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Abstract Missions into Deep Space are planned this decade. Yet the health consequences of exposure to microgravity and galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) over years-long missions on indispensable visceral organs such as the kidney are largely unexplored. We performed biomolecular (epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, epiproteomic, metabolomic, metagenomic), clinical chemistry (electrolytes, endocrinology, biochemistry) and morphometry (histology, 3D imaging, miRNA-ISH, tissue weights) analyses using samples and datasets available from 11 spaceflight-exposed mouse and 5 human, 1 simulated microgravity rat and 4 simulated GCR-exposed mouse missions. We found that spaceflight induces: 1) renal transporter dephosphorylation which may indicate astronauts’ increased risk of nephrolithiasis is in part a primary renal phenomenon rather than solely a secondary consequence of bone loss; 2) remodelling of the nephron that results in expansion of distal convoluted tubule size but loss of overall tubule density; 3) renal damage and dysfunction when exposed to a Mars roundtrip dose-equivalent of simulated GCR.

Abstract Assessing the individual risk of Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE) is of major importance as cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Quantitative Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) parameters such as stress Myocardial Blood Flow (sMBF) or Myocardial Flow Reserve (MFR) constitutes the gold standard for prognosis assessment. We propose a systematic investigation of the value of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to leverage [ $$^{82}$$ 82 Rb] Silicon PhotoMultiplier (SiPM) PET MPI for MACE prediction. We establish a general pipeline for AI model validation to assess and compare the performance of global (i.e. average of the entire MPI signal), regional (17 segments), radiomics and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models leveraging various MPI signals on a dataset of 234 patients. Results showed that all regional AI models significantly outperformed the global model ( $$p

In this paper, we study facial expression recognition (FER) using three modalities obtained from a light field camera: sub-aperture (SA), depth map, and all-in-focus (AiF) images. Our objective is to construct a more comprehensive and effective FER system by investigating multimodal fusion strategies. For this purpose, we employ EfficientNetV2-S, pre-trained on AffectNet, as our primary convolutional neural network. This model, combined with a BiGRU, is used to process SA images. We evaluate various fusion techniques at both decision and feature levels to assess their effectiveness in enhancing FER accuracy. Our findings show that the model using SA images surpasses state-of-the-art performance, achieving 88.13% ± 7.42% accuracy under the subject-specific evaluation protocol and 91.88% ± 3.25% under the subject-independent evaluation protocol. These results highlight our model’s potential in enhancing FER accuracy and robustness, outperforming existing methods. Furthermore, our multimodal fusion approach, integrating SA, AiF, and depth images, demonstrates substantial improvements over unimodal models. The decision-level fusion strategy, particularly using average weights, proved most effective, achieving 90.13% ± 4.95% accuracy under the subject-specific evaluation protocol and 93.33% ± 4.92% under the subject-independent evaluation protocol. This approach leverages the complementary strengths of each modality, resulting in a more comprehensive and accurate FER system.

Nervous system metastases (CNSm) are late events associated with poor outcomes in endocrine-sensitive HER2-negative breast cancer (BC) patients, especially in the presence of leptomeningeal disease (LMD). Effective treatments are extremely limited in this setting. The antibody-drug conjugate, trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd), which combines the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab with a topoisomerase type 1 inhibitor, showed high efficacy not only against HER2-positive but also HER2-low metastatic BCs, expressing HER2 at a lower level. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with metastatic endocrine-sensitive HER2-low BC suffering from BMs associated with LMD and sustained disease control when treated with T-DXd. Several recent case series have reported the activity of T-DXd in patients with HER2-positive disease and brain metastases or LMD, but none in HER2-low patients. This case is particularly relevant since more than 50% of BCs are HER2-low.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effect of lung stabilization using high-frequency non-invasive ventilation (HF-NIV) and breath-hold (BH) techniques on lung nodule detection and texture assessment in PET/CT compared to a free-breathing (FB) standard lung CT acquisition in PET/CT. Materials and methods Six patients aged 65 ± 7 years, addressed for initial assessment of at least one suspicious lung nodule with 18F-FDG PET/CT, underwent three consecutive lung PET/CT acquisitions with FB, HF-NIV and BH. Lung nodules were assessed on all three CT acquisitions of the PET/CT and characterized for any size, volume and solid/sub-solid nature. Results BH detected a significantly higher number of nodules (n = 422) compared to HF-NIV (n = 368) and FB (n = 191) (p

This study provides an in-depth analysis of GAF-Net, a novel model for video-based person re-identification (Re-ID) that matches individuals across different video sequences. GAF-Net combines appearance-based features with gait-based features derived from skeletal data, offering a new approach that diverges from traditional silhouette-based methods. We thoroughly examine each module of GAF-Net and explore various fusion methods at the both score and feature levels, extending beyond initial simple concatenation. Comprehensive evaluations on the iLIDS-VID and MARS datasets demonstrate GAF-Net’s effectiveness across scenarios. GAF-Net achieves state-of-the-art 93.2% rank-1 accuracy on iLIDS-VID’s long sequences, while MARS results (86.09% mAP, 89.78% rank-1) reveal challenges with shorter, variable sequences in complex real-world settings. We demonstrate that integrating skeleton-based gait features consistently improves Re-ID performance, particularly with long, more informative sequences. This research provides crucial insights into multi-modal feature integration in Re-ID tasks, laying a foundation for the advancement of multi-modal biometric systems for diverse computer vision applications.

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron rapidly evolved over 2022, causing three waves of infection due to sub-variants BA.1, BA.2 and BA.4/5. We sought to characterise symptoms and viral loads over the course of COVID-19 infection with these sub-variants in otherwise-healthy, vaccinated, non-hospitalised adults, and compared data to infections with the preceding Delta variant of concern (VOC).MethodsIn a prospective, observational cohort study, healthy vaccinated UK adults who reported a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or lateral flow test, self-swabbed on alternate weekdays until day 10. We compared participant-reported symptoms and viral load trajectories between infections caused by VOCs Delta and Omicron (sub-variants BA.1, BA.2 or BA.4/5), and tested for relationships between vaccine dose, symptoms and PCR cycle threshold (Ct) as a proxy for viral load using Chi-squared (χ2) and Wilcoxon tests.Results563 infection episodes were reported among 491 participants. Across infection episodes, there was little variation in symptom burden (4 [IQR 3-5] symptoms) and duration (8 [IQR 6-11] days). Whilst symptom profiles differed among infections caused by Delta compared to Omicron sub-variants, symptom profiles were similar between Omicron sub-variants. Anosmia was reported more frequently in Delta infections after 2 doses compared with Omicron sub-variant infections after 3 doses, for example: 42% (25/60) of participants with Delta infection compared to 9% (6/67) with Omicron BA.4/5 (χ2 P < 0.001; OR 7.3 [95% CI 2.7-19.4]). Fever was less common with Delta (20/60 participants; 33%) than Omicron BA.4/5 (39/67; 58%; χ2 P = 0.008; OR 0.4 [CI 0.2-0.7]). Amongst infections with an Omicron sub-variants, symptoms of coryza, fatigue, cough and myalgia predominated. Viral load trajectories and peaks did not differ between Delta, and Omicron, irrespective of symptom severity (including asymptomatic participants), VOC or vaccination status. PCR Ct values were negatively associated with time since vaccination in participants infected with BA.1 (β = -0.05 (CI -0.10-0.01); P = 0.031); however, this trend was not observed in BA.2 or BA.4/5 infections.ConclusionOur study emphasises both the changing symptom profile of COVID-19 infections in the Omicron era, and ongoing transmission risk of Omicron sub-variants in vaccinated adults.Trial registrationNCT04750356.

The emergence of successive Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) during 2020 to 2022, each exhibiting increased epidemic growth relative to earlier circulating variants, has created a need to understand the drivers of such growth. However, both pathogen biology and changing host characteristics-such as varying levels of immunity-can combine to influence replication and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within and between hosts. Disentangling the role of variant and host in individual-level viral shedding of VOCs is essential to inform Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) planning and response and interpret past epidemic trends. Using data from a prospective observational cohort study of healthy adult volunteers undergoing weekly occupational health PCR screening, we developed a Bayesian hierarchical model to reconstruct individual-level viral kinetics and estimate how different factors shaped viral dynamics, measured by PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values over time. Jointly accounting for both interindividual variation in Ct values and complex host characteristics-such as vaccination status, exposure history, and age-we found that age and number of prior exposures had a strong influence on peak viral replication. Older individuals and those who had at least 5 prior antigen exposures to vaccination and/or infection typically had much lower levels of shedding. Moreover, we found evidence of a correlation between the speed of early shedding and duration of incubation period when comparing different VOCs and age groups. Our findings illustrate the value of linking information on participant characteristics, symptom profile and infecting variant with prospective PCR sampling, and the importance of accounting for increasingly complex population exposure landscapes when analysing the viral kinetics of VOCs. Trial Registration: The Legacy study is a prospective observational cohort study of healthy adult volunteers undergoing weekly occupational health PCR screening for SARS-CoV-2 at University College London Hospitals or at the Francis Crick Institute (NCT04750356) (22,23). The Legacy study was approved by London Camden and Kings Cross Health Research Authority Research and Ethics committee (IRAS number 286469). The Legacy study was approved by London Camden and Kings Cross Health Research Authority Research and Ethics committee (IRAS number 286469) and is sponsored by University College London Hospitals. Written consent was given by all participants.

AimTo perform an international survey about PET/CT imaging with contrast enhanced CT (PET/ceCT) in clinical routine worldwide.MethodsA questionnaire of ten questions was prepared for health professionals, addressing the following issues: (1) general demographic, hospital, and department information; (2) use and diffusion of PET/ceCT worldwide; (3) factors influencing the use of PET/ceCT. An invitation to the survey was sent to the corresponding authors of NM scientific articles indexed in SCOPUS in 2022 and dedicated to PET/CT imaging. Data were analysed per individual responder.Results191 individual responders worldwide participated in this survey. Most of the responders are using PET/ceCT in their center (74%). Interestingly, the relative use of PET/ceCT over the total PET/CT scans has an anti-Gaussian distribution ( 80% ceCT were most represented). Most of responders are using PET/ceCT in oncological settings (62%) and irrespectively from radiopharmaceuticals (62%). In most cases, PET/ceCT scans are reported by NM physicians alone or together by NM physicians and radiologists with an integrated report (31%).ConclusionPET/ceCT imaging is largely used worldwide. Local factors can affect the choice of PET/ceCT in respect to conventional PET/CT imaging. Further cost–benefit analysis could be useful to consider other possible influencing variables, such as technologies, dosimetry, department organization and economics.

Abstract Background The primary aims of this study were to compare in patients with esophageal or esophagogastric junction cancers the potential of 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT with that of 18F-FDG PET/CT regarding tumoral uptake and distribution, as well as histopathologic examination. Methods Ten 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD and ten 18F-FDG PET/CT were performed in nine prospectively included participants (1 woman; aged 58 ± 8.4 y, range 40–69 y). Maximum SUV (SUVmax) and metabolic tumor volumes (MTV) were calculated. The Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman correlation analysis (ρ) were used. Results 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT detected positive uptake in 10 primary sites (8 for primary tumors and 2 for local relapse suspicion), 6 lymph nodes and 3 skeletal sites. 18F-FDG PET/CT detected positive uptake in the same sites but also in 16 additional lymph nodes and 1 adrenal gland. On a lesion-based analysis, SUVmax of 18F-FDG was significantly higher than those of 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD (4.9 [3.7–11.3] vs. 3.2 [2.6–4.2] g/mL, p = 0.014). Only one participant showed a higher SUVmax in an osseous metastasis with 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD as compared to 18F-FDG (6.6 vs. 3.9 g/mL). Correlation analysis showed positive correlation between 18F-FDG and 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET parameters (ρ = 0.56, p = 0.012 for SUVmax, ρ = 0.78, p

Abstract Background Quality and reproducibility of radiomics studies are essential requirements for the standardisation of radiomics models. As recent data-driven respiratory gating (DDG) [18F]-FDG has shown superior diagnostic performance in lung cancer, we evaluated the impact of DDG on the reproducibility of radiomics features derived from [18F]-FDG PET/CT in comparison to free-breathing flow (FB) imaging. Methods Twenty four lung nodules from 20 patients were delineated. Radiomics features were derived on FB flow PET/CT and on the corresponding DDG reconstruction using the QuantImage v2 platform. Lin’s concordance factor (C b ) and the mean difference percentage (DIFF%) were calculated for each radiomics feature using the delineated nodules which were also classified by anatomical localisation and volume. Non-reproducible radiomics features were defined as having a bias correction factor C b < 0.8 and/or a mean difference percentage DIFF% > 10. Results In total 141 features were computed on each concordance analysis, 10 of which were non-reproducible on all pulmonary lesions. Those were first-order features from Laplacian of Gaussian (LoG)-filtered images (sigma = 1 mm): Energy, Kurtosis, Minimum, Range, Root Mean Squared, Skewness and Variance; Texture features from Gray Level Cooccurence Matrix (GLCM): Cluster Prominence and Difference Variance; First-order Standardised Uptake Value (SUV) feature: Kurtosis. Pulmonary lesions located in the superior lobes had only stable radiomics features, the ones from the lower parts had 25 non-reproducible radiomics features. Pulmonary lesions with a greater size (defined as long axis length > median) showed a higher reproducibility (9 non-reproducible features) than smaller ones (20 non-reproducible features). Conclusion Calculated on all pulmonary lesions, 131 out of 141 radiomics features can be used interchangeably between DDG and FB PET/CT acquisitions. Radiomics features derived from pulmonary lesions located inferior to the superior lobes are subject to greater variability as well as pulmonary lesions of smaller size.

BackgroundChronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) is the leading cause of poor long-term survival after lung transplantation (LT). Systems prediction of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (SysCLAD) aimed to predict CLAD.MethodsTo predict CLAD, we investigated the clinicome of patients with LT; the exposome through assessment of airway microbiota in bronchoalveolar lavage cells and air pollution studies; the immunome with works on activation of dendritic cells, the role of T cells to promote the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9, and subpopulations of T and B cells; genome polymorphisms; blood transcriptome; plasma proteome studies and assessment of MSK1 expression.ResultsClinicome: the best multivariate logistic regression analysis model for early-onset CLAD in 422 LT eligible patients generated a ROC curve with an area under the curve of 0.77. Exposome: chronic exposure to air pollutants appears deleterious on lung function levels in LT recipients (LTRs), might be modified by macrolides, and increases mortality. Our findings established a link between the lung microbial ecosystem, human lung function, and clinical stability post-transplant. Immunome: a decreased expression of CLEC1A in human lung transplants is predictive of the development of chronic rejection and associated with a higher level of interleukin 17A; Immune cells support airway remodeling through the production of plasma MMP-9 levels, a potential predictive biomarker of CLAD. Blood CD9-expressing B cells appear to favor the maintenance of long-term stable graft function and are a potential new predictive biomarker of BOS-free survival. An early increase of blood CD4 + CD57 + ILT2+ T cells after LT may be associated with CLAD onset. Genome: Donor Club cell secretory protein G38A polymorphism is associated with a decreased risk of severe primary graft dysfunction after LT. Transcriptome: blood POU class 2 associating factor 1, T-cell leukemia/lymphoma domain, and B cell lymphocytes, were validated as predictive biomarkers of CLAD phenotypes more than 6 months before diagnosis. Proteome: blood A2MG is an independent predictor of CLAD, and MSK1 kinase overexpression is either a marker or a potential therapeutic target in CLAD.ConclusionSystems prediction of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction generated multiple fingerprints that enabled the development of predictors of CLAD. These results open the way to the integration of these fingerprints into a predictive handprint.

Aims: Primary chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis is a rare and complex pathology and remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Our aim is to show our experience with a new diagnostic tool. Material and Methods: Four patients aged from 26 to 67 were referred to the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery of University Hospital CHUV in Lausanne between January 2010 and December 2018 for chronic mandibular pain without infectious signs nor symptoms. All patients underwent three-phase bone scintigraphy and anti-granulocyte antibody scintigraphy. Results: Three-phase bone scintigraphy demonstrated radiotracer uptake at the zone of pain, whereas anti-granulocyte antibody scintigraphy showed no uptake, thus rendering an infectious origin unlikely. Conclusion: A combination of the two different scintigraphies should be considered in order to guide the clinician in the diagnosis of primary chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis, thus preventing patients from undergoing unnecessary imagery and useless treatment, and also allowing an early diagnosis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends countries introduce new anti-TB drugs in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.The aim of the study is to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of bedaquiline (and/or delamanid)- containing regimens in a large cohort of consecutive TB patients treated globally.This observational, prospective study is based on data collected and provided by Global Tuberculosis Network (GTN) centres and analysed twice a year.All consecutive patients (including children/adolescents) treated with bedaquiline and/or delamanid were enrolled, and managed according to WHO and national guidelines.Overall, 52 centres from 29 countries/regions in all continents reported 883 patients as of January 31st 2021, 24/29 countries/regions providing data on 100% of their consecutive patients (10–80% in the remaining 5 countries).The drug-resistance pattern of the patients was severe (>30% with extensively drug-resistant -TB; median number of resistant drugs 5 (3−7) in the overall cohort and 6 (4−8) among patients with a final outcome).For the patients with a final outcome (477/883, 54.0%) the median (IQR) number of months of anti-TB treatment was 18 (13−23) (in days 553 (385–678)). The proportion of patients achieving sputum smear and culture conversion ranged from 93.4% and 92.8% respectively (whole cohort) to 89.3% and 88.8% respectively (patients with a final outcome), a median (IQR) time to sputum smear and culture conversion of 58 (30−90) days for the whole cohort and 60 (30−100) for patients with a final outcome and, respectively, of 55 (30−90) and 60 (30−90) days for culture conversion.Of 383 patients treated with bedaquiline but not delamanid, 284 (74.2%) achieved treatment success, while 25 (6.5%) died, 11 (2.9%) failed and 63 (16.5%) were lost to follow-up.

PurposeTo investigate the emerging role of Tc-99m-labeled diphosphonate (Tc-99m-DPD) uptake quantification by SPECT/CT in fibrous dysplasia (FD) bone lesions and its correlation with biological bone turnover markers (BTMs) of disease activity.Materials and methodsSeven patients (49 ± 16 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of FD were included in this retrospective study. Bone scans with Tc-99m-DPD and quantitative SPECT/CT (xSPECT/CT) were performed. SUVmax (maximum standard unit value) and SUVmean (mean standard unit value) were measured in all FD bone lesions. The skeletal burden score (SBS) was assessed on planar scintigraphy and multiplied by mean SUVmax and SUVmean to generate two new parameters, SBS_SUVmax and SBS_SUVmean, respectively. Planar and xSPECT/CT quantitative measures were correlated with biological BTMs of disease activity, including fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), procollagen 1 intact N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), as well as scoliosis angle measured on radiographs. Statistical significance was evaluated with Spearman’s correlations.ResultsA total of 76 FD bone lesions were analyzed, showing an average SUVmax and SUVmean (g/mL) of 13 ± 7.3 and 8 ± 4.5, respectively. SBS, SBS_SUVmax and SBS_SUVmean values were 30.8 ± 25.6, 358 ± 267 and 220.1 ± 164.5, respectively. Mean measured values of FGF-23 (pg/mL), ALP (U/L), P1NP (μg/L) and CTX (pg/mL) were 98.4 (22–175), 283.5 (46–735), 283.1 (31–1,161) and 494 (360–609), respectively. Mean scoliosis angle was 15.7 (7–22) degrees. We found a very strong positive correlation between planar-derived SBS and CTX (r = 0.96, p = 0.010), but no significant correlation between SUVmax or SUVmean and biological BTMs. SBS_SUVmax showed a strong to very strong positive correlation with CTX (ρ = 0.99, p = 0.002), FGF-23 (ρ = 0.91, p = 0.010), ALP (ρ = 0.82, p = 0.020), and P1NP (ρ = 0.78, p = 0.039), respectively.ConclusionThis study showed that biological BTMs are significantly correlated with diphosphonate uptake on bone scan, quantified by a new parameter combining information from both planar and quantitative SPECT/CT. Further analysis of bone scan quantitative SPECT/CT data in a larger patient population might help better characterize the skeletal disease burden in FD, and guide treatment and follow-up.

Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) represent an independent predictor of better survival in patients with gliomas. We aimed to assess grade and IDH mutation status in patients with untreated gliomas, by evaluating the respective value of 18F-FET PET/CT via dynamic and texture analyses. A total of 73 patients (male: 48, median age: 47) who underwent an 18F-FET PET/CT for initial glioma evaluation were retrospectively included. IDH status was available in 61 patients (20 patients with WHO grade 2 gliomas, 41 with grade 3–4 gliomas). Time–activity curve type and 20 parameters obtained from static analysis using LIFEx© v6.30 software were recorded. Respective performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and stepwise multivariate regression analysis adjusted for patients’ age and sex. The time–activity curve type and texture parameters derived from the static parameters showed satisfactory-to-good performance in predicting glioma grade and IDH status. Both time–activity curve type (stepwise OR: 101.6 (95% CI: 5.76–1791), p = 0.002) and NGLDM coarseness (stepwise OR: 2.08 × 1043 (95% CI: 2.76 × 1012–1.57 × 1074), p = 0.006) were independent predictors of glioma grade. No independent predictor of IDH status was found. Dynamic and texture analyses of 18F-FET PET/CT have limited predictive value for IDH status when adjusted for confounding factors. However, they both help predict glioma grade.

The aim of this prospective pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new hybrid imaging modality, free-hand single-photon computed tomography/ultrasonography (fhSPECT/US), for preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas and to compare its performance with conventional ultrasonography and SPECT/CT. Twelve patients diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism underwent sequentially US and parathyroid scintigraphy, including SPECT/CT, followed by fhSPECT/US, allowing for real-time fusion between US and freehand-generated gamma-camera images. The fhSPECT/US detection rates were correlated with histopathology, when available, or with the imaging modality showing the most lesions. Based on a per patient analysis, the detection rate was significantly different when comparing SPECT/CT to fhSPECT/US (p = 0.03), and not significantly different when comparing SPECT/CT to US (p = 0.16) and US to fhSPECT/US (p = 0.08). Based on a per-lesion analysis, the detection rate of SPECT/CT was significantly higher than that of US (p = 0.01) and fhSEPCT/US (p = 0.003), and there was no significant difference in detection rate when comparing US to fhSPECT/US (p = 0.08). The main perceived limitations of fhSPECT/US in lesion detection were: (i) lesions localized at a depth ≥4.5 cm; (ii) imperfect image fusion due to tissue compression; (iii) limited spatial manipulation ability of the SPECT mobile camera handheld probe; and (iv) a wide spread of detected activity. In conclusion, clinical use of fhSPECT/US for localization of parathyroid adenomas is feasible, but shows lower sensitivity than conventional modalities and requires technical improvements.

Abstract Background Integrin alpha-V-beta-3 (αvβ3) pathway is involved in intraplaque angiogenesis and inflammation and represents a promising target for molecular imaging in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical correlates of arterial wall accumulation of 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD, a specific αvβ3 integrin ligand for PET. Materials and methods The data of 44 patients who underwent 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD PET/CT scans were retrospectively analyzed. Tracer accumulation in the vessel wall of major arteries was analyzed semi-quantitatively by blood-pool-corrected target-to-background ratios. Tracer uptake was compared with clinically documented atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular risk factors and calcified plaque burden. Data were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test, Pearson correlation and Spearman correlation. Results 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD arterial uptake was significantly higher in patients with previous clinically documented atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (mean TBR 2.44 [2.03–2.55] vs. 1.81 [1.56–1.96], p = 0.001) and showed a significant correlation with prior cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event (r = 0.33, p = 0.027), BMI (ρ = 0.38, p = 0.01), plaque burden (ρ = 0.31, p = 0.04) and hypercholesterolemia (r = 0.31, p = 0.04). Conclusions 68Ga-NODAGA-RGD holds promise as a non-invasive marker of disease activity in atherosclerosis, providing information about intraplaque angiogenesis.

Abstract Background The phenotype of an individual can be affected not only by the individual’s own genotypes, known as direct genetic effects (DGE), but also by genotypes of interacting partners, indirect genetic effects (IGE). IGE have been detected using polygenic models in multiple species, including laboratory mice and humans. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Genome-wide association studies of IGE (igeGWAS) can point to IGE genes, but have not yet been applied to non-familial IGE arising from “peers” and affecting biomedical phenotypes. In addition, the extent to which igeGWAS will identify loci not identified by dgeGWAS remains an open question. Finally, findings from igeGWAS have not been confirmed by experimental manipulation. Results We leverage a dataset of 170 behavioral, physiological, and morphological phenotypes measured in 1812 genetically heterogeneous laboratory mice to study IGE arising between same-sex, adult, unrelated mice housed in the same cage. We develop and apply methods for igeGWAS in this context and identify 24 significant IGE loci for 17 phenotypes (FDR

Abstract Background Genetically engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T lymphocytes are promising therapeutic tools for cancer. Four CAR T cell drugs, including tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) and axicabtagene-ciloleucel (axi-cel), all targeting CD19, are currently approved for treating B cell malignancies. Flow cytometry (FC) remains the standard for monitoring CAR T cells using a recombinant biotinylated target protein. Nevertheless, there is a need for additional tools, and the challenge is to develop an easy, relevant, highly sensitive, reproducible, and inexpensive detection method. Molecular tools can meet this need to specifically monitor long-term persistent CAR T cells. Methods Based on 2 experimental CAR T cell constructs, IL-1RAP and CS1, we designed 2 quantitative digital droplet (ddPCR) PCR assays. By targeting the 4.1BB/CD3z (28BBz) or 28/CD3z (28z) junction area, we demonstrated that PCR assays can be applied to approved CD19 CAR T drugs. Both 28z and 28BBz ddPCR assays allow determination of the average vector copy number (VCN) per cell. We confirmed that the VCN is dependent on the multiplicity of infection and verified that the VCN of our experimental or GMP-like IL-1RAP CAR T cells met the requirement (

Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a very difficult disease to cure due to the persistence of leukemic stem cells (LSCs), which are resistant to different lines of chemotherapy and are the basis of refractory/relapsed (R/R) disease in 80% of patients with AML not receiving allogeneic transplantation.Methods In this study, we showed that the interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAP) protein is overexpressed on the cell surface of LSCs in all subtypes of AML and confirmed it as an interesting and promising target in AML compared with the most common potential AML targets, since it is not expressed by the normal hematopoietic stem cell. After establishing the proof of concept for the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells targeting IL-1RAP in chronic myeloid leukemia, we hypothesized that third-generation IL-1RAP CAR T-cells could eliminate AML LSCs, where the medical need is not covered.Results We first demonstrated that IL-1RAP CAR T-cells can be produced from AML T-cells at the time of diagnosis and at relapse. In vitro and in vivo, we showed the effectiveness of IL-1RAP CAR T-cells against AML cell lines expressing different levels of IL-1RAP and the cytotoxicity of autologous IL-1RAP CAR T-cells against primary cells from patients with AML at diagnosis or at relapse. In patient-derived relapsed AML xenograft models, we confirmed that IL-1RAP CAR T-cells are able to circulate in peripheral blood and to migrate in the bone marrow and spleen, are cytotoxic against primary AML cells and increased overall survival.Conclusion In conclusion, our preclinical results suggest that IL-1RAP CAR T-based adoptive therapy could be a promising strategy in AML treatment and it warrants the clinical investigation of this CAR T-cell therapy.

Here, the authors combine 16 S rRNA sequencing, culture and bioinformatics to profile the microbiome in 234 serial bronchoalveolar lavage samples from 64 lung transplant recipients collected over 49-months and identify distinct compositional states, termed pneumotypes, linked to current health status, and establish a collection of primary lung bacterial isolates, LuMiCol.

Studies using arginine–glycine–aspartate (RGD)-PET agents in cardiovascular diseases have been recently published. The aim of this systematic review was to perform an updated, evidence-based summary about the role of RGD-based PET agents in patients with cardiovascular diseases to better address future research in this setting. Original articles within the field of interest reporting the role of RGD-based PET agents in patients with cardiovascular diseases were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. A systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane library databases was performed until October 26, 2021. Literature shows an increasing role of RGD-based PET agents in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Overall, two main topics emerged: the infarcted myocardium and atherosclerosis. The existing studies support that αvβ3 integrin expression in the infarcted myocardium is well evident in RGD PET/CT scans. RGD-based PET radiotracers accumulate at the site of infarction as early as 3 days and seem to be peaking at 1–3 weeks post myocardial infarction before decreasing, but only 1 study assessed serial changes of myocardial RGD-based PET uptake after ischemic events. RGD-based PET uptake in large vessels showed correlation with CT plaque burden, and increased signal was found in patients with prior cardiovascular events. In human atherosclerotic carotid plaques, increased PET signal was observed in stenotic compared with non-stenotic areas based on MR or CT angiography data. Histopathological analysis found a co-localization between tracer accumulation and areas of αvβ3 expression. Promising applications using RGD-based PET agents are emerging, such as prediction of remodeling processes in the infarcted myocardium or detection of active atherosclerosis, with potentially significant clinical impact.

Abstract Background There is increasing recognition that conventional appraisal approaches may be unsuitable for assessing the value rare disease treatments (RDTs). This research examines what supplemental appraisal/reimbursement processes for RDTs are used internationally and how they can be characterised. A qualitative research design was used that included (1) documentation of country appraisal/reimbursement processes for RDTs via questionnaires, desk research and iterative interactions with country experts to produce country vignettes, and (2) a cross-country analysis of these processes to identify and characterise features in supplemental processes for RDTs, and compare them to countries without supplemental processes. Results Thirty-two of the 37 invited countries participated in this research. Forty-one percent (13/32) use supplemental processes for RDTs. Their level of integration within standard processes ranged from low to high, characterised by whether they are separate or partially separate from the standard process, adapted or accelerated standard processes, or standard processes that may be applied to RDTs. They are characterised by features implemented throughout the appraisal process. These features are mechanisms that allow application of different standards to assess the value of the medicine, support to the appraisal/decision-making process, overcome the issues of lack of cost-effectiveness, or exempt from part of/the full appraisal/reimbursement process. They increase the likelihood of reimbursement by adjusting and/or foregoing part of the assessment process, or accepting to pay more for the same added benefit as for common conditions. A large proportion of countries with standard processes include one or more of these features (formally or informally) or are discussing potential changes in their systems. Conclusions Results suggest revealed preferences to treat RDTs differently than conventional medicines. Some of the challenges around uncertainty and high price remain, but supplemental process features can support decision-making that is more flexible and consistent. Many of these processes are new and countries continue to adjust as they gain experience.