Three-dimensional numerical schemes for the segmentation of the psoas muscle in X-ray computed tomography images.

The analysis of the psoas muscle in morphological and functional imaging has proved to be an accurate approach to assess sarcopenia, i.e. a systemic loss of skeletal muscle mass and function that may be correlated to multifactorial etiological aspects. The inclusion of sarcopenia assessment into a radiological workflow would need the implementation of computational pipelines for image processing that guarantee segmentation reliability and a significant degree of automation. The present study utilizes three-dimensional numerical schemes for psoas segmentation in low-dose X-ray computed tomography images. Specifically, here we focused on the level set methodology and compared the performances of two standard approaches, a classical evolution model and a three-dimension geodesic model, with the performances of an original first-order modification of this latter one. The results of this analysis show that these gradient-based schemes guarantee reliability with respect to manual segmentation and that the first-order scheme requires a computational burden that is significantly smaller than the one needed by the second-order approach.

The 2 stages of cartridge primer toolmark production and the implied impact of cartridge manufacturing tolerances.

Many methods of ballistic toolmark comparison rely upon comparison using 2D greyscale imaging. However, newly emerging analysis methods such as areal surface analysis now utilise an extra dimension of measurement allowing the surface heights/depths of unique toolmark features to be recorded in a densely populated (x,y,z) array for a 3D/areal quantitative comparative analysis. Due to this step change, the colloquialism in referring to the crater produced at the centre of the primer during firing as a "firing pin impression" has become a misnomer, leading some to believe that this toolmark is produced via a single process, where the critical variable is the condition of the firing pin. Furthermore, current forensic ballistic methodology relies on the microscopic differences between individual fired bullets and cartridge cases produced as a result of the manufacturing process of a particular firearm, in this case "matched toolmarks" confirm a ballistic match to a specific firearm. However, very rarely is it considered that the ammunition itself possesses minute differences produced during manufacture that could affect the ballistic match efficacy. This study examines the discharge process of conventional centrefire ammunition and concludes that the unique toolmarks upon the cartridge primer are definitively produced in two defined stages. This conclusion suggests that the factory loading and quality control tolerances of the cartridge itself should now be considered to be a more significant contributing factor to the production of cartridge primer toolmarks than has previously been accepted.

Block Copolymer-Directed Single-Diamond Hybrid Structures Derived from X-ray Nanotomography.

Block copolymers are recognized as a valuable platform for creating nanostructured materials. Morphologies formed by block copolymer self-assembly can be transferred into a wide range of inorganic materials, enabling applications including energy storage and metamaterials. However, imaging of the underlying, often complex, nanostructures in large volumes has remained a challenge, limiting progress in materials development. Taking advantage of recent advances in X-ray nanotomography, we noninvasively imaged exceptionally large volumes of nanostructured hybrid materials at high resolution, revealing a single-diamond morphology in a triblock terpolymer-gold composite network. This morphology, which is ubiquitous in nature, has so far remained elusive in block copolymer-derived materials, despite its potential to create materials with large photonic bandgaps. The discovery was made possible by the precise analysis of distortions in a large volume of the self-assembled diamond network, which are difficult to unambiguously assess using traditional characterization tools. We anticipate that high-resolution X-ray nanotomography, which allows imaging of much larger sample volumes than electron-based tomography, will become a powerful tool for the quantitative analysis of complex nanostructures and that structures such as the triblock terpolymer-directed single diamond will enable the generation of advanced multicomponent composites with hitherto unknown property profiles.

Microstructural Instability and Its Effects on Thermoelectric Properties of SnSe and Na-Doped SnSe.

Effects of thermal cycling on the microstructure and thermoelectric properties are studied for the undoped and Na-doped SnSe samples using X-ray computed tomography and property measurements. It is observed that thermal cycling causes significant cracks to develop, which decrease both the electrical and lattice thermal conductivities but do not affect the thermopower. The zT values are drastically reduced after the repeated heat treatment. It is important to account for density changes during cycling to obtain accurate values of the thermal conductivity. Even before thermal cycling, the spark-plasma sintered (SPS) samples have a significant number of microcracks. The orientation of cracks within the SPS pellets and their effect on the microstructure are influenced by the presence of a Na-rich impurity. The SnSe and Sn0.995Na0.005Se samples without the impurity develop cracks and exhibit grain growth parallel to the pellet surface, which is also the plane of the 2D SnSe layers. The Sn0.97Na0.03Se sample containing the impurity develops cracks that are orthogonal to the pellet surface. Such an orientation of cracks in Sn0.97Na0.03Se inhibits grain growth. All samples appear mechanically unstable after thermal cycling.

Fabrication of electrospun ion exchanger adsorbents with morphologies designed for the separation of proteins and plasmid DNA.

Electrospun cellulose adsorbents are an emergent class of materials applied to a variety of bioprocess separations as an analogue to conventional packed bed chromatography. Electrospun adsorbents have proven to be effective as rapid cycling media, enabling high throughput separation of proteins and viral vectors without compromising selectivity and recovery. However, there is a current lack of knowledge in relation to the manipulation and control of electrospun adsorbent structure with function and performance to cater to the separation needs of emerging, diverse biological products. In this study, a series of electrospun cellulose adsorbents were fabricated by adjusting their manufacturing conditions. A range of fiber diameters (400 to 600 nm) was created by changing the electrospinning polymer solution. Additionally, a range of porosities (0.4 to 0.7 v/v) was achieved by varying the laminating pressures on the electrospun sheets. The adsorbents were functionalized with different degrees of quaternary amine ligand density to create 18 prototype anion exchangers. Their morphology was characterized by BET nitrogen adsorption surface area, X-ray computed tomography, capillary flow porometry and scanning electron microscopy measurements. The physical characteristics of the adsorbents were used in an adapted semi-empirical model and compared to measured permeability data. Permeabilities of prototypes ranged from 10-2 to 10-4 mDarcy. The measured data showed good adherence to modelled data with possible improvements in acquiring wet adsorbent characteristics instead of dried material. Finally, the electrospun adsorbents were characterized for their binding capacity of model proteins of different sizes (diameters of 3.5 nm and 8.9 nm) and plasmid DNA. Static binding capacities ranged from 5 mg/ml to 25 mg/ml for the proteins and plasmid DNA and showed <20 % deviation from monolayer coverage based on BET surface area. Therefore, it was concluded that the electrospun adsorbents most likely adsorb monolayers of proteins and plasmid DNA on the surface with minimal steric hindrance.

Impact of Element Size on Rebar-Concrete Interface Microstructure Using X-ray Computed Tomography.

This paper investigates the impact of element size on the microstructure of the steel-concrete interface in self-compacting concrete (SCC). Experiments were conducted on two types of test elements: a deep beam measuring 1440 × 640 × 160 mm and a wall element measuring 2240 × 1600 × 160 mm. The SCC mix was consistently pumped from the top, using a single casting point located near the formwork's edge. Horizontal steel ribbed rebars with a diameter of 16 mm were embedded in these elements. X-ray computed tomography (CT) was employed to provide three-dimensional insights into the microstructure of the rebar-to-concrete interface. An analysis of X-ray CT images from core samples revealed that the microstructure of this interface is influenced by the distance of the specimen from the mix casting point and its vertical position within the element. The combined effects of bleeding, air-pore entrapment, and plastic settlement within the SCI were observed under the top rebars. Their extent was independent of the type of element analyzed, suggesting that the deterioration of the SCI is related to the distance from the top surface of the element. These results elucidate phenomena occurring during the fresh state of concrete near reinforcing bars and their implications for bond properties. To date, some of the standards differentiate between bond conditions according to the depth of concrete beneath the rebar. In the view of the studies, this approach may be unduly rigorous. The findings offer valuable guidance for reinforced concrete execution and design.

Radiological Features of Primary Pulmonary Invasive Mucinous Adenocarcinoma Based on 312 Consecutive Patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the radiological features of primary pulmonary invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) in a relatively large population to help improve its further understanding and its accuracy of initial diagnosis. METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed primary pulmonary IMA from January 2019 to December 2021. According to tumor morphology, IMAs were divided into regular nodule/mass, irregular, and large consolidative types. According to tumor density, IMAs were divided into solid, halo, part-solid, pure ground-glass, and cystic types. ANOVA, chi-square, or Fisher exact tests were used to analyze the differences in radiological and clinicopathological characteristics of IMA according to morphological and density subtypes. RESULTS: We analyzed 312 patients. Pulmonary IMA tended to occur in the elderly, with a slightly higher number of women than men. IMA showed a predominance in the lower lobe and adjacent to pleura. IMA of regular nodule/mass, irregular, and large consolidative types accounted for 80.8% (252/312), 13.8% (43/312), and 5.4% (17/312), respectively. Solid, halo, part-solid, pure ground-glass, and cystic IMAs accounted for 55.8% (174/312), 28.2% (88/312), 11.2% (35/312), 1.3% (4/312), and 3.5% (11/312), respectively. The lobulated (76.9%), spiculated (63.5%), and air bronchogram (56.7%) signs were common in IMA. Dead branch sign (88.2%), angiogram sign (88.2%), and satellite nodules/skipping lesions (47.1%) were common in large-consolidative-type IMA. Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene mutations were common (56.1%), whereas epidermal growth factor receptor mutations were relatively rare (2.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary IMA of regular nodule/mass type and solid type were the most common at the initial diagnosis. Detailed radiological features can aid in the differential diagnosis of IMA.

Dissecting the heterogeneity of craniofacial lesions in patients with fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright Syndrome.

Fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright Syndrome (FD/MAS) frequently involves the craniofacial skeleton. Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia lesions exhibit diverse imaging characteristics on multimodality evaluation, utilizing radiographs, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography (18F-NaF PET). A multimodal imaging classification of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia lesions may offer clinical insights into the types of lesions that are (1) prone to progression, (2) amenable to intervention (i.e., pharmacological or surgical), or (3) associated with symptoms such as pain. In this prospective, preliminary single site study of 15 patients with FD/MAS, the heterogeneity of craniofacial lesions (N = 35) was assessed using a combination of 18F-NaF PET, MRI, and CT. A k-means clustering algorithm was used to categorize lesions based on imaging characteristics. Clustering analysis revealed three types of lesion based on the magnitude of the regional 18F-NaF standardized uptake values (SUV), signal intensities on T1-weighted and fluid-sensitive sequences, and appearance on CT (lucent, sclerotic, and/or ground glass). This preliminary study provides a foundation for future longitudinal natural history or treatment studies, where the prognostic value of baseline craniofacial fibrous dysplasia imaging characteristics and clinical symptomatology can be further evaluated.

Predicting Durable Clinical Benefits of Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Nomogram Based on CT Imaging and Immune Type.

PURPOSE: To develop a model based on conventional CT signs and the tumor microenvironment immune types (TIMT) to predict the durable clinical benefits (DCB) of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 205 patients with NSCLC underwent preoperative CT and were divided into two groups: DCB (progression-free survival (PFS) ≥ 18 months) and non-DCB (NDCB, PFS <18 months). The density percentiles of PD-L1 and CD8 + tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were quantified to estimate the TIMT. Clinical characteristics and conventional CT signs were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to select the most discriminating parameters, construct a predictive model, and visualize the model as a nomogram. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate prediction performance and clinical utility. RESULTS: Precisely 118 patients with DCB and 87 with NDCB in NSCLC received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. TIMT was statistically different between the DCB and NDCB groups (P < 0.05). Clinical characteristics (neuron-specific enolase, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, Ki-76, and cM stage) and conventional CT signs (spiculation, bubble-like lucency, pleural retraction, maximum diameter, and CT value of the venous phase) varied between the four TIMT groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, clinical characteristics (lymphocyte count [LYMPH] and cM stage) and conventional CT signs (bubble-like lucency and Pleural effusion) differed between the DCB and NDCB groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that TIMT, cM stage, LYMPH, and pleural effusion were independently associated with DCB and were used to construct a nomogram. The area under the curve (AUC) of the combined model was 0.70 (95%CI: 0.64-0.76), with sensitivity and specificity of 0.73 and 0.60, respectively. CONCLUSION: Conventional CT signs and the TIMT offer a promising approach to predicting clinical outcomes for patients treated with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in NSCLC.

Imaging diagnostics of pulmonary ground-glass nodules: a narrative review with current status and future directions.

Background and Objective: The incidence rate of lung cancer, which also has the highest mortality rates for both men and women worldwide, is increasing globally. Due to advancements in imaging technology and the growing inclination of individuals to undergo screening, the detection rate of ground-glass nodules (GGNs) has surged rapidly. Currently, artificial intelligence (AI) methods for data analysis and interpretation, image processing, illness diagnosis, and lesion prediction offer a novel perspective on the diagnosis of GGNs. This article aimed to examine how to detect malignant lesions as early as possible and improve clinical diagnostic and treatment decisions by identifying benign and malignant lesions using imaging data. It also aimed to describe the use of computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsies and highlight developments in AI techniques in this area. Methods: We used PubMed, Elsevier ScienceDirect, Springer Database, and Google Scholar to search for information relevant to the article's topic. We gathered, examined, and interpreted relevant imaging resources from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University's Imaging Center. Additionally, we used Adobe Illustrator 2020 to process all the figures. Key Content and Findings: We examined the common signs of GGNs, elucidated the relationship between these signs and the identification of benign and malignant lesions, and then described the application of AI in image segmentation, automatic classification, and the invasiveness prediction of GGNs over the last three years, including its limitations and outlook. We also discussed the necessity of conducting biopsies of persistent pure GGNs. Conclusions: A variety of imaging features can be combined to improve the diagnosis of benign and malignant GGNs. The use of CT-guided puncture biopsy to clarify the nature of lesions should be considered with caution. The development of new AI tools brings new possibilities and hope to improving the ability of imaging physicians to analyze GGN images and achieving accurate diagnosis.

Trends and hotspots of energy-based imaging in thoracic disease: a bibliometric analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a bibliometric analysis of the prospects and obstacles associated with dual- and multi-energy CT in thoracic disease, emphasizing its current standing, advantages, and areas requiring attention. METHODS: The Web of Science Core Collection was queried for relevant publications in dual- and multi-energy CT and thoracic applications without a limit on publication date or language. The Bibliometrix packages, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace were used for data analysis. Bibliometric techniques utilized were co-authorship analyses, trend topics, thematic map analyses, thematic evolution analyses, source's production over time, corresponding author's countries, and a treemap of authors' keywords. RESULTS: A total of 1992 publications and 7200 authors from 313 different sources were examined in this study. The first available document was published in November 1982, and the most cited article was cited 1200 times. Siemens AG in Germany emerged as the most prominent author affiliation, with a total of 221 published articles. The most represented scientific journals were the "European Radiology" (181 articles, h-index = 46), followed by the "European Journal of Radiology" (148 articles, h-index = 34). Most of the papers were from Germany, the USA, or China. Both the keyword and topic analyses showed the history of dual- and multi-energy CT and the evolution of its application hotspots in the chest. CONCLUSION: Our study illustrates the latest advances in dual- and multi-energy CT and its increasingly prominent applications in the chest, especially in lung parenchymal diseases and coronary artery diseases. Photon-counting CT and artificial intelligence will be the emerging hot technologies that continue to develop in the future. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This study aims to provide valuable insights into energy-based imaging in chest disease, validating the clinical application of multi-energy CT together with photon-counting CT and effectively increasing utilization in clinical practice. KEY POINTS: Bibliometric analysis is fundamental to understanding the current and future state of dual- and multi-energy CT. Research trends and leading topics included coronary artery disease, pulmonary embolism, and radiation dose. All analyses indicate a growing interest in the use of energy-based imaging techniques for thoracic applications.

Longitudinal analysis of cranial growth using comprehensive craniometric measurements after fronto-orbital advancement in coronal craniosynostosis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the longitudinal changes in cranial growth following fronto-orbital advancement (FOA) surgery in patients with unilateral and bilateral coronal craniosynostosis. METHODS: This retrospective review analyzed head circumference (HC) and CT data during preoperative (T0), immediate postoperative (T1), and final follow-up (T2) visits in 40 patients (23 female, 17 male) who underwent FOA using either the open approach or distraction osteogenesis (DO) between 1987 and 2018. The mean follow-up period was 90.62 months. The z-scores of HC, CT-based intracranial volume, anteroposterior diameter (APD), biparietal diameter (BPD), and cranial height (CH) were calculated using sex- and age-specific standards. Logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: While the z-scores of HC, intracranial volume, and BPD remained within the normal range, the z-scores of APD fluctuated between -2 and -1, and the z-scores of CH were > 2, indicating a substantial elevation compared with norms from T0 to T2. Age at surgery significantly influenced the z-scores of HC, BPD, and CH at T2 (all p < 0.05). Delayed surgical timing was correlated with increased BPD and CH z-scores from T1 to T2 (p = 0.007 and 0.019, respectively). The DO for FOA resulted in elevated HC z-scores at T2 and increased APD from T0 to T1, followed by a significant APD relapse from T1 to T2. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that delayed surgical timing may support better cranial growth, as indicated by increased HC at long-term follow-up. However, delayed timing is also associated with worsening abnormally elevated CH. Despite the immediate APD expansion and long-term HC increase with DO, potential relapse warrants caution. While intentional overcorrection of APD is recommended, careful consideration of surgical timing and planning is essential.

The value of computed tomography-based radiomics for predicting malignant pleural effusions.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common clinical problem that requires cytological and/or histological confirmation obtained by invasive examination to establish a definitive diagnosis. Radiomics is rapidly evolving and can provide a non-invasive tool to identify MPE. Objectives: We aimed to develop a model based on radiomic features extracted from unenhanced chest computed tomography (CT) images and investigate its value in predicting MPE. Method: This retrospective study included patients with pleural effusions between January 2016 and June 2020. All patients underwent a chest CT scanning and medical thoracoscopy after artificial pneumothorax. Cases were divided into a training cohort and a test cohort for modelling and verifying respectively. The Mann-Whitney U test and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were applied to determine the optimal features. We built a radiomics model based on support vector machines (SVM) and evaluated its performance using ROC and calibration curve analysis. Results: Twenty-nine patients with MPE and fifty-two patients with non-MPE were enrolled. A total of 944 radiomic features were quantitatively extracted from each sample and reduced to 14 features for modeling after selection. The AUC of the radiomics model was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.912-0.999) and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.657~1.000) in the training and test cohorts, respectively. The calibration curves for model were in good agreement between predicted and actual data. Conclusions: The radiomics model based on unenhanced chest CT has good performance for predicting MPE and may provide a powerful tool for doctors in clinical decision-making.

Predicting lymphovascular invasion in N0 stage non-small cell lung cancer: A nomogram based on Dual-energy CT imaging and clinical findings.

PURPOSE: To construct a nomogram for predicting lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in N0 stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) findings combined with clinical findings. METHODS: We retrospectively recruited 135 patients with N0 stage NSCLC from two hospitals underwent DECT before surgery and were divided into development cohort (n = 107) and validation cohort (n = 28). The clinical findings (baseline characteristics, biochemical markers, serum tumor markers and Immunohistochemical markers), DECT-derived parameters (iodine concentration [IC], effective atomic number [Eff-Z] and normalized iodine concentration [NIC], iodine enhancement [IE] and NIC ratio [NICr]) and Fractal dimension (FD) were collected and measured. A nomogram was constructed using significant findings to predict LVI in N0 stage NSCLC and was externally validated. RESULTS: Multivariable analysis revealed that lymphocyte count (LYMPH, odds ratio [OR]: 3.71, P=0.014), IC in arterial phase (ICa, OR: 1.25, P=0.021), NIC in venous phase (NICv, OR: 587.12, P=0.009) and FD (OR: 0.01, P=0.033) were independent significant factors for predicting LVI in N0 stage NSCLC, and were used to construct a nomogram. The nomogram exhibited robust predictive capabilities in both the development and validation cohort, with AUCs of 0.819 (95 % CI: 72.6-90.4) and 0.844 (95 % CI: 68.2-95.8), respectively. The calibration plots showed excellent agreement between the predicted probabilities and the actual rates of positive LVI, on external validation. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of clinical and DECT imaging findings could aid in predicting LVI in N0 stage NSCLC using significant findings of LYMPH, ICa, NICv and FD.

Automatic personal identification using a single CT image.

OBJECTIVES: Computer vision (CV) mimics human vision, enabling computers to automatically compare radiological images from recent examinations with a large image database for unique identification, crucial in emergency scenarios involving unknown patients or deceased individuals. This study aims to extend a CV-based personal identification method from orthopantomograms (OPGs) to computed tomography (CT) examinations using single CT slices. METHODS: The study analyzed 819 cranial computed tomography (CCT) examinations from 722 individuals, focusing on single CT slices from six anatomical regions to explore their potential for CV-based personal identification in 69 procedures. CV automatically identifies and describes interesting features in images, which can be recognized in a reference image and then designated as matching points. In this study, the number of matching points was used as an indicator for identification. RESULTS: Across six different regions, identification rates ranged from 41/69 (59%) to 69/69 (100%) across over 700 possible identities. Comparison of images from the same individual achieved higher matching points, averaging 6.32 ± 0.52% (100% represents the maximum possible matching points), while images of different individuals averaged 0.94 ± 0.15%. Reliable matching points are found in the teeth, maxilla, cervical spine, skull bones, and paranasal sinuses, with the maxillary sinuses and ethmoidal cells being particularly suitable for identification due to their abundant matching points. CONCLUSION: Unambiguous identification of individuals based on a single CT slice is achievable, with maxillary sinus CT slices showing the highest identification rates. However, metal artifacts, especially from dental prosthetics, and various head positions can hinder identification. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Radiology possesses a multitude of reference images for a CV database, facilitating automated CV-based personal identification in emergency examinations or cases involving unknown deceased individuals. This enhances patient care and communication with relatives by granting access to medical history. KEY POINTS: Unknown individuals in radiology or forensics pose challenges, addressed through automatic CV-based identification methods. A single CT slice highlighting the maxillary sinuses is particularly effective for personal identification. Radiology plays a pivotal role in automated personal identification by leveraging its extensive image database.

Analysis of the Effect of Layer Height on the Interlayer Bond in Self-Compacting Concrete Mix in Slab Elements.

This paper presents a study on the influence of the layered casting technology of self-compacting concrete (SCC) on the load-bearing capacity of interlayer bond in slab elements. The research was conducted on slab elements with dimensions of 750 × 750 × 150 mm, concreted from a single point of concrete delivery. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of the height of the concreting top layer on the bond strength between the layers. The study utilised top layer heights of 50, 75, and 100 mm, which, according to the authors' experience, are the most common cases when making slab elements. The interlayer bond was determined by investigating the splitting tensile strength of cubic specimens cut from the concrete slabs. Computed tomography (CT) was employed to image the contact zone between the concrete layers. Based on the analysis of the CT imaging and the results of the strength tests, it was shown that the interlayer bond is influenced by both the height of the top layer and its free-spread distance from the casting point. A reduction in the interlayer bond strength was observed with decreasing the height of the top layer and increasing distance from the mixture supply point. The relationships obtained were linear and had a clearly negative slope. It was concluded that the valid recommendations and standards for the multilayer casting of SCC are too general. Therefore, we propose to detail the recommendations to reduce the risk of cold joints, which diminish the bond strength of the interlayer joints.

High-resolution X-ray computed tomography for identifying herbal medicines was as effective as microscopic examination.

Microscopic examination is one of the important identification methods for crude drug test described in the 18th Japanese Pharmacopoeia. This method is useful for identification because it can be used for small amounts of samples regardless of their storage conditions; however, this method requires a lot of technical skill in sectioning intricate and/or small samples and is time-consuming. High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) is a novel method for observing the internal morphology of materials. Previously, we used HRXCT to visualize the internal morphology of the Ephedra Herb, obtaining observations that closely match those obtained via microscopic examination. HRXCT employs a low-energy X-ray source and the permeation distance of the X-rays is very short. Therefore, HRXCT can be used for elucidating the morphology of small herbal medicines. In this study, Artemisia Capillaris Flower (capitulum with a diameter of approximately 2 mm) and Plantago Seed (seeds with a length of approximately 2 mm) were examined. The results showed that HRXCT examination was sufficient to illustrate the internal independent organs of Artemisia Capillaris Flower and that their inflorescences remained intact. When observing Plantago Seed, the internal morphology of more than one seed can be depicted simultaneously. Therefore, observation using HRXCT was easy, simple, and effective to illustrate the internal morphology of herbal medicines, which is typically time-consuming and requires advanced microscopy skills.

Survey of CT radiation doses and iodinated contrast medium administration: an international multicentric study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between intravenous iodinated contrast media (ICM) administration usage and radiation doses for contrast-enhanced (CE) CT of head, chest, and abdomen-pelvis (AP) in international, multicenter settings. METHODS: Our international (n = 16 countries), multicenter (n = 43 sites), and cross-sectional (ConRad) study had two parts. Part 1: Redcap survey with questions on information related to CT and ICM manufacturer/brand and respective protocols. Part 2: Information on 3,258 patients (18-96 years; M:F 1654:1604) who underwent CECT for a routine head (n = 456), chest (n = 528), AP (n = 599), head CT angiography (n = 539), pulmonary embolism (n = 599), and liver CT examinations (n = 537) at 43 sites across five continents. The following information was recorded: hospital name, patient age, gender, body mass index [BMI], clinical indications, scan parameters (number of scan phases, kV), IV-contrast information (concentration, volume, flow rate, and delay), and dose indices (CTDIvol and DLP). RESULTS: Most routine chest (58.4%) and AP (68.7%) CECT exams were performed with 2-4 scan phases with fixed scan delay (chest 71.4%; AP 79.8%, liver CECT 50.7%) following ICM administration. Most sites did not change kV across different patients and scan phases; most CECT protocols were performed at 120-140 kV (83%, 1979/2685). There were no significant differences between radiation doses for non-contrast (CTDIvol 24 [16-30] mGy; DLP 633 [414-702] mGy·cm) and post-contrast phases (22 [19-27] mGy; 648 [392-694] mGy·cm) (p = 0.142). Sites that used bolus tracking for chest and AP CECT had lower CTDIvol than sites with fixed scan delays (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between BMI and CTDIvol (r2 ≤ - 0.1 to 0.1, p = 0.931). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates up to ten-fold variability in ICM injection protocols and radiation doses across different CT protocols. The study emphasizes the need for optimizing CT scanning and contrast protocols to reduce unnecessary contrast and radiation exposure to patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The wide variability and lack of standardization of ICM media and radiation doses in CT protocols suggest the need for education and optimization of contrast usage and scan factors for optimizing image quality in CECT. KEY POINTS: There is a lack of patient-centric CT protocol optimization taking into consideration mainly patients' size. There is a lack of correlation between ICM volume and CT radiation dose across CT protocol. A ten-fold variation in iodine-load for the same CT protocol in sites suggests a lack of standardization.

Prediction models for differentiating benign from malignant liver lesions based on multiparametric dual-energy non-contrast CT.

OBJECTIVES: To create prediction models (PMs) for distinguishing between benign and malignant liver lesions using quantitative data from dual-energy CT (DECT) without contrast agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with liver lesions who underwent DECT, including non-contrast-enhanced scans. Benign lesions included hepatic hemangioma, whereas malignant lesions included hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic liver cancer, and intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. Patients were divided into derivation and validation groups. In the derivation group, two radiologists calculated ten multiparametric data using univariate and multivariate logistic regression to generate PMs. In the validation group, two additional radiologists measured the parameters to assess the diagnostic performance of PMs. RESULTS: The study included 121 consecutive patients (mean age 67.4 ± 13.8 years, 80 males), with 97 in the derivation group (25 benign and 72 malignant) and 24 in the validation group (7 benign and 17 malignant). Oversampling increased the benign lesion sample to 75, equalizing the malignant group for building PMs. All parameters were statistically significant in univariate analysis (all p < 0.05), leading to the creation of five PMs in multivariate analysis. The area under the curve for the five PMs of two observers was as follows: PM1 (slope K, blood) = 0.76, 0.74; PM2 (slope K, fat) = 0.55, 0.51; PM3 (effective-Z difference, blood) = 0.75, 0.72; PM4 (slope K, blood, fat) = 0.82, 0.78; and PM5 (slope K, effective-Z difference, blood) = 0.90, 0.87. PM5 yielded the best diagnostic performance. CONCLUSION: Multiparametric non-contrast-enhanced DECT is a highly effective method for distinguishing between liver lesions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The utilization of non-contrast-enhanced DECT is extremely useful for distinguishing between benign and malignant liver lesions. This approach enables physicians to plan better treatment strategies, alleviating concerns associated with contrast allergy, contrast-induced nephropathy, radiation exposure, and excessive medical expenses. KEY POINTS: Distinguishing benign from malignant liver lesions with non-contrast-enhanced CT would be desirable. This model, incorporating slope K, effective Z, and blood quantification, distinguished benign from malignant liver lesions. Non-contrast-enhanced DECT has benefits, particularly in patients with an iodine allergy, renal failure, or asthma.

Investigations into the Geometric Calibration and Systematic Effects of a Micro-CT System.

Micro-Computed Tomography (µCT) systems are used for examining the internal structures of various objects, such as material samples, manufactured parts, and natural objects. Resolving fine details or performing accurate geometric measurements in the voxel data critically depends on the precise calibration of the µCT systems geometry. This paper presents a calibration method for µCT systems using projections of a calibration phantom, where the coordinates of the phantom are initially unknown. The approach involves detecting and tracking steel ball bearings and adjusting the unknown system geometry parameters using non-linear least squares optimization. Multiple geometric models are tested to verify their suitability for a self-calibration approach. The implementation is tested using a calibration phantom captured at different magnifications. The results demonstrate the system's capability to determine the geometry model parameters with a remaining error on the detector between 0.27 px and 0.18 px. Systematic errors that remain after calibration, as well as changing parameters due to system instabilities, are investigated. The source code of this work is published to enable further research.