Practical aspects of a data-driven motion correction approach for brain SPECT

Patient motion can cause image artifacts in single photon emission computed tomography despite restraining measures. Data-driven detection and correction of motion can be achieved by comparison of acquired data with the forward projections. This enables the brain locations to be estimated and data to be correctly incorporated in a three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction algorithm. Digital and physical phantom experiments were performed to explore practical aspects of this approach. Noisy simulation data modeling multiple 3-D patient head movements were constructed by projecting the digital Hoffman brain phantom at various orientations. Hoffman physical phantom data incorporating deliberate movements were also gathered. Motion correction was applied to these data using various regimes to determine the importance of attenuation and successive iterations. Studies were assessed visually for artifact reduction, and analyzed quantitatively via a mean registration error (MRE) and mean square difference measure (MSD). Artifacts and distortion in the motion corrupted data were reduced to a large extent by application of this algorithm. MRE values were mostly well within 1 pixel (4.4 mm) for the simulated data. Significant MSD improvements (>2) were common. Inclusion of attenuation was unnecessary to accurately estimate motion, doubling the efficiency and simplifying implementation. Moreover, most motion-related errors were removed using a single iteration. The improvement for the physical phantom data was smaller, though this may be due to object symmetry. In conclusion, these results provide the basis of an implementation protocol for clinical validation of the technique

The relationship between particle morphology and rheological properties in injectable nano-hydroxyapatite bone graft substitutes

Biomaterials composed of hydroxyapatite (HA) are currently used for the treatment of bone defects resulting from trauma or surgery. However, hydroxyapatite supplied in the form of a paste is considered a very convenient medical device compared to the materials where HA powder and liquid need to be mixed immediately prior to the bone treatment during surgery. In this study we have tested a series of hydroxyapatite (HA) pastes with varying microstructure and different rheological behaviour to evaluate their injectability and biocompatibility. The particle morphology and chemical composition were evaluated using HRTEM, XRD and FTIR. Two paste-types were compared, with the HA particles of both types being rod shaped with a range of sizes between 20 and 80 nm while differing in the particle aspect ratio and the degree of roundness or sharpness. The pastes were composed of pure HA phase with low crystallinity. The rheological properties were evaluated and it was determined that the pastes behaved as shear-thinning, non-Newtonian liquids. The difference in viscosity and yield stress between the two pastes was investigated. Surprisingly, mixing of these pastes at different ratios did not alter viscosity in a linear manner, providing an opportunity to produce a specific viscosity by mixing the two materials with different characteristics. Biocompatibility studies suggested that there was no difference in vitro cell response to either paste for primary osteoblasts, bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells, osteoblast-like cells, and fibroblast-like cells. This class of nanostructured biomaterial has significant potential for use as an injectable bone graft substitute where the properties may be tailored for different clinical indications

Multifunctional bioactive glass and glass-ceramic biomaterials with antibacterial properties for repair and regeneration of bone tissue

Bioactive glasses (BGs) and related glass-ceramic biomaterials have been used in bone tissue repair for over 30years. Previous work in this field was comprehensively reviewed including by their inventor Larry Hench, and the key features and properties of BGs are well understood. More recently, attention has focused on their modification to further enhance the osteogenic behaviour, or further compositional changes that may introduce additional properties, such as antimicrobial activity. Evidence is emerging that BGs and related glass-ceramics may be modified in such a way as to simultaneously introduce more than one desirable property. The aim of this review is therefore to consider the evidence that these more recent inorganic modifications to glass and glass-ceramic biomaterials are effective, and whether or not these new compositions represent sufficiently versatile systems to underpin the development of a new generation of truly multifunctional biomaterials to address pressing clinical needs in orthopaedic and dental surgery. Indeed, a number of classical glass compositions exhibited antimicrobial activity, however the structural design and the addition of specific ions, i.e. Ag(+), Cu(+), and Sr(2+), are able to impart a multifunctional character to these systems, through the combination of, for example, bioactivity with bactericidal activity. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this review we demonstrate the multifunctional potential of bioactive glasses and related glass-ceramics as biomaterials for orthopaedic and craniofacial/dental applications. Therefore, it considers the evidence that the more recent inorganic modifications to glass and glass-ceramic biomaterials are able to impart antimicrobial properties alongside the more classical bone bonding and osteoconduction. These properties are attracting a special attention nowadays that bacterial infections are an increasing challenge in orthopaedics. We also focus the manuscript on the versatility of these systems as a basis to underpin the development of a new generation of truly multifunctional biomaterials to address pressing clinical needs in orthopaedic, craniofacial and dental surgery

Substituted Borosilicate Glasses with Improved Osteogenic Capacity for Bone Tissue Engineering

Borosilicate bioactive glasses (BBGs) have shown capacity to improve the new bone formation when compared to silicate bioactive glasses. Herein, we assessed the capacity of BBGs to induce the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), as a function of their substituted divalent cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+). To this purpose, we synthesized BBG particles by melt quench. The cell viability, proliferation and morphology, (i.e. PrestoBlue®, PicroGreen®, and DAPI and Phalloidin stainings, respectively) as well as protein expression (of ALP, osteopontin and osteocalcin) of BM-MSCs in contact with the BBGs were evaluated for 21 days. We observed an enhanced expression of bone-specific proteins (ALP, OP and OC) and high mineralization of BM-MSCs under BBG-Mg and BBG–Sr conditioned osteogenic media for concentrations of 20 and 50 mg/ml with low cytotoxic effects. Moreover, BBG-Sr at a concentration of 50 mg/ml was able to increase the mineralization and expression of bone-specific proteins even under basal media conditions. These results indicated that the proposed BBGs improved the osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs. Therefore, showing their potential as relevant biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration, not only by bonding to bone tissue, but also by stimulating new bone formation

Reinforcement of poly-l-lactic acid electrospun membranes with strontium borosilicate bioactive glasses for bone tissue engineering

Herein, for the first time, we combined poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) with a strontium borosilicate bioactive glass (BBG-Sr) using electrospinning to fabricate a composite bioactive PLLA membrane loaded with 10% (w/w) of BBG-Sr glass particles (PLLA-BBG-Sr). The composites were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microcomputer tomography (μ-CT), and the results showed that we successfully fabricated smooth and uniform fibres (1-3μm in width) with a homogeneous distribution of BBG-Sr microparticles (<45μm). Degradation studies (in phosphate buffered saline) demonstrated that the incorporation of BBG-Sr glass particles into the PLLA membranes increased their degradability and water uptake with a continuous release of cations. The addition of BBG-Sr glass particles enhanced the membrane's mechanical properties (69% higher Young modulus and 36% higher tensile strength). Furthermore, cellular in vitro evaluation using bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) demonstrated that PLLA-BBG-Sr membranes promoted the osteogenic differentiation of the cells as demonstrated by increased alkaline phosphatase activity and up-regulated osteogenic gene expression (Alpl, Sp7 and Bglap) in relation to PLLA alone. These results strongly suggest that the composite PLLA membranes reinforced with the BBG-Sr glass particles have potential as an effective biomaterial capable of promoting bone regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: PLLA membranes were reinforced with 10% (w/w) of strontium-bioactive borosilicate glass microparticles, and their capacity to induce the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) was evaluated. These membranes presented an increased: degradability, water uptake, Young modulus and tensile strength. We also demonstrated that these membranes are non-cytotoxic and promote the attachment of BM-MSCs. The addition of the glass microparticles into the PLLA membranes promoted the increase of ALP activity (under osteogenic conditions), as well as the BM-MSCs osteogenic differentiation as shown by the upregulation of Alpl, Sp7 and Bglap gene expression. Overall, we demonstrated that the reinforcement of PLLA with glass microparticles results in a biomaterial with the appropriate properties for the regeneration of bone tissue

Chitosan/polyester-based scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering: assessment of extracellular matrix formation

Naturally derived polymers have been extensively used in scaffold production for cartilage tissue engineering. The present work aims to evaluate and characterize extracellular matrix (ECM) formation in two types of chitosan-based scaffolds, using bovine articular chondrocytes (BACs). The influence of these scaffolds’ porosity, as well as pore size and geometry, on the formation of cartilagineous tissue was studied. The effect of stirred conditions on ECM formation was also assessed. Chitosan-poly(butylene succinate) (CPBS) scaffolds were produced by compression moulding and salt leaching, using a blend of 50% of each material. Different porosities and pore size structures were obtained. BACs were seeded onto CPBS scaffolds using spinner flasks. Constructs were then transferred to the incubator, where half were cultured under stirred conditions, and the other half under static conditions for 4 weeks. Constructs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, histology procedures, immunolocalization of collagen type I and collagen type II, and dimethylmethylene blue assay for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) quantification. Both materials showed good affinity for cell attachment. Cells colonized the entire scaffolds and were able to produce ECM. Large pores with random geometry improved proteoglycans and collagen type II production. However, that structure has the opposite effect on GAG production. Stirred culture conditions indicate enhancement of GAG production in both types of scaffold.M.L. Alves da Silva would like to acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for her grant (SFRH/BD/28708/2006), Marie Curie Actions-ALEA JACTA EST (MEST-CT-2004-008104), European NoE EXPERTISSUES (NMP3-CT-2004-500283), IP GENOSTEM (LSHB-CT-2003-503161) and CARTISCAFF (POCTI/SAUIBMA/58982

Fitting the integrated Spectral Energy Distributions of Galaxies

Fitting the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of galaxies is an almost universally used technique that has matured significantly in the last decade. Model predictions and fitting procedures have improved significantly over this time, attempting to keep up with the vastly increased volume and quality of available data. We review here the field of SED fitting, describing the modelling of ultraviolet to infrared galaxy SEDs, the creation of multiwavelength data sets, and the methods used to fit model SEDs to observed galaxy data sets. We touch upon the achievements and challenges in the major ingredients of SED fitting, with a special emphasis on describing the interplay between the quality of the available data, the quality of the available models, and the best fitting technique to use in order to obtain a realistic measurement as well as realistic uncertainties. We conclude that SED fitting can be used effectively to derive a range of physical properties of galaxies, such as redshift, stellar masses, star formation rates, dust masses, and metallicities, with care taken not to over-interpret the available data. Yet there still exist many issues such as estimating the age of the oldest stars in a galaxy, finer details ofdust properties and dust-star geometry, and the influences of poorly understood, luminous stellar types and phases. The challenge for the coming years will be to improve both the models and the observational data sets to resolve these uncertainties. The present review will be made available on an interactive, moderated web page (sedfitting.org), where the community can access and change the text. The intention is to expand the text and keep it up to date over the coming years.Comment: 54 pages, 26 figures, Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Scienc

Commissioning and performance of the CMS pixel tracker with cosmic ray muons

This is the Pre-print version of the Article. The official published verion of the Paper can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2010 IOPThe pixel detector of the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment consists of three barrel layers and two disks for each endcap. The detector was installed in summer 2008, commissioned with charge injections, and operated in the 3.8 T magnetic field during cosmic ray data taking. This paper reports on the first running experience and presents results on the pixel tracker performance, which are found to be in line with the design specifications of this detector. The transverse impact parameter resolution measured in a sample of high momentum muons is 18 microns.This work is supported by FMSR (Austria); FNRS and FWO (Belgium); CNPq, CAPES, FAPERJ, and FAPESP (Brazil); MES (Bulgaria); CERN; CAS, MoST, and NSFC (China); COLCIENCIAS (Colombia); MSES (Croatia); RPF (Cyprus); Academy of Sciences and NICPB (Estonia); Academy of Finland, ME, and HIP (Finland); CEA and CNRS/IN2P3 (France); BMBF, DFG, and HGF (Germany); GSRT (Greece); OTKA and NKTH (Hungary); DAE and DST (India); IPM (Iran); SFI (Ireland); INFN (Italy); NRF (Korea); LAS (Lithuania); CINVESTAV, CONACYT, SEP, and UASLP-FAI (Mexico); PAEC (Pakistan); SCSR (Poland); FCT (Portugal); JINR (Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan); MST and MAE (Russia); MSTDS (Serbia); MICINN and CPAN (Spain); Swiss Funding Agencies (Switzerland); NSC (Taipei); TUBITAK and TAEK (Turkey); STFC (United Kingdom); DOE and NSF (USA)

Alignment of the CMS silicon tracker during commissioning with cosmic rays

This is the Pre-print version of the Article. The official published version of the Paper can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2010 IOPThe CMS silicon tracker, consisting of 1440 silicon pixel and 15 148 silicon strip detector modules, has been aligned using more than three million cosmic ray charged particles, with additional information from optical surveys. The positions of the modules were determined with respect to cosmic ray trajectories to an average precision of 3–4 microns RMS in the barrel and 3–14 microns RMS in the endcap in the most sensitive coordinate. The results have been validated by several studies, including laser beam cross-checks, track fit self-consistency, track residuals in overlapping module regions, and track parameter resolution, and are compared with predictions obtained from simulation. Correlated systematic effects have been investigated. The track parameter resolutions obtained with this alignment are close to the design performance.This work is supported by FMSR (Austria); FNRS and FWO (Belgium); CNPq, CAPES, FAPERJ, and FAPESP (Brazil); MES (Bulgaria); CERN; CAS, MoST, and NSFC (China); COLCIENCIAS (Colombia); MSES (Croatia); RPF (Cyprus); Academy of Sciences and NICPB (Estonia); Academy of Finland, ME, and HIP (Finland); CEA and CNRS/IN2P3 (France); BMBF, DFG, and HGF (Germany); GSRT (Greece); OTKA and NKTH (Hungary); DAE and DST (India); IPM (Iran); SFI (Ireland); INFN (Italy); NRF (Korea); LAS (Lithuania); CINVESTAV, CONACYT, SEP, and UASLP-FAI (Mexico); PAEC (Pakistan); SCSR (Poland); FCT (Portugal); JINR (Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan); MST and MAE (Russia); MSTDS (Serbia); MICINN and CPAN (Spain); Swiss Funding Agencies (Switzerland); NSC (Taipei); TUBITAK and TAEK (Turkey); STFC (United Kingdom); DOE and NSF (USA)