18F-FDG PET/CT contribution to tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis diagnosis: a case report.

Tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis (TVO) is an extrapulmonary tuberculosis form characterized by difficulty and delay in diagnosis. PET/CT is a valuable, well-established tool in the diagnostic workup of cancer and fever of unknown origin, which is increasingly appreciated in the management of infectious diseases. We report a TVO case where PET/CT had a valuable contribution towards diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response, highlighting its advantages and future perspectives when dealing with infectious diseases.

Mechanical, Electrical, and Thermal Properties of Carbon Nanotube Buckypapers/Epoxy Nanocomposites Produced by Oxidized and Epoxidized Nanotubes.

High volume fraction carbon nanotube (CNT) composites (7.5-16% vol.) were fabricated by the impregnation of CNT buckypapers into epoxy resin.

Diagnostic Value of F-FDG-PET/CT in Patients with FUO.

Conventional diagnostic imaging is often ineffective in revealing the underlying cause in a considerable proportion of patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO). The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG-PET/CT) in patients with FUO. We retrospectively reviewed F-FDG-PET/CT scans performed on 50 consecutive adult patients referred to our department for further investigation of classic FUO.

Comparison of White Blood Cell Scintigraphy, FDG PET/CT and MRI in Suspected Diabetic Foot Infection: Results of a Large Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) represent one of the most frequent and disabling morbidities of longstanding diabetes; therefore, early diagnosis is mandatory. The aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of white blood cell scintigraphy (WBC), F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((F) FDG PET/CT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in patients with suspected DFI. Images and clinical data from 251 patients enrolled by five centers were collected in order to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of WBC, FDG, and MRI in diagnosing osteomyelitis (OM), soft-tissue infection (STI), and Charcot osteoarthropathy.

Sanitary effect of FE-DBD cold plasma in ambient air on sewage biosolids.

Sewage sludge is treated by means of cold plasma and stabilization in terms of biological load deactivation is achieved. The plasma is produced by floating electrode dielectric barrier discharge operating with air under atmospheric pressure conditions. The process is presented in detail and the discharge is characterized electrically.