Comparison of weighting algorithms to mitigate respiratory motion in free-breathing neonatal pulmonary radial UTE-MRI.

Background. Thoracoabdominal MRI is limited by respiratory motion, especially in populations who cannot perform breath-holds. One approach for reducing motion blurring in radially-acquired MRI is respiratory gating. Straightforward 'hard-gating' uses only data from a specified respiratory window and suffers from reduced SNR. Proposed 'soft-gating' reconstructions may improve scan efficiency but reduce motion correction by incorporating data with nonzero weight acquired outside the specified window. However, previous studies report conflicting benefits, and importantly the choice of soft-gated weighting algorithm and effect on image quality has not previously been explored. The purpose of this study is to map how variable soft-gated weighting functions and parameters affect signal and motion blurring in respiratory-gated reconstructions of radial lung MRI, using neonates as a model population.Methods. Ten neonatal inpatients with respiratory abnormalities were imaged using a 1.5 T neonatal-sized scanner and 3D radial ultrashort echo-time (UTE) sequence. Images were reconstructed using ungated, hard-gated, and several soft-gating weighting algorithms (exponential, sigmoid, inverse, and linear weighting decay outside the period of interest), with %Nprojrepresenting the relative amount of data included. The apparent SNR (aSNR) and motion blurring (measured by the maximum derivative of image intensity at the diaphragm, MDD) were compared between reconstructions.Results. Soft-gating functions produced higher aSNR and lower MDD than hard-gated images using equivalent %Nproj, as expected. aSNR was not identical between different gating schemes for given %Nproj. While aSNR was approximately linear with %Nprojfor each algorithm, MDD performance diverged between functions as %Nprojdecreased. Algorithm performance was relatively consistent between subjects, except in images with high noise.Conclusion. The algorithm selection for soft-gating has a notable effect on image quality of respiratory-gated MRI; the timing of included data across the respiratory phase, and not simply the amount of data, plays an important role in aSNR. The specific soft-gating function and parameters should be considered for a given imaging application's requirements of signal and sharpness.

Cocaine-Induced Asthma and the "Crack Lung": A Case Report.

Cocaine, the second most used illicit drug, is associated with cardiovascular, pulmonary, and other complications. Lung involvement associated with cocaine use, also known as "crack lung syndrome" (CLS), can elicit new-onset and exacerbate chronic pulmonary conditions. A 28-year-old female with a history of chronic controlled asthma arrived at the Emergency Department (ED), referring to cocaine inhalation, followed by symptoms compatible with an asthmatic crisis, requiring immediate steroid and bronchodilator therapy. Radiological studies and bronchoscopy confirmed CLS diagnosis. Despite treatment with oxygen, bronchodilators, and steroids, the asthmatic crises persisted. However, after 48 hours, we observed a complete regression of the lung infiltrates. This case highlights the importance of clinical suspicion, bronchoscopy findings, and the potential co-occurrence of CLS with asthma exacerbations. While computed tomography (CT) scans can be helpful, they should not be the only tool to diagnose CLS. The successful management of CLS involves the use of bronchodilators, steroids, and oxygen therapy and abstaining from cocaine use. Researchers should conduct further studies to diagnose and treat CLS in conjunction with acute asthma symptoms to assist this patient population better.

An Unexpected Cause of Abdominal Discomfort: Non-pancreatic Mesenteric Pseudocyst.

Mesenteric cysts (MCs), rare entities of embryologic origin, predominantly affect the small bowel's mesentery. The clinical manifestations of MCs often lack specificity, which complicates diagnosis. Given their rarity, detailed reporting of MC cases is essential to enhance understanding and improve treatment strategies. We present a case of a 45-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with a one-month history of abdominal pain in the umbilical region, postprandial fullness, progressive decrease in food intake, 12 kg weight loss, and increased abdominal girth. Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed a well-defined mass in the jejunoileal area. During the exploratory laparotomy, we identified and excised a fibrotic mass on the mesentery of the ileal jejunum, which was not adherent to the intestines. We discharged the patient with no complications following an uneventful four-day observational period. Histopathological examination, including immunohistochemical staining, confirmed the lesion as a non-pancreatic mesenteric pseudocyst. On the follow-up visit, the patient reported no complications. This case report underscores the solitary, multilocular nature of the jejunoileal MC, distinct for its serosanguineous fluid content. In conclusion, this case highlights the diagnostic challenge of MCs and illustrates the potential for successful management with a timely and multidisciplinary approach.

Beyond the Ordinary: An Atypical Guillain-Barré Syndrome Case With Unique Characteristics.

We present a patient with pharyngeal-cervical-brachial Guillain-Barré syndrome (PCB-GBS) that progressed to a severe state followed by a quick recovery after treatment. This unique clinical course has not been documented previously and provides a potentially invaluable description of a novel GBS variant. A 42-year-old man arrived at the emergency department with a 24-hour history of dysphagia, weakness in his right arm, and bilateral shoulder weakness. Nerve conduction velocity testing revealed bilateral sensory and motor polyneuropathy, leading to the diagnosis of GBS with the PCB variant. Timely diagnosis and plasmapheresis treatment contributed to a complete recovery of muscle strength and reflexes. In cases resembling ours, it is imperative to contemplate the existence of rare Guillain-Barré variants. This case underscores the necessity of recognizing and addressing rare Guillain-Barré variants in clinical settings with similar presentations.

Functional xenon-129 magnetic resonance imaging response to antifibrotic treatment in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

A measure of regional gas exchange on HP 129Xe MRI was able to detect apparent improvements in IPF patients treated with antifibrotic medication after 1 year, while no such improvements were found in patients treated with conventional therapies https://bit.ly/3ZXipzD.

Hyperpolarized 129Xe MR Spectroscopy in the Lung Shows 1-year Reduced Function in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a temporally and spatially heterogeneous lung disease. Identifying whether IPF in a patient is progressive or stable is crucial for treatment regimens. Purpose To assess the role of hyperpolarized (HP) xenon 129 (129Xe) MRI measures of ventilation and gas transfer in IPF generally and as an early signature of future IPF progression. Materials and Methods In a prospective study, healthy volunteers and participants with IPF were consecutively recruited between December 2015 and August 2019 and underwent baseline HP 129Xe MRI and chest CT. Participants with IPF were followed up with forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVC%p), diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide percent predicted (DLco%p), and clinical outcome at 1 year. IPF progression was defined as reduction in FVC%p by at least 10%, reduction in DLco%p by at least 15%, or admission to hospice care. CT and MRI were spatially coregistered and a measure of pulmonary gas transfer (red blood cell [RBC]-to-barrier ratio) and high-ventilation percentage of lung volume were compared across groups and across fibrotic versus normal-appearing regions at CT by using Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Results Sixteen healthy volunteers (mean age, 57 years ± 14 [SD]; 10 women) and 22 participants with IPF (mean age, 71 years ± 9; 15 men) were evaluated, as follows: nine IPF progressors (mean age, 72 years ± 7; five women) and 13 nonprogressors (mean age, 70 years ± 10; 11 men). Reduction of high-ventilation percent (13% ± 6.1 vs 8.2% ± 5.9; P = .03) and RBC-to-barrier ratio (0.26 ± 0.06 vs 0.20 ± 0.06; P = .03) at baseline were associated with progression of IPF. Participants with progressive disease had reduced RBC-to-barrier ratio in structurally normal-appearing lung at CT (0.21 ± 0.07 vs 0.28 ± 0.05; P = .01) but not in fibrotic regions of the lung (0.15 ± 0.09 vs 0.14 ± 0.04; P = .62) relative to the nonprogressive group. Conclusion In this preliminary study, functional measures of gas transfer and ventilation measured with xenon 129 MRI and the extent of fibrotic structure at CT were associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis disease progression. Differences in gas transfer were found in regions of nonfibrotic lung. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Gleeson and Fraser in this issue.

Dynamic imaging using motion-compensated smoothness regularization on manifolds (MoCo-SToRM).

Objective. We introduce an unsupervised motion-compensated reconstruction scheme for high-resolution free-breathing pulmonary magnetic resonance imaging.Approach. We model the image frames in the time series as the deformed version of the 3D template image volume. We assume the deformation maps to be points on a smooth manifold in high-dimensional space. Specifically, we model the deformation map at each time instant as the output of a CNN-based generator that has the same weight for all time-frames, driven by a low-dimensional latent vector. The time series of latent vectors account for the dynamics in the dataset, including respiratory motion and bulk motion. The template image volume, the parameters of the generator, and the latent vectors are learned directly from the k-t space data in an unsupervised fashion.Main results. Our experimental results show improved reconstructions compared to state-of-the-art methods, especially in the context of bulk motion during the scans.Significance. The proposed unsupervised motion-compensated scheme jointly estimates the latent vectors that capture the motion dynamics, the corresponding deformation maps, and the reconstructed motion-compensated images from the raw k-t space data of each subject. Unlike current motion-resolved strategies, the proposed scheme is more robust to bulk motion events during the scan.

Impact of Activity-Oriented Propioceptive Antiedema Therapy on the Health-Related Quality of Life of Women with Upper-Limb Lymphedema Secondary to Breast Cancer-A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Alterations derived from lymphedema in the upper-limb secondary to breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) decrease the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but there is limited evidence of the impact of the different interventions on it. The aim of this research was to compare the effect of conventional treatment with another treatment based on Activity-Oriented Antiedema Proprioceptive Therapy (TAPA) on HRQoL in women diagnosed with BCRL. METHODS: A prospective clinical study was designed with two parallel arms. The study population consisted of women diagnosed with BCRL in stage I and II, belonging to different institutions in Córdoba and Aragon, Spain. Sociodemographic and HRQoL-related variables, pain, tightness, heaviness and functionality were obtained before and after treatments. RESULTS: 51 women participated in the study, 25 received the conventional treatment and 26 the TAPA, with a mean age of 59.24 ± 9.55 years. HRQoL was significantly related to upper-limb function and pain on the participants' affected side. In addition, covariance analysis (ANCOVA) showed that the TAPA treatment interfered less in the performance of activities of daily life and produced significant improvements in the social dimension of HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: the non-use of compressive elements in the rehabilitative treatment of the BCRL that is proposed with TAPA improves aspects such as self-image and participation in social and recreational activities.

Activity-Oriented Antiedema Proprioceptive Therapy (TAPA) for Shoulder Mobility Improvement in Women with Upper Limb Lymphedema Secondary to Breast Cancer: A Multicenter Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema, secondary to breast cancer (BCRL), is the abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitium caused by a malfunction of the lymphatic system. It causes swelling, deficiencies in upper limb functions and structures, sensory pain and emotional alterations, which have a chronic course and affect the upper limb's functionality. This study aims to verify the efficacy and efficiency in the upper limb´s functionality of a protocolized experimental approach based on occupational therapy, TAPA (activity-oriented proprioceptive antiedema therapy), in the rehabilitation of BCRL in stages I and II, comparing it with the conservative treatment considered as the standard, complex decongestive therapy (CDT), through a multicenter randomized clinical trial. METHODS: a randomized and prospective clinical trial was conducted with experimental and control groups. Women diagnosed with BCRL belonging to institutions in Córdoba and Aragon (Spain) participated. Sociodemographic variables and those related to the functionality of the affected upper limb were evaluated before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant differences in the analysis of covariance performed for the variable joint balance of the shoulder´s external rotation (p = 0.045) that could be attributed to the intervention performed; however, the effect size was minimal (η2 ≤ 0.080). In the rest of the variables, no significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: TAPA may be an alternative to the conservative treatment of women with BCRL. It was shown to be just as effective for volume reduction and activity performance as CDT but more effective in improving external rotation in shoulder joint balance.

Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI for the evaluation of lung perfusion in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this work was to apply quantitative and semiquantitative dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) methods to evaluate lung perfusion in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHODS: In this prospective trial 41 subjects, including healthy control and IPF subjects, were studied using DCE-MRI at baseline. IPF subjects were then followed for 1 year; progressive IPF (IPFprog) subjects were distinguished from stable IPF (IPFstable) subjects based on a decline in percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC % pred) or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D LCO % pred) measured during follow-up visits. 35 out of 41 subjects were retained for final baseline analysis (control: n=15; IPFstable: n=14; IPFprog: n=6). Seven measures and their coefficients of variation (CV) were derived using temporally resolved DCE-MRI. Two sets of global and regional comparisons were made: control versus IPF groups and control versus IPFstable versus IPFprog groups, using linear regression analysis. Each measure was compared with FVC % pred, D LCO % pred and the lung clearance index (LCI % pred) using a Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS: DCE-MRI identified regional perfusion differences between control and IPF subjects using first moment transit time (FMTT), contrast uptake slope and pulmonary blood flow (PBF) (p≤0.05), while global averages did not. FMTT was shorter for IPFprog compared with both IPFstable (p=0.004) and control groups (p=0.023). Correlations were observed between PBF CV and D LCO % pred (rs= -0.48, p=0.022) and LCI % pred (rs= +0.47, p=0.015). Significant group differences were detected in age (p<0.001), D LCO % pred (p<0.001), FVC % pred (p=0.001) and LCI % pred (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Global analysis obscures regional changes in pulmonary haemodynamics in IPF using DCE-MRI in IPF. Decreased FMTT may be a candidate marker for IPF progression.

Clinical Presentation of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection and Predictive Validity of the PCR Test in Primary Health Care Worker Patients of the Spanish National Health System.

BACKGROUND: Despite the impact that the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection has presented in Spain, data on the diagnostic capacity of the symptoms associated with this infection are limited, especially among patients with mild symptoms and who are detected in the primary care field (PC). The objective of the present study was to know the associated symptoms and their predictive criterial validity in SARS-CoV-2 infection among professionals working in PC. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicenter study was carried out in the Spanish National Health System, through an epidemiological survey directed to patients who underwent the PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 in the PC setting. RESULTS: A total of 1612 patients participated, of which 86.6% were PC healthcare professionals, and of these, 67.4% family doctors. Hyposmia, with a sensitivity of 42.69% (95% CI: 37.30-48.08) and a specificity of 95.91% (95% CI: 94.78-97.03), and ageusia with a sensitivity of 39.47% (34.15-44.80) and a specificity of 95.20% (93.98-96.41) were the symptoms with the highest criteria validity indexes. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies the specific symptoms of loss of smell or taste as the most frequently associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, essential in the detection of COVID-19 given its high frequency and predictive capacity.

Relative macrofaunal biomass reduced under an enriched salmon farm, Pelorus Sound, Aotearoa-New Zealand.

We compared changes in the benthos associated with discharges from a salmon farm at a low-flow location in Pelorus Sound, Aotearoa-New Zealand to the Pearson and Rosenberg model (PRM). As predicted by PRM, benthic enrichment resulted in significant increases in abundance of small, opportunistic macrofauna beneath salmon farm cages. In contrast, at reference sites we found fewer but larger, rare species. When estimates for biomass were calculated from macrofaunal size-classes, reference sites averaged 4.86 times more biomass and 4.35 times greater diversity than farm sites - results also consistent with the PRM. Farm sites favoured deposit feeders at the expense of suspension feeders and grazers. We discuss the significance of large rare species that contributed most to reference biomass estimates that appear under threat from multiple anthropogenic stressors.

Promocionando la Promoción de la Salud: percepciones de estudiantes de medicina sobre un programa educativo para cambio de conductas en atención primaria / Promoting Health Promotion: Medical students perceptions about an educational program on behavioral change in primary care

Objetivo: Valorar si un programa formativo ofrecido por médicos de familia en el currículum oficial de medicina sobre principios y estrategias para ayudar a los pacientes a cambiar conductas de riesgo (APCCR) produce cambios en sus percepciones, opiniones y actitudes con relación a este tipo de intervenciones. Diseño: Estudio cuasiexperimental antes-después. Emplazamiento: Una facultad de medicina. Participantes: Todos los alumnos de 4.o curso de medicina (n = 110). Intervenciones: Formación experiencial sobre estrategias comunicativas para APCCR. Mediciones: Opiniones y percepciones evaluadas antes y después del curso mediante cuestionario ad hoc. Resultados: Tras el curso, los estudiantes (n = 103) cambiaron sus ideas sobre la motivación como factor «interno» (15, 13%) a "interno-externo" (71, 61%) (p = 0,003), reforzando sus opiniones sobre la capacidad del médico para APCCR (alta: 72, 62%; baja: 10, 12%; p = 0,008). Los alumnos se consideraron más capaces de respetar la autonomía de los pacientes cuando estos toman decisiones o siguen conductas consideradas perjudiciales (fácil: 58, 50%; difícil: 28, 24%; p = 0,001) e incrementaron su percepción sobre su capacidad para afrontar este tipo de entrevistas (83, 72% vs. 1, 1%; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: Esta formación parece contribuir a crear en estudiantes percepciones y actitudes positivas relacionadas con aspectos claves a la hora de afrontar una entrevista para APCCR, lo cual supone un aspecto preliminar clave para implementar este tipo de estrategias

Objective: To evaluate whether a training program offered by family physicians in the official medical curriculum on principles and strategies to help patients change risk behaviours (HPCRB), produces changes in perceptions, opinions, and attitudes regarding this type of intervention. Design: Quasi-experimental before-after study. Setting: A School of Medicine. Participants: All students in their 4th year (n = 110). Interventions: Experiential training course on communicative strategies for HPCRB. Measurements: Opinions and perceptions were evaluated before and after the course using an ad hoc survey. Results: After the course, students (n = 103) changed their ideas about motivation as an "internal" (15, 13%) to ‘internal-external’ factor (71, 61%) (P = .003), reinforcing their opinions about the clinician's ability for HPCRB (high: 72, 62%; low: 10, 12%; P = .008). They considered themselves more capable to respect patient autonomy when they make decisions or follow harmful behaviours (easy: 58, 50%; difficult: 28, 24%; P = .001), and increased their perception of their ability to cope with this type of interview (83, 72% vs. 1, 1%; P < .001). Conclusions: This training course seems to contribute to creating positive perceptions and attitudes in students, as regards key aspects when conducting an interview for HPCRB. This is a key preliminary aspect to implement this type of strategy

Effects of a vestibular physiotherapy protocol on adults with intellectual disability in the prevention of falls: A multi-centre clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Balance alterations are one of the main problems in people with intellectual disabilities (ID), increasing their risk of falls and impacting their life. AIMS: To describe a vestibular rehabilitation programme (VRP) and evaluate its effects on the ability to maintain balance and risk of suffering a fall. METHODS: Forty-seven adults with mild to moderate ID were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (CG, N = 24), which performed a general physical exercise only, and an experimental group (EG, N = 23) which also completed a VRP. The variables, used pre- and post-training and 1 month after the intervention, were as follows: Center of Pressure Displacement, Berg Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance. RESULTS: The EG improved significantly in each variable. The CG did not show changes for any of the parameters. CONCLUSIONS: A programme based on VRP may improve balance and reduce the risk of falling.

[Promoting Health Promotion: Medical students perceptions about an educational program on behavioral change in primary care]. / Promocionando la Promoción de la Salud: percepciones de estudiantes de medicina sobre un programa educativo para cambio de conductas en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a training program offered by family physicians in the official medical curriculum on principles and strategies to help patients change risk behaviours (HPCRB), produces changes in perceptions, opinions, and attitudes regarding this type of intervention. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental before-after study. SETTING: A School of Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: All students in their 4th year (n=110). INTERVENTIONS: Experiential training course on communicative strategies for HPCRB. MEASUREMENTS: Opinions and perceptions were evaluated before and after the course using an ad hoc survey. RESULTS: After the course, students (n=103) changed their ideas about motivation as an 'internal' (15, 13%) to 'internal-external' factor (71, 61%) (P=.003), reinforcing their opinions about the clinician's ability for HPCRB (high: 72, 62%; low: 10, 12%; P=.008). They considered themselves more capable to respect patient autonomy when they make decisions or follow harmful behaviours (easy: 58, 50%; difficult: 28, 24%; P=.001), and increased their perception of their ability to cope with this type of interview (83, 72% vs. 1, 1%; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: This training course seems to contribute to creating positive perceptions and attitudes in students, as regards key aspects when conducting an interview for HPCRB. This is a key preliminary aspect to implement this type of strategy.

Knowledge, availability, and use of ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring in primary care in Spain: the MAMPA study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the degree of knowledge and management of automated devices for office blood pressure measurement (AD), home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in primary care in Spain. METHODS: Online self-administered survey sent between May 2016 and February 2017 to 2221 primary-care physicians working across Spain. Clinicians were mostly identified through national primary-care scientific societies (20% overall response rate). RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 47.7 years, 55% were women, and 54% reported at least 20 years of primary-care practice. Among them, 47.5% considered ABPM the best diagnostic method for hypertension, 23% chose HBPM, and 7.1% chose office blood pressure. Also, 78.2% had AD available at their centers and 49.0% had ABPM, with slight urban/rural differences. HBPM was recommended in daily practice for hypertension diagnosis by 67% of participants, whereas 30% recommended ABPM. Cost to the patients was the main reason for not using HBPM (42.7%) as was lack of accessibility for not using ABPM (69.8%). Lack of specific training was also reported as an important reason in both cases. CONCLUSION: Even in the possibly best primary care scenario presented by highly motivated physicians (respondents to a voluntary anonymous survey), enormous gaps were observed between current guidelines' recommendations on ABPM and HBPM use for confirming hypertension and the modest degree of knowledge, availability, and use of these technologies.

Enhancing the Photocatalytic Activity of Sr4 Al14 O25 : Eu2+ , Dy3+ Persistent Phosphors by Codoping with Bi3+ Ions.

The photocatalytic activity of Bismuth-codoped Sr4 Al14 O25 : Eu2+ , Dy3+ persistent phosphors is studied by monitoring the degradation of the blue methylene dye UV light irradiation. Powder phosphors are obtained by a combustion synthesis method and a postannealing process in reductive atmosphere. The XRD patterns show a single orthorhombic phase Sr4 Al14 O25 : Eu2+ , Dy3+ , Bi3+ phosphors even at high Bismuth dopant concentrations of 12 mol%, suggesting that Bi ions are well incorporated into the host lattice. SEM micrographs show irregular micrograins with sizes in the range of 0.5-20 µm. The samples present an intense greenish-blue fluorescence and persistent emissions at 495 nm, attributed to the 5d-4f allowed transitions of Eu2+ . The fluorescence decreases as Bi concentration increases; that suggest bismuth-induced traps formation that in turn quench the luminescence. The photocatalytic evaluation of the powders was studied under both 365 nm UV and solar irradiations. Sample with 12 mol% of Bi presented the best MB degradation activity; 310 min of solar irradiation allow 100% MB degradation, whereas only 62.49% MB degradation is achieved under UV irradiation. Our results suggest that codoping the persistent phosphors with Bi3+ can be an alternative to enhance their photocatalytic activity.

Photocatalytic Activity of LaSr2 AlO5 :Eu Ceramic Powders.

The photocatalytic activity, of undoped and Europium-doped LaSr2 AlO5 powders, has been investigated by degrading methylene blue dye in water solutions. Those powders were fabricated by a combustion method and an annealing treatment in air. All samples showed a tetragonal single phase according to by X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed irregular semi-oval grains with sizes in the range of 3.5-4.27 µm. Photoluminescence spectrum showed sharp emission peaks at 588 nm and at 617 nm which are associated with (7) F1 ,(7) F2 → (5) D0 Eu(3+) ion forbidden transitions, respectively, under UV light excitation of 322 nm. The methylene blue (MB) degradation under UV light (254 nm) was studied by monitoring changes in the absorbance peak of MB at 665 nm. Finally, LaSr2 AlO5 :Eu powders were used three times and the efficiency for the degradation of MB decreased from 100 to 61% after the third cycle of use.