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With the changes of the disease spectrum of liver transplantation and organ allocation system, more and more patients complicated with cardiovascular complications have entered the waiting list for liver transplantation. However, surgical stress, severe infection and adverse reactions of immunosuppressive drugs will significantly increase the risk of postoperative cardiac complications and affect the short- and long-term survival of the recipients. Therefore, comprehensive evaluation of cardiac structure and function of the recipients before liver transplantation is of significance for improving clinical prognosis of the recipients. In this article, the main causes for the increased risk of heart disease during the perioperative period of liver transplantation, the time and methods of heart disease risk assessment for liver transplant recipients were reviewed, and existing assessment approaches for common heart diseases before liver transplantation were illustrated, aiming to provide reference for further reducing the incidence of heart complications after liver transplantation, improving the survival rates of grafts and recipients and enhancing clinical prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The incidence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture is increasing year by year. Clinical differentiation of fresh or old fractures determines the choice of treatment for patients. It is of great clinical significance to find a simple and rapid method to identify the properties of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture in hospitals without relevant examination facilities and in patients with contraindications to MRI and single photon emission computed tomography whole-body bone scanning. OBJECTIVE: To analyze and compare the consistency between vertebral CT values (Hounsfield units value, HU) and MRI in differentiating fresh and old osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures and to explore the feasibility of using vertebral CT values to diagnose fresh osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 40 patients, aged 55-89 (74.63±9.71) years, diagnosed as osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture with complete MRI and CT examination in Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to October 2021. The nature of vertebral fractures was determined based on MRI images: Diagnostic criteria of fresh osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture based on MRI were high signal intensity of bone marrow edema on fat-suppression images, whereas normal signal of MRI on the vertebral body with wedge-shaped was diagnosed as old osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. The vertebral CT values of target vertebrae with its adjacent level were measured separately. The CT value of target vertebra significantly higher than adjacent vertebra was diagnosed as fresh osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture but similar CT value as old osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare the consistency of fresh and old vertebral fractures determined by MRI and vertebral CT values. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) A total of 55 vertebral bodies were involved in 40 patients; 42 fresh fractures and 13 old fractures were diagnosed via MRI. (2) The Hu of fresh fractured osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture vertebral body (139.99±49.69 HU) was significantly higher than that of normal adjacent vertebral body (60.44 ±34.74 HU) (P < 0.01). The Hu of old fractured vertebral body (55.65±31.31 HU) was 6.19 HU (1.09-14.51 HU) from that of normal adjacent vertebral body (55.07±29.47 HU), and there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05). (3) The vertebral body CT value was used to diagnose 41 fresh fractured vertebral bodies and 14 old fractured vertebral bodies. (4) Wilcoxon rank-sum test showed that MRI and CT were highly consistent in differentiating fresh and old fractures in osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (Kappa value=0.951). (5) It is concluded that the CT has high consistency with MRI in differentiating fresh and old fracture of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. By comparing the CT values of the target and adjacent vertebrae, fresh or old fractures can be accurately distinguished, which can provide a simple examination method other than MRI for rapid clinical decision making. For fractures that are difficult to determine, the combination of vertebral CT values and MRI can markedly improve the diagnostic accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Up to now, there is no unified conclusion on the selection of animals and drug doses and the criteria for successful modeling in the modeling process of hypothyroid animal models. OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and optimal dose of radioactive 131I in the establishment of hypothyroidism model in rats METHODS: Forty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=8 per group). Four groups were injected intraperitoneally with 4.625, 9.25, 12.95, and 18.5 MBq 131I solution to construct hypothyroidism models and the control group was injected with the same amount of normal saline. The body mass of rats was measured before 131I injection, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after injection of 131I. The serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid were determined by an ELISA kit. Thyroid function was evaluated by 131I static imaging and morphological changes of thyroid tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, the body mass of the rats in the 9.25, 12.95, and 18.5 MBq groups were significantly decreased at 8, 12, and 16 weeks (P < 0.05). The serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration gradually increased in the 9.25, 12.95, and 18.5 MBq groups at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks, while the levels of free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine gradually decreased (P < 0.05). The levels of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase in the 12.95 and 18.5 MBq groups were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in the 18.5 MBq group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The thyroid glands in each group were clearly visualized before 131I injection, and the target-to-nontarget ratio was not significantly different among groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the thyroid glands of the 9.25, 12.95, and 18.5 MBq groups were not visualized in the 4th week and the target-to-nontarget ratio was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The thyroid glands were undeveloped at the 8-, 12-, and 16-week follow-up visits, but there was no statistical difference in the target-to-nontarget ratio among groups (P > 0.05). After injection of 131I, the thyroid follicles of rats became smaller and shrunken, and some of them were irregular. All these findings indicate that intraperitoneal injection of 131I at a dose of 9.25 MBq could successfully establish a stable hypothyroid model in rats within 4 weeks, which provide a reference for the establishment of animal models in the field of nuclear medicine 131I therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation detector is one of the most important components for nuclear medicine imaging equipment like single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Among different types of detection technologies, scintillator detectors are the most extensively used ones, but associated with some problems including slow imaging speed and poor image quality which are inherent and difficult to solve. In recent years, the advancement of new semiconductor detection technologies such as cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) detectors have greatly improved the energy and spatial resolving capability of nuclear medicine imaging equipment. Based on the introduction of the working principle and main parts of nuclear medicine equipment, this paper uses the SPECT as an example to review the advancement of the CdZnTe detectors including the performance improvement in clinical nuclear medicine, and finally points out the potential research and development trends of CdZnTe detectors demanded by the nuclear medicine clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The modified injection technique developed in Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences has significantly improved the visualization rate of internal mammary sentinel lymph nodes (IMSLN), however there is still a gap between the visualization rate of IMSLN obtained by this technique and that of axillary sentinel lymph nodes (ASLN). The study aimed to further improve the IMSLN visualization rate and promote the widespread use of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM-SLNB) by optimizing the modified injection technique. Methods: A total of 159 patients with primary breast cancer were enrolled in a prospective group and divided into the optimized radiotracer technique group (group A, n=81) and the modified injection technique group (group B, n=78). In group A, 99mTc-sulfur colloid was injected averagely into parenchyma in the gland's three most abundant regions under ultrasound guidance (total radioactive intensity 1.0-1.3 mCi; 0.8-1.0 mL/point). In group B, 99mTc-sulfur colloid was injected averagely into the parenchyma of the breast at 6 and 12 points under ultrasound guidance (total radioactive intensity 1.0-1.3 mCi; 0.8-1.0 mL/point). Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) lymphoscintigraphy was performed preoperatively, and the sentinel lymph nodes were detected intraoperatively by γ probe. In this study, we evaluated the differences in IMSLN and ASLN visualization rates between the groups, and also analyzed the factors that may affect the IMSLN visualization rate. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in visualization rate of IM-SLN measured by preoperative SPECT/CT between the two groups (P=0.806). The intraoperative visualization rate of IM-SLN was significantly higher in group A than in group B (87.65% vs 70.51%, P=0.008). Analysis of subgroups showed that the intraoperative visualization rate of IMSLN was 92.31% and 83.33% (P=0.315) in group A patients aged ≤50 years and >50 years, respectively, and the intraoperative visualization rate of IMSLN was significantly higher in group B patients aged ≤50 years than in patients aged >50 years (81.58% vs 60.00%, P=0.037). The median in vitro radioactivity count of IMSLN was significantly higher in group A than in group B (160.50 vs 59.00, P=0.005). Conclusion: The optimized radiotracer technique can effectively increase the lymphatic drainage and uptake in the internal mammary region of the radiotracer, which can significantly improve the visualization rate of IM-SLN without affecting the visualization rate of ASLN, and is conducive to the promotion and application of IM-SLNB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Intestinal fibrosis is a common consequence of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Research on inflammation-independent mechanisms connected to the fibrotic process, genetic and environmental risk factors such as microbiome as well as the generation of new in vitro and in vivo systems to study fibrogenesis have advanced the diagnosis and management of intestinal fibrosis. Current imaging techniques including computed tomography enterography (CTE), magnetic resonance enterography (MRE), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) demonstrate morphologically fibrotic IBD. We review the potential of SPECT and PET molecular imaging to provide functional information of intestinal fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a key primary treatment for prostate cancer. However, there is still a lack of direct and accurate assessment method for the changes in the lesions after ADT treatment. The aim of this study was to explore the value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) combined with technetium-99m labelled small molecule against prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) (HYNIC-Glu-Urea-A, 99mTc-PSMA) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) in the detection of significant residual prostate cancer after neoadjuvant ADT with the reference standard of postoperative pathology. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 154 prostate cancer patients treated in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from March 2017 to July 2021 who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) after neoadjuvant ADT was performed. All patients underwent preoperative mpMRI and 99mTc-PSMA SPECT/CT. Patients were divided into two groups according to the postoperative pathology: the significant residual group and complete response or minimum residual disease (CR/MRD) group. The clinical characteristics, the scores of Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Local Recurrence Reporting (PI-RR) system and the positive rate of 99mTc-PSMA SPECT/CT of the two groups were compared. The differences among the diagnostic efficacy of mpMRI and 99mTc-PSMA SPECT/CT alone and in combination were analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under curve (AUC). Results: In total, the significant residual group consisted of 128 patients, and the CR/MRD group consisted of 26 patients. The average and median age of the patients were 66.88±7.79 (ranged from 47 to 85) years and 68 years, respectively. There was no statistical difference in age, PSA before neoadjuvant ADT and Gleason scores between the two groups, while PSA after neoadjuvant ADT of the significant residual group was significantly higher than that of the CR/MRD group. The AUC of mpMRI was 0.713, the sensitivity and specificity were 78.13% and 30.77%, respectively, with a cut-off of PI-RR score 3, while sensitivity and specificity were 68.75% and 69.23%, respectively, with a cut-off of PI-RR score 4. The AUC of 99mTc-PSMA SPECT/CT was 0.729, the sensitivity and specificity were 76.56% and 69.23%, respectively. The AUC of mpMRI combined with 99mTc-PSMA SPECT/CT was 0.809, which was significantly higher compared with the two alone (P<0.05). Conclusion: The combination of mpMRI and 99mTc-PSMA SPECT/CT can significantly improve the diagnostic efficiency for significant residual prostate cancer after neoadjuvant ADT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spect rometry OCP-OES) technologies were used to determine the contents of trace elements in Isatid is Radix and Isatidis Folium at different growth times. Among them, the contents of trace elements including Cr, Co, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Li, Be, V, Ga, U, Nb, Zr, Bi, Th, Er, Yb, Y, and Sc were measured by ICP-MS, while the elements Fe and Al were measured by ICP-OES. According to the test results, the trend of the contents of 24 trace elements in Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium at different growth times indicated certain similarity. The contents of 24 trace elements in Isatidis Radix reached the lowest value between July and September, then gradually increased and reached the highest value in November. The contents of those elements in Isatidis Folium all reached the highest point in August and November. Based on the results of trace element content changes, the preliminary inference was made that the optimal harvest time for Isatidis Folium is August and November, and the optimal harvest time for Isatidis Radix is November, which means that Isatidis Folium and Isatidis Radix can be plucked at the same time. The method is easy and fast, has good precision and accuracy which to some extent lays a foundation for the study of nutrient transport patterns of Isatidis Radix and Isatidis Folium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of 99mTc-MIBI SPECT imaging in lung tumors after oxygen inhalation. Methods We performed a prospective study on 32 cases of CT found lung cancer patients. All patients received inhalation of high-flow oxygen via face mask 10 minutes before injection of 99mTc-MIBI, and were given early and delayed SPECT scan 20 min and 150 min after injection. Imaging results were given qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis, and the diagnostic value of this imaging method for the identification of lung cancer was evaluated according to diagnostic value of this imaging method for the identification of lung cancer. Results There were 20 cases of lung cancer and 12 cases of pulmonary benign. The sensitivity of 99mTc-MIBI SPECT imaging in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lung tumor was 90.0%, the specificity was 75.0%, the accuracy was 84.3%. Lung cancer early uptake ratio (EUR) was 2.94±1.98 (95% CI: 1.79%-3.43%), benign lung tumor was 1.41±0.71 (95% CI: 1.19%-1.84%), the difference was statistically significant (= -2.43, = 0.037) Lung cancer delayed uptake ratio (DUR) was 2.97 ± 1.91 (95% CI: 1.98%-3.53%), benign lung was 1.57± 0.81 (95% CI: 1.18, 2.10), the difference was statistically significant (= -2.48, = 0.016) . Semi-quantitative ROC analysis showed: the early uptake ratio ≥ 1.55 as the boundary value. Corresponding to 90.0% sensitivity, 75.0% specificity. To delay the uptake ratio ≥ 1.60 cutoff value, sensitivity 90.0%, specificity of 75.0%. Conclusion 99mTc-MIBI SPECT imaging has high clinical value in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lung tumors after oxygen inhalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]