bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental intracerebral and subarachnoid/intraventricular haemorrhages: MR detectability at 0.5 T and 1.5 T
Authors: Alemany Ripoll M. , Raininko R. 
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To compare the detectability of small experimental intracranial haemorrhages on MR imaging at 0.5 T and 1.5 T, from hyperacute to subacute stages. Material and Methods: 1 ml of autologous blood was injected into the brain of 15 rabbits to create intraparenchymal haematomas. Since the blood partially escaped into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces, detectability of subarachnoid and intraventricular blood was also evaluated. MR imaging at 0.5 T and at 1.5 T was repeated up to 14 days, including T1-, proton density- and T2-weighted (w) spin-echo (SE), FLAIR and T2*-w gradient echo (GE) pulse sequences. The last MR investigation was compared to the formalin-fixed brain sections in 7 animals. Results: The intraparenchymal haematomas were best revealed with T2*-w GE sequences, with 100% of sensitivity at 1.5 T and 90–95% at 0.5 T. Blood in the CSF spaces was significantly ( p < 0.05) better detected at 1.5 T with T2*-w GE sequences and detected best during the first 2 days. The next most sensitive sequence for intracranial blood was FLAIR. SE sequences were rather insensitive. Conclusion: 1.5 T equipment is superior to 0.5 T in the detection of intracranial haemorrhages from acute to subacute stages. T2*-w GE sequences account for this result but other sequences are also needed for a complete examination.
Oligodendrogliomas: A comparison of CT and MR imaging features with histological malignancy grading in 20 cases: A pathoradiological study
Authors: Reiche W. , Grunwald I. , Hermann K. , Deinzer M. , Reith W. 
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To study the pattern of contrast enhancement in MR and CT of oligodendrogliomas and to compare this with other imaging findings and with histopathological grading criteria. Material and Methods: 20 patients with oligodendrogliomas (12 low-grade WHO II and 8 anaplastic WHO III) were reviewed. 20 complete MR investigations, 20 non-enhanced CT studies and 16 CTs after contrast enhancement were estimated blindly without knowledge of the tumour histological grades. Results: All anaplastic oligodendrogliomas showed tumour contrast enhancement on MR and CT images. Also in 6/12 low-grade oligodendrogliomas the contrast was enhanced on MR imaging. In 5 of these, tumour calcifications were detected by CT. The remaining 6/12 WHO grade II cases showed no significant MR contrast enhancement. Of the oligodendrogliomas grade II, CT showed contrast uptake in 3 cases and no enhancement in 6, while in 3 cases postcontrast CT was not available. A comparison of contrast enhancement with tumour grade resulted in a p-value of 0.042 for MR and of 0.011 for CT. A combined statistical test of tumour grade and calcifications detected by CT compared with MR contrast enhancement showed a significant correlation ( p=0.014). Conclusion: These data demonstrated that a clear grading of oligodendrogliomas based on the image criterion MR contrast enhancement was not possible. We suppose that, besides tumour neovascularisation, additional factors such as calcifications may disturb the blood-brain barrier.
Negative spiral CT in acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Nilsson T. , Olausson A. , Johnsson H. , Nyman U. , Aspelin P. 
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcome of non-anticoagulated patients with clinically suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and no symptoms or signs of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) following a negative contrast medium-enhanced spiral CT of the pulmonary arteries (s-CTPA). Material and Methods: During a 24-month period, 739 of 751 patients underwent s-CTPA with acceptable diagnostic quality for clinically suspected acute PE. All patients who had a CT study not positive for PE were followed up with a questionnaire, a telephone interview and review of all medical reports, including autopsies and death certificates for any episodes of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during a 3-month period. Results: PE was diagnosed in 158 patients. Of the remaining 581 patients with a negative s-CTPA, 45 patients were lost to follow-up. 88 patients were excluded because of anticoagulation treatment (cardiac disorder n=32, chronic VTE or acute symptomatic DVT n=31, PE diagnosed at pulmonary angiography n=1, thrombus prophylaxis during diagnostic work-up or other reasons than VTE n=24) and 7 patients undergoing lower extremity venous studies because of symptoms of DVT (all negative). Thus, 441 patients with a negative s-CTPA and no DVT symptoms, venous studies or anticoagulant treatment constituted the follow-up cohort. Four of these patients had proven VTE (all PE) during the 3-month follow-up period. Two of the PE episodes contributed to the patient's death. Conclusion: Patients with clinically suspected acute PE, no symptoms or signs of DVT and a negative single slice s-CTPA using 3–5 mm collimation, may safely be left without anticoagulation treatment unless they are critically ill, have a limited cardiopulmonary reserve and/or if a high clinical suspicion remains.
CT findings in skeletal cystic echinococcosis
Authors: Tüzün M. , Hekimoǧlu B. 
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To evaluate the CT findings of skeletal cystic echinococcosis. Material and Methods: CT findings of 7 patients with pathologically confirmed skeletal cystic echinococcosis were evaluated. Results: There were 4 men and 3 women, aged 36–75 years. Hydatid cysts were located in the spine (n=2), a rib (n=3), the pelvis and a vertebra (n=1), the pelvis and the left femur (n=1). The size of the lesions varied from 1=cm to 15=cm. CT showed well defined, single or multiple cystic lesions with no contrast enhancement, no calcification, no daughter cysts, and no germinal membrane detachment. The cystic lesion had a honeycomb appearance in 2 cases; there was pathologic fracture in 2 cases, bone expansion in 5 cases, cortical thinning in 6 cases, cortical destruction in 6 cases, bone sclerosis in 1 case, and soft tissue extension in 6 cases. Conclusion: Preoperative differential diagnosis of skeletal cystic lesions should include cystic echinococcosis, especially in endemic areas, since this diagnosis may easily be missed unless kept in mind.
Echo-enhanced color Doppler cystosonography of vesicoureteral reflux in children: Improvement by stimulated acoustic emission
Authors: Riccabona M. , Mache C. J. , Lindbichler F. 
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the potential of echo-enhanced color Doppler sonography (ee-CDS) using the acoustic stimulated emission technique in the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children. Material and Methods: 30 children (age: 0–9 years) with suspicion of VUR were submitted for echo-enhanced cystosonography (ee-CS) and conventional voiding cysto-urethrography (VCU). Conventional US and then color Doppler sonography (CDS) were performed after instillation of Levovist into the catheterized urinary bladder that had been prefilled with saline. Finally, output gain was increased in order to ‘burst’ the bubbles (= stimulated acoustic emission, burst-CS). Thereafter VCU was performed in the same session. The results of conventional ee-CS and burst-CS were compared to VCU findings. Results: Twenty-four refluxing systems were found in a total of 66 collecting systems by both techniques. Ee-CS and burst-CS detected VUR in four systems not seen by VCU (grades 1–4), but missed low-degree VUR in 2 cases. In low-degree VUR, burst-CS was particularly helpful in 9 patients with equivocal results on conventional ee-CS. In 6 of them, VUR was proven by burst-CS, the other 3 showed VURs neither on VCU nor on burst-CS. Conclusion: Levovist ee-CS is feasible in the pediatric bladder. It enables reliable visualization of VUR in the renal collecting system. Burst-CS improves visualization of contrast reflux, particularly in non-dilative or minimally dilative VUR, which is sometimes difficult to depict with conventional ee-CS.
Localization of breast sentinel lymph nodes by MR lymphography with a conventional gadolinium contrast agent: Preliminary observations in dongs and humans
Authors: Suga K. , Yuan Y. , Ogasawara N. , Okada M. , Matsunaga N. 
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To test the capability of an indirect MR lymphography (MRLG) using a conventional extracellular gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agent for localizing breast sentinel lymph node (SLN). Methods: A total of 1 and 0.5 ml of undiluted gadopentetate dimeglumine were injected subcutaneously into the two periareolar areas overlying each caudal mammary gland in 10 female dogs. Contiguous 2-mm-thick fast gradient echo MR images were acquired through the upper breast and axilla before and for 60 min after gentle massage at the injection sites, yielding 3D displays. The localized SLN was resected from the living animals, followed by post mortem examinations. MRLG (1 ml contrast agent injected) was also attempted in 5 female volunteers. Results: Even with 0.5-ml contrast agent, the MRLG clearly visualized the connection of SLN and lymphatic vessels directly draining from the injection sites, and the remaining distant nodes, with the maximal enhancement peaks within 10 min after massage. The 3D images provided comprehensive anatomy of these lymphatic pathways in each axilla. Of the 20 SLN and 128 distant nodes visualized on the MRLG, all the SLN (100%) and 107 (83.5%) distant nodes could be resected pre- and post mortem, in good correlation with the locations and sizes on the MR images. MRLG also effectively localized SLN in the volunteers, without significant adverse effects. Conclusion: An indirect MRLG using small volumes of conventional Gd-based contrast agent may have potential for accurate identification and surgical biopsy of breast SLN.
Peripheral arterial disease. Contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography of the lower leg and foot compared with conventional angiography
Authors: Cronberg C. N. , Sjöberg S. , Albrechtsson U. , Leander P. , Lindh M. , Norgren L. , Danielsson P. , Sonesson B. , Larsson E.-M. 
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To determine whether contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography (CE MRA) could replace digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the evaluation of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of the lower leg and foot. Material and Methods: Thirty-five patients with symptoms of atherosclerotic disease of the leg were examined prospectively with CE MRA of the foot and the lower legs as well as with DSA from the aorta to the pedal arches. The MRA technique was focused on optimal imaging of the arteries of the foot. Results: The agreement between CE MRA and DSA for grading of stenosis was moderate to good (weighted κ-values 0.48–0.80). The sensitivity of CE MRA for detection of significant stenosis (≥ 50%) was 92% and the specificity was 64% with DSA as gold standard. Conclusion: CE MRA is a fairly accurate method for the demonstration of atherosclerotic disease below the knee including the pedal arches. It can replace DSA for the assessment of distal arteries in patients with impaired renal function. However, image quality and resolution still needs to be improved before CE MRA can become the method of choice in all patients.
Quantitative diagnosis of fatty liver with dual-energy CT: An experimental study in rabbits
Authors: Wang B. , Gao Z. , Zou Q. , Li L. 
Published: September 2013

Objectives: To explore the correlation between fatty content of fatty liver and the difference of CT attenuation value in dual-energy CT, and to evaluate the value of dual-energy CT in the quantitative diagnosis of fatty liver in rabbits. Material and Methods: Dual-energy CT at 120 kVp and 90 kVp was performed in 16 rabbits of experimental groups that were induced to various degrees of fatty liver by feeding carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Four healthy rabbits in the control group underwent dual-energy CT at the same time. The CT attenuation values of liver tissues at 120 kVp (H120), 90 kVp (H90) and the difference (ΔH) between them were obtained. The specimens of liver tissues were examined with freeze section (9 μm) and an oil red O stain histologically. The ratio of fatty content in liver to the liver volume (VP value) was measured using the image analyzer system. Results: The change of CT attenuation values between 120 kVp and 90 kVp was not obvious (ΔH between −0.4 HU and 1.4 HU) in the control group. The density of the liver in the experimental groups decreased differently, and the change in CT attenuation values between high and low energy levels were very clear. H120 values were between 51.0 HU and 91.7 HU and H90 values were between 37.0 HU and 89.2 HU. ΔH values were between 2.5 HU and 14.0 HU. Significant negative linear correlation ( r = −0.92, −0.93, t = 8.51, 9.76, p < 0.001, 0.001, respectively) were found between VP values and H120 and H90, respectively, while significant positive linear correlation ( r = 0.95, t = 11.89, p < 0.001) was found between VP values and ΔH. Conclusion: The amount and degree of fat in the fatty liver can be assessed exactly by dual-energy CT. It will be a potential new effective method for quantitative diagnosis of fatty livers.
Traumatic childhood sexual events and secondary sexual health complaints in neurotic disorders
Authors: Sobański Jerzy , Müldner-Nieckowski Łukasz , Klasa Katarzyna , Dembińska Edyta , Rutkowski Krzysztof , Cyranka Katarzyna 
Published: September 2013

Aim of the studyAssessment of the association between self-reported sexual complaints and recalled childhood sexual adversities in a sample of psychotherapy patients.Subject or material and methodsCoexistence of memories concerning traumatic events and minor sexual adversities and the currently present symptoms were analyzed on the basis of KO"0" Symptom Checklist and Life Inventory completed prior to treatment in the day hospital for neurotic disorders. Questionnaires from 3929 psychotherapy patients were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed on biographical and symptom items. Odds ratios for men and women were determined separately.ResultsAssociations between sexual adverse events, and current sexual health complaints, as estimated by OR coefficients, showed to be statistically significant. In the subgroups of patients who reported two categories of sexual adversities e.g. were both punished for masturbation and were not educated about sex, the risk of sexual complaints was further increased.DiscussionBoth self reported traumatic sexual events and sexual problems are quite common in the patient population and are strongly associated. Our study has replicated other’s findings in a large sample of outpatients suffering from neurotic disorders.ConclusionsDeficits in sex education, the trauma of incest, punishment for sexual play or masturbation, or too early or unwanted sexual initiation, are important risk factors of sexual symptoms accompanying neurotic syndromes. Results strongly suggest that studies focusing on the effects of sexual traumatic events should take into consideration the co-occurrence of multiple adversities.
A new notion of angle between three points in a metric space
Authors: Mondino Andrea 
Published: September 2013

Abstract

We give a new notion of angle in general metric spaces; more precisely, given three points p,x,q in a metric space (X,d), we introduce the notion of angle cone

∠
𝐩𝐱𝐪

${{\angle _{\mathbf {pxq}}}}$

as being an interval

∠
𝐩𝐱𝐪

:
=

[

∠

p
x
q

-

,

∠

p
x
q

+

]

${{\angle _{\mathbf {pxq}}}:=[\angle ^-_{pxq},\angle ^+_{pxq}]}$

, where the quantities

∠

p
x
q

±

${\angle ^\pm _{pxq}}$

are defined in terms of the distance functions from p and q via a duality construction of differentials and gradients holding for locally Lipschitz functions on a general metric space. Our definition in the Euclidean plane gives the standard angle between three points and in a Riemannian manifold coincides with the usual angle between the geodesics if x is not in the cut locus of p or q. We show that in general the angle cone is not single-valued (even in case the metric space is a smooth Riemannian manifold, if x is in the cut locus of p or q), but if we endow the metric space with a positive Borel measure 𝔪 obtaining the metric measure space (X,d,𝔪), then under quite general assumptions (which include many fundamental examples as Riemannian manifolds, finite dimensional Alexandrov spaces with curvature bounded from below, Gromov–Hausdorff limits of Riemannian manifolds with Ricci curvature bounded from below, and normed spaces with strictly convex norm), fixed p,q ∈ X, the angle cone at x is single-valued for 𝔪-a.e. x ∈ X. We prove some basic properties of the angle cone (such as the invariance under homotheties of the space) and we analyze in detail the case (X,d,𝔪) is a measured-Gromov–Hausdorff limit of a sequence of Riemannian manifolds with Ricci curvature bounded from below, showing the consistency of our definition with a recent construction of Honda [“A weakly second order differential structure on rectifiable metric measure spaces”, preprint 2012].
Presentation and surgical results of incidentally discovered nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas: evidence for a better outcome independently of other patients' characteristics
Authors: Losa Marco , Donofrio Carmine A , Barzaghi Raffaella , Mortini Pietro 
Published: September 2013

ObjectiveFew data are available on the surgical results in patients with incidentally discovered nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA). We investigated the efficacy and safety of surgery in patients with incidentally discovered NFPA.DesignRetrospective analysis of prospectively recorded outcomes.MethodsFrom 1990 to 2011, of 804 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for NFPA, 212 cases had an incidentally discovered tumor (26.4%). Among them, 117 patients were asymptomatic, while 95 had some visual and/or hormonal deficit. The main outcome of the study was to evaluate the frequency of radical resection as judged on the first postoperative neuroimaging study and detection of recurring disease during long-term follow-up.ResultsPostoperative residual tumor was detected in 8.9% of patients with asymptomatic incidentalomas as compared with 31.2% of patients with symptomatic incidentalomas (P<0.001) and 41.2% of patients in the control group (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that having an asymptomatic incidentaloma was independently associated with a better outcome. The 5-year recurrence-free survival in patients with incidentaloma was 86.8% (95% CI 80.2–92.4%) as compared with 77.9% (95% CI 73.6–82.2%; P<0.01) in the control group. This difference was almost completely due to a lower frequency of relapse in asymptomatic patients. Multivariate analysis confirmed the independent lower risk of tumor recurrence in asymptomatic NFPA.ConclusionOur study shows for the first time that surgically treated patients with asymptomatic NFPA have a better early and long-term outcome that is independent from all the other demographic, clinical, and morphologic characteristics of the patients.
Validation of Self-Report Pain Scales in Children
Authors: Tsze Daniel S. , von Baeyer Carl L. , Bulloch Blake , Dayan Peter S. 
Published: September 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The Faces Pain Scale–Revised (FPS-R) and Color Analog Scale (CAS) are self-report pain scales commonly used in children but insufficiently validated in the emergency department setting. Our objectives were to determine the psychometric properties (convergent validity, discriminative validity, responsivity, and reliability) of the FPS-R and CAS, and to determine whether degree of validity varied based on age, sex, and ethnicity.METHODS:We conducted a prospective, observational study of English- and Spanish-speaking children ages 4 to 17 years. Children with painful conditions indicated their pain severity on the FPS-R and CAS before and 30 minutes after analgesia. We assessed convergent validity (Pearson correlations, Bland-Altman method), discriminative validity (comparing pain scores in children with pain against those without pain), responsivity (comparing pain scores pre- and postanalgesia), and reliability (Pearson correlations, repeatability coefficient).RESULTS:Of 620 patients analyzed, mean age was 9.2 ± 3.8 years, 291(46.8%) children were girls, 341(55%) were Hispanic, and 313(50.5%) were in the younger age group (&lt;8 years). Pearson correlation was 0.85, with higher correlation in older children and girls. Lower convergent validity was noted in children &lt;7 years of age. All subgroups based on age, sex, and ethnicity demonstrated discriminative validity and responsivity for both scales. Reliability was acceptable for both the FPS-R and CAS.CONCLUSIONS:The FPS-R and CAS overall demonstrate strong psychometric properties in children ages 4 to 17 years, and between subgroups based on age, sex, and ethnicity. Convergent validity was questionable in children &lt;7 years old.
Influence of sodium-containing substrates on Kesterite CZTSSe thin films based solar cells
Authors: Altamura Giovanni , Roger Charles , Grenet Louis , Bleuse Joël , Fournier Hélène , Perraud Simon , Mariette Henri 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis work deals with the influence of sodium on the properties of CZTSSe material and solar cells. For that purpose, two types of substrates are compared, one with low sodium content (borosilicate glass), the other one with higher sodium content (soda-lime glass). In each case the Na-content in the CZTSSe passing from the substrate through the Mo back contact is quantified by secondary ion mass spectroscopy analysis. Photoluminescence spectroscopy indicates that better quality material is achievable when increasing the Na-content in the CZTSSe. The material characterization results are compared to the photovoltaic properties. Index Terms — Cu2ZnSn(S1-xSex)4, CZTSSe, CZTS, CZTSe, Sodium, Kesterite, thin film, solar cell.
Optimization of the Electrical Conductivity of ABS Nanocomposites filled with Carbon Black and Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Talapatra Shantanu , Gerhardt Rosario A. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractPoly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene) (ABS) is a thermoplastic polymer that is used in numerous structural applications as a result of its excellent mechanical properties. For those applications where good electrical conductivity is also desired, carbon black is often used as the filler of choice. Most reports in the literature indicate that at least 8 wt% carbon black filler is needed in order to achieve percolation. Our group recently reported that by manual mixing of ABS pellets and carbon black to create a segregated microstructure, percolation was achieved at an unprecedented low filler fraction of less than 0.01 wt% carbon black, a value which is comparable to or even better than that obtained using single wall carbon nanotubes as the filler. While the ABS/CB composites had excellent electrical performance, with a conductivity as high as 10-1 S/m, their mechanical strength was compromised.In this paper we report on new experiments designed to maintain high electrical conductivity while improving on the mechanical behavior of percolating ABS/CB nanocomposites. The experiments were aimed at controlling the processing parameters such as temperature, pressure and time during hot pressing of the mechanically mixed precursor materials. Using data obtained at the various temperature-pressure combinations used, it will be shown that similar volume percentages of carbon black and carbon nanotubes can be used to obtain equivalent conductivities, suitable for EMI shielding, while still maintaining good mechanical properties.