoulder line and in the abdomen and pelvis below the caudal tip of the liver were noted.

Serial Quantitative TSPO-Targeted PET Reveals Peak Microglial Activation up to 2 Weeks After an Epileptogenic Brain Insult.

Unlabelled: Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that neuroinflammation, triggered by epileptogenic insults, contributes to seizure development. We used translocator protein-targeted molecular imaging to obtain further insights into the role of microglial activation during epileptogenesis.

Methods: As epileptogenic insult, a status epilepticus (SE) was induced in rats by lithium pilocarpine.

Radiolabeling of Nanoparticles and Polymers for PET Imaging.

Nanomedicine has become an emerging field in imaging and therapy of malignancies. Nanodimensional drug delivery systems have already been used in the clinic, as carriers for sensitive chemotherapeutics or highly toxic substances. In addition, those nanodimensional structures are further able to carry and deliver radionuclides.

The influence of SPECT reconstruction algorithms on image quality and diagnostic accuracy in phantom measurements and 99mTc-sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the influence and clinical consequences of different tomographic reconstruction algorithms on the image quality and diagnostic accuracy of low count statistics single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Methods: Phantom scans were used to assess the image quality (percentage of recovered contrast, relative noise level, and spatial resolution). The diagnostic accuracy of parathyroid SPECT performed in 60 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism was assessed.

Role of phosphoinositide metabolism in functional antagonism of airway smooth muscle contraction by beta-adrenoceptor agonists.

Histamine and the muscarinic agonists, methacholine, oxotremorine, and McN-A-343, were used to contract guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle preparations. Cumulative dose-relaxation curves with isoprenaline were performed subsequently. In addition, the concentration-dependent induction of phosphoinositide metabolism by the contractile agonists was measured in bovine tracheal smooth muscle.

Evidence for a direct relationship between phosphoinositide metabolism and airway smooth muscle contraction induced by muscarinic agonists.

The relationship between bovine tracheal muscle contraction and phosphoinositide metabolism was studied with the muscarinic agonists, methacholine, oxotremorine, and McN-A-343. Analysis of the dose-response curves for contraction and inositol phosphates accumulation with these agonists demonstrated a direct relationship between the two parameters, with a considerable reserve of inositol phosphate production for the full contractile agonists, methacholine and oxotremorine, and no reserve for the partial agonist, McN-A-343.