Free community pet clinics (FCPCs) are instrumental in providing healthcare services for pets in resource-constrained communities. These programmes are typically single-day and coupled with limited opportunity for post-operative follow-up, the likelihood of compromise on the welfare of the sterilised pets becomes apparent. The objective of this study was to identify welfare and ethical challenges associated with dog sterilisation clinics conducted in Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda, from May to October 2023. We evaluated the welfare of 46 dogs sterilised at the FCPCs. We collected data using a questionnaire combined with observations and checklists at all stages, including arrival, pre-surgical evaluation, post-surgical recovery, and follow-ups at 7 and 30 days post-surgery. Dogs transported to the clinics by motorcycle moved the longest distance (9.5 km; range: 7.2-11 km), followed by those brought by car (3.8 km; range 3.8-4 km) and lastly by walking (2.0 km; 1-3 km). During the pre-surgical waiting period and post-surgical recovery, 91.3 and 63.0% of dogs, respectively, did not receive any provisions. The Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) tool evaluated the impact of physical, psychological, and procedural factors on dog welfare and revealed that procedural events had the most negative impact. In the follow-up, one week post-surgery, a significant percentage of dogs were healing normally (73.7%) while infection at the surgical site was reported in 15.4%. Assessing the behavioural change of dogs by 30 days post-operatively, 46.4% reportedly had increased aggression levels. These findings highlight crucial welfare and stress control points for dogs sterilised at free community clinics, which may influence the outcome of the surgery and later interactions with healthcare professionals.
Misregistration between CT and PET images can compromise lesion localization and the accuracy of tracer uptake quantification. Although repeating a limited-coverage (LC) CT scan may resolve the issue, most PET/CT systems require extending the LC CT to cover one to two PET bed positions, substantially increasing the patient's CT dose and adding the complexity of matching the LC CT to the corresponding PET positions. Consequently, many clinics instead repeat an LC PET/CT scan, which is operationally simpler but adds several minutes of unnecessary PET acquisition and still results in a significant increase in CT dose. A more efficient solution is needed-one that minimizes CT doses without necessitating an additional PET scan. We aimed to develop a misregistration correction server (MCS) to solve the problems of excessive CT dose and unnecessary PET scans associated with current limited coverage (LC) CT and LC PET/CT procedures. A new MCS was developed to embed the CT of PET/CT with either an LC CT or data-driven gated (DDG) CT to enable PET attenuation correction. Both LC CT and DDG CT can be positioned across PET bed positions and does not need a repeat PET. The MCS currently supports misregistration correction of 9 scanners within our hospital network: 8 GE DMI and 1 Siemens Quadra. It can simultaneously process data from all 9 scanners and return the WB CT embedded with LC CT or DDG CT to each requesting scanner for misregistration correction. Over 2,033 patient studies have been corrected. The dose implications of the MCS will be assessed. The processing time from data transfer to output was approximately 1 min for LC CT and 3 min for DDG CT. The MCS workflow has minimal operational impact and eliminates the need for repeat PET acquisitions. The LC/DDG CT scan ranges were 17.5 ± 4.7 cm on the GE DMI and 22.1 ± 5.6 cm on the Siemens Quadra, with corresponding doses of 7.52 ± 4.18 mGy and 5.63 ± 4.46 mGy. Registration improved in 2,004 of 2,013 DMI studies and 13 of 20 Quadra studies. The dose length product (DLP) values for LC/DDG CT (DMI: 133.9 ± 87.8 mGy-cm; Quadra: 108.3 ± 90.6 mGy-cm) were substantially lower than the WB CT values (DMI: 569.0 ± 305.0 mGy-cm; Quadra: 641.8 ± 321.5 mGy-cm), representing only 23.5% and 16.8% of the corresponding WB DLP. A new MCS has been developed to correct misregistration in PET/CT scanners from GE and Siemens. It can generate DDG CT from the cine CT data to correct for PET or DDG PET, or enable repeat CT of any coverage, avoiding the need for repeat PET and thereby reducing both CT dose and PET scan time. The additional doses in DLP accounted for 23.5% of the WB DLP for the GE DMI scanner and 16.8% for the Siemens Vision Quadra scanner.
Radiation treatment planning for pituitary tumors traditionally involves magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging. However, the gross tumor volume (GTV) may be difficult to delineate for patients after resection and recurrence. Advanced positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE has been used for somatostatin-expressing tumors, and can be used for target volume delineation. We hypothesized that [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET scan - based GTV delineation would alter the target volume in comparison with MRI-based delineation. This IRB-approved protocol retrospectively contoured GTVs for seven patients who had undergone [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET for radiation treatment planning for pituitary tumors. Eligible patients had recurrent disease following at least one resection and underwent both MRI and PET for treatment planning. Four central nervous system radiation oncologists and one resident radiation oncologist contoured both the MRI and the PET nonsequentially for each patient. The median MRI volume for each physician ranged from 4.41 to 7.19 cm3. The median PET volume for each physician ranged from 5.94 to 15.54 cm3. There was excellent interrater reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.95 for PET and 0.98 for MRI. There were no new nonadjacent areas of disease identified on PET or MRI. Average PET volumes were both larger and smaller than average MRI volumes for different patients. The range of differences between average MRI and PET volumes was (-3.81 cm3 - +4.34 cm3). There was a median absolute difference between average PET and average MRI volume of 2.24 cm3, which corresponds to a median relative percent difference of 20.3%. These results support the conclusion that [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET alters treatment volumes in radiation planning for recurrent pituitary tumors. Whether PET imaging changes treatment outcomes is unknown. The use of this imaging modality for pituitary radiation planning should be studied prospectively.
The cost of veterinary care is a significant concern for many pet owners. Despite the growing use of the internet for service-related information, there is limited research regarding the accessibility of veterinary pricing information on veterinary clinic websites. To address this gap, the present study investigated the transparency of online veterinary service pricing on websites for small animal clinics within the United States through a cross-sectional study design. The country was divided into four divisions based on the U.S. Census, with two randomly selected states selected from each division (Wyoming, California, Michigan, Illinois, Maine, New York, Florida, and Kentucky). Systematic random sampling within state was used to select five distinct zip codes, comprising of two urban, two rural, and one suburban area per Census definitions. The first five clinics within a specific zip code on Google Maps search results were included for analysis. Prices for routine dog and cat services were extracted from clinic websites. These included core vaccinations, sterilization procedures (spay and neuter surgeries), nail trims, dental procedures, and "Wellness Plans." Although a maximum of five clinics per zip code were targeted, resulting in an estimated sample size of 200 clinics, some of the selected zip codes had fewer than five clinics, resulting in a final size of 177 clinics. Among these, 157 clinics (88.70%, 157/177) had websites available for review, demonstrating a high level of online presence. However, information on specific service pricing was sparse. Three clinics (1.91%, 3/157) provided pricing information for services on their websites. Similarly, only seven clinics (4.46%, 7/157) offered a Wellness Plan option for patients, 2/157 (1.27%) clinics mentioned insurance options, 13/157 (8.28%) clinics listed payment options such as CareCredit, Scratch pay, check, cash, and 14/157 (8.92%) clinics offered discounts such as free or reduced cost first visit fees. These findings highlight a substantial gap in online price transparency, underscoring the need for increased transparency to promote informed decision-making and trust between clients and veterinarians.
Pets can contain parasites along with other infectious diseases. This survey investigates risk factors associated with pet owners' sociodemographic status and categorizes pet animals into different risk groups, as reported by their owners, in Sylhet City Corporation, Bangladesh. Data were collected using a preplanned questionnaire from cat and dog owners at different pet clinics. The responses provided details on pets' living conditions and classified them into one of the four levels of risk for ESCCAP infections (A, B, C, and D). The chi-square test examined associations between risk groups and the owners' sociodemographic factors. This study assessed 197 cat owners and 32 dog owners to assess their pets' risk of diseases using ESCCAP guidelines and its relationship with owners' sociodemographic factors. Among dogs, 50% were classified in the highest-risk group (D), requiring monthly deworming, while 54% of cats were in the lowest-risk group (A), reflecting reduced exposure to parasites. For dogs, significant associations were observed between risk groups and owners' education, gender, veterinary visits, and residency (p < 0.05). Among cat owners, owners' residency, responsibility, vet visits, and attitude toward pets are significantly associated with different risk groups (p < 0.05). Deworming compliance was higher among cat owners (55.83%) than dog owners (18.75%), though it remained suboptimal overall. Awareness of zoonotic diseases was low, with only 21.87% of dog owners and 25.38% of cat owners informed. The serious shortage of zoonotic awareness among pet owners forms the basis of the One Health challenges. This represents a major threat to public health owing to the intimate relationship between owners and vulnerable pets, such as 50% of dogs in group D. Vaccination rates were higher for cats (56.34%) than dogs (28.12%). Pets in urban areas faced lower risks than those in rural settings (p < 0.001), underscoring the role of environmental exposure. These findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive health education, better veterinary engagement, and targeted interventions to enhance parasite control and reduce zoonotic risks within the One Health framework.
Pet food, due to its general abundance and use of animal protein, makes a substantial contribution to the environmental 'pawprint' of dog and cat ownership. As pet owners are increasingly interested in sustainability issues, which include both the physical environment and animal welfare, our objective was to identify how veterinary teams can support pet owners to make sustainable feeding choices. We surveyed 1,066 people on perceptions of these topics and the role their veterinary team could fill. While people value both factors when choosing pet food, animal welfare was significantly more important in driving pet owners' choices relative to the environment. We found that pet owners consider the veterinary team, particularly veterinarians, to be a trusted source of information for animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Finally, third-party certifications are well received by both familiar and introduced individuals and could be a powerful tool in these conversations. This study highlights opportunities for veterinary clinics to advance sustainability efforts in the animal health sector.
As tumors represent one of the most common causes of death in developed countries, it is of utmost importance to understand the (molecular) mechanisms underlying tumor progression. On this basis, cancer diagnosis and therapy can be improved. Specific radioactive molecules can help in providing such information when detected by sensitive cameras, especially when this is done in a three-dimensional manner. Positron-emitting radioisotopes can be detected by positron emission tomography (PET) cameras. A range of molecular processes can be visualized by PET, depending on the radiotracer used. However, before novel tracers can be used in a clinical scenario, it is fundamental to thoroughly prove their specificity in in vitro experiments and also in animal models. And also tracers, which are already clinically used, may be further validated in preclinical studies. To this end, small animal models of cancer and also dedicated preclinical PET cameras have been developed. Preclinical PET, in combination with CT or MRI, has fundamentally contributed to the establishment of novel imaging, diagnostic, therapy and theranostic approaches in the clinics. Here, we provide an overview of the diverse applications and also the challenges of preclinical PET in the field of oncology.
Psychiatric and neurological disorders severely compromised patients' quality of life. Despite their urgent needs, the development of diagnostics and therapeutics based on the biological basis has made only little progress. This is due to limited evidence on the biological basis of these disorders in humans. Synapses are fundamental structural units of neurotransmission, and neuropsychiatric disorders are considered as 'synapse diseases'. Thus, a translational approach based on synaptic physiology is important to understand these disorders. Excitatory glutamatergic synapses play principal roles in neuronal functions. Glutamate α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) is a fundamental molecule of glutamatergic neurotransmission and therefore is considered to be a promising translational target. Here we review the limitations of current diagnostics and therapeutics of psychiatric disorders and claim the essential need for the promotion of translational medicine based on the synaptic physiology of AMPAR. Further, we introduce our recent translational challenge to tackle these diseases by targeting AMPARs.
Positron emission tomography (PET) now complements ultrasound, CT, and MRI by enabling whole-body assessment of tumor biology in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). Somatostatin receptor (SSTR) directed PET is the reference standard for staging, prognostication, and selection for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), while 18F-FDG PET identifies aggressive, dedifferentiated components that may be refractory to receptor-targeted strategies. Recent Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging/European Association of Nuclear Medicine (SNMMI/EANM) guidelines standardize SSTR PET/CT procedures and reporting. Emerging advances include fluorinated SSTR ligands (e.g., 18F-AlF-NOTA-octreotide, 18F-SiTATE), SSTR antagonists (JR11 family), copper-64 theranostics (64Cu-SARTATE), and non-SSTR targets such as GLP-1R, CXCR4, and FAP. Hybrid PET/MRI improves hepatic lesion characterization and reduces radiation in appropriate patients, while CT/MRI remains indispensable for morphology and complications. Integrating multi-tracer PET with anatomic imaging refines risk stratification, PRRT selection, and longitudinal response assessment.
BACKGROUND: In recent years, plasma levels of phosphorylated tau species, particularly p-tau217, have emerged as reliable indicators of amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology in the brain. However, real-world data on plasma biomarkers across diverse populations remain limited. We conducted a prospective multicenter study under real-world clinical settings to evaluate diagnostic performance of plasma biomarkers, including p-tau217, in discriminating amyloid status among a Japanese population. METHODS: A total of 332 participants were recruited from seven memory clinics across Japan. Participants were categorized into four clinical subgroups: cognitively unimpaired (CU), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD), and non-ADD. We measured Aβ40, Aβ42, p-tau181, total-tau, and neurofilament light chain (NfL) in CSF and Aβ40, Aβ42, p-tau217, p-tau181, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and NfL in plasma using the LUMIPULSE platform. Amyloid status was determined by amyloid PET imaging and/or CSF Aβ42/40 ratio. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in plasma biomarker levels, including Aβ42/40, p-tau217, p-tau181, GFAP, and NfL across clinical categories. Plasma p-tau217 and p-tau217/Aβ42 achieved high diagnostic accuracy, with areas under the curve (AUC) exceeding 0.9 with PET amyloid status as the reference, demonstrating comparable performance to the in vitro diagnostic (IVD)-approved CSF Aβ42/40 ratio. The two-cutoff approach using plasma p-tau217 and p-tau217/Aβ42 to achieve 90% sensitivity and 90% specificity provided high negative and positive predictive values. The intermediate range defined by these two-cutoff points was narrower for p-tau217/Aβ42 than for p-tau217. The predefined U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved two-cutoff points were applicable to this cohort with good accuracy. Concordance of plasma p-tau217 or p-tau217/Aβ42 with PET or CSF Aβ42/40 status ranged from 87% to 93%, although larger discordant results were observed in the non-ADD group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the clinical utility of plasma p-tau217 and p-tau217/Aβ42 ratio for real-world diagnostic evaluations of dementia. However, careful interpretation of plasma biomarker is warranted in cases showing discordant results with PET or CSF findings.
SUV4.0-based thresholding is widely used for baseline [¹⁸F]FDG PET-based metabolic tumor volume (MTV) assessment in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but its suitability at interim and end-of-treatment (EoT) PET, when residual uptake is heterogeneous and tumor-to-background contrast is lower, is uncertain. We aimed to define a lesion-adaptive decision rule approach for selecting the optimal segmentation method based on lesion-level features and treatment phase and, exploratorily, to compare its performance with ML-based selection models. A total of 598 lesions from 33 DLBCL patients (HOVON-84 trial) were segmented at baseline, interim, and EoT [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT using six semi-automated methods: SUV2.5, SUV4.0, 41%max, A50peak, MV2, and MV3. Segmentation quality was independently rated for each lesion by two observers (scale 1-5; 3 = preferred), with adjudication by a third reviewer. The influence of lesional SUVpeak, tumor-to-background ratio (TBRpeak), background uptake (SUVbg), treatment phase, and location on segmentation quality was assessed. Over six million rule-based combinations of key features were evaluated to derive a lesion-adaptive decision rule for preferred method selection. Exploratorily, ML classifiers were trained and compared with the decision-rule strategy. Segmentation quality varied across lesions and methods. SUVpeak, TBRpeak, and SUVbg were key predictors of method performance. The final lesion-adaptive rule, applying SUV4.0 if SUVpeak > 8, MV3 if SUVbg > 0.8, and otherwise MV2, achieved a lesion-wise accuracy of 0.82 for preferred method selection, matching the best-performing ML models. Versus SUV4.0 alone (benchmark), the Decision Rule improved lesion-level MTV agreement with the reference (ρ = 0.85 vs. 0.82 vs. best ML ρ = 0.81) and reduced the proportion of lesions with > 10% MTV deviation (46.2% vs. 63.5%; best ML 50.2%). Total-MTV agreements with the reference were uniformly high across all strategies (all ρ ≥ 0.94), with modest gains for the decision rule at interim and EoT PET. A straightforward decision-rule approach using SUVpeak and SUVbg successfully selects the preferred method for individual DLBCL lesions across treatment phases and matches ML performance with greater simplicity and clinical applicability. Although supervision remains necessary, this approach helps address the current gap in segmentation methodology for interim and EoT PET, where SUV4.0 may not always be appropriate.
Background/Objectives: Gated cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) synchronizes PET data to the cardiac cycle based on an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, providing left ventricular (LV) functional and geometrical parameters. Nevertheless, image artifacts, due to cardiac-, breathing-, and/or patient-motion occurring during image acquisition, undermine the reliability and clinical utility of these parameters. This study aims to elucidate the effect of two motion correction (MC) tools, CardioFreeze (CF) and a data-driven motion correction (DDMC) prototype, on LV functional and geometrical parameters. Methods: ECG-gated rest/stress [13N]NH3 PET/CT scans from forty patients with myocardial ischemia and thirty-nine patients with normal myocardial perfusion were included. The following four reconstructions were performed for each patient scan: without motion correction (NMC), with CF, DDMC, and DDMC & CF. Images were processed with Cedars-Sinai QPET software. Results: End-diastolic volume (EDV) in rest and stress increased significantly using DDMC. End-systolic volume (ESV) increased significantly, while LV ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased significantly using any MC tool, regardless of the phase. Shape index end-systole (SI ES) and shape-index end-diastole (SI ED) increased significantly when using MC, except for SI ED in rest, where DDMC did not cause any difference. Eccentricity index end-systole (ECC ES) in rest and stress increased significantly in patients with normal myocardial perfusion, while it did not differ in ischemic patients after applying MC. Conclusions: MC tools significantly increase ESV values and decrease EF values. The highest effect is observed with the combined use of DDMC & CF. Image quality is greatly improved when using MC, regardless of the method, particularly in patients with the highest myocardial displacement.
Brain [18F]FDG PET can reveal metabolic abnormalities that precede, exceed, or clarify structural MR imaging findings. Among inflammatory brain diseases, the strongest clinical rationale is currently in autoimmune encephalitis, where fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET increases diagnostic sensitivity, supports syndrome-oriented metabolic pattern recognition, and may contribute to selected follow-up. In viral encephalitis, use is selective rather than routine. In post-coronavirus infectious disease (COVID) condition and related postinfectious syndromes, FDG PET may support biological stratification and differential diagnosis in a subset of patients. Interpretation remains highly dependent on clinical context and methods. Translocator protein (TSPO) PET adds mechanistic information on neuroimmune activation but belongs mainly to the research domain.
The advent of total-body PET/computed tomography (TB PET) is revolutionizing the field of molecular imaging. The high photon collection efficiency of TB PET translates into superior sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio compared to conventional scanners, enabling shorter acquisition times and lower administered doses while significantly enhancing diagnostic performance. In the era of precision medicine, patient selection for radioligand therapy and treatment response assessment are expected to benefit from accurate lesion detection, dual-tracer studies, the use of short- and long-lived radiopharmaceuticals, tracer kinetic analysis, and frequent follow-up monitoring. These advantages are made possible by long-axial field-of-view scanners and further maximized through TB PET/CT.
The review highlights clinical use cases of PET/MR imaging in a pediatric multispecialty neuro-oncology practice with a focus on the role of hybrid imaging with PET/MR imaging, the application of the clinically available tracer fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), and opportunities in the implementation of amino acid-based tracers. Clinical examples of 18F-FDG hybrid PET/MR imaging use in pediatric diffuse gliomas, medulloblastomas, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, metastatic disease with spine involvement, and cases where a brain tumor presents as a second malignancy are highlighted.
Otitis is a major disease impacting both pet guinea pigs and laboratory guinea pigs that are used as models in human otological studies. Medical records from two veterinary clinics were retrospectively reviewed to identify guinea pigs diagnosed with computed tomography (CT)-confirmed otitis between 2014 and 2023. The clinical signs, treatment and bacteria isolated in these cases were noted, and predisposing factors were identified. Thirty-six guinea pigs out of the 1477 seen at the clinics during the study period had otitis, giving a prevalence of 2.4%. The majority (61%) of guinea pigs had non-specific clinical signs, with 12 (33%) having respiratory signs and nine (25%) having dental disease. Only 14 animals (39%) had vestibular signs. Females were less likely to have otitis than males (odds ratio: 0.2). No age predilection was identified (age range 5-60 months). Animals with vestibular signs or respiratory signs had 21.8 and 9.5 times higher odds of having otitis, respectively. Treatment was divided into medical management or surgery and antibiotic therapy. No difference in survival times was observed regarding treatment received. Limitations of the study include the small number of animals and lack of repeat CT. Veterinarians should remember that otitis is a common disease in guinea pigs of all ages, with males being slightly more predisposed than females. Affected animals can have non-specific clinical signs, such as respiratory or dental disease. Head tilt is the most common vestibular sign.
Recent advances allow blood tests to detect key proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this before-and-after study across three Australian memory and cognition clinics, we evaluated the impact on clinicians' diagnostic confidence and management following disclosure of routine patients' AD probability, using predefined plasma phosphorylated tau 181 (pTau181) thresholds set at 90% sensitivity and 90% specificity for amyloid-beta (Aβ) positron emission tomography (PET) positivity. One hundred thirteen participants (mean age: 71.2 ± 8.4; mean Mini-Mental State Examination score: 27.7 ± 2.5) with dementia (n = 17, 15.0%), mild cognitive impairment (n = 48, 42.5%), and subjective cognitive decline (n = 48, 42.5%) were enrolled. Blood test results were "probably negative," n = 81, 71.7%; "indeterminate", n = 24, 21.2%; and "probably positive," n = 8, 7.1%. In 12 cases (10.6%), pTau181 changed clinician diagnosis and increased mean diagnostic confidence from low-to-moderate (61%) to moderate-to-high (80%). Aβ PET in 40 participants showed plasma pTau181 improved diagnostic accuracy by 5%. This study demonstrates the benefits of plasma pTau181 in real-world clinical practice particularly when diagnostic confidence is only low-to-moderate.
BACKGROUND: Biomarker assessments increasingly inform the diagnostic evaluation and treatment decisions in Alzheimer disease (AD). However, evidence on the impact of amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) disclosure is primarily derived from studies of cognitively unimpaired trial participants with follow-up limited to 18 months. In contrast, long-term implications for individuals with cognitive concerns who seek medical evaluation in memory clinics remain unknown. We aimed to examine the psychosocial and behavioral impact three years after amyloid PET disclosure in individuals presenting with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) at a memory clinic. METHODS: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants from the Subjective Cognitive Impairment Cohort (SCIENCe) (67 ± 7 years; 5 female; 10 amyloid positive) 35 ± 4 months post-disclosure. All had SCD at imaging; one had progressed to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at interview. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed inductively. RESULTS: Participants’ motivations for testing and long-term adaptation to the results were strongly shaped by cognitive concerns and personal experiences of dementia in relatives. All demonstrated accurate comprehension of their amyloid status. Those with negative scans described immediate relief and reattributed memory lapses to normal aging, while recognizing that the reassurance was provisional. Although positive scans provoked initial shock and fear of deterioration, participants valued information over uncertainty, and over time, fear attenuated as they perceived no rapid decline. Both groups regarded results as meaningful and personally actionable, informing health behavior, life priorities, and preparations for future decline. Fourteen of 17 participants spontaneously mentioned considering options for self-determined end-of-life. Regardless of amyloid status, most participants shared their result with close relatives and friends, some also informed colleagues or acquaintances, while others limited communication to avoid stigma, protect loved ones, or reduce the burden of repeated explanations. Participants valued testing, expressed no regret, and would choose disclosure again. CONCLUSIONS: Three years after disclosure, participants generally had adjusted to living with their imaging result, finding personal meaning and practical engagement without reporting ongoing psychological harm. Some reported residual concerns and uncertainty, irrespective of amyloid status. These findings offer timely guidance for clinicians and patients as biomarker disclosure is more widely incorporated into routine practice.
Radiation therapy remains essential in managing thoracic and head and neck malignancies, yet radiation-induced injury to surrounding normal tissues continues to pose significant clinical challenges. Traditional assessment of radiation complications relies on clinical symptoms and anatomic imaging, often detecting injury only after irreversible damage has occurred. This article reviews the emerging role of fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) as a theranostic tool for early detection and quantitative assessment of radiation-induced complications across multiple organ systems. FDG-PET/CT exploits the increased glycolytic activity of inflamed tissues to identify subclinical radiation-induced injury to the surrounding healthy tissue before the onset of clinical symptoms.
Raw meat-based diets (RMBD) are increasingly popular among dog guardians, yet the role of personal nutrition habits and pet-guardian relationships in their adoption remains unclear. This study examines how these factors, alongside previously identified drivers of pet food selection, specifically relate to the decision to feed RMBD. Data from 433 dog guardians were collected via an e-survey, from which 46 questions were selected for analysis in this study. Participants were placed into raw or cooked groups based on their dogs' primary diet. Responses were assessed using descriptive statistics and univariate logistic regression. A cooked diet was the primary feeding method for 291 participants, while 142 reported providing a diet that included at least one raw element. Households with an income exceeding CA $100,000 were predictive of raw feeding, while possession of graduate education was protective against it. Intact dogs of medium size were also associated with raw feeding practices. Compared to supermarkets and veterinary clinics, pet specialty stores were significantly more likely to be used by raw feeders for pet food purchases. Additionally, the provision of supplements to ensure dietary balance was linked to raw feeders, with the inclusion of fish oil increasing the odds of feeding RMBD. Raw feeding was also associated with greater perceived knowledge of canine nutrition and a preference for minimally processed pet foods, whereas emphasis on the convenience or cost of feeding reduced the likelihood of adopting RMBD. Survey questions evaluating guardians' nutrition habits and perceived relationships with their pets did not predict diet group membership. Differences between raw feeders and guardians feeding cooked diets were observed in demographics (e.g., income and education), dog characteristics (e.g., breed size and sexual status), supplement use, pet food opinions and purchasing locations, and perceived dog nutrition knowledge. However, no differences were found in personal nutrition habits or the perceived human-animal bond.