Muskuloskeletal MR imaging at 3.0 T: current status and future perspectives

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has become an important diagnostic tool in evaluation of the musculoskeletal system. While most examinations are currently performed at magnetic field strengths of 1.5T or lower, whole-body MR systems operating at 3.0T have recently become available for clinical use. The higher field strengths promise various benefits, including increased signal-to-noise ratios, enhanced T2* contrast, increased chemical shift resolution, and most likely a better diagnostic performance in various applications. However, the changed T1, T2, and T2* relaxation times, the increased resonance-frequency differences caused by susceptibility and chemical-shift differences, and the increased absorption of radiofrequency (RF) energy by the tissues pose new challenges and/or offer new opportunities for imaging at 3.0T compared to 1.5T. Some of these issues have been successfully addressed only in the very recent past. This review discusses technical aspects of 3.0T imaging as far as they have an impact on clinical routine. An overview of the current data is presented, with a focus on areas where 3.0T promises equivalent or improved performance compared 1.5T or lower field strength

CT and MR imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common tumor in the world and the incidence is expected to increase in the future due to hepatitis viral infections and increasing cirrhosis incidence. The diagnosis of HCC is no longer based on biopsy especially in cases when curative treatment is possible. The imaging criteria are usually based on the vascular findings of HCC (e.g. early arterial uptake followed by washout in the portovenous and equilibrium phase). However, there are several limitations of the assessment of HCC by using only the vascular criteria. The use of tissue-specific contrast agents, including superparamagnetic iron oxides and hepatobiliary contrast agents, improves lesion detection and characterization. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis of HCC implies, at this moment, a combination of vascular and cellular information. This review focuses on the most important findings provided by the unenhanced and dynamic-enhanced CT and MR images regarding HCC evaluation. We also discuss the various imaging characteristics of HCC at MR imaging after the administration of tissue specific contrast agents

Double-contrast magnetic resonance imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma after transarterial chemoembolization

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of double-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the treatment response evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic liver after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods: Twenty-two patients with 30 HCC nodules treated by TACE underwent double-contrast MR imaging 1month after treatment. MR images were obtained before and after the sequential administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and gadopentetate dimeglumine contrast agent within the same imaging session. Two observers retrospectively assessed all treated nodules for evidence of residual viable tumor after TACE. The diagnostic performance of gadolinium-enhanced, SPIO-enhanced, and double-contrast enhanced images was calculated. Histopathological and angiographical findings served as standard of reference. Receiver operating characteristic curves and areas under the curves (A z) were calculated. Results: Double-contrast technique (A z=0.95) was significantly (p=0.036) more accurate than SPIO-enhanced technique (A z=0.92) and gadolinium-enhanced technique (p=0.005) (A z=0.81) in viable tumor detection after TACE. Double-contrast technique was significantly more sensitive (92%) than SPIO-enhanced technique (80%) and gadolinium-enhanced technique (68%). Kappa values for interobserver agreement ranged from 0.67 to 0.87 and were significantly different from zero (all p<0.001). Conclusions: Compared to gadolinium-enhanced and SPIO-enhanced techniques, double-contrast technique significantly improves the detection of viable tumor in HCC after TAC

Experimental Research of Sintered Porous Materials of Bronze Powders

Porous sample were fabricated by sintering of bronze ( Cu Sn10) with different particle size range. The paper investigates the influence of the particle size distribution, temperature and sintering time on the structural characteristics (porosity, pore size, dimensional changes) of the porous parts studied. A porous structure with small-sized pores and a uniform distribution of the pore sizes is obtained in conditions of a narrow range of particle size distribution, small size of the powder particles and optimal sintering parameters

An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female anorectal dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: The terminology for anorectal dysfunction in women has long been in need of a specific clinically-based Consensus Report. METHODS: This Report combines the input of members of the Standardization and Terminology Committees of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) and the International Continence Society (ICS), assisted on Committee by experts in their fields to form a Joint IUGA/ICS Working Group on Female Anorectal Terminology. Appropriate core clinical categories and sub classifications were developed to give an alphanumeric coding to each definition. An extensive process of twenty rounds of internal and external review was developed to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus). RESULTS: A Terminology Report for anorectal dysfunction, encompassing over 130 separate definitions, has been developed. It is clinically based with the most common diagnoses defined. Clarity and user-friendliness have been key aims to make it interpretable by practitioners and trainees in all the different specialty groups involved in female pelvic floor dysfunction. Female-specific anorectal investigations and imaging (ultrasound, radiology and MRI) has been included whilst appropriate figures have been included to supplement and help clarify the text. Interval review (5-10 years) is anticipated to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible. CONCLUSION: A consensus-based Terminology Report for female anorectal dysfunction terminology has been produced aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and a stimulus for research. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:10-34, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and The International Urogynecological Association

A Bronze Figurine of Minerva Discovered at Apulum

The authors discuss herein, and present the specialists, a recent find related to the classical Graeco-Roman pantheon. It is a bronze figurine of Minerva discovered in a waste pit from the southern cemetery of the urban centre at Apulum, located on the Furcilor Hill-“Podei”. Although archaeology records no workshop making such pieces, this figurine, rather modest in artistic terms, had likely been produced at Apulum or in one of the workshops from the Roman province of Dacia. It is a solid cast, in the “lost-form” technique, sized as follows: height – 7.2 cm, width – 1.9 cm, thickness – 0.9 cm. On the basis of its execution, which lacks accurate rendering of facial features, yet also the absent Gorgon on the aegis, the votive figurine may be dated to the 3rd century AD. Since it was not discovered in a grave, but in a waste pit, it is rather difficult to make a connection with any possible funerary function of the goddess. The ancient prototype of this kind of representation is the cult statue of Athena Parthenos of Phidias, housed on the Acropolis of Athens. The other six bronze votive figurines of Minerva discovered in Dacia do not resemble that discussed here

ÎMBINAREA REALULUI CU VIRTUALUL CA PERSPECTIVĂ PENTRU DEZVOLTAREA TURISMULUI URBAN ÎN CLUJ-NAPOCA

Melting Real with Virtual as a Perspective for the Development of Urban Tourism in Cluj-Napoca. A main problem in order to promote the tourism in Cluj-Napoca is the lack of ability to interact constantly with the local community and with national and international tourists. This is due to the lack of a systematic and innovative management and tourism information and promotion service. The fast technological development enables modern solutions and innovative tourism management and communication, through which cities can prepare for future tourism: tourists, landmarks, points of entry into the city, tourist infrastructure, tourist information offices and events are all interconnected! Cities and people communicate through the Internet, allowing interaction between stakeholders and the locations where they are to be found, with the help of modern technology tracking via mobile phone. Implementing such a system will allow direct interaction of tourists and the local community to the landmarks, events and tourism infrastructure at any time of a day. Tourists can access on their own mobile phone (text, image or video), touristic itineraries and maps, information about the options of accommodation, catering, transport, details of events and sights. Recognizing the increasing importance of online tourism promotion, there are some applications that automatically increase the online visibility of the city (destination), especially through social media. Moreover, it automatically generates the statistic database on a variety of information on the tourist profile. All of these improve the travel experience in Cluj-Napoca, leading to the city's touristic visibility and generates a useful database

Muskuloskeletal MR imaging at 3.0 T: current status and future perspectives

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has become an important diagnostic tool in evaluation of the musculoskeletal system. While most examinations are currently performed at magnetic field strengths of 1.5T or lower, whole-body MR systems operating at 3.0T have recently become available for clinical use. The higher field strengths promise various benefits, including increased signal-to-noise ratios, enhanced T2* contrast, increased chemical shift resolution, and most likely a better diagnostic performance in various applications. However, the changed T1, T2, and T2* relaxation times, the increased resonance-frequency differences caused by susceptibility and chemical-shift differences, and the increased absorption of radiofrequency (RF) energy by the tissues pose new challenges and/or offer new opportunities for imaging at 3.0T compared to 1.5T. Some of these issues have been successfully addressed only in the very recent past. This review discusses technical aspects of 3.0T imaging as far as they have an impact on clinical routine. An overview of the current data is presented, with a focus on areas where 3.0T promises equivalent or improved performance compared 1.5T or lower field strength