Impact of increasing levels of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction on image quality in oil-based postmortem CT angiography in coronary arteries.

Postmortem multi-detector computed tomography (PMCT) has become an important part in forensic imaging. Modern reconstruction techniques such as iterative reconstruction (IR) are frequently used in postmortem CT angiography (PMCTA). The image quality of PMCTA depends on the strength of IR. For this purpose, we aimed to investigate the impact of different advanced IR levels on the objective and subjective PMCTA image quality. We retrospectively analyzed the coronary arteries of 27 human cadavers undergoing whole-body postmortem CT angiography between July 2017 and March 2018 in a single center. Iterative reconstructions of the coronary arteries were processed in five different level settings (0%; 30%; 50%; 70%; 100%) by using an adaptive statistical IR method. We evaluated the objective (contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)) and subjective image quality in several anatomical locations. Our results demonstrate that the increasing levels of an IR technique have relevant impact on the image quality in PMCTA scans in forensic postmortem examinations. Higher levels of IR have led to a significant reduction of image noise and therefore to a significant improvement of objective image quality (+ 70%). However, subjective image quality is inferior at higher levels of IR due to plasticized image appearance. Objective image quality in PMCTA progressively improves with increasing level of IR with the best CNR at the highest IR level. However, subjective image quality is best at low to medium levels of IR. To obtain a "classic" image appearance with optimal image quality, PMCTAs should be reconstructed at medium levels of IR

Frequency comb transferred by surface plasmon resonance

Frequency combs, millions of narrow-linewidth optical modes referenced to an atomic clock, have shown remarkable potential in time/frequency metrology, atomic/molecular spectroscopy and precision LIDARs. Applications have extended to coherent nonlinear Raman spectroscopy of molecules and quantum metrology for entangled atomic qubits. Frequency combs will create novel possibilities in nano-photonics and plasmonics; however, its interrelation with surface plasmons is unexplored despite the important role that plasmonics plays in nonlinear spectroscopy and quantum optics through the manipulation of light on a sub-wavelength scale. Here, we demonstrate that a frequency comb can be transformed to a plasmonic comb in plasmonic nanostructures and reverted to the original frequency comb without noticeable degradation of <6.51 x 10(-19) in absolute position, 2.92 x 10(-19) in stability and 1Hz in linewidth. The results indicate that the superior performance of a well-defined frequency comb can be applied to nanoplasmonic spectroscopy, quantum metrology and subwavelength photonic circuits.open

The Dissociative Subtype of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Unique Resting-State Functional Connectivity of Basolateral and Centromedial Amygdala Complexes.

Previous studies point towards differential connectivity patterns among basolateral (BLA) and centromedial (CMA) amygdala regions in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as compared to controls. Here, we describe the first study to compare directly connectivity patterns of the BLA and CMA complexes between PTSD patients with and without the dissociative subtype (PTSD+DS and PTSD-DS, respectively). Amygdala connectivity to regulatory prefrontal regions and parietal regions involved in consciousness and proprioception were expected to differ between these two groups based on differential limbic regulation and behavioural symptoms. PTSD patients (n=49), with (n=13) and without (n=36) the dissociative subtype, and age-matched healthy controls (n=40) underwent resting-state fMRI. Bilateral BLA and CMA connectivity patterns were compared using a seed-based approach via SPM Anatomy Toolbox. Among patients with PTSD, the PTSD+DS group exhibited greater amygdala functional connectivity to prefrontal regions involved in emotion regulation (bilateral BLA and left CMA to the middle frontal gyrus and bilateral CMA to the medial frontal gyrus) as compared to the PTSD-DS group. In addition, the PTSD+DS group showed greater amygdala connectivity to regions involved in consciousness, awareness, and proprioception -implicated in depersonalization and derealization (left BLA to superior parietal lobe and cerebellar culmen; left CMA to dorsal posterior cingulate and precuneus). Differences in amygdala complex connectivity to specific brain regions parallel the unique symptom profiles of the PTSD subgroups and point towards unique biological markers of the dissociative subtype of PTSD.Neuropsychopharmacology accepted article preview online, 19 March 2015. doi:10.1038/npp.2015.79

Technik, Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und Ergebnisse

Steuwe C, Driessen M, Beblo T. Traumaorientierte Psychotherapie. Psychotherapeut. 2017;62:143-155

Traumaorientierte Psychotherapie. Technik, Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und Ergebnisse

Steuwe C, Driessen M, Beblo T. Traumaorientierte Psychotherapie. Technik, Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und Ergebnisse. Der Nervenarzt. 2015;86(11):1427-1437.Traumatisierungen können zu Traumafolgestörungen, wie der posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTBS), und damit zu Einschränkungen der Lebensqualität führen. Inzwischen existieren sowohl traumaorientierte Psychotherapien, die der Prävention oder Frühintervention kurz nach dem Erleben eines traumatischen Ereignisses dienen, als auch Verfahren, die der Behandlung einer PTBS dienen. In Deutschland sind kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutische (KVT) und psychodynamische (PD) Traumatherapieverfahren verbreitet. Während die KVT-Programme neben kognitiven Ansätzen eine zeitnahe Exposition gegenüber den Traumaerinnerungen vorsehen, betonen PD-Therapieformen stärker die Stabilisierungsphase vor Beginn der Exposition. Bezüglich der wissenschaftlichen Evidenz lässt sich die Wirksamkeit traumafokussierter KVT-Programme in der Behandlung der PTBS am besten belegen. Sie werden in nationalen und internationalen Leitlinien empfohlen. Die deutsche S3-Leitlinie PTBS befindet sich derzeit in Überarbeitung

Erratum zu: Traumaorientierte Psychotherapie. Technik, Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und Ergebnisse

Steuwe C, Driessen M, Beblo T. Erratum zu: Traumaorientierte Psychotherapie. Technik, Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und Ergebnisse. Psychotherapeut. 2017;62:274-274

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering for label-free biomedical imaging

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) has established itself as an imaging technique capable of providing video-rate imaging of biological specimens through vibrational coherence of endogenous molecules. Current techniques predominantly involve the application of costly, invasive and potentially non-specific dyes or labels for imaging biomolecules. CARS microscopy can however provide a high-resolution and non-invasive alternative for imaging biomolecules of interest without the need for exogenous labels. Here we provide an overview of CARS including the technique and common instrumentation as well as its applications in biomedical imaging. We discuss the major biomedical areas where CARS has been applied such as in evaluating liver disease, progression of atherosclerosis, tumour classification and tracking drug delivery, whilst also assessing the future challenges for clinical translation

Personalized psychotherapy of posttraumatic stress disorder : Overview on the selection of treatment methods and techniques using statistical procedures

Steuwe C, Blaß J, Herpertz SC, Driessen M. Personalisierte Psychotherapie der posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung. Übersicht zur Auswahl von Behandlungsmethoden und -techniken mittels statistischer Verfahren. Nervenarzt, Der . 2023.BACKGROUND: Arelevant heterogeneity of treatment effects in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is discussed with respect to the debate about the necessity of phase-based treatment and in light of the new diagnosis of complex PTSD and has recently been proven; however, there has been little personalization in the treatment of PTSD. This article presents the current state of research on the personalized selection of specific psychotherapeutic methods for the treatment of PTSD based on patient characteristics using statistical methods.; METHODS: Asystematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed (including Medline), Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar, PsycINFO and PSYNDEX databases to identify clinical trials and reviews examining personalized treatment for PTSD.; RESULTS: A total of 13relevant publications were identified, of which 5articles were predictor analyses in samples without control conditions and 7articles showed analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCT) with apost hoc comparison of treatment effects in optimally and nonoptimally assigned patients. In addition, one article was asystematic review on the treatment of patients with comorbid borderline personality order and PTSD.; DISCUSSION: The available manuscripts indicate the importance and benefits of personalized treatment in PTSD. The relevant predictor variables identified for personalization should be used as asuggestion to investigate them in future prospective studies. © 2023. The Author(s).Hintergrund Eine relevante Heterogenität von Behandlungseffekten bei der posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (PTBS) wird vor dem Hintergrund der Debatte um die Notwendigkeit einer phasenbasierten Behandlung sowie in Anbetracht der neuen Diagnose der komplexen PTBS diskutiert und ist inzwischen nachgewiesen. Dennoch gibt es bisher wenig Personalisierung in der Therapie der PTBS. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, den aktuellen Forschungsstand zur personalisierten Auswahl bestimmter Psychotherapiemethoden zur Behandlung der PTBS anhand von Patient:innenmerkmalen durch statistische Verfahren darzustellen. Methodik Es wurde eine systematische Literaturrecherche in den Datenbanken PubMed (inkl. Medline), Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar, PsycINFO und PSYNDEX zu klinischen Studien und Übersichtsarbeiten zu personalisierter Therapie der PTBS durchgeführt. Ergebnisse 13 relevante Publikationen wurden identifiziert, hiervon waren 5 Artikel Prädiktoranalysen in Stichproben ohne Kontrollbedingung. 7 Artikel zeigten Analysen von randomisiert-kontrollierten Studien (RCT) mit einem Post-hoc-Vergleich der Behandlungseffekte optimal und nichtoptimal zugeordneter Patient:innen. Zudem liegt ein Review-Artikel zur Behandlungsauswahl bei PTBS und komorbider BPS vor. Diskussion Die vorliegenden Publikationen deuten auf Bedeutung und Nutzen personalisierter Behandlung bei der PTBS hin. Die für die Personalisierung ermittelten relevanten Prädiktorvariablen sollten als Anregung genutzt werden, diese in prospektiven Studien genauer zu untersuchen