Perspectives on translation of positronium imaging into clinics

The image of positronium properties created in the patient’s body during PET examination tells about the inter- and intra-molecular structure of the tissue and the concentration of bio-active molecules in the tissue [2–4]. In this article, we advocate the opinion that total-body PET systems, thanks to their high imaging sensitivity and high time resolution, open up the prospect of translating positronium imaging into clinics

A thousand words about microparticles in cardiology

Microparticles (MPs) are membrane vesicles of 0.1-1 \mum in diameter produced mainly by platelets, vascular endothelium and blood cells in response to cell activation and stress factors. MPs can be also released during malignant transformation or apoptosis. The essential step in MP formation is the loss of the cell membrane asymmetric phospholipid distribution as response to the increased intracellular calcium levels. MPs contain, proteins and genetic material (DNA, miRNA, mRNA) which enables them to interact and influence target cell. MPs are considered to be markers of ongoing pathophysiological processes in cardiovascular system, due to their role in inflammation and coagulation

Feasibility study of positronium application for blood clots structural characteristics

Positron-electron annihilation in living organisms occurs in about 30% via the formation of a metastable ortho-positronium atom that annihilates into two 511 keV photons in tissues because of the pick-off and conversion processes. Positronium (Ps) annihilation lifetime and intensities can be used to determine the size and quantity of defects in a material's microstructure, such as voids or pores in the range of nanometers. This is particularly true for blood clots. Here we present pilot investigations of positronium properties in fibrin clots. The studies are complemented by the use of SEM Edax and micro-computed tomography (μCT) to evaluate the extracted thrombotic material's properties. μCT is a versatile characterization method offering in situ and in operando possibilities and is a qualitative diagnostic tool. With μCT the presence of pores, cracks, and structural errors can be verified, and hence the 3D inner structure of samples can be investigated