5,963 research outputs found
Sub-millimeter nuclear medical imaging with high sensitivity in positron emission tomography using beta-gamma coincidences
We present a nuclear medical imaging technique, employing triple-gamma
trajectory intersections from beta^+ - gamma coincidences, able to reach
sub-millimeter spatial resolution in 3 dimensions with a reduced requirement of
reconstructed intersections per voxel compared to a conventional PET
reconstruction analysis. This '-PET' technique draws on specific beta^+
- decaying isotopes, simultaneously emitting an additional photon. Exploiting
the triple coincidence between the positron annihilation and the third photon,
it is possible to separate the reconstructed 'true' events from background. In
order to characterize this technique, Monte-Carlo simulations and image
reconstructions have been performed. The achievable spatial resolution has been
found to reach ca. 0.4 mm (FWHM) in each direction for the visualization of a
22Na point source. Only 40 intersections are sufficient for a reliable
sub-millimeter image reconstruction of a point source embedded in a scattering
volume of water inside a voxel volume of about 1 mm^3 ('high-resolution mode').
Moreover, starting with an injected activity of 400 MBq for ^76Br, the same
number of only about 40 reconstructed intersections are needed in case of a
larger voxel volume of 2 x 2 x 3~mm^3 ('high-sensitivity mode'). Requiring such
a low number of reconstructed events significantly reduces the required
acquisition time for image reconstruction (in the above case to about 140 s)
and thus may open up the perspective for a quasi real-time imaging.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figutes, 3 table
A detector of small harmonic displacements based on two coupled microwave cavities
The design and test of a detector of small harmonic displacements is
presented. The detector is based on the principle of the parametric conversion
of power between the resonant modes of two superconducting coupled microwave
cavities. The work is based on the original ideas of Bernard, Pegoraro, Picasso
and Radicati, who, in 1978, suggested that superconducting coupled cavities
could be used as sensitive detectors of gravitational waves, and on the work of
Reece, Reiner and Melissinos, who, {in 1984}, built a detector of this kind.
They showed that an harmonic modulation of the cavity length l produced an
energy transfer between two modes of the cavity, provided that the frequency of
the modulation was equal to the frequency difference of the two modes. They
achieved a sensitivity to fractional deformations of dl/l~10^{-17} Hz^{-1/2}.
We repeated the Reece, Reiner and Melissinos experiment, and with an improved
experimental configuration and better cavity quality, increased the sensitivity
to dl/l~10^{-20} Hz^{-1/2}. In this paper the basic principles of the device
are discussed and the experimental technique is explained in detail. Possible
future developments, aiming at gravitational waves detection, are also
outlined.Comment: 28 pages, 12 eps figures, ReVteX. \tightenlines command added to
reduce number of pages. The following article has been accepted by Review of
Scientific Instruments. After it is published, it will be found at
http://link.aip.org/link/?rs
2000 CKM-Triangle Analysis A Critical Review with Updated Experimental Inputs and Theoretical Parameters
Within the Standard Model, a review of the current determination of the sides
and angles of the CKM unitarity triangle is presented, using experimental
constraints from the measurements of |\epsilon_K|, |V_{ub}/V_{cb}|, \Delta m_d
and from the limit on \Delta m_s, available in September 2000. Results from the
experimental search for {B}^0_s-\bar{B}^0_s oscillations are introduced in the
present analysis using the likelihood. Special attention is devoted to the
determination of the theoretical uncertainties. The purpose of the analysis is
to infer regions where the parameters of interest lie with given probabilities.
The BaBar "95 %, C.L. scanning" method is also commented.Comment: 44 pages (revised version
Stem Cell Therapy in Ocular Pathologies in the Past 20 Years
Stem cell therapies are successfully used in various fields of medicine. This new approach of research is also expanding in ophthalmology. Huge investments, resources and important clinical trials have been performed in stem cell research and in potential therapies. In recent years, great strides have been made in genetic research, which permitted and enhanced the differentiation of stem cells. Moreover, the possibility of exploiting stem cells from other districts (such as adipose, dental pulp, bone marrow stem cells, etc.) for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases, renders this topic fascinating. Furthermore, great strides have been made in biomedical engineering, which have proposed new materials and threedimensional structures useful for cell therapy of the eye. The encouraging results obtained on clinical trials conducted on animals have given a significant boost in the creation of study protocols also in humans. Results are limited to date, but clinical trials continue to evolve. Our attention is centered on the literature reported over the past 20 years, considering animal (the most represented in literature) and human clinical trials, which are limiting. The aim of our review is to present a brief overview of the main types of treatments based on stem cells in the field of ophthalmic pathologies
From Sub-Pectoral to Pre-Pectoral Implant Reconstruction: A Decisional Algorithm to Optimise Outcomes of Breast Replacement Surgery
Background: Innovations and advancements with implant-based breast reconstruction, such as the use of ADMs, fat grafting, NSMs, and better implants, have enabled surgeons to now place breast implants in the pre-pectoral space rather than under the pectoralis major muscle. Breast implant replacement surgery in post-mastectomy patients, with pocket conversion from retro-pectoral to pre-pectoral, is becoming increasingly common, in order to solve the drawbacks of retro-pectoral implant positioning (animation deformity, chronic pain, and poor implant positioning). Materials and Methods: A multicentric retrospective study was conducted, considering all patients previously submitted to implant-based post-mastectomy breast reconstruction who underwent a breast implant replacement with pocket conversion procedure at the University Hospital of Udine—Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department—and “Centro di Riferimento Oncologico” (C.R.O.) of Aviano, from January 2020 to September 2021. Patients were candidates for a breast implant replacement with pocket conversion procedure if they met the following inclusion criteria: they underwent a previous implant-based post-mastectomy breast reconstruction and developed animation deformity, chronic pain, severe capsular contracture, or implant malposition. Patient data included age, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, smoking status, pre- or post-mastectomy radiotherapy (RT), tumour classification, type of mastectomy, previous or ancillary procedures (lipofilling), type and volume of implant used, type of ADM, and post-operative complications (breast infection, implant exposure and malposition, haematoma, or seroma). Results: A total of 31 breasts (30 patients) were included in this analysis. Just three months after surgery, we recorded 100% resolution of the problems for which pocket conversion was indicated, which was confirmed at 6, 9, and 12 months post-operative. We also developed an algorithm describing the correct steps for successful breast-implant pocket conversion. Conclusion: Our results, although only early experience, are very encouraging. We realized that, besides gentle surgical handling, one of the most important factors in proper pocket conversion selection is an accurate pre-operative and intra-operative clinical evaluation of the tissue thickness in all breast quadrants
How and when of eyelid reconstruction using autologous transplantation
Reconstructive surgery of the eyelid after tumor excision, trauma or other causes can be challenging, especially due to the complexities of the anatomic structures and to the necessity of both functional and aesthetic successful outcomes. The aim of this minireview was to investigate the use of tissue transplantation in eyelid reconstruction. Surgical procedures are various, based on the use of both flaps, pedicled or free, and grafts, in order to guarantee adequate tissue reconstruction and blood supply, which are necessary for correct healing. Common techniques normally include the use of local tissues, combining non-vascularized grafts with a vascularized flap for the two lamellae repair, to attempt a reconstruction similar to the original anatomy. When defects are too wide, vast, deep, and complex or when no adjacent healthy tissues are available, distant area tissues need to be recruited as free flaps or grafts and paired with mucosal layer reconstruction. With regards to the anterior lamella, full thickness skin grafts are commonly preferred. With regards to the reconstruction of posterior lamella, there are different graft options, which include conjunctival or tarsoconjunctival, mucosal or palatal or cartilaginous grafts usually combined with local flaps. Free flap transplantation, normally reserved for rare select cases, include the use of the radial forearm and anterolateral flaps combined with mucosal grafts, which are surgical options currently reported in the literature
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