Measurement of the correlation coefficients between extracted features from CT-scan and MRI images

Background and aims: Nowadays applying computer in image processing is rapidly increasing to resolve shortcomings of medical images. Image features modify its image contained image information. The aim of the present study was to find correlation between CT-scan and MRI images' features. Methods: In this descriptive study, it was used 1458 CT and MRI images of 6 patients (3 females and 3 males) referred to Golestan Hospital in Ahwaz, Iran. After collecting image, pre-processing and feature extract were performed. Then, the images' features were analyzed and correlation coefficients were calculated using Pearson correlation. Results: There was significant relation between most of the extracted features of the CT-scan and the MR (T1-weighted) images (P<0.05). The correlation coefficient between CT-scan images and MR (T1-weighted) images was higher than those of CT-scan images and MRI (T2-weighted). Furthermore, the correlation coefficient between CT-scan images and MRI (T1-weighted) images was higher than those between MR (T1-weighted) and MR (T2-weighted) features' images. Maximum value of the correlation coefficient (0.93) was related to the texture features and its minimum (0.004) was related to the morphological features. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that there is a significant relationship between extracted features of CT-scan and MRI images, which leads to use a similar algorithm for classification and segmentation studies

Generating Synthetic Computed Tomography and Synthetic Magnetic Resonance (sMR: sT1w/sT2w) Images of the Brain Using Atlas-Based Method

Introduction: Nowadays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with computed-tomography (CT) is increasingly being used in radiation therapy planning. MR and CT images are applied to determine the target volume and calculate dose distribution, respectively. Since the use of these two imaging modalities causes registration uncertainty and increases department workload and costs, in this study, brain synthetic CT (sCT) and synthetic MR (sMR: sT1w/sT2w) images were generated using Atlas-based method; consequently, just one type of image (CT or MR) is taken from the patient. Material and Methods: The dataset included MR and CT paired images from 10 brain radiotherapy (RT) patients. To generate sCT/sMR images, first each MR/CT Atlas was registered to the MR/CT target image, the resulting transformation was applied to the corresponding CT/MR Atlas, which created the set of deformed images. Then, the deformed images were fused to generate a single sCT/sMR image, and finally, the sCT/sMR images were compared to the real CT/MR images using the mean absolute error (MAE). Results: The results showed that the MAE of sMR (sT1w/sT2w) was less than that of sCT images. Moreover, sCT images based on T1w were in better agreement with real CT than sCT-based T2w. In addition, sT1w images represented a lower MAE relative to sT2w. Conclusion: The CT target image was more successful in transferring the geometry of the brain tissues to the synthetic image than MR target

Ultrasound responsive Gd-DOTA/doxorubicin-loaded nanodroplet as a theranostic agent for magnetic resonance image-guided controlled release drug delivery of melanoma cancer

Theranostic agents use simultaneous for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In the present study, the effect of Gd-DOTA/doxorubicin-loaded perfluorohexane nanodroplets as a theranostic nanoparticle for control released drug delivery and ultrasound/MR imaging was investigated on B16F10 melanoma cancer cells. The intracellular uptake was performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) that indicated sonicated Gd-DOTA/DOX@PFH NDs uptake by cancer cells was approximately 1.5 times more than the nonsonicated nanodroplets after 12 h. In vitro and in vivo toxicity assays revealed that synthesized NDs are biocompatible and do not have organ toxicity. Ultrasound exposure significantly enhanced the release of doxorubicin from NDs (P-value < 0.05). Ultrasound echogenicity and T1-MRI relaxometry indicated that synthesized NDs have strong ultrasound signal intensity and high r1 relaxivity (6.34 mM(-1) S-1). The concentration of DOX in mice vital organs for Gd-DOTA/DOX NDs was significantly lower than that of free DOX. Doxorubicin concentration after 150 min in the tumor region for the DOX-loaded Gd-NDs+US group reached 14.8 mu g/g followed by sonication, which was 2.3 fold higher than that of the non-sonicated group. According to the obtained results, the synthesized nanodroplets, with excellent diagnostic (ultrasound/MRI) and therapeutic properties, could be promising theranostic agents in cancer imaging and drug delivery for chemotherapeutic application

The Comparative Evaluation of Hospitalized Elderly Patients with COVID-19 from the Onset of the Disease to Recovery and Death in Iran

Background & Objectives: Numerous studies have shown that the risk of death is higher in elderly patients with COVID-19. In Iran, due to the growth of the elderly population and the prevalence of underlying diseases, it is necessary to pay attention to this age group of patients. In this study, clinical, radiological, PCR, and laboratory data of elderly patients with COVID-19 were collected and analyzed in two groups of recovered and dead patients. Materials & Methods: This is a retrospective study of 196 consecutive elderly patients with COVID-19 hospitalized from March 21, 2020, to April 3, 2020, and their follow-up until April 23, 2021. Clinical characteristics, laboratory results, PCR, chest CT scans and Hounsfield Unit data were collected and analyzed in two groups of recovered and dead patients. Obtained Data were analyzed using SPSSv22.0 and MATLAB-R2017 software. Results: The results showed that there were no specific symptoms to distinguish the death group from the recovery group. Significant differences were observed between the two groups for red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, MCHC and MCV levels, bilirubin, aminotransferase levels, CRP, white blood cells, serum BNU, creatinine and PT coagulation index. The concentrations of VBG (HCO3) and VBG (PCO2) in the deceased patients suggest compensated respiratory alkalosis. CT sensitivity is 100% for patients in advanced and severe stages of the disease. Conclusion: The patients in the death group had more underlying diseases than the recovered group. COVID-19 patients are more likely to die when they have both diabetes and cardiovascular disease

The Effect of Folic Acid-Targeted Nanocarriers in Ultrasound Imaging-guided Sonodynamic Therapy of Human Cervical Carcinoma (HeLa): in vitro Study

Introduction: Theranostic nanocarriers can be used simultaneously for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this study, the effect of dotarem-and doxorubicin-loaded nanodroplet as a theranostic agent for ultrasound-guided and-controlled release drug delivery on HeLa cervical cancer cells was investigated. Materials and Methods: Folic acid-targeted nanodroplets consisting of dotarm (Gd-DOTA) and doxorubicin (DOX) with alginate shells were synthesized and characterized. In this study, HeLa and L929 cell lines were used as cancer and normal cells, respectively. Intracellular uptake of nanocarriers was evaluated using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Doxorubicin release in response to ultrasound exposure and its effect on cancer treatment were investigated. Ultrasound imaging was performed to assess the ultrasound signal enhancement by nanodroplets. Results: The characterization results confirmed the successful synthesis of nanodroplets with desirable physicochemical properties. Cytotoxicity test showed that the synthesized nanodroplets had high biocompatibility for normal cells and induced more death in cancer cells (75.3 vs 62.1). This effect was enhanced under ultrasound exposure (51). The ICP-OES test showed that the uptake of Gd/DOX-loaded nanodroplets for sonicated cancer cells was approximately 1.5 times higher than that for non-sonicated cells after 12 h. The results showed that the ultrasound exposure significantly increased the doxorubicin release from nanodroplets (77.5 vs 2.1). Also, ultrasound imaging showed that perfluorohexane nanodroplets could enhance ultrasound signal intensity. Conclusion: According to the results, doxorubicin-and dotarem-loaded nanodroplets with proper diagnostic and therapeutic properties can be promising theranostic agents in ultrasound-guided and controlled drug delivery for sonodynamic therapy of cancer