Exploring the applicability of a lesion segmentation method on [18F]fluorothymidine PET/CT images in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The determination of the total metabolic tumour volume based on [18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT) PET/CT images in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has a potential clinical value for detecting early relapse in this type of heterogeneous lymphoproliferative tumours. Tumour segmentation is a key step in this process. For this purpose, our objective was to determine a segmentation threshold of [18F]FLT PET/CT images, based on a reference tissue uptake, on a cohort of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that have been scanned at different stages of the treatment. METHODS: We enrolled 23 adult patients with DLBCL confirmed in II-IV stages without nervous system compromise. All patients were scanned using [18F]FLT PET/CT at the time of diagnosis (baseline PET), interim PET (iPET), and at the end of treatment (fPET). The administered activity was 1.8-2.6 MBq/kg body weight, performed 60-70 min after injection and without use of contrast-enhanced CT. First, we assessed the [18F]FLT uptake stability in liver and bone marrow along the patient follow-up. For the lesion segmentation, three threshold values were assessed. RESULTS: Both, liver, and bone marrow can be indistinctly taken as reference tissue. The SUV threshold for a voxel to be considered as belonging to a lesion is expressed in terms of a percentage relative to the patient's uptake in the reference tissue. Found thresholds were: for liver, 62%, 33%, 27%; and for bone marrow, 35%, 21% and 22%, for baseline, iPET and fPET stages, respectively. The relative threshold throughout the treatment has a decreasing tendency along the stages. CONCLUSION: Based on the results obtained with [18F]FLT PET/CT during staging and follow-up in patients with DLBCL, reference values were obtained for each stage referring to liver and bone marrow uptake that could be used in clinical practice oncology.

Asociación y valor predictivo del índice poder mecánico-distensibilidad pulmonar con días libres de ventilación mecánica en pacientes con COVID-19 en una unidad de terapia intensiva / Association and predictive value of the mechanical power-lung compliance index with free days off mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19 in an intensive care unit / Associação e valor preditivo do índice de potência mecânica/complacência pulmonar com dias livres de ventilação mecânica em pacientes com COVID-19 em unidade de terapia intensiva

Resumen: Introducción: El poder mecánico (PM) se asocia a mortalidad y se debe ajustar a las características pulmonares en pacientes COVID-19. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo y analítico, de septiembre de 2020 a febrero de 2021. Los parámetros de ventilación y análisis de la curva ROC y modelos de regresión de Poisson para OR. Objetivo primario fue determinar la asociación entre el índice PM/Cest y días libres de ventilación mecánica (DLVM). Resultados: Se incluyeron 43 pacientes. Se dividió en sobrevivientes (n = 25, 58.1%) y no sobrevivientes (n = 18, 41.9%). Se eligió mediana de DLVM con los parámetros de VMI. El índice PM/Cest inicial ABC 0.73 [IC 95% (0.58-0.88), p = 0.008], punto de corte de 0.90 Joules/min/mL/cm H2O. La regresión multivariable de Poisson el índice PM/Cest inicial OR 0.18 [IC 95% (0.03-0.98), p = 0.047]. Discusión: Coppola y colaboradores documentaron que en pacientes con SDRA no COVID-19, el valor de PM absoluto no demostró significancia; al ajustarlo a Cest fue independiente para mortalidad. Conclusiones: El índice PM/Cest al inicio se asoció de forma significativa e independiente con DLVM en COVID-19. Punto de corte de 0.9 J/min/mL/cmH2O con mejor sensibilidad y especificidad para predecir los DLVM y esto podría reducir la mortalidad.

Abstract: Introduction: Mechanical power (MP) is associated with mortality and must be adjusted to the pulmonary characteristics in COVID-19 patients. Material and methods: Observational, retrospective, analytical study from September 2020-February 2021. Ventilation parameters and ROC curve analysis and Poisson regression models for OR. Primary objective was to determine the association between the PM/Cest index and free days of mechanical ventilation (FDMV). Results: 43 patients were included. It was divided into survivors (n = 25, 58.1%) and non-survivors (n = 18, 41.9%). Median FDMV was chosen with the IMV parameters. The initial MP/Cest index ABC 0.73 [95% CI (0.58-0.88), p = 0.008], cut-off point of 0.90 J/min/mL/cmH2O. The multivariate Poisson regression showed the initial MP/Cest index OR 0.18 [95% CI (0.03-0.98), p = 0.047]. Discussion: Coppola et al. documented in patients with non-COVID-19 ARDS, the absolute MP value did not demonstrate significance; when adjusted to Cest, it was independent for mortality. Conclusions: The MP/Cest index at baseline was significantly and independently associated with FDMV in COVID-19. Cut-off point of 0.9 J/min/mL/cmH2O with better sensitivity and specificity to predict FDMV and this could reduce mortality.

Resumo: Introdução: A potência mecânica (PM) está associada à mortalidade e deve ser ajustada para características pulmonares em pacientes com COVID-19. Material e métodos: Estudo observacional, retrospectivo, analítico de setembro de 2020 a fevereiro de 2021. Os parâmetros ventilatórios, análise da curva ROC e modelos de regressão de Poisson para OR. O objetivo primário foi determinar a associação entre o índice PM/Cest e dias livres de ventilação mecânica (DLVM). Resultados: Foram incluídos 43 pacientes. Dividiu-se em sobreviventes (n = 25, 58.1%) e não sobreviventes (n = 18, 41.9%). A mediana do DLVM foi escolhida com os parâmetros do VMI. Índice inicial PM/Cest ABC 0.73 [IC 95% (0.58-0.88), p = 0.008], ponto de corte de 0.90 J/min/mL/cmH2O. Regressão multivariável de Poisson no índice PM/Cest inicial OR 0.18 [IC 95% (0.03-0.98), p = 0.047]. Discussão: Coppola et al. documentaram em pacientes com SDRA não-COVID-19, o valor de PM absoluto não mostrou significância; quando ajustado a Cest, foi independente para mortalidade. Conclusões: O índice PM/Cest ao início se associou de maneira significativa e independentemente com DLVM na COVID-19. Ponto de corte de 0.9 J/min/mL/cmH2O com melhor sensibilidade e especificidade para predizer DLVM e isso poderia reduzir a mortalidade.

Evidence for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in the Urine of COVID-19 Patients.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection has, as of April 2021, affected >133 million people worldwide, causing >2.5 million deaths. Because the large majority of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 are asymptomatic, major concerns have been raised about possible long-term consequences of the infection. Methods: Wedeveloped an antigen capture assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in urine samples from patients with COVID-19whose diagnosis was confirmed by positive PCR results from nasopharyngeal swabs (NP-PCR+) forSARS-CoV-2. We used a collection of 233 urine samples from 132 participants from Yale New Haven Hospital and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia that were obtained during the pandemic (106 NP-PCR+ and 26 NP-PCR-), and a collection of 20 urine samples from 20 individuals collected before the pandemic. Results: Our analysis identified 23 out of 91 (25%) NP-PCR+ adult participants with SARS-CoV-2 spike S1 protein in urine (Ur-S+). Interestingly, although all NP-PCR+ children were Ur-S-, one child who was NP-PCR- was found to be positive for spike protein in their urine. Of the 23 adults who were Ur-S+, only one individual showed detectable viral RNA in urine. Our analysis further showed that 24% and 21% of adults who were NP-PCR+ had high levels of albumin and cystatin C, respectively, in their urine. Among individuals with albuminuria (>0.3 mg/mg of creatinine), statistical correlation could be found between albumin and spike protein in urine. Conclusions: Together, our data showed that one of four individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop renal abnormalities, such as albuminuria. Awareness about the long-term effect of these findings is warranted.

Estimación de las desviaciones volumétricas de dosis entregada vs. planificada durante el tratamiento de hipertiroidismo con 131I: resultados preliminares / Estimation of volumetric dose distribution delivery deviations vs. dose planned in 131I hyperthyroidism treatment: preliminary results

Resumen En 2013, la Asociación Europea de Medicina Nuclear (AEMN) recomendó un "Procedimiento estándar" para desarrollar la dosimetría individual pretratamiento del Hipertiroidismo con 131I basada en la captación y en cinética tiroidea del paciente. Para estimar las desviaciones en la distribución de dosis entregada vs planificada al volumen tiroideo bajo este procedimiento, se desarrolló y verificó una aplicación en Matlab. Esta aplicación desarrolla el ajuste de la farmacocinética tiroidea, los cálculos de actividad acumulada, la estimación de la masa funcional tiroidea, el cálculo de la actividad a administrar para garantizar la dosis prescrita por el médico, y estimar el mapa tridimensional (3D) de dosis y los parámetros estadísticos relacionados que la caracterizan. La aplicación desarrollada se verificó empleando una imagen-maniquí y 6 farmacocinéticas conocidas. Además, se estimaron y verificaron los parámetros dosimétricos de planificación en 6 pacientes con dosis prescritas entre 150-400 Gy (promedio 241,67 Gy). Las distribuciones de actividad acumulada y de dosis absorbida fueron marcadamente heterogéneas. La distribución de dosis 3D mostró desviaciones estándar entre 18,01-27,08 % de la dosis prescrita. Las diferencias entre la dosis máxima y mínima por voxel/MBq de actividad administrada fue de 74-129 %. De acuerdo a los resultados, sólo entre el 50,2 % y 71,4 % de volumen tiroideo se tratará con la dosis prescrita ±20 %. Conclusiones: la dosis administrada al tejido tiroideo es no-homogénea y discrepa significativamente de la prescrita en algunas regiones, situación que requiere estudios posteriores más profundos con el objetivo de optimizar el tratamiento y sus resultados.

Abstract In 2013, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Dosimetry Committee recommends a "Standard Operational Procedures for Hyperthyroidism Pre-Therapeutic Dosimetry" based on the assessment of the individual 131I uptake and kinetics. To estimate the 3D dose delivery deviations from prescribed dose during patient specific application of this SOP, a computer Matlab application was developed and verified. It was design to execute: radiopharmaceutical curve fitting, cumulated activity calculations, functional thyroid mass estimation, obtain the therapeutic planning activity to warranty the prescribed dose and produce the 3D planning dose map and related dosimetry parameters. 6 patients with 150-400Gy prescribed dose data planning (average 241,67Gy) were analysed using the developed application. The developed system was verify successfully using a test image phantom and 6 known pharmacokinetics data. The tridimensional thyroid volume cumulated activity and dose distributions were heterogeneous. 3D dose distribution showed standard deviations between 18.01-27.08 % of prescribed dose. The differences between maximum and minimum dose value per voxel/MBq were 74-129%. According to the result, between 50,2 % and 71,4 % of patient's thyroid will be treat with a dose of DP±20 % of planned dose, the rest will be overdose or sub dose. Conclusions: the 3D treatment planning dose distribution were completely no-homogenous, the significant difference observed should be study in the future more deeply in order to optimized the hyperthyroidism iodine treatment.

The relationship between tumor necrosis factor-α, brain natriuretic peptide and atrial natriuretic peptide in patients with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) contribute to cardiac dysfunction in chronic heart failure (CHF). Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are thought to reflect cardiac functional and structural damage. METHODS AND RESULTS: To study the relationship between BNP, ANP, and TNF, these parameters were measured in fasting venous blood samples of 25 CHF patients (age 66+/-2 years, pVO(2) 17.4+/-2.1 mL/kg/min, NYHA class 2.8+/-0.2, all mean+/-SEM) and 8 healthy controls (age 71+/-2 years). Patients with CHF had higher plasma levels of BNP (p<0.05), ANP (p<0.05), norepinephrine (p<0.01), and echocardiographic left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD, p<0.05) compared to controls, whereas TNF and epinephrine were not significantly different. There were significant correlations between natriuretic peptides and markers of inflammation and myocardial dysfunction in CHF patients: BNP vs. TNF (r=0.64, p=0.0006), vs. LVEDD (r=0.59, p=0.0025); ANP vs. TNF (r=0.60, p=0.0016), vs. LVEDD (r=0.65, p=0.0006); TNF vs. LVEDD (r=0.57, p=0.004). After adjustment for NYHA, creatinine clearance, and age TNF correlated with BNP (all p=0.01) and ANP (all p<0.002). The cachectic CHF patients (n=7,>6% weight loss) had the highest BNP (p<0.001 vs. controls, p<0.05 vs. non-cachectic CHF) and ANP levels (p=0.01 vs. controls). Concentrations of uric acid, epinephrine, and norepinephrine also correlated with ANP and BNP. CONCLUSION: In CHF, TNF is closely related to BNP and ANP (independently of CHF severity and ventricular dysfunction), particularly in patients with cardiac cachexia. TNF may causally contribute to intrinsic cardiac dysfunction thereby stimulating BNP and ANP secretion.

Detección de Bocio en niños escolares en un área rural de Tarija / Detection of Goiter in schoolchildren in an rural area of Tarija

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