Ejection fraction and mortality: A nationwide register-based cohort study of 499 153 women and men

Aims: We investigated the sex-based risk of mortality across the spectrum of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in a large cohort of patients in Australia. Methods and results: Quantified levels of LVEF from 237 046 women (48.1%) and 256 109 men undergoing first-time, routine echocardiography (2000–2019) were linked to 119 232 deaths (median 5.6 years of follow-up). Overall, 17.6% of men vs. 8.3% of women had an LVEF P\u3c 0.001] in women and 1.21 (95% CI 1.05–1.39; P = 0.008) in men. In women, an LVEF of 60.0–64.9% was also associated with a HR 1.33 (95% CI 1.16–1.52; P\u3c 0.001) for cardiovascular-related mortality. These associations were most striking in women and men aged Conclusions: Among patients investigated for suspected or established cardiovascular disease, we found clinically relevant sex-based differences in the distribution and mortality associated with an LVE

The Spitzer c2d Survey of Weak-Line T Tauri Stars. III. The Transition from Primordial Disks to Debris Disks

We present 3.6 to 70 {\mu}m Spitzer photometry of 154 weak-line T Tauri stars (WTTS) in the Chamaeleon, Lupus, Ophiuchus and Taurus star formation regions, all of which are within 200 pc of the Sun. For a comparative study, we also include 33 classical T Tauri stars (CTTS) which are located in the same star forming regions. Spitzer sensitivities allow us to robustly detect the photosphere in the IRAC bands (3.6 to 8 {\mu}m) and the 24 {\mu}m MIPS band. In the 70 {\mu}m MIPS band, we are able to detect dust emission brighter than roughly 40 times the photosphere. These observations represent the most sensitive WTTS survey in the mid to far infrared to date, and reveal the frequency of outer disks (r = 3-50 AU) around WTTS. The 70 {\mu}m photometry for half the c2d WTTS sample (the on-cloud objects), which were not included in the earlier papers in this series, Padgett et al. (2006) and Cieza et al. (2007), are presented here for the first time. We find a disk frequency of 19% for on-cloud WTTS, but just 5% for off- cloud WTTS, similar to the value reported in the earlier works. WTTS exhibit spectral energy distributions (SEDs) that are quite diverse, spanning the range from optically thick to optically thin disks. Most disks become more tenuous than Ldisk/L* = 2 x 10^-3 in 2 Myr, and more tenuous than Ldisk/L* = 5 x 10^-4 in 4 Myr.Comment: 40 pages, 13 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in ApJ on September 20, 201

45Ti - Titanium: from cyclotron production to potential applications evaluation

Introduction: Thousands of radioisotopes are known and virtually all may be artificially produced, however clinical applications of PET imaging are mainly based on 18F, 11C, 13N and 68Ga. This trend could change in the near future, since several groups worldwide are busy developing very promising new entities aiming to contribute for spreading the use and efficacy of clinical diagnostic using Nuclear Medicine imaging techniques. Our group is developing 45Ti-Titanium, assuming it as a potential candidate, since presenting interesting properties: physical half-life of 3.09h, together with relevant chemical properties, that enable radiolabelling with bifunctional chelates, ligands or could even be useful for studies concerning the distribution of new titanium-based chemotherapy drugs or titanium oxide nanoparticles. Considering that data characterizing excitation functions is necessary for radionuclide optimal production, this work aims to disseminate results regarding the determination of excitation function of 45Sc(p,n)45Ti reaction, studied as a potential route to produce 45Ti in low energy cyclotrons

Subduction factory: 4. Depth‐dependent flux of H 2 O from subducting slabs worldwide

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95328/1/jgrb16727.pd

Publication productivity in nuclear medicine

Publications form the knowledge base of any profession. Patterns in professional publications provide insight into the profession's maturity and global status. To our knowledge, publication productivity in nuclear medicine technology has not been reported. A recent study on publication productivity in radiography and radiation therapy provided interesting insight; however, a sampling bias resulted in study flaws. Methods: The most productive medical radiation technologists were determined by collecting data from 7 key, international peer-reviewed journals for the medical radiation sciences over a 5-y period. A full list of the technologists' publications, for the 5-y period, was obtained using a PubMed and ResearchGate search, and the authors were analyzed. Results: In total, 165 medical radiation technologists were identified who had published 3 or more articles between 2009 and 2013. Of these authors, 55.2% (91/165) were radiographers, 35.2% (58/165) were radiation therapists, and 9.6% (16/165) were nuclear medicine technologists. Overall, the majority of the most prolific authors were academics (104/165; 63.0%). After we applied a correction factor (the productivity per member of the registered workforce), radiography had the fewest authors publishing, compared with the relative workflow sizes. Conclusion: Nuclear medicine technologists demonstrated a high degree of productivity both absolutely and relatively. Consequently, nuclear medicine technologists have a productive research culture and command a large footprint within and outside the key medical radiation science journals.7 page(s

Publication productivity in the medical radiation sciences

Introduction: The evidence-based foundation of the health professions is dependent on research and its dissemination through peer-reviewed journals. The growth of a health profession is dependent on the sharing of knowledge. Various metrics have been used to measure the quality of journals, articles, and authors. These metrics, however, have many flaws. Publication productivity and patterns provide better insights that can guide professional and journal strategy. Methodology: Bibliometric data were collected from seven key peer-reviewed, international journals for the medical radiation sciences. These key journals were examined over the period 2009-2013 inclusive (5 years). Medical radiation technologists (MRTs) who had published two or more articles in the seven journals during the study period were further investigated through PubMed and ResearchGate to produce a list of publications (excluding those already identified in the seven primary journals) from the 5-year period. Further analysis was performed on the most prolific authors. Results: A total of 969 articles were published in the seven key peer-review journals that met the inclusion criteria. The 969 articles were written by a total of 2,083 different authors. Overall, 80.5% (1,676 of 2,083) of all authors only published once within the seven journals and 110 of these authors were the sole author of their article. A total of 165 MRTs were identified who had published three or more articles. Conclusion: MRTs contribute significantly to the knowledge base of both the medical radiation science professions and the wider health community through active research.9 page(s

Increased gastric activity on myocardial perfusion imaging

We anecdotally observed an increased accumulation of ⁹⁹m Tc-tetrofosmin in the stomach of myocardial perfusion patients when their uptake phase coincided with preparation of hamburgers in an adjacent room for gastric emptying studies on other patients. The potential for a scent-stimulated alteration of gastric biodistribution required further investigation. Methods: An experimental group and a control group were enrolled (20 patients per group). The experimental group could smell food being prepared during the uptake phase. Stomach, heart, and background regions were drawn in multiple projections, and the resulting data were evaluated. Results: The experimental and control groups did not significantly differ in stomach counts per pixel, background-corrected counts per pixel, or heart-to-stomach ratio. Further analysis of the data revealed that women had a significantly higher increase in stomach counts (P = 0.022) and background-corrected stomach counts (P = 0.018) than men. Conclusion: Women had a greater increase in gastric ⁹⁹m Tc-tetrofosmin activity than men during the radiopharmaceutical uptake phase, but there was no causal relationship between an increase in activity and olfactory stimulation from the cooking of food.4 page(s

A systematic literature review of ultrasonography for morphology and characterization of vulnerable carotid artery plaques

Background and Purpose. - Although ultrasound (US) evaluation of the carotid artery for stenosis is the accepted method for identifying risk factors for cerebrovascular (CV) events, patients with specific plaque morphology may be at increased risk. Plaque characterization via US is a potentially useful adjunct to stenotic grading for identifying vulnerable carotid disease. The aim of this study was to systematically review published clinical trials via the use of US to identify vulnerable plaques among both symptomatic and asymptomatic plaques. Methods. - We used a systematic search using Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane library databases to find relevant studies published between 2001 and 2011. We reviewed randomized, controlled human clinical trials that validated the applicability, diagnostic accuracy, and diagnostic impact of US carotid plaque characterization. For studies reporting qualitative findings, we abstracted information about the study design and technique and the quality of the methodology and analyzed the data using a modified Jadad scale. Results. - In this review, we identified 12 studies related to the evaluation of carotid plaque using US. The studies used a wide range of methodologies to quantify and image the plaque morphology. Published literature on this subject is lacking; however, this deficit may be because current studies are ongoing. Specific plaque characteristics identified as vulnerable included particular echo texture, the presence of echolucency and/or ulceration, surface alterations, and volume assessment using 3-dimensional US (3D US). In a minority of studies investigators used histopathology as the reference standard, and in most they used subsequent clinical observations. All studies demonstrated that US has good accuracy and specificity in identifying possible imaging characteristics related to vulnerable plaques. Conclusion. - The collected evidence shows that US is effectively able to detect specific carotid plaque characteristics related to high-risk plaques vulnerable for CV events. We anticipate that additional well-designed prospective studies will provide more definitive evidence and distinguish specific distinctive findings that may serve as indicators of vulnerable plaques. Our findings must be extended to demonstrate the accuracy and validity in everyday clinical imaging findings.8 page(s