High Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Influences the Gut-brain Axis in Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term that incorporates a range of neurodevelopmental disorders which affect behaviour, emotion, and communication. In recent years, the effects of dietary habits in individuals with ASD have been mentioned and a distinct correlation has been observed between ASD and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. We used the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) to evaluate whether we can observe differences in behaviour by administering High Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (HP EVOO) in combination with a special diet to reduce inflammation and consequently improve behaviour. We hypothesise that ASD symptoms will soothe at a proportional rate relative to their severity. Individuals that followed the protocol showed a decrease in severity of their symptoms. Regarding data analysis, we calculated the p-values to evaluate the significance of our results. Our objective is to establish the beneficial influence that HP EVOO has on the gut-brain axis by soothing ASD symptoms

Human-centered 2D/3D Video Content Analysis and Description

In this paper, we propose a way of using the AudioVisual Description Profile (AVDP) of the MPEG-7 standard for stereo video and multichannel audio content description. Our aim is to provide means of using AVDP in such a way, that 3D video and audio content can be correctly and consistently described. Since AVDP semantics do not include ways for dealing with 3D audiovisual content, a new semantic framework within AVDP is proposed and examples of using AVDP to describe the results of analysis algorithms on stereo video and multichannel audio content are presented

The Role of Nuclear Medicine in Imaging and Therapy of Neuroendocrine Tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET’s) constitute a heterogeneous group of tumors characterized by the simultaneous expression of specific marker proteins and cell type-specific hormonal products. Metaiodobenzyluanidine (MIBG), labelled with 131I or 123I, and 111In-pentetreotide (Octreoscan) are the radiopharmaceuticals of choice in the current clinical practice. Positron emitting radiopharmaceuticals that are used in PET imaging are 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), 18F-fluorodopamine (18F-DOPA), 11C-hydroxy-tryptophan (11C-HTP), and Gallium-68 (68Ga-DOTATATE or DOTATOC).  In diagnosis of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPs) Octreoscan is the preferred imaging method because of its high sensitivity. 131Ι/123Ι-MIBG scintigraphy is useful to characterize and locate intra-adrenal (pheochromocytomas) and extra-adrenal paragangliomas. Octreoscan has also high accuracy for extra-adrenal paragangliomas. 18F-FDG-PET or PET/CT seems to be useful in detecting the pheochromocytomas and GEPs that fail to concentrate MIBG and Octreocan. 123I-MIBG scintigraphy combined with urine analysis of catecholamine metabolites is the most sensitive indicator of neuroblastoma. In diagnosis of small cell lung cancer and pituitary adenomas Octreoscan has a high sensitivity. On the contrary, in medullary thyroid cancer the sensitivity of Octreoscan and 131Ι/123Ι-MIBG is low but sensitivity of 18F-FDG PET or PET/CT and 68Ga-DOTATATE and DOTATOC PET or PET/CT seems to be higher.  With the introduction of 131I-MIBG and octreotide labelled with several radioisotopes, the field of treatment with radionuclides has been extended to a wide range of NETs. 111In-DTPA-Octreotide firstly was used in some clinical trials but recent advances in somatostatin analogues have paved the way to the development of octreotate, which can be labelled with both 177Lu and 90Y radionuclides