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EJNMMI Physics Jun 2024For dosimetry, the demand for whole-body SPECT/CT imaging, which require long acquisition durations with dual-head Anger cameras, is increasing. Here we evaluated...
BACKGROUND
For dosimetry, the demand for whole-body SPECT/CT imaging, which require long acquisition durations with dual-head Anger cameras, is increasing. Here we evaluated sparsely acquired projections and assessed whether the addition of deep-learning-generated synthetic intermediate projections (SIPs) could improve the image quality while preserving dosimetric accuracy.
METHODS
This study included 16 patients treated with Lu-DOTATATE with SPECT/CT imaging (120 projections, 120P) at four time points. Deep neural networks (CUSIPs) were designed and trained to compile 90 SIPs from 30 acquired projections (30P). The 120P, 30P, and three different CUSIP sets (30P + 90 SIPs) were reconstructed using Monte Carlo-based OSEM reconstruction (yielding 120P_rec, 30P_rec, and CUSIP_recs). The noise levels were visually compared. Quantitative measures of normalised root mean square error, normalised mean absolute error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, and structural similarity were evaluated, and kidney and bone marrow absorbed doses were estimated for each reconstruction set.
RESULTS
The use of SIPs visually improved noise levels. All quantitative measures demonstrated high similarity between CUSIP sets and 120P. Linear regression showed nearly perfect concordance of the kidney and bone marrow absorbed doses for all reconstruction sets, compared to the doses of 120P_rec (R ≥ 0.97). Compared to 120P_rec, the mean relative difference in kidney absorbed dose, for all reconstruction sets, was within 3%. For bone marrow absorbed doses, there was a higher dissipation in relative differences, and CUSIP_recs outperformed 30P_rec in mean relative difference (within 4% compared to 9%). Kidney and bone marrow absorbed doses for 30P_rec were statistically significantly different from those of 120_rec, as opposed to the absorbed doses of the best performing CUSIP_rec, where no statistically significant difference was found.
CONCLUSION
When performing SPECT/CT reconstruction, the use of SIPs can substantially reduce acquisition durations in SPECT/CT imaging, enabling acquisition of multiple fields of view of high image quality with satisfactory dosimetric accuracy.
PubMed: 38941040
DOI: 10.1186/s40658-024-00655-x -
Microbial Ecology Jun 2024Forest management influences the occurrence of tree species, the organic matter input to the soil decomposer system, and hence, it can alter soil microbial community and...
Forest management influences the occurrence of tree species, the organic matter input to the soil decomposer system, and hence, it can alter soil microbial community and key ecosystem functions it performs. In this study, we compared the potential effect of different forest management, coppice and high forest, on soil microbial functional diversity, enzyme activities and chemical-physical soil properties in two forests, turkey oak and beech, during summer and autumn. We hypothesized that coppicing influences soil microbial functional diversity with an overall decrease. Contrary to our hypothesis, in summer, the functional diversity of soil microbial community was higher in both coppice forests, suggesting a resilience response of the microbial communities in the soil after tree cutting, which occurred 15-20 years ago. In beech forest under coppice management, a higher content of soil organic matter (but also of soil recalcitrant and stable organic carbon) compared to high forest can explain the higher soil microbial functional diversity and metabolic activity. In turkey oak forest, although differences in functional diversity of soil microbial community between management were observed, for the other investigated parameters, the differences were mainly linked to seasonality. The findings highlight that the soil organic matter preservation depends on the type of forest, but the soil microbial community was able to recover after about 15 years from coppice intervention in both forest ecosystems. Thus, the type of management implemented in these forest ecosystems, not negatively affecting soil organic matter pool, preserving microbial community and potentially soil ecological functions, is sustainable in a scenario of climate change.
Topics: Soil Microbiology; Fagus; Quercus; Forests; Microbiota; Soil; Seasons; Bacteria; Biodiversity; Forestry; Trees; Ecosystem
PubMed: 38940921
DOI: 10.1007/s00248-024-02402-2 -
Microbial Ecology Jun 2024The primary purpose of the study, as part of the planned conservation work, was to uncover all aspects of autochthonous biofilm pertaining to the formation of numerous...
The primary purpose of the study, as part of the planned conservation work, was to uncover all aspects of autochthonous biofilm pertaining to the formation of numerous deterioration symptoms occurring on the limestone Rožanec Mithraeum monument in Slovenia. Using state-of-the-art sequencing technologies combining mycobiome data with observations made via numerous light and spectroscopic (FTIR and Raman) microscopy analyses pointed out to epilithic lichen Gyalecta jenensis and its photobiont, carotenoid-rich Trentepohlia aurea, as the origin of salmon-hued pigmented alterations of limestone surface. Furthermore, the development of the main deterioration symptom on the monument, i.e., biopitting, was instigated by the formation of typical endolithic thalli and ascomata of representative Verrucariaceae family (Verrucaria sp.) in conjunction with the oxalic acid-mediated dissolution of limestone. The domination of lichenized fungi, as the main deterioration agents, both on the relief and surrounding limestone, was additionally supported by the high relative abundance of lichenized and symbiotroph groups in FUNGuild analysis. Obtained results not only upgraded knowledge of this frequently occurring but often overlooked group of extremophilic stone heritage deteriogens but also provided a necessary groundwork for the development of efficient biocontrol formulation applicable in situ for the preservation of similarly affected limestone monuments.
Topics: Biofilms; Lichens; Calcium Carbonate; Slovenia; Ascomycota; Mycobiome
PubMed: 38940862
DOI: 10.1007/s00248-024-02404-0 -
Pituitary Jun 2024To investigate the impact of pituitary surgery on glucose metabolism and to identify predictors of remission of diabetes after pituitary surgery in patients with...
AIM
To investigate the impact of pituitary surgery on glucose metabolism and to identify predictors of remission of diabetes after pituitary surgery in patients with acromegaly.
METHODS
A national multicenter retrospective study of patients with acromegaly undergoing transsphenoidal surgery for the first time at 33 tertiary Spanish hospitals (ACRO-SPAIN study) was performed. Surgical remission of acromegaly was evaluated according to the 2000 and 2010 criteria.
RESULTS
A total of 604 acromegaly patients were included in the study with a total median follow up of 91 months (interquartile range [IQR] 45-163). At the acromegaly diagnosis, 23.8% of the patients had diabetes mellitus (DM) with a median glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 6.9% (IQR 6.4-7.9) [51.9 mmol/mol (IQR 46.4-62.8)]. In the multivariate analysis, older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.05), dyslipidemia (OR 5.25, 95% CI 2.81 to 9.79), arthropathy (OR 1.39, 95% CI 2.82 to 9.79), and higher IGF-I levels (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.60) were associated with a greater prevalence of DM. At the last follow-up visit after surgery, 21.1% of the DM patients (56.7% of them with surgical remission of acromegaly) experienced diabetes remission. The cure rate of DM was more common in older patients (hazard ratio [HR] 1.77, 95% CI 1.31 to 2.43), when surgical cure was achieved (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.37) and when anterior pituitary function was not affected after surgery (HR 3.38, 95% CI 1.17 to 9.75).
CONCLUSION
Glucose metabolism improved in patients with acromegaly after surgery and 21% of the diabetic patients experienced diabetes remission; being more frequent in patients of older age, and those who experienced surgical cure and those with preserved anterior pituitary function after surgery.
PubMed: 38940859
DOI: 10.1007/s11102-024-01415-x -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Jun 2024This study evaluated the effectiveness of nalbuphine combined with propofol in reducing visceral pain and preserving cognitive function during laparoscopic ovarian tumor...
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effectiveness of nalbuphine combined with propofol in reducing visceral pain and preserving cognitive function during laparoscopic ovarian tumor resection.
METHODS
A total of 100 patients undergoing laparoscopic ovarian tumor resection from January 2019 to January 2022 were randomly assigned to either the control group or the research group (50 patients each). The control group received fentanyl combined with propofol for anesthesia, while the research group received nalbuphine combined with propofol. Various anesthetic parameters, hemodynamics, visceral pain(Visual analog scale was used to evaluate the degree of pain at rest and during movement at 2h, 6h, and 12h after the operation), cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale was used to assess the cognitive function before the operation and 1 day, 3 days, and 5 days after the operation, including time and place, language, orientation, calculation, delayed memory and useability), and incidence of adverse reactions were assessed and compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
The research group exhibited significantly lower propofol dosage and anesthesia recovery time compared to the control group (P < .05). Hemodynamic stability, as indicated by SBP (Systolic Blood Pressure), DBP (Diastolic Blood Pressure), and SpO2 (Peripheral Capillary Oxygen Saturation)levels, was better maintained in the research group, especially at the beginning of the operation (P < .05). VAS (Visual Analog Scale) scores for pain at rest and during exercise were significantly lower in the research group at 2h and 6h post-operation (P < .05). MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) scores were higher in the research group compared to the control group at 1and3 days post-operation (P < .05). Additionally, the incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the research group (8.00%) compared to the control group (20.00%, P < .05).The above results were subjected to t test and χ2 test.
CONCLUSIONS
Nalbuphine combined with propofol effectively alleviates visceral pain during laparoscopic ovarian tumor resection, stabilizes hemodynamics, and preserves cognitive function. This combination demonstrates promising analgesic and sedative effects with high safety, suggesting its potential for widespread clinical use.
PubMed: 38940805
DOI: No ID Found -
Food Additives & Contaminants. Part A,... Jun 2024Bakery products, including biscuits, cakes and breads, generally present a high content of simple sugars of rapid absorption, high fat content and low amount of dietary...
Bakery products, including biscuits, cakes and breads, generally present a high content of simple sugars of rapid absorption, high fat content and low amount of dietary fiber, which make them highly caloric foods. Although sucrose is a very important ingredient in bakery products for its preservation characteristics and a significant source of energy, there is a growing interest in replacing this sugar with alternative substances, such as high-intensity sweeteners (HIS) that provide sweetness with no or low calories. In Brazil, there is no data on the use of HIS in this class of food. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of HIS in baked food commercially available in the country and estimate the dietary exposure to these food additives. For that, an analytical method was established for the simultaneous determination of nine HIS in bakery products using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Sample preparation steps were required based on mechanical kneading for homogenization, hexane extraction of fats, dilution in mobile phase and vortex homogenization, prior to injection into the system. The results obtained during validation showed that coefficients of variation (CV%) for precision were lower than 13.8% and the accuracy was between 91.6% and 109.1%. Aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sodium cyclamate, saccharin, sucralose and steviol glycosides were found in the samples, used alone or in combinations of up five substances. Steviol glycosides were the most found HIS in biscuit samples, while sucralose was the most common sweetener in cake and bread samples. Analysis of product labels revealed only three different claims, .i.e. 'no sugar', 'no added sugar' and 'zero sugar', with the latter being found in 70% of the samples. Exposure to HIS through the consumption of bakery products estimated per eating occasion showed no concerns regarding toxicological risk.
PubMed: 38940750
DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2024.2371929 -
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience Jun 2024Remembering when events occur in time is fundamental to episodic memory. Yet, many experiences repeat over time creating the potential for interference when attempting...
Remembering when events occur in time is fundamental to episodic memory. Yet, many experiences repeat over time creating the potential for interference when attempting to recall temporally specific memories. Here, we argue that temporal memories are protected, in part, by reinstatement of temporal context information that is triggered by stimulus repetitions. We motivate this argument by integrating seminal findings across several distinct literatures and methodologies. Specifically, we consider key insights from foundational behavioral studies of temporal memory, recent electrophysiological and neuroimaging approaches to measuring memory reinstatement, and computational models that describe how temporal context representations shape memory processes. We also note several open questions concerning how temporal context reinstatement might influence subsequent temporal memory, including potential mediating effects of event spacing and event boundaries. These ideas and questions have the potential to guide future research and, ultimately, to advance theoretical accounts of how we preserve temporal memories.
PubMed: 38940739
DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_02212 -
Multimedia Manual of Cardiothoracic... Jun 2024Donor organ recovery techniques have improved with novel preservation solutions, implementation of advanced preservation systems and machine perfusion. However, surgical...
Donor organ recovery techniques have improved with novel preservation solutions, implementation of advanced preservation systems and machine perfusion. However, surgical techniques for organ procurement have not changed. In this video tutorial, we have outlined key steps in double lung en bloc organ recovery, including introduction of pulmonoplegia, pulmonectomy en bloc and separation of the two single-lung blocks.
Topics: Humans; Lung Transplantation; Tissue and Organ Procurement; Tissue and Organ Harvesting; Lung; Organ Preservation; Tissue Donors; Pneumonectomy
PubMed: 38940725
DOI: 10.1510/mmcts.2024.050 -
Acta Crystallographica Section B,... Aug 2024Results of the neutron powder diffraction measurements carried out for RPtIn (R = Tb-Tm) are reported. The compounds crystallize in an orthorhombic crystal structure of...
Results of the neutron powder diffraction measurements carried out for RPtIn (R = Tb-Tm) are reported. The compounds crystallize in an orthorhombic crystal structure of the LuNiIn-type with the rare earth atoms occupying three different sublattices. At low temperatures the rare earth magnetic moments order below the critical temperature equal to 105, 93, 28, 12 and 3.8 K for R = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Tm, respectively. With decreasing temperature the rare earth magnetic moments at the 2a and 4g2 sites order first, while the moments at the 4g1 site order at lower temperatures. Ferrimagnetic order along the c axis, described by the propagation vector k = [0, 0, 0], develops in TbPtIn below the Curie temperature (T = 108 K). At lower temperatures, an antiferromagnetic component in the ab plane appears. The component is incommensurate with the crystal structure (k = [0, 0.66, ½]), but it turns into a commensurate one (k = [0, 0, ½]) with decreasing temperature. Antiferromagnetic order along the c axis, described by k = [½, 0, 0], is found in DyPtIn below the Néel temperature (T = 93 K). The k-related component disappears below 80 K and the magnetic structure transforms into a ferro/ferrimagnetic one described by k = [0, 0, 0]. Further decrease in temperature leads to the appearance of an incommensurate antiferromagnetic component along the ab plane below 10 K (k = [0, 0.45, ½]), which finally turns into a commensurate one (k = [0, ½, ½]). In HoPtIn, a sine-modulated magnetic structure with moments parallel to the c axis (k = [⅓,0,0]) is observed below 28 K. With a decrease in temperature, new components, related to k = [0, 0, 0] (bc plane) and k = [½, 0, 0] (c axis), appear. The coexistence of two orderings - in the ab plane (k = [0, 0, 0]) and a modulated one with moments along the b axis (k = [k, 0, 0]) - is found in ErPtIn below 12 K. Decreasing temperature leads to the order-order transformation of the k-related component to another one with magnetic moments still constrained to the ab plane and preserved value of the propagation vector (i.e. k = [0, 0, 0]). TmPtIn orders antiferromagnetically below T = 4.1 K. Thulium magnetic moments lie in the ab plane, while the magnetic structure is described by k = [0, ½ , ½]. The direction of magnetic moments depends on the rare earth element involved and indicates an influence of single ion anisotropy resulting from interaction with the crystalline electric field.
PubMed: 38940679
DOI: 10.1107/S2052520624004451 -
Acta Crystallographica Section B,... Aug 2024A domain-resolved synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of a LaAlO pseudo-merohedral twin crystal was successfully carried out in combination with powder...
A domain-resolved synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of a LaAlO pseudo-merohedral twin crystal was successfully carried out in combination with powder diffraction data from the same sample. Multiscale structure information ranging from micro- to nano- to atomic scale was determined from one single crystal. There is almost no change of domain ratios at temperatures of less than 400 K indicating no movement of the domain wall. The changes in domain ratio indicating domain-wall movement were observed in the temperature range of 450 to 700 K, which is consistent with the result of the previous mechanical measurement. It is also found that the ratio of four twin components becomes equal (25%), just below phase transition temperature. These findings are important for domain engineering and theoretical studies related to LaAlO. The temperature dependence of domain ratio was preserved in the heating and cooling cycle except for the first heating process to 840 K. Therefore, the domain structure after heating to 840 K is intrinsic to the crystal. Accurate structure parameters were determined through unit-cell parameter calibration and domain-resolved structure analysis. The method for calibration of unit-cell parameters from twin crystal data was derived and used to solve the inconsistent unit-cell parameters between single crystal and powder data in the present and previous studies.
PubMed: 38940678
DOI: 10.1107/S2052520624004104