bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiological catheter drainage of abscesses in children
Authors: Murthy Chennapragada S. , Prelog K. , Wong C. K. F. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of radiological catheter drainage of fluid collections and abscesses in children, and to review the principles, indications, technique, and possible complications of these procedures. Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of all radiologically guided catheter placements performed between March 1999 and April 2003. Patients' age, sex, location of the collection, technical details of the procedure, including modality used for guidance, technique of placement, type of catheter used, catheter indwelling time, and time for temporization were recorded from chart reviews. Success rate was calculated based on the number of curative drainage procedures. Results: 33 children (16 boys and 17 girls) aged between 7 days and 14 years of age (mean 7 years) underwent 37 procedures. Successful drainage was achieved in 31 of 33 patients (94%). The dwell time for catheters ranged between 1 day and 30 days (mean 5.7 days). Mean duration for defervescence was 2 days. There were no major complications. Conclusion: Imaging-guided catheter drainage of fluid collections in children is safe and effective. Newer approaches, better imaging, and improved techniques have resulted in improved cure rates. The basic principles, common indications, various techniques, and the possible complications of these procedures, with special reference to the pediatric population, are reviewed in this article.
Quantitative assessment of iron-oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the liver: vessel isointensity is a potential characteristic of liver hemangiomas on late t1-weighted images
Authors: Schmitz S. A. , Nikolova A. , O'Regan D. , Albrecht T. , Hohmann J. , Wolf K.-J. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose: To test whether a new quantitative measure, the tumor-to-vessel ratio, obtained from late post-iron-oxide-enhanced T1-weighted images allows for differentiating hemangiomas from liver metastases or all malignant liver lesions. Material and Methods: Twenty-six patients (mean 57, range 33–79 years) were prospectively studied at 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a T1-weighted 2D fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequence (repetition time/echo time/flip angle; 200 ms/4.8 ms/90°) and a T2-weighted turbo spin-echo sequence (4072 ms/99 ms/180°). Imaging was carried out before and at intervals up to 18 min after IV injection of Ferucarbotran (Resovist®, Schering, Germany). In 19 patients, one representative malignant lesion was analysed. Eleven hemangiomas were evaluated in 7 patients. Two readers performed a consensus reading with a signal intensity measurement in a lesion, normal liver and hepatic veins, from which ratios were computed. Results: On T1-weighted iron-oxide-enhanced MRI of 30 lesions, tumor-to-vessel signal intensity ratios were distinct in hemangiomas (median 1.04, range 0.99–1.10) as opposed to either metastases (0.64, 0.33–0.77; P<0.05) or all malignant lesions taken together (0.64, 0.33–0.98; P<0.05), while the tumor-to-liver ratio was not. Conclusion: The tumor-to-vessel ratio may help to differentiate between hemangiomas and metastases. A ratio greater than 0.98 allowed differentiating hemangiomas from metastases with a wide safety margin.
Use of 99mTc-mononuclear leukocyte scintigraphy in nosocomial fever
Authors: Gutfilen B. , Lopes de Souza S. A. , Martins F. P. P. , Cardoso L. R. , Pinheiro Pessoa M. C. , Fonseca L. M. B. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose: To determine the overall diagnostic accuracy of mononuclear leukocyte- 99mTc scintigraphy in the routine detection of infectious lesions and fever of unknown origin (FUO) in inpatients. Material and Methods: The use of mononuclear leukocyte 99mTc scintigraphy is presented in 87 patients who fulfilled the Durack and Street diagnostic criteria of nosocomial FUO; 66 patients were suspected of having infectious lesions (myocarditis, endocarditis, infected catheters, diabetic foot, and osteomyelitis) and 21 patients presented with unknown causes of FUO. Scans were carried out 1, 3, and 24 h after injection of labeled leukocytes. Results: In three cases (3/27) where scintigraphs were negative, biopsies were positive. There were two (2/87) false-positive scintigrams. We found a 95.8% sensitivity and 92.3% specificity. PPV was 93.8%, PPN 94.7%, and accuracy 94.2%. Conclusion: Mononuclear leukocyte 99mTc scintigraphy showed high sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values in patients with nosocomial FUO. These results suggest an important role for nuclear medicine in the management of patients with infection/inflammation.
Adjusting the radioisotope tracer dose according to the body mass index does not enhance the visualization of axillary sentinel lymph nodes
Authors: Leikola J. P. , Leppänen E. A. , von Smitten K. A. J. , Leidenius M. H. K. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose: To investigate whether the visualization of axillary sentinel nodes (SN) in the lymphoscintigraphy (LS) can be enhanced by adjusting the amount of radioactivity in accordance with the patient’s body mass index (BMI). Material and Methods: Group I consisted of 356 consecutive breast cancer patients who underwent LS and SN biopsy after a single, intratumoral radioactive tracer injection with a median dose of 92 MBq. In group II (178 consecutive patients), the dose of the tracer was adjusted according to BMI; 80, 100, or 140 MBq. Results: The visualization rate of axillary SN was 86% in group I and 83% in group II ( P = 0.303). In patients with BMI >30 with visualized axillary SN, the median number of SN was 1 (1–4) in group I and 3 (1–7) in group II ( P = 0.002). Conclusion: Adjusting the tracer dose in accordance with patient BMI did not enhance the visualization rate of axillary SN in LS.
Static bone cavity of the mandible: computed tomography findings with histopathologic correlation
Authors: Minowa K. , Inoue N. , Izumiyama Y. , Ashikaga Y. , Chu B. , Maravilla K. R. , Totsuka Y. , Nakamura M. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose: To review computed tomography (CT) findings of histopathologically examined static bone cavities in order to determine whether an additional pathogenesis may play a role in this disease. Material and Methods: Four patients with histopathologically examined static bone cavities were included in this retrospective study. Location, appearance of bone remodeling, tissue characteristics, and contrast enhancement of the cavity were assessed on CT images. CT findings were then compared with the histopathological findings. Results: Static bone cavity was found in the lingual molar region in three patients and in the lingual cuspid region of the mandible in one patient. Both fatty and soft tissues were present in the cavities of all four patients. Attenuation of the soft tissue in the cavities was found to be different from that of the submandibular gland. The soft tissue showed enhancement with contrast-enhanced CT in three patients. For all patients, the histopathologic content of the static bone cavity included fat, soft tissue, and abnormal vasculature. The thickened vein wall in the abnormal vasculature was observed. Aberrant tissue of the submandibular gland was not found in any of the static bone cavities. Conclusion: Contrast enhancement of the soft tissue on the contrast-enhanced CT images suggests the presence of vasculature in the cavities. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of fatty tissue and dilated abnormal vessels, and the absence of salivary gland tissue in the cavities. These findings show that vascular structures are prominent in tissues found in static bone cavities.
Thin-section axial multidetector computed tomography and multiplanar reformatted imaging of children with suspected foreign-body aspiration: is virtual bronchoscopy overemphasized?
Authors: Kocaoglu M. , Bulakbasi N. , Soylu K. , Demirbag S. , Tayfun C. , Somuncu I. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose: To determine the added value of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT)-assisted virtual bronchoscopy (VB) to axial MDCT and multiplanar reformatted (MPR) imaging with respect to conventional bronchoscopy in the evaluation of children with suspected foreign-body aspiration (FBA). Material and Methods: Twenty-one consecutive children (14 male, seven female, age 8 months–7 years, mean age 3.5 years) presenting with the suspicion of FBA were examined with 16-slice MDCT using 100–120 kV, 30–50 mA, 1-mm section thickness, 1.2 pitch ratio, and 0.6–1.0-mm reconstruction interval. Before CT examinations, chest radiographies were also obtained in all cases. VB and MPR imaging were carried out after MDCT examinations. Results: Nine foreign bodies were identified by gold-standard conventional bronchoscopy. VB, thin-section axial MDCT, and MPR images identified eight of nine foreign bodies. CT scans with MPR images and VB did not reveal a chronic foreign body; and, in one patient, endobronchial mucous was diagnosed as the foreign body. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of thin-section axial MDCT and MPR images alone in the diagnosis of FBA were 88.9%, 91.7%, and 90.5%, respectively. Results were the same as those obtained when VB was also included. Conclusion: MDCT with VB and axial/MPR images provide equally valuable information in children with suspected foreign-body aspiration and prevent unnecessary conventional bronchoscopic examinations. However, VB increases total examination time and cost, and it does not provide additional information over MPR images in the evaluation of foreign-body aspiration.
Thyroid ultrasound in diabetic patients without overt thyroid disease
Authors: Junik R. , Kozinski M. , Debska-Kozinska K. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose: To assess thyroid volume and to evaluate possible lesions in the gland structure using thyroid ultrasound in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1) and 2 (DM2) without overt thyroid disease. Material and Methods: Consecutive adult patients with DM2 ( n = 98) and DM1 ( n = 30) without overt thyroid disease referred to our department because of poorly controlled disease and/or diabetic complications were prospectively analyzed. Thyroid volumes, gland echogenicity, thyroid nodules incidence, and TSH levels were compared with control groups ( n = 50 and 38) and matched according to sex and age. Results: Significant increases in median thyroid volume were observed in both subjects with DM1 (17.3 cm3, interquartile range (IR) 13.9–21.6 cm3 versus 14.4 cm3, IR 11.3–18.3 cm3; P<0.05) and DM2 (20.5 cm3, IR 14.9–27.1 cm3 versus 14.1 cm3, IR 11.3–18.3 cm3; P<0.001) in comparison to their control groups. Moreover, in the population of type 2 diabetics, thyroid nodules (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.14–4.93), parenchymatous goiter (OR 5.40, 95% CI 1.20–24.30), and all kinds of thyroid goiter according to the WHO definition (OR 4.18, 95% CI 2.02–8.66) were remarkably more frequent. In our patients, reduced (but within normal range) TSH level occurred in DM1 (median 0.97 mIU/l, IR 0.61–1.58 mIU/l versus median 1.66 mIU/l, IR 0.76–2.09 mIU/l; P<0.05). The presence of a negative linear correlation between thyroid volume and TSH concentration was noticed in patients with DM2 ( RS = −0.38, P<0.01). Conclusion: In individuals with DM1 and DM2 treated for poorly controlled disease and/or diabetic complications, thyroid volumes were significantly higher than in the normal population. Moreover, nodular thyroid structure and parenchymatous goiter occurred more frequently in these type 2 diabetic patients.
The use of a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent graft for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): long-term follow-up of 100 patients
Authors: Rössle M. , Siegerstetter V. , Euringer W. , Olschewski M. , Kromeier J. , Kurz K. , Langer M. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate results and clinical outcome of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) after implantation of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stent graft. Material and Methods: The stent graft was used in 112 patients with higher risk of primary (i.e. patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome) or secondary shunt failure (patients with occlusion of a previous uncovered stent), or a complicated TIPS procedure with an imminent technical complication requiring covered stent. Patients were scheduled at 3- to 6-month intervals for duplex-sonographic control of shunt function. Radiological revision was performed in patients with a decrease in shunt function by >25%, primary non-response, or relapse of the index symptom. Results: Twelve patients were lost to follow-up, and 100 patients were followed for 22±15 months. The actuarial rates of shunt patency were 90, 84, and 74% at 1, 2, and 3 years of follow-up, respectively. Two patients developed early (within 1 month) and 14 patients late shunt failure. Except for one transient rise in liver enzymes due to outflow obstruction by the stent graft, no technical complications were seen. Primary response to treatment was seen in 97% of patients treated for variceal bleeding and 84% of patients treated for refractory ascites. A relapse of the index symptom was seen in 13% of bleeders and 9% of patients treated for refractory ascites. Conclusion: TIPS created with a PTFE-covered stent graft showed favorable long-term results.
Multislice computed tomography coronary angiography at a local hospital: pitfalls and potential
Authors: Kolnes K. , Velle Ose H. , Hareide S. , Hegbom K. , Wiseth R. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose: To evaluate whether the favorable results achieved with multislice computed tomography (MSCT) of coronary arteries at larger centers could be paralleled at a local hospital. Material and Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease scheduled for invasive investigation with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) at a university hospital underwent MSCT with a 16-slice scanner at a local hospital. Diagnostic accuracy of MSCT for coronary artery disease was assessed using a 16-segment coronary artery model with QCA as the gold standard. Results: Segments with diameter <2 mm, as defined by QCA, segments distal to occlusions, and stented segments were excluded. Of the remaining 489 segments, 73 (15%) were not assessable with MSCT. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for significant (>50%) stenosis for the 416 assessable segments were 92%, 82%, 53%, and 98%, respectively. Conclusion: Our beginners' experience demonstrated favorable results regarding sensitivity and negative predictive value. The positive predictive value, however, was unsatisfactory. Calcifications were identified as the most important factor for false-positive results with MSCT. With widespread use of MSCT coronary angiography, there is a risk of recruiting patients without significant coronary artery disease to unnecessary and potentially harmful invasive procedures.
Systematic analysis of missed extremity fractures in emergency radiology
Authors: Wei C.-J. , Tsai W.-C. , Tiu C.-M. , Wu H.-T. , Chiou H.-J. , Chang C.-Y. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose: To systematically analyze fractures in the extremities that were missed in the initial radiological report, primarily on plain radiographs, in the emergency department (ED). Material and Methods: From January 2003 to June 2004, 2407 new patients were confirmed to have fractures in the extremities in the ED. A total of 3081 fractures were confirmed. In the initial radiological reports, 115 fractures in 108 patients were missed. One musculoskeletal radiologist and one emergency radiologist independently carried out a second review of these images. The easily missed fracture sites were recorded. The possible reasons for misinterpretation were determined by consensus. Results: The most frequent location for missed fractures, expressed as a percentage of all fractures in the same location, was the foot (7.6%), followed by the knee (6.3%), elbow (6.0%), hand (5.4%), wrist (4.1%), hip (3.9%), ankle (2.8%), and shoulder (1.9%). The average percentage for all missed fractures was 3.7%. On the second review, 70% of the initially missed fractures were identified. Analysis of the possible reasons for missed fractures showed the most common reason was subtlety of the fracture. Conclusion: The overall percentage of missed fractures in the extremities was 3.7%. Only 33% of the initially missed fractures were attributed to radiographically imperceptible lesions. Adequate training for physicians and radiologists in the ED may reduce the rate of missed fractures.
Detection of simulated microcalcifications in fixed mammary tissue: an ROC study of the effect of local versus global histogram equalization
Authors: Sund T. , Olsen J. B. 
Published: September 2006

Purpose: To investigate whether sliding window adaptive histogram equalization (SWAHE) of digital mammograms improves the detection of simulated calcifications, as compared to images normalized by global histogram equalization (GHE). Material and Methods: Direct digital mammograms were obtained from mammary tissue phantoms superimposed with different frames. Each frame was divided into forty squares by a wire mesh, and contained granular calcifications randomly positioned in about 50% of the squares. Three radiologists read the mammograms on a display monitor. They classified their confidence in the presence of microcalcifications in each square on a scale of 1 to 5. Images processed with GHE were first read and used as a reference. In a later session, the same images processed with SWAHE were read. Results: The results were compared using ROC methodology. When the total areas AZ were compared, the results were completely equivocal. When comparing the high-specificity partial ROC area AZ,0.2 below false-positive fraction (FPF) 0.20, two of the three observers performed best with the images processed with SWAHE. The difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: When the reader's confidence threshold in malignancy is set at a high level, increasing the contrast of mammograms with SWAHE may enhance the visibility of microcalcifications without adversely affecting the false-positive rate. When the reader's confidence threshold is set at a low level, the effect of SWAHE is an increase of false positives. Further investigation is needed to confirm the validity of the conclusions.
IndexToolkit: an open source toolbox to index protein databases for high-throughput proteomics
Authors: Li Dequan , Gao Wen , Ling Charles X. , Wang Xiaobiao , Sun Ruixiang , He Simin 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Summary: A software package, IndexToolkit, aimed at overcoming the disadvantage of FASTA-format databases for frequent searching, is developed to utilize an indexing strategy to substantially accelerate sequence queries. IndexToolkit includes user-friendly tools and an Application Programming Interface (API) to facilitate indexing, storage and retrieval of protein sequence databases. As open source, it provides a sequence-retrieval developing framework, which is easily extensible for high-speed-request proteomic applications, such as database searching or modification discovering. We applied IndexToolkit to database searching engine pFind to demonstrate its effect. Experimental studies show that IndexToolkit is able to support significantly faster searches of protein database.
Availability: The IndexToolkit is free to use under the open source GNU GPL license. The source code and the compiled binary can be freely accessed through the website . In this website, the more detailed information including screenshots and documentations for users and developers is also available.
Contact: dqli@jdl.ac.cn
PSoL: a positive sample only learning algorithm for finding non-coding RNA genes
Authors: Wang Chunlin , Ding Chris , Meraz Richard F. , Holbrook Stephen R. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Motivation: Small non-coding RNA (ncRNA) genes play important regulatory roles in a variety of cellular processes. However, detection of ncRNA genes is a great challenge to both experimental and computational approaches. In this study, we describe a new approach called positive sample only learning (PSoL) to predict ncRNA genes in the Escherichia coli genome. Although PSoL is a machine learning method for classification, it requires no negative training data, which, in general, is hard to define properly and affects the performance of machine learning dramatically. In addition, using the support vector machine (SVM) as the core learning algorithm, PSoL can integrate many different kinds of information to improve the accuracy of prediction. Besides the application of PSoL for predicting ncRNAs, PSoL is applicable to many other bioinformatics problems as well.
Results: The PSoL method is assessed by 5-fold cross-validation experiments which show that PSoL can achieve about 80% accuracy in recovery of known ncRNAs. We compared PSoL predictions with five previously published results. The PSoL method has the highest percentage of predictions overlapping with those from other methods.
Contact: srholbrook@lbl.gov
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Long‐Term Comparison Between Submucosal Cauterization and Powered Reduction of the Inferior Turbinates
Authors: Joniau Sander , Wong Ian , Rajapaksa Suresh , Carney Simon A. , Wormald Peter‐John 
Published: September 2006

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: To evaluate the results of powered turbinoplasty and to compare these with submucosal cauterization of the inferior turbinates.Study Design: Prospective, randomized, comparative surgical trial.Methods: Nineteen patients with medication‐resistant chronic nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy were randomized to undergo powered turbinoplasty on one side and submucosal cauterization on the other. For each side, an extensive assessment (symptom scoring, endoscopic scoring, and acoustic rhinometry) was recorded preoperatively and on week 1, week 3, month 3, year 1, and year 5 postoperatively.Results: Powered turbinoplasty was superior to submucosal cauterization on all aspects of the assessment. A significant difference (P < .05) was noted for postoperative crusting, endoscopical scoring of turbinate size, and acoustic rhinometry measurements of nasal cavity volume and mean area at the level of the nasal valve. In addition, the results of powered turbinoplasty were still apparent on long term follow‐up, whereas submucosal cauterization was associated with a recurrence of turbinate hypertrophy.Conclusion: Performing a powered turbinoplasty leads to decreased patient morbidity during the postoperative healing and to a better control of long‐term results when compared with submucosal cauterization.