scholarly journals Diagnostic performances and clinical usefulness of comprehensive non-commercial software for renogram analysis: Values of renal output efficiency and normalized residual activity in suspected kidney outflow obstruction

Author(s):  
Slobodanka Beatovic ◽  
Marija Radulovic ◽  
Otas Durutovic ◽  
Milos Veljkovic ◽  
Jelena Saponjski ◽  
...  

Introduction/Objective. Nuclear Medicine Section of IAEA has developed the software for dynamic renal scintigraphy, which allows calculation of advanced parameters of drainage: renal output efficiency (OE) and normalized residual activity (NORA). The aim of this study was to validate IAEA software by comparing results of parameters of renal drainage in normal subjects against their established reference values and to assess diagnostic accuracy of OE and NORA in distinguishing between obstruction/unobstruction. Methods. 55 patients with suspected obstruction and 36 kidney donors were investigated. Group A consisted of 24 obstructed kidneys, Group B of 37 kidneys with dilated urinary tract and Group C of 72 normal kidneys. 40min acquisition was applied. Furosemide was administered after 20min. Post-micturition image was acquired at 50min. Parameters analyzed were: OE at 20min (OE20) and at the end of furosemide test (OE40), NORA at 20min (NORA20) and after micturition (NORAPM). One-way ANOVA was used for evaluating differences between Groups. Ability of OE40 and NORAPM to distinguish between obstruction/unobstruction was determined by ROC curve analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve and cutoff values were analyzed. Results. Excellent agreement of our results with established OE and NORA values was found. Difference between Groups was significant for OE20, OE40 NORA20 and NORAPM (p < 0.001). Cut-off values for obstruction were 82% and 0.11 for OE40 and NORAPM, respectively. Conclusion. IAEA software gives reliable analysis of diuretic renography and helps to better diagnose obstruction. IAEA should be encouraged to produce final version of the software and to release it through Web site.

2019 ◽  
Vol 90 (e7) ◽  
pp. A2.3-A3
Author(s):  
Hue Mun Au Yong ◽  
Erica Minato ◽  
Eldho Paul ◽  
Udaya Seneviratne

IntroductionThis study aims to (i)evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of seizure-related heart rate (HR) in differentiating epileptic seizures(ES) from psychogenic non-epileptic seizures(PNES), (ii)define the most useful point of HR measurement: pre-ictal, ictal-onset, maximal-ictal or post-ictal, and (iii)define the HR cut-off points to differentiate ES from PNES.MethodsAll video EEG(VEEG) at Monash Health from May 2009 to November 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline(during wakefulness), one-minute pre-ictal, ictal-onset, maximal-ictal and one-minute post-ictal HR were measured for each ES and PNES event. Events less than ten seconds or with uninterpretable ECG due to artefacts were excluded. ROC curve analysis was performed to study the diagnostic accuracy reflected by area under the curve(AUC). The AUC was interpreted as follows; ≤0.5, differentiation of PNES from ES no better than chance; 0.80–0.89, good differentiation; and 0.9–1, excellent differentiation.ResultsVEEG of 341 ES and 265 PNES from 130 patients were analysed. The AUC for pre-ictal, ictal-onset, maximal-ictal and post-ictal HR were found to have poor differentiation between ES and PNES. Comparing PNES and bilateral tonic-clonic ES, AUC for absolute maximal-ictal HR was 0.84(CI 0.73–0.95) and for absolute post-ictal HR was 0.90(CI 0.81–1.00). Using Youden’s index, to diagnose tonic-clonic ES, the optimal cut-off point for absolute maximal-ictal HR was 114bpm (sensitivity 84%;specificity 82%;PPV 26.7%,NPV 98.5%) and for absolute post-ictal HR was 90bpm(sensitivity 91%;specificity 82%;PPV 30.3%;NPV 99.1%).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that seizure-related HR increase is useful in differentiating bilateral tonic-clonic ES from PNES. Based on the AUC, the best diagnostic measureme.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiulong Shen ◽  
Yajun Chen ◽  
Chunhui Peng ◽  
Wenbo Pang ◽  
Zengmeng Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Kasai procedure is the standard initial treatment of infants with biliary atresia. The key to perform a successful surgery is to accurately remove the fibrous portal plate near the liver hilum. Yet how to estimate surgical difficulty pre-operatively remains unclear. This study aims to design an algorithm that predicts the difficulty of Kasai procedure using liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Methods One hundred ninety-nine patients were included from April 2012 to December 2016. The patients were all surgically diagnosed with biliary atresia. Group A comprised of patients with porta hepatis retraction (the angle between the plane of the fibrous porta plate and the plane of the medial liver closest to the plate was equal to or smaller than 90°), group B comprised of patients without porta hepatis retraction (the angle between the plane of the fibrous porta plate and the plane of the medial liver closest to the plate was greater than 90°). Liver function measurements and LSM were measured for all patients within three days before surgery. Results Our study included 19 cases in group A (9 males, 10 females) and 180 cases in group B (87 males, 93 females). LSM had statistical differences between the two groups, 28.10(14.90) kPa VS 10.89(7.10) kPa, P = 0.000. There was a significant relationship between LSM and operative age, TBA, AST, GGT (P = 0.000, 0.003, 0.003, 0.012, correlation coefficient = 0.323, 0.213, 0.207, 0.179). The AUROC of LSM was 0.919. When the cutoff value was 15.15 kPa(OR = 3.989; P = 0.000), the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy were 0.947, 0.750, 0.285, 0.992 and 0.768, respectively. When the value was 23.75 kPa(OR = 3.483; P = 0.000), the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy were 0.631, 0.950, 0.571, 0.960 and 0.919, respectively. Conclusions LSM can be used to predict the difficulty in dissecting fibrous portal plate, and in turn, the difficulty of Kasai procedure. LSM > 23.75 kPa suggests a more complicated surgery.


1991 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 504-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chizuko Ukita ◽  
Mitsushige Nishikawa ◽  
Akira Shouzu ◽  
Mitsuo Inada

Abstract We developed a simple and highly sensitive RIA for glycated protein (GP), and used it to measure GP in serum and urine from 15 normal controls and 30 diabetics (14 with urinary excretion rate of albumin, Ualb less than 15 micrograms/min, group A; nine with 15 less than or equal to Ualb less than or equal to 150 micrograms/min, group B; and seven with Ualb greater than 150 micrograms/min, group C). The mean serum concentration of GP was above normal in all groups of diabetics, and the mean glycation ratios of serum protein (SGP) were higher in groups B and C than in normal subjects. Urinary concentrations of GP also were increased in groups B and C, although the glycation ratio of urinary protein (UGP) was decreased in group C. Consequently, the selectivity of urinary excretion of GP (UGP/SGP) was significantly decreased in group C. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the mean values of selectivity between groups of patients with various degrees of retinopathy. We suggest that measurements of serum and urinary GP are useful to evaluate the progression of diabetic complications.


1988 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Esposito ◽  
M. Manzo ◽  
M. Hohenegger ◽  
M. Pluvio ◽  
N. Lanzetti ◽  
...  

Cell proliferation is significantly depressed in uremia; to assess the influence of PTH on it, normal lymphocytes were cultured in presence of uremic patients’ serum with low or high plasma PTH levels (Group A; PTH < 2.5 ng/ml; Group B: PTH > 12 ng/ml), and serum of normal subjects (Group C). Cell proliferation was lowered by serum from both groups (p A vs C < 0.004; p B vs C < 0.001). However, the depressing effect was more evident when group B serum was employed (p A vs B< 0.002).


1988 ◽  
Vol 254 (6) ◽  
pp. E694-E699 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Keller ◽  
P. P. Gerber ◽  
W. Stauffacher

To investigate whether elevated plasma insulin or glucagon concentrations are capable of modifying hepatic ketogenesis independently of plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations, ketone body production was determined by [3–14C]acetoacetate infusions in overnight-fasted normal subjects during exogenous supply of FFA (Intralipid and heparin infusion). When plasma FFA concentrations were elevated from 0.73 +/- 0.07 to 1.53 +/- 0.16 mmol/l during low insulin concentrations (approximately equal to 13 microU/ml) in group A (n = 7), total ketone body production increased from 3.6 +/- 0.6 to 8.2 +/- 1.0 mumol.kg-1.min-1 (P less than 0.001). When plasma FFA were similarly elevated during raised plasma insulin concentrations (approximately equal to 110 microU/ml) in group B (n = 5), total ketone body production was only 3.8 +/- 0.8 mumol.kg-1.min-1 (P less than 0.01 vs. group A). Low plasma FFA and low insulin concentrations resulted in total ketone body production of 0.70 +/- 0.18 mumol.kg-1.min-1 in group C (n = 7; P less than 0.01 vs. groups A and B). Elevation of plasma glucagon during Intralipid infusion in group D (n = 7) failed to affect ketogenesis, but the beta-hydroxybutyrate-to-acetoacetate concentration ratio decreased significantly (P less than 0.01). The data indicate that elevation of plasma insulin to high physiological concentrations restrains FFA-induced ketogenesis.


1991 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 510-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Giustina ◽  
Simonetta Bossoni ◽  
Corrado Bodini ◽  
Antonino Cimino ◽  
Giuseppe Pizzocolo ◽  
...  

Abstract. We evaluated the effects of iv pretreatment with exogenous GH on the GH response to GHRH either alone or in combination with pyridostigmine in 14 Type I diabetic patients and 6 normal subjects. All the subjects received an iv bolus injection of biosynthetic human GH, 2 IU; 2 h later they received either a. pyridostigmine, 120 mg orally, or b. placebo, 2 tablets orally, followed 1 h later by iv injection of GHRH(1-29) NH2, 100 μg. In normal subjects the median GH peak after GH+GHRH was 1.8, range 1.2-6.9 μg/l. Pyridostigmine enhanced the GH response to GHRH in all subjects. The median GH peak after pyridostigmine+ GH+GHRH was 32.7, range 19.8-42.1 μg/l (p<0.001 vs GHRH alone). Seven diabetic subjects had median GH peaks after GH+GHRH >6.9 μg/l (the maximum GH peak after GH+GHRH in normal subjects) (group A: median GH peak 35.7, range 21.7-55 μg/l). The other diabetic subjects had GH peak lower than 6.9 μg/l (group B: median GH peak 4.4, range 2.1-6.5 μg/l). Pyridostigmine significantly increased the GH response to GHRH in group B patients (median GH peak 29.3, range 15.7-93.4 μg/l, p<0.001 vs GH+GHRH alone), but not in group A patients (median GH peak 39.9, range 21.9-64.9 μg/l). Group A diabetic patients were younger and had higher HbA1c and blood glucose levels than group B patients. In those diabetic patients with an exaggerated GH response to GH+GHRH, pyridostigmine failed to cause the increase in GH secretion observed in diabetic and control subjects with no responses to GH+GHRH. It can be suggested that elevated 24-h GH levels in some Type I diabetic patients may be due to decreased somatostatinergic tone which in turn causes altered autoregulation of GH secretion. We hypothesize that this finding is a consequence of a reset of the hypothalamic control of GH secretion caused by a chronically elevated blood glucose level in this subpopulation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15542-e15542
Author(s):  
Anne Louise Louise Sibille ◽  
Monique Henket ◽  
Marielle Herzog ◽  
Natalie Hardat ◽  
Jean-Louis Corhay ◽  
...  

e15542 Background: Lung cancer diagnosis relies on invasive methods and often occurs at a late stage of disease, explaining its poor outcome. Nucleosomes are DNA fragments wrapped around histones. They may constitute a non-invasive and early diagnostic method for lung cancer. We investigated the clinical and statistical performance of nucleosome assay levels alone and in combination with cytokines in plasma from untreated lung cancer (LC) patients and what their discriminant power was towards chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and healthy (H) subjects. Methods: 142 plasma samples were prospectively collected: H, n = 45; LC, n = 44 and COPD, n = 53. The circulating level of intact nucleosomes containing the histone H3.1 isoform (Nu.Qª-H3.1) was individually tested and in combination with cytokines for its performance in discriminating subjects for their underlying condition. Then, statistical performance of each model was tested with binary logistic regression models for the best combination of biomarkers for the following groups: cancer vs control (group A), cancer vs COPD+control (group B) and for cancer vs COPD (group C). The best model for each group was then applied to two independent biobank cohorts for validation. Results: Results for Nu.Q-H3.1 was an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79, for group A, B and C; a sensitivity of 68%, 66% and 66% for group A, B and C, respectively, for 80% specificity. For group A the H3.1+IL-10 model achieved a sensitivity of 77% for 80% specificity with an AUC of 0.88 (R² = 55.8%). For group B the H3.1+IL-6+IL-10 model achieved a sensitivity of 70% with an AUC of 0.85 (R² = 40.6%). For group C the H3.1+IL-6+IL-10 model achieved a sensitivity of 79% with an AUC of 0.85 (R² = 46.1%). The validation cohort performed similarly. Results for the 3 cohorts taken together were: AUC of 0.83, 0.87 and 0.90 for group A, B and C, respectively; sensitivity of 75%, 76 % and 84% for group A, B and C, respectively, for 80% specificity. Conclusions: Nucleosomes are detected in the plasma of H, LC and COPD patients. Combination with cytokines as described in these models allows for a good power ofdiscrimination between the three groups. Based on these encouraging results, we believe further studies with larger numbers of patients should be performed to confirm and validate the usefulness of these biomarkers and models.


2007 ◽  
Vol 361-363 ◽  
pp. 1323-1326
Author(s):  
Silvana Fiorito ◽  
Laura Magrini ◽  
Robert Streicher

We studied the role of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6,IL-1β, TGF-β) as markers of osteolysis in patients who underwent to a hip prosthesis implantation subdivided in two groups: group A with an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) insert articulating against a metal ball head , and group B with an all alumina ceramic combination. Profibrogenic (TGF-β) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6,IL-1β) are secreted by the periprosthetic synovial-like fibrous membrane in hip artificial implants. They are secreted by inflammatory activated cells and trigger the cascade of biochemical events leading to the activation of osteoclasts and bone resorption. A statistically significant increase of TGF-β serum levels was observed between TGF-β values in implanted patients as compared to normal subjects and between TGF-β values after versus before implantation in Group A. A progressive decrease in TNF-α and IL-6 serum levels has been observed in both Groups, when compared with the initial values before the implantation. IL-1β levels decreased up to 60 months after the implantation Our data suggest that monitoring circulating cytokines could be a good indicator for the proliferation and activity of the periprosthetic synovial-like membrane and potential osteolysis. This could allow for an adequate early treatment.


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1256-1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domenica Lorusso ◽  
Fabio Martinelli ◽  
Maria Mancini ◽  
Italo Sarno ◽  
Antonino Ditto ◽  
...  

ObjectiveUterine carcinosarcoma (CS) is a rare neoplasm whose adjuvant treatment has not been yet defined. We report on the activity and toxicity of cisplatin-ifosfamide and carboplatin-paclitaxel as adjuvant treatments for patients with uterine CS.MethodsData of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I to IV uterine CS patients treated between 2006 and 2012 with adjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin 20 mg/mq and ifosfamide 1500 mg/mq day 1 to 4 every 3 weeks plus prophylactic Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support [group A] or carboplatin area under the curve -5 (AUC-5) and paclitaxel 175 mg/mq d1q21 [group B]) were retrospectively reviewed. Progression-free survival, overall survival, and chemotherapy-related toxicities were compared between the 2 groups. A subanalysis of oncologic outcomes according to the sarcomatous component (homologous vs heterologous) was performed.ResultsForty-six women were evaluated—21 in group A and 25 in group B. At a median follow-up of 30 months, the median progression-free survival was 11.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.3–16.9) and 16.6 months (95% CI, 14.7–18.5) for group A and B, respectively (P= 0.20). The median overall survival was 17.1 months (95% CI, 12.6–21.5) and 35.1 months (95% CI, 26.3–43.7) for group A and B, respectively (P= 0.14). No differences were identified among heterologous or homologous components according to chemotherapy treatment. Toxicity profiles widely differ between treatment arms.ConclusionsBecause of the super imposable activity and the better toxicity profile, carboplatin-paclitaxel may be a suitable alternative to cisplatin-ifosfamide in the treatment of uterine CS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Ruitao Zhou ◽  
Ruijie Zhou ◽  
Zhibo Zhu

The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) based on the K-means clustering (KMC) algorithm for the vulnerability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAA). In this study, 90 patients with CAA were enrolled into a control group (group A) and an experimental group (group B). The angiography method and KMC-based ultrasound detection were applied to diagnose the CAA patients from the two groups, respectively. The results showed that the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of patients from group B (92.3%, 90.1%, and 94.8%) for diagnosing CAA were obviously higher than those of patients from group A (81.4%, 88.6%, and 75.3%) ( P < 0.05 ). The detection rate of patients from group B (83%, 85%) was dramatically higher than that of patients from group A (65%, 71%) in terms of artery bifurcation and CAA ( P < 0.05 ). Besides, patients from group B were more satisfied with their diagnostic method than group A ( P < 0.05 ). In conclusion, the ultrasound detection method based on KMC had high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the detection of CAA. In addition, ultrasound detection was better than angiography in the diagnosis of plaque in different parts, and it was worthwhile to apply the ultrasound detection method based on KMC in clinical practice.


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