scholarly journals Added value of contrast echocardiography in characterization of nonischemic cardiomyopathy

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 4813-4820
Author(s):  
Shufang Pi ◽  
Yingwu Liu ◽  
Tong Li ◽  
Wenjin Peng ◽  
Dong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contrast Echocardiography ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Ventricular Myocardium ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Dynamic Features ◽  
Myocardial Motion ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Myocardial Diseases

Nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) is a group of noncoronary heterogonous myocardial diseases. The heterogonous nature of NICM has impeded its diagnosis. In the present case series, we demonstrate the added value of using contrast echocardiography in the characterization of NICM. Two patients of advanced age were admitted for possible acute coronary syndrome, which was subsequently excluded by coronary angiography. Conventional and contrast echocardiography revealed characteristic structural and dynamic features of the left ventricle that were compatible with two distinct NICM diseases: stress-induced cardiomyopathy and noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium. Contrast echocardiography characterizes the cardiac structure and allows for real-time assessment of myocardial motion and perfusion. It may help to distinguish diseases with different etiologies.

scholarly journals Added value of diffusion-weighted MRI in assessment of pleural lesions

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Youssriah Yahia Sabri ◽  
Ikram Hamed Mahmoud ◽  
Lamis Tarek El-Gendy ◽  
Mohamed Raafat Abd El-Mageed ◽  
Sally Fouad Tadros
Keyword(s):  
Positive Predictive Value ◽  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Adc Value ◽  
Pleural Diseases ◽  
Conventional Mri ◽  
Malignant Lesions

Abstract Background There are many causes of pleural disease including variable benign and malignant etiologies. DWI is a non-enhanced functional MRI technique that allows qualitative and quantitative characterization of tissues based on their water molecules diffusivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of DWI-MRI in detection and characterization of pleural diseases and its capability in differentiating benign from malignant pleural lesions. Results Conventional MRI was able to discriminate benign from malignant lesions by using morphological features (contour and thickness) with sensitivity 89.29%, specificity 76%, positive predictive value 89%, negative predictive value 76.92%, and accuracy 85.37%. ADC value as a quantitative parameter of DWI found that ADC values of malignant pleural diseases were significantly lower than that of benign lesions (P < 0.001). Hence, we discovered that using ADC mean value of 1.68 × 10-3 mm2/s as a cutoff value can differentiate malignant from benign pleural diseases with sensitivity 89.3%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 81.2%, and accuracy 92.68% (P < 0.001). Conclusion Although DWI-MRI is unable to differentiate between malignant and benign pleural effusion, its combined morphological and functional information provide valid non-invasive method to accurately characterize pleural soft tissue diseases differentiating benign from malignant lesions with higher specificity and accuracy than conventional MRI.

scholarly journals Synthesis and characterization of analcime (ANA) zeolite using a kaolinitic rock

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Novembre ◽  
Domingo Gimeno
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Emission Spectrometry ◽  
Quantitative Phase Analysis ◽  
Crystallization Time ◽  
Experimental Protocol ◽  
Economic Point ◽  
Cell Parameters ◽  
Synthesis Protocol

AbstractAnalcime is nowadays an important component in dental porcelain systems, in heterogeneous catalysis, in the nanoelectronic field, in selective adsorption and in stomatology (dental filling and prosthesis). Analcime synthesis from an impure, silica-rich kaolinite rock coming from Romana (Sassari, Italy) is here presented. A synthesis protocol is proposed that aims to make an improvement of synthesis conditions compared to the past. The hydrothermal treatment is in fact here achieved without aging times and without the use of sodium silicate or other additional silica source reported in the literature. Lower calcination temperature, synthesis temperature and crystallization time are verified in this work. The kaolin is subjected to calcination at the temperature of 650 °C and then mixed with NaOH. The experiment is performed at ambient pressure and 170 ± 0.1 °C. The degree of purity of analcime is calculated in 97.57% at 10 h. Analcime is characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and thermal analysis. Density is also calculated. Cell parameters and the amount of amorphous phase in the synthesis powders is estimated with quantitative phase analysis using the combined Rietveld and reference intensity ratio methods. The experimental conditions make the synthesis protocol particularly attractive from an economic point of view. Also this work does not use a commercial kaolin but silica-rich impure kaolinitic rock from a disused quarry. This further reduces the costs of the experimental protocol. It also gives the protocol an added value, as the synthesis of a useful mineral is obtained through the valorization of an otherwise unused georesource. Both chemical and physical characterization of analcime is satisfactory making the experimental protocol very promising for an industrial transfer.

Characterization of the phrenic nerve course within the epicardial substrate of patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and ventricular tachycardia

Heart Rhythm ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Fan ◽  
Oscar Cano ◽  
Siew Yen Ho ◽  
Rupa Bala ◽  
David J. Callans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Tachycardia ◽  
Phrenic Nerve ◽  
Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy

scholarly journals Improving early exclusion of acute coronary syndrome in primary care: the added value of point-of-care troponin as stated by general practitioners

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (04) ◽  
pp. 386-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M.A. Kip ◽  
Amber M. Noltes ◽  
Hendrik Koffijberg ◽  
Maarten J. IJzerman ◽  
Ron Kusters
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Blood Sample ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Lower Sensitivity ◽  
Test Duration ◽  
Referral Rates ◽  
Coronary Syndrome

AimTo investigate general practitioners’ (GPs’) desire and perceived added value of point-of-care (POC) troponin, its effect on referral decisions, and test requirements.BackgroundExcluding acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in primary care remains a diagnostic challenges for GPs. Consequently, referral rates of chest pain patients are high, while the incidence of a cardiovascular problem is only 8–15%. Previous studies have shown that GPs are interested in a POC troponin test. This test could enhance rapid exclusion of ACS, thereby preventing unnecessary patient distress, without compromising safety and while reducing costs. However, using this test is not recommended in current guidelines due to uncertainty in the test’s potential added value, and the lower sensitivity early after symptom onset as compared with troponin tests in a regular laboratory.MethodsAn online survey containing 34 questions was distributed among 837 Dutch GPs in June 2015.FindingsA total of 126 GPs (15.1%) completed at least 75% of the questions. 67.1% of GPs believe that POC troponin tests have moderate to very high added value. Although the availability of a POC test is expected to increase the frequency at which troponin tests are used, it likely decreases (immediate) referral rates. Of the responding GPs, 78.3% only accept 10 min as the maximum test duration, 78.1% think reimbursement of the POC device is required for implementation, and 68.9% consider it necessary that it can be performed with a finger prick blood sample. In conclusion, according to GPs, the POC troponin test can be of added value to exclude ACS early on. Actual test implementation will depend on test characteristics, including test duration, type of blood sample required, and reimbursement of the analyzer.

Noninvasive Tissue Characterization of Coronary Arterial Plaque by 16-Slice Computed Tomography in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Angiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Sakakura ◽  
Takanori Yasu ◽  
Yasuyuki Kobayashi ◽  
Takuji Katayama ◽  
Yoshitaka Sugawara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Tissue Characterization ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Arterial Plaque

scholarly journals Genetic characterization of skull base chondrosarcomas

2015 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 1036-1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Kanamori ◽  
Yohei Kitamura ◽  
Tokuhiro Kimura ◽  
Kazunari Yoshida ◽  
Hikaru Sasaki
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Bone Neoplasms ◽  
Comparative Genomic ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Whole Genome Analysis ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Genome Study ◽  
Skull Base Chordomas

OBJECT Although chondrosarcomas rarely arise in the skull base, chondrosarcomas and chordomas are the 2 major malignant bone neoplasms occurring at this location. The distinction of these 2 tumors is important, but this distinction is occasionally problematic because of radiological and histological overlap. Unlike chordoma and extracranial chondrosarcoma, no case series presenting a whole-genome analysis of skull base chondrosarcomas (SBCSs) has been reported. The goal of this study is to clarify the genetic characteristics of SBCSs and contrast them with those of chordomas. METHODS The authors analyzed 7 SBCS specimens for chromosomal copy number alterations (CNAs) using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). They also examined IDH1 and IDH2 mutations and brachyury expression. RESULTS In CGH analyses, the authors detected CNAs in 6 of the 7 cases, including chromosomal gains of 8q21.1, 19, 2q22-q32, 5qcen-q14, 8q21-q22, and 15qcen-q14. Mutation of IDH1 was found with a high frequency (5 of 7 cases, 71.4%), of which R132S was most frequently mutated. No IDH2 mutations were found, and immunohistochemical staining for brachyury was negative in all cases. CONCLUSIONS To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first whole-genome study of an SBSC case series. Their findings suggest that these tumors are molecularly consistent with a subset of conventional central chondrosarcomas and different from skull base chordomas.

scholarly journals Characterization of the expression and regulation of MK5 in the murine ventricular myocardium

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 1063-1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dharmendra Dingar ◽  
Marie-Josée Benoit ◽  
Aida M. Mamarbachi ◽  
Louis R. Villeneuve ◽  
Marc-Antoine Gillis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Myocardium

scholarly journals Metabolomic Profiling in Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review

Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 630
Author(s):  
Daniela Madama ◽  
Rosana Martins ◽  
Ana S. Pires ◽  
Maria F. Botelho ◽  
Marco G. Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Metabolomic Profiling ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
Altered Metabolism ◽  
Metabolic Biomarkers ◽  
Analytical Platforms

Lung cancer continues to be a significant burden worldwide and remains the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality. Two considerable challenges posed by this disease are the diagnosis of 61% of patients in advanced stages and the reduced five-year survival rate of around 4%. Noninvasively collected samples are gaining significant interest as new areas of knowledge are being sought and opened up. Metabolomics is one of these growing areas. In recent years, the use of metabolomics as a resource for the study of lung cancer has been growing. We conducted a systematic review of the literature from the past 10 years in order to identify some metabolites associated with lung cancer. More than 150 metabolites have been associated with lung cancer-altered metabolism. These were detected in different biological samples by different metabolomic analytical platforms. Some of the published results have been consistent, showing the presence/alteration of specific metabolites. However, there is a clear variability due to lack of a full clinical characterization of patients or standardized patients selection. In addition, few published studies have focused on the added value of the metabolomic profile as a means of predicting treatment response for lung cancer. This review reinforces the need for consistent and systematized studies, which will help make it possible to identify metabolic biomarkers and metabolic pathways responsible for the mechanisms that promote tumor progression, relapse and eventually resistance to therapy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document