Model-driven CT reconstruction algorithm for nano-resolution x-ray phase contrast imaging

The low-density imaging performance of a zone plate-based nano-resolution hard x-ray computed tomography(CT)system can be significantly improved by incorporating a grating-based Lau interferometer. Due to the diffraction, however,the acquired nano-resolution phase signal may suffer splitting problem, which impedes the direct reconstruction of phase contrast CT(nPCT) images. To overcome, a new model-driven nPCT image reconstruction algorithm is developed in this study. In it, the diffraction procedure is mathematically modeled into a matrix B, from which the projections without signal splitting can be generated invertedly. Furthermore, a penalized weighted least-square model with total variation(PWLSTV) is employed to denoise these projections, from which nPCT images with high accuracy are directly reconstructed.Numerical experiments demonstrate that this new algorithm is able to work with phase projections having any splitting distances. Moreover, results also reveal that nPCT images of higher signal-to-noise-ratio(SNR) could be reconstructed from projections having larger splitting distances. In summary, a novel model-driven nPCT image reconstruction algorithm with high accuracy and robustness is verified for the Lau interferometer-based hard x-ray nano-resolution phase contrast imaging.

Highly Sensitive MoS_2–Indocyanine Green Hybrid for Photoacoustic Imaging of Orthotopic Brain Glioma at Deep Site

Photoacoustic technology in combination with molecular imaging is a highly effective method for accurately diagnosing brain glioma. For glioma detection at a deeper site, contrast agents with higher photoacoustic imaging sensitivity are needed. Herein, we report a MoS_2–ICG hybrid with indocyanine green(ICG) conjugated to the surface of MoS_2 nanosheets. The hybrid significantly enhanced photoacoustic imaging sensitivity compared to MoS_2 nanosheets. This conjugation results in remarkably high optical absorbance across a broad near-infrared spectrum, redshifting of the ICG absorption peak and photothermal/photoacoustic conversion efficiency enhancement of ICG. A tumor mass of 3.5 mm beneath the mouse scalp was clearly visualized by using MoS_2–ICG as a contrast agent for the in vivo photoacoustic imaging of orthotopic glioma, which is nearly twofold deeper than the tumors imaged in our previous report using MoS_2 nanosheet. Thus, combined with its good stability and high biocompatibility, the MoS_2–ICG hybrid developed in this study has a great potential for high-efficiency tumor molecular imaging in translational medicine.

Role of functional imaging in the development and refinement of invasive neuromodulation for psychiatric disorders

Deep brain stimulation(DBS) is emerging as a pow-erful tool for the alleviation of targeted symptoms in treatment-resistant neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite the expanding use of neuropsychiatric DBS, the mecha-nisms responsible for its effects are only starting to be elucidated. Several modalities such as quantitative elec-troencephalography as well a intraoperative recordings have been utilized to attempt to understand the under-pinnings of this new treatment modality, but functional imaging appears to offer several unique advantages. Functional imaging techniques like positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomog-raphy and functional magnetic resonance imaging have been used to examine the effects of focal DBS on activ-ity in a distributed neural network. These investigations are critical for advancing the field of invasive neuro-modulation in a safe and effective manner, particularly in terms of defining the neuroanatomical targets and refining the stimulation protocols. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current functional neuroim-aging findings from neuropsychiatric DBS implantation for three disorders: treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette syndrome. All of the major targets will be discussed(Nucleus ac-cumbens, anterior limb of internal capsule, subcallosal cingulate, Subthalamic nucleus, Centromedial nucleus of the thalamus-Parafasicular complex, frontal pole, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). We will also address some apparent inconsistencies within this literature, and suggest potential future directions for this promis-ing area.

The use of hydrogel-delivered extracellular vesicles in recovery of motor function in stroke:a testable experimental hypothesis for clinical translation including behavioral and neuroimaging assessment approaches

Neural tissue engineering,nanotechnology and neuroregeneration are diverse biomedical disciplines that have been working together in recent decades to solve the complex problems linked to central nervous system(CNS)repair.It is known that the CNS demonstrates a very limited regenerative capacity because of a microenvironment that impedes effective regenerative processes,making development of CNS therapeutics challenging.Given the high prevalence of CNS conditions such as stroke that damage the brain and place a severe burden on afflicted individuals and on society,it is of utmost significance to explore the optimum methodologies for finding treatments that could be applied to humans for restoration of function to pre-injury levels.Extracellular vesicles(EVs),also known as exosomes,when derived from mesenchymal stem cells,are one of the most promising approaches that have been attempted thus far,as EVs deliver factors that stimulate recovery by acting at the nanoscale level on intercellular communication while avoiding the risks linked to stem cell transplantation.At the same time,advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have offered the potential of using hydrogels as bio-scaffolds in order to provide the stroma required for neural repair to occur,as well as the release of biomolecules facilitating or inducing the reparative processes.This review introduces a novel experimental hypothesis regarding the benefits that could be offered if EVs were to be combined with biocompatible injectable hydrogels.The rationale behind this hypothesis is presented,analyzing how a hydrogel might prolong the retention of EVs and maximize the localized benefit to the brain.This sustained delivery of EVs would be coupled with essential guidance cues and structural support from the hydrogel until neural tissue remodeling and regeneration occur.Finally,the importance of including nonhuman primate models in the clinical translation pipeline,as well as the added benefit of multi-modal neuroimaging analysis to establish non-invasive,in vivo,quantifiable imagingbased biomarkers for CNS repair are discussed,aiming for more effective and safe clinical translation of such regenerative therapies to humans.

Simultaneous whole body ^(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of pediatric cancer: Preliminary experience and comparison with ^(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomogra

AIM: To describe our preliminary experience with simultaneous whole body ^(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose(^(18)F-FDG)positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging(PET-MRI) in the evaluation of pediatric oncology patients.METHODS: This prospective, observational, singlecenter study was Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant, and institutional review board approved. To be eligible, a patient was required to:(1) have a known or suspected cancer diagnosis;(2) be under the care of a pediatric hematologist/oncologist; and(3) be scheduled for clinically indicated ^(18)F-FDG PETCT examination at our institution. Patients underwent PET-CT followed by PET-MRI on the same day. PET-CT examinations were performed using standard department protocols. PET-MRI studies were acquired with an integrated 3 Tesla PET-MRI scanner using whole body T1 Dixon, T2 HASTE, EPI diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) and STIR sequences. No additional radiotracer was given for the PET-MRI examination. Both PET-CT and PETMRI examinations were reviewed by consensus by two study personnel. Test performance characteristics of PETMRI, for the detection of malignant lesions, including FDG maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax) and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCmin), were calculated on a per lesion basis using PET-CT as a reference standard.RESULTS: A total of 10 whole body PET-MRI exams were performed in 7 pediatric oncology patients. The mean patient age was 16.1 years(range 12-19 years) including 6 males and 1 female. A total of 20 malignant and 21 benign lesions were identified on PET-CT. PET-MRI SUVmax had excellent correlation with PET-CT SUVmax for both benign and malignant lesions(R = 0.93). PETMRI SUVmax > 2.5 had 100% accuracy for discriminating benign from malignant lesions using PET-computed tomography(CT) reference. Whole body DWI was also evaluated: the mean ADCmin of malignant lesions(780.2 + 326.6) was significantly lower than that of benign lesions(1246.2 + 417.3; P = 0.0003; Student's t test). A range of ADCmin thresholds for malignancy were evaluated, from 0.5-1.5 × 10^(-3) mm^2/s. The 1.0 × 10^(-3) ADCmin threshold performed best compared with PETCT reference(68.3% accuracy). However, the accuracy of PET-MRI SUVmax was significantly better than ADCmin for detecting malignant lesions compared with PET-CT reference(P < 0.0001; two-tailed Mc Nemar's test).CONCLUSION: These results suggest a clinical role for simultaneous whole body PET-MRI in evaluating pediatric cancer patients.

Diffusional kurtosis imaging: a promising technique for detecting microstructural changes in neural development and regeneration

Brain development is one of the most fascinating subjects in the field of biological sciences. Nonetheless, our scientific commu- nity still faces challenges in trying to understand the concepts that define the underlying mechanisms of neural tissue devel- opment. After all, it is a very complex subject to grasp and many of the processes that take place during central nervous system maturation are yet to be ascertained. Despite this challenge, we have come to recognize that understanding the natural course of normal brain tissue development on both microscopic and macroscopic scales is the key to deciphering the mechanisms through which these neural networks also heal and regenerate. Realizing this concept, my good friend and colleague, Dr. Sar- ah Milla, and I decided to take on a human study to investigate brain maturation using non-invasive imaging techniques in the pediatric population at New York University （NYU） School of Medicine （Paydar et al., 2013）. Our research subjects included 59 normal infants with an age spectrum ranging from birth to approximately 5 years of age, when the brain is in its most active stage of development. We implemented a Magnetic Resonance Imaging （MRI） diffusion technique called Diffusional Kurtosis Imaging （DKI） to investigate the microstructural changes that occur in both the white matter （WM） and gray matter （GM） in the developing brain.

Effects of Tube Voltage on Phase-Contrast Imaging for Different Microfocus X-Ray Tubes

In the past decade, phase-contrast imaging (PCI) has become a hot research with an increased improvement of the image contrast with respect to conventional absorption radiography. In this paper, effects of tube voltage (kVp) on propagation-based phase-contrast imaging have been investigated with two types of microfocus x-ray tubes, a conventional sealed x-ray tube with the focal spot size of 13 - 20 μm and an open x-ray tube with minimum focal spot size less than 2 μm. A cooled x-ray CCD detector with the pixel size of 24 μm was used to acquire digital images. Two thin plastic sheets with different thickness were used as radiography phantoms. Two different phenomena were observed for the two x-ray tubes. For the open tube, phase-contrast effect has a slight drop with the increasing of tube voltage, however, it is opposite for the sealed tube. A further investigation indicates that the variation of focal spot size causes the abnormal result for the sealed tube. It also shows that phase-contrast effect is more sensitive to focal spot size than tube voltage.

Non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery with one-step nucleic acid amplification for early gastrointestinal tumors:Personal experience and literature review

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery is a safe,organ-sparing surgery that achieves full-thickness resection with adequate margins.Recent studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of these procedures.However,these techniques are limited by the exposure of the tumor and mucosa to the peritoneal cavity,which could lead to viable cancer cell seeding and the spillage of gastric juice or enteric liquids into the peritoneal cavity.Non-exposed endoscopic wallinversion surgery(NEWS)is highly accurate in determining the resection margins to prevent intraperitoneal contamination because the tumor is inverted into the visceral lumen instead of the peritoneal cavity.Accurate intraoperative assessment of the nodal status could allow stratification of the extent of resection.One-step nucleic acid amplification(OSNA)can provide a rapid method of evaluating nodal tissue,whilst nearinfrared laparoscopy together with indocyanine green can identify relevant nodal tissue intraoperatively.AIM To determine the safety and feasibility of NEWS in early gastric and colon cancers and of adding rapid intraoperative lymph node(LN)assessment with OSNA.METHODS The patient-based experiential portion of our investigations was conducted at the General and Oncological Surgery Unit of the St.Giuseppe Moscati Hospital(Avellino,Italy).Patients with early-stage gastric or colon cancer(diagnosed via endoscopy,endoscopic ultrasound,and computed tomography)were included.All lesions were treated by NEWS procedure with intraoperative OSNA assay between January 2022 and October 2022.LNs were examined intraoperatively with OSNA and postoperatively with conventional histology.We analyzed patient demographics,lesion features,histopathological diagnoses,R0 resection(negative margins)status,adverse events,and follow-up results.Data were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS A total of 10 patients(5 males and 5 females)with an average age of 70.4±4.5 years(range:62-78 years)were enrolled in this study.Five patients were diagnosed with gastric cancer.The remaining 5 patients were diagnosed with early-stage colon cancer.The mean tumor diameter was 23.8±11.6 mm(range:15-36 mm).The NEWS procedure was successful in all cases.The mean procedure time was 111.5±10.7 min(range:80-145 min).The OSNA assay revealed no LN metastases in any patients.Histologically complete resection(R0)was achieved in 9 patients(90.0%).There was no recurrence during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION NEWS combined with sentinel LN biopsy and OSNA assay is an effective and safe technique for the removal of selected early gastric and colon cancers in which it is not possible to adopt conventional endoscopic resection techniques.This procedure allows clinicians to acquire additional information on the LN status intraoperatively.

Effects of a periodic intermittent theta burst stimulation in Alzheimer's disease

Background Previous studies havedemonstrated that excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)can improve the cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Intermittent theta burst stimulation(iTBS)is a novel excitatory rTMS protocol for brain activity stimulation with the ability to induce long-term potentiation-like plasticity and represents a promising treatment for AD.However,the long-term effects of iTBS on cognitive decline and brain structure in patients with AD areunknown.Aims We aimed to explore whether repeating accelerated iTBS every three months could slow down the cognitive decline in patients with AD.Methods In this randomised,assessor-blinded,controlled trial,iTBS was administered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC)of 42 patients with AD for 14days every 13weeks.Measurements included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA),a comprehensive neuropsychological battery,and the grey matter volume(GMV)of the hippocampus.Patients were evaluated at baseline and after follow-up.The longitudinal pipeline of the Computational Anatomy Toolbox for SPM was used to detect significant treatment-related changes over time.Results The iTBS group maintained MoCA scores relative to the control group(t=3.26,p=0.013)and reduced hippocampal atrophy,which was significantly correlated with global degeneration scale changes.The baseline Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)score,apolipoprotein E genotype and Clinical Dementia Rating were indicative of MoCA scores at follow-up.Moreover,the GMV of the left(t=0.08,p=0.996)and right(t=0.19,p=0.977)hippocampus were maintained in the active group but significantly declined in the control group(left:t=4.13,p<0.001;right:t=5.31,p<0.001).GMV change in the left(r=0.35,p=0.023)and right(r=0.36,p=0.021)hippocampus across the intervention positively correlated with MoCA changes;left hippocampal GMV change was negatively correlated with global degeneration scale(r=-0.32,p=0.041)changes.Conclusions DLPFC-iTBS maybe a feasible and easy-to-implement non-pharmacological intervention to slow down the progressive decline of overall cognition and quality of life in patients with AD,providing a new AD treatment option.Trial registration number NCT04754152.

The role of Epstein-Barr virus in multiple sclerosis:from molecular pathophysiology to in vivo imaging

Multiple sclerosis(MS) is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and neuronal damage. Environmental and genetic factors are associated with the risk of developing MS, but the exact cause still remains unidentified. Epstein-Barr virus(EBV), vitamin D, and smoking are among the most well-established environmental risk factors in MS. Infectious mononucleosis, which is caused by delayed primary EBV infection, increases the risk of developing MS. EBV may also contribute to MS pathogenesis indirectly by activating silent human endogenous retrovirus-W. The emerging B-cell depleting therapies, particularly anti-CD20 agents such as rituximab, ocrelizumab, as well as the fully human ofatumumab, have shown promising clinical and magnetic resonance imaging benefit. One potential effect of these therapies is the depletion of memory B-cells, the primary reservoir site where EBV latency occurs. In addition, EBV potentially interacts with both genetic and other environmental factors to increase susceptibility and disease severity of MS. This review examines the role of EBV in MS pathophysiology and summarizes the recent clinical and radiological findings, with a focus on B-cells and in vivo imaging. Addressing the potential link between EBV and MS allows the better understanding of MS pathogenesis and helps to identify additional disease biomarkers that may be responsive to B-cell depleting intervention.

Irregular surface of carotid atherosclerotic plaque is associated with ischemic stroke: a magnetic resonance imaging study

Objective To determine the association between the irregularity of carotid plaque surface using multidimensional magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) of ipsilateral acute cerebral infarction(ACI) cases. Methods Patients with recent cerebrovascular symptoms(stroke or transient ischemic attack < 2 weeks) and atherosclerotic plaque in at least one carotid artery were diagnosed by B-mode ultrasound imaging(intima-media thickness ≥ 1.5 mm) and recruited for the present study. Irregular surface was defined when plaque surface was uneven with high and low fluctuation or plaque with surface ulceration. The irregularity of carotid plaque surface was determined on axial or oblique images alone(single-dimension) and on both axial images and oblique images(multidimensions), separately. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratio(OR) and the corresponding 95% CI of the irregular plaque surface in discriminating the presence of ipsilateral ACI. Results A total of 217 included subjects(mean age: 60.7 ± 10.2 years, 149 men) were recruited and 89(41.0%), 88(40.6%) and 118(54.4%) of them exhibited irregular plaque surface on axial, oblique and multidimensional MR images, respectively. The OR of irregularity of the plaque surface was determined by multidimensional MRI to be 5.88(95% CI: 3.16–10.96, P < 0.001) in discriminating the presence of ipsilateral ACI. Following adjustment for clinical confounding factors, this association remained statistically significant(OR = 5.65, 95% CI: 2.53–12.60, P < 0.001). The analysis included further adjustment for the presence of lipid-rich necrotic core, intraplaque hemorrhage and stenosis and the results included that this association also remained statistically significant(OR = 6.08, 95% CI: 2.52–14.68, P < 0.001). Conclusions The irregular plaque surface was determined by multidimensional MRI as an independent indicator for ipsilateral acute cerebral infarction.

Hemodynamic analysis of intracranial aneurysms using phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging and computational fluid dynamics

Additional hemodynamic parameters are highly desirable in the clinical management of intracranial aneurysm rupture as static medical images cannot demonstrate the blood flow within aneurysms. There are two ways of obtaining the hemodynamic information-by phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PCMRI) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In this paper, we compared PCMRI and CFD in the analysis of a stable patient's specific aneurysm. The results showed that PCMRI and CFD are in good agreement with each other. An additional CFD study of two stable and two ruptured aneurysms revealed that ruptured aneurysms have a higher statistical average blood velocity, wall shear stress, and oscillatory shear index (OSI) within the aneurysm sac compared to those of stable aneurysms. Furthermore, for ruptured aneurysms, the OSI divides the positive and negative wall shear stress divergence at the aneurysm sac.

Targeted principle component analysis:A new motion artifact correction approach for near-infrared spectroscopy

As near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS)broadens its application area to diferent age and diseasegroups,motion artifacts in the NIRS signal due to subject movement is becoming an importantchallenge.Motion artifacts generally produce signal fiuctuations that are larger than physio-logical NIRS signals,thus it is cruciai to corect for them before obtaining an cstimate ofstimulusevoked hemodynamic responses.,There are various methods for correction such as principlecomponent analy sis(P CA),wavelet-based filt ering and spline int erpolation.Here,we introduce anew approach to motion artifact correction,targeted principle component analysis(PCA),which incorporates a PCA filter only on the segments of data identified as motion artifacts.Itis expected that this will overcome the issues of filtering desired signals that plagues standardPCA fitering of entire data sets.We compared the new approach with the most efiective motionartifact correction algorithms on a set of data acquired simultaneously with a collodion-fixedprobe(low motion artifact content)and a standard Velcro probe(high motion artifact content).Our results show that tPCA gives statistically better results in recovering hemodynamic responsefunction(HRF)as compared to wavelet-based fltering and spline interpolation for the Velcroprobe.It resulis in a significant reduction in mean-squauared'error(MSE)and significant en-hancement in Pearson's correlation coeficient to the true HRF,The collodion-fixed fiber probewith no motion correction performed better than the Velcro probe corrected for motion artifactsin terms of MSE and Pearson's correlation coefficient.Thus,if the experimental study permits,the use of a collodion-fixed fiber probe may be desirable.I the use of a collodion-fixed probe is notfeasible,then we suggest the use of tP CA in the processing of motion artifact contaminated data.

Parallel variable-density spiral imaging using nonlocal total variation reconstruction

The relatively long scan time is still a bottleneck for both clinical applications and research of magnetic resonance imaging. To reduce the data acquisition time, we propose a novel fast magnetic resonance imaging method based on parallel variable-density spiral acquisition, which combines undersampling optimization and nonlocal total variation reconstruction. The undersampling optimization promotes the incoherence of resultant aliasing artifact via the ＂worst-case＂ residual error metric, and thus accelerates the data acquisition. Moreover, nonlocal total variation reconstruction is utilized to remove such an incoherent aliasing artifact and so improve image quality. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated by both numerical phantom simulation and in vivo experiment. The experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve high acceleration factor and effectively remove an aliasing artifact from data undersampling with well-preserved image details. The image quality is better than that achieved with the total variation method.

Volume and fat infiltration of spino-pelvic musculature in adults with spinal deformity

AIM: To investigate fat infiltration and volume of spino-pelvic muscles in adults spinal deformity(ASD) with magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and 3D reconstructions.METHODS: Nineteen female ASD patients(mean age 60 ± 13) were included prospectively and consecutively and had T1-weighted Turbo Spin Echo sequence MRIs with Dixon method from the proximal tibia up to T12 vertebra. The Dixon method permitted to evaluate the proportion of fat inside each muscle(fat-water ratio). In order to investigate the accuracy of the Dixon method for estimating fat vs water, the same MRI acquisition was performed on phantoms of four vials composed of different proportion of fat vs water. With Muscl'X software, 3D reconstructions of 17 muscles or group of muscles were obtained identifying the muscle's contour on a limited number of axial images [Deformation of parametric specific objects(DPSO) Method]. Musclar volume(Vmuscle), infiltrated fat volume(Vfat) and percentage of fat infiltration [Pfat, calculated as follow: Pfat = 100 ×(Vfat/Vmuscle)] were characterized by extensor or flexor function respectively for the spine, hip and knee and theirs relationship with demographic data were investigated. RESULTS: Phantom acquisition demonstrated a non linear relation between Dixon fat-water ratio and the real fat-water ratio. In order to correct the Dixon fatwater ratio, the non linear relation was approximated with a polynomial function of degree three using the phantom acquisition. On average, Pfat was 13.3% ± 5.3%. Muscles from the spinal extensor group had a Pfat significantly greater than the other muscles groups, and the largest variability(Pfat = 31.9% ± 13.8%, P < 0.001). Muscles from the hip extensor group ranked 2nd in terms of Pfat(14% ± 8%), and were significantly greater than those of the knee extensor(P = 0.030). Muscles from the knee extensor group demonstrated the least Pfat(12% ± 8%). They were also the only group with a significant correlation between Vmuscle and Pfat(r =-0.741, P < 0.001), however this correlation was lacking in the other groups. No correlation was found between the Vmuscle total and age or body mass index. Except for the spine flexors, Pfat was correlated with age. Vmuscle and Vfat distributions demonstrated that muscular degeneration impacted the spinal extensors most.CONCLUSION: Mechanisms of fat infiltration are not similar among the muscle groups. Degeneration impacted the spinal and hip extensors most, key muscles of the sagittal alignment.

Spectral selective fluorescence molecular imaging with volume holographic imaging system

A compact volume holographic imaging(VHI)method that can detect fluorescence objects located in diffusive medium in spectral selective imaging manner is presented.The enlargement of lateralfield of view of the VHI system is realized by using broadband illumination and demagnification optics.Each target spectrum of°uorescence emitting from a di®usive medium is probed by tuning the inclination angle of the transmission volume holographic grating(VHG).With the use of the single transmission VHG,fluorescence images with different spectrum are obtained sequentially and precise three-dimensional(3D)information of deep fluorescent objects located in a diffusive medium can be reconstructed from these images.The results of phantom experiments demonstrate that two fluorescent objects with a sub-millimeter distance can be resolved by spectral selective imaging.

A comparison of carotid atherosclerosis in symptomatic patients between 2002-2005 and 2012-2015 cohorts using multi-contrast magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging

OBJECTIVE To compare the morphological and compositional characteristics of carotid plaques in two cohorts(2002−2005 and 2012−2015)of Chinese patients using magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging.METHODS Symptomatic patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques who underwent carotid vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging between 2002−2005 and 2012−2015 were retrospectively recruited.Plaque morphology[including mean wall area,wall thickness,and maximum normalized wall index(NWI)]and composition[including calcification,intraplaque hemorrhage,and lipid-rich necrotic core(LRNC)]in symptomatic carotid arteries were evaluated and compared between patients in these two time periods.RESULTS A total of 258 patients,including 129 patients in the 2002−2005 cohort and 129 patients in the 2012−2015 cohort,were recruited.Statin use(49.6%vs.32.6%,P=0.004)and hypertension(76.0%vs.62.8%,P=0.015)were significantly more common in the 2012-2015 cohort than in the 2002−2005 cohort.Patients in the 2012−2015 cohort also exhibited significantly low plaque burden parameters(all P<0.05),as well as a lower prevalence(68.2%vs.89.9%,P<0.001)and volume percentages of LRNC(11.2%±14.2%vs.25.7%±17.7%,P<0.001).These differences remained significant after adjustment for clinical factors.The differences in the volume percentages of LRNC also remained significant after an additional adjustment for maximum NWI(P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS Patients in the 2012−2015 cohort had a lower plaque burden and volume percentages of LRNC in symptomatic carotid arteries than those in the 2002−2005 cohort.These findings indicate that carotid plaques in the recent cohort had a lower severity and vulnerability.

X-ray phase-sensitive microscope imaging with a grating interferometer:Theory and simulation

A general theoretical framework is presented to explain the formation of the phase signal in an x-ray microscope integrated with a grating interferometer,which simultaneously enables the high spatial resolution imaging and the improved image contrast.By using this theory,several key parameters of phase contrast imaging can be predicted,for instance,the fringe visibility and period,and the conversion condition from the differential phase imaging(DPI)to the phase difference imaging(PDI).Additionally,numerical simulations are performed with certain x-ray optical components and imaging geometry.Comparison with the available experimental measurement[Appl.Phys.Lett.113063105(2018)]demonstrates the accuracy of this developed quantitative analysis method of x-ray phase-sensitive microscope imaging.

Four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging for noninvasive diagnosis of clinically significant portal hypertension and high-risk gastroesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis

Introduction:Noninvasive diagnoses of clinically significant portal hypertension(CSPH)and high-risk gastroesophageal varices are clinically relevant but challenging.Four-dimensional(4D)flow magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)provides comprehensive flow information and is a promising alternative.This study evaluated the efficacy of 4D flow MRI as a noninvasive method for diagnosing CSPH and high-risk varices in patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods:This prospective study enrolled consecutive patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis at a tertiary referral center between October 2020 and March 2021.Each participant underwent abdominal 4D flow MRI.Hemodynamic parameters within the portal vein,including the average and peak flow velocities,normalized flow volume(Q_(normal)),and regurgitant fraction(R%),were extracted and compared between healthy individuals and patients with CSPH and between participants with high-and low-risk varices.Subsequently,these parameters were incorporated into a logistic regression(LR)model refined using L1 regularization and validated using five-fold cross-validation.The diagnostic efficacy was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results:Eighty-two participants were enrolled(71 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and 11 healthy individuals serving as controls).Among hemodynamic parameters,patients with CSPH exhibited a notable increase in Q_(normal)of 0.66±0.19 ml*m^(2)/[cycle*kg](P=0.001)and an R%of 1.98(2.05)(P=0.002).Similarly,patients with high-risk varices showed a higher Q_(normal)of 0.61±0.15 ml*m^(2)/[cycle*kg](P<0.001)and R%of 1.88(2.81)(P=0.006).ROC analysis revealed an area under the curve(AUC)for Q_(normal)of 0.93 and 0.91 for R%for diagnosing CSPH,while the LR model showcased a superior AUC of 0.95.For high-risk varices,Q_(normal)and R%showed AUC values of 0.75 and 0.70,respectively,whereas the LR model showed a higher AUC of 0.84.Conclusion:As a noninvasive imaging modality,4D flow MRI exhibits considerable potential for the diagnosis of CSPH and high-risk gastroesophageal varices;thus,it may minimize the reliance on invasive procedures in patients with cirrhosis.

Vitamin D-binding protein in plasma microglia-derived extracellular vesicles as a potential biomarker for major depressive disorder

No well-established biomarkers are available for the clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder(MDD).Vitamin D-binding protein(VDBP)is altered in plasma and postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC)tissues of MDD patients.Thereby,the role of VDBP as a potential biomarker of MDD diagnosis was further assessed.Total extracellular vesicles(EVs)and brain cell-derived EVs(BCDEVs)were isolated from the plasma of first-episode drug-naïve or drug-free MDD patients and well-matched healthy controls(HCs)in discovery(20 MDD patients and 20 HCs)and validation cohorts(88 MDD patients and 38 HCs).VDBP level in the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)from chronic glucocorticoid-induced depressed rhesus macaques or prelimbic cortex from lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced depressed mice and wild control groups was measured to evaluate its relationship with VDBP in plasma microglia-derived extracellular vesicles(MDEVs).VDBP was significantly decreased in MDD plasma MDEVs compared to HCs,and negatively correlated with HAMD-24 score with the highest diagnostic accuracy among BCDEVs.VDBP in plasma MDEVs was decreased both in depressed rhesus macaques and mice.A positive correlation of VDBP in MDEVs with that in CSF was detected in depressed rhesus macaques.VDBP levels in prelimbic cortex microglia were negatively correlated with those in plasma MDEVs in depressed mice.The main results suggested that VDBP in plasma MDEVs might serve as a prospective candidate biomarker for MDD diagnosis.