Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation associated with brain abscess: A computed tomography case report

Vein of Galen malformation (VGM) is a rare congenital, uncommon intracerebral vascular anomaly rarely complicated with the development of brain abscess as secondary to primary infection or after endovascular treatment. We report a very rare finding of a vein of Galen aneurysm associated with a large brain abscess at the time of diagnosis. A 12-year-old boy with a high-grade fever, severe headache, and recurrent episodes of convulsions came into the radiology department of Kassala Advanced Diagnostic Center. On a Siemens 16-slice scanner, brain non-contrast enhanced computed tomography (NECT) and contrast enhanced CT (CECT) was used to determine the source of the acute headache and convulsions which revealed a right frontal peripherally enhancing cystic lesion measuring 5.7 × 4.7 × 5.3 cm2 surrounded by massive vasogenic edema causing mass effect with midline shift to the left side by 1.5 cm suggestive of brain abscess. There is evidence of another avidly enhancing lesion seen within the third ventricle continuous with a straight sinus surrounded by extensive vascular loops consistent with an aneurysm of the vein of Galen, it was causing compression of the cerebral aqueduct with upstream mild hydrocephalus with dilated both lateral ventricles. Late presentation, diagnosis, and treatment also lead to an increase in the morbidities and mortalities of such case conditions. Urgent intervention should be considered for better outcomes.

Promoting the suitability of graphitic carbon nitride and metal oxide nanoparticles: A review of sulfonamides photocatalytic degradation

The widespread consumption of pharmaceutical drugs and their incomplete breakdown in organisms has led to their extensive presence in aquatic environments. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics, such as sulfonamides, has contributed to the development of drug-resistant bacteria and the persistent pollution of water bodies, posing a threat to human health and the safety of the environment. Thus, it is paramount to explore remediation technologies aimed at decomposing and complete elimination of the toxic contaminants from pharmaceutical wastewater. The review aims to explore the utilization of metal-oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) and graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C3N4) in photocatalytic degradation of sulfonamides from wastewater. Recent advances in oxidation techniques such as photocatalytic degradation are being exploited in the elimination of the sulfonamides from wastewater. MONP and g-C3N4 are commonly evolved nano substances with intrinsic properties. They possessed nano-scale structure, considerable porosity semi-conducting properties, responsible for decomposing wide range of water pollutants. They are widely applied for photocatalytic degradation of organic and inorganic substances which continue to evolve due to the low-cost, efficiency, less toxicity, and more environmentally friendliness of the materials. The review focuses on the current advances in the application of these materials, their efficiencies, degradation mechanisms, and recyclability in the context of sulfonamides photocatalytic degradation.

Effect of melatonin on reproductive function in propylthiouracil induced hypothyroidism in adult male rats

OBJECTIVE

Thyroid hormones are essential for regulating metabolism, reproduction, and growth. Hypothyroidism is connected with lower sperm count and motility, leading to male infertility. Oxidative stress is likely to be linked to this interaction. Melatonin, being known as an oxidative scavenger, may offer a feasible treatment method for reproductive dysfunction accompanying hypothyroidism in adult male rats. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the mechanism by which melatonin treatment affected spermatogenic and steroidogenic function in an experimental model-induced hypothyroidism in adult male rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one male albino adult rats weighing between 150 and 210 g were used in this experiment. Rats were split into three groups and studied for 11 weeks. The control euthyroid group, in which rats received 0.9% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) solution by intraperitoneal injection [solvent for 6-propyl 2-thouracil (PTU)], 6 days/week for 8 weeks; the PTU-induced hypothyroid group, in which chemical thyroidectomy was induced by intraperitoneal injection of PTU at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight, 6 days/week for 8 weeks; and the melatonin-treated hypothyroid group, which received 3 mg/kg melatonin intraperitoneally daily for 21 days plasma free Triiodothyronine (T3), free Thyroxin (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and prolactin were measured. Also, semen analysis, testicular tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were accessed.

RESULTS

The results indicated that melatonin significantly increased sperm viability and motility compared to the untreated PTU-induced hypothyroid group (p<0.001). Testicular MDA and TNF-α showed a significant decrease in the melatonin-treated hypothyroid group compared with the PTU-induced hypothyroid group (p<0.05). In addition, plasma testosterone levels were significantly increased, accompanied by a significant reduction of plasma prolactin levels compared to the untreated hypothyroid group (p<0.05 for both).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the study findings, melatonin could mitigate gonadal dysfunction induced by hypothyroidism by improving several components of semen analysis, such as sperm motility and sperm viability, as well as by enhancing testosterone production focusing on oxidative and inflammatory stress as the underlying mechanisms.

Evaluation of personal dose equivalents during positron emission tomography and computed tomography imaging

This study aimed to evaluate the annual occupational radiation exposure of technologists during PET/CT imaging in 2020 and 2021. Eleven nuclear medicine technologists were monitored at the PET/CT department. The personal dose equivalents (PDEs) for staff members, measured in terms of Hp (10) and Hp (0.07), were assessed annually, considering both deep and surface doses. PDEs were quantified using a thermoluminescent detector (LiF:Mg:Ti)). The average and range of PDEs and extremity doses (mSv) for the technologists were as follows: 4.5 (0.1-13.4) for Hp (10), 4.63 (0.1-13.9) for Hp (0.07), and 2.5 (0.2-17.5) for extremity, respectively. The results indicated that staff members are exposed to high-energy gamma rays while preparing radiopharmaceuticals, injections, and image acquisition. Therefore, proper handling of radiopharmaceuticals and patient management during the acquisition of parameters are crucial for maintaining the occupational dose within the defined limit.

Assessment of patient and occupational exposure and radiation risk from cath-lab procedure

Due to the extended localized fluoroscopy, many radiographic exposures, and multiple procedures that might result in tissue reaction, patients and personnel received a significant radiation dose during interventional cardiology (IR) procedures. This study aims to calculate the radiation risk and assess patient and staff effective doses during IC procedures. Thirty-two patients underwent a Cath lab treatment in total. Ten Cath lab personnel, including six nurses, two cardiologists, and two X-ray technologists. Optical stimulating-luminescent dosimeters (OSL) (Al2O3:C) calibrated for this purpose were used to monitor both occupational and ambient doses. Using an automated OSL reader, these badges were scanned. The Air Kerma (mGy) and Kerma Area Products (KAP, mGy.cm2) have a mean and standard deviation (SD) of 371 ± 132 and 26052, respectively. The average personal dose equivalent (mSv) and its range for cardiologists, nurses and X ray technologists were 1.11 ± 0.21 (0.96-1.26), 0.84 ± 0.11 (0.68-1.16), and 0.68 ± 0.014 (0.12-0.13), respectively. The current study findings showed that the annual effective dose for cardiologists, nurses, and X-ray technologists was lesser than the yearly occupational dose limit of 20 mSv recommended by national and international guidelines. The patients' doses are comparable with some previously published studies and below the tissue reaction limits.

Norm in cultivated honey in Malaysia and concomitant effective dose to consumers

Present study concerns the radiological character of Malaysian honey. A total of 18 samples (representative of the various most common types) were obtained from various honey bee farms throughout the country. Using a high-purity germanium γ-ray spectroscopic system, the samples were analysed for the naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 228Ra and 40K. The respective range of activities (in Bq/kg) was: 3.49 ± 0.35 to 4.51 ± 0.39, 0.99 ± 0.37 to 1.74 ± 0.39 and 41.37 ± 3.26 to 105.02 ± 6.91. The estimated associated committed effective doses were derived from prevailing data on national consumption of honey, the annual dose being found low compared with the UNSCEAR reference dose limit of 290 μSv y-1. The estimated threshold consumption rate for honey indicates a maximum intake of 339 g/d, which poses an insignificant radiological risk to public health; however, the total dietary exposure may not, the guidance level of 290 μSv y-1 being applicable to dietary intake of all foodstuffs. The study is in support of the cultivation of a healthy lifestyle, acknowledging prevailing radioactivity within the environment.

Quantification of radiological hazards associated with natural radionuclides in soil, granite and charnockite rocks at selected fields in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Assessment of activity levels of radionuclides that exist in soil, granite, and charnockite rock samples is very crucial because it exhibits an enhanced elemental concentration of uranium (U) and thorium (Th) contributing higher natural background activity than usual in the environment and it may cause health risk to human health through the external and internal exposure. This study determined the radioactivity levels of 238U, 232Th, and 40K radionuclides in soil, granite, and charnockite rock samples collected from selected fields in Ekiti State, Nigeria using Caesium iodide CsI(Tl) scintillation gamma spectrometer. It also evaluated indices of the radiological parameters consisting of radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate (DR), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), internal hazard index (Hin), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). The calculated average activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K are 30.40 ± 0.71 Bq kg-1, 3.31 ± 0.05 Bq kg-1, and 222.25 ± 14.72 Bq kg-1, respectively, which were lower than their respective world average values. Comparatively, potassium concentrations in these collected samples have a higher value than concentrations of uranium and thorium (40K > 238U > 232Th). All the evaluated values of the radiological parameters (except DR) of the appraised radionuclides were below the global permissible limits. The granite rocks, charnockite rocks, and soils from Ekiti State in Nigeria do not pose any hazardous risk to humans, but continued monitoring is necessary when these materials are used as building materials, which cause long-term radiation exposure.

Cyclodextrin nanoparticles in targeted cancer theranostics

The field of cancer nanotheranostics is rapidly evolving, with cyclodextrin (CD)-based nanoparticles emerging as a promising tool. CDs, serving as nanocarriers, have higher adaptability and demonstrate immense potential in delivering powerful anti-cancer drugs, leading to promising and specific therapeutic outcomes for combating various types of cancer. The unique characteristics of CDs, combined with innovative nanocomplex creation techniques such as encapsulation, enable the development of potential theranostic treatments. The review here focuses mainly on the different techniques administered for effective nanotheranostics applications of CD-associated complex compounds in the domain of cancer treatments. The experimentations on various loaded drugs and their complex conjugates with CDs prove effective in in vivo results. Various cancers can have potential nanotheranostics cures using CDs as nanoparticles along with a highly efficient process of nanocomplex development and a drug delivery system. In conclusion, nanotheranostics holds immense potential for targeted drug delivery and improved therapeutic outcomes, offering a promising avenue for revolutionizing cancer treatments through continuous research and innovative approaches.

Awareness and knowledge of breast cancer rehabilitation among Saudi Arabia physical therapists

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the physical therapists' knowledge and awareness of breast cancer, treatment modalities, contraindications, and clinical guidelines.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from December 2020 to May 2021 in Saudi Arabia. The sample size was determined using the Raosoft sample size calculator, which indicated the need for 67 participants. All physical therapists of both sex in private and public hospitals in Ha'il and non-Ha'il regions were included in the study. Data was collected by a structured Google form questionnaire, consisting of 4 main domains with a maximum score of 43.

RESULTS

57 physical therapists participated in the current study, out of which 31 were from the Ha'il region (42.1% male, 57.9% female) with a mean age of 29±7 years and a mean experience 6±7years. The referral of breast cancer patients was only 22.8%. Interestingly only 22.8% of the hospital has specific setups for oncology rehabilitation, and 12.3% have reported positive about continuing professional development (CPDs) workshops for breast cancer organized by their hospitals. 5.3% of patients with breast cancer are aware of the benefit of oncology rehabilitation, while 22.8% of patients come for follow-up sessions in the rehabilitation department. According to multiple regression, only gender was statistically significant for prediction, p<0.05. Females increased the mean score by 5.996 more than males. Female therapists are 38.2% more aware than males.

CONCLUSIONS

Although physical therapists have a low level of knowledge and an average level of awareness, with a higher number of women than men, attitudes toward physical therapy are quite high, and the profession is practiced exceptionally well.

Nickel Slag/Laterite Soil and Nickel Slag/Iron Sand Nanocomposites: Structural, Optical, and Electromagnetic Absorption Properties

Efforts to produce microwave absorber materials that are inexpensive and environmentally friendly have become a means of greening the environment. The breakthrough can be focused on industrial waste and natural materials for functional purposes and how to enhance their performance. We successfully synthesized nickel slag/laterite soil (NS/LS) and nickel slag/iron sand (NS/IS) nanocomposites using a simple mechanical alloying technique, and the electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption capacities of the nanocomposites were measured using a vector network analyzer. The structural properties of the nanocomposites were analyzed by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, where the results of the analysis showed that NS/IS has the largest crystallite size (15.69 nm) and the highest EM wave absorption performance. The optical properties of the nanocomposites were determined from their Fourier transform infrared spectra using the Kramers-Kronig relation. As determined through a quantitative analysis of the optical properties, the distance between the longitudinal and transversal optical phonon wavenumber positions (Δ(LO - TO) = 65 cm^-1) is inversely proportional to the reflection loss. The surface morphologies of the nanocomposites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and the particle diameters were observed by binary image and Gaussian distribution analyses. The nanocomposite surface exhibits a graded-like morphology, which indicates multiple reflections of the EM radiation, consequently reducing the EM interference. The best nanocomposite for an attenuated EM wave achieved a reflection loss of -39.14 dB at 5-8 GHz. A low penetration depth has implications for the electrical charge tuning of the storage and composite magnets. Finally, the EM absorption properties of NS/IS and NS/LS indicate a 2-mm-thick environmentally friendly nanocomposite for EM absorption.

Low-Dose Chest CT Protocols for Imaging COVID-19 Pneumonia: Technique Parameters and Radiation Dose

Chest computed tomography (CT) plays a vital role in the early diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of COVID-19 pneumonia during the pandemic. However, this raises concerns about excessive exposure to ionizing radiation. This study aimed to survey radiation doses in low-dose chest CT (LDCT) and ultra-low-dose chest CT (ULD) protocols used for imaging COVID-19 pneumonia relative to standard CT (STD) protocols so that the best possible practice and dose reduction techniques could be recommended. A total of 564 articles were identified by searching major scientific databases, including ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. After evaluating the content and applying the inclusion criteria to technical factors and radiation dose metrics relevant to the LDCT protocols used for imaging COVID-19 patients, data from ten articles were extracted and analyzed. Technique factors that affect the application of LDCT and ULD are discussed, including tube current (mA), peak tube voltage (kVp), pitch factor, and iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms. The CTDIvol values for the STD, LDCT, and ULD chest CT protocols ranged from 2.79-13.2 mGy, 0.90-4.40 mGy, and 0.20-0.28 mGy, respectively. The effective dose (ED) values for STD, LDCT, and ULD chest CT protocols ranged from 1.66-6.60 mSv, 0.50-0.80 mGy, and 0.39-0.64 mSv, respectively. Compared with the standard (STD), LDCT reduced the dose reduction by a factor of 2-4, whereas ULD reduced the dose reduction by a factor of 8-13. These dose reductions were achieved by applying scan parameters and techniques such as iterative reconstructions, ultra-long pitches, and fast spectral shaping with a tin filter. Using LDCT, the cumulative radiation dose of serial CT examinations during the acute period of COVID-19 may have been inferior or equivalent to that of conventional CT.

Comparison of bone mineral density changes between male and female osteoporosis patients using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan

The goal of the current research was to define the impact of individual characteristics on the response of osteoporosis patients to bisphosphonate medication, as well as the influence of gender on changes in the bone mineral density (BMD).The DXA scan was used to assess a group of 647 osteoporosis patients (533 females and 114 males) who visited the St Bartholomew's Hospitals and Royal London osteoporosis clinics. All male subjects received statistically substantial increases in BMD relative to baseline values after two years of therapy. When compared to prior therapy, men's BMD of the lumbar spine (LS) and hip joint (HJ) rose by 0.057 g/cm² (6.9%, p0.001) and 0.021 g/cm² (2.48 percent, p0.001), respectively.. Female patients had BMD changes of 0.028 g/cm² (3.58 percent, p0.001 vs. prior therapy) and -0.006 g/cm² (-0.78 percent, p0.001 vs. before treatment) in the lumbar spine and hip, respectively. Male patients exhibited a greater increase in BMD than female patients due to ovarian failure and significant oestrogen loss, which speeds up bone resorption by 90% following menopause, according the research findings.

Carotenoids: Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases Remediation

Numerous factors can contribute to the development of neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Oxidative stress (OS), a fairly common ND symptom, can be caused by more reactive oxygen species being made. In addition, the pathological state of NDs, which includes a high number of protein aggregates, could make chronic inflammation worse by activating microglia. Carotenoids, often known as "CTs", are pigments that exist naturally and play a vital role in the prevention of several brain illnesses. CTs are organic pigments with major significance in ND prevention. More than 600 CTs have been discovered in nature, and they may be found in a wide variety of creatures. Different forms of CTs are responsible for the red, yellow, and orange pigments seen in many animals and plants. Because of their unique structure, CTs exhibit a wide range of bioactive effects, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The preventive effects of CTs have led researchers to find a strong correlation between CT levels in the body and the avoidance and treatment of several ailments, including NDs. To further understand the connection between OS, neuroinflammation, and NDs, a literature review has been compiled. In addition, we have focused on the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of CTs for the treatment and management of NDs.

Patient's effective dose and performance assessment of computed radiography systems

Computed tomography is widely used for planar imaging. Previous studies showed that CR systems involve higher patient radiation doses compared to digital systems. Therefore, assessing the patient's dose and CR system performance is necessary to ensure that patients received minimal dose with the highest possible image quality. The study was performed at three medical diagnostic centers in Sudan: Medical Corps Hospital (MCH), Advance Diagnostic Center (ADC), and Advance Medical Center (AMC). The following tools were used in this study: Tape measure, Adhesive tape, 1.5 mm copper filtration (>10 × 10 cm), TO 20 threshold contrast test object, Resolution test object (e.g., Huttner 18), MI geometry test object or lead ruler, Contact mish, Piranha (semiconductor detector), Small lead or copper block (∼5 × 5 cm), and Steel ruler, to do a different type of tests (Dark Noise, Erasure cycle efficiency, Sensitivity Index calibration, Sensitivity Index consistency, Uniformity, Scaling errors, Blurring, Limiting spatial Resolution, Threshold, and Laser beam Function. Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK (mGy) was calculated from patient exposure parameters using DosCal software for three imaging modalities. A total of 199 patients were examined (112 chest X rays, 77 lumbar spine). The mean and standard deviation (sd) for patients ESAK (mGy) were 2.56 ± 0.1 mGy and 1.6 mGy for the Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral projections for the lumbar spine, respectively. The mean and sd for the patient's chest doses were 0.1 ± 0.01 for the chest X-ray procedures. The three medical diagnostic centers' CR system performance was evaluated and found that all of the three centers have good CR system functions. All the centers satisfy all the criteria of acceptable visual tests. CR's image quality and sensitivity were evaluated, and the CR image is good because it has good contrast and resolution. All the CR system available in the medical centers and upgraded from old X-ray systems to new systems, has been found to work well. The patient's doses were comparable for the chest X-ray procedures, while patients' doses from the lumbar spine showed variation up to 2 folds due to the variation in patients' weight and X-ray machine setting. Patients dose optimization is recommended to ensure the patients received a minimal dose while obtaining the diagnostic findings.

Evaluation occupationally radiation exposure during diagnostic imaging examinations

Occupational radiation exposure can occur due to various human activities, including the use of radiation in medicine. Occupationally exposed personnel surpassing 7.4 millions, and respresent the biggest single group of employees who are exposed to artificial radiation sources at work. This study compares the occupational radiation dose levels for 145 workers in four different hospitals located in the Aseer region in Saudi Arabia. The occupational exposure was quantified using thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD-100). The levels of annual occupational exposures in targeted hospitals were calculated and compared with the levels of the international atomic energy agency (IAEA) Safety Standards. An average yearly cumulative dose for the two consecutive years. The average, highest and lowest resulted occupational doses under examination in this work is 1.42, 3.9 mSv and 0.72 for workers in various diagnostic radiology procedures. The resulted annual effective dose were within the IAEA approved yearly dose limit for occupational exposure of workers over 18, which is 20 mSv. Staff should be monitored on a regular basis, according to current practice, because their annual exposure may surpass 15% of the annual effective doses.

Paediatric effective radiation doses during brain computed tomography angiography procedure

In comparison to adults and paediatric are more sensitive to ionizing radiation exposure. Computed tomography (CT) is now the dominant source of medical radiologic tests for patients, accounting for more than 70% of total doses to the general public. Paediatric CT brain scans (with and without contrast) are routinely performed for a variety of clinical reasons. As a result, this parameter must be calculated in order to determine relative radiation risk. The goal of this study is to assess the radiation risk to children during CT brain diagnostic procedures. Three hundred fifty three child patients' radiation risk doses were assessed over the course of a year. The mean and ranged of the children's radiation doses were 40.6 ± 8.8 (27.8-45.8) CTDIvol (mGy) and 850 ± 230 (568.1-1126.4) DLP (mGy.cm) for the brain with contrast medium. For CT brain without contrast, the patients' doses were 40.9 ± 9.4 (14.27-64.07) CTDIvol (mGy), and 866.1 ± 289.3 (203.6-2484.9) DLP (mGy.cm). The characteristics related to the radiation dose were retrieved from the scan protocol generated by the CT system by the participating physicians after each procedure. Furthermore, optimizing the CT acquisition parameter is critical for increasing the benefit while lowering the procedure's radiogenic risk. The patients' radiation dose is comparable with the most previously published studies and international diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). Radiation dose optimization is recommended due to high sensitivity of the paediatric patients to ionizing radiation.

AUTOMATED ESTIMATION OF PATIENT'S SIZE USING AUTOWED TOOL AND INDOSECT PROGRAM: A DOSIMETRIC STUDY FOR PAEDIATRIC HEAD CT EXAMINATIONS

Size-specific dose estimate (SSDE), which can be calculated by measuring the effective diameter (De) or water equivalent diameter (Dw) of the patient, is one of the recent approaches for verifying the individual doses during computer tomography (CT) examinations. This work aimed to compare the Dw estimated by the AutoWED tool and IndoseCT software and to investigate CT axial (ARH) and paediatric head (PH) protocols used in southern Saudi Arabia to calculate the dose received by paediatric patients using metrics of volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and SSDE. The distribution between the ARH and PH protocols was 57.8 and 42.2%, respectively. There was no significant difference in Dw values between the AutoWED tool and the IndoseCT program (0.13%). Including CT table or other objects during estimation of Dw can lead to variation up to 11.4%. The impact of selecting IndoseCT options to identify the border of the patient may be part of the explanation for these variations. A strong linear relationship was obtained between De and Dw in paediatric head size (R2 = 0.96). Using IndoseCT, for 0-1.5, 1.5-5 and 5.0-18 age groups (years), the Dw was found to be 13.2, 15.3 and 16.8 cm, respectively. The SSDE for the PH protocol was substantially lower than that of the ARH protocol. As a result, education of the individuals engaging in paediatric CT examinations is necessary for dose optimization.

Cancerous and Non-Cancerous Brain MRI Classification Method Based on Convolutional Neural Network and Log-Polar Transformation

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers visual representations of the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention. The MRI process is subjected to a variety of image processing and machine learning approaches to identify, diagnose, and classify brain diseases as well as detect abnormalities. In this paper, we propose an improved classification method for distinguishing cancerous and noncancerous tumors from brain MRI images by using Log Polar Transformation (LPT) and convolutional neural networks (CNN). The LPT has been applied for feature extraction of rotation and scaling of distorted images, while the integration of CNN introduces a machine learning approach for the tumor classification of distorted images. The dataset was formed with images of seven different brain diseases, and the training set was formed by applying CNN with the extracted features. The proposed method is then evaluated in comparison to state-of-the-art algorithms, showing a definite improvement of the former. The obtained results show that the machine learning approach offers better classification with a success rate of about 96% in both plain brain MR images and rotation- and scale-invariant brain MR images. This work also successfully classified T-1 and T-2 weighted images of neoplastic and degenerative brain diseases. The obtained accuracy is perfected by several kernel procedures, while the combined performance of the two wavelet transformations and a strong dataset make our method robust and efficient. Since no earlier study on machine learning approaches with rotated and scaled brain MRI has come to our attention, it is expected that our proposed method introduces a new paradigm in this research field.

Body-Centered Double-Square Split-Ring Enclosed Nested Meander-Line-Shaped Metamaterial-Loaded Microstrip-Based Resonator for Sensing Applications

The strong localization of the electric and magnetic fields in metamaterial-based structures has attracted a new era of radiation fields in the microwave range. In this research work, we represent a double split ring enclosed nested meander-line-shaped metamaterial resonator with a high effective medium ratio layered on a dielectric substrate to enhance the sensitivity for the material characterization. Tailoring a metallic design and periodical arrangement of the split ring resonator in a subwavelength range introduced field enhancement and strong localization of the electromagnetic field. The design methodology is carried out through the optimization technique with different geometric configurations to increase the compactness of the design. The CST microwave studio is utilized for the extraction of the scattering computational value within the defined boundary condition. The effective parameters from the reflection and transmission coefficient are taken into account to observe the radiation characteristics for the interaction with the applied electromagnetic spectrum. The proposed metamaterial-based sensor exhibits high sensitivity for different dielectric materials with low permittivity values. The numerical data of the frequency deviation for the different dielectric constants have shown good agreement using the linear regression analysis where the sensitivity is R² = 0.9894 and the figure of merit is R² = 0.9978.

Roles of Inorganic Oxide Based HTMs towards Highly Efficient and Long-Term Stable PSC-A Review

In just a few years, the efficiency of perovskite-based solar cells (PSCs) has risen to 25.8%, making them competitive with current commercial technology. Due to the inherent advantage of perovskite thin films that can be fabricated using simple solution techniques at low temperatures, PSCs are regarded as one of the most important low-cost and mass-production prospects. The lack of stability, on the other hand, is one of the major barriers to PSC commercialization. The goal of this review is to highlight the most important aspects of recent improvements in PSCs, such as structural modification and fabrication procedures, which have resulted in increased device stability. The role of different types of hole transport layers (HTL) and the evolution of inorganic HTL including their fabrication techniques have been reviewed in detail in this review. We eloquently emphasized the variables that are critical for the successful commercialization of perovskite devices in the final section. To enhance perovskite solar cell commercialization, we also aimed to obtain insight into the operational stability of PSCs, as well as practical information on how to increase their stability through rational materials and device fabrication.

Synthesis of Boron-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanosheets by Using Phyllanthus Emblica Leaf Extract: A Sustainable Environmental Applications

The use of Phyllanthus emblica (gooseberry) leaf extract to synthesize Boron-doped zinc oxide nanosheets (B-doped ZnO-NSs) is deliberated in this article. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows a network of synthesized nanosheets randomly aligned side by side in a B-doped ZnO (15 wt% B) sample. The thickness of B-doped ZnO-NSs is in the range of 20–80 nm. B-doped ZnO-NSs were tested against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli. Against gram-negative bacterium (K. pneumonia and E. coli), B-doped ZnO displays enhanced antibacterial activity with 26 and 24 mm of inhibition zone, respectively. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mean free path (MFP), half-value layer (HVL), and tenth value layer (TVL) of B-doped ZnO were investigated as aspects linked to radiation shielding. These observations were carried out by using a PTW® electron detector and VARIAN® irradiation with 6 MeV electrons. The results of these experiments can be used to learn more about the radiation shielding properties of B-doped ZnO nanostructures.

Impact of Industrially Affected Soil on Humans: A Soil-Human and Soil-Plant-Human Exposure Assessment

Heavy metal (HM) contaminated soil can affect human health via ingestion of foodstuffs, inhalation of soil dust, and skin contact of soil. This study estimates the level of some heavy metals in soils of industrial areas, and their exposures to human body via dietary intake of vegetables and other pathways. Mean concentrations of Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, As and Pb in the studied soil were found to be 61.27, 27,274, 42.36, 9.77, 28.08 and 13.69 mg/kg, respectively, while in vegetables the respective values were 0.53, 119.59, 9.76, 7.14, 1.34 and 2.69 mg/kg. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb originated from lithogenic sources, while Cr and As are derived from anthropogenic sources. A moderate enrichment was noted by Cr, As, and Pb in the entire sampling site, indicating a progressive depletion of soil quality. The bioaccumulation factor (BCF) value for all the vegetables was recorded as BCF < 1; however, the metal pollution index (MPI) stipulates moderately high value of heavy metal accumulation in the vegetable samples. Hazard Index (HI) of >0.1 was estimated for adults but >1 for children by direct soil exposure, whereas HI < 1 for both children and adults via dietary intake of vegetables. Estimated Total carcinogenic risk (TCR) value due to soil exposure showed safe for adults but unsafe for children, while both the population groups were found to be safe via food consumption. Children are found more vulnerable receptors than adults, and health risks (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) via direct soil exposure proved unsafe. Overall, this study can be used as a reference for similar types of studies to evaluate heavy metal contaminated soil impact on the population of Bangladesh and other countries as well.

The Efficacy of Machine-Learning-Supported Smart System for Heart Disease Prediction

The disease may be an explicit status that negatively affects human health. Cardiopathy is one of the common deadly diseases that is attributed to unhealthy human habits compared to alternative diseases. With the help of machine learning (ML) algorithms, heart disease can be noticed in a short time as well as at a low cost. This study adopted four machine learning models, such as random forest (RF), decision tree (DT), AdaBoost (AB), and K-nearest neighbor (KNN), to detect heart disease. A generalized algorithm was constructed to analyze the strength of the relevant factors that contribute to heart disease prediction. The models were evaluated using the datasets Cleveland, Hungary, Switzerland, and Long Beach (CHSLB), and all were collected from Kaggle. Based on the CHSLB dataset, RF, DT, AB, and KNN models predicted an accuracy of 99.03%, 96.10%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. In the case of a single (Cleveland) dataset, only two models, namely RF and KNN, show good accuracy of 93.437% and 97.83%, respectively. Finally, the study used Streamlit, an internet-based cloud hosting platform, to develop a computer-aided smart system for disease prediction. It is expected that the proposed tool together with the ML algorithm will play a key role in diagnosing heart diseases in a very convenient manner. Above all, the study has made a substantial contribution to the computation of strength scores with significant predictors in the prognosis of heart disease.

Green Synthesis of Lead Sulphide Nanoparticles for High-Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cell Applications

In this study, lead sulfide (PbS) nanoparticles were synthesized by the chemical precipitation method using Aloe Vera extract with PbCl₂ and Thiourea (H₂N-CS-NH₂). The synthesized nanoparticles have been investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD and TEM results confirm that the films are in the cubic phase. The crystallite size, lattice constant, micro-strain, dislocation density, optical bandgap, etc. have been determined using XRD and UV-Vis for investigating the quality of prepared nanoparticles. The possible application of these synthesized nanoparticles in the solar cells was investigated by fabricating the thin films on an FTO-coated and bare glass substrate. The properties of nanoparticles were found to be nearly retained in the film state as well. The experimentally found properties of thin films have been implemented for perovskite solar cell simulation and current-voltage and capacitance-voltage characteristics have been investigated. The simulation results showed that PbS nanoparticles could be a potential hole transport layer for high-efficiency perovskite solar cell applications.

Amassing the Covid-19 driven PPE wastes in the dwelling environment of Chittagong Metropolis and associated implications

This study investigates the Covid-19 driven indiscriminate disposal of PPE wastes (mostly face mask and medical wastes) in Chittagong metropolitan area (CMA), Bangladesh. Based on the field monitoring, the mean PPE density (PPE/m²± SD) was calculated to be 0.0226 ± 0.0145, 0.0164 ± 0.0122, and 0.0110 ± 0.00863 for July, August, and September 2021, respectively (during the peak time of Covid-19 in Bangladesh). Moreover, gross information on PPE waste generation in the city was calculated using several parameters such as population density, face mask acceptance rate by urban population, total Covid-19 confirmed cases, quarantined and isolated patients, corresponding medical waste generation rate (kg/bed/day), etc. Moreover, the waste generated due to face mask and other PPEs in the CMA during the whole Covid-19 period (April 4, 2020 to September 5, 2021) were calculated to be 64183.03 and 128695.75 tons, respectively. It has been observed that the negligence of general people, lack of awareness about environmental pollution, and poor municipal waste management practices are the root causes for the contamination of the dwelling environment by PPE wastes. As a result, new challenges have emerged in solid waste management, which necessitates the development of an appropriate waste management strategy. The ultimate policies and strategies may help to achieve the SDG goals 3, 6, 11, 12, 13, and 15, and increase public perception on the use and subsequent disposal of PPEs, especially face masks.

Dosimetric and radiobiological comparison in head-and-neck radiotherapy using JO-IMRT and 3D-CRT

Introduction

Dosimetric and radiobiological evaluations for the Jaws-only Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (JO-IMRT) technique for head and neck jaws-only intensity-modulated radiation therapy (JO-IMRT) and 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT). To compare the head-and-neck therapeutic approaches utilizing JO-IMRT and 3D-CRT techniques, different radiation dose indices were calculated, including: conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), and radiobiological variables like Niemierko's equivalent uniform dose based tumor control probability (TCP) of planning target volume (PTV), normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of organs at risk (OAR) (brainstem, spinal cord, and parotid grand).

Materials and methods

Twenty-five nasopharynx patients were studied using the Prowess Panther Treatment Planning System (Prowess Inc). The results were compared with the dose distribution obtained using 3D-CRT.

Results

Regarding tumor coverage and CI, JO-IMRT showed better results than 3D-CRT. The average doses received by the PTVs were quite similar: 72.1 ± 0.8 Gy by 3D-CRT and 72.5 ± 0.6 Gy by JO-IMRT plans (p > 0.05). The mean doses received by the parotid gland were 56.7 ± 0.7 Gy by 3D-CRT and 26.8 ± 0.3 Gy by JO-IMRT (p > 0.05). The HI and CI were 0.13 ± 0.01 and 0.14 ± 0.05 and (p > 0.05) by 3D-CRT and 0.83 ± 0.05 and 0.73 ± 0.10 by JO-IMRT (p < 0.05). The average TCP of PTV was 0.82 ± 0.08 by 3D-CRT and 0.92 ± 0.02 by JO-IMRT. Moreover, the NTCP of the parotid glands, brain stem, and spinal cord were lower using the JO-IMRT than 3D-CRT plans. In comparison to the 3D-CRT approach, the JO-IMRT technique was able to boost dose coverage to the PTV, improve the target's CI and HI, and spare the parotid glands. This suggests the power of the JO-IMRT over 3D-CRT in head-and-neck radiotherapy.

Modified Coptic Cross Shaped Split-Ring Resonator Based Negative Permittivity Metamaterial for Quad Band Satellite Applications with High Effective Medium Ratio

This research article describes a modified Coptic cross shaped split ring resonator (SRR) based metamaterial that exhibits a negative permittivity and refractive index with a permeability of nearly zero. The metamaterial unit cell consists of an SRR and modified Coptic cross shaped resonator providing quadruple resonance frequency at 2.02, 6.985, 9.985 and 14.425 GHz with the magnitude of −29.45, −25.44, −19.05, and −24.45 dB, respectively. The unit cell that was fabricated on a FR-4 substrate with a thickness of 1.6 mm has an electrical dimension of 0.074λ × 0.074λ; the wavelength (λ) is computed at the frequency of 2.02 GHz. The computer simulation technology (CST) microwave studio was employed to determine the scattering parameters and their effective medium properties, i.e., permittivity, permeability and refractive index, also calculated based on NRW (Nicolson–Ross–Weir) method through the implementation of MATLAB code. The frequency range of 2.02–2.995 GHz, 6.985–7.945 GHz, 9.985–10.6 GHz, and 14.425–15.445 GHz has been found for negative permittivity. An effective medium ratio (EMR) of 13.50 at 2.02 GHz shows that the proposed unit cell is compact and effective. The lumped component based equivalent circuit model is used to validate with simulation results. The proposed unit cell and its array were fabricated for experimental verification. The results show that the simulation result using CST and high-frequency structure simulator (HFSS) simulator, equivalent circuit model result using advanced design system (ADS) simulator and measurement results match each other better. Its near zero permeability, negative permittivity, negative refractive index, high EMR and simple unit cell design allow the proposed metamaterial to be used for S-, C-, X- and Ku-band satellite applications.

PPE pollution in the terrestrial and aquatic environment of the Chittagong city area associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and concomitant health implications

The present study focuses on the indiscriminate disposal of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and resulting environmental contamination during the 3rd wave of COVID-19-driven global pandemic in the Chittagong metropolitan area, Bangladesh. Because of the very high rate of infection by the delta variant of this virus, the use of PPEs by the public is increased significantly to protect the ingestion/inhalation of respiratory droplets in the air. However, it is a matter of solicitude that general people throw away the PPEs to the dwelling environment unconsciously. With the increase of inappropriate disposal of PPEs (i.e., mostly the disposable face masks made from plastic microfibers), the possibility of transmission of the virus to the general public cannot be neglected completely. This is because this virus can survive for several days on the inanimate matter like plastics and fibers. At the same time, the result of environmental contamination by microplastic/microfiber has been widespread which eventually creates the worst impact on ecosystems and organisms. The present results may help to increase public perception of the use and subsequent disposal of PPEs, especially the face masks.

Elimination of biological and physical artifacts in abdomen and brain computed tomography procedures using filtering techniques

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Filters reduce the noise at the expense of visual image quality.

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Digital interpretation of images prevents misinterpretation of the images due to blurring of the images.

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Dose reduction without compromising the diagnostic.

Introduction

Medical images are usually affected by biological and physical artifacts or noise, which reduces image quality and hence poses difficulties in visual analysis, interpretation and thus requires higher doses and increased radiographs repetition rate.

Objectives

This study aims at assessing image quality during CT abdomen and brain examinations using filtering techniques as well as estimating the radiogenic risk associated with CT abdomen and brain examinations.

Materials and Methods

The data were collected from the Radiology Department at Royal Care International (RCI) Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. The study included 100 abdominal CT images and 100 brain CT images selected from adult patients. Filters applied are namely: Mean filter, Gaussian filter, Median filter and Minimum filter. In this study, image quality after denoising is measured based on the Mean Squared Error (MSE), Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), and the Structural Similarity Index Metric (SSIM).

Results

The results show that the images quality parameters become higher after applications of filters. Median filter showed improved image quality as interpreted by the measured parameters: PSNR and SSIM, and it is thus considered as a better filter for removing the noise from all other applied filters.

Discussion

The noise removed by the different filters applied to the CT images resulted in enhancing high quality images thereby effectively revealing the important details of the images without increasing the patients’ risks from higher doses.

Conclusions

Filtering and image reconstruction techniques not only reduce the dose and thus the radiation risks, but also enhances high quality imaging which allows better diagnosis.

Sensing mammographic density using single-sided portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

This research paper presents a quantitative approach to sensing mammographic density (MD) using single-sided portable Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). It focuses on three main techniques: spin-lattice relaxation (recovery) time (T1), spin-spin relaxation (decay) time (T2), and Diffusion (D) techniques by testing whether or not the aforementioned techniques are in agreement with the gold standard and with each other when used for scanning breast tissue specimens with a variety of mammographic densities (MDs). The high mammographic density (HMD), intermediate MD, and low mammographic density (LMD) regions of each slice were identified according to the mammogram images. Subsequently, the grayscale values for these regions were quantified. One region was measured from the first sample while the remaining ones were measured from the second sample. The same areas were then exposed to portable NMR, and the sequences used as following: the stimulated echo sequence for diffusion (D), the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) sequence for T2, and saturation recovery sequence for T1. The correlations between the grayscale values and NMR techniques were strongly correlated. The Pearson correlation coefficient, R, of T1 (%) versus grayscale value, D (%) versus grayscale value, and T2 (%) versus grayscale value, was 0.91, 0.91, and 0.93, respectively. Furthermore, the relative water content of the breast slices based on T1, T2, and diffusion (D) measurements were strongly in agreement with each other. The Pearson correlation coefficient, R, of D (%) versus T1 (%), D (%) versus T2 (%), and T1 (%) versus T2 (%), was 0.984, 0.966, and 0.9868, respectively. The three pulse sequences can be employed in a portable NMR device to deliver continuous quantitative measurements of MD in breast tissue samples. As a result, the method demonstrated to be acceptable for determining the distribution of MDs among breast tissue samples without the need for additional qualitative analysis.