bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The cotton dehydration-responsive element binding protein GhDBP1 contains an EAR-motif and is involved in the defense response of Arabidopsis to salinity stress
Authors: Dong Chun-Juan , Huang Bo , Liu Jin-Yuan
Published: January 2010

Our previous work reported that cotton dehydration-responsive element (DRE) binding protein 1 (GhDBP1) could function as an active transcriptional repressor for DRE-mediated gene expression. However, the repression mechanism utilised by GhDBP1 was unclear. In this report, we demonstrate that GhDBP1’s transcriptional repression domain is located at the C-terminus, and is known as an ERF-associated amphiphilic repression (EAR)-motif. Furthermore, the amino acid residues aspartic acid (D), leucine (L), asparagine (N) and proline (P) are conserved in the EAR-motif, and were found to be necessary for repression through mutational analysis. In addition, our promoter assays demonstrated a dehydration-induced and rehydration-repressed expression pattern of GhDBP1. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing GhDBP1 were more sensitive to high salinity stress and appeared to downregulate the expression levels of the stress-induced effecter genes. Taken together, our findings provide an important insight into GhDBP1’s potential molecular repression mechanism and how it is involved in plant stress responses.
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of equine conceptuses at 14 and 16 days of gestation
Authors: Walter Ingrid , Tschulenk Waltraud , Budik Sven , Aurich Christine
Published: January 2010

The present study gives a detailed ultrastructural description of equine conceptuses at Day 14 (n = 2) and Day 16 (n = 3) after ovulation. Whereas on Day 14 only primitive structures were seen, on Day 16 neurulation and formation of mesodermal somites had taken place. The ectoderm of the embryo itself and the surrounding trophoblast ectodermal cells were characterised by specific cell surface differentiations. At the embryonic ectodermal cell surface (14 and 16 days) remarkable protruded and fused cytoplasmic projections were seen, typically associated with macropinocytotic events involved in macromolecule and fluid uptake. This finding adds an important point to the expansion mode of the hypotone equine conceptus, which is characterised by ‘uphill’ fluid uptake. Numerous microvilli and coated endocytotic pits at the apical trophoblast membrane emphasised its absorptive character. Endodermal cells were arranged loosely with only apically located cellular junctions leaving large intercellular compartments. At the border of the embryonic disc apoptotic cells were regularly observed indicating high remodelling activities in this area. Conspicuous blister-like structures between ectoderm and mesoderm were seen in the trilaminar part of Day-14 and -16 conceptuses. These were strictly circumscribed despite not being sealed by cellular junctions between germinal layers. It is possible that these blisters are involved in embryo positioning; however, further studies are needed to verify this.
Involvement of E-cadherin in early in vitro development of adult and juvenile sheep embryos
Authors: Modina Silvia , Leoni Giovanni G. , Lodde Valentina , Naitana Salvatore , Pirani Silvia , Succu Sara , Berlinguer Fiammetta , Luciano Alberto Maria
Published: January 2010

The oocyte-to-embryo transition in mammals depends on maternal proteins and transcripts, which accumulate during oocyte differentiation. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of the junctional proteins β-catenin and E-cadherin during preimplantation in vitro embryo development in sheep, comparing the competence of adult and prepubertal oocytes. We analysed the concentration of β-catenin and E-cadherin in immature and in vitro-matured oocytes. There was a significant increase in E-cadherin concentration after 24 h of in vitro maturation and this was lower in prepubertal oocytes than in adult ones. We therefore studied the expression and distribution of E-cadherin during the major transition from maternal to embryonic genome. E-cadherin distribution and localisation in sheep was age- and developmental-stage dependent and was related to developmental kinetics. In fact, in adults, the majority of embryos showed the proper distribution of E-cadherin just beneath the membrane surfaces of all blastomeres and the percentage of embryos with this distribution increased with the increase in cell number during development. On the contrary, and regardless of their developmental stage, the majority of prepubertal embryos showed an uneven distribution of the protein, often associated with the occurrence of cellular fragmentation. In conclusion, our results suggest that E-cadherin plays a pivotal role during preimplantation embryo growth in sheep and may be one of the possible cytoplasmic factors involved in the reduced developmental competence of prepubertal female gametes.
Chronic fetal and maternal instrumentation in pregnant sheep: Effect on gestation length and birthweight
Authors: Bessette Natalee W. , Rurak Dan W.
Published: January 2010

The objective was to compare gestation length in chronically instrumented (laboratory) pregnant sheep (n = 131) and in the breeding flock (n = 476) that provided the experimental sheep. In the breeding flock, gestation length was normally distributed and varied between 141 and 151 days (mean = 147 ± 0.1 days). In the laboratory sheep, gestation length varied between 128 and 151 days (mean = 142 ± 1 day), and was bimodal, with 35.9% delivering preterm (<141 days). To examine potential factors that contributed to the preterm birth, a severity score was used, which comprised surgery characteristics, number of experiments and maternal or fetal complications. There was a significant inverse linear relationship (P < 0.001) between the total severity score and gestation length. The median values for the surgical (15 v. 12), overall complication (6 v. 2), maternal complication (2 v. 0) and fetal complication (2 v. 2) components were significantly greater in the preterm compared with the term groups. There was no relationship between fetal number and gestation length in either group. It is concluded that in chronic pregnant sheep preparations, there is a significant incidence of preterm birth and that this is associated with the severity of the surgical intervention and with several maternal and fetal complications.
Brain lesion contrast in MR imaging
Authors: Åkeson P. , Vikhoff B. , Ståhlberg F. , Holtås S.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To compare the contrast effects of gadodiamide injection at 0.3 and at 1.5 T, at different concentrations in phantoms, and to correlate the results to clinical doses used for examining brain lesions.

Material and Methods: Gel phantoms with T1 and T2 corresponding to brain gray matter were doped with different concentrations of gadodiamide injection and examined with T1-weighted sequences. Two different sets of phantoms were used, one for 0.3 T and one for 1.5 T. To express contrast, a quotient (RATIOphantom) between signals in each tube with gadodiamide injection and in the one without it was calculated. A corresponding quotient (RATIOpatient) between signals in brain metastases and in gray matter was calculated in 16 patients examined at 0.3 T (0.1 and 0.3 mmol Gd/kg b.w.) and in 5 patients examined at 1.5 T (0.1 mmol Gd/kg b.w.).

Material and Methods: Gel phantoms with T1 and T2 corresponding to brain gray matter were doped with different concentrations of gadodiamide injection and examined with T1-weighted sequences. Two different sets of phantoms were used, one for 0.3 T and one for 1.5 T. To express contrast, a quotient (RATIOphantom) between signals in each tube with gadodiamide injection and in the one without it was calculated. A corresponding quotient (RATIOpatient) between signals in brain metastases and in gray matter was calculated in 16 patients examined at 0.3 T (0.1 and 0.3 mmol Gd/kg b.w.) and in 5 patients examined at 1.5 T (0.1 mmol Gd/kg b.w.).

Conclusion: The contrast effect of Gd contrast media is higher at 1.5 T than at 0.3 T. Higher doses than presently used might prove useful especially at lower field strengths where the contrast effect of Gd is less pronounced. Heavy T1-weighting is also important.
Intracranial aneurysm following radiation therapy for medulloblastoma
Authors: Jensen F. K. , Wagner A.
Published: January 2010

Radiation-induced intracranial aneurysm formation is a rare but life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate secondary to rupture of the aneurysm. Further-more, this condition can mimic tumour recurrence. Only 10 months after craniospinal radiation therapy for medulloblastoma, a 9-year-old boy developed a subarachnoid haemorrhage secondary to a ruptured saccular aneurysm arising from the distal part of the right anterior cerebral artery. The development of intracranial aneurysms and rupture following radiation damage of the arteries has been reported previously, but in no case as soon as 10 months after radiation therapy. It is important to diagnose these aneurysms as they can be successfully treated.
Interventional Mr imaging
Authors: Joensuu R. P. J. , Sepponen R. E. , Lamminen A. E. , Standertskjöld-Nordenstam C.-G. M.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: The poor localization facility of interventional instruments in MR imaging has been one of the major obstacles to the popularization of interventional MR imaging. It has been suggested that the Overhauser enhancement be used to generate markers of small size and high visibility. This article studies the feasibility of a localization marker based on this method.

Material and Methods: A small Overhauser marker was constructed on the tip of a coaxial cable and comparative images were taken by a 0.23 T imager with and without electron spin irradiation.

Results: During irradiation an enhanced signal intensity from the marker was observed. The signal from the marker also exceeded the signal from a 0.25 mmol MnCl2 reference phantom.

Conclusion: Its small size and high signal-to-noise ratio, together with immunity to most system nonlinearities and imaging errors, makes the Overhauser marker a promising localization method for the accurate positioning of interventional devices. The method may be applied at any field strength, and markers are visible in images obtained with any practical imaging sequence.
Helical CT in evaluation of the bronchial tree
Authors: Perhomaa M. , Lähde S. , Rossi O. , Suramo I.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To establish a protocol for and to assess the value of helical CT in the imaging of the bronchial tree.

Material and Methods: Noncontrast helical CT was performed in 30 patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy for different reasons. Different protocols were compared; they included overlapping 10 mm, 5 mm, or 3 mm slices and non-tilted, cephalad or caudad tilted images. Ordinary cross-sectional and multiplanar 2D reformats were applied for visualization of the bronchial branches. The effect of increasing the helical pitch was tested in one patient.

Results: A total of 92.1—100% of the segmental bronchi present in the helical acquisitions were identified by the different protocols. The collimation had no significant impact on the identification of the bronchial branches, but utilization of 3-mm overlapping slices made it easier to distinguish the nearby branches and provided better longitudinal visualization of the bronchi in 2D reformats. The tilted scans illustrated the disadvantage of not covering all segmental bronchi in one breath-hold. An increase of the pitch from 1 to 1.5 did not cause noticeable blurring of the images. CT and bronchoscopic findings correlated well in the area accessible to bronchoscopy, but CT detected 5 additional pathological lesions (including 2 cancers) in the peripheral lung.

Conclusion: Helical CT supplemented with bronchography-like 2D reformats provides an effective method complementary to bronchoscopy in the examination of the bronchial tree.
Functioning islet cell tumor of the pancreas
Authors: Chung M. J. , Choi B. I. , Han J. K. , Chung J. W. , Han M. C. , Bae S. H.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of dynamic spiral CT, including multidimensional reformation, in the detection and localization of islet cell tumors of the pancreas.

Material and Methods: Seven patients with histopathologically proven functioning islet cell tumors of the pancreas were studied with 2-phase contrast-enhanced spiral CT. Scanning of the arterial phase and late phase was started 30 s and 180 s, respectively, after injection of 100 ml of contrast medium at a rate of 3 ml/s.

Results: Axial images in the arterial phase depicted the lesions in 5 patients, but in the late phase in only one patient. Multiplanar reformatted images of the arterial phase depicted the lesions in all 7 patients. Maximal intensity projection images demonstrated all lesions with information of their relationship to the vascular structure.

Conclusion: Dynamic spiral CT with scanning during the arterial phase and retrospective multidimensional reformation is useful for preoperative detection and localization of small islet cell tumors of the pancreas.
Scintigraphy and ultrasonography in differentiating osteomyelitis from bone infarction in sickle cell disease
Authors: Rifai A. , Nyman R.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To demonstrate the combined use of scintigraphy and ultrasonography (US) in differentiating osteomyelitis from bone infarction in sickle cell disease.

Material and Methods: Two patients with sickle cell disease were examined with a combination of bone, bone marrow, white blood cell and/or gallium scintigraphy and us.

Results: The scintigraphic studies demonstrated areas of suspected osteomyelitis at the distal femur in both patients and at the proximal right tibia in one of them. US revealed subperiosteal fluid collections in these areas. Aspiration guided by US established the presence of pus at the femur in both instances, which was successfully treated with the US-guided insertion of a drainage catheter and aspiration only, respectively. Thick blood, due to bone infarction, was aspirated at the tibia.

Conclusion: The scintigraphic studies were useful in locating all areas of suspected osteomyelitis. The role of US was to confirm the presence of a subperiosteal fluid collection and to guide aspiration, which can show the distinction between a haematoma and an abscess.
Evaluation of knee-joint cartilage and menisci ten years after isolated and combined ruptures of the medial collateral ligament
Authors: Lundberg M. , Thuomas K.-Å , Messner K.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: To compare radiography, MR imaging, and chemical analysis in posttraumatic knees.

Material and Methods: Ten matched pairs with either isolated partial rupture of the medial collateral ligament or combined medial collateral ligament/anterior cruciate ligament rupture were compared with matched controls 10 years after trauma. Weight-bearing radiographs and MR examinations were compared with proteoglycan fragment concentrations in the joint fluid.

Results: The chemical analyses were similar in both trauma groups. The radiographs showed mild signs of arthrosis in half the patients with combined injury. MR images showed almost all injuried knees to have degenerative changes of various degrees in the cartilage and menisci. More frequent and more advanced changes were found after combined injury than after isolated injury (p <0.01). There were no changes in the controls.

Conclusion: MR imaging is the best method for detecting and differentiating early posttraumatic knee arthrosis.
K-space filter effect in three-dimensional contrast MR angiography
Authors: Ito K. , Kato J. , Okada S. , Kumazaki T.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: In three-dimensional (3-D) contrast MR angiography, temporal misregistration between the data acquisition period and the arrival of the contrast agent in the target vessels is thought to degrade the quality of the reconstructed images. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate and investigate this effect in phantom experiments.

Material and Methods: MR images of a phantom tube were evaluated with flowing materials of water or Gd-DTPA solution by changing from water to Gd-DTPA solution halfway through the data acquisition period.

Results: While no signal could be acquired with a stream of water in the tube, a clear signal was obtained with a flow of Gd-DTPA solution. Blurring and ghost artifacts surrounding the tube along the phase-encoding direction were observed when the flowing material was changed from water to Gd-DTPA solution halfway through the data acquisition period.

Conclusion: K-space filter effect occurs during 3-D contrast MR angiography owing to the transient passage of the contrast agent, and this effect causes spatial artifacts in the reconstructed images.
Radiation doses and image information in digital pelvimetry with a phosphorous screen
Authors: Holje G. , Jarlman O. , Samuelsson L.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: The aim of the investigation was to determine the patient dose in digital pelvimetry by means of a phosphorous screen as compared to a screen-film combination of very high sensitivity.

Material and Methods: Entrance dose measurements and absorbed dose determinations in a series of patient exposures were made. In the first series the exposure reduction was achieved by reducing the mAs (tube current × exposure time) for the lateral and the a.p. views as compared with those used for the screen-film system. In the second series the tube potential, kV, was increased for both projections in order to increase the penetration capacity of the radiation.

Results and Conclusion: The imaging plate technique can be used in pelvimetry with a dose reduction (and a corresponding reduction of the radiation risk to the foetus) to less than 50% of that achieved with a screen-film system of the very highest sensitivity.
MR and CT anatomy of the axilla
Authors: Hergan K. , Morrigl B. , Katherein A. , Buchberger W. , Judmaier W. , Peer S. , Oser W.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to depict the complex anatomy of the axilla with CT and MR imaging.

Material and Methods: the axillary regions of 2 cadavers (with arms hyperabduct-ed) were examined by means of CT and MR. in this position the cadavers were frozen and cryosectioned. the anatomical sections documented by the MR and CT images were compared and anatomical structures were designated. to show the reproducibility of the anatomical structures and to find variations, 20 volunteers were also examined by MR, and 20 consecutive patients without axillary symptoms were examined by CT.

Results: the complexity of the axilla was excellently shown by both CT and MR, but MR was able to demonstrate more detail in the small vessels and in the brachial plexus. the comparability of the examinations of the different individuals was best in the axial plane. Some differences appeared in the coronal and sagittal planes caused by different positions of the arm.

Conclusion: Axillary anatomy was demonstrated in detail and was reproducible with CT and MR imaging.
Dynamic ultrasonography of the infant hip with suspected instability
Authors: Finnbogason T. , Jorulf H.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: the combining of clinical examination of the infant hip with dynamic ultrasound (US) into one examination, performed by one examiner, should result in a sensitive test for hip instability. in this study a new method of dynamic US examination of the hip in newborn and very young children, that combined US with stress testing (Barlow method) was tested.

Material and Methods: A specially designed examination table, with a US probeholder, enabled the radiologist to perform a stress test of the hip according to Barlow(using both hands), and simultaneously monitor it on US. Fifty-seven infants and young children were examined by this method, and compared with the Graf'method and clinical stress test.

Results: Our method allowed clear visualisation of the movement of the femoral head during the stress test, and was performed easily in patients under 3–4 months of age.

Conclusion: the described method is easily adapted for one examiner with experience in US and in the clinical examination of the infant hip.
Influence of osteophytic size on bone mineral density measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry
Authors: Rand T. , Schneider B. , Grampp S. , Wunderbaldinger P. , Migsits H. , Imhof H.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to quantify the relationship between individual osteophytic size and measured bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Further, to evaluate the possible consequences of this relationship for the management of DXA measurements in postmenopausal patients.

Material and Methods: in 142 postmenopausal women (mean age 61.8±8.9 years), plain radiographs of the lumbar spine were evaluated and graded according to evidence and size of osteophytes. the BMD (g/cm2) and Z-score (deviation of BMD from an age-matched population, %) of each vertebral body was determined by DXA. the effects of the individual osteophytic size on BMD measurements were analyzed by using analysis of variance followed by a multiple test procedure.

Results: the presence of osteophytes resulted in a significant increase in BMD of L1 through L4. the increase in relation to an osteophytic size of about 10 mm was: in L1 5.7%, in L2 6.8%, in L3 4.4% and in L4 3.5%. Increases were significantly higher for an osteophytic size of 10–20 mm (L1 23.1%, L2 13.0%, L3 13.4%, and L4 16.3%) and of >20 mm (L1 21.4%, L2 22.4%, L3 21.1% and L4 4.1%).

Conclusion: Our results indicate a nonlinear increase of measured BMD with increasing osteophytic size. These effects should be considered in routine examination and patient management.
Mammography in women undergoing hormone replacement therapy
Authors: Rand T. , Heytmanek G. , Seifert M. , Wunderbaldinger P. , Kreuzer S. , Schneider B. , Wolf G.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: A retrospective study of screen-film mammographs was perfomed in 960 postmenopausal women to evaluate the possible effects of hormonal replacement therapy on the breast parenchymal pattern.

Material and Methods: Screen-film mammographs of 754 women (mean age 51.4 years) who had undergone hormonal replacement therapy (estrogen, gestagen; mean duration 2.4 years) were compared with findings in 206 women who had not received hormonal replacement therapy (mean age 52.3 years). Mastopathic changes were analyzed according to a 4-grade scale and the incidence of circumscribed lesions (such as fibroadenomas, cysts and malignancies) was further evaluated.

Results: in the treated women we found moderate mastopathic changes in 47.2%, intermediate changes in 2.4%, and extensive proliferations in 0.7%. for the untreated women the corresponding figures were 33.5%, 4.8%, and 1.4%. in the treated patients fibroadenomas were apparent in 3.9%, cystic lesions in 3.3%, and malignant lesions in 1.4%. in the untreated women fibroadenomas were evident in 11.6%, cystic lesions in 7.2%, and malignant lesions in 2.4%.

Conclusion: Mastopathic changes might increase under hormonal replacement therapy. However, the higher incidence of circumscribed lesions in the untreated women might be due to the higher number of symptomatic women who sought examination. We also speculate as to whether the increased density of the breast parenchyma in the treated women might cause a higher number of mammographically undedectable lesions.
Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of breast cancer recurrence after mastectomy
Authors: Rissanen T. J. , Apaja-Sarkkinen M. A. , Mäkäräinen H. P. , Heikkinen M. I.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to define the accuracy and clinical impact of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in diagnosing recurrent breast cancer after mastectomy.

Material and Methods: the results of ultrasonography (US) and US-guided FNAB of 175 lesions located at the mastectomy site or in the ipsilateral axilla were reviewed. the final diagnosis was recurrent cancer in 77 cases and benign lesion in 98 cases, as verified by histological examination (n=77) or follow-up (n=98).

Results: FNAB yielded a representative aspirate in 92.6% of cases. the sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of FNAB cytology were 96.1%, 89.8% and 92.6% respectively. US and FNAB cytology were complementary methods in recurrent cancer diagnosis. the cytologic examination increased the specificity of US. the only recurrent tumor which appeared benign both sonographically and cytologically was removed because of a suspicious finding at palpation. FNAB cytologic diagnosis was found to have a clinical impact in 92.2% of the recurrent cases.

Conclusion: US-guided FNAB provided an accurate adjunct to clinical examination and mammography for diagnosing and excluding breast cancer recurrence after mastectomy.
Intraductal placement of a kopans spring-hookwire guide to localize nonpalpable breast lesions detected by galactography
Authors: Bolívar A. Vega , Alvaro R. M. Landeras , García E. Ortega
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to evaluate a new procedure for locating intraductal breast lesions detected by galactography, using the technique of intraductal placement of a Kopans spring-hookwire guide.

Material and Methods: A catheter (0.7 mm) with a Kopans hookwire guide inside it was placed in 34 patients in whom an intraductal growth had been detected by galactography. the catheter was introduced through the discharging duct, with one hand holding the catheter and the other hand gently pushing the Kopans guide until it was anchored in the duct. the correct position of the guide was confirmed with new galactograms.

Results: A precise excision of the lesion was satisfactorily executed in 29 of 34 patients (85%) who underwent this procedure. in 5 patients the method was unsuccessful because the Kopans guide was dislodged.

Conclusion: This method is effective in removing intraductal lesions because it ensures a precise ductal excision and enables the pathologist to find the lesion more easily.
Lung torsion — a rare postoperative complication
Authors: Andresen R. , Meyer D.-R. , Kniffert T. , Banzer D.
Published: January 2010

Lung or lobe torsion is a rare condition that must be included in the differential diagnosis when a partial or complete shadow is detected on the lung. We report a case of this rare complication after chest surgery. the bedside radiograph provided initial evidence of torsion. CT verified the diagnosis of lower lobe torsion. Prompt recognition and intervention is imperative in order to save the affected lung.
Thin-section oblique CT with 25° cranially tilted images
Authors: Uchisako H. , Matsumoto T. , Kuramitsu T. , Tanaka N. , Miura G. , Nakamura H. , Matsunaga N.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: Thin-section oblique CT with cranially tilted axial scans can provide better visualization of the interlobar fissures than thin-section CT with conventional axial scans. the purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of oblique CT scans for pulmonary tumors adjacent to the interlobar fissures.

Material and Methods: Cranially tilted and conventional axial images were obtained by thin-section CT in 10 patients with solitary pulmonary tumors adjacent to the interlobar fissures. Conventional CT with a 2-mm collimation and thin-section oblique CT with a 25° cranial tilt were obtained.

Results: the images obtained by thin-section oblique scanning visualized the relationship between the pulmonary tumor and the interlobar fissures in all 10 patients, whereas in 6 patients the thin-section conventional images did not. the pulmonary tumors in these 6 patients included all 5 that were adjacent to the minor fissures.

Conclusion: Thin-section oblique CT may be more useful than thin-section conventional CT in evaluating the relationship between pulmonary tumors and the minor fissures.
Transient global amnesia after cerebral angiography
Authors: Meder J.-F. , Mourey-Gerosa I. , Blustajn J. , Lemaignen H. , Devaux B. , Fredy D.
Published: January 2010

We report on a case of transient global amnesia after cerebral angiography in which a nonionic contrast medium was used. the complication observed showed no evidence of any definite cause.
Dysprosium-enhanced MR imaging for tumor tissue characterization
Authors: Wang C. , Sundin A. , Ericsson A. , Bach-Gansmo T. , Hemmingsson A. , Ahlström H.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to evaluate dysprosium-enhanced MR imaging for differentiation between morphologically intact and necrotic tumor tissue in a tumor model.

Material and Methods: A human colon carcinoma was transplanted subcutaneously into 9 nude (immunodeprived) rats. MR imaging was performed before and after injection of the dysprosium agent Dy-DTPA-BMA. T1-, T2- and T2*-weighted sequences were acquired. the tumors were dissected, histological sections were prepared, and compared with corresponding MR images.

Results: in intact tissue, the MR signal intensity in the T2- and T2*-weighted images decreased after Dy injection and the delineation of the intact regions were sharp and corresponded well to the gross histological sections.

Conclusion: Dy-enhanced MR imaging facilitated the differentiation between intact and necrotic tumor tissue.
Ultrasound characteristics of five common soft-tissue tumours in the hand and forearm
Authors: Höglund M. , Muren C. , Engkvist O.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: This retrospective investigation reviewed the ultrasound images of 96 benign soft-tissue tumours of the hand and forearm. the aim of the investigation was to determine whether there was any correlation between the ultrasound picture and the histopathological diagnosis.

Material and Methods: Five common types of benign tumour in the hand and forearm were studied: localized villonodular synovites, haemangiomas, lipomas, nerve tumours, and glomus tumours. Only tumours that had been operated on and sent for histopathological examination were investigated.

Results and Conclusion: The study found 5 key ultrasound characteristics that were important for differentiating the tumours: existence or not of vessels, existence or not of a capsule, echogenicity, echo structure, and pattern of growth. Taking these traits into consideration should make it easier for the examiner to make the right diagnosis with a reasonable degree of accuracy.
A statistical model for ultrasound diagnosis of soft-tissue tumours in the hand and forearm
Authors: Höglund M. , Muren C. , Brattström G.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: the ultrasound characteristics of 5 common tumours of the hand and forearm were used to build a statistical model that could assess the weight of each trait or combination of traits in the correct diagnosing of the tumours. the model was used for calculating the first and second diagnostic alternatives.

Material and Methods: the basic data of the model were the ultrasound findings in previously presented material on the 5 common benign soft-tissue tumours. the material consisted of 96 tumours: 18 villonodular synovites, 26 haemangiomas, 14 lipomas, 27 nerve tumours, and 11 glomus tumours. to build the statistical model, the ultrasound characteristics that were significant at 5% level were calculated. with stepwise logistic regression, 3 of these were selected as explaining variables. the degree of influence of the explaining variable on the response variable was calculated by way of odds quotients. the material was then analysed by means of the Statistical model. the correct diagnosis was calculated as first and second alternatives for each tumour and for the whole material.

Results: the diagnostic accuracy for the whole material was 51% in the first choice and 77% in first plus second choices.

Conclusion: Ultrasound should be the first imaging modality for soft-tissue tumours of the hand. However, MR should also be performed when diagnosis continues to be obscure and when malignancy is suspected.
Relevancy of radiographic features in elbow fractures
Authors: Zayer M. , Mathiesen T. I.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to correlate radiographic and clinical findings of elbow fractures.

Material and Methods: A retrospective study was made of 110 consecutive adult elbow fractures of various types involving the humerus, the ulna, and the radius.

Results: Twenty-seven fractures with radiographically conspicuous distortions healed. of these only 15 had clinical sequelae. Five had clinical sequelae without showing conspicuous radiographic distortions after healing.

Conclusion: for radiographic evaluation and classification purposes, it would seem to be important to note the status of the capitellum, the capitellum-trochlear plane, and the combination of a distal humerus and a proximal ulna fracture. the outcome of common olecranon fractures and injuries to the radial head would seem to depend less on a detailed radiographic description.
Gliomatosis cerebri — an appropriate diagnosis?
Authors: Fallentin E. , Skriver E. , Herning M. , Broholm H.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to evaluate the premises for the diagnosis gliomatosis cerebri in relation to diffuse astrocytomas.

Material and Methods: CT, MR images and pathological analyses were used to assess the cases of 4 patients with diffusely infiltrating astrocytic tumours that radiologically, clinically and pathologically resembled gliomatosis cerebri.

Results and Conclusion: Some astrocytomas have an immense potential for diffuse infiltration and they would seem to be more frequent than recognized hitherto. the definition of gliomatosis cerebri as a separate entity is questionable, and a diagnosis of diffusely infiltrating astrocytoma is recommended in such cases.
The shortening fraction of myocardial fibers and its layered distribution, as derived from cine-mr imaged left ventriculograms
Authors: Kvam G. , Dahle H. , Nordrehaug J. E. , Randa T. I. , Tillung T.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to evaluate the mean shortening fraction and its SD through the wall calculated from multiple cine-MR views, as an estimate of left ventricular globar function.

Material and Methods: the average myocardial fiber shortening fraction was calculated by means of a simple truncated ellipsoid nested shell model. Left ventricular parameters, acquired by cine-MR imaging, from 20 healthy volunteers served as input. Fiber angles, ventricular torsion and a gradient increase in wall thickening from epicard to endocard were part of the model.

Results: the average fiber shortening fraction was 0.203 (0.158–0.246)±0.021 diastolic lengths. It varied only moderately with variations in fiber angle values and not at all when the torsion angles were varied within physiological limits. the average shortening fraction correlates well with the systolic increase in chamber oblonguity (k=0.837), with the ejection fraction (k=0.877), and even better with the calculated wall thickening (k=0.973). the average epicardial shortening fraction 0.169 (0.142–0.202)±0.016 increased gradually through the wall to the endocardial value 0.250 (0.212–0.290)±0.024. the increase in chamber length-width ratio from diastole to systole reduced the SD of the shortening fraction through the wall layers to a minimum.

Conclusion: the fiber shortening fraction expresses the layered contraction of the myocardial wall, the wall thickening, and also the endocardial wall motion. the ejection fraction expresses only the latter. the shortening fraction and its SD through the wall may prove a valuable additional tool for estimating ventricular globar function.
CT of experimental hepatoma using the hepatocyte-specific lipid emulsion fp 736-03
Authors: Bergman A. , Sundin A. , Magnusson A.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: the aim of the study was to investigate whether moderately to well differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) possess the same ability to take up a new lipid emulsion contrast medium, FP 736-03, as do hepatocytes.

Material and Methods: A rat model of an experimental HCC was used. CT was performed before and after an i.v. bolus injection of 1.0 ml FP 736-03/kg b.w. Attenuation values of normal liver parenchyma and tumour tissue were measured over time.

Results: the contrast medium was taken up by the normal liver parenchyma but not by the tumour tissue for which the attenuation remained virtually constant over the observation period.

Conclusion: the study demonstrated that FP 736-03 was not taken up by the HCC, thus producing a high lesion-to-liver contrast.
Visualization of tumor vessels in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hosoki T. , Mitomo M. , Choi S. , Miyahara N. , Ohtani M. , Morimoto K.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to assess the visualization of tumor vessels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by power Doppler sonography.

Material and Methods: We examined 40 patients with 47 HCC lesions by means of power Doppler sonography and compared its visualization of tumor vessels with those of color Doppler and angiography.

Results: in 38 (81%) of the 47 lesions, power Doppler sonography improved the visualization of tumor vessels compared with color Doppler sonography; in the remaining lesions no significant difference was noted. in lesions located within 7 cm in depth, there was no significant difference between power Doppler sonography and angiography. in 10 (83%) out of 12 small (≤2 cm in diameter) lesions and in 11 (85%) out of 13 hypovascular lesions, power Doppler sonography performed considerably better than angiography. in deeper-seated lesions, however, angiography was significantly superior to power Doppler sonography.

Conclusion: Power Doppler sonography is more sensitive in detecting the fine tumor vessels in most HCCs than color Doppler sonography. in addition, power Doppler sonography can replace angiography in evaluating tumor vascularity in HCCs except in lesions that are deep-seated or located near the heart. in these lesions, angiography can complement power Doppler sonography in demonstrating tumor vessels.
Agenesis of the right lobe of the liver
Authors: Karaman C. Z. , Özek T. , Urhan M. K. , Topgül K.
Published: January 2010

Agenesis of the right lobe of the liver is an extremely rare congenital anomaly, usually accompanied by additional anomalies such as a retrohepatically or suprahepatically located gallbladder. in this report we present a new case of agenesis of the right lobe of the liver with the Chiliaditi syndrome and a subdiaphragmatic hydatid cyst, diagnosed by CT and CT-cholangiography.
Rectal tumours — MR imaging with endorectal and/or phased-array coils, and histopathological staging on giant sections
Authors: Blomqvist L. , Holm T. , Rubio C. , Hindmarsh T.
Published: January 2010

Objective: to investigate the accuracy of MR imaging in the preoperative staging of patients with clinically resectable rectal tumours.

Material and Methods: Forty-eight consecutive patients with rectal tumours were examined, 29 with a pelvic phased-array coil and 19 with a multi-coil arrangement including a pelvic phased-array coil and an endorectal coil. MR images and histopatho-logical specimens and sections were reviewed independently and tumours were staged according to the TNM classification.

Results: A more complete visualisation of the various layers of the rectal wall was achieved on the endorectal MR images than on the pelvic phased-array images. the sensitivity of MR in correctly staging T3 tumours compared with histopathology was 81% with a specificity of 82%. Penetration of the rectal wall was predicted with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 87%. Sensitivity and specificity in predicting lymph node metastases was 83% and 74% respectively.

Conclusion: MR imaging with both pelvic phased-array and endorectal coils allowed the preoperative staging of rectal tumours with a high degree of accuracy.
Adding a visual linear scale probability to the pioped probability of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Christiansen F. , Nilsson T. , Måre K. , Carlsson A.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: Reporting a lung scintigraphy diagnosis as a PIOPED categorical probability of pulmonary embolism offers the clinician a wide range of interpretation. Therefore the purpose of this study was to analyze the impact on lung scintigraphy reporting of adding a visual linear scale (VLS) probability assessment to the ordinary PIOPED categorical probability.

Material and Methods: the study material was a re-evaluation of lung scintigrams from a prospective study of 170 patients. All patients had been examined by lung scintigraphy and pulmonary angiography. the scintigrams were re-evaluated by 3 raters, and the probability of pulmonary embolism was estimated by the PIOPED categorization and by a VLS probability. the test was repeated after 6 months.

Results: There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the area under the ROC curve between the PIOPED categorization and the VLS for any of the 3 raters. Analysis of agreement among raters and for repeatability demonstrated low agreement in the mid-range of probabilities.

Conclusion: A VLS probability estimate did not significantly improve the overall accuracy of the diagnosis compared to the categorical PIOPED probability assessment alone. from the data of our present study we cannot recommend the addition of a VLS score to the PIOPED categorization.
The value of MR imaging in prevention of unsuccessful back surgery
Authors: Ergün R. , Ökten A. I. , Akdemir G. , Beskonakli E.
Published: January 2010

MR imaging helped in diagnosing a spinal schwannoma, and intradural space surgery was thus avoided.
Plasma levels of prekallikrein, alpha-2-macroglobulin and c1-esterase inhibitor in patients with urticarial reaction to contrast media
Authors: Mikkonen R. , Aronen H. J. , Kivisaari L. , Piilonen A. , Syrjälä M.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: The plasma levels of prekallikrein, alpha-2-macroglobulin and C1-esterase inhibitor (C1 INH) in patients with previous urticarial reaction to contrast media (CM) were compared to those of a group of nonreacting age- and sex-matched controls. This study evaluated the value of these laboratory variables in predicting acute and delayed urticarial-type reactions.

Material and Methods: The study comprised 44 patients (reactors) with acute (n=29) or delayed (n=15) urticaria after administration of CM, and a group of age- and sex-matched controls.

Results: In the reactors, the levels of prekallikrein and alpha-2-macroglobulin were higher (p<0.0001) and the level of C1 INH lower (p<0.0001) than those of the controls. the level of prekallikrein decreased with increasing age (p=0.02) and women had higher values than men (p=0.0054). the level of alpha-2-macroglobulin was age-dependent (p=0.006).

Conclusion: Although high plasma prekallikrein activity, high plasma alpha-2-mac-roglobulin activity, and low plasma C1 INH activity are associated with urticaria-type reaction to CM, their value in predicting urticarial reaction is limited because prekallikrein is age- and sex-dependent, and alpha-2-macroglobulin is age-dependent.
The origin and development of diagnostic radiology as illustrated by postage stamps
Authors: Præstholm J.
Published: January 2010

This is a brief account of the scientific history of radiology and its use in medical imaging. the approach is untraditional as the narrative is highlighted with reproductions of selected postage stamps. These illustrations add a new dimension to the presentation of important events leading to the discovery and development of diagnostic radiology
MR imaging of the central nervous system in diving-related decompression illness
Authors: Reuter M. , Tetzlaff K. , Hutzelmann A. , Fritsch G. , Steffens J.-C. , Bettinghausen E. , Heller M.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: This investigation was conducted to determine whether MR imaging showed cerebral or spinal damage in acute diving-related decompression illness, a term that includes decompression sickness (DCS) and arterial gas embolism (AGE)

Material and Methods: A total of 16 divers with dysbaric injuries were examined after the initiation of therapeutic recompression. Their injuries comprised: neurological DCS II n=8; AGE n=7; combined cerebral-AGE/spinal-DCS n=1. T1- and T2-weighted images of the brain were obtained in 2 planes. in addition, the spinal cord was imaged in 7 subjects. the imaging findings were correlated with the neurological symptoms

Results: MR images of the head showed ischemic cerebrovascular lesions in 6/8 patients with AGE but showed focal hyperintensities in only 2/8 divers with DCS. Spinalcord involvement was detected in 1/7 examinations, which was the combined cerebral-AGE/spinal-DCS case. There was agreement between the locations of the documented lesions and the clinical manifestations

Conclusion: MR readily detects cerebral damage in AGE but yields low sensitivity in DCS. A negative MR investigation cannot rule out AGE or DCS. However, MR is useful in the examination of patients with decompression illness
Detection of normal mediastinal lymph nodes by ultrasonography
Authors: Dietrich C. F. , Liesen M. , Buhl R. , Herrmann G. , Kirchner J. , Caspary W. F. , Wehrmann T.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: the detection by US (ín contrast to CT) of lymph nodes of any size in the mediastinum is usually considered to be a pathological finding. the aim of this study was to find out whether it was possible to detect normal lymph nodes by high-resolution mediastinal US

Material and Methods: Six different mediastinal regions in 80 healthy asymptomatic volunteers and in 20 human cadavers were examined by means of US (with colour Doppler imaging) to assess US access to the respective regions and to demonstrate the number and size of detectable lymph nodes. All the cadaveric lymph nodes that were detected were examined histologically to exclude inflammatory or malignant infiltration

Results: in almost all subjects, we obtained US access to the supra-aortic (100%), paratracheal (95%), prevascular (99%), and pencardial (98%) regions, and to the aorticopulmonary window (98%). US access to the subcarinal region was more difficult (75%). in the healthy subjects, lymph nodes were detected in the paratracheal region (in 35% of these subjects, mean lymph-node diameter 12×7 mm), in the aorticopulmonary window (45%, 14×8 mm), and in the subcarinal region (13%, 13×7 mm). in the cadavers, histologically normal lymph nodes were detected frequently in the paratracheal region (85%, mean size 11×6 mm) and in the aorticopulmonary window (90%, 11×5 mm)

Conclusion: These results indicate that normal lymph nodes (and not only pathological lymph nodes) can be demonstrated by high-resolution mediastinal US
CT-guided core-needle biopsy in omental pathology
Authors: Pombo F. , Rodriguez E. , Martin R. , Lago M.
Published: January 2010

Purpose: to assess the accuracy and clinical usefulness of CT-guided core-needle biopsy in the diagnosis of omental pathology

Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the results of CT-guided percutaneous core biopsies in 25 patients with focal (n=2) or diffuse (n=23) omental pathology. These results were compared to the final diagnoses as determined by laparotomy (n=15), laparoscopic biopsy (n=3), endoscopic biopsy (n=1), or by the results of percutaneous biopsy and clinical-radiological and bacteriological modalities (n=6). the final diagnoses showed 4 patients with isolated omental pathology and 21 with widespread peritoneal involvement. the CT-guided biopsies were performed with 1.0–1.8-mm Surecut core-needles

Results: in 16 patients, the final diagnosis was metastatic adenocarcinoma - with the primary tumor sites in the ovary (n=3), stomach (n=1), appendix (n=2), and unknown (n=10). in the remaining 9 patients, the final diagnosis was hepatocellular carcinoma, lymphoma, and mesothelioma in 1 patient each; tuberculosis in 5; and actinomycosis in 1. Sufficient histological (n=16) or cytological (n=8) material was obtained by CT biopsy in 24/25 (96%) cases; the specimen was insufficient for diagnosis in 1 case. in differentiating benign from malignant disease, CT-guided biopsy showed a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of respectively 89.5%, 100% and 92%. It gave a specific diagnosis in 78.9% (15/19) of patients with malignant conditions and in 50% (3/6) of patients with benign disorders. There were no biopsy-related complications

Conclusion: CT-guided percutaneous core-needle biopsy of the omentum is a safe, useful and highly accurate procedure for diagnosing malignant omental pathology