Diagnostic Value of Fully Automated Artificial Intelligence Powered Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring from 18F-FDG PET/CT

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of a fully automated artificial intelligence (AI) powered coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) method on ungated CT in oncologic patients undergoing 18F-FDG PET/CT. METHODS A total of 100 oncologic patients examined between 2007 and 2015 were retrospectively included. All patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT and cardiac SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) by 99mTc-tetrofosmin within 6 months. CACS was manually performed on non-contrast ECG-gated CT scans obtained from SPECT-MPI (i.e., reference standard). Additionally, CACS was performed using a cloud-based, user-independent tool (AI-CACS) on ungated CT scans from 18F-FDG-PET/CT examinations. Agatston scores from the manual CACS and AI-CACS were compared. RESULTS On a per-patient basis, the AI-CACS tool achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 90% for the detection of CAC. Interscore agreement of CACS between manual CACS and AI-CACS was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.827, 0.918). Interclass agreement of risk categories was 0.8 in weighted Kappa analysis, with a reclassification rate of 44% and an underestimation of one risk category by AI-CACS in 39% of cases. On a per-vessel basis, interscore agreement of CAC scores ranged from 0.716 for the circumflex artery to 0.863 for the left anterior descending artery. CONCLUSIONS Fully automated AI-CACS as performed on non-contrast free-breathing, ungated CT scans from 18F-FDG-PET/CT examinations is feasible and provides an acceptable to good estimation of CAC burden. CAC load on ungated CT is, however, generally underestimated by AI-CACS, which should be taken into account when interpreting imaging findings

High-Frequency oscillations in scalp Electroencephalography mirror seizure frequency in pediatric focal epilepsy

High-frequency oscillations (HFO) are promising EEG biomarkers of the epilep-togenic zone (EZ). While evidence mainly derives from invasive recordings, recent studies have used HFO recordings in more accessible scalp EEG. However, HFO in scalp EEG have low signal to noise ratio and may be masked by artifacts. Therefore, even though scalp EEG is easily accessible, scalp HFO are not yet used in clinical practice. In this study, we evaluated whether scalp HFO rates correspond to epilepsy severity and how they are affected by surgical therapy

Caregiving behaviours of narcissists in close relationships: The role of perceived partner valuation

In this study, we investigated the influence of valuation and devaluation on narcissistic caregiving behaviors within romantic relationships. Data from 83 couples were analyzed using moderated actor-partner interdependence models and structural equation modeling. The results revealed significant interaction effects on caregiving patterns, qualified by gender. Male narcissists reported the highest negative caregiving behaviors when perceived partner valuation was low, but these were ameliorated when it was high. Female narcissists reported the lowest positive caregiving when perceived partner devaluation by their partners was high, but reported higher positive and lower neglecting caregiving when the devaluation was low. For non-narcissists, caregiving behaviors were independent of perceived valuation. Our results suggest that narcissists give better support to partners to the degree that their own needs for self-enhancement are met. The gender differences were unexpected and we speculate about potential sources. Future research should investigate the underlying mechanisms of the caregiving system of narcissists

Narcissistic love: The role of perceived valuation and partner’s narcissism

Narcissists favor interpersonal contexts where their need for admiration by others - especially by highly valued others - can be met. The current study examined this preference within romantic relationships. We expected that narcissists who perceive that they are being valued by their partners will reciprocate by showing more love for them. Moreover, because narcissists may see other narcissists as more highly valued - (due to the perceived similarity to self) - we expected this link to be strongest when their partner rates high on narcissism. Data from 83 couples were analyzed using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). Our findings revealed that for individuals high on narcissism self-reported love for their partners increased significantly with rising perceived partner valuation. No corresponding effects emerged for other partner combinations. Hence, the results suggest that partner valuation plays a crucial role in romantic relationships of grandiose narcissists, especially when paired with another narcissist of the kind

Female Choice, Female Reluctance to Mate and Sexual Selection on Body Size in the Dung Fly Sepsis cynipsea

We investigated the mechanisms of sexual selection in the common dung fly Sepsis cynipsea and how these affect selection on body size at the population level. Because of the presumed costs associated with mating, we predicted that there would be a decrease in the general reluctance of females to mate with any particular male at higher male densities at the mating site, a fresh cow pat, resulting in indirect female choice and a decrease in the strength of sexual selection. In contrast, classical direct female choice and male‐male competition should result in increased selection intensities because more opportunities for choice and competition exist at higher densities. Female reluctance to mate and female assessment of males are expressed in prominent female behaviour to repel mates in several insect species, including S. cynipsea. Laboratory pair‐wise choice experiments showed that large males were more likely to obtain copulations, which also ensued more promptly, suggesting female assessment of male quality (direct female choice). There was a basic influence of male activity but little further effect of male scramble competition on the outcome of mating. Another laboratory experiment showed a decrease in female shaking duration per male, associated with an asymptote in the shaking duration per female, as male density and harassment increased, but did not show the increase in mating frequency predicted by the female reluctance hypothesis. A study estimating sexual selection differentials in the field showed that directional selection for larger males was present overall and was negatively related to seasonally mediated variation in male density. Our study suggests that direct female choice in combination with indirect female choice (due to an interaction of female reluctance to mate and male persistence) is most consistent with the behavioural and selection patterns observed in S. cynipsea, but male effects cannot be definitively excluded

Diagnostic Value of Fully Automated Artificial Intelligence Powered Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring from 18F-FDG PET/CT

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and accuracy of a fully automated artificial intelligence (AI) powered coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) method on ungated CT in oncologic patients undergoing 18F-FDG PET/CT. Methods: A total of 100 oncologic patients examined between 2007 and 2015 were retrospectively included. All patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT and cardiac SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) by 99mTc-tetrofosmin within 6 months. CACS was manually performed on non-contrast ECG-gated CT scans obtained from SPECT-MPI (i.e., reference standard). Additionally, CACS was performed using a cloud-based, user-independent tool (AI-CACS) on ungated CT scans from 18F-FDG-PET/CT examinations. Agatston scores from the manual CACS and AI-CACS were compared. Results: On a per-patient basis, the AI-CACS tool achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 90% for the detection of CAC. Interscore agreement of CACS between manual CACS and AI-CACS was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.827, 0.918). Interclass agreement of risk categories was 0.8 in weighted Kappa analysis, with a reclassification rate of 44% and an underestimation of one risk category by AI-CACS in 39% of cases. On a per-vessel basis, interscore agreement of CAC scores ranged from 0.716 for the circumflex artery to 0.863 for the left anterior descending artery. Conclusions: Fully automated AI-CACS as performed on non-contrast free-breathing, ungated CT scans from 18F-FDG-PET/CT examinations is feasible and provides an acceptable to good estimation of CAC burden. CAC load on ungated CT is, however, generally underestimated by AI-CACS, which should be taken into account when interpreting imaging findings