Nevin Manimala

Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2025 Jan 29. doi: 10.1007/s00259-024-07061-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The positron range effect can impair PET image quality of Gallium-68 (⁶⁸Ga). A positron range correction (PRC) can be applied to reduce this effect. In this study, the effect of a tissue-independent PRC for ⁶⁸Ga was investigated on patient data.

METHODS: PET/CT data (40 patients: [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-DOTATOC or [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-PSMA) were reconstructed using Q.Clear reconstruction algorithm. Two reconstructions were performed per patient, Q.Clear with and without PRC. SUV_max and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values per lesion were compared between PRC and non-PRC images. Five experienced nuclear medicine physicians reviewed the images and chose the preferred reconstruction based on the image quality, lesion detectability, and diagnostic confidence.

RESULTS: A total of 155 lesions were identified. The PRC resulted in statistically significant increase of the SUV_max and CNR for soft tissue lesions (6.4%, p < 0.001; 8.6%, p < 0.001), bone lesions (14.6%, p < 0.001; 12.5%, p < 0.001), and lung lesions (3.6%, p = 0.010; 6.3%, p = 0.001). This effect was most prominent in small lesions (SUV_max: 12.0%, p < 0.001, and CNR: 13.0%, p < 0.001). Similar or better image quality, lesion detectability, and diagnostic confidence was achieved in PRC images compared to the non-PRC images as those assessed by the expert readers.

CONCLUSIONS: A tissue-independent PRC increased the SUV_max and CNR in soft tissue, bone, and lung lesions with a larger effect for the small lesions. Visual assessment demonstrated similar or better image quality, lesion detectability, and diagnostic confidence in PRC images compared to the non-PRC images.

PMID:39878896 | DOI:10.1007/s00259-024-07061-6

Asian Pac Isl Nurs J. 2025 Jan 28;9:e56667. doi: 10.2196/56667.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) constitute a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect motor neurons, neuromuscular junctions, and muscle fibers, resulting in symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, and reduced mobility. These conditions significantly affect patients’ quality of life and impose a substantial burden on caregivers. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a relatively common NMD in children that presents in various types with varying degrees of severity.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the sleep quality of children with NMDs, particularly SMA types 1, 2, and 3 and assess the stress levels experienced by their parents.

METHODS: A descriptive analytical study was conducted from February to October 2023, in selected hospitals and dystrophy associations in Tehran and Isfahan, Iran. A total of 207 children aged 1-14 years with various NMDs were included in the study. Data were collected using a web-based questionnaire with 3 parts: demographic information, the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire to assess children’s sleep, and the Stress Response Inventory to measure parental stress. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22, with an α level of .05.

RESULTS: Significant differences in sleep quality were found among SMA types, with mean scores of 74.76 (SD 7.48) for SMA type 1, 76.4 (SD 7.29) for SMA type 2, 72.88 (SD 6.73) for SMA type 3, and 75.87 (SD 5.74) for other NMDs (P=.02). A correlation was found between sleep and length of hospital stay (r=0.234, P<.001)and between sleep and the child’s sex (r=-0.140, P=.04). Parental stress scores averaged 95.73 (SD 32.12). There was not a statistically significant difference in parental stress scores among the 4 groups (P=.78). This suggests that parental stress levels were similar across different NMD groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disorders are prevalent among children with NMDs, especially SMA. Parents experience high levels of stress that can affect the care they provide. Therefore, interventions to improve children’s sleep and address parental stress are crucial. Regular screening, counseling, and tailored support are recommended to enhance the well-being of children with NMDs and their families.

PMID:39878075 | DOI:10.2196/56667

Int J Surg. 2025 Jan 28. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000002249. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While recent randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that sublobar resection is non-inferior to lobectomy, the comparative efficacy of these procedures remains uncertain for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; ≤ 3 cm) exhibiting invasive features postoperatively, such as visceral pleural invasion (VPI) or spread through air spaces (STAS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: To identify eligible studies, a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was conducted through 25 July 2024. Studies were screened according to predefined criteria in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The primary endpoints were 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to perform a meta-analysis.

RESULTS: The final analysis included 14 retrospective studies and 1 randomized controlled trial, encompassing a total of 8,054 patients with NSCLC (tumors ≤3 cm) exhibiting VPI or STAS. The meta-analysis revealed that sublobar resection was associated with impaired 5-year OS (HR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.10-1.41) and slightly inferior RFS (HR: 1.25; 95% CI: 0.99-1.58) compared to lobectomy for pT2a (VPI) NSCLC patients with tumor ≤3 cm. Similarly, sublobar resection was associated with significantly worse 5-year OS (HR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.92-3.45) and 5-year RFS (HR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.69-3.46) compared to lobectomy for stage IA NSCLC patients with STAS. Subgroup analysis revealed that statistically significant differences in 5-year OS (HR: 1.13; 95% CI: 0.92-1.38) and 5-year RFS (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.56-1.36) were not observed between the sublobar resection and lobectomy groups for pT2a (VPI) NSCLC patients with tumor ≤2 cm. Additionally, no statistically significant survival difference was observed between the segmentectomy and lobectomy groups for NSCLC patients (≤3 cm) with VPI (5-year OS: HR: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.89-1.52; 5-year RFS: HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.88-1.30) or STAS (5-year OS: HR: 3.88; 95% CI: 0.82-18.31; 5-year RFS: HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 0.70-3.80).

CONCLUSION: For early-stage (≤3 cm) NSCLC with VPI or STAS, sublobar resection was associated with worse survival outcomes compared to lobectomy. However, segmentectomy achieved survival outcomes comparable to those of lobectomy. For pT2a (VPI) NSCLC patients with tumor ≤2 cm, the differences in survival outcomes between sublobar resection and lobectomy were not statistically significant.

PMID:39878072 | DOI:10.1097/JS9.0000000000002249

J Clin Ultrasound. 2025 Jan 29. doi: 10.1002/jcu.23922. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To investigate the performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) parameters of metastatic axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) before and after two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients in predicting the efficacy of NAC.

METHODS: A total of 41 postoperative breast cancer patients were selected. All patients underwent NAC, and ALN biopsy was positive before chemotherapy. Metastatic ALN was examined by CEUS before and after two courses of NAC. The CEUS parameters of metastatic ALNs before and after two courses of NAC were analyzed to determine the performance of CEUS parameters in predicting the efficacy of NAC in early stage.

RESULTS: The NAC was effective for 28 cases and ineffective for 13 cases. There were no statistically significant differences in the CEUS parameters between effective NAC and ineffective NAC individuals before and after two courses of NAC. But, there were statistically significant differences in long diameter (LD), short diameter (SD), Peak intensity (Peak%) and area under the curve (AUC) between the effective and ineffective NAC patients after two courses of NAC. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis suggested the drop-out value of LD, SD, Peak% and AUC after two courses of NAC can be used as important indicators to evaluate the efficacy of NAC (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: CEUS parameters of metastatic axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) before and after two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients can predict the efficacy of NAC in early stage.

PMID:39878049 | DOI:10.1002/jcu.23922

Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Jan 29:ciae620. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae620. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cabotegravir + rilpivirine (CAB + RPV) administered via intramuscular gluteal injections is the first complete long-acting regimen for maintaining human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virologic suppression. We present substudy results on short-term repeat intramuscular CAB + RPV long-acting thigh injections in participants with ≥3 years of experience with gluteal administration during the ATLAS-2M study.

METHODS: Substudy phases included screening, thigh injection (day 1-week 16), and return to gluteal injection (week 16-week 24). The injection schedule was unchanged from the main study. Outcomes included pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability, efficacy, and patient-reported outcomes. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using noncompartmental analysis and mixed-effects modeling. Population pharmacokinetic simulations were performed.

RESULTS: There were 118 participants. In the arm that received injections every 2 months (Q2M), first CAB thigh injection including area under the concentration-time curve and maximum observed concentration (Cmax) and first RPV thigh injection Cmax and all last RPV thigh injection parameters were statistically higher vs gluteal injections (paired comparison). No significant differences occurred with once-monthly (QM) dosing. No participants had HIV-1 RNA ≥50 copies/mL after thigh injections. Overall, 4%-7% of injection site reactions (ISRs) were grade 3. Five participants withdrew due to an ISR or injection intolerability. Overall, 30% preferred thigh vs gluteal injections. Simulations demonstrated the potential for chronic/continuous QM or ≤2 consecutive Q2M thigh injections.

CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the potential use of chronic/continuous QM and rotational/short-term QM or Q2M (≤4 months of continuous dosing), CAB + RPV long-acting intramuscular thigh administration for HIV-1 treatment.

PMID:39878031 | DOI:10.1093/cid/ciae620

Swiss Med Wkly. 2025 Jan 2;155:3669. doi: 10.57187/s.3669.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: We aimed to explore atrial fibrillation (AF)-induced productivity losses in working-age atrial fibrillation patients and to estimate atrial fibrillation-related indirect costs.

METHODS: Between 2014 and 2017, the Swiss Atrial Fibrillation prospective cohort study (Swiss-AF) enrolled 217 working-age patients with documented atrial fibrillation. Self-reported changes in professional activity and the reasons thereof were descriptively analysed over 8 years of follow-up or until patients reached the retirement age. Results were put into perspective, and indirect costs were planned to be estimated, through comparison with a general population-based, age-, sex- and year-matched comparison sample from the Swiss labour force survey (SLFS).

RESULTS: Of 217 analysed Swiss-AF patients, 14.7% reported a professional activity change (9.2% stop, 5.5% reduction) due to atrial fibrillation before the end of observation. Of those working at enrolment (n = 157), 3.8% had a subsequent professional activity change due to atrial fibrillation, 11.6% due to other reasons. Patients were more likely to report an impact of atrial fibrillation on professional activity if they had had atrial fibrillation longer and were closer to the retirement age. Slightly fewer Swiss-AF patients were employed (75%) than in the comparison sample (77%). For those working however, the degree of employment was higher (88% vs 83%). Lack of differences between the Swiss-AF patients and the comparison sample indicated no relevant indirect costs of atrial fibrillation due to lost productivity.

CONCLUSION: Only a minority of atrial fibrillation patients reported a negative impact of atrial fibrillation on their professional activity. Professional activity changes due to other reasons were reported more frequently. Compared with the general population, atrial fibrillation did not cause distinct differences.

PMID:39878030 | DOI:10.57187/s.3669

Nanoscale. 2025 Jan 29. doi: 10.1039/d4nr04879b. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mixing different metal ions at the B site of ABX₃ perovskites offers a promising approach for addressing challenges related to toxicity, stability and performance in optoelectronic applications. One such example is CsPb_1-xSn_xBr₃ which addresses the toxicity issue posed by lead while allowing us to tune optoelectronic properties such as the band gap. In this work, nearly monodisperse CsPb_1-xSn_xBr₃ quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized with variable Pb/Sn compositions, i.e. CsPbBr₃, CsPb_0.9Sn_0.1Br₃ and CsPb_0.7Sn_0.3Br₃. The photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of CsPb_1-xSn_xBr₃ first increases for x = 0.1 and then decreases for x = 0.3 with respect to x = 0. Such an effect of Sn incorporation on the PLQY was investigated using photoblinking studies which revealed three levels of blinking statistics namely ON, GRAY and OFF. These results along with the excited state lifetime measurements enabled us to understand charge carrier dynamics in the CsPb_1-xSn_xBr₃ QDs. Based on our findings, we propose that the photogenerated hot electrons of Sn enhance the PLQY by filling the trap states centered on Pb, which otherwise promote non-radiative relaxations in the Sn-free CsPbBr₃. However, at higher Sn concentrations, non-radiative recombination becomes more pronounced, reducing the PLQY.

PMID:39878025 | DOI:10.1039/d4nr04879b

Food Funct. 2025 Jan 29. doi: 10.1039/d4fo05847j. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a growing public health problem worldwide, and dietary interventions have important potential in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Moreover, previous animal studies have shown that flaxseed has a good improvement effect in animal NAFLD models. Objectives: Assess whether flaxseed powder could improve the liver lipid content in patients with NAFLD. Methods: In this 12-week randomized controlled clinical trial, 50 patients were randomly assigned to the flaxseed group (n = 25) and the control group (n = 25). The flaxseed group received 30 g d^-1 flaxseed powder orally before lunch or dinner along with health education, while the control group received only health education. The primary outcome was the intrahepatic lipid content assessed by the proton density fat fraction estimated by magnetic resonance imaging, and secondary outcomes were body composition measurements, liver function, and glucolipid metabolism. Results: Patients in the flaxseed group showed significantly lower liver fat content, body fat percentage, obesity index, visceral fat area, serum total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels after a 12-week intervention compared to pre-intervention levels, while serum apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly increased, with all differences being statistically significant (P < 0.05). Analysis of the gut microbiota showed that, at the phylum level, flaxseed intervention significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroides and Actinobacteria, while decreasing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Parasutterella, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Eubacterium_xylanophilum_group, and Bifidobacterium in the gut microbiota of the flaxseed group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05), whereas the relative abundance of Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002 was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Flaxseed powder intervention for 12 weeks had the effect of improving liver lipid deposition, liver function, body composition indicators, and lipid metabolism in patients with NAFLD. It also regulated the gut microbiota in NAFLD patients, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria while reducing harmful bacteria. This suggested that flaxseed is one of the natural and effective foods for improving NAFLD.

PMID:39878023 | DOI:10.1039/d4fo05847j

Knee. 2024 Dec 31;53:147-153. doi: 10.1016/j.knee.2024.12.006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the knee joints of patients with recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD), an increased relative tibial external rotation (rTER) is often observed. However, the changes in this parameter pre- and postoperatively remain unclear.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to reveal preoperative and postoperative changes in rTER in patients with RPD.

METHODS: A total of 48 cases with RPD in the knee joint were included in the study group, while 50 cases with normal knee joints were included in the control group. The measured parameters included tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) and rTER. Measurements were recorded for RPD patients both pre-and postoperatively. Analysis of variance was used to assess the intergroup differences in TT-TG and rTER, and a t-test was employed to evaluate differences among various surgical procedures.

RESULTS: In the RPD group, rTER was significantly higher than in the control group (P＜0.001), with no statistically significant difference in postoperative rTER (P = 0.366). There was no significant difference in postoperative rTER between the RPD group and the control group (P = 0.057). The difference in TT-TG distance before and after operation in RPD patients was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Within the subgroups, there was a significant difference in rTER between pre – and post-operation in the tibial tuberosity osteotomy combined with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) group (P = 0.043). Multivariate analysis showed that age and body mass index had no correlation with rTER.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared with MPFLR alone, tibial tuberosity osteotomy combined with MPFLR can significantly reduce postoperative rTER and make rTER tend to be normal. For patients with elevated TT-TG and abnormal rTER, tibial tuberosity osteotomy combined with MPFLR may be a better choice.

PMID:39877986 | DOI:10.1016/j.knee.2024.12.006

Swiss Med Wkly. 2024 Dec 4;154:3841. doi: 10.57187/s.3841.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: A wide range of reproductive health issues, including fertility, pregnancy outcomes and contraceptive practices can be affected by morbid obesity and weight loss subsequent to bariatric surgery. This study aimed to explore the attitudes and practices of bariatric healthcare professionals in Switzerland regarding reproductive health counselling in the context of bariatric surgery.

METHODS: We conducted a national, cross-sectional, 36-question online survey among bariatric professionals in Switzerland. Survey topics included demographic factors, baseline characteristics of bariatric patients, perioperative reproductive health practices, attitudes and knowledge about contraception and recommendations regarding pregnancy. The survey was open from 1 October 2022 to 30 April 2023.

RESULTS: A total of 75 healthcare professionals participated in the survey. The majority of participants responded that female patients of reproductive age constitute more than half of the referred bariatric patients. Forty participants (57%) recommended contraception for a duration of 18-24 months following a bariatric operation. Only twenty-three respondents (31%) stated that they always refer their female bariatric patients of reproductive age to a gynaecologist prior to bariatric surgery. Fifty-six participants (75%) replied that they always discuss family planning prior to surgery. There was high variation regarding the recommended methods of contraception after surgery.Only thirty-nine participants (52%) reported that they always inform their patients about the occurrence of possible surgery-related complications during future pregnancies. More than half of the participants reported inadequate knowledge regarding absorption and safety of contraceptive pills after bariatric surgery. Although most professionals routinely follow up and provide counselling on maternal and foetal risks in pregnant women with previous bariatric surgery, forty-nine participants (65%) have no standardised protocol for such patients who present with acute abdominal pain in their practice.

CONCLUSION: Despite acknowledging the importance of reproductive health counselling, bariatric professionals address perioperative and contraception issues inconsistently and mostly reported a lack of adequate knowledge in the latter. Therefore, a stronger collaboration between bariatric professionals and women’s healthcare providers is needed to improve care of female bariatric patients of reproductive age.

PMID:39877941 | DOI:10.57187/s.3841