An evaluation of morphological and functional multi-parametric MRI sequences in classifying non-muscle and muscle invasive bladder cancer

Objectives: Our goal is to determine the ability of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) to differentiate muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) from non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Methods: Patients underwent mpMRI before tumour resection. Four MRI sets, i.e. T2-weighted (T2W) + perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI), T2W plus diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T2W + DWI + PWI, and T2W + DWI + PWI + dif-fusion tensor imaging (DTI) were interpreted qualitatively by two radiologists, blinded to histology results. PWI, DWI and DTI were also analysed quantitatively. Accuracy was determined using histopathology as the reference standard. Results: A total of 82 tumours were analysed. Ninety-six percent of T1-labeled tumours by the T2W + DWI + PWI image set were confirmed to be NMIBC at histopathology. Overall accuracy of the complete mpMRI protocol was 94% in differentiating NMIBC from MIBC. PWI, DWI and DTI quantitative parameters were shown to be significantly different in cancerous versus non-cancerous areas within the bladder wall in T2-labelled lesions. Conclusions: MpMRI with DWI and DTI appears a reliable staging tool for bladder cancer. If our data are validated, then mpMRI could precede cystoscopic resection to allow a faster recognition of MIBC and accelerated treatment pathways. Key Points: • A critical step in BCa staging is to differentiate NMIBC from MIBC. • Morphological and functional sequences are reliable techniques in differentiating NMIBC from MIBC. • Diffusion tensor imaging could be an additional tool in BCa staging

Alexithymia and Suicide Risk in Psychiatric Disorders: A Mini-Review.

It is well known that alexithymic individuals may show significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and psychological suffering than non-alexithymics. There is an increasing evidence that alexithymia may be considered a risk factor for suicide, even simply increasing the risk of development of depressive symptoms or per se. Therefore, the purpose of this narrative mini-review was to elucidate a possible relationship between alexithymia and suicide risk. The majority of reviewed studies pointed out a relationship between alexithymia and an increased suicide risk. In several studies, this relationship was mediated by depressive symptoms. In conclusion, the importance of alexithymia screening in everyday clinical practice and the evaluation of clinical correlates of alexithymic traits should be integral parts of all disease management programs and, especially, of suicide prevention plans and interventions. However, limitations of studies are discussed and must be considered

Copper Staining/Labeling and Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy Readout of Proteins on Poly(vinylidene difluoride) Membranes

Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) is used in combination with copper labeling to visualize roteins on surfaces. Proteins are adsorbed on a poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) membrane and stained using a standard protocol involving copper salts. The latter are then reduced to copper metal and further detected by SECM with ferrocene methanol as a redox mediator in aqueous solution. During the SECM scan, the potential is held at a value at which the oxidation of the redox mediator occurs and a positive feedback current is detected when scanning over copper clusters. A negative feedback is observed elsewhere

Photophysical, electrochemical, and mesomorphic properties of a liquid-crystalline [60]fullerene–peralkylated ferrocene dyad

Two fullerene–peralkylated ferrocene derivatives were synthesized: (1) a liquid-crystalline dyad (compound 1) was obtained by introduction of nonamethyl ferrocene into a liquid-crystalline fullerene derivative and (2) a reference compound (compound 2) was synthesized by attachment of nonamethyl ferrocene to a fulleropyrrolidine. The liquid-crystalline dyad displayed an enantiotropic smectic A phase from 57 to 155 °C. Oxidation and reduction processes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and were in agreement with the electrochemical characteristics of the redox-active units (peralkylated ferrocene, fullerene, dendrimer). Photoinduced electron transfer from ferrocene derivative to fullerene was identified