Influence of reconstruction parameters during filtered backprojection and ordered-subset expectation maximization in the measurement of the left-ventricular volumes and function during gated SPECT.

Unlabelled: A crucial method for investigating patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is the calculation of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). It is, consequently, imperative to precisely estimate the value of LVEF--a process that can be done with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Therefore, the present study aimed to establish and compare the estimation performance of the quantitative parameters of the reconstruction methods filtered backprojection (FBP) and ordered-subset expectation maximization (OSEM).

Performance of 18F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine (18F-FET) PET for the differential diagnosis of primary brain tumor: a systematic review and Metaanalysis.

Unlabelled: For the past decade, PET with (18)F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine ((18)F-FET) has been used in the evaluation of patients with primary brain tumors (PBTs), but so far series have reported only a limited number of patients. The purpose of this systematic review and metaanalysis was to assess the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FET PET in patients with suspicion of PBT.

Methods: We examined studies published in the literature using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases.

Characterization of the Burkholderia pseudomallei K96243 capsular polysaccharide I coding region.

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, a disease endemic to regions of Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. Both humans and a range of other animal species are susceptible to melioidosis, and the production of a group 3 polysaccharide capsule in B. pseudomallei is essential for virulence.

Effects of paraoxonase activity and gene polymorphism on coronary vasomotion.

Background: Paraoxonase 1 [PON1] is recognized as a protective enzyme against LDL oxidation, and PON1 polymorphism has been described as a factor influencing coronary heart disease [CHD] free survival. As coronary vasoreactivity is a surrogate of future cardiovascular events, we aimed at assessing the respective effect of the PON1 genotype and activity on coronary vasoreactivity in a population of type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: Nineteen patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus underwent 82Rb cardiac PET/CT to quantify myocardial blood flow [MBF] at rest, during cold pressor testing [CPT], and during adenosine-induced hyperaemia to compute myocardial flow reserve [MFR].

Hedgehog signaling inhibition blocks growth of resistant tumors through effects on tumor microenvironment.

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is implicated in bone development and cellular transformation. Here we show that inhibition of Hh pathway activity inhibits tumor growth through effects on the microenvironment. Pharmacologic inhibition of the Hh effector Smoothened (Smo) increased trabecular bone in vivo and inhibited osteoclastogenesis in vitro.

Portal vein embolization: what do we know?

Portal vein embolization (PVE) has been developed to increase the size of the future remnant liver (FRL) left in place after major hepatectomy, thus reducing the risk of postoperative liver insufficiency. PVE consist in embolizing preoperatively portal branches of the segments that will be resected. Indication is based on preoperative measurements of the FRL by computed tomography and its ratio with either the theoretical liver volume or by direct measurement of the functional liver volume.

Physical activity, body mass index and bone mineral density-associations in a prospective population-based cohort of women and men: the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos).

Background: Physical activity (PA) is an important modifiable risk factor for both bone mineral density (BMD) and body mass index (BMI). However, BMI is itself strongly predictive of BMD. Our aim was to determine the association between PA and BMD, with consideration of BMI as a potential mediating factor.

Generalized polaron ansatz for the ground state of the sub-Ohmic spin-boson model: an analytic theory of the localization transition.

The sub-Ohmic spin-boson model possesses a quantum phase transition at zero temperature between a localized and a delocalized phase, whose properties have so far only been extracted by numerical approaches. Here we present an extension of the Silbey-Harris variational polaron ansatz which allows us to develop an analytical theory which correctly describes a continuous transition with mean-field exponents for 0 View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Assessment of coronary vasoreactivity by multidetector computed tomography: feasibility study with rubidium-82 cardiac positron emission tomography.

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) during the cold pressor test (CPT) has been used to assess endothelium-dependent coronary vasoreactivity, a surrogate marker of cardiovascular events. However, its use remains limited by cardiac PET availability. As multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is more widely available, we aimed to develop a measurement of endothelium-dependent coronary vasoreactivity with MDCT and similar radiation burden as with PET.

(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in patients with liver metastases from uveal melanoma: results from a pilot study.

Purpose: (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and MRI are used for detecting liver metastases from uveal melanoma. The introduction of new treatment options in clinical trials might benefit from early response assessment. Here, we determine the value of FDG-PET/CT with respect to MRI at diagnosis and its potential for monitoring therapy.

68Ga-NODAGA-RGDyK for αvβ3 integrin PET imaging. Preclinical investigation and dosimetry.

Aim: To visualize neovasculature and/or tumour integrin αvβ3 we selected the binding moiety Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Tyr-Lys (RGDyK) coupled to NODAGA for labeling with 68Ga.

Methods: NODAGA-RGDyK (ABX) was labeled with the 68Ga eluate from the 68Ge generator IGG100 using the processor unit PharmTracer. Biodistribution was measured in female Hsd mice sacrificed 10, 30, 60 and 90 min after i.

Chemiluminometric evaluation of melatonin and selected melatonin precursors' interaction with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.

Melatonin is a hormone, a derivative of tryptophan, that possesses a potent scavenging capacity for the most reactive and dangerous free radicals, being an important protection against oxidative stress. In this work, an automated flow-based procedure for assessment of melatonin, tryptophan, and 5-hydroxytryptophan scavenging capacity was developed. The presented methodology involved a multi-pumping flow system and exploited the ability of selected compounds to inhibit the chemiluminescence reaction of luminol with hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and peroxynitrite anion.

Predicting fracture using 2D finite element modelling.

A decrease in bone density at the hip or spine has been shown to increase the risk of fracture. A limitation of the bone mineral density (BMD) measurement is that it provides only a measure of a bone sample's average density when projected onto a 2D surface. Effectively, what determines bone fracture is whether an applied load exceeds ultimate strength, with both bone tissue material properties (can be approximated through bone density), and geometry playing a role.

Fluid Retention over the Menstrual Cycle: 1-Year Data from the Prospective Ovulation Cohort.

We report menstrual and mid-cycle patterns of self-reported "fluid retention" in 765 menstrual cycles in 62 healthy women. Self-reported "fluid retention," commonly described as bloating, is one element of the clinical assessment and diagnosis of premenstrual symptoms. These daily diary data were collected as part of an observational prospective one-year study of bone changes in healthy women of differing exercise characteristics.

Influence of dietary state and insulin on myocardial, skeletal muscle and brain [F]-fluorodeoxyglucose kinetics in mice.

Background: We evaluated the effect of insulin stimulation and dietary changes on myocardial, skeletal muscle and brain [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) kinetics and uptake in vivo in intact mice.

Methods: Mice were anesthetized with isoflurane and imaged under different conditions: non-fasted (n = 7; "controls"), non-fasted with insulin (2 IU/kg body weight) injected subcutaneously immediately prior to FDG (n = 6), fasted (n = 5), and fasted with insulin injection (n = 5). A 60-min small-animal PET with serial blood sampling and kinetic modeling was performed.

O-linked glycosylation of the PilA pilin protein of Francisella tularensis: identification of the endogenous protein-targeting oligosaccharyltransferase and characterization of the native oligosaccharide.

Findings from a number of studies suggest that the PilA pilin proteins may play an important role in the pathogenesis of disease caused by species within the genus Francisella. As such, a thorough understanding of PilA structure and chemistry is warranted. Here, we definitively identified the PglA protein-targeting oligosaccharyltransferase by virtue of its necessity for PilA glycosylation in Francisella tularensis and its sufficiency for PilA glycosylation in Escherichia coli.

Glycosylation of DsbA in Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis.

In Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis, DsbA has been shown to be an essential virulence factor and has been observed to migrate to multiple protein spots on two-dimensional electrophoresis gels. In this work, we show that the protein is modified with a 1,156-Da glycan moiety in O-linkage.

Influence of chronic diseases on long-term change in physical health: a consultation-survey linkage cohort study in general practice.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of disease severity within cardiovascular disease (CVD) and musculoskeletal (MSK) disorder spectrums on physical health change over 3 years.

Methods: Consultation records of 4,672 patients aged 50 years and above from six general practices were linked to their baseline and 3-year Short-Form-12 (SF-12) physical component summary (PCS) scores. Associations between exclusive diagnostic categories and comorbid counts with physical health change over 3 years were examined.

Spine-hip T-score difference predicts major osteoporotic fracture risk independent of FRAX(®): a population-based report from CAMOS.

The WHO fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX(®)) estimates an individual's 10-yr major osteoporotic and hip fracture probabilities. When bone mineral density (BMD) is included in the FRAX calculation, only the femoral neck measurement can be used. Recently, a procedure was reported for adjusting major osteoporotic fracture probability from FRAX with femoral neck BMD based on the difference (offset) between the lumbar spine and the femoral neck T-score values.

Low-dose exposure of C57BL/6 mice to burkholderia pseudomallei mimics chronic human melioidosis.

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the etiological agent of human melioidosis, a disease with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from fatal septicemia to chronic localized infection or asymptomatic latent infection. Most clinical and immunological studies to date have focused on the acute disease process; however, little is known about pathology and immune response in chronic melioidosis. Here, we have developed a murine model of chronic disease by challenging C57BL/6 mice intranasally with a low dose of B.

A qualitative analysis of attitudes to face transplants: contrasting views of the general public and medical professionals.

While there has been a considerable criticism and debate about face transplantation from ethicists, surgeons and psychologists, little is known about the attitudes of medical professionals and the general public whose support will be necessary if face transplants are to be accepted. This study therefore conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with medical professionals (8) and the general public (8) to explore their understanding of and attitudes to face transplants. A thematic analysis was used to analyse these data.

Automatic miniaturized fluorometric flow system for chemical and toxicological control of glibenclamide.

In this work, and for the first time, it was developed an automatic and fast screening miniaturized flow system for the toxicological control of glibenclamide in beverages, with application in forensic laboratory investigations, and also, for the chemical control of commercially available pharmaceutical formulations. The automatic system exploited the multipumping flow (MPFS) concept and allowed the implementation of a new glibenclamide determination method based on the fluorometric monitoring of the drug in acidic medium (λ(ex)=301 nm; λ(em)=404 nm), in the presence of an anionic surfactant (SDS), promoting an organized micellar medium to enhance the fluorometric measurements. The developed approach assured good recoveries in the analysis of five spiked alcoholic beverages.

Flagellar glycosylation in Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia thailandensis.

Glycosylation of proteins is known to impart novel physical properties and biological roles to proteins from both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. In this study, gel-based glycoproteomics were used to identify glycoproteins of the potential biothreat agent Burkholderia pseudomallei and the closely related but nonpathogenic B. thailandensis.

Six of 12 relapsed or refractory indolent lymphoma patients treated 10 years ago with 131I-tositumomab remain in complete remission.

Unlabelled: The purpose of our study was to update the safety and efficacy results of radioimmunotherapy in relapsed or resistant indolent or transformed non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Methods: More than 9 y ago, we treated 12 indolent and 4 transformed, relapsed or refractory lymphoma patients with a single administration of nonmyeloablative therapy with tositumomab and (131)I-tositumomab. The 16 patients had a mean of 3.

Diagnostic performance of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in giant cell arteritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and perform a meta-analysis on the diagnostic performances of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) for giant cell arteritis (GCA), with or without polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles in English that evaluated FDG PET in GCA or PMR. All complete studies were reviewed and qualitatively analysed.