scholarly journals SHIP-MR and Radiology: 12 Years of Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Single Center

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Norbert Hosten ◽  
Robin Bülow ◽  
Henry Völzke ◽  
Martin Domin ◽  
Carsten Oliver Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Scientific Output ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Scientific Outputs ◽  
Northeastern Germany ◽  
The Brain

The Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP), a population-based study from a rural state in northeastern Germany with a relatively poor life expectancy, supplemented its comprehensive examination program in 2008 with whole-body MR imaging at 1.5 T (SHIP-MR). We reviewed more than 100 publications that used the SHIP-MR data and analyzed which sequences already produced fruitful scientific outputs and which manuscripts have been referenced frequently. Upon reviewing the publications about imaging sequences, those that used T1-weighted structured imaging of the brain and a gradient-echo sequence for R2* mapping obtained the highest scientific output; regarding specific body parts examined, most scientific publications focused on MR sequences involving the brain and the (upper) abdomen. We conclude that population-based MR imaging in cohort studies should define more precise goals when allocating imaging time. In addition, quality control measures might include recording the number and impact of published work, preferably on a bi-annual basis and starting 2 years after initiation of the study. Structured teaching courses may enhance the desired output in areas that appear underrepresented.

The nature of rapid response to COVID-19 in Latin America: an examination of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janaina Pamplona da Costa ◽  
André Luiz Sica de Campos ◽  
Paulo Roberto Cintra ◽  
Liz Felix Greco ◽  
Johan Hendrik Poker
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Scientific Output ◽  
Rapid Response ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Scientific Communities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Scientific Outputs ◽  
Career Status

PurposeThe coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic mobilized the international scientific community in the search for its cure and containment. The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature of the rapid response to the COVID-19 of the scientific community in selected Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico) in the period running from January to August 2020. Rapid response is reconceptualized from its original meaning in health policy, as the swift mobilization of existing scientific resources to address an emergency (DeVita et al., 2017).Design/methodology/approachThe paper explores the rapid response of the Argentinian, Brazilian, Chilean, Colombian and Mexican scientific communities from the perspective of bibliometric and altmetric data. The authors will examine scientific publications indexed to the Web of Science (WoS) dealing with COVID-19. Besides patterns of scientific output and impact as measured by citations, the authors complement the analysis with altmetric analysis. The aim is to verify whether or not factors that explain the extent of scientific impact can also be identified with respect to the wider impact made evident by altmetric indicators (Haustein, 2016).Findingshe authors identified a somewhat limited response of the Argentinian, Brazilian, Chilean, Colombian and Mexican scientific communities to COVID-19 in terms of quantity of publications. The authorship of publications in the topic of COVID-19 was associated with authorship of publications dealing with locally relevant diseases. Some factors appear to contribute to visibility of scientific outputs. Papers that involved wider international collaborations and authors with previous publications in arboviruses were associated with higher levels of citations. Previous work on arbovirus was also associated with higher altmetric attention. The country of origin of authors exerted a positive effect on altmetric indicators.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation in the analysis is that, due to the nature of the data source (WoS), the authors were unable to verify the career status and the productivity of the authors in the sample. Nonetheless, the results appear to suggest that there is some overlapping in authors conducting research in Arboviruses and COVID-19. Career status and productivity should be the focus of future research.Practical implicationsIn the context of countries with limited scientific resources, like the ones investigated in our Latin American sample, previous efforts in the study of locally relevant diseases may contribute to the creation of an expertise that can be applied when a health emergency brings about a novel disease.Originality/valueThe originality of the paper rests on the fact that the authors identified that previous work on arbovirus contributed to the scientific visibility of publications on COVID-19.

scholarly journals Tactile innervation densities across the whole body

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Corniani ◽  
Hannes P. Saal
Keyword(s):  
Whole Body ◽  
Fiber Types ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Tactile Information ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Palmar Skin ◽  
Root Fiber

The skin is our largest sensory organ and innervated by afferent fibers carrying tactile information to the spinal cord and onto the brain. The density with which different classes of tactile afferents innervate the skin is not constant but varies considerably across different body regions. However, precise estimates of innervation density are only available for some body parts, such as the hands, and estimates of the total number of tactile afferent fibers are inconsistent and incomplete. Here we reconcile different estimates and provide plausible ranges and best estimates for the number of different tactile fiber types innervating different regions of the skin, using evidence from dorsal root fiber counts, microneurography, histology, and psychophysics. We estimate that the skin across the whole body is innervated by approximately 230,000 tactile afferent fibers (plausible range: 200,000-270,000). 15% innervate the palmar skin of both hands and 19% the region surrounding the face and lips. Around 60% of all tactile fibers are slowly-adapting, while the rest are fastadapting. Innervation density correlates well with psychophysical spatial acuity across different body regions, and additionally, on hairy skin, with hair follicle density. Innervation density is also weakly correlated with the size of the cortical somatotopic representation, but cannot fully account for the magnification of the hands and the face.

scholarly journals Tactile innervation densities across the whole body

2020 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 1229-1240
Author(s):  
Giulia Corniani ◽  
Hannes P. Saal
Keyword(s):  
Whole Body ◽  
Fiber Types ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Tactile Information ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Afferent Fibers ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Palmar Skin ◽  
Root Fiber

The skin is our largest sensory organ and innervated by afferent fibers carrying tactile information to the spinal cord and onto the brain. The density with which different classes of tactile afferents innervate the skin is not constant but varies considerably across different body regions. However, precise estimates of innervation density are only available for some body parts, such as the hands, and estimates of the total number of tactile afferent fibers are inconsistent and incomplete. Here we reconcile different estimates and provide plausible ranges and best estimates for the number of different tactile fiber types innervating different regions of the skin, using evidence from dorsal root fiber counts, microneurography, histology, and psychophysics. We estimate that the skin across the whole body of young adults is innervated by ∼230,000 tactile afferent fibers (plausible range: 200,000–270,000), with a subsequent decrement of 5–8% every decade due to aging. Fifteen percent of fibers innervate the palmar skin of both hands and 19% the region surrounding the face and lips. Slowly and fast-adapting fibers are split roughly evenly, but this breakdown varies with skin region. Innervation density correlates well with psychophysical spatial acuity across different body regions, and, additionally, on hairy skin, with hair follicle density. Innervation density is also weakly correlated with the size of the cortical somatotopic representation but cannot fully account for the magnification of the hands and the face.

scholarly journals Vertebral Bone Marrow Fat Is independently Associated to VAT but Not to SAT: KORA FF4—Whole-Body MR Imaging in a Population-Based Cohort

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dunja Hasic ◽  
Roberto Lorbeer ◽  
Robert C. Bertheau ◽  
Jürgen Machann ◽  
Susanne Rospleszcz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Whole Body

The objective of the current study was to assess the relationship of bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) content to abdominal fat depots, including visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), as well as cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) beyond physical activity in a population-based cohort study undergoing whole-body magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Subjects of the Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region (KORA) FF4 study without known cardiovascular disease underwent fat fraction quantification in vertebrae (BMATL1/L2) via a 2-point T1-weighted volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) Dixon sequence. The same MR sequence was applied to quantify VAT and SAT volume. Subjects’ characteristics, including physical activity, were determined through standardized exams and self-assessment questionnaires. Univariate and multivariate linear regression were applied. In the cohort of 378 subjects (56 ± 9.1years; 42.1% female), BMATL1/L2 was 54.3 ± 10.1%, VAT was 4.54 ± 2.71 L, and SAT was 8.10 ± 3.68 L. VAT differed significantly across BMATL1/L2 tertiles (3.60 ± 2.76 vs. 4.92 ± 2.66 vs. 5.11 ± 2.48; p < 0.001), there was no significant differences for SAT (p = 0.39). In the fully adjusted model, VAT remained positively associated with BMATL1/L2 (β = 0.53, p = 0.03). Furthermore, BMATL1/L2 was associated with age (β = 5.40 per 10-years, p < 0.001), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; β = 1.55 per 1%, p = 0.04), lipids (β = 0.20 per 10 mg/dL triglycerides; β = 0.40 per 10 mg/dL low-density lipoprotein (LDL); β =−3.21 lipid-lowering medication; all p < 0.05), and less physical activity (β = 3.7 “no or nearly no exercise” as compared to “≥2 h per week, regularly”, p = 0.003); gender was not significantly different (p = 0.57). In the population-based cohort, VAT but not SAT were associated with higher BMATL1/L2 independently of physical activity and other cardiovascular risk factors. Further, BMATL1/L2 increased with older age, less physical activity, higher HbA1c, and increased lipids but decreased with lipid-lowering medication.

Pulmonary Function and Abdominal Adiposity: Associations based on Whole-Body MR Imaging in a Population-based Cohort

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R von Krüchten ◽  
S Rospleszcz ◽  
S Karrasch ◽  
H Schulz ◽  
A Peters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Abdominal Adiposity

scholarly journals Incidental findings in whole-body MR imaging of a population-based cohort study: Frequency, management and psychosocial consequences

2021 ◽  
Vol 134 ◽  
pp. 109451
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Schlett ◽  
Susanne Rospleszcz ◽  
Dorina Korbmacher ◽  
Roberto Lorbeer ◽  
Sigrid Auweter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Incidental Findings ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Psychosocial Consequences ◽  
Frequency Management

A simple treatment planning strategy for patients with multiple metastases treated with Gamma Knife surgery

2006 ◽  
Vol 105 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 2-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
James G. Douglas ◽  
Robert Goodkin
Keyword(s):  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Treatment Planning ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Gamma Knife Surgery ◽  
Planning Method ◽  
Cns Metastases ◽  
Cell Lung Carcinoma ◽  
Dose Volume Histograms ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Brain

ObjectIn a substantial number of patients treated at the authors' facility for brain metastases, additional lesions are identified at the time of Gamma Knife surgery (GKS). These lesions are often widely dispersed and may number over 10, which is the maximal number of matrices that can be currently placed for treatment with Leksell Gamma-Plan 4C. The authors describe a simple planning method for GKS in patients with multiple, widely dispersed central nervous system (CNS) metastases.MethodsTwo patients presented with three to five identified recurrent metastases from non–small cell lung carcinoma and breast carcinoma after having received whole-brain radiotherapy. At the time of treatment with GKS in each patient, spoiled-gradient Gd-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed substantially more metastases than originally thought, which were widely scattered throughout all regions of the brain. The authors simplified the treatment planning approach by dividing the entire CNS contents into six contiguous, nonoverlapping matrices, which allowed for the planning, calculation, and treatment of all lesions.Two patients were successfully treated with GKS for more than 10 CNS metastases by using this simple planning method. Differing peripheral doses to varied-size lesions were delivered by prescribing to different isodose curves within any given matrix when required. Dose–volume histograms showed brain doses as follows: 10% of the total brain volume received 5 to 6.4 Gy; 25% received 3.8 to 4.8 Gy; 50% received 2.7 to 3.1 Gy; and 75% received 2.2 to 2.5 Gy.Conclusions The delineation of more metastases than appreciated on the diagnostic MR imaging is a common occurrence at the time of GKS at the authors' institution. The treatment of multiple (>10), widely dispersed CNS metastases can be simplified by the placement of multiple, contiguous, non-overlapping matrices, which can be employed to treat lesions in all areas of the brain when separate matrices cannot be utilized.

scholarly journals GMP-compliant fully automated radiosynthesis of [18F]FEPPA for PET/MRI imaging of regional brain TSPO expression

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Wei Chang ◽  
Chuang-Hsin Chiu ◽  
Ming-Hsien Lin ◽  
Hung-Ming Wu ◽  
Tsung-Hsun Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Automated Radiosynthesis ◽  
Lps Challenge ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Tspo Expression

Abstract Background Expression of translocator protein (TSPO) on the outer mitochondrial membrane of activated microglia is strongly associated with neuroinflammation. The second-generation PET ligand [18F]FEPPA specifically binds TSPO to enable in vivo visualization and quantification of neuroinflammation. We optimized a fully automated radiosynthesis method and evaluated the utility of [18F]FEPPA, the second-generation PET ligand specifically binds TSPO, in a mouse model of systemic LPS challenge to detect TSPO-associated signals of central and peripheral inflammation. In vivo dynamic PET/MR imaging was performed in LPS-induced and control mice after [18F]FEPPA administration. The relationship between the [18F]FEPPA signal and the dose of LPS was assessed. The cytokine levels (i.e., TNF-α, Il-1β, Il-6) in LPS-induced mice were measured by RT-PCR. Standard uptake value (SUV), total volume of distribution (VT) and area under the curve (AUC) were determined based on the metabolite-uncorrected plasma input function. Western blotting and immunostaining were used to measure TSPO expression in the brain. Results The fully automated [18F]FEPPA radiosynthesis produced an uncorrected radiochemical yield of 30 ± 2% within 80 min, with a radiochemical purity greater than 99% and specific activity of 148.9‒216.8 GBq/µmol. Significant differences were observed in the brain after [18F]FEPPA administration: SUV, VT and AUC were 1.61 ± 0.1, 1.25 ± 0.12 and 1.58 ± 0.09-fold higher in LPS-injected mice than controls. TNF-α, Il-1β and Il-6 mRNA levels were also elevated in the brains of LPS-injected mice. Western blotting revealed TSPO (p < 0.05) and Iba-1 (p < 0.01) were upregulated in the brain after LPS administration. In LPS-injected mice, TSPO immunoactivity colocalized with Iba-1 in the cerebrum and TSPO was significantly overexpressed in the hippocampus and cerebellum. The peripheral organs (heart, lung) of LPS-injected mice had higher [18F]FEPPA signal-to-noise ratios than control mice. Conclusions Based on the current data on ligand specificity and selectivity in central tissues using 7 T PET/MR imaging, we demonstrate that [18F]FEPPA accumulations significant increased in the specific brain regions of systemic LPS-induced neuroinflammation (5 mg/kg). Future investigations are needed to determine the sensitivity of [18F]FEPPA as a biomarker of neuroinflammation as well as the correlation between the PET signal intensity and the expression levels of TSPO.

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