scholarly journals Biometric analysis of the foetal meconium pattern using T1 weighted 2D gradient echo MRI

BJR|Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 20200032
Author(s):  
Georgia Hyde ◽  
Andrew Fry ◽  
Ashok Raghavan ◽  
Elspeth Whitby
Keyword(s):  
Small Bowel ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Hepatic Flexure ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Intrarater Reliability ◽  
Biometric Analysis ◽  
New Information ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Clinical Mri ◽  
Foetal Mri

Objectives: Foetal MRI is used to assess abnormalities after ultrasonography. Bowel anomalies are a significant cause of neonatal morbidity, however there are little data concerning its normal appearance on antenatal MRI. This study aims to investigate the pattern of meconium accumulation throughout gestation using its hyperintense appearance on T1 weighted scans and add to the current published data. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral clinical MRI centre. Foetal body MRI scans of varying gestational ages were obtained dating between October 2011 and March 2018. The bowel was visualised on T1 weighted images. The length of the meconium and the width of the meconium at the rectum, sigmoid colon, splenic flexure and hepatic flexure was measured. Presence or absence of meconium in the small bowel was noted. Inter- and intrarater reliability was assessed. Results: 181 foetal body scans were reviewed. 52 were excluded and 129 analysed. Visualisation of the meconium in the large bowel became increasingly proximal with later gestations, and small bowel visualisation was greater at earlier gestations. There was statistically significant strong (r = 0.6–0.8) or very strong (r = 0.8–1.0) positive correlation of length and width with increasing gestation. Interrater reliability was moderate to excellent (r = 0.4–1.0). Conclusion: This study provides new information regarding the pattern of meconium accumulation throughout gestation. With care, the results can be used in clinical practice to aid diagnosis of bowel pathology. Advances in knowledge: The findings of this study provide further information concerning the normal accumulation of foetal meconium on MR imaging, an area where current research is limited.

scholarly journals RARE CASE OF SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 6-8
Author(s):  
Azmaiparashvili G. აზმაიფარაშვილი გ. ◽  
Tomadze G. თომაძე გ. ◽  
Megreladze A. მეგრელაძე ა.
Keyword(s):  
Small Intestine ◽  
Small Bowel ◽  
Parenteral Nutrition ◽  
Short Bowel Syndrome ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Postoperative Management ◽  
Hepatic Flexure ◽  
Postoperative Treatment ◽  
Extensive Resection ◽  
Short Bowel

Short bowel syndrome is characterized by malabsorption following extensive resection of the small bowel. It may occur after resection of more than 50% and is certain after resection of more than 70% of the small intestine, or if less than 100 cm of small bowel remains.  Successful postoperative management of short bowel syndrome has been discussed. Patient was operated because of cancer of hepatic flexure of large bowel with invasion in stomach, pancreas, retroperitoneal space, mesentery of small bowel. Right sided colectomy and excessive resection of small bowel with limphodissection was performed and only 80 cm of small bowel was left together with the left part of the colon. Ileotransversoanastomosis was performed. After the adequate course of chemotherapy and partial parenteral nutrition patient’s general condition became satisfactory. Patient started to gain weight. Adequate postoperative treatment determined postoperative period without surgical and nutritional complication.

scholarly journals Monocytes of Different Subsets in Complexes with Platelets in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

2018 ◽  
Vol 118 (11) ◽  
pp. 1969-1981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Loguinova ◽  
Natalia Pinegina ◽  
Valeria Kogan ◽  
Murad Vagida ◽  
Anush Arakelyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
New Information ◽  
Platelet Antigen ◽  
Classical Monocytes ◽  
Intermediate Monocytes

AbstractAcute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with activation of various cells, including platelets that form monocyte–platelet complexes (MPCs). Here, we analysed MPC in vivo and in vitro and investigated the abilities of different monocyte subclasses to form MPC, the characteristics of the cells involved in MPC formation and MPC changes in AMI. We identified MPC by co-staining for platelet antigen CD41a and monocyte antigens CD14 and CD16. Platelet activation was evaluated from expression of phosphatidylserine as revealed by annexin V. Our results confirm published data and provide new information regarding the patterns of MPC in AMI patients. We found that the patterns of platelet aggregation with monocytes were different in AMI patients and controls: (1) in AMI patients, MPC formed by intermediate monocytes carry more platelets whereas in healthy controls more platelets aggregated with classical monocytes; (2) the numbers of MPC in AMI patients, being already higher than in controls, were further increased if these patients suffered various in-hospital complications; (3) on the basis of the CD41a fluorescence of the antibody-stained MPC, some of the aggregates seem to consist of monocytes and platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs); (4) aggregation of monocytes with platelet EV occurred in in vitro experiments; and (5) these experiments demonstrated that monocytes from AMI patients aggregate with both platelets and platelet EVs more efficiently than do monocytes from controls. MPC in AMI patients may play an important role in this pathology.

scholarly journals Potential Maternal and Infant Outcomes from Coronavirus 2019-nCoV (SARS-CoV-2) Infecting Pregnant Women: Lessons from SARS, MERS, and Other Human Coronavirus Infections

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Schwartz ◽  
Ashley L. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Infant Outcomes ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
Limited Experience ◽  
Natural Aerosols ◽  
Coronavirus Infections

In early December 2019 a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause was identified in Wuhan, a city of 11 million persons in the People’s Republic of China. Further investigation revealed these cases to result from infection with a newly identified coronavirus, initially termed 2019-nCoV and subsequently SARS-CoV-2. The infection moved rapidly through China, spread to Thailand and Japan, extended into adjacent countries through infected persons travelling by air, eventually reaching multiple countries and continents. Similar to such other coronaviruses as those causing the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the new coronavirus was reported to spread via natural aerosols from human-to-human. In the early stages of this epidemic the case fatality rate is estimated to be approximately 2%, with the majority of deaths occurring in special populations. Unfortunately, there is limited experience with coronavirus infections during pregnancy, and it now appears certain that pregnant women have become infected during the present 2019-nCoV epidemic. In order to assess the potential of the Wuhan 2019-nCoV to cause maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and other poor obstetrical outcomes, this communication reviews the published data addressing the epidemiological and clinical effects of SARS, MERS, and other coronavirus infections on pregnant women and their infants. Recommendations are also made for the consideration of pregnant women in the design, clinical trials, and implementation of future 2019-nCoV vaccines.

Enhanced MRI Evaluation of Children with Sickle Cell Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 981-981
Author(s):  
Nancy S. Green ◽  
Monica Bhatia ◽  
Erica Griffin ◽  
Mahvish Qureshi ◽  
Courtney Briamonte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Small Vessel ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Clinical Mri

Abstract Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) CNS vasculopathy (SCNSV) is a frequent indication for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Untreated, SCNSV can be progressive and impair quality of life (QoL) and cognitive functioning. By clinical MRI/MRA assessment, HSCT is thought to halt progression of SCNSV. Quantitative analysis of T2-weighted FLAIR MRI for white matter hyperintensity (WMH) can provide a meaningful estimate of small vessel cerebrovascular burden. Adding WMH assessment, we asked whether HSCT for SCD halted long-term progression of SCNSV, including small vessel involvement, despite transplant-associated CNS risks. QoL assessment can track school functioning and physical, emotional and social functioning. Methods: This retrospective single site study compared MRI analyses pre-transplant to 1-7-years post-HSCT. Subject eligibility required availability of clinical MRI scans from within 2 months pre-HSCT and at 1-year intervals for at least one year post-HSCT. Interim scans performed for acute clinical indications were not included in the analysis. MRI scans were evaluated independent to the initial clinical read by one neuroradiologist, and via in-house developed software to quantitate WMH burden. QoL was completed by parent- and child-report pre-HSCT and annually thereafter using the Peds QL 4.0TM with scores 0-100; higher numbers reflected higher QoL. Results: 25 patients who received HSCT for SCD between 2003-2014 were evaluated. Median age at HSCT was 9.9 years (1.4-21.9); male:female 18:7; HbSS (17), HbSC (3), HbS-Bthalassemia (5). Donors were related (14) or unrelated (11). Stem cell sources were: related bone marrow (BM) (10), unrelated BM (5), related cord blood (CB) (3), unrelated CB (6), or related peripheral blood stem cells (1). Eight patients had CNS pathology as the indication for HSCT. Transplant complications were: PRES (2), stroke (1), graft failure (2), death (1). Duration of follow-up was: 1 yr (9), 2 yrs (10), >2 yrs (6). Only a minority of patients had normal pre-HSCT MRI (5) and normal MRA (11; 6 had 1-2 stenoses <2mm and were rated as ambiguous). At 1 to 7 yrs post-HSCT, 5 originally normal MRIs were unchanged, 15 MRIs were stable and 4 were improved at 1 year post-HSCT, without subsequent changes by clinical assessment. One MRI worsened due to peri-HSCT hemorrhagic stroke. MRAs were unchanged following HSCT. Preliminary analysis of 18 patients at pre-HSCT revealed that 5 did not have elevated WMH, while elevated WMH was detected in 13 patients. WMH remained stable in 16 of 18 patients over subsequent annual assessments. In the 2 patients with markedly elevated WMH pre-HSCT, values decreased at follow-up, corresponding to the resolution of acute or recent infarction. Overall pre-HSCT QoL by parent-report (N=19) was 65.3 (SD16.3); while child self-report (N=14) was 67.6, (SD13.1). After mean follow-up of 3 years, parent-report QoL improved to 78.8 (SD15.8), and self-report to 78.7 (SD15.2). Conclusions: Most children in this retrospective cohort had MRI abnormalities pre-HSCT, and all but 1 were stable or improved post-HSCT, despite PRES and other potential CNS complications. Pre-HSCT WMH appeared to be unchanged for most of these patients, while stroke-induced WMH appears to decrease over time, suggesting stable small vessel SCNSV following transplantation. Overall, by MRI/MRA and by preliminary WMH, HSCT appears to have stabilized large and small vessel SCNSV in all but 1 of 25 children. While only a modest number of patients were assessed, WMH was reproducible at multiple annual time points. Long-term parent and self-reported QoL indicated improvement from HSCT. Chronically transfused SCD patients could not be compared due to lack of annualized assessment. Future transplant protocols will include enhanced MRI-based tracking, in conjunction with QoL and neuropsychological assessments. These data could be useful for decision-making about SCD transplantation. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

What CO 2 well gases tell us about the origin of noble gases in the mantle and their relationship to the atmosphere

2008 ◽  
Vol 366 (1883) ◽  
pp. 4183-4203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris J Ballentine ◽  
Greg Holland
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
Solar Nebula ◽  
Noble Gases ◽  
Noble Gas ◽  
Isotopic Fractionation ◽  
Elemental Abundance ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Abundance Pattern ◽  
New Information

Study of commercially produced volcanic CO 2 gas associated with the Colorado Plateau, USA, has revealed substantial new information about the noble gas isotopic composition and elemental abundance pattern of the mantle. Combined with published data from mid-ocean ridge basalts, it is now clear that the convecting mantle has a maximum 20 Ne/ 22 Ne isotopic composition, indistinguishable from that attributed to solar wind-implanted (SWI) neon in meteorites. This is distinct from the higher 20 Ne/ 22 Ne isotopic value expected for solar nebula gases. The non-radiogenic xenon isotopic composition of the well gases shows that 20 per cent of the mantle Xe is ‘solar-like’ in origin, but cannot resolve the small isotopic difference between the trapped meteorite ‘Q’-component and solar Xe. The mantle primordial 20 Ne/ 132 Xe is approximately 1400 and is comparable with the upper end of that observed in meteorites. Previous work using the terrestrial 129 I– 129 Xe mass balance demands that almost 99 per cent of the Xe (and therefore other noble gases) has been lost from the accreting solids and that Pu–I closure age models have shown this to have occurred in the first ca 100 Ma of the Earth's history. The highest concentrations of Q-Xe and solar wind-implanted (SWI)-Ne measured in meteorites allow for this loss and these high-abundance samples have a Ne/Xe ratio range compatible with the ‘recycled-air-corrected’ terrestrial mantle. These observations do not support models in which the terrestrial mantle acquired its volatiles from the primary capture of solar nebula gases and, in turn, strongly suggest that the primary terrestrial atmosphere, before isotopic fractionation, is most probably derived from degassed trapped volatiles in accreting material. By contrast, the non-radiogenic argon, krypton and 80 per cent of the xenon in the convecting mantle have the same isotopic composition and elemental abundance pattern as that found in seawater with a small sedimentary Kr and Xe admix. These mantle heavy noble gases are dominated by recycling of air dissolved in seawater back into the mantle. Numerical simulations suggest that plumes sampling the core–mantle boundary would be enriched in seawater-derived noble gases compared with the convecting mantle, and therefore have substantially lower 40 Ar/ 36 Ar. This is compatible with observation. The subduction process is not a complete barrier to volatile return to the mantle.

scholarly journals Synthesis of High-Resolution Research-Quality MRI Data from Clinical MRI Data in Patients with COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan J Cali ◽  
Holly J Freeman ◽  
Benjamin Billot ◽  
Megan E Barra ◽  
David Fischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Brain Lesion ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Focal Lesions ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Clinical Mri

Pathophysiological mechanisms of neurological disorders in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are poorly understood, partly because of a lack of high-resolution neuroimaging data. We applied SynthSR, a convolutional neural network that synthesizes high-resolution isotropic research-quality data from thick-slice clinical MRI data, to a cohort of 11 patients with severe COVID-19. SynthSR successfully synthesized T1-weighted MPRAGE data at 1 mm spatial resolution for all 11 patients, each of whom had at least one brain lesion. Correlations between volumetric measures derived from synthesized and acquired MPRAGE data were strong for the cortical grey matter, subcortical grey matter, brainstem, hippocampus, and hemispheric white matter (r=0.84 to 0.96, p≤0.001), but absent for the cerebellar white matter and corpus callosum (r=0.04 to 0.17, p>0.61). SynthSR creates an opportunity to quantitatively study clinical MRI scans and elucidate the pathophysiology of neurological disorders in patients with COVID-19, including those with focal lesions.

scholarly journals Palaeobotanical study of Polichnitos region, southern part of Lesbos Island, Greece (preliminary results on angiosperm wood).

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 204 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Mantzouka ◽  
J. Sakala ◽  
Z. Kvaček ◽  
V. Karakitsios
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Data ◽  
Fossil Wood ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Plant Fossils ◽  
New Information ◽  
New Localities ◽  
First Time ◽  
Petrified Forest

The present contribution brings new scientific data for the palaeoflora of Lesbos based on new collections of plant fossils which were discovered in 2011 at six new localities from the southern part of Lesbos Island. This study resumes the published data both on the palaeovegetation of the Petrified Forest and the palaeogeography of Lesbos Island during the Neogene. The new palaeobotanical study with more than seventy new samples of fossilized wood from the broader area of Polichnitos region gives new information about the palaeobotanical and palaeontological content of this area. It is reported for the first time here the existence of a diversified fossil wood assemblage from the southern part of the Island as long as the identification of three types of lauraceous wood according to their idioblasts characteristics.

Intracerebral microdialysis for determination of the neuropharmacokinetics and neuropharmacodynamics of temozolomide in patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2074-2074 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Portnow ◽  
B. Badie ◽  
B. Xi ◽  
A. Liu ◽  
D. Hovda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Brain Tissue ◽  
Extracellular Fluid ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Intracerebral Microdialysis ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Lactate And Pyruvate ◽  
Grade 3

2074 Background: Microdialysis (MD) is a technique for continuously analyzing concentrations of endogenous chemicals and drugs in the extracellular fluid (ECF) of a body tissue. The purpose of this study is to apply MD to the determination of the neuropharmacokinetics (nPK) and neuropharmacodynamics (nPD) of temozolomide (TMZ) following systemic administration. Methods: After surgical debulking, a MD catheter is placed in peritumoral brain tissue. Artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is continuously perfused at a rate of 1 μl/min. Fused CT/MRI scans confirm correct placement of the catheter in non-enhancing brain. Starting 24 hrs after surgery, patients are given a dose of TMZ (150 mg/m2), and serial ECF and plasma samples are collected over 24 hrs. TMZ concentrations are determined by LC/MS/MS. In vitro recovery of TMZ via the MD catheter has been determined to be 87±5.5% at a flow rate of 1 μl/min. Prior to and 24 hrs post TMZ, additional ECF samples are collected for analysis of glucose, glutamate, lactate, and pyruvate, which are measured using a CMA 600 Analyzer®. Results: Four patients have been enrolled. There have been no grade 3 or 4 catheter-related adverse events. Mean peak TMZ concentrations in brain ECF and plasma are 0.4±0.2 and 5.5±1.4 μg/ml, respectively. Mean TMZ AUC in brain ECF and plasma are 3.2±1.6 and 18.2±4.6 μg/mLxhr, with an average ECF/plasma AUC ratio of 18±4%. Mean basal levels of glucose, glutamate, lactate, and pyruvate in ECF are 0.4±0.3, 34±66, 3±4, 69±62 mM, respectively. No consistent changes were seen in these nPD markers 24 hrs after TMZ. Conclusions: Concentrations of TMZ in brain ECF obtained by MD are similar to published data of TMZ concentrations in the CSF (Clin Cancer Res 2004;10:3728–36). Baseline values of markers of brain tissue metabolism are consistent with previous data in patients with brain tumors (J Neuro-Oncol 2003; 61:151–60). Intracerebral MD is an important tool that can be applied to nPK/nPD studies of new and targeted agents for the treatment of brain tumors. (Supported by CA01727) No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals Vaccination against COVID-19 infection: the need of evidence for diabetic and obese pregnant women

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Lapolla ◽  
M. G. Dalfrà ◽  
S. Burlina
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Published Data ◽  
International Debate ◽  
Lactating Women ◽  
High Risk Women ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Diabetes And Obesity

Abstract Aim The recent availability of vaccines against COVID-19 has sparked national and international debate on the feasibility of administering them to pregnant and lactating women, given that these vaccines have not been tested to assess their safety and efficacy in such women. As concerns the risks of COVID-induced disease, published data show that pregnant women who develop COVID-19 have fewer symptoms than patients who are not pregnant, but they are more likely to need hospitalization in intensive care, and neonatal morbidity. Aim of the present perspective paper is to analyze the current literature regarding the use of the vaccine against COVID-19 infection, in terms of safety and protection, in high risk pregnant women as those affected by diabetes and obesity. Methods Analysis of literature about vaccination against COVID-19 infection in pregnancy. Results The main health organizations and international scientific societies, emphasize that—although data regarding the use of COVID vaccines during pregnancy and lactation are still lacking—vaccination should not be contraindicated. It should be considered for pregnant women at high risk of exposure to COVID-19. For such women, the potential benefits and risks should be assessed by the healthcare professionals caring for them. A recent prospective study to test the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of vaccination with COVID-19 mRNA in pregnant and lactating women, has showed that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination triggers a robust humoral immunity in pregnant and lactating women; there was also evidence of an immune transfer to their newborn. Conclusions We urgently need data on the effect of COVID-19 vaccination, in terms of maternal and fetal outcomes and vaccine related symptoms in high risk women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is important to run campaigns to promote vaccination, in particular in pregnant women at high risk to have severe COVID infection as those diabetics and/or obese.

scholarly journals Contrasting effects of viscous and particulate fibers on colonic fermentation in vitro and in vivo, and their impact on intestinal water studied by MRI in a randomized trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 595-602
Author(s):  
David Gunn ◽  
Rajani Murthy ◽  
Giles Major ◽  
Victoria Wilkinson-Smith ◽  
Caroline Hoad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Bowel ◽  
Wheat Bran ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
Study Test ◽  
Water Trapping ◽  
Meal Ingestion ◽  
Gas Volume

ABSTRACT Background Wheat bran, nopal, and psyllium are examples of particulate, viscous and particulate, and viscous fibers, respectively, with laxative properties yet contrasting fermentability. Objectives We assessed the fermentability of these fibers in vitro and their effects on intestinal function relevant to laxation in vivo using MRI. Methods Each fiber was predigested prior to measuring gas production in vitro during 48-h anaerobic incubation with healthy fecal samples. We performed a randomized, 3-way crossover trial in 14 healthy volunteers who ingested 7.5 g fiber twice on the day prior to study initiation and once with the study test meal. Serial MRI scans obtained after fasting and hourly for 4 h following meal ingestion were used to assess small bowel water content (SBWC), colonic volumes, and T1 of the ascending colon (T1AC) as measures of colonic water. Breath samples for hydrogen analysis were obtained while patients were in the fasted state and every 30 min for 4 h following meal ingestion Results In vitro, the onset of gas production was significantly delayed with psyllium (mean ± SD: 14 ± 5 h) compared with wheat bran (6 ± 2 h, P = 0.003) and was associated with a smaller total gas volume (P = 0.01). Prefeeding all 3 fibers for 24 h was associated with an increased fasting T1AC (&gt;75% of values &gt;90th centile of the normal range). There was a further rise during the 4 h after psyllium (0.3 ± 0.3 s P = 0.009), a fall with wheat bran (−0.2 ± 0.2 s; P = 0.02), but no change with nopal (0.0 ± 0.1 s, P = 0.2). SBWC increased for all fibers; nopal stimulated more water than wheat bran [AUC mean (95% CI) difference: 7.1 (0.6, 13.8) L/min, P = 0.03]. Breath hydrogen rose significantly after wheat bran and nopal but not after psyllium (P &lt; 0.0001). Conclusion Both viscous and particulate fibers are equally effective at increasing colonic T1 over a period of 24 h. Mechanisms include water trapping in the small bowel by viscous fibers and delivery of substrates to the colonic microbiota by more fermentable particulate fiber. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03263065.

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