scholarly journals Quantitative Evaluation of the Relationship between Magnetic Resonance Elastic Value and Pathological Grade of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Magnetic Resonance Elastography

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zong-Tai Li ◽  
Chun-Yan Chen M ◽  
Dong-Sheng Zhang ◽  
Shui-Qing Zhuo ◽  
Gui-Xiao Xu ◽  
...  

Objectives: To try another non-invasive method to evaluate the relationship between Magnetic Resonance (MR) elastic value and pathological grade of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) using Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE). Methods: Forty-seven HCC patients underwent MR Imaging (MRI), elastography in the upper abdomen. The elastic value of the lesion area was measured, and that of the normal liver tissue was measured adjacent to the lesion area at the same level. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the difference in elasticity between the lesion area and normal area, and the difference between the low and middle-high differentiation groups. The Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) of the lesion area and normal area in the complete case group and different differentiation groups were used to determine the diagnostic cut-off value to distinguish the lesion area from the normal area in each group. Results: (1) There was a significant difference in elasticity between the normal area and HCC area (p<0.001). The diagnostic cut-off value was 4842 Pa. (2) There was a significant difference in elasticity between the low-and middle-high differentiation groups (p<0.001). The diagnostic cut-off value was 10456 Pa. (3) There was a statistically significant correlation between the elastic value on MRE and degree of pathological differentiation of HCC in the two groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: The elastic value of HCC measured using MRE can be used to evaluate the degree of pathological differentiation of HCC. MRE may be a non-invasive and reliable method for evaluating the pathological grade of HCC.

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Kempny ◽  
K Dimopoulos ◽  
A E Fraisse ◽  
G P Diller ◽  
L C Price ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is an essential parameter assessed during cardiac catheterization. It is used to confirm pulmonary vascular disease, to assess response to targeted pulmonary hypertension (PH) therapy and to determine the possibility of surgery, such as closure of intra-cardiac shunt or transplantation. While PVR is believed to mainly reflect the properties of the pulmonary vasculature, it is also related to blood viscosity (BV). Objectives We aimed to assess the relationship between measured (mPVR) and viscosity-corrected PVR (cPVR) and its impact on clinical decision-making. Methods We assessed consecutive PH patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. BV was assessed using the Hutton method. Results We included 465 patients (56.6% female, median age 63y). The difference between mPVR and cPVR was highest in patients with abnormal Hb levels (anemic patients: 5.6 [3.4–8.0] vs 7.8Wood Units (WU) [5.1–11.9], P<0.001; patients with raised Hb: 10.8 [6.9–15.4] vs. 7.6WU [4.6–10.8], P<0.001, respectively). Overall, 33.3% patients had a clinically significant (>2.0WU) difference between mPVR and cPVR, and this was more pronounced in those with anemia (52.9%) or raised Hb (77.6%). In patients in the upper quartile for this difference, mPVR and cPVR differed by 4.0WU [3.4–5.2]. Adjustment of PVR required Conclusions We report, herewith, a clinically significant difference between mPVR and cPVR in a third of contemporary patients assessed for PH. This difference is most pronounced in patients with anemia, in whom mPVR significantly underestimates PVR, whereas in most patients with raised Hb, mPVR overestimates it. Our data suggest that routine adjustment for BV is necessary.


Author(s):  
Sharon A. Warren ◽  
K.G. Warren

SUMMARY:One hundred multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were compared to healthy controls to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in their families. Significantly, more MS patients than controls were diabetic or reported at least one first degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with diabetes. The relationship between MS and diabetes persisted when second degree relatives (grandparents, aunts and uncles) were taken into consideration.A greater percentage of MS patients with another MS relative were diabetic or reported a first degree relative with diabetes mellitus than MS patients without an MS relative. However the difference was not statistically significant. Nor was there a significant difference when percentages reporting either a first or a second degree relative with diabetes were compared.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Aso Sabir Saeed ◽  
◽  
Osama MohammadAmin Shukr

Background: Several studies have demonstrated an association between obesity and migraine. It’s still unclear whether migraine is the cause or it's the result of obesity. Objective: We investigated the prevalence of migraine among obese and non-obese individuals and analyzed the relationship between migraine prevalence and obesity. Patients and Methods: This is cross-sectional observational study was carried out at the neurology outpatients’ department of the Rizgary Teaching Hospital in Erbil, Iraq, from July 1st , 2018 to September 30, 2019. We interviewed and examined 300 persons, both obese (n=154) and non-obese (n=146), and of both gender. All of them were adults (>18 years old). Each person's weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference were measured.The diagnosis of migraine was made according to the International Headache Society’s criteria. Obesity was present if the individual’s BMI is ≥30 and/or waist-to-hip ratio is >0.9 in females and >1.0 in males. Results: Out of the 300 persons, 14 males (8.5%) got migraines while migraine was found in 37 females (27.4%), irrespective of their weight. Out of the 300 persons, the prevalence of migraine among obese individuals was 21.4% (n=33) and while in non-obese individuals was 12.3% (n=18). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p-value=0.045). The overall prevalence of migraine was 16.9% of the persons interviewed. Conclusion: The results showed that migraine is more prevalent among obese persons than non-obese persons and the difference was statistically significant. Keywords: Migraine, obesity, BMI, headache


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 547-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Cheng Yu ◽  
Lopin Kuo ◽  
Mao-Feng Kao

Purpose This study aims to apply signaling theory to examine whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure can deliver effective signals to stakeholders to increase a firm’s competitive advantage in China. Whether ownership patterns or environmental sensitivity causes a significant difference in the relationship between a firm’s CSR disclosure and competitive advantage is also examined. Design/methodology/approach Data analysis is based on a regression model. Content analysis is performed to convert qualitative CSR information of Chinese firms into quantitative data, while intellectual capital (IC) is used as a proxy variable for competitive advantage. Findings The difference in competitive advantage impairment between environmentally sensitive industries (ESIs) and non-environmentally sensitive industries (NESIs) is significant. Further comparisons on the relationship between overall CSR disclosure and competitive advantage among state-owned enterprises, privately owned enterprises, ESIs and NESIs suggest that the relationship is negative. Research limitations/implications The study extends research of strategic CSR to signaling theory and competitive advantage. In particular, a research using IC as a proxy for competitive advantage is rare. It also contributes to the literature on competitive advantage and strategic CSR by examining the effects of both CSR disclosure and IC. Originality/value This paper provides evidence related to stakeholders’ reaction to managers’ various CSR strategies in China. The contribution of this study is that it confirms that different CSR initiatives have different effects on the competitiveness of enterprises in China.


1996 ◽  
Vol 37 (1P1) ◽  
pp. 69-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Bartolozzi ◽  
R. Lencioni ◽  
D. Caramella ◽  
A. Palla ◽  
A. M. Bassi ◽  
...  

Twenty-two patients with 37 small (3 cm or less) nodular lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were examined with ultrasonography (US), CT, MR imaging, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and CT following intraarterial injection of Lipiodol (Lipiodol-CT). All patients subsequently underwent surgery, and the gold standard was provided by intraoperative US. The detection rate was 70% for US, 65% for CT, 62% for MR imaging, 73% for DSA, and 86% for Lipiodol-CT. A significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between the detection rate of Lipiodol-CT and the detection rates of all the other imaging modalities. The difference was even more manifest (p<0.02) when only lesions smaller than or equal to 1 cm were considered. It is concluded that Lipiodol-CT is the single most sensitive examination to detect small nodules of HCC. It should therefore be considered a mandatory step in the preoperative evaluation of patients with HCC considered to be surgical candidates after noninvasive imaging studies.


1976 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Schwartz ◽  
Jay W. Sanders

Critical bandwidth measurements and sensitivity prediction from the acoustic reflex (SPAR) test results were obtained on 20 normal-hearing and two groups of 10 hearing-impaired subjects each representing mild-to-moderate and severe hearing loss. Results of critical bandwidth measurements indicated that for center frequencies of 1000 and 2000 Hz the critical bandwidth was significantly greater for the hearing-impaired subjects. A statistical analysis of the difference in critical bandwidth between those predicted by the SPAR test to have a mild-to-moderate hearing loss and those subjects for whom the test predicted severe hearing loss indicated no differences in critical bandwidth at 2000 Hz. A significant difference was found at 1000 Hz but in the wrong direction. Analysis of the relationship between predicted slope of hearing loss and critical bandwidth also failed to show significance. Although the data for hearing-impaired subjects fail to support the rationale for the SPAR test, the results for the entire research sample offer substantial support. Further, the ability of the test to predict categorically degree of hearing loss was also strongly supported.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keegan Parker Brockman

Since the beginning of the private equity industry in the 1980s, it has evolved and adopted new strategies and methods for generating returns to investors. As the industry grew, deals became harder to find as the buyer market grew immensely and what deals remained appeared picked over. Enter the secondary buyout (SBO). This strategy involves one financial sponsor buying a portfolio company from another financial sponsor. This thesis attempts to fill a gap in the field of research in two ways. First, this thesis analyzes the difference in value creation using a longitudinal and matched-sample approach. This approach is unique in that I will only analyze data for which information on the SBO, the preceding LBO, and the following exit are all available. Second, this thesis looks specifically at the relationship between LBOs and SBOs in an attempt to provide a practical application of the analysis. Additionally, most studies stray away from performing analysis on the U.S. market due to the limited data availability, but this approach ignores one of the largest private equity markets in existence. This thesis will look solely at U.S. buyouts. I find no significant difference in the relative change in enterprise value from acquisition to exit for LBOs or SBOs. Further, there is a statistically significant negative relationship between the holding period and annualized change in EV for both LBOs and SBOs. Finally, while the results were not significant, there is a slight negative relationship between the EV change of LBOs to the EV change of SBOs.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junyan Huo ◽  
Mengxia Wan ◽  
Nan Li ◽  
Juan Wang ◽  
Xiao Cai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Migraine is a common clinical primary headache with unclear aetiology. In recent years, studies have shown that migraine is related to patent foramen ovale, and some patients with migraine have white matter lesions. However, the relationship among the three is unclear.Objective To explore the characteristics of white matter lesions (WMLs) in migraine patients with patent foramen ovale and to predict the occurrence of patent foramen ovale through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics in patients with migraine.Methods Seventy-seven patients clinically diagnosed with migraine were examined by transcranial Doppler ultrasound (cTCD) and MRI. The patients were grouped according to the presence of WMLs, with matching by age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, PFO and other characteristic data. We observed the MRI fluid attenuation inversion recovery sequence (FLAIR) image and compared and analysed the difference in WMLs between the PFO-positive group and the PFO-negative group.Results There were 42 cases and 35 cases of migraine with and without WMLs, respectively. A statistically significant difference in near-cortical WMLs with PFO in migraine patients was observed (P=0.001). Logistic regression analysis adjusted by age, sex, hypertension and diabetes identified PFO status as the sole determinant for the presence of near-cortical WMLs (OR = 0.14; 95%CI 0.045–0.421; p < 0.001)Conclusion Near-cortical white matter lesions in migraine patients are related to PFO. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography may reveal more PFO in patients with migraine and near-cortical WMLs.


Author(s):  
Mariana Ing Malelak ◽  
Nathania Mirabel Halim

This study aims to examine spending patterns in the millennial generation in Surabaya. Respondents of this study were the millennial generation who were divided into two age groups, namely 21-28 years old, who were referred to as junior millennials, and those aged 29-36 years who were referred to as senior millennials. The analysis technique used is a crosstab to examine the relationship between age and spending pattern of the millennial generation and an independent-sample t-test to test the difference between the spending pattern of the junior millennials and senior millennials. This study showed a significant relationship between age and spending pattern on the millennial generation, and there is a significant difference between the spending pattern of the junior millennials and senior millennials.


BJR|Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lok Man Cheung ◽  
Monica WK Kan ◽  
Vanessa TY Yeung ◽  
Darren MC Poon ◽  
Michael KM Kam ◽  
...  

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the clinical impact on stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) located at lung–liver boundary due to the use of Acuros XB algorithm (AXB) in replacement of anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA). Methods: 23 SBRT volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for HCC located at lung–liver boundary were calculated using AAA and AXB respectively with the same treatment parameters. The dose–volume data of the planned target volumes (PTVs) were compared. A published tumour control probability (TCP) model was used to calculate the effect of dosimetric difference between AAA and AXB on tumour control probability. Results: For dose calculated by AXB (Dose to medium), the D95% and D98% of the PTV were on average 2.4 and 3.1% less than that calculated by AAA. For dose calculated by AXB (dose to water), the D95% and D98% of the PTV were on average 1.8%, and 2.7% less than that calculated by AAA. Up to 5% difference in D95% and 8% difference in D98% were observed in the worst cases. The significant decrease in D95% calculated by AXB compared to AAA could result in a % decrease in 2 year TCP up to 8% in the worst case (from 46.8 to 42.9%). Conclusion: The difference in dose calculated by AAA and AXB could lead to significant difference in TCP for HCC SBRT located at lung–liver boundary region. Advances in knowledge: The difference in calculated dose and tumour control probability for HCC SBRT between AAA and AXB algorithm at lung–liver boundary region was compared.


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