Search Results (114)

Background/Objectives: Diaschisis, reduced neural activity, perfusion, and metabolism in structurally intact but anatomically connected regions, is a network-level consequence of focal brain injury. Despite the extensive literature, its prevalence across imaging modalities and diaschisis subtypes has not been systematically synthesized. This review aims to identify convergent evidence for diaschisis after ischemic stroke and clarify how its detection relates to neuroanatomical disconnection, clinical factors, and imaging methods. (PROSPERO: CRD420251017909). Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched through February 2025 for studies reporting quantitative measures of diaschisis using perfusion, metabolic, or functional imaging. Pooled prevalence and modality-specific estimates were calculated. Subgroup analyses examined diaschisis subtypes, stroke severity, age, and study quality. Results: Sixty-six studies (3021 patients) were included. Overall pooled prevalence was 53% (95% CI: 47–58%). Crossed cerebellar diaschisis was most frequently studied (49%), while thalamic and other remote patterns showed comparable or higher effect sizes. Detection varied primarily by imaging modality: ASL MRI (67%) and PET (58%) showed the highest sensitivity; SPECT (53%) and CTP (49%) were intermediate; DSC-PWI had the lowest (28%). In contrast, age had no measurable effect and stroke severity only modestly increased detection, suggesting that diaschisis is driven predominantly by neuroanatomical disconnection rather than demographic or clinical variables. Egger’s tests indicated minimal publication bias. Conclusions: Diaschisis is a common manifestation of network vulnerability after ischemic stroke, determined chiefly by lesion topology and long-range anatomical connectivity. Detection depends more on imaging physiology than patient characteristics. Standardized definitions and longitudinal multimodal studies are needed to clarify its temporal evolution and clinical significance. Full article

Background: We aimed to evaluate ability of a novel scoring system that combines fluorodeoxyglucose-uptake parameters and systemic inflammatory response indicators to predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis. Methods: Clinical data were collected from patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy at our hospital in 2014–2022. The tumor-to-liver ratio (TLR) was adopted as a positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) standardized uptake value (SUV)-related indicator and calculated as the ratio of the SUV_max of tumor tissue to the SUV_mean of normal liver tissue. The patients’ immune microenvironment reflected the NLR. Postoperative overall survival (OS)- and disease-free survival (DFS)-related independent prognostic factors were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. Results: Eighty-nine patients were included. TLR, NLR, and alpha-fetoprotein levels were independently associated with OS and DFS. The OS and DFS in the zero-point group were significantly longer than those in the one- and two-point groups. Time-dependent ROC curve analyses revealed area under the curve values of 0.830 and 0.752 for 5-year OS and DFS, respectively, for the scoring system, outperforming single evaluation indices. Conclusions: The proposed scoring system, which incorporates both TLR and NLR, simultaneously reflects metabolic tumor characteristics and the host’s immune microenvironment, enabling more accurate patients with early to intermediate-stage HCC undergoing hepatectomy classification and better prognostic evaluation. Full article

Multimodal imaging plays a central role in optimizing the evaluation and management of myocardial ischemia by leveraging the complementary strengths of echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Noninvasive functional imaging is typically recommended for patients with intermediate to high pre-test probability of coronary artery disease, while coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is preferred for low to intermediate risk. Stress echocardiography is valuable for detecting wall motion abnormalities and is particularly effective in multivessel or left main disease, where perfusion techniques may miss balanced ischemia. CMR offers high spatial resolution and quantitative assessment of myocardial blood flow (MBF), while SPECT and PET quantify ischemic burden, with PET providing superior accuracy for MBF and microvascular disease. ICA remains the gold standard for defining the presence, location, and severity of epicardial coronary stenosis. It is indicated when noninvasive imaging reveals high-risk features, when symptoms are refractory to medical therapy, or when noninvasive results are inconclusive. While ICA offers high spatial resolution, it alone cannot assess the hemodynamic significance of intermediate lesions, nor the coronary microvasculature. Adjunctive invasive hemodynamic and provocative coronary testing (e.g., Fractional Flow Reserve—FFR, invasive Coronary Flow Reserve—CFR, Index of Microcirculatory Resistance—IMR, acetylcholine test) provide essential insights, especially in ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries. Given its procedural risks, ICA should be reserved for cases where it will impact management. Intravascular imaging may be used to further characterize lesions. In summary, modality selection should be individualized based on patient characteristics, comorbidities, contraindications, and the need for anatomical versus physiological data. Integrating noninvasive and invasive modalities provides a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to ischemia evaluation. Full article

Background: Considering the high global frequency of prostate cancer, it is necessary to know the benefits and drawbacks of numerous diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Methods: In this article, we include 88 manuscripts (46/88 original studies) found on PubMed, written in English in extenso, dealing with nuclear medicine methods in patients with prostate cancer. Results: Choline PET/CT had low sensitivity in detecting the primary tumor. This method has been almost completely replaced by PSMA PET/CT, which is included in international guidelines and recommended for initial staging of unfavorable intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer, the detection of recurrent disease after treatment, the evaluation of mCRPC, therapy response evaluation, and theranostics. FDG is currently used in aggressive forms of prostate cancer and as a supplement in PSMA PET/CT for patient selection for RLT. Na[¹⁸F]F has demonstrated satisfactory diagnostic capacity for evaluating bone loss; however, due to a lack of research, it is not recommended in international guidelines. ¹⁸F-Fluciclovine has lower sensitivity than [¹⁸F]F-PSMA-1007 for the detection of early biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer. GRPR and SSTR analogs are less frequently used but can be useful in the evaluation of rarer pathohistological types. [^99mTc]Tc-PSMA can be used in resource-limited settings where PET/CT is unavailable, with a lower sensitivity compared to [¹⁸F]F-PSMA-1007 but a higher sensitivity compared to bone scans. Conclusions: PSMA tracers are important tools for evaluating intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer, with limitations in 5–10% of prostate cancers that do not express PSMA. Theranostics are increasingly incorporating PSMA. Full article

The accumulation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the environment demands efficient microbial strategies for its degradation. This study evaluates the biodegradation potential of Schizophyllum commune BNT39 toward bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), a major PET intermediate, and PET itself. Clear halos on BHET-agar plates indicated extracellular hydrolytic activity. In liquid culture, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses revealed a three-phase degradation profile characterized by rapid BHET hydrolysis, transient dimer accumulation, and subsequent conversion to terephthalic acid (TPA). BHET was reduced by approximately 96% within seven days, while TPA accumulation reached 0.8 mg/mL after 30 days of incubation. Although PET degradation was limited, TPA was consistently detected as the principal product, with no BHET or MHET intermediates. To explore strategies for enhancing enzymatic activity, apple-derived cutin, PET, BHET, and polycaprolactone (PCL) were tested as inducers. Cutin markedly stimulated extracellular enzyme production, suggesting activation of cutinase-like enzymes. Overall, S. commune BNT39 demonstrates the ability to transform PET-related substrates, with cutin emerging as a promising natural stimulant to enhance enzymatic depolymerization. Future studies should focus on enzyme purification, activity profiling, and reaction optimization near PET’s glass transition temperature, where the polymer becomes more accessible for enzymatic attack. Full article

The chemical recycling process of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was executed through aminolysis employing N, N-Diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) as the catalytic agent, commencing with the systematic collection and comprehensive purification of discarded PET bottles to remove contaminants and additives. The depolymerization reaction utilized hydrazine as the primary amine source, facilitating the cleavage of ester bonds within the polymer matrix under controlled temperature and pressure conditions. The synthesis of the diamine compound, terephthalohydrazide, was successfully achieved through this catalytic aminolysis pathway, demonstrating high conversion efficiency and product selectivity. The resulting terephthalohydrazide served as a crucial intermediate and was subsequently utilized for the further synthesis of bis-1,3,4-Oxadiazole derivatives through a comprehensive methodology rigorously aligned with the fundamental principles of green chemistry, including atom economy, reduced waste generation, and environmentally benign reaction conditions. A diverse series of six distinct products derived from various carboxylic acids employed in the cyclization synthesis of bis-1,3,4-Oxadiazoles were systematically produced under optimized reaction parameters. These products were meticulously characterized using advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy techniques, including both ¹H and ¹³C NMR analyses, confirming their structural integrity and chemical composition. This sequential approach represents a significant advancement in heterocyclic synthesis methodology, using sustainable pathways to find structural diversity. Full article

Background: Non-invasive diagnostic tools for the assessment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are currently being intensively studied. Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG) and [13N]-ammonia is the gold standard for assessing myocardial metabolism and perfusion. The relationship between right ventricle (RV) myocardial metabolism and perfusion and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has not been studied. Objective: to evaluate correlations between the CPET parameters and RV perfusion and metabolism in IPAH patients. Methods: The study comprised 34 IPAH patients (34.2 ± 8.9 years, 4 males, 6 prevalent). Myocardial metabolism and perfusion were assessed using PET/CT with [18F]-FDG and [13N]-ammonia, respectively. CPET, cardiac MRI and invasive hemodynamics were also evaluated. Results: Significant negative correlations were registered between [18F]-FDG and [13N]-ammonia uptake by the RV (SUVmax _RV/LV) and the oxygen consumption, oxygen pulse and positive correlation with the ratio of minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production. The low-risk IPAH patients significantly differed from the intermediate-to-high-risk group in CPET indices and in SUVmax _RV/LV metabolism and SUVmax _RV/LV perfusion parameters. No reliable differences in CPET indices and [18F]-FDG and [13N]-ammonia uptake by the RV were registered between intermediate- and high-risk patients. Conclusions: CPET is a reliable non-invasive diagnostic tool that could distinguish low-risk young IPAH patients without comorbidities from those at intermediate-to-high risk. Significant correlations between CPET parameters and RV myocardial metabolism and perfusion indices, MRI, and invasive hemodynamics confirm the high diagnostic value for CPET. Full article

Background/Objectives: Since the proPSMA trial, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) scan has primarily replaced conventional imaging for staging newly diagnosed prostate cancer. The objective of this commentary is to summarise the existing literature on the role of PSMA PET in staging favourable intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Methods: A literature search was conducted on Embase and Ovid MEDLINE, and three retrospective cohort studies were identified. Results: Overall, these studies demonstrated a low prevalence of nodal and distant metastases, as well as modest diagnostic performance of PSMA positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in this patient group. Additionally, PSMA PET did not significantly outperform existing nomograms in predicting lymph node involvement. Conclusions: Given its limited sensitivity, low yield, and cost, the routine use of PSMA PET-CT in favourable intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients is not recommended. Further prospective studies and cost-effectiveness analyses are warranted to clarify its role in this population. Full article

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used polymer whose accumulation in the environment poses a significant pollution challenge. This study explores the degradation of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) and terephthalic acid (TPA)—two monomers commonly produced during PET hydrolysis and widely used as intermediates in PET recycling—through Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) employing KrCl (222 nm) and XeBr (283 nm) excimer lamps in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The effects of the H₂O₂/monomer mass ratio, initial monomer concentrations, and reaction volume on degradation efficiency were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrate that excimer lamp technology, particularly KrCl, holds promising potential for the effective degradation of both BHET and TPA, and thus represents a viable strategy for PET waste treatment. Full article

This study analyzes spatiotemporal aridity dynamics in Central Kazakhstan (1960–2022) using a monthly Aridity Index (AI = P/PET), where P is precipitation and PET is potential evapotranspiration, Mann–Kendall trend analysis, and climate zone classification. Results reveal a northeast–southwest aridity gradient, with Aridity Index ranging from 0.11 to 0.14 in southern deserts to 0.43 in the Kazakh Uplands. Between 1960–1990 and 1991–2022, southern regions experienced intensified aridity, with Aridity Index declining from 0.12–0.15 to 0.10–0.14, while northern mountainous areas became more humid, where Aridity Index increased from 0.40–0.44 to 0.41–0.46. Seasonal analysis reveals divergent patterns, with winter showing improved moisture conditions (52.4% reduction in arid lands), contrasting sharply with aridification in spring and summer. Summer emerges as the most extreme season, with hyper-arid zones (8%) along with expanding arid territories (69%), while autumn shows intermediate conditions with notable dry sub-humid areas (5%) in northwestern regions. Statistical analysis confirms these observations, with northern areas showing positive Aridity Index trends (+0.007/10 years) against southwestern declines (−0.003/10 years). Key drivers include rising temperatures (with recent degradation) and variable precipitation (long-term drying followed by winter and spring), and PET fluctuations linked to temperature. Since 1991, arid zones have expanded from 40% to 47% of the region, with semi-arid lands transitioning to arid, with a northward shift of the boundary. These changes are strongly seasonal, highlighting the vulnerability of Central Kazakhstan to climate-driven aridification. Full article

This study aimed to optimize the inoculation dosage and fermentation duration to enhance the protein content and reduce soluble oligosaccharides in soybean meal using Aspergillus oryzae and assessed its performance in dog food extrusion. A 3 × 5 factorial design was used to determine the optimal fermentation conditions. These conditions were applied to ferment soybean meal in bulk for nutritional analysis. Finally, the impact of fermentation on extrusion processing was assessed by formulating and extruding four diets: SBM (30% soybean meal), AMF (30% soybean meal with 1% Amaferm^®—A. oryzae biomass), FSBM (30% fermented soybean meal), and SPI (18% soy protein isolate). Diets were extruded with a single-screw extruder, and physical characteristics of kibbles, particle size distribution, and viscosity of raw mixes were analyzed. The optimal fermentation conditions were 1 × 10⁴ spore/g substrate for 36 h, which increased the crude protein content by 4.63% DM, methionine and cysteine total content by 0.15% DM, and eliminated sucrose, while significantly reducing stachyose, raffinose, and verbascose (95.22, 87.37, and 41.82%, respectively). The extrusion results showed that FSBM had intermediate specific mechanical energy (SME), in-barrel moisture requirements, and sectional expansion index (198.7 kJ/kg, 28.2%, and 1.80, respectively) compared with SBM (83.7 kJ/kg, 34.5%, and 1.30, respectively) and SPI (305.3 kJ/kg, 33.5%, and 2.55, respectively). The FSBM also exhibited intermediate particle size distribution and the least raw mix viscosity. These findings demonstrate that A. oryzae fermentation enhances the nutrient profile of soybean meal while improving extrusion efficiency and kibble quality, supporting its potential use as a sustainable pet food ingredient. Full article

Background: Adrenal glands are situated cranially and in close proximity to both kidneys. The rabbit is a preferred animal pet species and is also used as an experimental model in research. The aim of this study was to investigate the CT anatomical features of the rabbit adrenal glands, using the CT device SOMATOM. Methods: Ten sexually mature clinically healthy rabbits, with body weights from 2.5 to 3.0 kg were used. They were separated into two groups—five males and five females. CT algorithm: Transverse, sagittal, and dorsal CT studies were performed. The animals were positioned in supine recumbency. They were anesthetized with 15 mg/kg Zoletil^® 50. Helical CT was carried out. The body was scanned from the intrathoracic part of the abdominal cavity to the pelvic inlet. CCD, DVD, and MLD dimensions were measured. Results: Transverse CT scans at the Th12 and L1 level visualized the topography of the right and left adrenal glands. Sagittal CT scans of Regio abdominis, 10 mm to the right and to the left of the median plane, showed the right and left adrenal glands as findings with intermediate attenuation. The dorsal CT investigation of Regio abdominis 30 mm and 45 mm ventral to the spine demonstrated both glands in the vicinity of abdominal organs and large blood vessels. CCD of the right adrenal gland was 6.9 ± 0.5 mm, DVD of the same gland was 5.7 ± 0.7 mm, and MLD was—3.9 ± 0.3 mm. CCD of the left adrenal gland was 5.4 ± 0.6 mm, DVD was—4.0 ± 1.1 mm, and MLD was—4.1 ± 0.9 mm. Conclusions: CCD and DVD of the right adrenal gland were greater than the same parameters of the left gland. MLD of the right adrenal gland was lower than the same parameter measured for the left one. Full article

Lungworms in carnivorous domestic animals are infestations that are relatively uncommon. However, in felines, especially wild ones, they are not at all rare. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of respiratory parasite infections (lung nematodes) in domestic cats based on necropsy and cytological examinations and to highlight the cytological examination of respiratory material as a practical and straightforward diagnostic method. For the presence of lung parasites, necropsy material (cadavers of cats) and samples submitted for cytological examinations from 2005 to 2022 were analyzed. In total, 730 cat samples from southern and southwestern Poland were examined—420 autopsied and 310 cats whose samples were examined cytologically. The material was collected using the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and submitted for cytological examination. Out of 420 cat autopsies, larvae and eggs of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus were found in 4 individuals (0.95%). In cytological material obtained from BAL, out of 310 samples analyzed, larvae and eggs of A. abstrusus and Capillaria aerophila were found in only 2 cases (0.64%). Respiratory parasitic infections in cats can pose a serious health risk, especially with high intensity, in young animals. Considering that such cases present a diagnostic challenge, it is advisable to encourage cat owners to limit their pets’ contact with intermediate and paratenic hosts and use anthelmintics to combat lung parasites. Full article

The aim of this study was to develop a baseline [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT model to predict immunotherapy response in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and noninvasively determine tumor grade, thereby enhancing early patient stratification. We retrospectively analyzed 59 patients with histologically confirmed advanced cSCC submitted to immunotherapy with cemiplimab. All underwent [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT at baseline and after approximately 12 weeks. Clinical response was assessed through PET findings integrated with clinical and dermatological evaluation, and patients were classified as responders (complete/partial metabolic response or stable disease) or non-responders (progression or toxicity-related discontinuation). Tumors were also classified as low to intermediate (G1–G2) or poorly differentiated (G3). Machine learning models (Random Forest and Extreme Gradient Boosting) were trained to predict treatment response and tumor grade. Clinical benefit was observed in 46/59 patients (77.9%), while 13 (22.1%) were non-responders. Histology showed 64.4% (n = 38) G1–G2 and 35.6% (n = 21) G3 tumors. The PET-based model best predicted clinical benefit (AUC = 0.96, accuracy = 91% cross-validation; AUC = 0.88, accuracy = 82% internal validation). For tumor grade prediction, the CT-based model achieved a higher AUC of 0.80 (accuracy 73%), whereas the PET-based model reached an AUC of 0.78 but demonstrated a slightly higher accuracy of 77%. Radiomic analysis of baseline [¹⁸F]FDG PET enables the discriminative prediction of immunotherapy response and tumor grade in advanced cSCC, with PET-based models outperforming CT-based ones. Full article

In a susceptible individual, persistent, low-level injury to the airway epithelium initiates an exaggerated wound repair response, ultimately leading to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The mechanisms driving this fibroproliferative response are not fully understood. Here, we review recent spatially resolved transcriptomics and proteomics studies that provide insight into two distinct matricellular microenvironments important in this pathological fibroproliferation. First, in response to alveolar epithelial injury, alveolar differentiation intermediate (ADI) basal cells arising from Secretoglobin (Scgb1a1) progenitors re-populate the injured alveolus remodeling the extracellular matrix (ECM). ADI cells exhibit an interconnected cellular stress response involving the unfolded protein response (UPR), epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and senescence pathways. These pathways reprogram cellular metabolism to support fibrillogenic ECM remodeling. In turn, the remodeled ECM tonically stimulates EMT in the ADI population, perpetuating the transitional cell state. Second, fibroblastic foci (FF) are a distinct microenvironment composed of activated aberrant “basaloid” cells supporting transition of adjacent mesenchyme into hyaluronan synthase (HAS^hi)-expressing fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Once formed, FF are the major matrix-producing factories that invade and disrupt the alveolar airspace, forming a mature scar. In both microenvironments, the composition and characteristics of the ECM drive persistence of atypical epithelium sustaining matrix production. New approaches to monitor cellular trans-differentiation and matrix characteristics using positron emission tomography (PET)–magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging are described, which hold the potential to monitor the effects of therapeutic interventions to modify the ECM. Greater understanding of the bidirectional interrelationships between matrix and cellular phenotypes will identify new therapeutics and diagnostics to affect the outcomes of this lethal disease. Full article