bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MR Angiography of Abdominal and Peripheral Arteries
Authors: Ekelund L. , Sjöqvist L. , Thuomas K.-Å. , Åsberg B. 
Published: June 2015

This review article deals with MR angiography (MRA) of abdominal and peripheral arteries. Pulsatile flow, respiratory motion and peristalsis impose difficulties in imaging the vascular structures in the abdomen and the lower extremities. Development of new techniques, such as segmentation of the data acquisition, using specific acquisition windows in relation to a cardiac trigger, magnetization preparation of the tissue and phase-encoding re-ordering or sorting, have reduced the artifacts associated with abdominal and peripheral MRA. Clinical MR investigations of the arteries branching from the abdominal aorta such as the renal and mesenteric arteries and arteries in the lower extremities have revealed that severe stenoses or occlusions can be diagnosed accurately while the grading of less severe stenosis is more difficult. The phase-contrast method has been used to quantify blood flow and study the hemodynamics in abdominal and peripheral vessels. Quantitative flow information can be used to diagnose vascular disease and provides important physiological information. More prospective clinical studies, in which recently developed MRA techniques are compared with conventional angiography, are necessary before conclusive decisions can be made as to whether MRA may replace these methods.
Long-Term Results of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty in Renovascular Hypertension
Authors: von Knorring J. , Edgren J. , Lepäntalo M. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: The long-term effect of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) was assessed in 50 patients with renovascular hypertension. Material and Methods: Thirty-eight of the patients had atherosclerotic disease and 12 patients fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). Dilatation with a balloon catheter was performed at 6 to 8 atm for 15 to 30 s. Results: PTRA was technically successful in 46 (92%) patients. Three of the failures underwent surgical revascularization. There was no mortality connected with PTRA. Minor complications occurred in 6 (12%) patients, and surgical intervention was required in 1. In 4 patients with restenosis, repeated PTRA was performed in 2, and surgery in the other 2 patients. Bilateral disease occurred in 12 patients, and 3 had sequential bilateral PTRA. In 9 patients with atherosclerotic ostial stenosis, PTRA was technically successful in 8 (89%). Thirty-eight patients were re-examined with a mean follow-up of 4 years. At follow-up, 5 (45%) of the patients with FMD were classified as cured, 6 (55%) as improved, and none as failed. In the 27 patients with atherosclerotic disease, 23 (85%) had long-term benefit, 3 (11%) were cured, 20 (74%) were improved, and 4 (15%) were failures. In the 8 patients with ostial atherosclerotic lesions and successful PTRA, there was a 75% long-term benefit. Two patients died during follow-up, both from myocardial infarction. Conclusion: The results suggest that PTRA is effective in long-term management of renovascular hypertension, not only in patients with fibromuscular stenosis, but also in patients with atherosclerotic disease, even when ostial lesions are present.
Cervicocranial Artery Dissection
Authors: Bakke S. J. , Smith H.-J. , Kerty E. , Dahl A. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: To evaluate pulsed Doppler ultrasound and MR angiography (MRA) in the diagnosis of cervicocranial dissection. Material and Methods: Fourteen patients with cervicocranial artery dissection were examined over a 3-year period. Twelve patients had dissection of the extracranial part of the internal carotid artery, and 2 had vertebral artery dissection. All patients were examined with pulsed Doppler ultrasound. In addition, all patients had conventional angiography (n=9) and/or MR imaging including MRA (n=9). Results: Doppler ultrasound disclosed unspecific abnormalities in 11 of 14 dissected vessels; 3 patients had false-negative Doppler findings. MRA showed vessel abnormalities in 9 of 9 patients; 2 vessels were occluded, and 7 vessels had changes typical of dissection (double lumen and/or string sign). Twelve patients had follow-up examinations with pulsed Doppler ultrasound (n=12), conventional angiography (n=3), and MRA/MR (n=11). Follow-up Doppler showed complete or partial normalization in 61 of 9 patients, all confirmed by either angiography or MRA. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Doppler ultrasound may be used in follow-up of pathologic Doppler findings in known dissections, and that MRA may replace angiography in the confirmative diagnosis of cervicocranial dissection.
Percutaneous Transluminal Treatment of an Iliac Pseudoaneurysm with Endoprosthesis Implantation
Authors: Christensen L. , Justesen P. , Larsen K. E. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: Evaluation of a covered stent in the treatment of an iliac pseudoaneurysm. Material and Methods: During PTCA, a 61-year-old man with angina pectoris was shown to have an asymptomatic pseudoaneurysm, 5×4×4 cm, of the left common iliac artery (CIA). The patient was not a candidate for surgery. The pseudoaneurysm was treated by insertion of a covered stent (8 mm/6 cm). Results: By 30 s after stent placement, the pseudoaneurysm was angiographically excluded. Twelve and 17 months after stent implantation, the patient had no symptoms from the lower extremities and the left CIA was open with normal flow in the stent. Conclusion: Our case illustrates the ability of a covered stent to exclude a pseudoaneurysm. Percutaneous intravascular stent placement in the management of iliac pseudoaneurysms might be the treatment of choice in patients with increased risk of major anesthesia and surgery.
Angular Configuration of the Knee
Authors: Sanfridsson J. , Ryd L. , Eklund K. , Kouvaras Y. , Jonsson K. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the QUESTOR Precision Radiography system (QPR) and to compare it with the routine hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle measurements. The aim was also to evaluate the robustness of the QPR system against the osseous changes of arthrotic disease. Material and Methods: Twenty-four patients, operated on with a high tibial osteotomy for medial gonarthrosis, were examined. The alignment of the leg was measured by the conventional technique and by the QPR method. Results and Conclusion: The 2 methods correlated well. The intraobserver variation in the QPR measurements was, with the exception of the capito-midcondylar-femoral shaft angle and the tibial plateau width, not affected by the osseous changes inflicted by the arthrotic process. The patients tolerated both systems well while the staff preferred the QPR system.
Ultrasonography of the Neck Splenius Capitis Muscle
Authors: Soltani A. Reza , Kallinen M. , Mälkiä E. , Vihko V. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the reproducibility of real-time ultrasonography as a method for measuring the size of the splenius capitis muscle (SPCM). Material and Methods: Ten right-handed women (non-athletes) aged 19–29 years were studied. Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), anterior-posterior dimension (APD), and lateral dimension (LD) were measured bilaterally on 2 successive days, twice each day. Results: The coefficient of variation (CV) of CSA was 2.7% between times, and 3.0% between days. No significant correlations were found between muscle CSA and the anthropometric variables (neck girth, height, weight, fat percentage and body mass index). A significant correlation between CSA and the multiple of the 2 linear dimensions (MLD = LD×APD) was found (r=0.76, p=<0.01). CSA of SPCM was larger on the dominant side (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that real-time ultrasonography is a useful method for evaluating the size of the SPCM.
Volume Imaging in Fluoroscopy
Authors: Kolitsi Z. , Yoldassis N. , Siozos T. , Pallikarakis N. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: This work involves the development of a new digital tomosynthesis technique into a clinical prototype imaging system for the three-dimensional visualization of patient anatomy. Material and Methods: The multiple projection algorithm (MPA) has been developed into a clinical prototype imaging system comprising a digital chain that is interfaced with an isocentric fluoroscopic unit to form an integrated DTS facility. Planes of varying orientations can be synthesized retrospectively on the basis of an acquired set of appropriate projection images extending over the whole volume of interest. Results and Conclusion: The system provides an image reconstruction and processing facility that can effectively augment fluoroscopic examinations. Reconstruction times of a few seconds per plane have been achieved. The region of interest can be approached by tracking through cross-sections with user-selected orientations. Anatomical planes of particular interest can be identified and their reconstructed images can be stored. The characteristics of the image presentation modality have the potential to extend the field of current digital tomosynthesis applications to new areas in radiology and other clinical domains.
CT-Guided Pericardiocentesis
Authors: Duvernoy O. , Magnusson A. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: Pericardial effusion in patients who have recently undergone cardiac surgery is often trapped in compartments. CT of the pericardium provides good information about the distribution of pericardial fluid in the postoperative period after cardiac surgery. Contrary to echocardiography, CT imaging is not affected by postoperative mediastinal emphysema and pain from the wound. A method for CT-guided pericardiocentesis was developed. Material and Methods: CT-guided pericardiocentesis was carried out with a stereotactic device in 10 patients. The pericardium was punctured with a 0.9-mm needle and a 0.46-mm guide wire was introduced through the needle. An indwelling catheter was introduced over the guide wire and was left in the pericardium. Both the subxiphoid and parasternal approaches were used. Results: CT guidance facilitated placement of an indwelling catheter into the pericardial space in positions difficult to reach in patients with postoperative pericardial compartments, i.e. near the right atrium and adjacent to the cardiac apex/left ventricle. Conclusion: CT-guided pericardiocentesis offers a new possibility in patients where fluoroscopically or echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis is difficult.
Mr Imaging of Spastic Diplegia
Authors: Hayakawa K. , Kanda T. , Hashimoto K. , Okuno Y. , Yamori Y. , Yuge M. , Ando R. , Ozaki N. , Tamamoto A. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: The MR findings in patients with spastic diplegia were investigated and the role of MR imaging in assessing the extent of brain injury was evaluated. Material and Methods: 39 male and 24 female patients (preterm/term 43/20) were imaged using a 0.5 T MR system. Results: The MR findings in term patients were quite different from those in preterm patients; 55% of the term patients showed normal and minimal changes on MR, whereas 90.7% of the 43 preterm children had periventricular leucomalacia. The deep cerebral white matter was the most frequently involved site. Objective measurements revealed significant reductions of the entire sagittal area of corpus callosum in diplegic patients in comparison with normal controls. The motor palsy severity correlated well with the extent of corpus callosum involvement. Conclusion: The corpus callosum appears to be a sensitive marker site for the assessment of the extent of white matter injury.
Radiological Measurement of Femoral Head Position in Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease
Authors: Kaniklides C. , Dimopoulos P. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: Since the establishment of the principle of weight-bearing methods of treatment in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD), lateral displacement of the femoral head has become an important prognostic factor. Material and Methods: In order to establish reliable boundary lines between orthotopic and subluxated hip, the migration percentage (MP) and the medial joint space (MJS) were determined retrospectively: a) on 166 normal hip radiographs; b) on bilateral arthrograms and radiographs from 37 patients with unilateral LCPD. Results and Conclusion: The mean upper normal values for MP and MJS on normal radiographs were 20.8 and 11.5 respectively. On arthrograms, the corresponding values were 31 and 5.7. The MP is easy to determine on both radiographs and arthrograms, and is recommended for detecting and measuring subluxation in cases with LCPD. MJS is of no advantage for detecting containment in LCPD but may be used in other diseases such as coxitis simplex.
Effect of Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy
Authors: Nordenstam G. , Aspelin P. , Isberg B. , Svensson L. , Hallin A. , Berlin T. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: To detect morphological changes in the prostate, as depicted with MR imaging, in order to clarify the effects of transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT). Material and Methods: Twenty patients with prostatism and a prostatic volume of 30–71 cm3 underwent MR examination before, the day after, and 6 months after treatment. TUMT was carried out with a Prostatron. A method to detect oedematous changes on heavily T2-weighted MR images was developed and used as an indicator of morphological changes. Results: The study showed some correlation (r=0.59) between the energy given at TUMT and an increased T2 signal. All patients with increased T2 signal except one were found among those who received the highest amount of energy to the prostate. Of 8 patients, 6 showed a symptomatic response to the treatment and 2 did not. There was a weak statistical correlation (r=0.41) between treatment response and increased T2 signal. Conclusion: The study does not support the view that TUMT leads to significant necrosis in the prostate with loss of tissue and retraction. We theorize that the response to TUMT may be caused by a denervation of the prostate.
Genomic and epigenomic heterogeneity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Guièze Romain , Wu Catherine J. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Defining features of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are not only its immunophenotype of CD19+CD5+CD23+sIgdim expressing clonal mature B cells but also its highly variable clinical course. In recent years, advances in massively parallel sequencing technologies have led to rapid progress in our understanding of the CLL genome and epigenome. Overall, these studies have clearly demarcated not only the vast degree of genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity among individuals with CLL but also even within individual patient leukemias. We herein review the rapidly growing series of studies assessing the genetic and epigenetic features of CLL within clinically defined periods of its growth. These studies strongly suggest an evolving spectrum of lesions over time and that these features may have clinical impact.
Gene expression changes reflect clinical response in a placebo-controlled randomized trial of abatacept in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis
Authors: Chakravarty Eliza F. , Martyanov Viktor , Fiorentino David , Wood Tammara A. , Haddon David James , Jarrell Justin Ansel , Utz Paul J. , Genovese Mark C. , Whitfield Michael L. , Chung Lorinda 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. We sought to assess the clinical and molecular effects associated with response to intravenous abatacept in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic.

Methods
Adult diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients were randomized in a 2:1 double-blinded fashion to receive abatacept or placebo over 24 weeks. Primary outcomes were safety and the change in modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) at week 24 compared with baseline. Improvers were defined as patients with a decrease in mRSS of ≥30 % post-treatment compared to baseline. Skin biopsies were obtained for differential gene expression and pathway enrichment analyses and intrinsic gene expression subset assignment.

Results
Ten subjects were randomized to abatacept (n = 7) or placebo (n = 3). Disease duration from first non-Raynaud’s symptom was significantly longer (8.8 ± 3.8 years vs. 2.4 ± 1.6 years, p = 0.004) and median mRSS was higher (30 vs. 22, p = 0.05) in the placebo compared to abatacept group. Adverse events were similar in the two groups. Five out of seven patients (71 %) randomized to abatacept and one out of three patients (33 %) randomized to placebo experienced ≥30 % improvement in skin score. Subjects receiving abatacept showed a trend toward improvement in mRSS at week 24 (−8.6 ± 7.5, p = 0.0625) while those in the placebo group did not (−2.3 ± 15, p = 0.75). After adjusting for disease duration, mRSS significantly improved in the abatacept compared with the placebo group (abatacept vs. placebo mRSS decrease estimate −9.8, 95 % confidence interval −16.7 to −3.0, p = 0.0114). In the abatacept group, the patients in the inflammatory intrinsic subset showed a trend toward greater improvement in skin score at 24 weeks compared with the patients in the normal-like intrinsic subset (−13.5 ± 3.1 vs. −4.5 ± 6.4, p = 0.067). Abatacept resulted in decreased CD28 co-stimulatory gene expression in improvers consistent with its mechanism of action. Improvers mapped to the inflammatory intrinsic subset and showed decreased gene expression in inflammatory pathways, while non-improver and placebos showed stable or reverse gene expression over 24 weeks.

Conclusions
Clinical improvement following abatacept therapy was associated with modulation of inflammatory pathways in skin.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00442611. Registered 1 March 2007.
Lifting harmonic morphisms I: metrized complexes and Berkovich skeleta
Authors: Amini Omid , Baker Matthew , Brugallé Erwan , Rabinoff Joseph 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Let K be an algebraically closed, complete non-Archimedean field. The purpose of this paper is to carefully study the extent to which finite morphisms of algebraic K-curves are controlled by certain combinatorial objects, called skeleta. A skeleton is a metric graph embedded in the Berkovich analytification of X. A skeleton has the natural structure of a metrized complex of curves. We prove that a finite morphism of K-curves gives rise to a finite harmonic morphism of a suitable choice of skeleta. We use this to give analytic proofs of stronger ‘skeletonized’ versions of some foundational results of Liu-Lorenzini, Coleman, and Liu on simultaneous semistable reduction of curves. We then consider the inverse problem of lifting finite harmonic morphisms of metrized complexes to morphisms of curves over K. We prove that every tamely ramified finite harmonic morphism of Λ-metrized complexes of k-curves lifts to a finite morphism of K-curves. If in addition the ramification points are marked, we obtain a complete classification of all such lifts along with their automorphisms. This generalizes and provides new analytic proofs of earlier results of Saïdi and Wewers. As an application, we discuss the relationship between harmonic morphisms of metric graphs and induced maps between component groups of Néron models, providing a negative answer to a question of Ribet motivated by number theory.
This article is the first in a series of two. The second article contains several applications of our lifting results to questions about lifting morphisms of tropical curves.
Impact of a Regional Pharmacy Call Center on Telephone Access Metrics within the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: White Christina A. , Jones Marshall R. , Kuester Melanie K. , Myers Kelly L. , Schnarr Barbara A. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose To establish a cost-effective centralized pharmacy call center to serve the patients of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 11 that would meet established performance metrics. Methods A pilot project began in August 2011 with the Indianapolis VA Medical Center (VAMC) and the Health Resource Center (HRC) in Topeka, Kansas. The Indianapolis VAMC used a first-call resolution business model consisting of pharmacy technicians receiving tier 1 phone calls that could be escalated to a tier 2 line that consisted of lead technicians and pharmacists, while the HRC utilized general telephone agents that would transfer unresolved calls to the primary facility. Pre- and post-VISN 11 Pharmacy Call Center performance metrics were compared for each of the 7 facilities in the network with the goals being monthly average abandoned call rate less than 5% and average speed to answer less than 30 seconds. Cost per call was also compared. Results The average abandoned call rate for the network during the year prior to VISN 11 Pharmacy Call Center implementation (August 2010-July 2011) was 15.66% and decreased to 3% in July 2014. The average abandoned call rate decreased for each individual facility. In fiscal year 2014, the VISN 11 Pharmacy Call Center was operating at a cost of $4.35 per call while providing more services than the HRC, resulting in less workload being transferred back to the individual facilities. Conclusion A centralized VISN pharmacy call center is a reasonable alternative to individual facility call centers or the HRC.
Is Autologous or Heterologous Pericardium Better for Valvuloplasty? A Comparative Study of Calcification Propensity
Authors: Jiang Wen-Jian , Cui Yong-Chao , Li Jin-Hua , Zhang Xiu-Hui , Ding Huan-Huan , Lai Yong-Qiang , Zhang Hong-Jia 
Published: June 2015

Pericardial calcification is detrimental to the long-term durability of valvuloplasty. However, whether calcification susceptibility differs between heterologous and autologous pericardium is unclear. In this study, we compared the progression of calcification in vivo between autologous and heterologous pericardium.
We randomly divided 28 rabbits into 4 equal groups. Resected rabbit pericardium served as autologous pericardium, and commercial bovine pericardium served as heterologous pericardium. We subcutaneously embedded one of each pericardial patch in the abdominal walls of 21 of the rabbits. The 7 control rabbits (group A) received no implants. The embedded samples were removed at 2 months in group B, at 4 months in group C, and at 6 months in group D. Each collected sample was divided into 2 parts, one for calcium-content measurement by means of atomic-absorption spectroscopy, and one for morphologic and histopathologic examinations.
When compared with the autologous pericardium, calcium levels in the heterologous pericardium were higher in groups B, C, and D (P <0.0001, P <0.0002, and P <0.0006, respectively). As embedding time increased, calcium levels in the heterologous pericardium increased faster than those in the autologous, especially in group D. Disorganized arrangements of collagenous fibers, marked calculus, and ossification were seen in the heterologous pericardium. Inflammatory cells—mainly lymphocytes and small numbers of macrophages—infiltrated the heterologous pericardium.
The autologous pericardium showed a stronger ability to resist calcification. Our results indicate that autologous pericardium might be a relatively better choice for valvuloplasty.