bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Talking about Exploiting Hope
Authors: Snyder Jeremy
Published: September 2020

This chapter presents and analyzes popular uses of variations of “exploiting hope” drawn from the press. Popular accounts of exploiting hope often focus on cases of desperately poor and sick people struggling to survive or meet their basic needs. But they also include relatively privileged people who are hoping for fame, great wealth, or a beautiful appearance. These individuals may be forced into exploitative exchanges, but in other cases they are voluntary. Two factors unite these examples. First, these hopes are weighty in the sense of being transformative and having the potential to greatly improve the hopeful person’s life. Second, pursuing these hopes involves unusual risk-taking, trust in others, or what the author terms leaps of hope that make the individual especially vulnerable to exploitation. In all these cases, exploiters take advantage of these leaps of hope to benefit themselves with little to no regard for the good of the exploitee.
Uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia Treatment Duration and Outcomes at an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Taupin Daniel , Karchmer Adolf W , Davis Roger B , LaSalvia Mary T
Published: September 2020

We compared outcomes and clinical characteristics of uncomplicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia planned for a 14-day or >14-day course of intravenous antibiotics. Treatment failure was infrequent in both groups (0% and 5%, respectively). Catheter-associated deep vein thrombosis, immunosuppression, and valvular dysfunction were associated with a longer planned duration of therapy.
Microsaccadic Eye Movements but not Pupillary Dilation Response Characterizes the Crossmodal Freezing Effect
Authors: Chen Lihan , Liao Hsin-I
Published: September 2020

In typical spatial orienting tasks, the perception of crossmodal (e.g., audiovisual) stimuli evokes greater pupil dilation and microsaccade inhibition than unisensory stimuli (e.g., visual). The characteristic pupil dilation and microsaccade inhibition has been observed in response to “salient” events/stimuli. Although the “saliency” account is appealing in the spatial domain, whether this occurs in the temporal context remains largely unknown. Here, in a brief temporal scale (within 1 s) and with the working mechanism of involuntary temporal attention, we investigated how eye metric characteristics reflect the temporal dynamics of perceptual organization, with and without multisensory integration. We adopted the crossmodal freezing paradigm using the classical Ternus apparent motion. Results showed that synchronous beeps biased the perceptual report for group motion and triggered the prolonged sound-induced oculomotor inhibition (OMI), whereas the sound-induced OMI was not obvious in a crossmodal task-free scenario (visual localization without audiovisual integration). A general pupil dilation response was observed in the presence of sounds in both visual Ternus motion categorization and visual localization tasks. This study provides the first empirical account of crossmodal integration by capturing microsaccades within a brief temporal scale; OMI but not pupillary dilation response characterizes task-specific audiovisual integration (shown by the crossmodal freezing effect).
Cancer and scleroderma: recent insights
Authors: Morrisroe Kathleen , Nikpour Mandana
Published: September 2020

Purpose of review

As survival in systemic sclerosis (SSc) improves, research interest has shifted to the leading cause of non-SSc-related death, namely cancer, which accounts for over a third of non-SSc-related deaths. This review will provide an overview of the recent insights into the evolving relationship between SSc and cancer.

Recent findings

Recent studies confirm the increased risk of cancer in SSc compared with the general population (standardized incidence ratio 1.9–2.2) in particular the risk of breast, lung and skin cancer. This increased cancer risk, particularly occurring in close proximity to SSc onset, raises the novel concept of autoimmunity occurring as a direct immune response to the cancerous cells. We highlight the important role that SSc-specific autoantibodies may have in identifying these at-risk patients, prognostication and triaging those who may require tight surveillance and further cancer screening.

The knowledge will allow the development of future prospective studies evaluating clinically relevant and targeted cancer screening strategies for newly diagnosed SSc patients to optimize cancer detection while minimizing harms and costs from overscreening.
Clinical Outcomes After Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation for Pediatric Glaucoma After Congenital Cataract Surgery
Authors: Geyer Orna , Segal Adi , Melamud Alina , Wolf Alvit
Published: September 2020

Précis:

Ahmed valve success for glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery lasts at least 5 years in most eyes, and >10 years in some cases. The procedure is a valuable option for these patients.

Purpose:

The aim of the study was to report on the results of Ahmed valve implantation in children with glaucoma following congenital cataract surgery.

Patients and Methods:

Medical records were reviewed for 41 pediatric eyes (27 patients) with glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery with Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation between 2007 and 2018. The primary outcome measure was surgical success, defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤22 mm Hg (with or without glaucoma medications) on 2 consecutive follow-up visits, without glaucoma reoperation, and without significant visual complications during the follow-up period.

Results:

Median age at the time of AGV implantation was 80 months (range: 14 to 146 mo) and the mean follow-up period was 61.1±46.5 months. The cumulative probability of surgical success was 95.1%, 89.8%, 83.1%, and 72.6% at 12, 24, 60, and 84 months, respectively. IOP significantly decreased from 35.8±7.4 mm Hg before valve implantation to 18.7±6.5 mm Hg at the last recorded visit (51.4% decrease; P<0.0001). Most eyes (79%) required medications for pressure control. Complications occurred in 14 eyes (34%), with 12 of these remaining successful. Early hypotony was the most common complication (19.5%). Retinal detachment occurred in 1 eye.

Conclusions:

Despite a decrease in surgical success over time, AGV implantation was successfully used for IOP control in the majority of our pediatric eyes with glaucoma after congenital cataract surgery. Most complications were managed effectively and surgical success was maintained.
Interventions for Preventing Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia
Authors: Zhou Tong , Han Shuyu , Zhu Zheng , Hu Yan , Xing Weijie
Published: September 2020

Background

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a common adverse effect among patients undergoing chemotherapy. Patients experiencing CIA suffer psychological distress and even refuse or discontinue chemotherapy. A variety of interventions have been applied to prevent CIA. However, the best intervention option remains unknown.

Objective

To evaluate and determine the comparative effects of all available interventions for preventing CIA.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of four English and 3 Chinese electronic databases was performed to identify potential studies from database inception to August 2018. Two reviewers conducted data selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment independently. The consistency model was used to conduct a network meta-analysis based on a frequentist framework to evaluate the relative effects of different interventions. Rankings of interventions were evaluated by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve values.

Results

Seventeen eligible trials including 1378 patients were included. Scalp cooling (odds ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.07–0.25) and scalp compression (odds ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.03–0.52) had significant effects relative to usual care. Ranking of efficacy indicated that scalp cooling was the most effective, followed by scalp compression with tourniquets, topical Chinese medicinal herbs, oral Chinese medicinal herbs, minoxidil, and usual care.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that scalp cooling is the most effective method to prevent CIA during chemotherapy.

Implications for Practice

Our results could provide a reference to prevent CIA. Updated studies with high quality, sufficient sample sizes, and direct comparison between interventions are needed in the future.
Quality and Safety in Healthcare, Part LXXIV
Authors: Harolds Jay A.
Published: September 2020

Disruptive behavior has major adverse consequences for patient care, morale of the staff, and institutional reputation. Disruptive actions must be confronted as soon as is feasible. Usually, such behavior will not recur following 1 more firm conversations by officials of the healthcare institution, but if necessary disciplinary measures and/or remediation may be necessary. Rarely, because of egregious or repeated offenses, it may be obligatory to suspend the privileges of the individual permanently or until there is further evaluation, such as by a subcommittee of the medical executive committee or perhaps by a fitness-for-duty assessment by an outside organization.
Follicular Thyroid Cancer With Nose-Tip Metastasis and 131I Uptake
Authors: Yao Shan-Fan , Lee Chiang-Hsuan , Chiu Chuang-Hsin , Fan Yu-Ming , Huang Wen-Sheng
Published: September 2020

We present a 56-year-old woman with metastatic follicular thyroid cancer at the nose tip with 131I uptake that is clinically rare, mimicking physiological uptake in the nose, a common finding seen after routine 131I therapeutic imaging. The lesion revealed a metastatic follicular thyroid cancer with 131I uptake and response to 131I therapy. Surgical removal, however, was not performed due to cosmetic and functional considerations. Active surveillance is warranted owing to its relative aggressiveness in nature.
Salvage Therapies After 18F-Fluciclovine Detected Prostate Cancer Recurrences
Authors: Hwang Lindsay , Paluch Jeremy , Jadvar Hossein , England Joseph R. , Desai Bhushan , Ballas Leslie K.
Published: September 2020

Background

18F-Fluciclovine is the most recent prostate cancer (PCa)–directed PET radiotracer approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for detection of recurrent PCa. We report the treatments and outcomes of patients at our institution with PCa recurrences detected on 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT.

Methods

We identified men with recurrent PCa detected on 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT performed between 2017 and 2018 who were previously treated definitively and analyzed their patterns of care and cancer-specific outcomes.

Results

We identified 28 men with recurrent PCa detected on 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT. Twenty-three were initially treated with surgery and 13 also received postoperative radiation therapy (RT). Five patients were initially treated with definitive radiation. After surgery, the median time to 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT was 67 months (median prostate-specific antigen [PSA] of 1.63 ng/mL). After RT, the median time to 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT was 95 months with median PSA of 13.31 ng/mL. Six men recurred locally, 9 recurred in the pelvic nodes, 9 had distant nodal recurrences, and 4 had osseous metastases. Of the patients initially treated with surgery, 4 received salvage radiation and 3 received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Of the patients initially treated with surgery and postoperative RT, 3 received salvage pelvic nodal dissection, 4 received salvage radiation, and 2 received ADT. Of the patients initially treated with radiation, 4 received salvage ADT. All had PSA decline after salvage therapy.

Conclusions

18F-fluciclovine PET/CT can localize PCa recurrences, and subsequent salvage therapies appear effective with decreasing PSA. Longer follow-up will reveal if these diagnostic tests and subsequent therapies will improve PCa survival.
Prostate Cancer Lymphangitic Pulmonary Carcinomatosis
Authors: Zukotynski Katherine A. , Jadvar Hossein , Potvin Kylea , Cho Steve Y. , Kim Chun Ki , Winquist Eric
Published: September 2020

A 51-year-old man diagnosed with high-grade, high-volume metastatic castration-sensitive prostate adenocarcinoma received pelvic radiation, androgen deprivation therapy, and intravenous docetaxel. Serum prostate-specific antigen became undetectable following treatment. Within a year, his cancer progressed to castration-resistant disease, and he was treated with oral abiraterone acetate 1000 mg and prednisone 10 mg daily. Despite this, the serum prostate-specific antigen rose from 0.03 to 1.39 μg/L, and 18F-DCFPyL and 18F-FDG PET/CT showed progression. While 18F-DCFPyL uptake may be seen in aggressive disease, 18F-FDG portends poor prognosis. Despite intravenous platinum-based chemotherapy, the patient died of respiratory failure 20 months after his initial diagnosis.
Metabolic Resolution of Lytic Lesions in Erdheim-Chester Disease on 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Yadav Divya , Seth Rachna , Shamim Shamim Ahmed , Kumar Rakesh
Published: September 2020

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non–Langerhans cell histiocytic disorder with variable clinical presentation most commonly involving the skeletal system. The long bones are the most common site of involvement giving a characteristic bone scintigraphy pattern of increased bilateral symmetric uptake in metadiaphyseal regions. We describe the findings of serial 18F-FDG PET/CT in a 16-year-old adolescent girl with ECD, emphasizing the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in response assessment of ECD.
Is There Any Role for 18F-Fluciclovine PET/CT in the Presence of Undetectable PSA in Prostate Cancer Patients After Definitive Treatment?
Authors: Teyateeti Ajalaya , Teyateeti Achiraya , Macapinlac Homer A. , Lu Yang
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT in the evaluation of prostate cancer (PC) patients after definitive treatment in the presence of undetectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study was conducted in PC patients who had undetectable PSA level and underwent fluciclovine PET/CT within a 2-week interval of PSA examination and without interval treatment or other cancer. Patient and tumor characteristics at initial diagnosis, treatment regimens, and findings on fluciclovine PET/CT were collected. Comparisons between groups of positive and negative fluciclovine PET/CT were done by using descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 34 fluciclovine PET/CTs from 34 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were 4 positive (11.8%) and 30 negative fluciclovine PET/CTs (88.2%). All of the patients with positive results had an initial Gleason score of 7 or higher and locally advanced tumor (T3–T4). More common features at the time of diagnosis among positive study patients as compared with negative ones were atypical histologic variants (25% vs 0%) and very high-risk PC (50% vs 30%). Most of the patients with positive study received second-line hormonal therapy (HT) (50%), whereas patients with negative results received first-line HT (53.3%). Chemotherapy naivety was less common among positive patients (75% vs 96.7%). Sites of involvement on positive fluciclovine PET/CTs were pelvic lymph nodes (2/4, 50%), lung and mediastinal lymph node (1/4, 25%), and prostatectomy bed (1/4, 25%).

Conclusions

In the presence of undetectable PSA in PC patients after definitive treatment, fluciclovine PET/CT would benefit most to patients with Gleason score of 7 or higher, high disease burden (T3–T4), and atypical histologic variants at the time of diagnosis, and the ones who have history of second-line HT and/or chemotherapy.
177Lu-/68Ga-PSMA Theranostics in Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Kumar Arunav , Ballal Sanjana , Yadav Madhav Prasad , ArunRaj S.T. , Haresh K.P. , Gupta Subhash , Damle Nishikant Avinash , Garg Ajay , Tripathi Madhavi , Bal Chandrasekhar
Published: September 2020

A 37-year-old man, treated case of left temporal glioblastoma presented with headache, seizures, and progressive right-sided weakness with MRI evidence of recurrence. Exploratory 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT demonstrated PSMA expression in the recurrent lesion; it was decided to treat this patient with 177Lu-PSMA-617. After 3 cycles of 177Lu-PSMA-617, 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT showed significant reduction in PSMA uptake and regression in size of lesion on MRI with improvement in patient’s symptoms and performance status. 177Lu-/68Ga-PSMA theranostics has potential in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme when other therapeutic options are not feasible.
Gallbladder Carcinoma Presenting With Elbow Swelling
Authors: Pande Shantanu S. , Goyal Devendra , Chowdhury Zachariah , Dhal Ipsita , Kumar Singh Abhishek
Published: September 2020

Common presentation of primary gallbladder carcinoma is with abdominal pain, or it may be detected incidentally in postcholecystectomy specimen for cholelithiasis. Primary gallbladder carcinoma spreads to adjacent hepatic parenchyma and locoregional nodes. Lung is a common extra-abdominal site, with other sites being relatively rare. We report a case of primary gallbladder carcinoma, which presented with elbow swelling in the absence of locoregional nodal spread detected on whole-body 18F-FDG PET/contrast-enhanced CT at initial evaluation.
COVID-19 Pneumonia Mimicking Immunotherapy-Induced Pneumonitis on 18F-FDG PET/CT in a Patient Under Treatment With Nivolumab
Authors: Artigas Carlos , Lemort Marc , Mestrez Fabienne , Gil Thierry , Flamen Patrick
Published: September 2020

Within a few months, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic with more than 2 million patients infected and a high mortality rate. Early detection of COVID-19 in oncologic patients is crucial in order to rapidly apply isolation measures and avoid nosocomial spread. However, early diagnosis may be challenging, especially in cancer patients under treatment with immunotherapy as drug-induced pneumonitis can present similar clinical and radiological features. We describe the findings of a SARS-CoV-2 infection on PET/CT with 18F-FDG in a 51-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma under treatment with nivolumab.
223Ra-Dichloride Response Evaluation Using 18F-Fluciclovine PET/CT and Bone Scintigraphy in a Patient With Castration-Resistant Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Authors: Wang Jiaqiong , Kuker Russ , Serafini Aldo
Published: September 2020

A 66-year-old man was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer to the bones. The patient started 223Ra-dichloride (Xofigo) therapy in April 2019. 99mTc-MDP bone scan and 18F-fluciclovine (Axumin) PET/CT showed discordant but overall complementary findings that indicated disease progression after 5 doses of Xofigo therapy. The patient’s prostate-specific antigen increased from 33.81 ng/mL at baseline before Xofigo therapy and up to 394.3 ng/mL after the fifth dose of Xofigo treatment. Because of disease progression, Xofigo therapy was discontinued.
Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen–Avid Meningioma Detected in 68Ga–Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET/CT
Authors: Gupta Nitin , Verma Ritu , Belho Ethel S.
Published: September 2020

A 64-year-old man with recently diagnosed prostate adenocarcinoma with a total prostate-specific antigen level of 3.32 ng/mL and Gleason score 4 (3 + 4) was referred for 68Ga–prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT scan for pretreatment staging. Prostate-specific membrane antigen–avid lesion was noted in the right lobe of the prostate gland, corresponding to the known primary lesion. Note was made of another prostate-specific membrane antigen–avid lesion in the right parietal lobe of brain, likely meningioma. MRI scan performed later confirmed the brain lesion to be meningioma.
Atypical Presentation of COVID-19 Incidentally Detected at 18F-FDG PET/CT in an Asymptomatic Oncological Patient
Authors: Mattoli Maria Vittoria , Taralli Silvia , Pennese Elsa , D’Angelo Carla , Angrilli Francesco , Villano Carlo
Published: September 2020

The incidence of COVID-19, a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2, is rapidly growing worldwide. In this pandemic period, the chance of incidental pulmonary findings suggestive of COVID-19 at 18F-FDG PET/CT in asymptomatic oncological patients is not negligible. To suspect COVID-19 is more demanding whether its presentation is atypical. We describe the incidental PET/CT detection of an 18F-FDG–avid isolated centrilobular pulmonary consolidation in an asymptomatic lymphoma patient, which later resulted in an unexpected and atypical COVID-19 presentation. The nuclear medicine physicians should be prepared to suspect COVID-19 even in asymptomatic patients presenting with a “far-from-COVID-19” finding at PET/CT.
68Ga–Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET–Positive Paget Bone Disease With Metastatic Prostatic Carcinoma
Authors: Engur Ceren Ozge , Turoglu Halil Turgut , Ozguven Salih , Tanidir Yiloren , Erdil Tanju Yusuf
Published: September 2020

Paget bone disease is a chronic benign bone disease characterized by excessive and abnormal bone remodeling. The scintigraphic and bone SPECT/CT hybrid imaging appearances of the affected bone(s) depend on the stage of the disease. We report the case of a patient newly diagnosed with prostate cancer who was found to have multiple osseous metastases, with coexisting Paget disease in the left hemipelvis diagnosed because of typical scintigraphic and SPECT/CT appearance. 68Ga–prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT was also performed for initial staging. Pagetoid bones showed increased prostate-specific membrane antigen uptake like skeletal metastases.
PET Imaging of a Unique Case of Multiple Myeloma in an Adolescent
Authors: Binkovitz Larry A. , Sutton Samuel L. , Lacy Martha Q.
Published: September 2020

Pediatric solitary plasmacytomas are extremely rare, with only 14 cases previously reported. None of these reports included PET imaging findings. We present PET/CT and PET/MRI imaging findings in a 15-year-old boy with what was initially thought to be a solitary plasmacytoma, which later developed into multiple myeloma. The initial PET/CT of solitary plasmacytoma, as well as postradiotherapy PET/MRI findings with the new lesions suggestive of multiple myeloma, are presented.
99mTc-Leukocyte Scintigraphy Revealed Viral Pulmonary Infection in a COVID-19 Patient
Authors: Zheng Jiefu , Liu Yiyan
Published: September 2020

99mTc-leukocyte scintigraphy was performed on a 40-year-old woman with spiking fevers. A focus of intense uptake in the right upper thorax was identified, concerning for infection along the central line in the superior vena cava. Additionally, heterogeneously increased uptake in both lungs was noted, which suggested pulmonary infection. CT images of the chest showed patchy ground-glass changes in both lungs and a large consolidation in the right lower lobe, which were consistent with changes for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA test was positive. This case demonstrates that leukocyte uptake in bilateral lungs could reveal viral pulmonary infection in COVID-19.
TSPO PET With 18F-GE-180 to Differentiate Variants of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Völk Stefanie , Unterrainer Marcus , Albert Nathalie L. , Havla Joachim , Gerdes Lisa Ann , Schumacher Minh , Brendel Matthias , Kaiser Lena , Adorjan Kristina , Rupprecht Rainer , Bartenstein Peter , Kümpfel Tania , Danek Adrian
Published: September 2020

PET targeting the translocator protein (TSPO) expression is an interesting approach to detect neuroinflammation, as TSPO is upregulated in activated macrophages and microglia. Considering the variable pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) variants, we compare TSPO PET using 18F-GE-180 in 3 different demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system: relapsing-remitting MS, tumefactive MS, and Baló’s concentric sclerosis. Visualization of neuroinflammation and its PET patterns in addition to MRI may contribute to accurate distinction and monitoring of central nervous system demyelination.
Inguinal Canal Deposit—An Uncommon Site of Metastases in Carcinoma Prostate Detected on 68Ga–Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET/CT
Authors: Arora Saurabh , Kumar Sanjay , Das Chandan Jyoti , Jain Deepali , Kumar Rakesh
Published: September 2020

Metastatic deposit in the inguinal canal is an uncommon finding. Few tumors such as pancreatic cancer, rectal cancer, and ovarian cancer have been described previously with metastatic inguinal canal deposit. We present here a case of prostate cancer with an uncommon inguinal canal deposit that was detected on 68Ga–prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT.
A Solitary Skull Base Plasmacytoma Mimicking Paraganglioma on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT
Authors: Wang Jiaqiong , Kuker Russ
Published: September 2020

The patient was a 61-year-old man with a history of neck pain starting around October 2019. CT of the neck showed a lytic lesion at the right skull base. Subsequent MRI demonstrated an enhancing destructive mass in the right skull base centered in the occipital bone and condyle involving the jugular foramen and hypoglossal canal. An 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed showing increased FDG uptake in the right jugular foramen tumor. In addition, a PET/CT with 68Ga-[DOTA-Tyr3]-octreotate (68Ga-DOTATATE) demonstrated a 68Ga-DOTATATE–avid lesion in the right jugular foramen eroding the adjacent osseous structures. Biopsy revealed a plasmacytoma and not paraganglioma.
Photopenic Defects in Gliomas With Amino-Acid PET and Relative Prognostic Value
Authors: Zaragori Timothée , Castello Angelo , Guedj Eric , Girard Antoine , Galldiks Norbert , Albert Nathalie L. , Lopci Egesta , Verger Antoine
Published: September 2020

The aim is to explore the concept of photopenic defects in newly diagnosed glioma patients with the 2 widely used 11C-MET and 18F-FDOPA PET amino acid tracers. Thirty-two 11C-MET and 26 18F-FDOPA PET scans with amino acid PET-negative gliomas were selected in this European multicentric study. Of these gliomas, 16 11C-MET and 10 18F-FDOPA PET scans with photopenic defects were identified, exhibiting lower mean tumor-to-background ratio as compared with isometabolic gliomas (P < 0.001). Gliomas with photopenic defects had no different progression-free survival than isometabolic gliomas in the whole population (P = 0.40), but shorter progression-free survival in the subgroup of World Health Organization grade II IDH-mutant astrocytomas (35 vs 68 months; P = 0.047).
Penile Metastasis From Prostate Cancer Detected by 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT
Authors: Bianchi Denise , Rizzo Alessio , Bonacina Mattia , Zaniboni Alberto , Savelli Giordano
Published: September 2020

18F-Fluorocholine (18F-FCH) PET/CT is widely used to study patients affected by prostate cancer. 18F-FCH PET/CT is suitable for the detection of pelvic and abdominal nodal and skeletal metastases. Indeed, 18F-FCH PET/CT sensitivity for other organs, such as the liver and the urinary tract, is lowered by the radiopharmaceutical urinary washout and intense liver uptake. Herein, we report the case of a patient affected by oligometastatic prostate cancer in good clinical condition treated with total androgen blockade. 18F-FCH PET/CT showed a diffuse and intense uptake in the shaft of the penis, which was an evidence of a rare penile metastasis.
18F-FDG PET/CT in Hyalinized Cholecystitis
Authors: Arslan Esra , Yardimci Aytül Hande , Yarikkaya Enver , Alçin Göksel , Çermik Tevfik Fikret
Published: September 2020

Hyalinizing cholecystitis is a rare type of chronic cholecystitis. Moderate patchy transmural especially perivascular lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory cell infiltration is observed in the gallbladder wall. We present the 18F-FDG PET/CT and MRI findings of this rare subtype of chronic cholecystitis. Hyalinizing cholecystitis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder wall thickening with intense 18F-FDG uptake.
Adrenal Castleman Disease on 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC Scan and FDG PET/CT
Authors: Ding Jie , Cheng Xin , Hou Guozhu , Jing Hongli , Huo Li
Published: September 2020

Adrenal Castleman disease is very rare. We reported image findings of a right adrenal mass in a 75-year-old man on 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scan and FDG PET/CT. There was obviously elevated 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC activity, but the intensity of FDG activity was remarkable. Pheochromocytoma was initially suspected. However, pathology from resected specimen showed adrenal Castleman disease.
18F-FDG PET/CT Findings of an Isolated Splenic Metastasis From Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xu Tingting , Cen Bing , Liu Lin , Wang Yingwei , Chen Yue
Published: September 2020

Splenic metastasis from endometrial carcinoma is rare, especially when the spleen is the sole metastatic site. Herein, we report the case of a 47-year-old woman with a history of endometrial adenocarcinoma diagnosed 1 year ago. At that time, she underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic node dissection. Restaging 18F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated an isolated splenic mass with elevated FDG activity. There were no other signs of recurrence. The lesion was surgically resected and diagnosed as a metastasis from the endometrial adenocarcinoma.
Warthin Tumor Incidentally Detected on PET/CT Showing Both 68Ga-DOTANOC and 18F-FDG Uptake
Authors: Vaz Sofia C. , Marques Andreia , Lourenço João , Galzerano Antonio
Published: September 2020

A patient with moderately differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with synchronous multifocal liver metastases was referred for further staging with PET/CT. The examinations were performed on 2 consecutive days and showed mild68Ga-DOTANOC and intense18F-FDG uptake in an incidental right parotid nodule. Differential diagnoses include primary or metastatic neuroendocrine tumor, malignant or benign primary parotid tumor, and intraparotid lymph node. Histology revealed characteristics of a Warthin tumor. While focal FDG uptake in Warthin tumor is frequently described, the somatostatin expression was rarely reported. This clinical case describes68Ga-DOTANOC and18F-FDG uptake in a parotid Warthin tumor histologically confirmed.
Adenocarcinoma of the Lung With Initial Presentation as Painful Testicular Metastasis
Authors: Sharma Punit
Published: September 2020

Testicular metastasis is rare, with prostate cancer followed by lung cancer being the commonest primary site. Usually these are incidentally detected and are rarely symptomatic. We present an unusual case of adenocarcinoma lung, presenting initially with right testicular pain. Further workup with 18F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated primary malignancy of the left lung with nodal and right testicular metastasis.
Ankylosing Spondylitis With Bilateral Symmetrical Uptake in the Greater Trochanters on Bone Scan
Authors: Marashdeh Wael M. , Alsa’di Hussein S. , Al-Muqbel Kusai M. , Al-Omari Ma’moon , Abdalla Khalid
Published: September 2020

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory bone disease that commonly affects the spine and the sacroiliac joints. Ankylosing spondylitis can also cause enthesitis, or enthesopathy, which is an inflammation at the tendinous or ligamentous insertion sites on the bones. In this study, we present the case of a 37-year-old man with ankylosing spondylitis with a unique 99mTc-HDP bone scan finding of symmetrical increased uptake bilaterally in the greater trochanters.
Early Secondary Repair of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury Breakdown: Contemporary Surgical Techniques and Experiences From a Peripartum Subspecialty Clinic
Authors: Lewicky-Gaupp Christina , Mueller Margaret G. , Collins Sarah A. , Tavathia Meera , Geynisman-Tan Julia , Kenton Kimberly S.
Published: September 2020

Objective

To describe surgical technique and outcomes of early secondary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS) breakdown.

Methods

This was a case series of all women presenting to a subspecialty peripartum clinic within 2 months of an OASIS, who ultimately underwent secondary surgical repair between September 2013 and January 2018. Cases were identified using the following CPT codes: 57308 (transperineal fistula repair), 56910 (repair of the perineum), and 46750 (repair of anal sphincter). Four board-certified urogynecologists performed all surgical procedures using the same technique: demographics, delivery data, and preoperative and postoperative data were collected.

Results

Eighteen women were identified. The majority (16 [88.9%] of 18) were primiparous; 9 (50%) women underwent spontaneous vaginal delivery and 9 (50%) women underwent forceps-assisted vaginal delivery. Over 70% (13 [72.2%] of 18) suffered a 3rd-degree tear, whereas 5 (27.8%) of 18 had a 4th-degree laceration. The median time after delivery to specialty clinic presentation was 10 days (interquartile range, 5.3–52.5 days). All women were diagnosed with wound breakdown at their initial visit. Seven (38.9%) also had a concomitant rectovaginal fistula.

Median time from diagnosis of wound breakdown to secondary operative revision was 19.5 days (interquartile range, 12–26.8 days). Seventeen (94.4%) of the 18 women underwent overlapping external anal sphincteroplasty with perineorrhaphy; of these, 7 (41.2%) also underwent concurrent repair of their rectovaginal fistula. One woman underwent perineorrhaphy alone. At 3 months postoperatively, no women had a wound breakdown or recurrent fistula.

Conclusions

In women with OASIS breakdown, early secondary repair is both feasible and successful with meticulous surgical technique.
Patterns of the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world: exponential versus power laws
Authors: Komarova Natalia L. , Schang Luis M. , Wodarz Dominik
Published: September 2020

We have analysed the COVID-19 epidemic data of more than 174 countries (excluding China) in the period between 22 January and 28 March 2020. We found that some countries (such as the USA, the UK and Canada) follow an exponential epidemic growth, while others (like Italy and several other European countries) show a power law like growth. Regardless of the best fitting law, many countries can be shown to follow a common trajectory that is similar to Italy (the epicentre at the time of analysis), but with varying degrees of delay. We found that countries with ‘younger’ epidemics, i.e. countries where the epidemic started more recently, tend to exhibit more exponential like behaviour, while countries that were closer behind Italy tend to follow a power law growth. We hypothesize that there is a universal growth pattern of this infection that starts off as exponential and subsequently becomes more power law like. Although it cannot be excluded that this growth pattern is a consequence of social distancing measures, an alternative explanation is that it is an intrinsic epidemic growth law, dictated by a spatially distributed community structure, where the growth in individual highly mixed communities is exponential but the longer term, local geographical spread (in the absence of global mixing) results in a power law. This is supported by computer simulations of a metapopulation model that gives rise to predictions about the growth dynamics that are consistent with correlations found in the epidemiological data. Therefore, seeing a deviation from straight exponential growth may be a natural progression of the epidemic in each country. On the practical side, this indicates that (i) even in the absence of strict social distancing interventions, exponential growth is not an accurate predictor of longer term infection spread, and (ii) a deviation from exponential spread and a reduction of estimated doubling times do not necessarily indicate successful interventions, which are instead indicated by a transition to a reduced power or by a deviation from power law behaviour.
Characterization of rat tail lymphatic contractility and biomechanics: incorporating nitric oxide-mediated vasoregulation
Authors: Razavi Mohammad S. , Dixon J. Brandon , Gleason Rudolph L.
Published: September 2020

The lymphatic system transports lymph from the interstitial space back to the great veins via a series of orchestrated contractions of chains of lymphangions. Biomechanical models of lymph transport, validated with
ex vivo
or
in vivo
experimental results, have proved useful in revealing novel insight into lymphatic pumping; however, a need remains to characterize the contributions of vasoregulatory compounds in these modelling tools. Nitric oxide (NO) is a key mediator of lymphatic pumping. We quantified the active contractile and passive biaxial biomechanical response of rat tail collecting lymphatics and changes in the contractile response to the exogenous NO administration and integrated these findings into a biomechanical model. The passive mechanical response was characterized with a three-fibre family model. Nonlinear regression and non-parametric bootstrapping were used to identify best-fit material parameters to passive cylindrical biaxial mechanical data, assessing uniqueness and parameter confidence intervals; this model yielded a good fit (
R
2
= 0.90). Exogenous delivery of NO via sodium nitroprusside (SNP) elicited a dose-dependent suppression of contractions; the amplitude of contractions decreased by 30% and the contraction frequency decreased by 70%. Contractile function was characterized with a modified Rachev–Hayashi model, introducing a parameter that is related to SNP concentration; the model provided a good fit (
R
2
= 0.89) to changes in contractile responses to varying concentrations of SNP. These results demonstrated the significant role of NO in lymphatic pumping and provide a predictive biomechanical model to integrate the combined effect of mechanical loading and NO on lymphatic contractility and mechanical response.
A regularized phase-field model for faceting in a kinetically controlled crystal growth
Authors: Philippe T. , Henry H. , Plapp M.
Published: September 2020

At equilibrium, the shape of a strongly anisotropic crystal exhibits corners when for some orientations the surface stiffness is negative. In the sharp-interface problem, the surface free energy is traditionally augmented with a curvature-dependent term in order to round the corners and regularize the dynamic equations that describe the motion of such interfaces. In this paper, we adopt a diffuse interface description and present a phase-field model for strongly anisotropic crystals that is regularized using an approximation of the Willmore energy. The Allen–Cahn equation is employed to model kinetically controlled crystal growth. Using the method of matched asymptotic expansions, it is shown that the model converges to the sharp-interface theory proposed by Herring. Then, the stress tensor is used to derive the force acting on the diffuse interface and to examine the properties of a corner at equilibrium. Finally, the coarsening dynamics of the faceting instability during growth is investigated. Phase-field simulations reveal the existence of a parabolic regime, with the mean facet length evolving in

t

, with
t
the time, as predicted by the sharp-interface theory. A specific coarsening mechanism is observed: a hill disappears as the two neighbouring valleys merge.
Euler–Maclaurin expansions without analytic derivatives
Authors: Fornberg Bengt
Published: September 2020

The Euler–Maclaurin (EM) formulae relate sums and integrals. Discovered nearly 300 years ago, they have lost none of their importance over the years, and are nowadays routinely taught in scientific computing and numerical analysis courses. The two common versions can be viewed as providing error expansions for the trapezoidal rule and for the midpoint rule, respectively. More importantly, they provide a means for evaluating many infinite sums to high levels of accuracy. However, in all but the simplest cases, calculating very high-order derivatives analytically becomes prohibitively complicated. When approximating such derivatives with finite differences (FD), the choice of step size typically requires a severe trade-off between errors due to truncation and to rounding. We show here that, in the special case of EM expansions, FD approximations can provide excellent accuracy without the step size having to go to zero. While FD approximations of low-order derivatives to high orders of accuracy have many applications for solving ODEs and PDEs, the present context is unusual in that it relies on FD approximations to derivatives of very high orders. The application to infinite sums ensures that one can use centred FD formulae (which are not subject to the Runge phenomenon).
How old are dense-core vesicles residing in
en passant
boutons: simulation of the mean age of dense-core vesicles in axonal arbours accounting for resident and transiting vesicle populations
Authors: Kuznetsov Ivan A. , Kuznetsov Andrey V.
Published: September 2020

In neurons, neuropeptides are synthesized in the soma and are then transported along the axon in dense-core vesicles (DCVs). DCVs are captured in varicosities located along the axon terminal called
en passant
boutons, which are active terminal sites that accumulate and release neurotransmitters. Recently developed experimental techniques allow for the estimation of the age of DCVs in various locations in the axon terminal. Accurate simulation of the mean age of DCVs in boutons requires the development of a model that would account for resident, transiting-anterograde and transiting-retrograde DCV populations. In this paper, such a model is developed. The model is applied to simulating DCV transport in
Drosophila
type II motoneurons. The model simulates DCV transport and capture in the axon terminals and makes it possible to predict the age density distribution of DCVs in
en passant
boutons as well as DCV mean age in boutons. The predicted prevalence of older organelles in distal boutons may explain the ‘dying back’ pattern of axonal degeneration observed in dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. The predicted difference of two hours between the age of older DCVs residing in distal boutons and the age of younger DCVs residing in proximal boutons is consistent with an approximate estimate of age difference deduced from experimental observations. The age density of resident DCVs is found to be bimodal, which is because DCVs are captured from two transiting states: the anterograde transiting state that contains younger DCVs and the retrograde transiting state that contains older DCVs.
The convective instability of a Maxwell–Cattaneo fluid in the presence of a vertical magnetic field
Authors: Eltayeb I. A. , Hughes D. W. , Proctor M. R. E.
Published: September 2020

We study the instability of a Bénard layer subject to a vertical uniform magnetic field, in which the fluid obeys the Maxwell–Cattaneo (MC) heat flux–temperature relation. We extend the work of Bissell (
Proc. R. Soc. A
472, 20160649 (doi:10.1098/rspa.2016.0649)) to non-zero values of the magnetic Prandtl number
p

m

. With non-zero
p

m

, the order of the dispersion relation is increased, leading to considerably richer behaviour. An asymptotic analysis at large values of the Chandrasekhar number
Q
confirms that the MC effect becomes important when
C Q
1/2
is
O
(1), where
C
is the MC number. In this regime, we derive a scaled system that is independent of
Q
. When
CQ
1/2
is large, the results are consistent with those derived from the governing equations in the limit of Prandtl number
p
 → ∞ with
p

m

finite; here we identify a new mode of instability, which is due neither to inertial nor induction effects. In the large
p

m

regime, we show how a transition can occur between oscillatory modes of different horizontal scale. For
Q
 ≫ 1 and small values of
p
, we show that the critical Rayleigh number is non-monotonic in
p
provided that
C
 > 1/6. While the analysis of this paper is performed for stress-free boundaries, it can be shown that other types of mechanical boundary conditions give the same leading-order results.
Efficacy of face-masks used in Uganda: a laboratory-based inquiry during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mboowa Gerald , Semugenze Derrick , Nakabuye Hellen , Bulafu Douglas , Aruhomukama Dickson
Published: September 2020

Background

With shortages of face-masks continuing to be reported worldwide, critical questions like whether or not there is an adequate alternative to commercially manufactured face-masks continue to linger especially in low- and middle-income settings. This study aimed at addressing this through testing and comparing various materials and forms of face-masks for filtration efficiency, breathability, microbial cleanliness, distance-dependent fitness, and re-usability of different face-masks procured from face-mask vendors in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods

This was a laboratory-based descriptive study that applied new protocols and already existing protocols with substantive modifications to ten different types of face-mask types each in quadruplicate to achieve each specified aim.

Results

Surgical face-masks had better filtration efficiency, distance-dependent fitness and breathability compared to other face-masks tested. Decontamination of these face-masks with 70% ethanol negatively affected their efficacy. Locally-made double layered face-masks had better: filtration efficiency, distance-dependent fitness and breathability compared to other locally-made cloth face-masks, and re-usability compared to all the face-mask types that had been tested.

Discussion/conclusions

Locally-made double layered cloth face-masks could serve as alternative face-masks especially for populations in low- and middle-income settings like Uganda while allowing restricted use of surgical face-masks and other respirators like the KN95 to high-risk groups only.
Plant power? A systematic review of the effects of plant-based diets on people with mental illness
Authors: Catt Heather , Beenstock Jane , Nadeem Ummaz , Joiner Adam
Published: September 2020

Objective

There is increasing interest in plant-based diets in the general population and an increasing evidence base for the positive impact of plant-based diets on health outcomes for many chronic diseases. This systematic review aims to identify the effects of plant-based diets on people with mental health conditions.

Methods

A systematic review of intervention and observational studies. We conducted a systematic electronic search of MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), PsycINFO (ProQuest), British Nursing Index (ProQuest), CINAHL (EBSCO) and the Cochrane library to April 2019, with no date limits. We extracted data on outcomes and assessed the studies for bias using validated tools.

Results

We retrieved 588 studies. One study met the inclusion criteria with high risk of bias. The intervention was a plant-based diet for people with moderate to severe depression, without a control group. The study recruited 500 people, but recorded 66.8% attrition. Of the completers, 62% reported improvements in depressive symptoms, and 59% in anxiety symptoms. Completers lost 5.7lbs (2.6kg) during the trial and 15lb (6.8kg) at six month follow up.

Conclusion

There is not enough research to make conclusions about the effects of plant-based diets on people with mental health conditions. Given the evidence for positive effects of plant-based diets on physical health, further research is urgently required to understand the effects on people with mental health conditions. This will support the provision of advice and guidance for patients with mental illness who want to optimise their diet to improve their mental and physical health.

PROSPERO registration

CRD42019133440