Dedicated Breast Computed Tomography With a Photon-Counting Detector: Initial Results of Clinical In Vivo Imaging

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this work is to present the data obtained from the first clinical in vivo application of a new dedicated spiral breast computed tomography (B-CT) equipped with a photon-counting detector. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved this retrospective study. Twelve women referred for breast cancer screening were included and underwent bilateral spiral B-CT acquired in prone position. Additional sonography was performed in case of dense breast tissue or any B-CT findings. In 3 women, previous mammography was available for comparison. Soft tissue (ST) and high-resolution (HR) images were reconstructed. Two independent radiologists performed separately the readout for subjective image quality and for imaging findings detection. Objective image quality evaluation was performed in consensus and included spatial resolution, contrast resolution, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio. All women were asked to report about positioning comfort and overall comfort during data acquisition. RESULTS: The major pectoral muscle was included in 15 breast CT scans (62.5%); glandular component was partially missing in 2 (8.3%) of the 24 scanned breasts. A thin "ring artifact" was present in all scans but had no influence on image interpretations; no other artifacts were present. Subjective image quality assessment showed excellent agreement between the 2 readers (κ = 1). Three masses were depicted in B-CT and were confirmed as simple cysts in sonography. Additional 5 simple cysts and 2 solid benign lesions were identified only in sonography. A total of 12 calcifications were depicted with a median size of 1.1 mm (interquartile range, 0.7-1.7 mm) on HR and 1.4 mm (interquartile range, 1.1-1.8 mm) on ST images. Median SNRgl, SNRfat, and contrast-to-noise ratio were significantly higher in ST than in HR reconstructions (each, P < 0.001). A mild discomfort due to positioning of the rib cage on the table was reported by 2 women (16.7%); otherwise, no discomfort was reported. CONCLUSIONS: The new dedicated B-CT equipped with a photon-counting detector provides high-quality images with potential for screening of breast cancer along with minor patient discomfort

Angiofil®-mediated visualization of the vascular system by microcomputed tomography: a feasibility study

Visualization of the vascular systems of organs or of small animals is important for an assessment of basic physiological conditions, especially in studies that involve genetically manipulated mice. For a detailed morphological analysis of the vascular tree, it is necessary to demonstrate the system in its entirety. In this study, we present a new lipophilic contrast agent, Angiofil®, for performing postmortem microangiography by using microcomputed tomography. The new contrast agent was tested in 10 wild-type mice. Imaging of the vascular system revealed vessels down to the caliber of capillaries, and the digital three-dimensional data obtained from the scans allowed for virtual cutting, amplification, and scaling without destroying the sample. By use of computer software, parameters such as vessel length and caliber could be quantified and remapped by color coding onto the surface of the vascular system. The liquid Angiofil® is easy to handle and highly radio-opaque. Because of its lipophilic abilities, it is retained intravascularly, hence it facilitates virtual vessel segmentation, and yields an enduring signal which is advantageous during repetitive investigations, or if samples need to be transported from the site of preparation to the place of actual analysis, respectively. These characteristics make Angiofil® a promising novel contrast agent; when combined with microcomputed tomography, it has the potential to turn into a powerful method for rapid vascular phenotyping

Detection of coronary artery stenoses by contrast-enhanced, retrospectively electrocardiographically-gated, multislice spiral computed tomography.

Background-Multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) with retrospectively ECG-gated image reconstruction permits coronary artery visualization. We investigated the method&apos;s ability to identify high-grade coronary artery stenoses and occlusions. Methods and Results-A total of 64 consecutive patients were studied by MSCT (4ϫ1 mm cross-sections, 500-ms rotation, table feed 1.5 mm/rotation, intravenous contrast agent, retrospectively ECG-gated image reconstruction). All coronary arteries and side branches with a luminal diameter Ն2.0 mm were assessed concerning evaluability and the presence of high-grade stenoses (Ͼ70% diameter stenosis) or occlusions. Results were compared with quantitative coronary angiography. Of 256 coronary arteries (left main, left anterior descending, left circumflex and right coronary artery, including their respective side branches), 174 could be evaluated (68%). In 19 patients (30%), all arteries were evaluable. Artifacts caused by coronary motion were the most frequent reason for unevaluable arteries. Overall, 32 of 58 high-grade stenoses and occlusions were detected by MSCT (58%). In evaluable arteries, 32 of 35 lesions were detected, and the absence of stenosis was correctly identified in 117 of 139 arteries (sensitivity, 91%; specificity, 84%). If analysis was extended to all stenoses with Ͼ50% diameter reduction, sensitivity was 85% (40 of 47) and specificity was 76% (96 of 127). Conclusions-MSCT with retrospective ECG gating permits the detection of coronary artery stenoses with high accuracy if image quality is sufficient, but its clinical use may presently be limited due to degraded image quality in a substantial number of cases, mainly due to rapid coronary motion

Совершенствование системы подбора и отбора персонала предприятия

Объектом исследования является действующая система подбора и отбора персонала на предприятии АО "НПЦ "Полюс". Предметом исследования является совершенствование действующей системы подбора и отбора персонала на предприятии АО "НПЦ "Полюс". Цель работы – разработка рекомендаций по совершенствованию системы подбора и отбора персонала на предприятии АО "НПЦ "Полюс". Задачи: 1)рассмотреть понятие подбора и отбора персонала на предприятии; 2)дать краткую характеристику деятельности предприятия; 3)дать характеристику персоналу предприятия; 4)проанализировать действующую систему подбора и отбор персонала на предприятии; 5)выявить проблемы системы подбора и отбора персонала; 6)разработать рекомендации по совершенствованию подбора и отбора; 7)оценить эффективность от применения мероприятий.The object of research is the current system of selection and selection of personnel at the enterprise of JSC "Scientific and Production Center" Polyus ". The subject of the study is the improvement of the existing personnel selection and selection system at the enterprise of Polyus Scientific and Production Center JSC. The purpose of the work is to develop recommendations for improving the personnel selection and selection system at the enterprise of Polyus Scientific and Production Center JSC. Tasks: 1) to consider the concept of selection and selection of personnel in the enterprise; 2) to analyze the dynamics of the number, structure and movement of personnel; 3) to develop recommendations for improving the system of selection and selection of personnel in the enterprise

被服に対する意識及び行動とそれに影響する要因

博士（学術）神戸大

Coronary artery calcium screening: current status and recommendations from the European Society of Cardiac Radiology and North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging

Current guidelines and literature on screening for coronary artery calcium for cardiac risk assessment are reviewed for both general and special populations. It is shown that for both general and special populations a zero score excludes most clinically relevant coronary artery disease. The importance of standardization of coronary artery calcium measurements by multi-detector CT is discussed