Multiple, Synchronous Lesions of Differing Histology Within the Same Testis: Ultrasonographic and Pathologic Correlations

Objective: To describe ultrasound (US) and pathologic findings in 11 patients with multiple, synchronous lesions of different histology within the same testis. Materials and methods: We reviewed US and pathologic findings in 11 patients with multiple, synchronous lesions of different histology within the same testis. Lesions were classified as separate or adjacent one to another and attempt was made to predict tumor type on their US textures. Pathologic review assessed presence of normal tissue between adjacent lesions and of Germ Cell Neoplasia In Situ in surrounding parenchyma. Nine cases were from files specifically dedicated to testicular tumors and estimated prevalence was calculated. Results: Two nodules were seen in nine patients and 3 in remaining two. Nine had tumors of different histology; two had one malignancy and one focal benign lesion. Germ Cell Neoplasia In Situ was seen in 7/11 cases. In dedicated archives, these lesions had 1.83% prevalence. Conclusion: Multiple focal lesions identified at imaging within the testis are not always of the same histology. This can be suspected in some cases basing on US texture. Recognition that lesions are multiple and an indication of their locations within the testis is the most important role of imaging and may help pathologists correctly sample the specimen to establish nature of each of them. Presence of multiple lesions is regarded as a contraindication to testicular sparing surgery. In two of our patients, one lesion was benign. Then, when the procedure is indicated all lesions have to be sampled and assessed by pathologists before deciding between conservative or radical technique

Renal Masses as Characterized by Ultrasound Contrast

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) depicts renal perfusion abnormalities and can assess vascularity of renal lesions. This article reviews the role of CEUS in the evaluation of renal masses, with a focus on differential diagnosis between cysts, solid tumors, and pseudolesions; characterization of complex cysts; and evaluation of lesions with equivocal enhancement at computed tomography. CEUS has an increasing role for the follow-up of patients undergoing tumor ablation. Emerging perspectives on monitoring angiosuppressive therapies in advanced renal cancer and intraoperative applications are discussed. Microbubbles can be injected without regard for renal function. Serious reactions are rarely reported, compared with iodinated contrast material

Grayscale and color Doppler features of testicular lymphoma

Pooled data from 16 radiology centers were retrospectively analyzed to seek patients with pathologically proven testicular lymphoma and grayscale and color Doppler images available for review. Forty-three cases were found: 36 (84%) primary and 7 (16%) secondary testicular lymphoma. With unilateral primary lymphoma, involvement was unifocal (n = 10), multifocal (n = 11), or diffuse (n = 11). Synchronous bilateral involvement occurred in 6 patients. Color Doppler sonography showed normal testicular vessels within the tumor in 31 of 43 lymphomas (72%). Testicular lymphoma infiltrates through the tubules, preserving the normal vascular architecture of the testis. Depiction of normal testicular vessels crossing the lesion is a useful adjunctive diagnostic criterion

Gender Differences in Levodopa Pharmacokinetics in Levodopa-Naïve Patients With Parkinson's Disease

BackgroundLevodopa (LD) is the most effective drug in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Unfortunately, prolonged use of LD leads to complications, mainly motor/non-motor fluctuations (MNMF) and dyskinesias (DYS). Women seem more prone to develop such LD-related complications. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of prospective studies examining gender-related predictors of MNMF and DYS. Among several factors, which concur with a very complex scenario, changes in LD pharmacokinetics influence the drug's effectiveness. The present study aimed to assess gender-related differences in LD pharmacokinetics in patients with PD at their first-ever intake of LD. Materials and MethodsThis is a multicentric study enrolling patients with PD, who were LD-naive and received a single dose of LD/benserazide (100/25 mg) formulation. All participants gave their written informed consent, and the study was approved by the local Ethics Committees. To measure plasma LD concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC, Cmax, Tmax, t(1/2)), fasting blood samples were collected before drug intake and then at 8-time points until 260 min. LD concentrations were measured by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of the parameters. ResultsThirty-five patients (16 women and 19 men) were consecutively enrolled. Area under curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) were significantly higher in women than men (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0014, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found regarding Tmax and t(1/2). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that female sex (beta = 1.559116, 95% CI 0.8314479 2.286785; p < 0.0001) and body mass index (BMI) (beta = -0.0970631, 95% CI -0.1733004 -0.0208258; p = 0.014) significantly predicted AUC. Only female sex significantly predicted Cmax (beta = 1,582.499, 95% CI 731.581 2,433.417; p = 0.001). Moreover, only BMI significantly predicted t(1/2) (beta = 0.0756267, 95% CI 0.0143407 0.1369126; p = 0.017). Stratifying by gender, BMI was confirmed to significantly predict t(1/2) in women (beta = 0.1300486, 95% CI 0.0172322 0.242865; p = 0.027), but not in men. ConclusionThis study provides novel insights on gender differences in LD pharmacokinetics, possibly contributing to the later development of motor complications and dyskinesia in PD

Nitrocatechol/ZnO Interface: The Role of Dipole in a Dye/Metal-Oxide Model System

The electronic properties of a prototype system suitable for dye-sensitized solar cell applications are investigated both experimentally and theoretically by means of electron spectroscopies (high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, HREELS, and ultraviolet and X-ray photoemission spectroscopies, UPS and XPS) and first-principles density functional theory (DFT)-based calculations. The comparison of HREELS and UPS data with the DFT results allows the microscopic description of electronic structure modifications upon interface formation, and provides a quantitative evaluation of the ionization energy and electron affinity changes induced by functionalization: these variations can be associated to the electric dipole of the functional species and, thus, to the formation of an interface dipole layer