-
BioMed Research International 2021Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare low-grade metastatic tumor; however, LAM patients were always found in young age with difficulty for diagnosis. Our study is...
OBJECTIVE
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare low-grade metastatic tumor; however, LAM patients were always found in young age with difficulty for diagnosis. Our study is aimed at observing the clinical characteristics of patients with lymphangiomatosis, including the clinical manifestations, imaging findings, histopathological features, and immunophenotype.
METHODS
We did a systematic review on LAM/PLAM cases, especially on male cases, and collected the clinical features and molecular mechanisms of PLAM based on previous findings.
RESULTS
Diagnosis criteria were summarized by combining CT scans, MRI, immunohistochemistry results, and gene sequencing results for effectively distinguishing between PLAM and similar diseases. Moreover, our study illustrated the molecular mechanism of PLAM as well as the signaling pathway involved in the disease initials. In addition, a male case was reported with differential diagnosis on the clinical manifestations, microscopic features, immunophenotypes, and genotypes.
CONCLUSION
Our review will definitely improve the understanding of diagnosis and treatment in PLAM cases.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lung Neoplasms; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Signal Transduction; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Young Adult
PubMed: 33628792
DOI: 10.1155/2021/6612776 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023The aim of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature, comparing F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and C-methionine (MET) for the... (Review)
Review
The aim of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature, comparing F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and C-methionine (MET) for the imaging of multiple myeloma (MM) with positron emission computed tomography (PET/CT). Relevant studies published from 2013 up to March 2023 were selected by searching Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. Selected imaging studies were analyzed using a modified version of the critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP). Ten studies encompassing 335 patients were selected. On a patient-based analysis, MET sensitivity ranged between 75.6% and 100%, resulting higher than that measured for FDG (0-100%). MET outperformed FDG for the detection of focal lesions, diffuse bone marrow involvement and mixed patterns. PET-derived parameters resulted higher for MET than for FDG, with a strong correlation with clinical variables (e.g., monoclonal component and beta-2-microglobulin levels, bone marrow infiltration, etc.), although FDG maintained a prognostic impact on outcome prediction. When compared to other tracers or imaging modalities, MET showed stronger correlation and inter-observer agreement than FDG. Although biased by the small cohorts and requiring confirmation through multicenter studies, preliminary findings suggest that MET-PET should be preferred to FDG for PET imaging of MM, or alternatively used as a complementary imaging modality. Some issues, such as tracer availability and the role of MET with respect to other emerging tracers (i.e., Ga-pentixafor, F-FACBC and F-FET), should be the topic of further investigations.
PubMed: 37370904
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13122009 -
Inflammation and Regeneration Nov 2022The intestine is rich in food-derived and microbe-derived antigens. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an essential T-cell population that prevents systemic autoimmune... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The intestine is rich in food-derived and microbe-derived antigens. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an essential T-cell population that prevents systemic autoimmune diseases and inhibits inflammation by encountering antigens. Previously, it was reported that the functional loss of Tregs induces systemic inflammation, including inflammatory bowel disease and graft-versus-host disease in human and murine models. However, there is a dearth of information about how Tregs localize in different tissues and suppress effector cells.
MAIN BODY
The development of Tregs and their molecular mechanism in the digestive tract have been elucidated earlier using murine genetic models, infectious models, and human samples. Tregs suppress immune and other nonimmune cells through direct effect and cytokine production. The recent development of in vivo imaging technology allows us to visualize how Tregs localize and move in the settings of inflammation and homeostasis. This is important because, according to a recent report, Treg characterization and function are regulated by their location. Tregs located in the proximal intestine and its draining lymph nodes induce tolerance against food antigens, and those located in the distal intestine suppress the inflammation induced by microbial antigens. Taken together, various Tregs are induced in a location-specific manner in the gastrointestinal tract and influence the homeostasis of the gut.
CONCLUSION
In this review, we summarize how Tregs are induced in the digestive tract and the application of in vivo Treg imaging to elucidate immune homeostasis in the digestive tract.
PubMed: 36329556
DOI: 10.1186/s41232-022-00232-8 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2022Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a vastly studied biological peptide with numerous physiological functions that activate the NPY receptor family (Y, Y, Y and Y). Moreover, these... (Review)
Review
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a vastly studied biological peptide with numerous physiological functions that activate the NPY receptor family (Y, Y, Y and Y). Moreover, these receptors are correlated with the pathophysiology of several diseases such as feeding disorders, anxiety, metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, some types of cancers and others. In order to deepen the knowledge of NPY receptors' functions and molecular mechanisms, neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) have been used. The development of new radiotracers for the different NPY receptors and their subsequent PET studies have led to significant insights into molecular mechanisms involving NPY receptors. This article provides a systematic review of the imaging biomarkers that have been developed as PET tracers in order to study the NPY receptor family.
Topics: Neuropeptide Y; Positron-Emission Tomography; Receptors, Neuropeptide Y
PubMed: 35744852
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27123726 -
Journal of Nuclear Medicine : Official... Jul 2022Molecular imaging techniques such as PET and SPECT have been used to shed light on how coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the human brain. We provide a...
Molecular imaging techniques such as PET and SPECT have been used to shed light on how coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the human brain. We provide a systematic review that summarizes the current literature according to 5 predominant topics. First, a few case reports have suggested reversible cortical and subcortical metabolic alterations in rare cases with concomitant para- or postinfectious encephalitis. Second, imaging findings in single patients with the first manifestations of parkinsonism in the context of COVID-19 resemble those in neurodegenerative parkinsonism (loss of nigrostriatal integrity), but scarceness of data and a lack of follow-up preclude further etiologic conclusions (e.g., unmasking/hastening of neurodegeneration vs. infectious or parainfectious parkinsonism). Third, several case reports and a few systematic studies have addressed focal symptoms and lesions, most notably hyposmia. The results have been variable, although some studies found regional hypometabolism of regions related to olfaction (e.g., orbitofrontal and mesiotemporal). Fourth, a case series and systematic studies in inpatients with COVID-19-related encephalopathy (acute to subacute stage) consistently found a frontoparietal-dominant neocortical dysfunction (on imaging and clinically) that proved to be grossly reversible in most cases until 6 mo. Fifth, studies on post-COVID-19 syndrome have provided controversial results. In patients with a high level of self-reported complaints (e.g., fatigue, memory impairment, hyposmia, and dyspnea), some authors found extensive areas of limbic and subcortical hypometabolism, whereas others found no metabolic alterations on PET and only minor cognitive impairments (if any) on neuropsychologic assessment. Furthermore, we provide a critical appraisal of studies with regard to frequent methodologic issues and current pathophysiologic concepts. Finally, we devised possible applications of PET and SPECT in the clinical work-up of diagnostic questions related to COVID-19.
Topics: Anosmia; Brain; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Humans; Molecular Imaging; Pandemics; Parkinsonian Disorders; Pneumonia, Viral; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
PubMed: 35177424
DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.121.263085 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Oct 2017Chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) and acute myocardial infarction are endemic conditions. In Germany, an estimated 900 000 cardiac catheterizations were performed in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) and acute myocardial infarction are endemic conditions. In Germany, an estimated 900 000 cardiac catheterizations were performed in the year 2014, and a percutaneous intervention was carried out in 40% of these procedures. It would be desirable to lessen the number of invasive diagnostic procedures while preserving the reliability of diagnosis. In this article, we present the updated recommendations of the German National Care Guideline for Chronic CHD with regard to diagnostic evaluation.
METHODS
Updated recommendations for the diagnostic evaluation of chronic CHD were developed on the basis of existing guidelines and a systematic literature review and approved by a formal consensus process.
RESULTS
8-11% of patients with chest pain who present to a general practitioner and 20-25% of those who present to a cardiologist have chronic CHD. General practitioners should estimate the probability of CHD with the Marburg Heart Score. Specialists can use detailed tables for determining the pre-test probability of CHD; if this lies in the range of 15% to 85%, then non-invasive tests should be primarily used for evaluation and treatment planning. If the pretest probability is less than 15%, other potential causes should be ruled out first. If it is over 85%, the presence of CHD should be presumed and treatment planning should be initiated. Coronary angiography is needed only if therapeutic implications are expected (revascularization). Psychosocial risk factors for the development and course of CHD and the patient's quality of life should be regularly assessed as well.
CONCLUSION
Non-invasive testing and invasive coronary angiography should be used only if their findings are expected to have therapeutic implications. Psychosocial risk factors, the quality of life, and adherence to treatment are important components of these patients' diagnostic evaluation and long-term care.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Disease; Female; Germany; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Ischemia; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Quality of Life; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 29122104
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2017.0712 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022A large and growing body of neuroimaging research has concentrated on patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but with inconsistent conclusions....
BACKGROUND
A large and growing body of neuroimaging research has concentrated on patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but with inconsistent conclusions. This article was intended to investigate the common and certain neural alterations in the structure and function of the brain in patients with ADHD and further explore the differences in brain alterations between adults and children with ADHD.
METHODS
We conducted an extensive literature search of whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies associated with ADHD. Two separate meta-analyses with the seed-based d mapping software package for functional neural activation and gray matter volume (GMV) were carried out, followed by a joint analysis and a subgroup analysis.
RESULTS
This analysis included 29 VBM studies and 36 fMRI studies. Structurally, VBM analysis showed that the largest GMV diminutions in patients with ADHD were in several frontal-parietal brain regions, the limbic system, and the corpus callosum. Functionally, fMRI analysis discovered significant hypoactivation in several frontal-temporal brain regions, the right postcentral gyrus, the left insula, and the corpus callosum.
CONCLUSION
This study showed that abnormal alterations in the structure and function of the left superior frontal gyrus and the corpus callosum may be the key brain regions involved in the pathogenesis of ADHD in patients and may be employed as an imaging metric for patients with ADHD pending future research. In addition, this meta-analysis discovered neuroanatomical or functional abnormalities in other brain regions in patients with ADHD as well as findings that can be utilized to guide future research.
PubMed: 36683981
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1070142 -
A systematic review of lessons learned from PET molecular imaging research in atypical parkinsonism.European Journal of Nuclear Medicine... Nov 2016To systematically review the previous studies and current status of positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging research in atypical parkinsonism. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To systematically review the previous studies and current status of positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging research in atypical parkinsonism.
METHODS
MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus electronic databases were searched for articles published until 29th March 2016 and included brain PET studies in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and corticobasal syndrome (CBS). Only articles published in English and in peer-reviewed journals were included in this review. Case-reports, reviews, and non-human studies were excluded.
RESULTS
Seventy-seven PET studies investigating the dopaminergic system, glucose metabolism, microglial activation, hyperphosphorilated tau, opioid receptors, the cholinergic system, and GABA receptors in PSP, MSA, and CBS patients were included in this review. Disease-specific patterns of reduced glucose metabolism have shown higher accuracy than dopaminergic imaging techniques to distinguish between parkinsonian syndromes. Microglial activation has been found in all forms of atypical parkinsonism and reflects the known distribution of neuropathologic changes in these disorders. Opioid receptors are decreased in the striatum of PSP and MSA patients. Subcortical cholinergic dysfunction was more severe in MSA and PSP than Parkinson's disease patients although no significant changes in cortical cholinergic receptors were seen in PSP with cognitive impairment. GABA receptors were decreased in metabolically affected cortical and subcortical regions in PSP patients.
CONCLUSIONS
PET molecular imaging has provided valuable insight for understanding the mechanisms underlying atypical parkinsonism. Changes at a molecular level occur early in the course of these neurodegenerative diseases and PET imaging provides the means to aid differential diagnosis, monitor disease progression, identify of novel targets for pharmacotherapy, and monitor response to new treatments.
Topics: Biomarkers; Biomedical Research; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Molecular Imaging; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Parkinson Disease; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals
PubMed: 27470326
DOI: 10.1007/s00259-016-3464-8 -
Computational and Structural... 2023Filamentous structures are ubiquitous in nature, are studied in diverse scientific fields, and span vastly different spatial scales. Filamentous structures in biological... (Review)
Review
Filamentous structures are ubiquitous in nature, are studied in diverse scientific fields, and span vastly different spatial scales. Filamentous structures in biological systems fulfill different functions and often form dynamic networks that respond to perturbations. Therefore, characterizing the properties of filamentous structures and the networks they form is important to gain better understanding of systems level functions and dynamics. Filamentous structures are captured by various imaging technologies, and analysis of the resulting imaging data addresses two problems: (i) identification (tracing) of filamentous structures in a single snapshot and (ii) characterizing the dynamics (., tracking) of filamentous structures over time. Therefore, considerable research efforts have been made in developing automated methods for tracing and tracking of filamentous structures. Here, we provide a systematic review in which we present, categorize, and discuss the state-of-the-art methods for tracing and tracking of filamentous structures in sparse and dense networks. We highlight the mathematical approaches, assumptions, and constraints particular for each method, allowing us to pinpoint outstanding challenges and offer perspectives for future research aimed at gaining better understanding of filamentous structures in biological systems.
PubMed: 36618983
DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.12.023 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Aug 2023New imaging technologies play a pivotal role in the current management of patients with prostate cancer. Robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a standard of... (Review)
Review
New imaging technologies play a pivotal role in the current management of patients with prostate cancer. Robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is a standard of care for localized disease and through the already imaging-based console subject of research towards combinations of imaging technologies and RARP as well as their impact on surgical outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the currently available literature for new imaging technologies for RARP. On 24 January 2023, we performed a systematic review of the current literature on Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science according to the PRISMA guidelines and Oxford levels of evidence. A total of 46 studies were identified of which 19 studies focus on imaging of the primary tumor, 12 studies on the intraoperative tumor detection of lymph nodes and 15 studies on the training of surgeons. While the feasibility of combined approaches using new imaging technologies including MRI, PSMA-PET CT or intraoperatively applied radioactive and fluorescent dyes has been demonstrated, the prospective confirmation of improvements in surgical outcomes is currently ongoing.
PubMed: 37629467
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12165425