Drug-delivery microcapsules tagged with zirconium-89 can be tracked by PET imaging

Published: Thu, 21 Jan 2021 13:19:16 EST

Polymer and radionuclide chemists report major advance in microcapsule drug delivery systems. Their microcapsules -- labeled with radioactive zirconium-89 -- are the first example of hollow polymer capsules capable of long-term, multiday positron emission tomography imaging in vivo. In previous work, the researchers showed that the hollow capsules could be filled with a potent dose of the cancer drug doxorubicin, which could then be released by therapeutic ultrasound that ruptures the microcapsules.

Deep learning outperforms standard machine learning in biomedical research applications

Published: Thu, 14 Jan 2021 13:01:25 EST

Compared to standard machine learning models, deep learning models are largely superior at discerning patterns and discriminative features in brain imaging, despite being more complex in their architecture.

Imaging technique proves effective in measuring mitochondrial dysfunction in motor neuron disease (MND)

Published: Wed, 13 Jan 2021 19:31:02 EST

Non-invasive imaging technique called 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy used to measure mitochondrial function in patients with motor neuron disease (MND)

MRI frequently underestimates tumor size in prostate cancer

Published: Thu, 07 Jan 2021 13:56:55 EST

Improving imaging processes will lead to more successful treatments and help reduce morbidity in men with the disease.

'Virtual biopsies' could replace tissue biopsies in future thanks to new technique

Published: Wed, 06 Jan 2021 09:53:14 EST

A new advanced computing technique using routine medical scans to enable doctors to take fewer, more accurate tumor biopsies, has been developed by cancer researchers. This is an important step towards precision tissue sampling for cancer patients to help select the best treatment. In future the technique could even replace clinical biopsies with 'virtual biopsies', sparing patients invasive procedures.

Routine eye scans may give clues to cognitive decline in diabetes

Published: Tue, 05 Jan 2021 13:57:05 EST

As they age, people with diabetes are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders than are people without diabetes. Scientists now have shown that routine eye imaging can identify changes in the retina that may be associated with cognitive disorders in older people with type 1 diabetes. These results may open up a relatively easy method for early detection of cognitive decline in this population.

Viewing upper gastrointestinal cancers in a new light

Published: Tue, 05 Jan 2021 09:56:26 EST

Researchers report the use of Linked Color Imaging, an innovative modality that specifically combines selected wavelengths of light for illumination in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. This method, by enhancing the subtle variations in red and white hues that indicate mucosal transformation, greatly improves the early detection of upper gastrointestinal tract neoplasms as compared with conventional white light illumination.

New imaging method reveals if antibiotics reach bacteria hiding in tissues

Published: Tue, 05 Jan 2021 09:56:06 EST

Researchers have developed a new imaging method to see where antibiotics have reached bacteria within tissues. The method could be used to help develop more effective antibiotic treatments, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Imaging of ballistic wounds, bullet composition and implications for MRI safety

Published: Tue, 29 Dec 2020 17:55:15 EST

Since patients with ballistic embedded fragments are frequently denied MRI (due to indeterminate bullet composition sans shell casings), radiography and CT can be used to identify nonferromagnetic projectiles that are safe for MRI.

Brain imaging predicts PTSD after brain injury

Published: Tue, 29 Dec 2020 08:02:48 EST

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex psychiatric disorder brought on by physical and/or psychological trauma. How its symptoms, including anxiety, depression and cognitive disturbances arise remains incompletely understood and unpredictable. Treatments and outcomes could potentially be improved if doctors could better predict who would develop PTSD. Now, researchers using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have found potential brain biomarkers of PTSD in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI).