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1.
Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc ; 224: 117437, 2020 Jan 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31425862

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present work is to monitor the flocculation process using the analysis of the electric and dielectric properties. Therefore the dielectric and electrical characteristics of wastewater with different cationic polymer concentrations were investigated via the impedance spectroscopy (IS) method. Impedance measurements were carried at different concentration of cationic polymer in the frequency range from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz. The analysis of complex permittivity spectra was described by the superposition of a power law at a low frequency related to the diffusion process and Cole-Cole relaxation behavior at high frequency. Moreover, an equivalent circuit model was developed in order to analyze the experimental data and to further investigate both processes. The variation of the parameters extracted from the equivalent circuit with the increase of cationic polymer concentrations has shown a net transition at 10 mg/l. This behavior could reflect the flocculation of dispersed particles at 10 mg/l. The findings in this work could draw new attention toward the monitoring of the coagulation-flocculation process using impedance spectroscopy and could be extended to other kinds.

2.
Arthritis Rheum ; 64(10): 3246-55, 2012 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22736267

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Strong associations between radiographic features of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and pain have been demonstrated in persons with unilateral knee symptoms. This study was undertaken to compare radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of knee OA and assess their ability to discriminate between painful and nonpainful knees in persons with unilateral symptoms. METHODS: The study population included 283 individuals ages 70-79 years with unilateral knee pain who were enrolled in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study, a study of weight-related diseases and mobility. Radiographs of both knees were read for Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grade and individual radiographic features, and 1.5T MRIs were assessed using the Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score. The association between structural features and pain was assessed using a within-person case-control design and conditional logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was then used to test the discriminatory performance of structural features. RESULTS: In conditional logistic analyses, knee pain was significantly associated with both radiographic features (any joint space narrowing grade ≥ 1) (odds ratio 3.20 [95% confidence interval 1.79-5.71]) and MRI features (any cartilage defect scored ≥ 2) (odds ratio 3.67 [95% confidence interval 1.49-9.04]). However, in most subjects, MRI revealed osteophytes and cartilage and bone marrow lesions in both knees, and using ROC analysis, no individual structural feature discriminated well between painful and nonpainful knees. The best-performing MRI feature (synovitis/effusion) was not significantly more informative than K/L grade ≥ 2 (P = 0.42). CONCLUSION: In persons with unilateral knee pain, MRI and radiographic features were associated with knee pain, confirming that structural abnormalities in the knee have an important role in the etiology of pain. However, no single MRI or radiographic finding performed well in discriminating between painful and nonpainful knees. Further work is needed to examine how structural and nonstructural factors influence knee pain.


Subject(s)
Aging/pathology , Body Composition/physiology , Osteoarthritis, Knee/diagnosis , Pain/diagnosis , Aged , Cartilage, Articular/diagnostic imaging , Cartilage, Articular/pathology , Female , Humans , Knee/diagnostic imaging , Knee/pathology , Knee Joint/diagnostic imaging , Knee Joint/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Osteoarthritis, Knee/diagnostic imaging , Osteoarthritis, Knee/pathology , Pain/diagnostic imaging , Pain/pathology , Pain Measurement , Radiography , Severity of Illness Index
3.
Osteoarthritis Cartilage ; 18(11): 1363-4, 2010 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20969967

ABSTRACT

Multiple techniques have been used to assess synovial morphology and change on MRI in OA. Broadly speaking these methods are divided into quantitative and semi-quantitative methods. Quantitative measurements use computer-aided image processing to assess joint quantification (cartilage morphometry, bone volume, bone marrow lesion volume, meniscal position and volume, synovial volume, etc). In contrast to quantitative measures, semi-quantitative image analysis is typically much more observer dependent and generates grades or scales rather than truly continuous output. Multiple methods for semi-quantitative multi-feature assessment of the knee using conventional MRI acquisitions exist. These instruments provide for broad assessment of the whole joint and derive from knowledge from reading as to what joint features are morphologically abnormal. They are labour- and expertise-intensive compared to more automated methodologies. As a consequence of their reader dependence, precision and reliability results have not been as favourable for these instruments as their quantitative cousins. These instruments are generally based on past perceptions of what should be considered an important feature and therefore can bias future research. This said they do provide an important tool especially when quantitative methodologies are lacking or have their own inherent limitations.


Subject(s)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Osteoarthritis, Knee/pathology , Severity of Illness Index , Cartilage, Articular/pathology , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Knee Joint/pathology , Synovial Membrane/pathology
4.
Clin Radiol ; 65(5): 408-20, 2010 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20380942

ABSTRACT

Follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a unique subtype of NHL, which is indolent, incurable with a high prevalence of residual mass after treatment, and may transform to more aggressive NHL. The aim of this review is to (1) describe the histological and flow cytometry characteristics of follicular NHL; (2) introduce the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index 2 (FLIPI-2), which allows better treatment selection and patient stratification for clinical trials; (3) illustrate the classic and atypical ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron-emission tomography (PET)/CT appearance of follicular NHL; and (4) characterize the appearance of nodal and extranodal follicular NHL with pathological correlation. Imaging is essential in every step of the management of patients with follicular lymphoma. Overall survival is improved with better predictive tools and new targeted biological therapies. Radiologists should be aware of possible active residual mass, indolent recurrence, transformation, and association with other primary cancers in patients treated for follicular lymphoma.


Subject(s)
Diagnostic Imaging/methods , Lymphoma, Follicular/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology , Female , Humans , Lymphoma, Follicular/pathology , Lymphoma, Follicular/therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology , Neoplasm Staging/methods , Neoplasm, Residual , Neoplasms, Second Primary/diagnosis , Neoplasms, Second Primary/pathology , Prognosis
5.
Osteoarthritis Cartilage ; 15(1): 98-103, 2007 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16890461

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate, over 1-year, the relationship between X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Sixty-two osteoarthritic patients (46 women) were followed for 1 year. At baseline and after 1 year, volume and thickness of cartilage of the medial tibia, the lateral tibia and the femur were assessed by MRI. A global score from the multi-feature whole-organ MRI scoring system (WORMS) was calculated for each patient at baseline and after 1 year. This score combined individual scores for articular cartilage, osteophytes, bone marrow abnormality, subchondral cysts and bone attrition in 14 locations. It also incorporated scores for the medial and lateral menisci, anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, medial and lateral collateral ligaments and synovial distension. Lateral and medial femoro-tibial joint space width (JSW) measurements, performed by digital image analysis, were assessed from fixed-flexion, postero-anterior knee radiographs. RESULTS: One-year changes in medial femoro-tibial JSW reach 6.7 (20.5) % and changes in medial cartilage volume and thickness reach 0.4 (16.7) % and 2.1 (11.3) %, respectively. Medial femoro-tibial joint space narrowing (JSN) after 1 year, assessed by radiography, was significantly correlated with a loss of medial tibial cartilage volume (r=0.25, P=0.046) and medial tibial cartilage thickness (r=0.28, P=0.025), over the same period. We found also a significant correlation between the progression of the WORMS and radiographic medial JSN over 1 year (r=-0.35, P=0.006). All these results remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, sex and body mass index. CONCLUSION: This study shows a moderate but significant association between changes in JSW and changes in cartilage volume or thickness in knee joint of osteoarthritic patients.


Subject(s)
Cartilage, Articular/pathology , Osteoarthritis/pathology , Aged , Cartilage, Articular/diagnostic imaging , Cohort Studies , Disease Progression , Female , Femur , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Osteoarthritis/diagnostic imaging , Radiography , Tibia
6.
Ann Rheum Dis ; 65(8): 1050-4, 2006 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16396978

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between biochemical markers of bone, cartilage, and synovial remodelling and the structural progression of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: 62 patients of both sexes with knee osteoarthritis were followed prospectively for one year. From magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), done at baseline and after one year, the volume and thickness of cartilage of the femur, the medial tibia, and the lateral tibia were assessed. A whole organ magnetic resonance imaging score (WORMS) of the knee was calculated for each patient at baseline and at the one year visits. This score consists in a validated, semiquantitative scoring system for whole organ assessment of the knee in osteoarthritis using MRI. Biochemical markers (serum hyaluronic acid, osteocalcin, cartilage glycoprotein 39 (YKL-40), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), and urine C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II)) were measured at baseline and after three months. RESULTS: Baseline markers were not correlated with one year changes observed in cartilage volume and thickness. However, an increase in CTX-II after three months was significantly correlated with a one year decrease in mean thickness of medial tibial and lateral tibial cartilage. Patients in the highest quartile of three month changes in CTX-II experienced a mean loss of 0.07 (0.08) mm of their medial thickness, compared with a mean increase of 0.05 (0.19) mm for patients in the lowest quartile (p = 0.04) Multiple regression analysis showed that high baseline levels of hyaluronic acid are predictive of a worsening in WORMS (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a single measurement of serum hyaluronic acid or short term changes in urine CTX-II could identify patients at greatest risk of progression of osteoarthritis.


Subject(s)
Knee Joint/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Osteoarthritis, Knee/pathology , Adipokines , Aged , Biomarkers/blood , Bone Remodeling , Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein , Cartilage, Articular/pathology , Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 , Collagen Type II/blood , Collagen Type II/urine , Disease Progression , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Extracellular Matrix Proteins/blood , Female , Glycoproteins/blood , Humans , Hyaluronic Acid/blood , Lectins , Male , Matrilin Proteins , Middle Aged , Osteoarthritis, Knee/blood , Osteoarthritis, Knee/urine , Osteocalcin/blood , Peptide Fragments/blood , Peptide Fragments/urine , Prospective Studies , Regression Analysis , Synovial Membrane/pathology
7.
Arthritis Rheum ; 52(9): 2822-9, 2005 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16145678

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Using radiography to assess the efficacy of a disease-modifying osteoarthritis (OA) drug on joint structure is challenging. Subchondral bone marrow abnormalities determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and urinary excretion of C-terminal crosslinking telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) have recently been shown to be predictors of radiographic progression in patients with knee OA, suggesting that these may represent valuable biomarkers with increased sensitivity compared with findings on radiography. The aims of this investigation were to analyze, in patients with knee OA, whether the values associated with these 2 OA biomarkers can change within 3 months, and to investigate the relationships between bone marrow abnormalities and CTX-II. METHODS: Knee MRI scans were obtained in 377 patients with painful knee OA (76% women, mean age 63 years, mean disease duration 6.6 years) at both baseline and 3 months. The femoral and tibial condyles and the patella were divided into 8 sites for the scoring of bone marrow abnormalities. A bone marrow abnormality was defined as an area of increased signal on T2-weighted images of the subchondral bone. All scans were reviewed centrally and scored by a single trained radiologist using a validated 4-point scoring method. Fasting urine and serum samples were also collected from all patients at baseline, month 1, month 2, and month 3, in order to measure the levels of urinary CTX-II and serum CTX-I, a biochemical marker of bone resorption. RESULTS: At baseline, 82% of patients had MRI evidence of bone marrow abnormalities. Bone marrow abnormality scores correlated significantly with CTX-II levels (P < 0.0001). Within 3 months, the bone marrow abnormality score decreased in 37 patients (9.8%), increased in 71 patients (18.8%), and did not change in the majority of patients (71.4%). Patients with baseline urinary CTX-II levels in the highest tertile had a relative risk of 2.4 (95% confidence interval 1.1-5.0) of worsening bone marrow abnormalities at 3 months compared with patients with levels in the lowest tertile, after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index. In patients who showed a decrease in the bone marrow abnormality score at 3 months, urinary CTX-II levels decreased significantly (mean -75 ng/mmole creatinine), whereas levels increased (mean +23 ng/mmole creatinine) in patients showing an increase in the bone marrow abnormality score (P = 0.01 between the 2 groups). No significant association between bone marrow abnormalities and serum CTX-I was observed. CONCLUSION: In patients with painful knee OA, bone marrow abnormalities on MRI can change within only 3 months in approximately 30% of patients. Reduction in the extent of bone marrow abnormalities is associated with a decrease in cartilage degradation.


Subject(s)
Bone Marrow/pathology , Collagen Type II/metabolism , Knee Joint/pathology , Osteoarthritis, Knee/diagnosis , Biomarkers/metabolism , Bone Marrow/metabolism , Collagen/blood , Collagen Type I , Female , Femur/pathology , Humans , International Cooperation , Knee Joint/diagnostic imaging , Knee Joint/metabolism , Longitudinal Studies , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism , Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology , Pain Measurement , Patella/pathology , Peptides/blood , Radiography , Severity of Illness Index , Tibia/pathology
8.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry ; 76(7): 1034-6, 2005 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15965223

ABSTRACT

The Chiari type I malformation (CM1) is characterized by herniation of cerebellar tonsils to at least 3-5 mm below the plane of foramen magnum and can present with a wide variety of clinical symptoms, frequently including occipital headaches, secondary to bulbar and/or medullary distress. Rarely, syncopal episodes have also been described and attributed to either compression of the midbrain ascending reticular system, or vascular compromise (vertebrobasilar artery compression, hypotension). We report the first case of a CM1 patient with frequently recurring syncope due to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a form of orthostatic intolerance, whose symptoms resolved completely after surgical intervention. It is important to stress that it is not clear whether the described association of POTS and CM1 in our patient is a fortuitous finding in an isolated case or a reflection of a more systematic association between the two pathologies.


Subject(s)
Arnold-Chiari Malformation/diagnosis , Cerebellum/abnormalities , Encephalocele/diagnosis , Hypotension, Orthostatic/etiology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Syncope/etiology , Adult , Arnold-Chiari Malformation/surgery , Cerebellum/pathology , Cerebellum/surgery , Decompression, Surgical , Encephalocele/surgery , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Hypotension, Orthostatic/surgery , Neurologic Examination , Syncope/surgery , Treatment Outcome
9.
Osteoarthritis Cartilage ; 12(3): 177-90, 2004 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14972335

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To describe a semi-quantitative scoring method for multi-feature, whole-organ evaluation of the knee in osteoarthritis (OA) based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. To determine the inter-observer agreement of this scoring method. To examine associations among the features included in the scoring method. METHODS: Nineteen knees of 19 patients with knee OA were imaged with MRI using conventional pulse sequences and a clinical 1.5 T MRI system. Images were independently analyzed by two musculoskeletal radiologists using a whole-organ MRI scoring method (WORMS) that incorporated 14 features: articular cartilage integrity, subarticular bone marrow abnormality, subarticular cysts, subarticular bone attrition, marginal osteophytes, medial and lateral meniscal integrity, anterior and posterior cruciate ligament integrity, medial and lateral collateral ligament integrity, synovitis/effusion, intraarticular loose bodies, and periarticular cysts/bursitis. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were determined for each feature as a measure of inter-observer agreement. Associations among the scores for different features were expressed as Spearman Rho. RESULTS: All knees showed structural abnormalities with MRI. Cartilage loss and osteophytes were the most prevalent features (98% and 92%, respectively). One of the least common features was ligament abnormality (8%). Inter-observer agreement for WORMS scores was high (most ICC values were >0.80). The individual features showed strong inter-associations. CONCLUSION: The WORMS method described in this report provides multi-feature, whole-organ assessment of the knee in OA using conventional MR images, and shows high inter-observer agreement among trained readers. This method may be useful in epidemiological studies and clinical trials of OA.


Subject(s)
Osteoarthritis, Knee/diagnosis , Severity of Illness Index , Aged , Cartilage, Articular/pathology , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Observer Variation , Osteoarthritis, Knee/pathology
10.
Eur J Paediatr Neurol ; 7(4): 177-81, 2003.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12865058

ABSTRACT

We report on a three and a half year old child with episodic sinus bradycardia during habitual seizures and prolonged interictal discharges due to focal cortical dysplasia in the anterior 2/3 of the insula and the inferior frontal cortex. Seizure-induced bradycardia is rarely reported in children. Bradycardia is suspected to be related to sudden death, a rare complication of a chronic seizure disorder. Several well-documented cases in adult patients reveal a high incidence of temporal epilepsy, but MRI and PET studies in healthy subjects suggest a major role of the insular cortex, especially the right, in cardiac regulation. Our finding underlines the predominance of the right insula in cardiac control, which already seems to be present in children.


Subject(s)
Bradycardia/etiology , Brain Diseases/complications , Brain Diseases/pathology , Cerebral Cortex/pathology , Frontal Lobe/pathology , Bradycardia/diagnosis , Brain Diseases/physiopathology , Cerebral Cortex/physiopathology , Child, Preschool , Electrocardiography , Electroencephalography , Female , Frontal Lobe/physiopathology , Functional Laterality/physiology , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Seizures/diagnosis , Seizures/etiology
11.
Clin Radiol ; 58(4): 322-8, 2003 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12662956

ABSTRACT

AIM: To determine the effect of metallic implant positioning on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging artefacts, and to determine the optimal imaging parameters for minimization of metallic artefacts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a phantom and in three joints with non-ferromagnetic metallic implants imaged at 1.5 and/or at 0.2 T, we examined the influence of the static magnetic field (B(0)) strength and orientation, frequency-encoding direction, and type of imaging sequence on metallic artefacts. RESULTS: The impact of artefacts caused by metallic objects depends mainly on the relationship between the anatomy of interest and the orientation of the object relative to the direction of B(0). The main field strength plays a less important role, but its orientation depends on the type of MR imager. CONCLUSION: MR artefacts can be easily minimized by optimally positioning patients with metallic implants in the magnet. Knowledge of how this influences MR imaging is helpful in patient selection and guiding limb positioning.


Subject(s)
Artifacts , Joint Prosthesis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Metals , Humans , Knee Prosthesis , Magnetics , Wrist
12.
Skeletal Radiol ; 32(3): 128-32, 2003 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12605275

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare fixed-flexion radiography of the knee with fluoroscopic semi-flexed radiography in terms of the reproducibility of measurements of minimum joint-space width (JSW) in the medial femorotibial joint. METHODS: Posteroanterior radiographs of the right knees of 18 normal volunteers were acquired with the patients standing on an upright fluoroscopy table, the feet externally rotated 10 degrees and the toes touching the vertical table. Knees were positioned and radiographed with two different techniques: (1) semi-flexed positioning under fluoroscopic guidance using a horizontal X-ray beam; and (2) fixed-flexion positioning, with the knees and thighs touching the vertical table, using 10 degrees caudal beam angulation without fluoroscopy. Foot maps were drawn in each case. Subjects were repositioned and radiographed twice using each technique. The posteroanterior beam angle that optimally projected the medial tibia plateau with the patient in the fixed-flexion position was also determined for each subject in a separate examination using fluoroscopy. Ten patients with osteoarthritis were also examined with the fixed-flexion technique using a conventional radiographic unit. Minimum medial joint-space width (JSW) in the medial femorotibial joint was measured manually with a graduated lens and also with a semi-automated computer algorithm. RESULTS: Reproducibility errors (root-mean-square SD) for manual and automated JSW measurement were 0.2 mm and 0.1 mm, respectively, for fluoroscopic semi-flexed positioning in volunteers; 0.3 mm and 0.1 mm, respectively, for fixed-flexion positioning in volunteers; and 0.2 mm and 0.1 mm, respectively, for fixed-flexion positioning in osteoarthritic patients. The optimal beam angle for visualizing the joint space was 9.0 degrees +/-3.6 degrees. CONCLUSION: Fixed-flexion, non-fluoroscopic radiography of the knee can provide reproducible JSW measurement using widely available X-ray equipment. This technique is more feasible for multicenter clinical studies and routine clinical use than are methods that rely on fluoroscopic alignment of the tibial plateau.


Subject(s)
Knee Joint/diagnostic imaging , Osteoarthritis, Knee/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Female , Fluoroscopy , Humans , Knee Joint/anatomy & histology , Knee Joint/physiology , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of Results
13.
Osteoarthritis Cartilage ; 11(2): 102-10, 2003 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12554126

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Minimum joint space width (mJSW) between the femoral condyle and tibial plateau is currently the principal radiographic outcome measure for knee osteoarthritis (OA). While mJSW measurement has been proven effective, there is a need for quantitative measures with greater sensitivity to OA so studies of disease modifying trials can be performed more quickly and with fewer subjects. Also, mJSW is a single outcome measure that does not reflect all disease changes. Here we present a study of new radiograph-based outcome measures to quantify OA progression. DESIGN: Our goal is made possible by a software algorithm that delineates both the edge of the tibial plateau and the femoral condyle on digitized knee radiographs. We also developed a new coordinate system based on anatomical landmarks to facilitate measurement of the outcome measures. We studied measurements of joint space width (JSW) and average JSW at fixed locations along the joint interface. The outcome measures were tested using duplicate acquisitions made from 16 OA and 18 normal knees. Reproducibility was quantified by the root-mean square standard deviation and the coefficient of variation. RESULTS: We found that the reproducibility for all outcome measures was better than or similar to that for mJSW. Despite a slightly higher reproducibility error for some new outcome measures compared to mJSW, they are potentially valuable since they reflect independent disease changes. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated new reproducible radiographic outcome measures to quantify OA progression with the potential to be an improvement over standard minimum joint space width.


Subject(s)
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods , Knee Joint/diagnostic imaging , Osteoarthritis, Knee/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Femur/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Radiography , Reproducibility of Results , Tibia/diagnostic imaging , Treatment Outcome
14.
Europace ; 4(4): 427-30, 2002 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12408263

ABSTRACT

We describe a patient who presented with high rate ventricular pacing secondary to dysfunction of his implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The device was also unable to communicate with the programmer and unable to treat ventricular fibrillation. Immediate disconnection of the ICD from the leads was the only effective recourse. Subsequent detailed technical analysis of the device revealed a different electrical circuit problem from that found in typical cases of runaway pacing. To our knowledge this is the first description of a malfunction of precisely this nature.


Subject(s)
Cardiac Pacing, Artificial , Defibrillators, Implantable , Aged , Electrocardiography , Equipment Failure , Fatal Outcome , Humans , Male , Tachycardia, Ventricular/therapy
15.
J Med Entomol ; 39(3): 526-33, 2002 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12061451

ABSTRACT

Bifenthrin, a pyrethroid insecticide already used in agriculture was evaluated in laboratory conditions against susceptible and pyrethroid resistant mosquitoes, as a potential insecticide for treatment of mosquito nets. Two laboratory strains of Anopheles gambiae s.s. Giles, the major malaria vector in Africa, and two of Culex quinquefasciatus Say, a major pest mosquito in urban areas, were used. Compared with other pyrethroids such as permethrin and deltamethrin, the intrinsic toxicity of bifenthrin, measured by topical application with susceptible strains, was intermediate. By forced tarsal contact on filter papers (cylinder tests) or on netting materials (cone tests), bifenthrin was found slightly more effective against A. gambiae than against C. quinquefasciatus, in terms of mortality and knock-down effect. With free flying mosquitoes (tunnel tests), bifenthrin was very efficient in killing mosquitoes and inhibiting blood feeding. Against the two pyrethroid resistant strains, bifenthrin was relatively efficient against A. gambiae but the impact of resistance was greater with C. quinquefasciatus. In tunnel tests, blood feeding remained almost entirely inhibited with the two species despite resistance. The high mortality of susceptible mosquitoes and excellent blood feeding inhibition of susceptible and resistant strains makes bifenthrin a good candidate for treatment of netting materials, particularly in areas where C. quinquefasciatus, the main nuisance in urban areas, is resistant to pyrethroids. The slower knock-down and lower irritant effect also makes this insecticide especially attractive when a mass killing effect on mosquito populations is expected.


Subject(s)
Aedes/drug effects , Anopheles/drug effects , Bedding and Linens , Insecticides/pharmacology , Pyrethrins/pharmacology , Animals , Female
16.
Med Phys ; 29(3): 403-11, 2002 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11929022

ABSTRACT

Arthritis is a significant and costly healthcare problem that requires objective and quantifiable methods to evaluate its progression. Here we describe software that can automatically determine the locations of seven joints in the proximal hand and wrist that demonstrate arthritic changes. These are the five carpometacarpal (CMC1, CMC2, CMC3, CMC4, CMC5), radiocarpal (RC), and the scaphocapitate (SC) joints. The algorithm was based on an artificial neural network (ANN) that was trained using independent sets of digitized hand radiographs and manually identified joint locations. The algorithm used landmarks determined automatically by software developed in our previous work as starting points. Other than requiring user input of the location of nonanatomical structures and the orientation of the hand on the film, the procedure was fully automated. The software was tested on two datasets: 50 digitized hand radiographs from patients participating in a large clinical study, and 60 from subjects participating in arthritis research studies and who had mild to moderate rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It was evaluated by a comparison to joint locations determined by a trained radiologist using manual tracing. The success rate for determining the CMC, RC, and SC joints was 87%-99%, for normal hands and 81%-99% for RA hands. This is a first step in performing an automated computer-aided assessment of wrist joints for arthritis progression. The software provides landmarks that will be used by subsequent image processing routines to analyze each joint individually for structural changes such as erosions and joint space narrowing.


Subject(s)
Arthritis/diagnosis , Neural Networks, Computer , Algorithms , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/diagnosis , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology , Databases as Topic , Hand/pathology , Humans , Joints/pathology , Models, Statistical , Software
17.
Epilepsy Behav ; 3(3): 285-288, 2002 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12662611

ABSTRACT

We describe a 20-year-old woman suffering from right temporal epilepsy, behavioral disorder, and a complaint of paroxysmal palpitations accompanied by anxiety. Detailed cardiac evaluation revealed that the palpitations were due to episodes of marked sinus tachycardia secondary to a concomitant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and not of psychogenic origin as initially thought. Treatment with a beta-blocker resulted in the disappearance of palpitations and the associated anxiety. This is the first report of the coexistence of partial epilepsy and POTS. The recognition of such a syndrome in epileptic patients is important in order to offer appropriate therapy.

18.
Europace ; 3(3): 247-52, 2001 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11467468

ABSTRACT

This report describes a patient with complex partial seizures arising from the right temporal lobe who developed symptomatic sinus arrest following the end of his seizure activity. A ventricular pacemaker was implanted and was documented to function appropriately, preventing development of bradycardia associated symptoms during subsequent seizures. Possibly relevant cerebral structures are briefly discussed.


Subject(s)
Epilepsies, Partial/complications , Heart Arrest/etiology , Adult , Humans , Male
19.
Eur Radiol ; 9(8): 1535-42, 1999.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10525860

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a superparamagnetic iron oxide, ferumoxides, in the detection and characterization of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) on MR conventional spin-echo (SE), fast spin-echo (FSE) and gradient-echo (GRE) images. Fourteen adults with 27 FNHs were evaluated at 1.5 T before and after injection of ferumoxides. T1-weighted and T2-weighted SE, T2-weighted FSE and T2(*)-weighted GRE sequences were used and analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. One hundred percent of FNHs showed a significant postcontrast decrease in signal intensity on T2- and T2*-weighted images. Heavily T2-weighted SE images showed the maximum decrease in FNH signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). Postcontrast GRE T2(*)-weighted images improved the detection of the central scar and the delineation of FNHs and demonstrated the best lesion-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (C/N). Postcontrast T1-weighted SE images showed the least lesion-to-liver C/N. Ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging can help detect and characterize FNH. Conventional pre- and postcontrast T2-weighted SE images and postcontrast GRE T2*-weighted images should be used preferentially.


Subject(s)
Focal Nodular Hyperplasia/diagnosis , Iron , Liver/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Oxides , Adult , Contrast Media , Dextrans , Female , Ferrosoferric Oxide , Humans , Magnetite Nanoparticles , Male , Suspensions
20.
Ann Pharmacother ; 33(3): 312-3, 1999 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10200856

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To report a possible association between naltrexone therapy and the development of rhabdomyolysis in one patient. CASE SUMMARY: A 28-year-old white man in good physical health was started on naltrexone 50 mg/d for inpatient treatment of alcohol dependence and depression. A routine serum chemistry panel obtained on day 9 of naltrexone therapy showed marked new elevations in creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase. The patient remained asymptomatic and did not develop renal insufficiency. The serum enzyme concentrations returned to normal within eight days of naltrexone discontinuation. DISCUSSION: Rhabdomyolysis has not been previously reported to occur in patients during treatment with naltrexone. Alcoholism may result in a reversible acute muscle syndrome, but our patient did not fit the appropriate clinical profile for such a syndrome. Additionally, the other prescribed medications could not be implicated as possible causative agents. CONCLUSIONS: This case report illustrates a possible association between naltrexone therapy and rhabdomyolysis.


Subject(s)
Naltrexone/adverse effects , Narcotic Antagonists/adverse effects , Rhabdomyolysis/chemically induced , Adult , Alcoholism/complications , Alcoholism/drug therapy , Depression/complications , Humans , Male
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