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The deleterious effects of high-dose radiation on normal tissue are sometimes extrapolated to diagnostic (SPECT and PET) radiopharmaceutical extravasation (RPE). It has been hypothesized that diagnostic RPE can have gradually evolving local tissue injury and a potentially increased risk of local dermatologic or oncologic diseases over a longer period. However, data on clinical adverse events after diagnostic RPE are limited. Therefore, our primary aim was to study the occurrence of short-term and long-term clinical adverse events in patients who underwent 99m Tc-methylene diphosphonate ( 99m Tc-MDP) whole-body bone scintigraphy (WBBS) with reported RPE. Methods: The records of 99m Tc-MDP WBBS performed from June 2010 to January 2022 were retrospectively examined for RPE documented in the scan reports. The clinical records of patients with a documented RPE were extensively reviewed for any related short-term adverse events (within 2 wk of the WBBS: local symptoms and care sought for local dermatologic or musculoskeletal issues) and long-term adverse events (until the last follow-up: local deleterious effects and related consults for dermatology, plastic surgery, oncology, or orthopedics). Results: Retrospective review of the records of 31,679 99m Tc-MDP WBBS studies showed RPE documented in 118 (0.37%). Medical records were not retrievable for 22 patients, yielding a final cohort of 96 patients with reported RPE. The median follow-up was 18.9 mo (interquartile range, 7.8-45.7 mo). Short-term events were noted in 4 patients, of whom one was asymptomatic. Of the 3 symptomatic patients, 2 experienced mild discomfort at the injection site, and 1 had tender swelling. Three of the 4 events were in patients who had a prior intravenous contrast extravasation for contrast-enhanced CT performed earlier during the day and a 99m Tc-MDP injection later at the same site, likely leading to RPE. None of the long-term local events had any plausible link with the RPE event. Conclusion: Reported RPE was rare, and 3 patients (0.009%) had short-term local symptoms, all of which were likely related to the prior higher-volume intravenous contrast extravasation. The smaller-volume diagnostic radiopharmaceutical injections for WBBS are highly unlikely to cause local symptoms on their own. No patient had any long-term adverse event with a plausible link to the RPE., (© 2023 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.)

Our objective was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of 99m Tc-sestamibi SPECT/CT for characterizing solid renal masses. Methods: Imaging and clinical records of patients who underwent 99m Tc-sestamibi SPECT/CT for clinical work-up of their solid renal masses from September 2018 to October 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Histopathology formed the reference standard, and the diagnoses were categorized as malignant/concerning (renal cell carcinomas [RCCs] other than chromophobe histology) and benign/nonconcerning (oncocytic tumors including chromophobe RCC, other benign diagnoses) to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of 99m Tc-sestamibi SPECT/CT and contrast-enhanced CT (ceCT). The clinical reads of the SPECT/CT images were used for visual classification of the lesions. Additionally, the SPECT images were manually segmented to obtain the maximum and mean counts of the lesion and adjacent renal cortex and maximum and mean lesion Hounsfield units. Results: 99m Tc-sestamibi SPECT/CT was performed on 42 patients with 62 renal masses. A histopathologic diagnosis was available for 27 patients (18 male, 9 female) with 36 solid renal masses. ceCT findings were available for 20 of these patients. The most commonly identified single histologic type was clear cell RCC (13/36; 36.1%). Oncocytic tumors were the most common group of nonconcerning lesions (15/36), with oncocytoma as the predominant histologic type ( n = 6). The sensitivity and specificity of SPECT/CT for diagnosing a nonconcerning lesion were 66.7% and 89.5%, respectively, compared with 10% and 75%, respectively, for ceCT. The lesion-to-kidney ratios for maximum and mean counts and maximum lesion Hounsfield units showed significant differences between the 2 groups ( P < 0.05). The lesion-to-kidney mean count ratio at a cutoff of 0.46 showed a sensitivity and specificity of 87.5% and 86.67%, respectively, for detecting nonconcerning lesions, which was significantly higher than that of ceCT. Conclusion: The current literature on the utility of 99m Tc-sestamibi SPECT/CT for characterization of solid renal masses is limited. We offer additional evidence of the incremental value of 99m Tc-sestamibi SPECT/CT over ceCT for differentiating malignant or aggressive renal tumors from benign or indolent ones, thereby potentially avoiding overtreatment and its associated complications. Quantitative assessment can further increase the diagnostic accuracy of SPECT/CT and may be used in conjunction with visual interpretation., (© 2023 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.)

Background: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced health care globally to provide remote services when feasible. In March 2020, psychiatric outpatient services across the United States transitioned to telehealth. Persons with early psychosis (EP) face challenges to maintain connection with care, an important element associated with better outcome. The ongoing pandemic offers the opportunity to review the feasibility of EP services using telehealth and to evaluate implications for continued implementation., Methods: We examined delivery of coordinated specialty care (CSC) for 49 individuals aged 16-30 years enrolled in an EP (first-episode psychosis and clinical high risk) university-affiliated outpatient clinic located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from March 2020 to July 2021, during which most appointments were delivered through telehealth. The services evaluated in this setting include psychotherapy, medication management, employment and educational services, peer support, and multifamily psychoeducation group. We compared completed and missed appointment rates across services and new enrollment rates with in-person versus hybrid telehealth and in-person care pre-COVID-19 and during the pandemic., Results: In 6 months pre-COVID-19 (September 2019-February 2020), the Psychosis Evaluation and Recovery Center enrolled a mean of 4 people/mo compared to during the pandemic (March 2020-July 2021), when a mean of 2.2 people/mo were enrolled. The total number of completed psychology appointments pre-COVID-19 ranged from 51 to 88 and during the pandemic ranged from 72 to 137. The rate of missed psychology appointments ranged from 1.4% to 6.4% pre-COVID-19 and from 3.4% to 11.3% during the pandemic. The total number of completed medication management appointments pre-COVID-19 ranged from 35 to 59 and during the pandemic ranged from 22 to 66. The rate of missed medication management appointments ranged from 2.1% to 8.0% pre-COVID-19 and from 1.7% to 9.1% during the pandemic. The total number of completed supported education and employment services appointments pre-COVID-19 ranged from 5 to 11 and during the pandemic ranged from 3 to 16. Finally, the mean number of family members in attendance at the family psychoeducation group was 8.3 pre-COVID-19 and 17.1 during the pandemic., Conclusions: New and continued engagement across services in EP CSC during the COVID-19 pandemic supports feasibility of telehealth and suggests that offering a hybrid model of in-person and telehealth should be considered once restrictions are lifted., (© Copyright 2022 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.)

Background: In restorative proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch, perfusion assessment is vital to prevent complications such as anastomotic leak (AL). Indocyanine green near-infrared fluorescence (ICG-NIRF) is gaining popularity, while its interpretation and relevance remain subjective. This study aimed to evaluate a standardized ICG-NIRF imaging protocol combined with a novel, software-based assessment to detect areas of impaired perfusion and a possible correlation with AL of the pouch., Methods: In this prospective study, patients undergoing ileal J-pouch for ulcerative colitis at an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) referral center were included. Intraoperatively, strictly standardized ICG-NIRF visualization was performed and video-recorded. Postoperatively, a specific software was utilized to determine the change in fluorescence intensity per second (i/s) for systematic regions of interest, generating perfusion-time curves and a pixel-to-pixel map. These were analysed in detail and correlated with clinical outcome (primary end point: AL within 30 days; clearly defined and screened for by pouchoscopy)., Results: Four out of 18 included patients developed AL of the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). In the AL group, the perfusion curves on the area adjacent to the IPAA (pouch apex) displayed considerably lower ingress/inflow (median = 1.7; range = 8.5; interquartile-range = 3.8 i/s) and egress/outflow (median = -0.1; range = 0.7; interquartile-range = 0.5 i/s) values than in the non-AL group (ingress: median = 4.3; range = 10.3; interquartile-range = 4.0 i/s); egress: median = (-1.1); range = 3.9; interquartile range = 1.0 i/s). This was confirmed by further novel parameters of pouch perfusion (maximum ingress; maximum egress) and pixel-to-pixel analysis., Conclusions: This study presents the feasibility of a novel methodology to precisely assess pouch perfusion with ICG-NIRF, identifying comparable, quantifiable, and objective parameters to potentially detect perfusion-associated complications in surgery in real-time.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the detection rate of incidental second primary neoplasms in patients with prostate cancer on 18 F-fluciclovine PET/CT. Methods: Imaging reports and patient demographic data were retrospectively reviewed from 663 clinical 18 F-fluciclovine PET/CT studies, performed in 601 patients for the assessment of their prostate cancer (643 - recurrence evaluation, 20 - initial staging) from August 2016 to April 2021. Maximum SUV (SUV max ) of the suspected second neoplasms was determined. The results of 18 F-fluciclovine PET/CT were correlated with clinical and radiologic studies to determine the nature of the suspected second neoplasms. Results: Fifty-five patients (9.1%) had findings suggestive of a second neoplasm. Thirty-nine of 55 had a known second neoplasm diagnosed before the PET/CT. An incidental second primary neoplasm was first suspected on 18 F-fluciclovine PET/CT in 16 of 601 patients (2.7%). Three of the 16 patients had PET/CT suggestive of a meningioma that was corroborated on MRI. Of the remaining 13 patients, 11 had a tissue diagnosis confirming a malignancy. Second malignancies included renal cell carcinoma (RCC; 5/11; 45.5%), urothelial carcinoma ( n = 2), multiple myeloma, chondrosarcoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and lung ( n = 1, each; except for 1 patient with both esophageal and lung carcinomas). Among histopathologically confirmed malignancies, clear-cell RCC had the lowest uptake (SUV max 3.4), and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma had the highest uptake (SUV max 13.6). Of the 2 patients with no histopathologic confirmation, 1 had ultrasound and MRI findings corroborating the diagnosis of RCC. The other patient had a solitary lung nodule suggestive of primary lung carcinoma and elected to undergo observation. Conclusion: Incidental findings consistent with a second primary neoplasm are not infrequently seen on 18 F-fluciclovine PET/CT performed for assessment of prostate cancer (9.1%). Of the incidentally detected primary cancers, RCC was the most common (45.5%). These findings indicate the need for a careful analysis of 18 F-fluciclovine PET/CT images, due to the broad tumor imaging capabilities of this radiotracer., (© 2022 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.)

Background: An anastomotic leak (AL) after a restorative proctocolectomy and an ileal J-pouch increases morbidity and the risk of pouch failure. Thus, a perfusion assessment during J-pouch formation is crucial. While indocyanine green near-infrared fluorescence (ICG-NIRF) has shown potential to reduce ALs, its suitability in a restorative proctocolectomy remains unclear. We aimed to develop a standardized approach for investigating ICG-NIRF and ALs in pouch surgery., Methods: Patients undergoing a restorative proctocolectomy with an ileal J-pouch for ulcerative colitis at an IBD-referral-center were included in a prospective study in which an AL within 30 postoperative days was the primary outcome. Intraoperatively, standardized perfusion visualization with ICG-NIRF was performed and video recorded for postoperative analysis at three time points. Quantitative clinical and technical variables (secondary outcome) were correlated with the primary outcome by descriptive analysis and logistic regression. A novel definition and grading of AL of the J-pouch was applied. A postoperative pouchoscopy was routinely performed to screen for AL., Results: Intraoperative ICG-NIRF-visualization and its postoperative visual analysis in 25 patients did not indicate an AL. The anastomotic site after pouch formation appeared completely fluorescent with a strong fluorescence signal (category 2) in all cases of ALs (4 of 25). Anastomotic site was not changed. ICG-NIRF visualization was reproducible and standardized. Logistic regression identified a two-stage approach vs. a three-stage approach (Odds ratio (OR) = 20.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37-580.18, p = 0.029) as a risk factor for ALs., Conclusion: We present a standardized, comparable approach of ICG-NIRF visualization in pouch surgery. Our data indicate that the visual interpretation of ICG-NIRF alone may not detect ALs of the pouch in all cases-quantifiable, objective methods of interpretation may be required in the future.

Background: Gracilis muscle interposition (GMI) is an established treatment option for complex perineal fistulas and reconstruction. The outcome is limited by complications such as necrosis, impaired wound healing and fistula persistence or recurrence. Quantifiable methods of assessing muscle flap perfusion intraoperatively are lacking. This study evaluates a novel and objective software-based assessment of indocyanine green near-infrared fluorescence (ICG-NIRF) in GMI., Methods: Intraoperative ICG-NIRF visualization data of five patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergoing GMI for perineal fistula and reconstruction were analyzed retrospectively. A new software was utilized to generate perfusion curves for the specific regions of interest (ROIs) of each GMI by depicting the fluorescence intensity over time. Additionally, a pixel-to-pixel and perfusion zone analysis were performed. The findings were correlated with the clinical outcome., Results: Four patients underwent GMI without postoperative complications within 3 months. The novel perfusion indicators identified here (shape of the perfusion curve, maximum slope value, distribution and range) indicated adequate perfusion. In one patient, GMI failed. In this case, the perfusion indicators suggested impaired perfusion., Conclusions: We present a novel, software-based approach for ICG-NIRF perfusion assessment, identifying previously unknown objective indicators of muscle flap perfusion. Ready for intraoperative real-time use, this method has considerable potential to optimize GMI surgery in the future.

Aim: Pennsylvania (PA) first-episode psychosis (FEP) program evaluation is a statewide initiative, supported by the PA Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (PA-OMHSAS) and administered by PA Early Intervention Center/Heads Up, which evaluates fidelity and outcomes of PA Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) programs. Programs participate in standard computerized measures of CSC outcomes using centralized informatics. The aims of the current report are to describe implementation of this core battery for program evaluation in PA and to present 6- and 12-month outcomes., Methods: Participants (n = 697) from nine PA CSC programs completed the core battery at admission. The battery was re-administered at 6- and 12-month follow-up, and data were analysed for individuals (n = 230) who had completed 12-months of treatment. Domains assessed via clinician report and/or self-report included symptoms, role and social functioning, self-perceived recovery and service utilization., Results: PA FEP CSC participants showed improvement over time in several domains, including decreased symptoms, higher role and social functioning, decreased hospitalizations, and improved self-perception of recovery, quality of life, and services satisfaction. Trends towards improvements were observed for participant happiness, hopelessness, and school-enrolment. Nearly all improvements were observed at 6-month follow-up, with earlier gains maintained at 12-months., Conclusions: PA FEP CSC programs demonstrate the ability to assess and improve critical outcomes of coordinated specialty care in PA. Improved outcomes by 12 months in treatment provides evidence of an effective treatment model and supports the continuation of these programs in pursuit of our goal of reducing schizophrenia disease burden on individuals and society., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Purpose: To estimate the effect of simvastatin gel in the osseointegration of dental implants using bone scintigraphy. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 participants with missing mandibular first molars and D2 type bone were assigned equally to two groups. Group A received 1.2% simvastatin and group B received placebo gels during the placement of implants. The participants were subjected to bone scintigraphy to determine the osteoblastic activity at baseline, 30 days, and 90 days after implant placement. Results: Group A had a significant increase in osteoblastic activity between baseline, day 30, and day 90 (P < .05), with a higher mean of 100.06% ± 21.644% on day 30. Group B had a significant increase in osteoblastic activity only between baseline and day 30 and between baseline and day 90 (P < .05). There was no difference between days 30 and 90 (P > .05), with a higher mean of 79.20% ± 18.255% on day 30. A bivariate analysis performed at different time periods revealed a significant difference between groups A and B on day 30. Conclusions: Implants placed with 1.2% simvastatin gel showed enhanced osteoblastic activity in the 4th week after implant placement, indicating that there was a faster rate of osseointegration at an early stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models for early psychosis intervention often involve shared decision-making among patients, their caregivers, and clinicians. However, this process rests on a shared understanding of constructs, experiences, and language. This study examined how various aspects of early psychosis care were conceptualized by those involved in the help-seeking process, and the extent to which their perceptions aligned with one another. We conducted a free listing study to systematically explore perceptions of the help-seeking process and management of psychosis-related symptoms among a sample of 65 patients, caregivers, and clinicians at an early psychosis intervention clinic. Results indicated varying levels of agreement between different roles on getting or giving help, taking medications, factors influencing symptom management, and thoughts regarding the future. These findings highlight important differences and emphasize a need for further exploration of how stakeholder perceptions may influence decisions surrounding the care of individuals experiencing early psychosis.

Each of the macronutrients-carbohydrate, protein, and fat-has a unique set of properties that influences health, but all are a source of energy. The optimal balance of their contribution to the diet has been a long-standing matter of debate. Over the past half century, thinking has progressed regarding the mechanisms by which each macronutrient may contribute to energy balance. At the beginning of this period, metabolic signals that initiated eating events (i.e., determined eating frequency) were emphasized. This was followed by an orientation to gut endocrine signals that purportedly modulate the size of eating events (i.e., determined portion size). Most recently, research attention has been directed to the brain, where the reward signals elicited by the macronutrients are viewed as potentially problematic (e.g., contribute to disordered eating). At this point, the predictive power of the macronutrients for energy intake remains limited.

In this work, we study the rheology of suspensions of polystyrene (PS) spheres at concentrations ranging from 8 to 66% (v/v) in a matrix of molten ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) at temperatures spanning through the glass transition temperature of the PS spheres. As a result of the significant difference between the softening temperatures of these blend components, the melt order plays a crucial role in the generation of the blend morphology, rheology, and optimization of processing conditions. When the PS is rigid (below T g ), the suspensions showed significant Mullins and Payne effects, disappearing at higher temperatures where PS was sufficiently softened. The origin of these effects is postulated to be due to the extensive filler-filler contacts and radial alignment of the PS beads. Near the glass transition of PS, the PS spheres became deformable and viscosity of the suspension showed an unusual variation as a function of PS loading. The Krieger-Dougherty model was used to predict viscosity variation with volume fraction. We demonstrate that the deformability of the "solid" PS spheres significantly affects the reduced suspension viscosity at both intermediate volume fractions of 0.42 to 0.44, where there was an anomalous dip in viscosity, and at higher volume fractions beyond 0.60, where the increase in viscosity was not as prounounced as that for suspensions of rigid particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prebiotic oligosaccharides are defined by their selective stimulation of growth and/or activity of bacteria in the digestive system in ways claimed to be beneficial for health. However, apart from the short chain fatty acids, little is known about bacterial metabolites created by fermentation of prebiotics, and the significance of the size of the oligosaccharides remains largely unstudied. By in vitro fermentations in human fecal microbial communities (derived from six different individuals), we studied the effects of high-mass (HA, >1 kDa), low-mass (LA, <1 kDa) and mixed (BA) sugar beet arabino-oligosaccharides (AOS) as carbohydrate sources. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) were included as reference. The changes in bacterial communities and the metabolites produced in response to incubation with the different carbohydrates were analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), respectively. All tested carbohydrate sources resulted in a significant increase of Bifidobacterium spp. between 1.79 fold (HA) and 1.64 fold (FOS) in the microbial populations after fermentation, and LC-MS analysis suggested that the bifidobacteria contributed to decomposition of the arabino-oligosaccharide structures, most pronounced in the HA fraction, resulting in release of the essential amino acid phenylalanine. Abundance of Lactobacillus spp. correlated with the presence of a compound, most likely a flavonoid, indicating that lactobacilli contribute to release of such health-promoting substances from plant structures. Additionally, the combination of qPCR and LC-MS revealed a number of other putative interactions between intestinal microbes and the oligosaccharides, which contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms behind prebiotic impact on human health., (Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Alterations in the human gut microbiota caused, for example, by diet, functional foods, antibiotics, or occurring as a function of age are now known to be of relevance for host health. Therefore, there is a strong need for methods to detect such alterations in a rapid and comprehensive manner. In the present study, we developed and validated a high-throughput real-time quantitative PCR-based analysis platform, termed 'GUt Low-Density Array' (GULDA). The platform was designed for simultaneous analysis of the change in the abundance of 31 different microbial 16S rRNA gene targets in fecal samples obtained from individuals at various points in time. The target genes represent important phyla, genera, species, or other taxonomic groups within the five predominant bacterial phyla of the gut, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia and also Euryarchaeota. To demonstrate the applicability of GULDA, analysis of fecal samples obtained from six healthy infants at both 9 and 18 months of age was performed and showed a significant increase over time of the relative abundance of bacteria belonging to Clostridial cluster IV (Clostridia leptum group) and Bifidobacterium bifidum and concurrent decrease in the abundance of Clostridium butyricum and a tendency for decrease in Enterobacteriaceae over the 9-month period., (© 2012 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Interest and research into radiopharmaceutical extravasation concepts has risen with the increase in use of radiopharmaceutical therapies, growing access to novel molecular imaging agents, and recent regulatory controversies. This minireview will examine the literature of the last twenty years to summarize the history of radiopharmaceutical extravasations, determine key trends in imaging and therapies, and highlight critical gaps in research that currently exist. The intent of this work is to provide a summary of this complex topic that helps build awareness and promotes new innovations in this interesting aspect of theranostic radiopharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For police officers, a high level of physical fitness is a prerequisite to meet both the training demands during education and the job demands of police service successfully. Before police officers enter the service, they have to pass a selection procedure and to complete a course of study or training. The present study has two aims. First, we describe the physical fitness of police applicants based on basic physical abilities in the context of the personnel selection procedure (research question 1, normative data). Second, we investigate the relationship of police applicants' physical fitness based on basic physical abilities in the context of personnel selection and subsequent levels of physical performance on a complex physical task in police training (research question 2, predictive validity). Based on two samples of N = 2082 police applicants and N = 424 police trainees in education, two main findings emerge. First, we provide normative data on the physical ability levels of police officer applicants derived from personnel selection procedure. Second, we report empirical evidence on the relationship between basic physical ability levels in the selection procedure and subsequent physical performance levels in a complex physical task during police training. Based on our data, performance-based thresholds for personnel selection procedures can be defined to minimize the risks of injury or failure associated with personnel selection and police training. Finally, evidence-based recommendations for police training, implications for further research, and limitations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from a joint research project between the University of Trier and the Humboldt University Berlin of personality dimensions were compared and analyzed. Since Germany was separated for forty years, studies of the general population are necessary in order to yield possible cultural differences. In the present comparison we analyzed personality constructs like anxiety, curiosity, anger and anger expression as well as variables of objective personality tests. The sample from the former western German states contained N = 109 persons. As a basis for comparison, we selected a parallized matched sample (n = 109) from the new eastern German states out of a larger sample (N = 586). The main results were as follows: (1) reliability (consistency) and factor structure of the measures are similar for both samples. This equivalency is the formal prerequisite for a comparison. (2) There are substantial differential effects between eastern and western samples. Wellness as well as emotionality also show different results considerable with regard to age and sex.

Probiotics are a group of active microorganisms that form colonies within the body and alter the composition of the flora in a specific area to provide benefits to the host. In this study, a total of 96 DurocxLandracexYorkshire weaned piglets with an initial body weight (BW) of 8.56±0.53kg were employed in a randomized complete block design for a 28-day experiment. Pigs were randomly divided into two treatment groups: the control group (CON) and the complex probiotic group (CON+0.2% probiotics), respectively. The study found that through the 28-day experiment, the average daily gain (ADG) of the complex probiotic group was significantly higher than that of the CON (p <0.05). However, compared with the CON, the feed conversion efficiency significantly decreased on days 0-14 (p <0.05). The addition of dietary complex probiotic significantly increased the villus height (VH) of duodenum and ileum, acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces, and decreased fecal methyl mercaptans, acetic acid, and CO2 (p <0.05). It concluded that feeding weaned piglets 0.2% complex probiotic increased the VH of duodenum and ileum, as well as changed the content of SCFAs in feces. This ultimately led to an increase in ADG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We aimed to determine whether sestamibi scan changes management of renal masses. Methods: All patients undergoing sestamibi scan for renal masses between 2008 and 2022 at a single center were retrospectively reviewed. Data were gathered on patient demographics, pre- and postoperative creatinine, sestamibi scan parameters, and cross-sectional imaging characteristics. Outcomes included whether the patient underwent renal mass biopsy or surgical resection and the final pathological diagnosis if tissue was obtained from biopsy or resection. Data regarding postbiopsy as well as postoperative complications were also collected. The odds ratio (OR) for surgery or biopsy based on sestamibi result was calculated. Results: Forty-three patients underwent sestamibi scan from 2008 to 2022, with 10 scans consistent with oncocytoma and 33 with nononcocytoma. The mean tumor size at initial presentation was 4.0 ± 1.8 cm with a median RENAL score of 7 (range: 4-11). For patients with sestamibi scans negative for oncocytoma, the OR for surgery was 12.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1-71.2, P = 0.005), and the OR for biopsy was 0.04 (95% CI: 0.005-0.39, P = 0.005). Conversely, for patients with sestamibi scans positive for oncocytoma, the OR for surgery was 0.28 (95% CI: 0.03-2.4, P = 0.24) and the OR for biopsy was 24.0 (95% CI: 2.6-222.7, P = 0.005). Creatinine at the last follow-up was similar between patients with positive and negative sestamibi scans. No patients experienced complications from surgery or biopsy. The median follow-up was 19 months (range: 2-163). Conclusions: A sestamibi scan positive for oncocytoma led to increased use of renal mass biopsy for confirmation. Sestamibi scans that were negative for oncocytoma were more likely to result in surgical resection without biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing use of nuclear medicine and PET imaging has intensified scrutiny of radiotracer extravasation. To our knowledge, this topic is understudied but holds great potential for enhancing our understanding of extravasation in clinical PET imaging., Purpose: This work aims to (1) quantify the absorbed doses from radiotracer extravasation in PET imaging, both locally at the site of extravasation and with the extravasation location as a source of exposure to bodily organs and (2) assess the biological ramifications within the injection site at the cellular level., Methods: A radiation dosimetry simulation was performed using a whole-body 4D Extended Cardiac-Torso (XCAT) phantom embedded in the GATE Monte Carlo platform. A 10-mCi dose of 18 F-FDG was chosen to simulate a typical clinical PET scan scenario, with 10% of the activity extravasated in the antecubital fossa of the right arm of the phantom. The extravasation volume was modeled as a 5.5 mL rectangle in the hypodermal layer of skin. Absorbed dose contributions were calculated for the first two half-lives, assuming biological clearance thereafter. Dose calculations were performed as absorbed doses at the organ and skin levels. Energy deposition was simulated both at the local extravasation site and in multiple organs of interest and converted to absorbed doses based on their respective masses. Each simulation was repeated ten times to estimate Monte Carlo uncertainties. Biological impacts on cells within the extravasated volume were evaluated by randomizing cells and exposing them to a uniform radiation source of 18 F and 68 Ga. Particle types, their energies, and direction cosines were recorded in phase space files using a separate Geant4 simulation to characterize their entry into the nucleus of the cellular volume. Subsequently, the phase space files were imported into the TOPAS-nBio simulation to assess the extent of DNA damage, including double-strand breaks (DSBs) and single-strand breaks (SSBs)., Results: Organ-level dosimetric estimations are presented for 18 F and 68 Ga radionuclides in various organs of interest. With 10% extravasation, the hypodermal layer of the skin received the highest absorbed dose of 1.32 ± 0.01 Gy for 18 F and 0.99 ± 0.01 Gy for 68 Ga. The epidermal and dermal layers received absorbed doses of 0.07 ± 0.01 Gy and 0.13 ± 0.01 Gy for 18 F, and 0.14 ± 0.01 Gy and 0.29 ± 0.01 Gy for 68 Ga, respectively. In the extravasated volume, 18 F caused an average absorbed dose per nucleus of 0.17 ± 0.01 Gy, estimated to result in 10.58 ± 0.50 DSBs and 268.11 ± 12.43 SSBs per nucleus. For 68 Ga, the absorbed dose per nucleus was 0.11 ± 0.01 Gy, leading to an estimated 6.49 ± 0.34 DSBs and 161.24 ± 8.12 SSBs per nucleus. Absorbed doses in other organs were on the order of micro-gray (µGy)., Conclusion: The likelihood of epidermal erythema resulting from extravasation during PET imaging is low, as the simulated absorbed doses to the epidermis remain below the thresholds that trigger such effects. Moreover, the organ-level absorbed doses were found to be clinically insignificant across various simulated organs. The minimal DNA damage at the extravasation site suggests that long-term harm, such as radiation-induced carcinogenesis, is highly unlikely., (© 2024 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.)

Prebiotics, traditionally linked to gut health, are increasingly recognized for their systemic benefits, influencing multiple organ systems through interactions with the gut microbiota. Compounds like inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) enhance short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, benefiting neurocognitive health, cardiovascular function, immune modulation, and skin integrity. Advances in biotechnology, including deep eutectic solvents (DES) for extraction and machine learning (ML) for personalized formulations, have expanded prebiotic applications. Integrating these innovations with "omics" technologies enables precise microbial modulation, fostering personalized nutrition and precision therapies. This review examines organ-specific effects of prebiotics, highlights findings from clinical trials, and explores biotechnological innovations that enhance prebiotic efficacy, laying the groundwork for future personalized therapeutic strategies., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Microorganisms inhabit the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants and regulate body metabolism by maintaining intestinal health. The state of gastrointestinal health is influenced not only by the macro-level factors of optimal development and the physiological structure integrity but also by the delicate equilibrium between the intestinal flora and immune status at the micro-level. Abrupt weaning in young ruminants causes incomplete development of the intestinal tract resulting in an unstable and unformed microbiota. Abrupt weaning also induced damages to the microecological homeostasis of the intestinal tract, resulting in the intestinal infections and diseases, such as diarrhea. Recently, nutritional and functional yeast culture has been researched to tackle these problems. Herein, we summarized current known interactions between intestinal microorganisms and the body of young ruminants, then we discussed the regulatory effects of using yeast culture as a feed supplement. Yeast culture is a microecological preparation that contains yeast, enriched with yeast metabolites and other nutrient-active components, including β-glucan, mannan, digestive enzymes, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and some other unknown growth factors. It stimulates the proliferation of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells and the reproduction of intestinal microorganisms by providing special nutrient substrates to support the intestinal function. Additionally, the β-glucan and mannan effectively stimulate intestinal mucosal immunity, promote immune response, activate macrophages, and increase acid phosphatase levels, thereby improving the body's resistance to several disease. The incorporation of yeast culture into young ruminants' diet significantly alleviated the damage caused by weaning stress to the gastrointestinal tract which also acts an effective strategy to promote the balance of intestinal flora, development of intestinal tissue, and establishment of mucosal immune system. Our review provides a theoretical basis for the application of yeast culture in the diet of young ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extravasation of 99mTc‐labeled radiopharmaceuticals is generally considered to require no specific intervention. In the presented case, the use of hyaluronidase could have minimized the adverse effects resulting from such an extravasation. Currently, no guidelines exist regarding the use of hyaluronidase after extravasation of [99mTc]Tc‐HDP. Considering the low risk of administering hyaluronidase, it should be considered to limit the risk of injury after extravasation of [99mTc]Tc‐HDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising awareness about the ecological burden of agricultural by-products and their potential industrial and medicinal applications spurred the research of waste valorization. Egypt is a chief producer of jasmine oils. However, jasmine-dense foliage is an agricultural waste that merits exploitation. Herein, Jasminum grandiflorum leaves were profiled using UPLC-MS, revealing a promising phytochemical composition rich in secoiridoids. A good safety profile was confirmed in vitro on cancerous and normal cell lines and in vivo (LD50>4000mg/kg). The radioprotective effect of 3500 mg/kg jasmine leaves extract against irradiation-induced lung injury was demonstrated. Biochemical analysis indicated that jasmine extract decreased malondialdehyde level and enhanced the endogenous antioxidants GSH-Px, SOD and CAT levels. Jasmine alleviated the inflammatory response by downregulating the expression of COX-2 and iNOS and reducing the inflammatory mediators, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and PGE2. Jasmine leaves offer interesting application prospects that add economic and industrial value to agricultural waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the role of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT and uptake patterns of primary and metastatic lesions in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Methods: Twenty patients with a suspicious lesion considered primary renal malignancy or a history of RCC were included in our study. Two patients were excluded from further analyses due to other confirmed malignancies. Six patients were newly diagnosed, while the indication of 12 patients was restaging. All patients underwent [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [18F]F-FDG PET/CT. SUVmax and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) of primary (n = 7) and local recurrent lesions (n = 6) and lymph node (n = 26), lung (n = 32), bone (n = 5), and other metastases (n = 14) were compared between the two tracers. Results: We detected 90 lesions in 18 patients with varying FAPI and FDG uptake values on both PET/CT. The median TBR of FAPI-PET/CT of all lesions was higher than TBR of FDG-PET/CT with statistically significance (5.6 vs. 2.1, p < 0.001). In primary and recurrent lesions, the median SUVmax, TBR, and tumor volume on FAPI-PET/CT were higher than FDG-PET/CT. The median SUVmax of lung lesions on FAPI-PET/CT was statistical significantly higher than FDG-SUVmax (3.8 vs. 1.8, p = 0.02). The median of FAPI-SUVmax on primary lesions was lower in the early stage based on TNM compared to the advanced stage. FAPI-SUVmax in 49% of all lesions were SUVmax ≥ 6, and 13% were SUVmax ≥ 10. In patient-based analyses, seven patients (39%) had at least one lesion with FAPI-SUVmax ≥ 10; 12 patients (67%) had at least one lesion with FAPI-SUVmax ≥ 6. Conclusion: This study showed the potential utility of [68 Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT showing promising results in RCC. We have presumed that FAPI-PET/CT may be performed for complementary imaging modality providing prognosis and possibility of theranostic application in selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some trace elements have been found to be associated with muscle mass and muscle function; however, evidence in children is limited, and it remains unclear which trace elements are more relevant. We aimed to explore the association of levels of individual and combined essential trace elements and muscle development level (MDL) in young children. Muscle mass was measured by body composition analysis, and trace elements were determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) and weighted quantile sum regression (WQS) were used to assess the individual and joint associations between trace element levels and MDL. We enrolled 2851 children: 1595 boys (55.9%) and mean age 7.1 years (range 6.8-7.3). The proportion of insufficient muscle mass in the whole body, limbs, upper and lower limbs was 1.9%, 6.5%, 44.9% and 4.6%, respectively. The odds of insufficient MDL decreased with the fourth versus first quartile of zinc (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51-0.89), manganese (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65-1.00), and cobalt (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81-0.99) and was increased with the fourth quartile of nickel (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.72-2.89) and selenium (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.14-1.98). The RCS yielded similar results, except for the discrepancy in high cobalt levels. The odds of insufficient MDL decreased with the combination of nine trace elements (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73-0.97), primarily zinc (weight = 0.297), manganese (weight = 0.198) and cobalt (weight = 0.173). Insufficient MDL in young children was mainly in upper limbs. Low levels of zinc, manganese, and cobalt, individually or combined, were significantly associated with risk of insufficient MDL. Further foods rich in zinc, manganese, and cobalt should be suggested to supplement in diet, and increase exercise of upper limbs to improve insufficient MDL in the young children should be needed., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical Approval: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Baoan Central Hospital of Shenzhen (protocol no. IRB-PJ-2018–002) and was performed according to the Helsinki Declaration. Consent to Participate: Written informed consent was obtained from the parents or guardians. Competing Interests: No financial or non-financial benefits have been received or will be received from any party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Indeterminate renal masses are increasingly incidentally found on cross-sectional imaging. 99m Tc-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) scans can be used to identify oncocytomas and oncocytic renal neoplasms, including a subset of chromophobe renal cell carcinomas (chRCCs), which are viewed as false-positive., Procedure: Patients imaged with renal sestamibi scans between 2014 and 2023 were reviewed. Those patients with solitary tumors that were originally classified as chRCC were included in the analysis. Imaging with SPECT/CT from the liver dome down had been carried out 75 min after the administration of 925 MBq of 99m Tc-sestamibi. All available H&E and immunostained slides were re-reviewed and classified according to WHO 2022 criteria. Confirmatory immunohistochemical stains were performed in tumors considered morphologically suspicious for non-chRCC entities., Result: A total of 18 patients with solitary tumors were included in the final analysis. 13/18 (72.2%) tumors in this cohort remained classified as chRCC, with 4/18 (22.2%) being eosinophilic-variant chRCC. The reclassified tumors (5/18 [27.8%]) included 2/18 (11.1%) low-grade oncocytic tumor (LOT), 1/18 (5.5%) eosinophilic vacuolated tumor (EVT), and 2/18 (11.1%) unclassified low-grade oncocytic neoplasms. As such, only 2/9 (22.2%) qualitatively "hot" tumors were chRCC other than eosinophilic-variant and only 1/9 (11.1%) "cold" tumors was a histology other than chRCC., Conclusion: Based on current histopathologic classification methods, it is likely that the "false-positive" rate of uptake on renal sestamibi scans with chRCC has been over-stated. Further study is warranted to better refine the optimal utility of renal sestamibi scans for non-invasive risk stratification of indeterminate renal masses., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to World Molecular Imaging Society.)

Dermal fibroblasts (dFBs) defend against deep bacterial skin infections by differentiating into preadipocytes (pAds) that produce the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin; this differentiation is known as the dermal reactive adipogenesis response. However, the role of dFBs in fungal infection remains unknown. Here, we found that cathelicidin-producing pAds were present in high numbers in skin lesions from patients with cutaneous Candida granulomas. Second, we showed that dermal Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection in mice robustly triggered the dermal reactive adipogenesis response and induced cathelicidin expression, and inhibition of adipogenesis with pharmacological inhibitors of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) impaired skin resistance to C. albicans. In vitro, C. albicans products induced cathelicidin expression in pAds, and differentiating pAds markedly suppressed the growth of C. albicans by producing cathelicidin. Finally, we showed that C. albicans induced an antimicrobial response in pAds through the FGFR-MEK-ERK pathway. Together, our data reveal a previously unknown role of dFBs in the defense against skin infection caused by C. albicans. Author summary: Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the pathogen that most commonly causes human fungal infections. It normally inhabits the skin surface, genital and/or intestinal mucosa of almost 30–70% healthy individuals. In certain instances, such as impairment of skin barrier integrity or immunosuppression, C. albicans can cause mucosal and cutaneous candidiasis. Here, we demonstrated the protective role of dermal fibroblasts against C. albicans skin infection, which is previously unknown. Firstly, we found that the number of cathelicidin-producing preadipocytes (pAds) increased in both human and mouse skin lesions infected with C. albicans, indicating that C. albicans infection triggers a dermal reactive adipogenesis response. Furthermore, we found inhibiting adipogenesis by administration of pharmacological inhibitors of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ, or suppressing cathelicidin expression, impaired skin resistance to C. albicans. Finally, we showed that pAds produced cathelicidin through the FGFR-MEK-ERK pathway in response to C. albicans infection. Our results could provide new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of deep cutaneous candidiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although overconsumption of high-fat foods is a major driver of weight gain, the neural mechanisms that link the oral sensory properties of dietary fat to reward valuation and eating behavior remain unclear. Here we combine novel food-engineering approaches with functional neuroimaging to show that the human orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) translates oral sensations evoked by high-fat foods into subjective economic valuations that guide eating behavior. Male and female volunteers sampled and evaluated nutrient-controlled liquid foods that varied in fat and sugar (“milkshakes”). During oral food processing, OFC activity encoded a specific oral-sensory parameter that mediated the influence of the foods’ fat content on reward value: the coefficient of sliding friction. Specifically, OFC responses to foods in the mouth reflected the smooth, oily texture (i.e., mouthfeel) produced by fatty liquids on oral surfaces. Distinct activity patterns in OFC encoded the economic values associated with particular foods, which reflected the subjective integration of sliding friction with other food properties (sugar, fat, viscosity). Critically, neural sensitivity of OFC to oral texture predicted individuals’ fat preferences in a naturalistic eating test: individuals whose OFC was more sensitive to fat-related oral texture consumed more fat during ad libitum eating. Our findings suggest that reward systems of the human brain sense dietary fat from oral sliding friction, a mechanical food parameter that likely governs our daily eating experiences by mediating interactions between foods and oral surfaces. These findings identify a specific role for the human OFC in evaluating oral food textures to mediate preference for high-fat foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kevlar fibers were irradiated at up to 2500 kGy using a 10 MeV electron accelerator. The effects of radiation on the Kevlar fibers were evaluated in detail. The main structure, crystal structure, and thermal transition temperature of the fibers remained unchanged after electron beam radiation. The mechanical properties of the fibers decreased significantly when the absorbed dose reached 2000 kGy. In addition, viscosity tests revealed that electron beam radiation could damage the long polymer chains of the fibers. The FTIR results showed that the intensity of the CN bond decreased depending on the absorbed dose, indicating that CN bonds may be the degradation site of Kevlar fibers. This work provides a comprehensive radiation resistance evaluation for Kevlar fibers and thus offers some fundamental data for the application of Kevlar fibers in extreme environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transverse diameter fo the foramen occipitale magnum (f. o. m.) in the semiaxial skull X-ray was measured and evaluated statistically in 174 cerebrally healthy children of different ages. These normal values are contrasted with the foramen diameters of 35 children with verified Arnold-Chiari malformation as well as children with macrocephaly and microcephaly. The values in children with Arnold-Chiari malformation are all above the norm, irrespective of whether or not there is a concomitant hydrocephalus.

Nutritional requirements for maintaining metabolic health may vary with each life stage, such as young, middle, and old age. To investigate the appropriate ratio of nutrients, particularly proteins, for maintaining metabolic health while approaching old age, young (6-month-old) and middle-aged (16-month-old) mice were fed isocaloric diets with varying protein percentages (5%, 15%, 25%, 35%, and 45% by calorie ratio) for two months. The low-protein diet developed mild fatty liver, with middle-aged mice showing more lipids than young mice, whereas the moderate-protein diet suppressed lipid contents and lowered the levels of blood glucose and lipids. Self-organizing map (SOM) analysis revealed that plasma amino acid profiles differed depending on age and difference in protein diet and were associated with hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Results indicate that the moderate protein intake percentages (25% and 35%) are required for maintaining metabolic health in middle-aged mice, which is similar to that in young mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines kindergarten children's experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to understand the children's thoughts, emotions, and coping strategies regarding the presence of the COVID-19 virus in their daily lives, using the salutogenic approach to study their sense of coherence and promote relevant professional instruction. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were held with 130 five- to six-year-old children with an equal number of boys and girls. All of the children were recruited from kindergartens affiliated with the state's secular education system. Data were structured into three themes: (1) the child's perception of the pandemic as manageable through significant accompanying and absent figures; (2) the child's comprehension of the virus as dangerous, age-differentiating, and contagious; and (3) the child's emotional processing of the pandemic as arousing fear of death and through images, such as "thorny" and "monster." The results demonstrate the young children's sense of coherence, characterized as extrapersonal perception, interpersonal coping, and intrapersonal emotional processing, and the need for greater acknowledgment of child-parent educators' informed interventions that could give children a partial feeling of the adult's awareness of their needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]