Catálogo de publicaciones - revistas

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>In this paper, the authors review the field of parallax error (PE) minimization in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging systems by using depth of interaction (DOI) capable concepts. The review includes apparatus as well as an overview of various methods described in the literature. It also discusses potential advantages gained via these approaches, as discussed with reference to various metrics and tasks, particularly in the improvement of spatial resolution (SR) performance. Furthermore, the authors emphasize limitations encountered in the context of DOI decoding, which can be a considerable pitfall depending on the task of interest.</jats:p>

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Quantitative dual-energy computed tomography may improve the accuracy of treatment planning in radiation therapy. Of special interest are algorithms that can estimate material composition of the imaged object. One example of such an algorithm is the 2D model-based iterative reconstruction algorithm DIRA. The aim of this work is to extend this algorithm to 3D so that it can be used with cone-beams and helical scanning. In the new algorithm, the parallel FBP method was replaced with the approximate 3D FBP-based PI-method. Its performance was tested using a mathematical phantom consisting of six ellipsoids. The algorithm substantially reduced the beam-hardening artefact and the artefacts caused by approximate reconstruction after six iterations. Compared to Alvarez-Macovski’s base material decomposition, DIRA-3D does not require geometrically consistent projections and hence can be used in dual-source CT scanners. Also, it can use several tissue-specific material bases at the same time to represent the imaged object.</jats:p>

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Purpose</jats:italic>: The intent of this work was to evaluate the ability of our 200 kV kilovoltage arc therapy (KVAT) system to treat realistic lung tumors without exceeding dose constraints to organs-at-risk (OAR). <jats:italic>Methods and Materials</jats:italic>: Monte Carlo (MC) methods and the McO optimization framework generated and inversely optimized KVAT treatment plans for 3 SABR lung cancer patients. The KVAT system was designed to treat deep-seated lesions with kilovoltage photons. KVAT delivers dose to roughly spherical PTVs and therefore non-spherical PTVs were divided into spherical sub-volumes. A prescription dose of 12 Gy/fx × 4 fractions was planned to 90% of the PTV volume. KVAT plans were compared to VMC++ calculated, 6 MV stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) treatment plans. Dose distributions, dose volume histograms, gradient index (GI), planned mean doses and plan treatment times were calculated. Dose constraints for organs-at-risk (OAR) were taken from RTOG 101. <jats:italic>Results</jats:italic>: All plans, with the exception of the rib dose calculated in one of the KVAT plans for a peripheral lesion, were within dose-constraints. In general, KVAT plans had higher planned doses to OARs. KVAT GI values were 5.7, 7.2 and 8.9 and SABR values were 4.6, 4.1, and 4.7 for patient 1, 2 and 3, respectively. KVAT plan treatment times were 49, 65 and 17 min for patients 1, 2 and 3, respectively. <jats:italic>Conclusions</jats:italic>: Inverse optimization and MC methods demonstrated the ability of KVAT to produce treatment plans without exceeding TG 101 dose constraints to OARs for 2 out of 3 investigated lung cancer patients.</jats:p>

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Hypergranulation, bacterial infection, and device dislodgment are common complications associated with percutaneous gastronomy (PG) tube placement for enteral feeding largely attributable to delayed stoma tract maturation around the device. Stoma tract maturation is a wound-healing process that requires collective and complete migration of an advancing epithelial layer. While it is widely accepted that micropatterned surfaces enhance cell migration when cells are cultured directly on the substrate, few studies have investigated the influence of apical contact guidance from micropatterned surfaces on cell migration, as occurs during stoma tract formation. Here, we developed 2D and 3D <jats:italic>in vitro</jats:italic> epithelial cell migration assays to test the effect of various Sharklet micropatterns on apically-guided cell migration. The 2D modified scratch wound assay identified a Sharklet micropattern (+10SK50×50) that enhanced apical cell migration by 4-fold (<jats:italic>p</jats:italic> = 0.0105) compared to smooth controls over the course of seven days. The best-performing micropattern was then applied to cylindrical prototypes with the same outer diameter as a pediatric PG tube. These prototypes were evaluated in the novel 3D migration assay where magnetic levitation aggregated cells around prototypes to create an artificial stoma. Results indicated a 50% increase (<jats:italic>p</jats:italic> &lt; 0.0001) in cell migration after seven days along Sharklet-micropatterned prototypes compared to smooth controls. The Sharklet micropattern enhanced apically-guided epithelial cell migration in both 2D and 3D <jats:italic>in vitro</jats:italic> assays. These data suggest that the incorporation of a Sharklet micropattern onto the surface of a PG tube may accelerate cell migration via apical contact, improve stoma tract maturation, and reduce skin-associated complications.</jats:p>