Use of Echocardiography in Evaluation of General Pediatric Diseases

1981 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 137-146
Author(s):  
Roberta G. Williams ◽  
Fredrick Z. Bierman

A variety of general pediatric diseases cause secondary cardiovascular abnormalities. Echocardiography and other noninvasive techniques have provided a better understanding of the incidence, time course, and degree of cardiac involvement in these disorders. Echocardiography yields anatomic and physiologic information with little patient discomfort and a relatively small investment in medical personnel and equipment and therefore offers a practical means for both population screening and serial evaluation of individual patients. When an ultrasound beam, produced by the rapid expansion and contraction of a rare earth crystal, is directed through the soft tissues of the body, some of the acoustical energy is absorbed and a portion is reflected back to the transducer. The depth and intensity of the returning signal can be displayed on an oscilloscope (A mode), or the signal can be swept across an oscilloscope or strip chart to record both depth and time (M-mode) as seen in Figs 1 and 2. Cardiac structures are identified by their characteristic motion and distance from the transducer. The transducer can be rotated or scanned from one structure to another in order to gain spatial information.

2001 ◽  
Vol 40 (01) ◽  
pp. 31-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Wellner ◽  
E. Voth ◽  
H. Schicha ◽  
K. Weber

Summary Aim: The influence of physiological and pharmacological amounts of iodine on the uptake of radioiodine in the thyroid was examined in a 4-compartment model. This model allows equations to be derived describing the distribution of tracer iodine as a function of time. The aim of the study was to compare the predictions of the model with experimental data. Methods: Five euthyroid persons received stable iodine (200 μg, 10 mg). 1-123-uptake into the thyroid was measured with the Nal (Tl)-detector of a body counter under physiological conditions and after application of each dose of additional iodine. Actual measurements and predicted values were compared, taking into account the individual iodine supply as estimated from the thyroid uptake under physiological conditions and data from the literature. Results: Thyroid iodine uptake decreased from 80% under physiological conditions to 50% in individuals with very low iodine supply (15 μg/d) (n = 2). The uptake calculated from the model was 36%. Iodine uptake into the thyroid did not decrease in individuals with typical iodine supply, i.e. for Cologne 65-85 μg/d (n = 3). After application of 10 mg of stable iodine, uptake into the thyroid decreased in all individuals to about 5%, in accordance with the model calculations. Conclusion: Comparison of theoretical predictions with the measured values demonstrated that the model tested is well suited for describing the time course of iodine distribution and uptake within the body. It can now be used to study aspects of iodine metabolism relevant to the pharmacological administration of iodine which cannot be investigated experimentally in humans for ethical and technical reasons.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5648
Author(s):  
Takashi Yurube ◽  
Hiroaki Hirata ◽  
Masaaki Ito ◽  
Yoshiki Terashima ◽  
Yuji Kakiuchi ◽  
...  

The intervertebral disc is the largest avascular low-nutrient organ in the body. Thus, resident cells may utilize autophagy, a stress-response survival mechanism, by self-digesting and recycling damaged components. Our objective was to elucidate the involvement of autophagy in rat experimental disc degeneration. In vitro, the comparison between human and rat disc nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) cells found increased autophagic flux under serum deprivation rather in humans than in rats and in NP cells than in AF cells of rats (n = 6). In vivo, time-course Western blotting showed more distinct basal autophagy in rat tail disc NP tissues than in AF tissues; however, both decreased under sustained static compression (n = 24). Then, immunohistochemistry displayed abundant autophagy-related protein expression in large vacuolated disc NP notochordal cells of sham rats. Under temporary static compression (n = 18), multi-color immunofluorescence further identified rapidly decreased brachyury-positive notochordal cells with robust expression of autophagic microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and transiently increased brachyury-negative non-notochordal cells with weaker LC3 expression. Notably, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling-positive apoptotic death was predominant in brachyury-negative non-notochordal cells. Based on the observed notochordal cell autophagy impairment and non-notochordal cell apoptosis induction under unphysiological mechanical loading, further investigation is warranted to clarify possible autophagy-induced protection against notochordal cell disappearance, the earliest sign of disc degeneration, through limiting apoptosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 540-555
Author(s):  
Hayley L. Mickleburgh ◽  
Liv Nilsson Stutz ◽  
Harry Fokkens

Abstract The reconstruction of past mortuary rituals and practices increasingly incorporates analysis of the taphonomic history of the grave and buried body, using the framework provided by archaeothanatology. Archaeothanatological analysis relies on interpretation of the three-dimensional (3D) relationship of bones within the grave and traditionally depends on elaborate written descriptions and two-dimensional (2D) images of the remains during excavation to capture this spatial information. With the rapid development of inexpensive 3D tools, digital replicas (3D models) are now commonly available to preserve 3D information on human burials during excavation. A procedure developed using a test case to enhance archaeothanatological analysis and improve post-excavation analysis of human burials is described. Beyond preservation of static spatial information, 3D visualization techniques can be used in archaeothanatology to reconstruct the spatial displacement of bones over time, from deposition of the body to excavation of the skeletonized remains. The purpose of the procedure is to produce 3D simulations to visualize and test archaeothanatological hypotheses, thereby augmenting traditional archaeothanatological analysis. We illustrate our approach with the reconstruction of mortuary practices and burial taphonomy of a Bell Beaker burial from the site of Oostwoud-Tuithoorn, West-Frisia, the Netherlands. This case study was selected as the test case because of its relatively complete context information. The test case shows the potential for application of the procedure to older 2D field documentation, even when the amount and detail of documentation is less than ideal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan Sivapalan ◽  
Jinyan Liu ◽  
Krishnendu Chakraborty ◽  
Elisa Arthofer ◽  
Modassir Choudhry ◽  
...  

AbstractThe a priori T cell repertoire and immune response against SARS-CoV-2 viral antigens may explain the varying clinical course and prognosis of patients having a mild COVID-19 infection as opposed to those developing more fulminant multisystem organ failure and associated mortality. Using a novel SARS-Cov-2-specific artificial antigen presenting cell (aAPC), coupled with a rapid expansion protocol (REP) as practiced in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) therapy, we generate an immune catalytic quantity of Virus Induced Lymphocytes (VIL). Using T cell receptor (TCR)-specific aAPCs carrying co-stimulatory molecules and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I immunodominant SARS-CoV-2 peptide-pentamer complexes, we expand virus-specific VIL derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of convalescent COVID-19 patients up to 1000-fold. This is achieved in a clinically relevant 7-day vein-to-vein time-course as a potential adoptive cell therapy (ACT) for COVID-19. We also evaluate this approach for other viral pathogens using Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific VIL from donors as a control. Rapidly expanded VIL are enriched in virus antigen-specificity and show an activated, polyfunctional cytokine profile and T effector memory phenotype which may contribute to a robust immune response. Virus-specific T cells can also be delivered allogeneically via MHC-typing and patient human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matching to provide pragmatic treatment in a large-scale therapeutic setting. These data suggest that VIL may represent a novel therapeutic option that warrants further clinical investigation in the armamentarium against COVID-19 and other possible future pandemics.


Foot & Ankle ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian J. Alexander ◽  
Kenneth A. Johnson ◽  
Thomas H. Berquist

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a useful technique of studying soft tissues of the body, can be very effective in assessing the integrity of tendons. Usually a patient with a complete tear of the posterior tibial tendon has characteristic physical findings. In the patient presented, MRI demonstrated a complete disruption of the posterior tibial tendon, despite the absence of the commonly associated clinical findings. In view of the difficulties encountered with attempted tenography of the completely torn posterior tibial tendon, MRI provides a sensitive alternative diagnostic technique.


2004 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 1524-1535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grégoire Courtine ◽  
Marco Schieppati

We tested the hypothesis that common principles govern the production of the locomotor patterns for both straight-ahead and curved walking. Whole body movement recordings showed that continuous curved walking implies substantial, limb-specific changes in numerous gait descriptors. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to uncover the spatiotemporal structure of coordination among lower limb segments. PCA revealed that the same kinematic law accounted for the coordination among lower limb segments during both straight-ahead and curved walking, in both the frontal and sagittal planes: turn-related changes in the complex behavior of the inner and outer limbs were captured in limb-specific adaptive tuning of coordination patterns. PCA was also performed on a data set including all elevation angles of limb segments and trunk, thus encompassing 13 degrees of freedom. The results showed that both straight-ahead and curved walking were low dimensional, given that 3 principal components accounted for more than 90% of data variance. Furthermore, the time course of the principal components was unchanged by curved walking, thereby indicating invariant coordination patterns among all body segments during straight-ahead and curved walking. Nevertheless, limb- and turn-dependent tuning of the coordination patterns encoded the adaptations of the limb kinematics to the actual direction of the walking body. Absence of vision had no significant effect on the intersegmental coordination during either straight-ahead or curved walking. Our findings indicate that kinematic laws, probably emerging from the interaction of spinal neural networks and mechanical oscillators, subserve the production of both straight-ahead and curved walking. During locomotion, the descending command tunes basic spinal networks so as to produce the changes in amplitude and phase relationships of the spinal output, sufficient to achieve the body turn.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-308
Author(s):  
Derek Harwood-Nash ◽  
Herman Grossman ◽  
Alvin Felman ◽  
John Kirkpatrick ◽  
Leonard Swischuk

Computerized tomography (CT), a technique conceptualized by Oldendorf in 19611 and developed by Hounsfield2 of EMI-Tronics Inc. (EMI) Central Research Laboratories, has proven to be a successful innovation in neuroradiology. Reviews by Ambrose3 in England and by Baker et al.4 and by New et al.5 in the United States have clearly demonstrated the value of this new modality in neuroradiological diagnosis. In 1975 Houser et al.6 and Harwood-Nash et al.7 provided the initial clinical and radiological data about CT in infants and children. More recently this technique has been extended to the study of tissues and organs in the body other than those in the head. This has been accomplished by modification of the original machine into a whole-body CT system. Early reviews by Ledley et al.8 and by Alfidi et al.9 suggest a significant potential for diagnosis of lesions in the abdomen, pelvis, and thorax. The advantages of CT are that it is less invasive than standard special diagnostic radiological procedures and that for the first time it provides in vivo information regarding the content and the characteristics of tissue composing organs and masses. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT In conventional radiography an image is made on radiographic film by an attenuated X-ray beam. In passing through a core of tissue, each ray of the beam is attenuated as it is absorbed and scattered by the tissue in its path. The intensity of the transmitted ray depends on the sum total of X-ray attenuation by all the different soft tissues in its path.


1982 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 72-74
Author(s):  
V. P. Nefedov ◽  
R. M. Ramazanov

The healing processes of sutured wounds of soft tissues in most cases depend on the type and quality of the suture material. Any kind of suture material in the tissues of the body is a foreign body that causes various reactive changes from the tissues. The nature of these changes, all other things being equal, is mainly determined by the type of suture material, its thickness and the method of sterilization of the tissues on which the sutures are applied, the trauma of surgery, the infection of the wound and the irritating effect of the threads on the tissues.


Author(s):  
Zulkarnay Zakaria ◽  
Mohd Fahajumi Jumaah ◽  
Mohd Saiful Badri Mansor ◽  
Khairi Mat Daud ◽  
Mohd Hafiz Fazalul Rahiman ◽  
...  

Terapi merupakan antara teknik perubatan tertua dalam mengekalkan kesihatan badan terutama daripada aliran darah yang tidak baik, strok dan beberapa penyakit yang lain. Teknik ini termasuklah akupuntur, guasa dan juga urutan. Terdapat juga teknik terapi moden seperti terapi warna, terapi ozon, terapi dadah dan banyak lagi. Kertas kajian ini akan mengetengahkan penjana terapi elektromagnet, satu alat yang mempunyai potensi aplikasi terapi dalam bidang perubatan. Alat ini menghasilkan medan magnet berfrekuensi sederhana sebagai sumber terapi. Perkakasan yang berskala kecil berfrekuensi sederhana dan berkos rendah ini telah dibangunkan dan telah diuji pada tisu biologi bagi mengukur tahap ketembusan medan magnet. Ujian ini telah membuktikan bahawa medan magnet yang telah dihasilkan mampu menembusi tisu lembut bersaiz sehingga 2 cm dengan jarak 7 cm daripada sumber. Kebolehan penembusan sistem ini terhadap tisu lembut memberikan peluang yang cerah kepada kajian ini memandangkan medan magnet telah menunjukkan potensi sebagai sebahagian daripada terapi untuk memulihkan migraine, strok, kekejangan dan beberapa yang lain selain boleh diaplikasikan dalam pengimejan tomografi induksi magnet. Kata kunci: Terapi elektromagnet, medan magnet, penembusan, tisu lembut, aplikasi perubatan Therapy is among the oldest medication technique in maintaining the health of the body especially from bad blood circulation, stroke and several others. This technique includes acupuncture, guasa and also massage. There are also modern therapy techniques like colour therapy, water therapy, ozone therapy, drug therapy and others. This paper will highlight electromagnetic therapy generator, a device which has the potential of therapy application in medical field. This device produce medium frequency magnetic field as a therapy source. This small scale medium frequency and low cost hardware that has been developed was tested on the biological tissue for the purpose of measuring the magnetic field penetration. The testing has proven that the generated magnetic field is able to penetrate the soft tissue up to 2 cm with distance from the source up to 7 cm. The capability of the system penetrations through the soft tissues provide the bright future of this research since magnetic field have shown the potential as being part of the therapy for curing migraine, stroke, cramp and several others besides the application in the magnetic induction tomography imaging. Key words: Electromagnetic therapy, magnetic field, penetration, soft tissue; medical applications


Fluids ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Kyle W. Leathers ◽  
Brenden T. Michaelis ◽  
Matthew A. Reidenbach

Olfactory systems in animals play a major role in finding food and mates, avoiding predators, and communication. Chemical tracking in odorant plumes has typically been considered a spatial information problem where individuals navigate towards higher concentration. Recent research involving chemosensory neurons in the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, show they possess rhythmically active or ‘bursting’ olfactory receptor neurons that respond to the intermittency in the odor signal. This suggests a possible, previously unexplored olfactory search strategy that enables lobsters to utilize the temporal variability within a turbulent plume to track the source. This study utilized computational fluid dynamics to simulate the turbulent dispersal of odorants and assess a number of search strategies thought to aid lobsters. These strategies include quantification of concentration magnitude using chemosensory antennules and leg chemosensors, simultaneous sampling of water velocities using antennule mechanosensors, and utilization of antennules to quantify intermittency of the odorant plume. Results show that lobsters can utilize intermittency in the odorant signal to track an odorant plume faster and with greater success in finding the source than utilizing concentration alone. However, the additional use of lobster leg chemosensors reduced search time compared to both antennule intermittency and concentration strategies alone by providing spatially separated odorant sensors along the body.


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