Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: a review of the dangers and difficulties in MR scanning and attempts to improve safety

Abstract

An increasing number of patients are being treated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), many of which are MR conditional. There is a lack of literature on the safe scanning of MR conditional CIEDs. This review article discusses MR imaging safety in patients with implanted CIEDs. Guidelines on safe use and indications of imaging patients with MR conditional CIEDs are described, followed by a pictorial essay of the radiographic features of these devices. We also discuss the challenges of monitoring the patient in the MR environment, advances in MRI conditional imaging of devices, availability, limitations and workflow including vendor-specific and other collaborative efforts to simplify the scanning process. Radiologists must be able to facilitate the safe utilization of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs. A thorough knowledge of the hazards of imaging non-MR compatible devices is required as well as knowing how to correctly identify and manage the imaging of patients with MR conditional CIEDs. Finally, we propose steps required to facilitate the safe scanning of patients with MR conditional CIEDs adopted in our institution and a contingency plan in the event that an inadvertent MR scan of a patient with a MRI unsafe CIED should occur.

Main Messages

• Risks of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs have been worked around.

• There are many technical limitations in enabling safe MR scanning of CIEDs.

• Radiological identification of MRI-conditional status of CIEDs is useful.

• Standardizing conditions for safe MRI scanning is important.

• We offer example algorithms for facilitating safe MRI scanning of CIEDs.

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Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: a review of the dangers and difficulties in MR scanning and attempts to improve safety

Abstract

An increasing number of patients are being treated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), many of which are MR conditional. There is a lack of literature on the safe scanning of MR conditional CIEDs. This review article discusses MR imaging safety in patients with implanted CIEDs. Guidelines on safe use and indications of imaging patients with MR conditional CIEDs are described, followed by a pictorial essay of the radiographic features of these devices. We also discuss the challenges of monitoring the patient in the MR environment, advances in MRI conditional imaging of devices, availability, limitations and workflow including vendor-specific and other collaborative efforts to simplify the scanning process. Radiologists must be able to facilitate the safe utilization of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs. A thorough knowledge of the hazards of imaging non-MR compatible devices is required as well as knowing how to correctly identify and manage the imaging of patients with MR conditional CIEDs. Finally, we propose steps required to facilitate the safe scanning of patients with MR conditional CIEDs adopted in our institution and a contingency plan in the event that an inadvertent MR scan of a patient with a MRI unsafe CIED should occur.

Main Messages

• Risks of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs have been worked around.

• There are many technical limitations in enabling safe MR scanning of CIEDs.

• Radiological identification of MRI-conditional status of CIEDs is useful.

• Standardizing conditions for safe MRI scanning is important.

• We offer example algorithms for facilitating safe MRI scanning of CIEDs.

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Vaccine may cut HPV infections, oral cancer risk in men - WNCN

WNCN

Vaccine may cut HPV infections, oral cancer risk in men WNCN NEW YORK (AP) – The HPV vaccine that helps prevent cervical cancer in women also might lower the risk in young men of oral infections that can cause mouth and throat cancers, a new study finds. These cancers are rising fast, especially in men, and ... and more »

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Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: a review of the dangers and difficulties in MR scanning and attempts to improve safety

Abstract

An increasing number of patients are being treated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), many of which are MR conditional. There is a lack of literature on the safe scanning of MR conditional CIEDs. This review article discusses MR imaging safety in patients with implanted CIEDs. Guidelines on safe use and indications of imaging patients with MR conditional CIEDs are described, followed by a pictorial essay of the radiographic features of these devices. We also discuss the challenges of monitoring the patient in the MR environment, advances in MRI conditional imaging of devices, availability, limitations and workflow including vendor-specific and other collaborative efforts to simplify the scanning process. Radiologists must be able to facilitate the safe utilization of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs. A thorough knowledge of the hazards of imaging non-MR compatible devices is required as well as knowing how to correctly identify and manage the imaging of patients with MR conditional CIEDs. Finally, we propose steps required to facilitate the safe scanning of patients with MR conditional CIEDs adopted in our institution and a contingency plan in the event that an inadvertent MR scan of a patient with a MRI unsafe CIED should occur.

Main Messages

• Risks of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs have been worked around.

• There are many technical limitations in enabling safe MR scanning of CIEDs.

• Radiological identification of MRI-conditional status of CIEDs is useful.

• Standardizing conditions for safe MRI scanning is important.

• We offer example algorithms for facilitating safe MRI scanning of CIEDs.

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Effect of heavy metals on tissue-specific antioxidant response in Indian major carps

Abstract

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb) were measured in sediments, water and liver and kidney tissues of three Indian major carps (Labeo rohita, Catla catla and Cirrhinus cirrhosus), belonging to two different weight groups (250 and 500 g), collected from ponds at two different sites (Nalban bheri and Diamond Harbour). The tissues were analysed for the levels of different antioxidant defence systems such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRd), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Concentrations of all the metals were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in sediment, water and the tissues from Nalban bheri compared to those in Diamond Harbour. Metal concentrations were the lowest in C. cirrhosus, which increased with an increase in fish weight, and the liver accumulated higher amount of metals than the kidney. Activities of all enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant parameters except GPx and GRd were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the tissues from Nalban bheri than those in Diamond Harbour. Significant multicollinearity was found in the values of SOD, CAT, GST, GRd, GPx and MDA with Pb, Cu and Ni in all three fish species at Nalban and with Cd in L. rohita and C. catla. Principal component analysis results revealed that stress response in a polluted site was directly regulated by an amalgamation of GSH profile and the levels of MDA in a synchronized manner. The study indicated a tissue-specific and species-specific difference for heavy metal-induced oxidative stress response in fish and a correlation between different heavy metals and individual oxidative stress markers.

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Synergetic integration of laccase and versatile peroxidase with magnetic silica microspheres towards remediation of biorefinery wastewater

Abstract

In this study, a tailor-made biocatalyst consisting of a co-immobilized lignolytic enzyme cascade on multi-functionalized magnetic silica microspheres (MSMS) was developed. Physical adsorption was the most promising strategy for the synthesis of individual immobilized laccase (IL), immobilized versatile peroxidase (IP), as well as co-immobilized laccase (Lac) and versatile peroxidase (VP) with an enzyme activity recovery of about 79, 93, 27, and 27.5%, respectively. Similarly, the biocatalytic load of 116, 183, 23.6, and 31 U/g was obtained for IL, IP, and co-immobilized Lac and VP, respectively. The co-immobilized enzyme system exhibited better pH stability than the free and individual immobilized system by retaining more than 100% residual activity at pH 7.0 after a 150-h incubation; whereas, the thermal stability and kinetics of the co-immobilized biocatalyst were not much improved. IL and IP could be recycled for 10 cycles after which they retained 31 and 44% of their initial activities. Co-immobilized Lac and VP were reused for ten consecutive cycles at the end of which Lac activity was depleted, and 37% of VP activity was left. Free enzymes, IL, IP, co-immobilized Lac, and VP were applied to biorefinery wastewater (BRW) in a batch study to investigate the transformation of phenolic contaminants over a period of 5 days. The major classes of phenolic constituents in terms of their order of removal in a Lac-VP system was phenol >2-chlorophenol > trichlorophenol > dichlorophenol > cresols > dimethylphenol >2 methyl- 4, 6-dinitrophenol > 4-nitrophenol > tetrachlorophenols > pentachlorophenol. The free enzymes and individually immobilized enzymes resulted in 80% dephenolization in 5 days. By contrast, the co-immobilized biocatalyst provided rapid dephenolization yielding the same 80% removal within 24 h and 96% removal of phenols in 60 h after which the system stabilized, which is the major advantage of the co-immobilized biocatalyst.

ᅟ

Graphical abstract

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Additive effect of calcium depletion and low resource quality on Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea, Amphipoda) life history traits

Abstract

Gammarus fossarum is an often-abundant crustacean detritivore that contributes importantly to leaf litter breakdown in oligotrophic, mainly heterotrophic, headwater streams. This species requires large amounts of Ca to moult, thus allowing growth and reproduction. Because resource quality is tightly coupled to the organism's growth and physiological status, we hypothesised that low Ca concentration [Ca] and low food resource quality (low phosphorus [P] and/or reduced highly unsaturated fatty acid [HUFA] contents) would interactively impair molecular responses (gene expression) and reproduction of G. fossarum. To investigate the effects of food resources quality, we experimentally manipulated the P content of sycamore leaves and also used diatoms because they contain high amounts of HUFAs. Three resource quality treatments were tested: low quality (LQ, unmanipulated leaves: low P content), high quality 1 (HQ1; P-manipulated leaves: high P content), and high quality 2 (unmanipulated leaves supplemented with a pellet containing diatoms: high P and HUFA content). Naturally, demineralised stream water was supplemented with CaSO₄ to obtain three Ca concentrations (2, 3.5, and 10.5 mg Ca L⁻¹). For 21 days, pairs of G. fossarum were individually exposed to one of the nine treatments (3 [Ca] × 3 resource qualities). At the individual level, strong and significant delays in moult stage were observed in gammarids exposed to lower [Ca] and to lower resource quality, with additive effects lengthening the duration of the reproductive cycle. Effects at the molecular level were investigated by measuring expression of 12 genes involved in energy production, translation, or Ca or P homeostasis. Expression of ATP synthase beta (higher in HQ2), calcified cuticle protein (higher in HQ1 and HQ2), and tropomyosin (higher in HQ2 compared to HQ1) was significantly affected by resource quality, and significant additive effects on Ca transporting ATPase expression were induced by [Ca] and resource quality (higher for low [Ca] and higher resource quality). These results highlight the potential drastic deleterious effects of water [Ca] depletion on G. fossarum physiology, populations, and ecosystem functioning, especially in oligotrophic environments.

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Editorial Board

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ABTS Requirements for the 10-Year Milestone for Maintenance of Certification

Diplomates of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) who plan to participate in the 10-Year Milestone for the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) process as Certified-Active must hold a currently valid, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine. Diplomates must provide delineation of privileges at a hospital(s) accredited by the JCAHO or other institutions judged acceptable by the Board. Diplomates must also submit letter(s) of reference documenting their level of clinical activity and stature within the surgical community from the VP of Medical Affairs and one other responsible member on staff at their principal hospital.

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ABTS Announcement

The American Board of Thoracic Surgery's Maintenance of Certification program was adopted 7 years ago. Since that time, there has been a continuous evaluation in the Board's thinking about the overall process, based upon internal discussions and input from our diplomates.

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Applications for Membership

The WTSA is now accepting Applications for Membership online for Active as well as Candidate membership status for the 2018 membership cycle. Visit the WTSA Web site at http://ift.tt/1QHR5KM to read the complete membership eligibility requirements and to initiate an online application.

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Response to mr bapat: does size matter? it does in texas

I thank Mr Bapat for his letter discussing our bench study of CoreValve Evolut R valve-in-valve procedures. I will begin with a full disclosure: I use his valve-in-valve app, and I like it. I have great professional admiration for Mr Bapat's work, and we are personal friends. I value and understand his comments, but I nonetheless have trended toward the use of the size 26 Evolut R valve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn) in size 23 surgical valves in my practice. I think, however, that this area is still open to debate, and we of course do not know how such upsizing will affect durability—nor are we even certain of the durability of valve-in-valve procedures in general.

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WTSA 44th Annual Meeting

Save the Date!

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Save the Date: 2017 Focus on Thoracic Surgery: Mastering Surgical Innovation

October 27-28, 2017

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Plan, scan, model, print, manufacture, and implant personalized external aortic root support (PEARS)

New technologies of their nature present previously unimagined opportunities. In the case of 3-dimensional (3D) printing, the opportunity is to do more precisely planned, individualized procedures.1 In 2000 when the engineer Tal Golesworthy stood up in an audience of people with Marfan syndrome and their families, to question the lecturer (T.T.), he spoke in a language that we surgeons did not understand. "Computer-aided design" and "rapid prototyping" were arcane phrases2 but, now known as 3D printing, the concept and its implementation are easier to grasp.

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AATS Mechanical Circulatory Support Symposium: 21st Century State-of-the-Art Treatment of Advanced Heart and Lung Failure

SAVE THE DATE

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Table of Contents

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Don't Miss the 2017 AATS International Cardiovascular Symposium

December 8-9, 2017

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Save the Date: AATS Surgical Treatment of Arrhythmias and Rhythm Disorders 2017

Don't miss out on this two-day, interactive forum that supports the exchange of information between electrophysiologists and surgeons.

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Hands off, the radial artery is mine!

Mounsey and Taggart make an excellent point in addressing the worse results of radial artery (RA) grafts after previous transracial catheterization (TRC). There is now ample evidence (including from our group) that TRC causes extensive damage to the vascular wall and profoundly affects the RA vasoreactivity.1,2 At present, it is unclear when or even if the morphologic and functional properties of RA grafts return to baseline after TRC, with some studies showing persistent endothelial damage several months after the endovascular procedure.

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Invest in the Future

Every day, CT surgeons transform the lives of their patients around the world. Your support is essential to ensure the future of our specialty and continue advancing global innovation in CT surgery. Please make a gift to the Graham Foundation or renew your commitment. Together, we can promote our specialty not only for the next generation of surgeons, but also the patients they serve.

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Editorial Staff

EDITOR

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Information for Readers

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No free lunch: Even with a diet heavy on PEARS

We appreciate the comments on our work1 and also the work of Treasure and colleagues2 in using patient-specific 3-dimensional printing to aid the manufacture of the Personalized External Aortic Root Support (PEARS). Their work is an excellent example of the application, integration, and manipulation of advanced imaging technologies to develop new paradigms of surgical care.

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Discussion

Dr F. Sellke (Providence, RI). I would like to congratulate the authors on their presentation regarding the outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for infective endocarditis in the dialysis population. Endocarditis is an increasing clinical problem worldwide and especially in the United States, where the use of intravenous narcotics is becoming near epidemic. The dialysis population is another group of patients with an increasing incidence who are prone to infective endocarditis due to their diminished immune system function and the repeated instrumentation of their vasculature.

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Effect of transcatheter aortic valve size and position on valve-in-valve hemodynamics: An in vitro study

I read with great interest article on use of CoreValve Evolut R (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn) by Azadani and colleagues,1 and I congratulate them on addressing the complex issue of valve-in-valve (VIV) sizing and positioning. They tested the hypothesis that, unlike the native valve, for which the size 23 Evolut R is used with an annulus size of 18 to 20 mm and the size 26 Evolut R is used with an annulus size of 20 to 23 mm, a different sizing algorithm could be used for VIV implantation, and upsizing would be beneficial.

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Time to take notice: The impact of previous transradial catheterization on radial artery graft performance in coronary artery bypass grafting

We read with great interest the recent article by Benedetto and colleagues,1 comparing all-cause mortality in patients receiving a right internal thoracic artery (RITA) graft with those receiving a radial artery (RA) graft as the second arterial conduit in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The authors found that in this low-risk group of patients, use of the RITA was associated with better survival on grafting the left coronary artery, whereas there was no significant difference between the conduits for right coronary artery grafting.

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Obesity Linked to 11 Types of Cancer - HealthCentral.com

HealthCentral.com

Obesity Linked to 11 Types of Cancer HealthCentral.com According to researchers, high BMI—body mass index, a ratio of height to weight—increases the risk for cancer of the esophagus, stomach, bone marrow, biliary tract system, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, colon and rectum, and endometrium (lining of ... and more »

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Comment on: The cut surface of the neck as depicted in two paintings of Judith and Holofernes

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Effect of heavy metals on tissue-specific antioxidant response in Indian major carps

Abstract

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb) were measured in sediments, water and liver and kidney tissues of three Indian major carps (Labeo rohita, Catla catla and Cirrhinus cirrhosus), belonging to two different weight groups (250 and 500 g), collected from ponds at two different sites (Nalban bheri and Diamond Harbour). The tissues were analysed for the levels of different antioxidant defence systems such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRd), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Concentrations of all the metals were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in sediment, water and the tissues from Nalban bheri compared to those in Diamond Harbour. Metal concentrations were the lowest in C. cirrhosus, which increased with an increase in fish weight, and the liver accumulated higher amount of metals than the kidney. Activities of all enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant parameters except GPx and GRd were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the tissues from Nalban bheri than those in Diamond Harbour. Significant multicollinearity was found in the values of SOD, CAT, GST, GRd, GPx and MDA with Pb, Cu and Ni in all three fish species at Nalban and with Cd in L. rohita and C. catla. Principal component analysis results revealed that stress response in a polluted site was directly regulated by an amalgamation of GSH profile and the levels of MDA in a synchronized manner. The study indicated a tissue-specific and species-specific difference for heavy metal-induced oxidative stress response in fish and a correlation between different heavy metals and individual oxidative stress markers.

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Comment on: The cut surface of the neck as depicted in two paintings of Judith and Holofernes

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Effect of heavy metals on tissue-specific antioxidant response in Indian major carps

Abstract

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb) were measured in sediments, water and liver and kidney tissues of three Indian major carps (Labeo rohita, Catla catla and Cirrhinus cirrhosus), belonging to two different weight groups (250 and 500 g), collected from ponds at two different sites (Nalban bheri and Diamond Harbour). The tissues were analysed for the levels of different antioxidant defence systems such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRd), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Concentrations of all the metals were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in sediment, water and the tissues from Nalban bheri compared to those in Diamond Harbour. Metal concentrations were the lowest in C. cirrhosus, which increased with an increase in fish weight, and the liver accumulated higher amount of metals than the kidney. Activities of all enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant parameters except GPx and GRd were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the tissues from Nalban bheri than those in Diamond Harbour. Significant multicollinearity was found in the values of SOD, CAT, GST, GRd, GPx and MDA with Pb, Cu and Ni in all three fish species at Nalban and with Cd in L. rohita and C. catla. Principal component analysis results revealed that stress response in a polluted site was directly regulated by an amalgamation of GSH profile and the levels of MDA in a synchronized manner. The study indicated a tissue-specific and species-specific difference for heavy metal-induced oxidative stress response in fish and a correlation between different heavy metals and individual oxidative stress markers.

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Genotoxic effect of ultrafine particles (UFPs) from two domestic woody biomass stoves in human lung carcinoma cells (A549 cells)

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017 Source:Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis Author(s): Marabini Laura, Ozgen Senem, Turacchi Silvia, Aminti Stefania, Arnaboldi Francesca, Lonati Giovanni, Fermo Paola, Corbella Lorenza, Valli Gianluigi, Bernardoni Vera, Dell'Acqua Manuela, Vecchi Roberta, Becagli Silvia, Caruso Donatella, Corrado L. Galli, Marinovich Marina In this paper, results on the potential toxicity of ultrafine particles (UFPs d <100nm) emitted by the combustion of logwood and pellet (hardwood and softwood) are reported. The data were collected during the TOBICUP (TOxicity of BIomass COmbustion generated Ultrafine Particles) project, carried out by a team composed of interdisciplinary research groups. The genotoxic evaluation wa...

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Dose dense MVAC prior to radical cystectomy: a real-world experience

ConclusionsA complete response (pT0N0) was observed in one-third of patients after neoadjuvant ddMVAC therapy, and a partial response ( ≤pT1N0) was observed in nearly half of the cases in this real-world experience with this regimen. To our knowledge, this represents the largest experience outside clinical trial settings. (Source: World Journal of Urology)

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Bio-fabrication of catalytic platinum nanoparticles and their in vitro efficacy against lungs cancer cells line (A549)

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017 Source:Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology Author(s): Sadeeq Ullah, Aftab Ahmad, Aoke Wang, Muslim Raza, Amin Ullah Jan, Kamran Tahir, Aziz Ur Rahman, Yuan Qipeng Platinum based drugs are considered as effective agents against various types of carcinoma; however, the severe toxicity associated with the chemically prepared platinum complexes limit their practical applications. Similarly, water pollution caused by various organic moieties is another serious health problem worldwide. Hence, an intense need exists to develop new, effective and biocompatible materials with catalytic and biomedical applications. In the present contribution, we prepared platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) by a green route using phytochemicals as a sour...

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Research Remotely at Another Institution?

Hello fellow SDNers. Current 3rd year medical student here who is very interested in applying to radiation oncology next year. I don't have any oncology related research. Unfortunately I can't take a research year because I've already taken a year off for a dual degree (MBA). My school doesn't have many research opportunities period (I guess you could say we're more of a touchy-feely type of school haha)...and we don't even have a radiation oncology (or any other oncology related!)... Research Remotely at Another Institution? (Source: Student Doctor Network)

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Transcription factor Sp1 is necessary and functional in regulating expression of oncogene ZNF703

Abstract

Zinc finger protein 703 (ZNF703) is a putative oncogene in patients with the luminal B molecular subtype of breast cancer. Although the exact function of ZNF703 protein remains largely unknown, its expression and regulation have been implicated in several physiological and pathological processes. In the current study, for the first time, we identified and characterized the human ZNF703 gene promoter region. As a means of characterizing the transcription elements required for expression of ZNF703 protein at different stages, we cloned the promoter region of ZNF703 then created chimeric reporter plasmids for use in luciferase assays. A progressive deletion analysis of the ZNF703 gene's 5′ and 3′ -flanking regions revealed that the core promoter is located in a 256-bp region ranging from nt-539 to nt-283. Next, we examined the effects of site-specific mutations and treatment with mithramycin A to identify the functional Sp1 binding site, which was found to be located in a 447 bp region that ranged from nt-509 to nt-76, displayed the characteristics of a CpG island, and overlapped with the promoter region. In conclusion, our data suggest that ZNF703 transcription is regulated by transcription factor Sp1. This finding should facilitate future studies of the mechanism which regulates expression of this important gene.

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Cytomegalovirus Infection With Retinitis After Brentuximab Vedotin Treatment for CD30 + Lymphoma

Abstract

Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody-conjugated chemotherapy targeting CD30 indicated in treatment of several lymphomas. We report the first 3 cases of cytomegalovirus severe infections with retinitis following this treatment. Evolution was favorable, but relapse occurred after treatment rechallenge. We suggest vigilance about cytomegalovirus in patients treated with brentuximab vedotin.

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Erratum

An error appeared in an article published in the journal [Meropol SB, Stange KC, Jacobs MR, et al. Bacterial Colonization and Antibiotic Resistance in a Prospective Cohort of Newborn Infants During the First Year of Life. Open Forum Infect Dis. Doi: http://ift.tt/2rBPaqR] In figure 1, the antibiotics sensitivity testing is missing from the key. The corrected figure is reproduced below.

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Erratum

An error appeared in an article published in the Summer 2016 issue of the journal [Ramón Paño-Pardo J, López Quintana B, Lázaro Perona F, et al. Community-Onset Bloodstream and Other Infections, Caused by Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae: Epidemiological, Microbiological, and Clinical Features. Open Forum Infect Dis 2016; 3(3):ofw136]. In addition to study support by Instituto de Salud Carlos III, the publication was co-financed by the European Development Regional Fund "A way to achieve Europe."

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Spontaneous Clearance of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Men Who Have Sex With Men

Abstract

We assessed spontaneous clearance in 27 human immunodeficiency virus–infected men who have sex with men (MSM) who seroconverted for hepatitis C virus (HCV). In contrast with a recent estimate of 45.8%, we found a spontaneous clearance rate of 11.1% (95% confidence interval = 2.4–29.2). This finding suggests that treatment deferral to await spontaneous clearance might not be justified for MSM with sexually acquired HCV.

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Detection of the Northeastern African Rift Valley Fever Virus Lineage During the 2015 Outbreak in Mauritania

Abstract

Background.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an acute viral anthropozoonosis that causes epizootics and epidemics among livestock population and humans. Multiple emergences and reemergences of the virus have occurred in Mauritania over the last decade. This article describes the outbreak that occurred in 2015 in Mauritania and reports the results of serological and molecular investigations of blood samples collected from suspected RVF patients.

Methods.

An RVF outbreak was reported from 14 September to 26 November 2015 in Mauritania. Overall, 184 suspected cases from different localities were identified by 26 health facilities. Blood samples were collected and tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD). Sequencing of partial genomes and phylogenetic analyses were performed on RT-PCR–positive samples. As part of routine surveillance at IPD, samples were also screened for dengue, yellow fever, West Nile, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, Zika, and Chikungunya viruses by ELISA and RT-PCR.

Results.

Of the 184 suspected cases, there were 57 confirmed cases and 12 deaths. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences indicated an emergence of a virus that originated from Northeastern Africa. Our results show co-circulation of other arboviruses in Mauritania—dengue, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, and West Nile viruses.

Conclusion.

The Northeastern Africa lineage of RVF was responsible for the outbreak in Mauritania in 2015. Co-circulation of multiples arboviruses was detected. This calls for systematic differential diagnosis and highlights the need to strengthen arbovirus surveillance in Africa.

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Refractory T-Cell Anergy and Rapidly Fatal Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy After Prolonged CTLA4 Therapy

Abstract

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a deadly demyelinating disease due to central nervous system replication of the human polyomavirus JC virus (JCV) in immunosuppressed patients. The only effective therapeutic approach is to restore anti-JCV T-cell responses. In this study, we describe a case of rapidly fatal PML with JCV T-cell anergy in a renal transplant patient treated with CTLA4-Ig (belatacept, a CD28-B7 costimulation blocker and T-cell anergy inducer). T-cell anergy could not be reversed despite several therapeutic approaches. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy secondary to biotherapy-induced T-cell anergy may thus represent a subset of PML with major resistance to anti-JCV immune recovery.

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Capacitors Quality Effect in Magnetic Resonance Radiofrequency Coils

Abstract

Radiofrequency (RF) coils are key components in magnetic resonance (MR) systems since the use of coils which fit around parts of the body to be imaged is necessary for obtaining high-quality images. As a first approximation, an RF coil is essentially a tuned electrical circuit that comprises an inductor and a capacitor, which may be adjusted to make the resonant frequency the desired Larmor frequency. Capacitor losses can drastically reduce RF coil overall performances. This work reviews literature describing how the choice of the capacitors quality affects the coil overall performance. Moreover, experiments with a loop-conductor coil were performed comparing low and high-quality capacitors with benchtop tests at high and low frequencies, and an imaging test was performed with a 1.5 T MR clinical scanner.

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Comment on: The cut surface of the neck as depicted in two paintings of Judith and Holofernes

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Comment on: The cut surface of the neck as depicted in two paintings of Judith and Holofernes

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Effect of heavy metals on tissue-specific antioxidant response in Indian major carps

Abstract

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb) were measured in sediments, water and liver and kidney tissues of three Indian major carps (Labeo rohita, Catla catla and Cirrhinus cirrhosus), belonging to two different weight groups (250 and 500 g), collected from ponds at two different sites (Nalban bheri and Diamond Harbour). The tissues were analysed for the levels of different antioxidant defence systems such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRd), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Concentrations of all the metals were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in sediment, water and the tissues from Nalban bheri compared to those in Diamond Harbour. Metal concentrations were the lowest in C. cirrhosus, which increased with an increase in fish weight, and the liver accumulated higher amount of metals than the kidney. Activities of all enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant parameters except GPx and GRd were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the tissues from Nalban bheri than those in Diamond Harbour. Significant multicollinearity was found in the values of SOD, CAT, GST, GRd, GPx and MDA with Pb, Cu and Ni in all three fish species at Nalban and with Cd in L. rohita and C. catla. Principal component analysis results revealed that stress response in a polluted site was directly regulated by an amalgamation of GSH profile and the levels of MDA in a synchronized manner. The study indicated a tissue-specific and species-specific difference for heavy metal-induced oxidative stress response in fish and a correlation between different heavy metals and individual oxidative stress markers.

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Capacitors Quality Effect in Magnetic Resonance Radiofrequency Coils

Abstract

Radiofrequency (RF) coils are key components in magnetic resonance (MR) systems since the use of coils which fit around parts of the body to be imaged is necessary for obtaining high-quality images. As a first approximation, an RF coil is essentially a tuned electrical circuit that comprises an inductor and a capacitor, which may be adjusted to make the resonant frequency the desired Larmor frequency. Capacitor losses can drastically reduce RF coil overall performances. This work reviews literature describing how the choice of the capacitors quality affects the coil overall performance. Moreover, experiments with a loop-conductor coil were performed comparing low and high-quality capacitors with benchtop tests at high and low frequencies, and an imaging test was performed with a 1.5 T MR clinical scanner.

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Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: a review of the dangers and difficulties in MR scanning and attempts to improve safety

Abstract

An increasing number of patients are being treated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), many of which are MR conditional. There is a lack of literature on the safe scanning of MR conditional CIEDs. This review article discusses MR imaging safety in patients with implanted CIEDs. Guidelines on safe use and indications of imaging patients with MR conditional CIEDs are described, followed by a pictorial essay of the radiographic features of these devices. We also discuss the challenges of monitoring the patient in the MR environment, advances in MRI conditional imaging of devices, availability, limitations and workflow including vendor-specific and other collaborative efforts to simplify the scanning process. Radiologists must be able to facilitate the safe utilization of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs. A thorough knowledge of the hazards of imaging non-MR compatible devices is required as well as knowing how to correctly identify and manage the imaging of patients with MR conditional CIEDs. Finally, we propose steps required to facilitate the safe scanning of patients with MR conditional CIEDs adopted in our institution and a contingency plan in the event that an inadvertent MR scan of a patient with a MRI unsafe CIED should occur.

Main Messages

• Risks of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs have been worked around.

• There are many technical limitations in enabling safe MR scanning of CIEDs.

• Radiological identification of MRI-conditional status of CIEDs is useful.

• Standardizing conditions for safe MRI scanning is important.

• We offer example algorithms for facilitating safe MRI scanning of CIEDs.

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Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: a review of the dangers and difficulties in MR scanning and attempts to improve safety

Abstract

An increasing number of patients are being treated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), many of which are MR conditional. There is a lack of literature on the safe scanning of MR conditional CIEDs. This review article discusses MR imaging safety in patients with implanted CIEDs. Guidelines on safe use and indications of imaging patients with MR conditional CIEDs are described, followed by a pictorial essay of the radiographic features of these devices. We also discuss the challenges of monitoring the patient in the MR environment, advances in MRI conditional imaging of devices, availability, limitations and workflow including vendor-specific and other collaborative efforts to simplify the scanning process. Radiologists must be able to facilitate the safe utilization of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs. A thorough knowledge of the hazards of imaging non-MR compatible devices is required as well as knowing how to correctly identify and manage the imaging of patients with MR conditional CIEDs. Finally, we propose steps required to facilitate the safe scanning of patients with MR conditional CIEDs adopted in our institution and a contingency plan in the event that an inadvertent MR scan of a patient with a MRI unsafe CIED should occur.

Main Messages

• Risks of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs have been worked around.

• There are many technical limitations in enabling safe MR scanning of CIEDs.

• Radiological identification of MRI-conditional status of CIEDs is useful.

• Standardizing conditions for safe MRI scanning is important.

• We offer example algorithms for facilitating safe MRI scanning of CIEDs.

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A Unified Pathophysiological Construct of Diabetes and its Complications

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism
Author(s): Stanley S. Schwartz, Solomon Epstein, Barbara E. Corkey, Struan F.A. Grant, James R. Gavin III, Richard B. Aguilar, Mary E. Herman
Advances in understanding diabetes mellitus (DM) through basic and clinical research have helped clarify and reunify a disease state fragmented into numerous etiologies and subtypes. It is now understood that a common pathophysiology drives the diabetic state throughout its natural history and across its varied clinical presentations, a pathophysiology involving metabolic insults, oxidative damage, and vicious cycles that aggravate and intensify organ dysfunction and damage. This new understanding of the disease requires that we revisit existing diagnostics and treatment approaches, which were built upon outmoded assumptions. 'The Common Pathophysiologic Origins of Diabetes Mellitus and its Complications Construct' is presented as a more accurate, foundational, and translatable construct of DM that helps make sense of the hitherto ambiguous findings of long-term outcome studies.



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Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices: a review of the dangers and difficulties in MR scanning and attempts to improve safety

Abstract

An increasing number of patients are being treated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), many of which are MR conditional. There is a lack of literature on the safe scanning of MR conditional CIEDs. This review article discusses MR imaging safety in patients with implanted CIEDs. Guidelines on safe use and indications of imaging patients with MR conditional CIEDs are described, followed by a pictorial essay of the radiographic features of these devices. We also discuss the challenges of monitoring the patient in the MR environment, advances in MRI conditional imaging of devices, availability, limitations and workflow including vendor-specific and other collaborative efforts to simplify the scanning process. Radiologists must be able to facilitate the safe utilization of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs. A thorough knowledge of the hazards of imaging non-MR compatible devices is required as well as knowing how to correctly identify and manage the imaging of patients with MR conditional CIEDs. Finally, we propose steps required to facilitate the safe scanning of patients with MR conditional CIEDs adopted in our institution and a contingency plan in the event that an inadvertent MR scan of a patient with a MRI unsafe CIED should occur.

Main Messages

• Risks of MR imaging in patients who have CIEDs have been worked around.

• There are many technical limitations in enabling safe MR scanning of CIEDs.

• Radiological identification of MRI-conditional status of CIEDs is useful.

• Standardizing conditions for safe MRI scanning is important.

• We offer example algorithms for facilitating safe MRI scanning of CIEDs.

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Capacitors Quality Effect in Magnetic Resonance Radiofrequency Coils

Abstract

Radiofrequency (RF) coils are key components in magnetic resonance (MR) systems since the use of coils which fit around parts of the body to be imaged is necessary for obtaining high-quality images. As a first approximation, an RF coil is essentially a tuned electrical circuit that comprises an inductor and a capacitor, which may be adjusted to make the resonant frequency the desired Larmor frequency. Capacitor losses can drastically reduce RF coil overall performances. This work reviews literature describing how the choice of the capacitors quality affects the coil overall performance. Moreover, experiments with a loop-conductor coil were performed comparing low and high-quality capacitors with benchtop tests at high and low frequencies, and an imaging test was performed with a 1.5 T MR clinical scanner.

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Comment on: The cut surface of the neck as depicted in two paintings of Judith and Holofernes

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Effects of fat saturation on short T2 quantification

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Michael Carl, Amin Nazaran, Graeme M. Bydder, Jiang Du
Ultrashort TE (UTE) sequences have the capability to image tissues with very short T2s that typically appear as low signal in clinical sequences. UTE sequences can also be used in multi-echo acquisitions which allow assessment of the T2s of these tissues. Here we study the accuracy of such T2 measurements when combined with fat saturation (FS).



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Correlation study between DKI and conventional DWI in brain and head and neck tumors

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Silvia Minosse, Simona Marzi, Francesca Piludu, Antonello Vidiri
PurposeTo investigate the relationship between the Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) parameters and conventional metrics provided by Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients affected by Brain or Head and Neck (HN) cancer.MethodsTen patients affected by brain tumor and nine patients with HN tumor underwent a pre-treatment MR examination at 3 T. The largest tumor section was manually contoured by two expert neuroradiologists. The apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) and apparent diffusional kurtosis (Kapp) parameters were determined at the voxel level by using the DKI model, and compared to the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the tissue diffusion coefficient (Dmono) obtained from mono-exponential fitting methods. The Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) was calculated to assess the quality of the fitting methods. Cross-correlations between all the variables were assessed using the Spearman rank test.ResultsIncreased Kapp values were found in each lesion. All parameters were strongly related, in particular an inverse relationship emerged between median values of Kapp and Dapp/Dmono/ADC in both patient groups, while Dapp showed positive correlations with Dmono and ADC. From the analysis at the voxel level, significant inverse associations were found between Kapp and Dmono within the lesions, while a weak or moderate association emerged between Kapp and ADC or Dapp.ConclusionsA significant association between the apparent diffusional kurtosis Kapp and the tissue diffusion coefficient Dmono emerged for both brain and HN tumors at 3 T, suggesting that both variables may consistently reflect deeper insight into the microstructural characteristics of tumors.

Graphical abstract

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3D black blood MR angiography of the carotid arteries. A simple sequence for plaque hemorrhage and stenosis evaluation

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Monica Sigovan, Clément Bidet, Sébastien Bros, Loic Boussel, Laura Mechtouff, Philip M. Robson, Zahi A. Fayad, Antoine Millon, Philippe Douek
ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence (3D T1-w TSE) compared to 3D contrast-enhanced angiography (CE-MRA) for stenosis measurement and compared to 2D T1-w TSE for intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH) detection.MethodsEighty three patients underwent carotid MRI, using a new elliptic-centric phase encoding T1-weighted 3D TSE sequence in addition to the clinical protocol.Two observers evaluated image quality, presence of flow artifacts, and presence of intra-plaque hemorrhage, and computed the NASCET degree of stenosis for CE-MRA and for the new sequence. Inter-observer agreement and correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA for NASCET stenosis was estimated using Cohen's kappa, and correlation using linear regression and Bland-Altman plots.Histology was performed on endarterectomy samples for 18 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of 2D and 3D TSE for IPH diagnosis were computed.Results3D TSE showed better image quality than 2D TSE (p<0.05). Interobserver agreement was good (kappa≥0.86). Correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA was excellent (R=0.95) for NASCET stenosis. Sensitivity and specificity for IPH diagnosis was 50% and 100% for 2D TSE and 100% and 83% for the 3D TSE.ConclusionsThe new 3D T1-w TSE allows both reliable measures of carotid stenosis, with a slight overestimation compared to CE-MRA (5%), and improved IPH identification, compared to 2D TSE.



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High resolution myelin water imaging incorporating local tissue susceptibility analysis

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Zhe Wu, Hongjian He, Yi Sun, Yiping Du, Jianhui Zhong
Quantitative myelin water imaging (MWI) from signal T2* decay acquired with multiple Gradient-Recalled Echo (mGRE) sequence has been widely used since its first report. A recent study showed that with low resolution data (2mm isotropic voxels), direct application of complex fitting to a three-pool WM model with frequency shift terms could produce more stable parameter estimation for myelin water fraction mapping. MWI maps of higher spatial resolution resulting in more detailed tissue structures and reduced partial volume effects around white matter/gray matter (WM/GM) interface, however, is more desirable. Furthermore, as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of original images decreases due to reduced voxel size, the direct complex fitting procedure of myelin water imaging becomes more prone to systematic errors which severely compromised stability and reliability of the result. Instead of using the original part of T2* decay, this work presents a new method based on the WM-induced phase from tissue susceptibility calculated with the same mGRE dataset, in a three-pool WM model (water of myelin, axon and extracellular water), to improve high resolution MWI. Compared with direct complex fitting for the higher spatial resolution case, the proposed method is shown to provide a stable and accurate estimation of MWI parameters, and finer details near WM/GM boundaries with greatly reduced partial volume effects.



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Effects of Karela (Bitter Melon; Momordica charantia) on genes of lipids and carbohydrates metabolism in experimental hypercholesterolemia: biochemical, molecular and histopathological study

Hypercholesterolemia is a serious diseases associated with type-2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disorders and liver diseases. Humans seek for safe herbal medication such as karela (Momordica charan...

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Caffeoylquinic acid derivatives rich extract from Gnaphalium pensylvanicum willd. Ameliorates hyperuricemia and acute gouty arthritis in animal model

The Gnaphalium pensylvanicum willd. is used in China as a folk medicine to treat anti-inflammatory, cough and rheumatism arthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the extract of G. pensylv...

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Effects of herbal medicine for dysmenorrhea treatment on accompanied acne vulgaris: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

The incidence of preadolescent acne among women is increasing. Acne deteriorates the quality of life; conventional treatment options are limited and have not been effective against acne, particularly acne asso...

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High resolution myelin water imaging incorporating local tissue susceptibility analysis

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Zhe Wu, Hongjian He, Yi Sun, Yiping Du, Jianhui Zhong
Quantitative myelin water imaging (MWI) from signal T2* decay acquired with multiple Gradient-Recalled Echo (mGRE) sequence has been widely used since its first report. A recent study showed that with low resolution data (2mm isotropic voxels), direct application of complex fitting to a three-pool WM model with frequency shift terms could produce more stable parameter estimation for myelin water fraction mapping. MWI maps of higher spatial resolution resulting in more detailed tissue structures and reduced partial volume effects around white matter/gray matter (WM/GM) interface, however, is more desirable. Furthermore, as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of original images decreases due to reduced voxel size, the direct complex fitting procedure of myelin water imaging becomes more prone to systematic errors which severely compromised stability and reliability of the result. Instead of using the original part of T2* decay, this work presents a new method based on the WM-induced phase from tissue susceptibility calculated with the same mGRE dataset, in a three-pool WM model (water of myelin, axon and extracellular water), to improve high resolution MWI. Compared with direct complex fitting for the higher spatial resolution case, the proposed method is shown to provide a stable and accurate estimation of MWI parameters, and finer details near WM/GM boundaries with greatly reduced partial volume effects.



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Effects of fat saturation on short T2 quantification

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Michael Carl, Amin Nazaran, Graeme M. Bydder, Jiang Du
Ultrashort TE (UTE) sequences have the capability to image tissues with very short T2s that typically appear as low signal in clinical sequences. UTE sequences can also be used in multi-echo acquisitions which allow assessment of the T2s of these tissues. Here we study the accuracy of such T2 measurements when combined with fat saturation (FS).



from ! Medicine by Alexandros G. Sfakianakis via als.fakia on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2tyCbCr
via IFTTT

3D black blood MR angiography of the carotid arteries. A simple sequence for plaque hemorrhage and stenosis evaluation

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Monica Sigovan, Clément Bidet, Sébastien Bros, Loic Boussel, Laura Mechtouff, Philip M. Robson, Zahi A. Fayad, Antoine Millon, Philippe Douek
ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence (3D T1-w TSE) compared to 3D contrast-enhanced angiography (CE-MRA) for stenosis measurement and compared to 2D T1-w TSE for intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH) detection.MethodsEighty three patients underwent carotid MRI, using a new elliptic-centric phase encoding T1-weighted 3D TSE sequence in addition to the clinical protocol.Two observers evaluated image quality, presence of flow artifacts, and presence of intra-plaque hemorrhage, and computed the NASCET degree of stenosis for CE-MRA and for the new sequence. Inter-observer agreement and correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA for NASCET stenosis was estimated using Cohen's kappa, and correlation using linear regression and Bland-Altman plots.Histology was performed on endarterectomy samples for 18 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of 2D and 3D TSE for IPH diagnosis were computed.Results3D TSE showed better image quality than 2D TSE (p<0.05). Interobserver agreement was good (kappa≥0.86). Correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA was excellent (R=0.95) for NASCET stenosis. Sensitivity and specificity for IPH diagnosis was 50% and 100% for 2D TSE and 100% and 83% for the 3D TSE.ConclusionsThe new 3D T1-w TSE allows both reliable measures of carotid stenosis, with a slight overestimation compared to CE-MRA (5%), and improved IPH identification, compared to 2D TSE.



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Correlation study between DKI and conventional DWI in brain and head and neck tumors

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Silvia Minosse, Simona Marzi, Francesca Piludu, Antonello Vidiri
PurposeTo investigate the relationship between the Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) parameters and conventional metrics provided by Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients affected by Brain or Head and Neck (HN) cancer.MethodsTen patients affected by brain tumor and nine patients with HN tumor underwent a pre-treatment MR examination at 3 T. The largest tumor section was manually contoured by two expert neuroradiologists. The apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) and apparent diffusional kurtosis (Kapp) parameters were determined at the voxel level by using the DKI model, and compared to the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the tissue diffusion coefficient (Dmono) obtained from mono-exponential fitting methods. The Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) was calculated to assess the quality of the fitting methods. Cross-correlations between all the variables were assessed using the Spearman rank test.ResultsIncreased Kapp values were found in each lesion. All parameters were strongly related, in particular an inverse relationship emerged between median values of Kapp and Dapp/Dmono/ADC in both patient groups, while Dapp showed positive correlations with Dmono and ADC. From the analysis at the voxel level, significant inverse associations were found between Kapp and Dmono within the lesions, while a weak or moderate association emerged between Kapp and ADC or Dapp.ConclusionsA significant association between the apparent diffusional kurtosis Kapp and the tissue diffusion coefficient Dmono emerged for both brain and HN tumors at 3 T, suggesting that both variables may consistently reflect deeper insight into the microstructural characteristics of tumors.

Graphical abstract

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High resolution myelin water imaging incorporating local tissue susceptibility analysis

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Zhe Wu, Hongjian He, Yi Sun, Yiping Du, Jianhui Zhong
Quantitative myelin water imaging (MWI) from signal T2* decay acquired with multiple Gradient-Recalled Echo (mGRE) sequence has been widely used since its first report. A recent study showed that with low resolution data (2mm isotropic voxels), direct application of complex fitting to a three-pool WM model with frequency shift terms could produce more stable parameter estimation for myelin water fraction mapping. MWI maps of higher spatial resolution resulting in more detailed tissue structures and reduced partial volume effects around white matter/gray matter (WM/GM) interface, however, is more desirable. Furthermore, as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of original images decreases due to reduced voxel size, the direct complex fitting procedure of myelin water imaging becomes more prone to systematic errors which severely compromised stability and reliability of the result. Instead of using the original part of T2* decay, this work presents a new method based on the WM-induced phase from tissue susceptibility calculated with the same mGRE dataset, in a three-pool WM model (water of myelin, axon and extracellular water), to improve high resolution MWI. Compared with direct complex fitting for the higher spatial resolution case, the proposed method is shown to provide a stable and accurate estimation of MWI parameters, and finer details near WM/GM boundaries with greatly reduced partial volume effects.



http://ift.tt/2tyTtj7


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Effects of fat saturation on short T2 quantification

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Michael Carl, Amin Nazaran, Graeme M. Bydder, Jiang Du
Ultrashort TE (UTE) sequences have the capability to image tissues with very short T2s that typically appear as low signal in clinical sequences. UTE sequences can also be used in multi-echo acquisitions which allow assessment of the T2s of these tissues. Here we study the accuracy of such T2 measurements when combined with fat saturation (FS).



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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) research in immune senescence comes of age: overview of the 6th International Workshop on CMV and Immunosenescence

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most complex and most ubiquitous latent persistent viruses, with a considerable ability to evade and manipulate the immune system. Following an early-life infection, most immunocompetent humans spend several decades living with CMV, and, because the virus in these hosts does not cause manifest disease, CMV can be considered part of normal aging for more than half of humanity. However, there is accumulating evidence that CMV carriage is not a null event and that both potentially harmful and potentially beneficial outcomes emanate from the interaction of CMV with its mammalian hosts. This article provides an overview of the 6th International Workshop on CMV and Immunosenescence, highlighting the advances in the field made in the past two years, as related to CMV epidemiology/geroscience, CMV virology with an accent on latency, and CMV immune evasion and immune recognition of the virus and its antigens.

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Effects of Karela (Bitter Melon; Momordica charantia) on genes of lipids and carbohydrates metabolism in experimental hypercholesterolemia: biochemical, molecular and histopathological study

Hypercholesterolemia is a serious diseases associated with type-2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disorders and liver diseases. Humans seek for safe herbal medication such as karela (Momordica charan...

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Dolore collo e formicolio - Medicitalia.it (Comunicati Stampa) (Registrazione) (Blog)

Dolore collo e formicolio Medicitalia.it (Comunicati Stampa) (Registrazione) (Blog) Salve Dottori innanzitutto vi ringrazio per essere sempre disponibili e per rispondere sempre alle nostre preoccupazioni...Un po di giorni fa è iniziato un dolore al collo.e alle scapole con leggero irradiamento alla testa e alla schiena vado dal mio ...

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Effects of herbal medicine for dysmenorrhea treatment on accompanied acne vulgaris: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

The incidence of preadolescent acne among women is increasing. Acne deteriorates the quality of life; conventional treatment options are limited and have not been effective against acne, particularly acne asso...

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Caffeoylquinic acid derivatives rich extract from Gnaphalium pensylvanicum willd. Ameliorates hyperuricemia and acute gouty arthritis in animal model

The Gnaphalium pensylvanicum willd. is used in China as a folk medicine to treat anti-inflammatory, cough and rheumatism arthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the extract of G. pensylv...

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Effects of fat saturation on short T2 quantification

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Michael Carl, Amin Nazaran, Graeme M. Bydder, Jiang Du
Ultrashort TE (UTE) sequences have the capability to image tissues with very short T2s that typically appear as low signal in clinical sequences. UTE sequences can also be used in multi-echo acquisitions which allow assessment of the T2s of these tissues. Here we study the accuracy of such T2 measurements when combined with fat saturation (FS).



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High resolution myelin water imaging incorporating local tissue susceptibility analysis

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Zhe Wu, Hongjian He, Yi Sun, Yiping Du, Jianhui Zhong
Quantitative myelin water imaging (MWI) from signal T2* decay acquired with multiple Gradient-Recalled Echo (mGRE) sequence has been widely used since its first report. A recent study showed that with low resolution data (2mm isotropic voxels), direct application of complex fitting to a three-pool WM model with frequency shift terms could produce more stable parameter estimation for myelin water fraction mapping. MWI maps of higher spatial resolution resulting in more detailed tissue structures and reduced partial volume effects around white matter/gray matter (WM/GM) interface, however, is more desirable. Furthermore, as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of original images decreases due to reduced voxel size, the direct complex fitting procedure of myelin water imaging becomes more prone to systematic errors which severely compromised stability and reliability of the result. Instead of using the original part of T2* decay, this work presents a new method based on the WM-induced phase from tissue susceptibility calculated with the same mGRE dataset, in a three-pool WM model (water of myelin, axon and extracellular water), to improve high resolution MWI. Compared with direct complex fitting for the higher spatial resolution case, the proposed method is shown to provide a stable and accurate estimation of MWI parameters, and finer details near WM/GM boundaries with greatly reduced partial volume effects.



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Effects of herbal medicine for dysmenorrhea treatment on accompanied acne vulgaris: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

The incidence of preadolescent acne among women is increasing. Acne deteriorates the quality of life; conventional treatment options are limited and have not been effective against acne, particularly acne asso...

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3D black blood MR angiography of the carotid arteries. A simple sequence for plaque hemorrhage and stenosis evaluation

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Monica Sigovan, Clément Bidet, Sébastien Bros, Loic Boussel, Laura Mechtouff, Philip M. Robson, Zahi A. Fayad, Antoine Millon, Philippe Douek
ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence (3D T1-w TSE) compared to 3D contrast-enhanced angiography (CE-MRA) for stenosis measurement and compared to 2D T1-w TSE for intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH) detection.MethodsEighty three patients underwent carotid MRI, using a new elliptic-centric phase encoding T1-weighted 3D TSE sequence in addition to the clinical protocol.Two observers evaluated image quality, presence of flow artifacts, and presence of intra-plaque hemorrhage, and computed the NASCET degree of stenosis for CE-MRA and for the new sequence. Inter-observer agreement and correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA for NASCET stenosis was estimated using Cohen's kappa, and correlation using linear regression and Bland-Altman plots.Histology was performed on endarterectomy samples for 18 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of 2D and 3D TSE for IPH diagnosis were computed.Results3D TSE showed better image quality than 2D TSE (p<0.05). Interobserver agreement was good (kappa≥0.86). Correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA was excellent (R=0.95) for NASCET stenosis. Sensitivity and specificity for IPH diagnosis was 50% and 100% for 2D TSE and 100% and 83% for the 3D TSE.ConclusionsThe new 3D T1-w TSE allows both reliable measures of carotid stenosis, with a slight overestimation compared to CE-MRA (5%), and improved IPH identification, compared to 2D TSE.



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Correlation study between DKI and conventional DWI in brain and head and neck tumors

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Silvia Minosse, Simona Marzi, Francesca Piludu, Antonello Vidiri
PurposeTo investigate the relationship between the Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) parameters and conventional metrics provided by Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients affected by Brain or Head and Neck (HN) cancer.MethodsTen patients affected by brain tumor and nine patients with HN tumor underwent a pre-treatment MR examination at 3 T. The largest tumor section was manually contoured by two expert neuroradiologists. The apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) and apparent diffusional kurtosis (Kapp) parameters were determined at the voxel level by using the DKI model, and compared to the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the tissue diffusion coefficient (Dmono) obtained from mono-exponential fitting methods. The Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) was calculated to assess the quality of the fitting methods. Cross-correlations between all the variables were assessed using the Spearman rank test.ResultsIncreased Kapp values were found in each lesion. All parameters were strongly related, in particular an inverse relationship emerged between median values of Kapp and Dapp/Dmono/ADC in both patient groups, while Dapp showed positive correlations with Dmono and ADC. From the analysis at the voxel level, significant inverse associations were found between Kapp and Dmono within the lesions, while a weak or moderate association emerged between Kapp and ADC or Dapp.ConclusionsA significant association between the apparent diffusional kurtosis Kapp and the tissue diffusion coefficient Dmono emerged for both brain and HN tumors at 3 T, suggesting that both variables may consistently reflect deeper insight into the microstructural characteristics of tumors.

Graphical abstract

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Effects of fat saturation on short T2 quantification

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Michael Carl, Amin Nazaran, Graeme M. Bydder, Jiang Du
Ultrashort TE (UTE) sequences have the capability to image tissues with very short T2s that typically appear as low signal in clinical sequences. UTE sequences can also be used in multi-echo acquisitions which allow assessment of the T2s of these tissues. Here we study the accuracy of such T2 measurements when combined with fat saturation (FS).



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3D black blood MR angiography of the carotid arteries. A simple sequence for plaque hemorrhage and stenosis evaluation

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Monica Sigovan, Clément Bidet, Sébastien Bros, Loic Boussel, Laura Mechtouff, Philip M. Robson, Zahi A. Fayad, Antoine Millon, Philippe Douek
ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence (3D T1-w TSE) compared to 3D contrast-enhanced angiography (CE-MRA) for stenosis measurement and compared to 2D T1-w TSE for intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH) detection.MethodsEighty three patients underwent carotid MRI, using a new elliptic-centric phase encoding T1-weighted 3D TSE sequence in addition to the clinical protocol.Two observers evaluated image quality, presence of flow artifacts, and presence of intra-plaque hemorrhage, and computed the NASCET degree of stenosis for CE-MRA and for the new sequence. Inter-observer agreement and correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA for NASCET stenosis was estimated using Cohen's kappa, and correlation using linear regression and Bland-Altman plots.Histology was performed on endarterectomy samples for 18 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of 2D and 3D TSE for IPH diagnosis were computed.Results3D TSE showed better image quality than 2D TSE (p<0.05). Interobserver agreement was good (kappa≥0.86). Correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA was excellent (R=0.95) for NASCET stenosis. Sensitivity and specificity for IPH diagnosis was 50% and 100% for 2D TSE and 100% and 83% for the 3D TSE.ConclusionsThe new 3D T1-w TSE allows both reliable measures of carotid stenosis, with a slight overestimation compared to CE-MRA (5%), and improved IPH identification, compared to 2D TSE.



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Correlation study between DKI and conventional DWI in brain and head and neck tumors

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Silvia Minosse, Simona Marzi, Francesca Piludu, Antonello Vidiri
PurposeTo investigate the relationship between the Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) parameters and conventional metrics provided by Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients affected by Brain or Head and Neck (HN) cancer.MethodsTen patients affected by brain tumor and nine patients with HN tumor underwent a pre-treatment MR examination at 3 T. The largest tumor section was manually contoured by two expert neuroradiologists. The apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) and apparent diffusional kurtosis (Kapp) parameters were determined at the voxel level by using the DKI model, and compared to the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the tissue diffusion coefficient (Dmono) obtained from mono-exponential fitting methods. The Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) was calculated to assess the quality of the fitting methods. Cross-correlations between all the variables were assessed using the Spearman rank test.ResultsIncreased Kapp values were found in each lesion. All parameters were strongly related, in particular an inverse relationship emerged between median values of Kapp and Dapp/Dmono/ADC in both patient groups, while Dapp showed positive correlations with Dmono and ADC. From the analysis at the voxel level, significant inverse associations were found between Kapp and Dmono within the lesions, while a weak or moderate association emerged between Kapp and ADC or Dapp.ConclusionsA significant association between the apparent diffusional kurtosis Kapp and the tissue diffusion coefficient Dmono emerged for both brain and HN tumors at 3 T, suggesting that both variables may consistently reflect deeper insight into the microstructural characteristics of tumors.

Graphical abstract

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High resolution myelin water imaging incorporating local tissue susceptibility analysis

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Zhe Wu, Hongjian He, Yi Sun, Yiping Du, Jianhui Zhong
Quantitative myelin water imaging (MWI) from signal T2* decay acquired with multiple Gradient-Recalled Echo (mGRE) sequence has been widely used since its first report. A recent study showed that with low resolution data (2mm isotropic voxels), direct application of complex fitting to a three-pool WM model with frequency shift terms could produce more stable parameter estimation for myelin water fraction mapping. MWI maps of higher spatial resolution resulting in more detailed tissue structures and reduced partial volume effects around white matter/gray matter (WM/GM) interface, however, is more desirable. Furthermore, as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of original images decreases due to reduced voxel size, the direct complex fitting procedure of myelin water imaging becomes more prone to systematic errors which severely compromised stability and reliability of the result. Instead of using the original part of T2* decay, this work presents a new method based on the WM-induced phase from tissue susceptibility calculated with the same mGRE dataset, in a three-pool WM model (water of myelin, axon and extracellular water), to improve high resolution MWI. Compared with direct complex fitting for the higher spatial resolution case, the proposed method is shown to provide a stable and accurate estimation of MWI parameters, and finer details near WM/GM boundaries with greatly reduced partial volume effects.



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Effects of fat saturation on short T2 quantification

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Michael Carl, Amin Nazaran, Graeme M. Bydder, Jiang Du
Ultrashort TE (UTE) sequences have the capability to image tissues with very short T2s that typically appear as low signal in clinical sequences. UTE sequences can also be used in multi-echo acquisitions which allow assessment of the T2s of these tissues. Here we study the accuracy of such T2 measurements when combined with fat saturation (FS).



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Caffeoylquinic acid derivatives rich extract from Gnaphalium pensylvanicum willd. Ameliorates hyperuricemia and acute gouty arthritis in animal model

The Gnaphalium pensylvanicum willd. is used in China as a folk medicine to treat anti-inflammatory, cough and rheumatism arthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the extract of G. pensylv...

from ! Medicine by Alexandros G. Sfakianakis via a.lsfakia on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2tdNjpb
via IFTTT

Effects of Karela (Bitter Melon; Momordica charantia) on genes of lipids and carbohydrates metabolism in experimental hypercholesterolemia: biochemical, molecular and histopathological study

Hypercholesterolemia is a serious diseases associated with type-2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disorders and liver diseases. Humans seek for safe herbal medication such as karela (Momordica charan...

from ! Medicine by Alexandros G. Sfakianakis via a.lsfakia on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2sEfbFY
via IFTTT

3D black blood MR angiography of the carotid arteries. A simple sequence for plaque hemorrhage and stenosis evaluation

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Monica Sigovan, Clément Bidet, Sébastien Bros, Loic Boussel, Laura Mechtouff, Philip M. Robson, Zahi A. Fayad, Antoine Millon, Philippe Douek
ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence (3D T1-w TSE) compared to 3D contrast-enhanced angiography (CE-MRA) for stenosis measurement and compared to 2D T1-w TSE for intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH) detection.MethodsEighty three patients underwent carotid MRI, using a new elliptic-centric phase encoding T1-weighted 3D TSE sequence in addition to the clinical protocol.Two observers evaluated image quality, presence of flow artifacts, and presence of intra-plaque hemorrhage, and computed the NASCET degree of stenosis for CE-MRA and for the new sequence. Inter-observer agreement and correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA for NASCET stenosis was estimated using Cohen's kappa, and correlation using linear regression and Bland-Altman plots.Histology was performed on endarterectomy samples for 18 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of 2D and 3D TSE for IPH diagnosis were computed.Results3D TSE showed better image quality than 2D TSE (p<0.05). Interobserver agreement was good (kappa≥0.86). Correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA was excellent (R=0.95) for NASCET stenosis. Sensitivity and specificity for IPH diagnosis was 50% and 100% for 2D TSE and 100% and 83% for the 3D TSE.ConclusionsThe new 3D T1-w TSE allows both reliable measures of carotid stenosis, with a slight overestimation compared to CE-MRA (5%), and improved IPH identification, compared to 2D TSE.



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Correlation study between DKI and conventional DWI in brain and head and neck tumors

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Silvia Minosse, Simona Marzi, Francesca Piludu, Antonello Vidiri
PurposeTo investigate the relationship between the Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) parameters and conventional metrics provided by Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients affected by Brain or Head and Neck (HN) cancer.MethodsTen patients affected by brain tumor and nine patients with HN tumor underwent a pre-treatment MR examination at 3 T. The largest tumor section was manually contoured by two expert neuroradiologists. The apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) and apparent diffusional kurtosis (Kapp) parameters were determined at the voxel level by using the DKI model, and compared to the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the tissue diffusion coefficient (Dmono) obtained from mono-exponential fitting methods. The Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) was calculated to assess the quality of the fitting methods. Cross-correlations between all the variables were assessed using the Spearman rank test.ResultsIncreased Kapp values were found in each lesion. All parameters were strongly related, in particular an inverse relationship emerged between median values of Kapp and Dapp/Dmono/ADC in both patient groups, while Dapp showed positive correlations with Dmono and ADC. From the analysis at the voxel level, significant inverse associations were found between Kapp and Dmono within the lesions, while a weak or moderate association emerged between Kapp and ADC or Dapp.ConclusionsA significant association between the apparent diffusional kurtosis Kapp and the tissue diffusion coefficient Dmono emerged for both brain and HN tumors at 3 T, suggesting that both variables may consistently reflect deeper insight into the microstructural characteristics of tumors.

Graphical abstract

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High resolution myelin water imaging incorporating local tissue susceptibility analysis

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Zhe Wu, Hongjian He, Yi Sun, Yiping Du, Jianhui Zhong
Quantitative myelin water imaging (MWI) from signal T2* decay acquired with multiple Gradient-Recalled Echo (mGRE) sequence has been widely used since its first report. A recent study showed that with low resolution data (2mm isotropic voxels), direct application of complex fitting to a three-pool WM model with frequency shift terms could produce more stable parameter estimation for myelin water fraction mapping. MWI maps of higher spatial resolution resulting in more detailed tissue structures and reduced partial volume effects around white matter/gray matter (WM/GM) interface, however, is more desirable. Furthermore, as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of original images decreases due to reduced voxel size, the direct complex fitting procedure of myelin water imaging becomes more prone to systematic errors which severely compromised stability and reliability of the result. Instead of using the original part of T2* decay, this work presents a new method based on the WM-induced phase from tissue susceptibility calculated with the same mGRE dataset, in a three-pool WM model (water of myelin, axon and extracellular water), to improve high resolution MWI. Compared with direct complex fitting for the higher spatial resolution case, the proposed method is shown to provide a stable and accurate estimation of MWI parameters, and finer details near WM/GM boundaries with greatly reduced partial volume effects.



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via IFTTT

3D black blood MR angiography of the carotid arteries. A simple sequence for plaque hemorrhage and stenosis evaluation

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Monica Sigovan, Clément Bidet, Sébastien Bros, Loic Boussel, Laura Mechtouff, Philip M. Robson, Zahi A. Fayad, Antoine Millon, Philippe Douek
ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence (3D T1-w TSE) compared to 3D contrast-enhanced angiography (CE-MRA) for stenosis measurement and compared to 2D T1-w TSE for intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH) detection.MethodsEighty three patients underwent carotid MRI, using a new elliptic-centric phase encoding T1-weighted 3D TSE sequence in addition to the clinical protocol.Two observers evaluated image quality, presence of flow artifacts, and presence of intra-plaque hemorrhage, and computed the NASCET degree of stenosis for CE-MRA and for the new sequence. Inter-observer agreement and correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA for NASCET stenosis was estimated using Cohen's kappa, and correlation using linear regression and Bland-Altman plots.Histology was performed on endarterectomy samples for 18 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of 2D and 3D TSE for IPH diagnosis were computed.Results3D TSE showed better image quality than 2D TSE (p<0.05). Interobserver agreement was good (kappa≥0.86). Correlation between 3D TSE and CE-MRA was excellent (R=0.95) for NASCET stenosis. Sensitivity and specificity for IPH diagnosis was 50% and 100% for 2D TSE and 100% and 83% for the 3D TSE.ConclusionsThe new 3D T1-w TSE allows both reliable measures of carotid stenosis, with a slight overestimation compared to CE-MRA (5%), and improved IPH identification, compared to 2D TSE.



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Correlation study between DKI and conventional DWI in brain and head and neck tumors

Publication date: Available online 16 June 2017
Source:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Author(s): Silvia Minosse, Simona Marzi, Francesca Piludu, Antonello Vidiri
PurposeTo investigate the relationship between the Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) parameters and conventional metrics provided by Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients affected by Brain or Head and Neck (HN) cancer.MethodsTen patients affected by brain tumor and nine patients with HN tumor underwent a pre-treatment MR examination at 3 T. The largest tumor section was manually contoured by two expert neuroradiologists. The apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) and apparent diffusional kurtosis (Kapp) parameters were determined at the voxel level by using the DKI model, and compared to the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and the tissue diffusion coefficient (Dmono) obtained from mono-exponential fitting methods. The Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) was calculated to assess the quality of the fitting methods. Cross-correlations between all the variables were assessed using the Spearman rank test.ResultsIncreased Kapp values were found in each lesion. All parameters were strongly related, in particular an inverse relationship emerged between median values of Kapp and Dapp/Dmono/ADC in both patient groups, while Dapp showed positive correlations with Dmono and ADC. From the analysis at the voxel level, significant inverse associations were found between Kapp and Dmono within the lesions, while a weak or moderate association emerged between Kapp and ADC or Dapp.ConclusionsA significant association between the apparent diffusional kurtosis Kapp and the tissue diffusion coefficient Dmono emerged for both brain and HN tumors at 3 T, suggesting that both variables may consistently reflect deeper insight into the microstructural characteristics of tumors.

Graphical abstract

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TKI De-escalation Safe in Most CML Patients With Major Molecular Response

A de-escalation of tyrosine-kinase inhibitor dose was safe in the majority of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia with stable major molecular response. (Source: CancerNetwork)

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Study helps identify a way for robotic surgery to stage endometrial cancer in a less invasive manner

A minimally-invasive procedure known as sentinel lymph node mapping accurately can determine the stage of endometrial cancer, according to new research that TriHealth contributed to that recently was published in The Lancet Oncology. One of the onerous experiences of cancer diagnosis can be the intrusive surgery required to accurately determine the stage to which the disease has progressed. This new study shows, through robotic surgery, doctors can take out fewer lymph nodes and find the cancer… (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care News Headlines)

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Many Tanning Salons Defy Legal Age Limits on Users

Some also make false claims about the health effects of tanning, researchers find (Source: Cancercompass News: Other Cancer)

MedWorm Message: Have you tried our new medical search engine? More powerful than before. Log on with your social media account. 100% free.

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Mission to Mars Would Double Astronauts' Cancer Risk

Title: Mission to Mars Would Double Astronauts' Cancer RiskCategory: Health NewsCreated: 6/15/2017 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 6/16/2017 12:00:00 AM (Source: MedicineNet Cancer General)

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'Couch Potatoes' May Face Higher Risk of Kidney, Bladder Cancers

Title: 'Couch Potatoes' May Face Higher Risk of Kidney, Bladder CancersCategory: Health NewsCreated: 6/15/2017 12:00:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 6/16/2017 12:00:00 AM (Source: MedicineNet Cancer General)

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Transcriptional control of unequal cleavage in early Tubifex embryos

Abstract

Early embryos of the clitellate annelid Tubifex (oligochaete) undergo a series of unequal spiral cell divisions before the descendants of the D quadrant micromeres (cells 2d and 4d) divide bilaterally. Here, we show that inhibition of zygotic transcription by microinjection of α-amanitin (transcription inhibitor) exclusively converts unequal cleavage in cell 2d¹¹ (granddaughter of 2d) into equal cleavage while other unequal cleavages and ensuing bilateral cleavages in cells 4d and 2d¹¹¹ (great-granddaughter of 2d) all proceed in a normal fashion in the presence of this inhibitor. These results differ significantly from those reported for embryos of another clitellate annelid Helobdella (leech), in which inhibition of transcription converts bilateral (symmetric) cleavages in cells DNOPQ"' and DM" (equivalent to 2d¹¹¹ and 4d) into unequal (asymmetric) cleavages while having no apparent effect on unequal cleavage in DNOPQ" (equivalent to 2d¹¹). These differences imply distinct mechanisms for the control of the unequal-to-bilateral transition in the two clitellate annelids.

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