RESUMO
Background: Virtual monochromatic image (VMI) combined with orthopedic metal artifact reduction algorithms (VMI + O-MAR) can effectively reduce artifacts caused by metal implants of different types. Nevertheless, so far, no study has systematically evaluated the efficacy of VMI + O-MAR in reducing various types of metal artifacts induced by 125I seeds. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of combining spectral computed tomography (CT) images with O-MAR in reducing metal artifacts and improving the image quality affected by artifacts in patients after 125I radioactive seeds implantation (RSI). Methods: A total of 45 patients who underwent dual-layer detector spectral CT (DLCT; IQon, Philips Healthcare) scanning of mediastinal and hepatic tumors after 125I RSI were retrospectively included. Spectral data were reconstructed into conventional image (CI), VMI, CI combined with O-MAR (CI + O-MAR), and VMI + O-MAR to evaluate the de-artifact effect and image quality improvement. Objective indicators included signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and artifact index (AI) of lesions affected by artifacts. Subjective indicators included assessment of overcorrected artifacts and new artifacts, different morphology of artifacts, and overall image quality. Results: In artifact-affected lesion areas, SNR and CNR in the CI/VMI + O-MAR groups were better than those in CI groups (all P values <0.05). The AI showed a downward trend as VMI keV increased (all P values <0.001). The AI values of the CI/VMI (50-150 keV) group were all higher than the groups of CI/VMI + O-MAR (50-150 keV) (P<0.001). Overcorrection artifacts and new artifacts were concentrated in the VMI50/70 keV groups. In the evaluation of artifact morphology, as the VMI keV increased, the number of near-field banding artifacts in hyperdense artifacts gradually decreased, whereas the number of minimal or no artifacts increased, and the total number of hyperdense artifacts were decreased. The diagnostic and image quality scores of hyperdense artifacts were higher than those of hypodense artifacts as VMI keV increased. Conclusions: High VMI level combined with O-MAR substantially improve objective and subjective image quality, lesion display ability, and diagnostic confidence of CT follow-up after 125I RSI, especially at the VMI + O-MAR 150 keV level.
RESUMO
This paper presents a sensitive voltametric procedure for the determination of norfloxacin (NF) by a tetraoxocalix[2]arene[2]triazine (TOCT) covalently functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified electrode. The electrochemical sensing of NF was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Through a combination of the excellent selective recognition of TOCT and the outstanding electronic properties of MWCNTs, this electrochemical sensor shows excellent sensitivity and high selectivity for an electrochemical detection of NF. The stripping response is highly linear (R = 0.996) over the NF concentration range of 0.5 - 8.0 µM with the LOD of 0.1 µM. The fabricated sensors were successfully applied for quantitative detection of NF in pharmaceutical formulations and human urine samples. A high anti-interference ability to common interferences and satisfactory results were obtained. This is expected to play a huge potential in the real-time monitoring of NF in clinical applications.