How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the referral patterns for SPECT myocardial perfusion? A single center experience.

Objectives: We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of referrals for SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) as well as changes in the clinical and imaging characteristics.

Methods: We respectively reviewed 1042 SPECT-MPI cases performed in a 4-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic (PAN; n=423) and compared their findings with those acquired in the same months before the pandemic (PRE; n=619).

Results: The number of stress SPECT-MPI studies performed during the PAN period significantly dropped compared to the number of studies carried out in the PRE period (p = 0.

Involvement of Nrf2 Signaling in Lead-induced Toxicity.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is used as one of the main protective factors against various pathological processes, as it regulates cells resistant to oxidation. Several studies have extensively explored the relationship between environmental exposure to heavy metals, particularly lead (Pb), and the development of various human diseases. These metals have been reported to be able to, directly and indirectly, induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cause oxidative stress in various organs.

Impact of [F]FDG PET/CT in the Assessment of Immunotherapy-Induced Arterial Wall Inflammation in Melanoma Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

We aimed to investigate the role of [F]FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the early detection of arterial wall inflammation (AWI) in melanoma patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Our retrospective study enrolled 95 melanoma patients who had received ICIs. Inclusion criteria were ICI therapy for at least six months and at least three [F]FDG PET/CTs, including one pretreatment session plus two scans three and six months after treatment initiation.

Design and preparation of amino-functionalized core-shell magnetic nanoparticles for photocatalytic application and investigation of cytotoxicity effects.

The goal of the current paper was a synthesis of Amino-functionalized FeO@SiO core-shell magnetic nanoparticles as a unique efficient photocatalyst for removing organic dyes from aqueous environments. The magnetic FeO@SiO core-shell was produced by a silica source to avoid aggregation by the co-precipitation method. Next, functionalized by using 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) via a post-synthesis link.

Multicenter quantitative F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography performance harmonization: use of hottest voxels towards more robust quantification.

Background: Harmonization methods reduce variability between different make and models of positron emission tomography (PET) scanners. The study aims to explore harmonization strategies that lead to comparable and robust quantitative metrics in a multicenter setting.

Methods: NEMA IEC Phantom data acquisition was performed for low and high spheres-to-background ratios (SBR4:1 and 10:1) on six PET/CT (computed tomography) scanners.

Paraquat-induced systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in rats improved by Curcuma longa ethanolic extract, curcumin and a PPAR agonist.

The effect of Curcuma longa (Cl) ethanolic extract, nano-curcumin (Cu) and a PPARγ activator, pioglitazone on inhaled paraquat (PQ)-induced systemic inflammation and oxidative stress was examined in the present study. Control rats were exposed to normal saline and PQ groups to 27 and 54 mg/m (PQ-L and PQ-H) aerosols. Nine other PQ-H groups were treated with Curcuma longa (Cl, 150 and 600 mg/kg/day), nano-curcumin (Cu, 2 and 8 mg/kg/day), pioglitazone (Pio, 5 and 10 mg/kg), low dose of Pio + Cl and Cu and dexamethasone (0.

Green synthesis of CaCO nanoparticles for photocatalysis and cytotoxicity.

In this study, Gum Arabic natural polymer was used to green synthesize calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO-NPs). Synthesized CaCO-NPs were identified using various analyses such as FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDX, and UV-Vis. The UV spectrum of nanoparticles showed an absorption band at a wavelength of 320 nm.

Artificial intelligence-based analysis of whole-body bone scintigraphy: The quest for the optimal deep learning algorithm and comparison with human observer performance.

Purpose: Whole-body bone scintigraphy (WBS) is one of the most widely used modalities in diagnosing malignant bone diseases during the early stages. However, the procedure is time-consuming and requires vigour and experience. Moreover, interpretation of WBS scans in the early stages of the disorders might be challenging because the patterns often reflect normal appearance that is prone to subjective interpretation.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Salvadora persica and Caccinia macranthera Extracts: Cytotoxicity Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained great interest because of their specific and distinct properties. Chemically synthesized AgNPs (cAgNPs) are often unsuitable for medical applications due to requiring toxic and hazardous solvents. Thus, green synthesis of AgNPs (gAgNPs) using safe and nontoxic substances has attracted particular focus.

PET tracers in glioblastoma: Toward neurotheranostics as an individualized medicine approach.

Over the past decade, theragnostic radiopharmaceuticals have been used in nuclear medicine for both diagnosis and treatment of various tumors. In this review, we carried out a literature search to investigate and explain the role of radiotracers in the theragnostic approach to glioblastoma multiform (GBM). We primarily focused on basic and rather common positron emotion tomography (PET) radiotracers in these tumors.

A cycle-consistent adversarial network for brain PET partial volume correction without prior anatomical information.

Purpose: Partial volume effect (PVE) is a consequence of the limited spatial resolution of PET scanners. PVE can cause the intensity values of a particular voxel to be underestimated or overestimated due to the effect of surrounding tracer uptake. We propose a novel partial volume correction (PVC) technique to overcome the adverse effects of PVE on PET images.

Diagnostic importance of lung perfusion/ventilation scans in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism in COVID-19 patients: systematic review of the literature.

Objective: To investigate the outcomes of ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy on the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, we performed a systematic review of the available literature.

Materials And Methods: PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched up to 4 June 2022, for relevant studies. We included studies on patients with COVID-19 who have performed ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism to describe any diagnosis outcome.

Bone Scan With Pulmonary Uptake in Scleroderma.

We present a 61-year-old woman with a history of scleroderma and suspicion of osteomyelitis in her left wrist. She underwent a 3-phase bone scan for evaluation of osteomyelitis. Incidentally, the scan showed bilateral pulmonary MDP uptake, especially in lower lobes, which was proven to be due to the nonfibrotic form of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

Evaluation of Arterial Stiffness and Its Relation to Innovative Anthropometric Indices in Persian Adults.

Background: BMI has been evaluated as an old criterion to evaluate obesity in individuals, but it does not assess abdominal obesity and lean mass. We aimed to evaluate the possible relationship of new anthropometric indices (namely, a body shape index (ABSI), the body roundness index (BRI), the visceral adiposity index (VAI), the visceral fat area (VFA), and waist-hip ratio (WHR)), with one of the known critical factors of atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness.

Methods: Overall 5921 individuals were enrolled and were divided into four groups according to BMI.

Remarkable FDG Uptake in Numerous Granulomatous Panniculitis Lesions: A Case Report.

A 42-year-old woman with history of rheumatoid arthritis and erythema nodosum from 8 years ago, who was treated with CellCept and prednisolone, was admitted to the rheumatology service due to skin lesions in the upper and lower extremities. Skin excisional biopsy was performed, and the results suggested panniculitis. FDG PET/CT was performed for malignancy workup.

Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Ameliorate Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Pain Behavior in Neuropathic Rats.

Background: Neuropathic pain originating from a dysfunction in the nervous system is often intractable and chronic. Recently, several studies using nanoparticles suggested a new way to control neuropathic pain. This study intended to explore the potential neuroprotective effect of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles (CNPs) synthesized by pullulan in neuropathic pain in rats.

Interesting Findings in 68 Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT Imaging in a Patient With Glioblastoma Multiforme.

A 55-year-old disabled man with glioblastoma multiforme was referred to us for fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT imaging. 68 Ga-DOTA-FAPI-46 scan revealed uptake in the primary tumor and unexpected uptakes in soft tissue, especially in periarticular regions. These latter foci were compatible with calcifications on the CT.

Overview of the miR-29 family members' function in breast cancer.

Accumulating evidence has indicated the importance of microRNAs (miRs) in the biology of human malignancies by targeting multiple signaling pathways and different Messenger RNA transcripts. Despite conflicting information and controversial roles in diverse cancers, miR-29 has been mostly characterized as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer (BC). Several signaling axes, including TIMP3/STAT1/FOXO1, GATA3-miR-29b, and EZH2-miR-29b/miR-30d-LOXL4 are controlled, at least partially, by miR-29 family members to suppress proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of BC cells.

Case Report: Regaining radioiodine uptake following PRRT in radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer: A new re-differentiation strategy?

A 61-year-old woman with a history of metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma became radioiodine-refractory following two doses of radioiodine (RAI) therapy (cumulative = 230 mCi). While no RAI-avid lesion was noticed in the last post-ablation whole-body radioiodine scan (WBIS), she reported sternal pain, which was accompanied by rapidly rising thyroglobulin levels. F-FDG and Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT was performed, showing metastatic pulmonary nodules and a lytic sternal lesion with acceptable avidity (i.

Lung Ventilation-Perfusion Scan in COVID-19: Various Patterns of Perfusion Defects.

Although COVID-19 infection is associated with the increased risk of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), COVID-19 pulmonary lesions cause ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) patterns other than PTE. Although extensive research has been done to address different anatomical patterns of COVID-19, there is a knowledge gap in terms of V/Q lung scintigraphy in these patients. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate these patterns and to show how important it is to use SPECT/CT in addition to planar images to differentiate between these patterns from PTE.

Comparison between viral vector and mRNA based COVID-19 vaccination in prevalence and severity of regional immune reactions, and F-FDG PET/CT features.

Objectives: The coronavirus pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 commenced in late 2019, and global wide vaccination appears to be the only reasonable solution to fight this dreadful virus. There are two main types of COVID-19 immunization using viral vector and mRNA-based vaccines. However, the impact of each of type on F-FDG PET/CT needs to be accurately assessed.

Prostatic bed calcification with [99mTc]Tc-MDP uptake: Easy to miss on planar images.

A 65 years old man with high-risk prostate adenocarcinoma underwent bone scintigraphy with 99mTc-methylene diphosphate ([99mTc]Tc-MDP). The scan revealed a focus of radiotracer uptake in the left pubic region, which was suspicious for metastatic involvement. Additional imaging with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) confined the uptake to be extra-osseous and contributed to the calcified zone in the prostate bed.

Predictive and prognostic potential of pretreatment Ga-PSMA PET tumor heterogeneity index in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with 177Lu-PSMA.

Introduction: This study was conducted to evaluate the predictive values of volumetric parameters and radiomic features (RFs) extracted from pretreatment 68Ga-PSMA PET and baseline clinical parameters in response to 177Lu-PSMA therapy.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective multicenter study, mCRPC patients undergoing 177Lu-PSMA therapy were enrolled. According to the outcome of therapy, the patients were classified into two groups including positive biochemical response (BCR) (≥ 50% reduction in the serum PSA value) and negative BCR (< 50%).

A meta-analysis of prognostic factors in patients with left-sided pancreatic cancer.

Background: Patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas usually remain asymptomatic until late in the course of the disease, and the survival of such patients depends on multiple factors, which may affect the therapeutic approach and patient survival. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate such risk factors by pooling various available studies.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2016, using the following databases: Medline, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar.