To evaluate the reproducibility and diagnostic performance of two-bed single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) images (TBSCT), compared to conventional planar bone scintigraphy (PBS) for the diagnosis of osseous metastasis.

Patients with known solid tumor, referred to perform PBS, were included in this prospective study. PBS acquisition was followed by TBSCT images, covering at least the chest, abdomen and pelvis. Each modality was interpreted during a separate session by two independent nuclear medicine physicians with 12- and 3-year experience. Reference standard was formulated on the basis of subsequent clinical/imaging/histopathological evidence.

One-hundred and six patients were finally included in our study. A moderate agreement between the two physicians was seen for PBS readings [k = 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.61-0.86] which increased to 0.87 (95% CI, 0.77-0.96) for TBSCT. PBS readings were inconclusive in 29/106, compared to 6 for TBSCT. For each reader, TBSCT showed significantly greater sensitivity and accuracy compared to PBS. There was no significant difference in the sensitivity, specificity or accuracy of both modalities in patients with the breast cancer group, whereas TBSCT images have shown significant higher sensitivity and accuracy compared to PBS (P = 0.02 and 0.002, respectively) in nonbreast cancer patients.

TBSCT demonstrated higher reproducibility and significantly decreased the proportion of inconclusive readings of PBS. TBSCT resulted in significant gain in sensitivity and accuracy in the unselected group of patients with solid tumors. However, that gain may be better appreciated in patients with nonbreast cancer.

TBSCT demonstrated higher reproducibility and significantly decreased the proportion of inconclusive readings of PBS. TBSCT resulted in significant gain in sensitivity and accuracy in the unselected group of patients with solid tumors. However, that gain may be better appreciated in patients with nonbreast cancer.

Renal transplantation is the gold standard treatment for chronic kidney disease. Renal scintigraphy has been performed widely to evaluate postsurgical complications of transplantation, but there are little data regarding 99mTc-EC scintigraphy in kidney transplantation.

This was a prospective descriptive study. All patients who underwent kidney transplantation and passed an uneventful postoperative period entered the study. Demographic characteristics, including age, gender, biochemical parameters before and after the transplantation and 99mTc-EC parameters including time to max, time to ½ max, slope from max to ½ max, upslope time interval and time to 2/3 max as well as episodes of rejection, were recorded. Patients were then followed up for 1 year at 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month intervals.

Forty-one patients who underwent renal transplantation entered the study. Mean ± SD age of patients was 40.65 ± 12.84 years (min 17 and max 74 years). In total, 25% (10) of patients experienced one or two episodes of rejection and were hospitalized. Time of max, time of 1/2 max, time from max to 1/2 max, time of 2/3 max, time from max to 2/3 max and upslope time interval had a significant association with transplant rejection using a Cox regression model. With 1-min increase in time of max, the risk of rejection increased by 27% (hazard ratio = 1.27; CI, 1.03–1.56) and with 1-min increase in time of 1/2 max, the risk of rejection increased by 28% (hazard ratio = 1.28; CI, 1.14-1.45).

99mTc-EC renal scintigrahpy was able to predict kidney transplantation rejection in our patients. 99mTc-EC renal scintigrahpy is beneficial to evaluate transplant kidney function to prevent complications and helps close follow-up.

99mTc-EC renal scintigrahpy was able to predict kidney transplantation rejection in our patients. 99mTc-EC renal scintigrahpy is beneficial to evaluate transplant kidney function to prevent complications and helps close follow-up.

Nursing students experience stress levels that may interfere with success in rigorous nursing programs. While evidence indicates therapy dogs can decrease stress, no intervention standards exist, and outcomes are usually measured with questionnaires.

The purpose of this research was to enhance empirical evidence supporting a campus therapy dog by explaining the therapy dog’s effect on nursing student stress.

The research used an embedded mixed-methods design. Introductory-level students interacted with a therapy dog on designated days. They measured stress using a smartphone application and Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale. Focus group discussion and program graduate surveys provided qualitative data explaining quantitative results.

Results supported use of a campus therapy dog to decrease nursing student stress.

The therapy dog’s regular presence on campus may have improved student outcomes by decreasing stress and improving focus.

The therapy dog’s regular presence on campus may have improved student outcomes by decreasing stress and improving focus.

Past research has linked the development of borderline personality disorder to earlier exposure to violence. However, the causal link by which this relationship exists has not yet been fully identified. The present study sought to examine how exposure to violence predicted heterogeneity in the development of depressive systems and results in the arousal of borderline personality disorder symptoms in adulthood. The Pathways to Desistance data were used in the analyses. This data set consisted of the responses of 1354 juvenile offenders followed across 7 years. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify latent trajectories of depressive symptoms. Ordinary least squares regression was used to model covariate effects on borderline personality disorder symptoms in adulthood. Results indicated that a three-group depression trajectory model best fit the data. JNJ64264681 Direct victimization early in life was associated with increased borderline personality disorder symptoms in adulthood. When trajectory group assign trajectory model best fit the data. Direct victimization early in life was associated with increased borderline personality disorder symptoms in adulthood. When trajectory group assignment was accounted for in the model, the relationship between direct victimization and borderline personality disorder symptoms was attenuated by around 30%. Implications are discussed.