Brain functional alternation in patients with systemic sclerosis: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background: Neuropsychiatric manifestations, such as cognitive impairment, are relatively prevalent in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. This study aimed to investigate the resting state (RS) functional alternations of SSc patients and the potential influenced factors.

Methods: Forty-four SSc patients (mean age, 46.

Diffusing capacity of lungs for carbon monoxide associated with subclinical myocardial impairment in systemic sclerosis: A cardiac MR study.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by microvascular and fibrotic lesions, which are located not only in skin but also in lungs and heart.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between lung function and myocardial T1 values using cardiac MR (CMR) imaging in patients with SSc without cardiovascular symptoms.

Methods: The SSc patients and age- and sex-matched healthy subjects underwent CMR.

Characterization and Assessment of Projection Probability Density Function and Enhanced Sampling in Self-Collimation SPECT.

We have recently reported a self-collimation SPECT (SC-SPECT) design concept that constructs sensitive detectors in a multi-ring interspaced mosaic architecture to simultaneously improve system spatial resolution and sensitivity. In this work, through numerical and Monte-Carlo simulation studies, we investigate this new design concept by analyzing its projection probability density functions (PPDF) and the effects of enhanced sampling, i.e.

Study of Tc absorption on micro-sized ion exchange resins to achieve high activity for SPECT.

In single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), a micro-sized Tc source is routinely used for performance measurement, geometry calibration, and system matrix generation. Therefore, a micro-sized source is critical in nuclear instrument production and quality control. Standard methods can only produce a point source with a large size and low total activity, as they are limited by the concentration of the Tc solution.

Likely Common Role of Hypoxia in Driving F-FDG Uptake in Cancer, Myocardial Ischemia, Inflammation and Infection.

First introduced in 1976, F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has become an indispensable tool for diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of tumors, heart disease, as well as other conditions, including inflammation and infection. Because F-FDG can accurately reflect the glucose metabolism level of organs and tissues, it is known as a "century molecule" and is currently the main agent for PET imaging. The degree of F-FDG uptake by cells is related to both the rate of glucose metabolism and glucose transporter expression.

F-ASEM Imaging for Evaluating Atherosclerotic Plaques Linked to α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular inflammatory procedure alongside with lipid efflux disorder and foam cell formation. α7-Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) is a gated-calcium transmembrane channel widely expressed in neuron and non-neuron cells, such as monocytes and macrophages, activated T cells, dendritic cells, and mast cells. F-ASEM is an inhibitor targeted to α7nAChR that had been successfully applied in nervous system diseases.

Self-Collimating SPECT With Multi-Layer Interspaced Mosaic Detectors.

Conventional single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) relies on mechanical collimation whose resolution and sensitivity are interdependent, the best performance a SPECT system can attain is only a compromise of these two equally desired properties. To simultaneously achieve high resolution and sensitivity, we propose to use sensitive detectors constructed in a multi-layer in ter spaced mosaicdetectors (MATRICES) architecture to accomplish part of the collimation needed. We name this new approach self-collimation.

The Availability of the α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor in Early Identification of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques: A Study Using a Novel F-Label Radioligand PET.

It has been confirmed that the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) is an important target for identifying vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. Previously, we successfully designed and synthesized a series of F-labeled PET molecular probes targeting α7nAChR, which are mainly used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Based on the characteristics of α7nAChR in blood vessels, we have firstly screened for a suitable novel F-labeled PET molecular probe ([F]YLF-DW), with high selectivity for α7nAChR over α4β2nAChR and a good effect for the imaging of atherosclerotic animal models, to effectively identify vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques at an early stage.

Rescue Protocol to Improve the Image Quality of 18F-FDG PET/CT Myocardial Metabolic Imaging.

Purpose: 18F-FDG PET myocardial metabolic imaging is used to estimate myocardial viability. However, poor image quality can affect the accurate quantification of viable myocardium. We assessed the feasibility of a rescue protocol that reinjected low-dose 18F-FDG with simultaneous 1 to 2 U of insulin injection and oral administration of 10 g of glucose to improve the image quality of 18F-FDG PET myocardial metabolic imaging.

Correction to: IGF-1C domain-modified hydrogel enhanced the efficacy of stem cells in the treatment of AMI.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Preserved myocardial viability in patients with chronic total occlusion of a single coronary artery.

Objective: To assess the benefits of coronary collateral circulation on myocardial perfusion, viability and function in patients with total occlusion of a single coronary artery using the Tc-sestamibi SPECT and F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET.

Methods: 164 Consecutive patients were included who underwent coronary angiography results exhibited total occlusion of a single coronary artery and received Tc-MIBI SPECT and F-FDG PET within 90 days of angiography. Myocardial perfusion and viability in patients with collateral circulation and those without it were compared.

IGF-1C domain-modified hydrogel enhanced the efficacy of stem cells in the treatment of AMI.

Background: Due to the low survival rate of cell transplantation, stem cell has not been widely used in clinical treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this study, we immobilized the C domain peptide of insulin-like growth factor-1 on chitosan (CS-IGF-1C) to obtain bioactive hydrogel. The purpose was to investigate whether CS-IGF-1C hydrogel incorporated with human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hP-MSCs) can boost the survival of hP-MSCs and enhance their therapeutic effects.

IGF-1C domain-modified hydrogel enhances therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells for hindlimb ischemia.

Background: Poor cell engraftment and survival after transplantation limited the application of stem cell therapy. Synthetic biomaterials could provide an artificial microenvironment for stem cells, thereby improve cell survival and enhance the therapeutic efficiency of stem cells.

Methods: We synthesized a hydrogel by conjugating C domain peptide of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1C) onto chitosan (CS-IGF-1C hydrogel).

Evaluation of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction by Tc-MIBI gated SPECT and F-FDG gated PET in patients with prior myocardial infarction.

Background: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of gated-SPECT (GSPECT) and gated-PET (GPET) in the assessment of left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volumes (EDVs), end-systolic volumes (ESVs) and LV ejection fractions (LVEFs) among patients with prior myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: One hundred and sixty-eight consecutive patients with MI who underwent GSPECT and GPET were included. Of them, 76 patients underwent CMR in addition to the two imaging modalities.

Prostaglandin E hydrogel improves cutaneous wound healing via M2 macrophages polarization.

Wound healing is regulated by a complex series of events and overlapping phases. A delicate balance of cytokines and mediators in tissue repair is required for optimal therapy in clinical applications. Molecular imaging technologies, with their versatility in monitoring cellular and molecular events in living organisms, offer tangible options to better guide tissue repair by regulating the balance of cytokines and mediators at injured sites.

Relationship of myocardial hibernation, scar, and angiographic collateral flow in ischemic cardiomyopathy with coronary chronic total occlusion.

Background: The relationship between myocardial viability and angiographic collateral flow is not fully elucidated in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) with coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO). We aimed to clarify the relationship between myocardial hibernation, myocardial scar, and angiographic collateral flow in these patients.

Methods And Results: Seventy-one consecutive ICM patients with 122 CTOs and 652 dysfunctional segments within CTO territories were retrospectively analyzed.

Nitric oxide releasing hydrogel promotes endothelial differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.

Unlabelled: Transplantation of endothelial cells (ECs) holds great promise for treating various kinds of ischemic diseases. However, the major challenge in ECs-based therapy in clinical applications is to provide high quality and enough amounts of cells. In this study, we developed a simple and efficient system to direct endothelial differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) using a controllable chitosan nitric oxide (NO)-releasing hydrogel (CS-NO).

Dual-time-point myocardial F-FDG imaging in the detection of coronary artery disease.

Background: Myocardial F-deoxyglucose (F-FDG) uptake has been observed to be enhanced in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) under fasting conditions. However, whether the increased F-FDG is induced by myocardial ischemia and how to discriminate ischemic from physiological F-FDG uptake have rarely been investigated.

Methods: Under fasting conditions, F-FDG PET imaging was performed in 52 patients with suspected CAD.

Myocardial Infarction in a Patient With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy but Normal Coronary Arteries.

A 57-year-old man with a history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosed by echocardiography experienced atypical chest pain and dyspnea for 6 months. A rest Tc-MIBI myocardial SPECT imaging and a F-FDG myocardial PET/CT imaging were performed, which showed multiple matched myocardial perfusion/metabolism defects in the left ventricle, indicating scar tissue. Surprisingly, subsequent contrast coronary angiography revealed no significant coronary artery stenosis.