Cardiothoracic Radiologist Workload, Work Capacity, and Burnout Post-COVID: Results of a Survey From the Society of Thoracic Radiology.

In this report and analysis of the results of a late 2021 post-COVID pandemic survey of members of the Society of Thoracic Radiology, we compared cardiothoracic radiologist workloads and burnout rates with those obtained from a prepandemic survey of society members. The more recent survey also asked respondents to provide a subjective assessment of their individual workload capacity should they be required to read cases at a section average daily case work volume, and this assessment was correlated with burnout rates. To measure nonrelative value unit workload, we requested data on non-case-related work responsibilities including teaching and multidisciplinary conferences that were not assessed in the first survey.

Imaging to intervention: Thoracic outlet syndrome.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a clinical disorder resulting from compression of the neurovascular bundle of the lower neck and upper chest. TOS can be categorized into neurogenic, venous, and arterial subtypes which result from anatomical compression of the brachial plexus, subclavian vein, and subclavian artery, respectively. This can lead to neurogenic pain as well as vascular injury with thrombosis and thromboembolism.

Adrenal vein sampling for ACTH-producing pheochromocytomas.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing pheochromocytoma can cause a variety of clinical manifestations of excess catecholamine and corticosteroid. Anatomic localization of this source of ectopic ACTH is critical to facilitate unilateral adrenalectomy and prevent adrenal insufficiency due to bilateral adrenalectomy. Although nuclear scintigraphy remains the diagnostic gold standard, recent radiotracer supply shortages have necessitated alternative diagnostic paradigms to localize adrenal pheochromocytomas.

Heterogeneity in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake among different muscle groups in healthy lean people and people with obesity.

Aims/hypothesis: It has been proposed that muscle fibre type composition and perfusion are key determinants of insulin-stimulated muscle glucose uptake, and alterations in muscle fibre type composition and perfusion contribute to muscle, and consequently whole-body, insulin resistance in people with obesity. The goal of the study was to evaluate the relationships among muscle fibre type composition, perfusion and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake rates in healthy, lean people and people with obesity.

Methods: We measured insulin-stimulated whole-body glucose disposal and glucose uptake and perfusion rates in five major muscle groups (erector spinae, obliques, rectus abdominis, hamstrings, quadriceps) in 15 healthy lean people and 37 people with obesity by using the hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp procedure in conjunction with [H]glucose tracer infusion (to assess whole-body glucose disposal) and positron emission tomography after injections of [O]HO (to assess muscle perfusion) and [F]fluorodeoxyglucose (to assess muscle glucose uptake).

Obesity Is Associated With Increased Basal and Postprandial β-Cell Insulin Secretion Even in the Absence of Insulin Resistance.

We tested the hypothesis that obesity, independent of insulin resistance, is associated with increased insulin secretion. We compared insulin kinetics before and after glucose ingestion in lean healthy people and people with obesity who were matched on multiorgan insulin sensitivity (inhibition of adipose tissue lipolysis and glucose production and stimulation of muscle glucose uptake) as assessed by using a two-stage hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic pancreatic clamp procedure in conjunction with glucose and palmitate tracer infusions and positron emission tomography. We also evaluated the effect of diet-induced weight loss on insulin secretion in people with obesity who did not improve insulin sensitivity despite marked (∼20%) weight loss.

Catalase-Containing Silica Particles as Ultrasound-Based Hydrogen Peroxide Sensors to Determine Infected From Noninfected Fluid Collections in Humans.

Hydrogen peroxide (HO) plays a key role in neutrophil oxidative defense against infection. Catalase-containing silica nanoshells are nanoparticles that generate O microbubbles imaged with ultrasound in the presence of elevated HO. We aimed to determine whether ultrasound-detectable O microbubbles produced by catalase-containing silica nanoshells can determine whether fluid collections drained from patients are infected.

Developing a national radiation oncology registry: From acorns to oaks.

Purpose: The National Radiation Oncology Registry (NROR) is a collaborative initiative of the Radiation Oncology Institute and the American Society of Radiation Oncology, with input and guidance from other major stakeholders in oncology. The overarching mission of the NROR is to improve the care of cancer patients by capturing reliable information on treatment delivery and health outcomes.

Methods: The NROR will collect patient-specific radiotherapy data electronically to allow for rapid comparison of the many competing treatment modalities and account for effectiveness, outcome, utilization, quality, safety, and cost.