Gastrointestinal Ultrasound in Functional Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract - EFSUMB Consensus Statement

Abdominal ultrasonography and intestinal ultrasonography are widely used as first diagnostic tools for investigating patients with abdominal symptoms, mainly for excluding organic diseases. However, gastrointestinal ultrasound (GIUS), as a real-time diagnostic imaging method, can also provide information on motility, flow, perfusion, peristalsis, and organ filling and emptying, with high temporal and spatial resolution. Thanks to its noninvasiveness and high repeatability, GIUS can investigate functional gastrointestinal processes and functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGID) by studying their behavior over time and their response to therapy and providing insight into their pathophysiologic mechanisms. The European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) has established a Task Force Group consisting of GIUS experts, which developed clinical recommendations and guidelines on the role of GIUS in several acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases. This review is dedicated to the role of GIUS in assisting the diagnosis of FGID and particularly in investigating patients with symptoms of functional disorders, such as dysphagia, reflux disorders, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. The available scientific evidence of GIUS in detecting, assessing, and investigating FGID are reported here, while highlighting sonographic findings and its usefulness in a clinical setting, defining the actual and potential role of GIUS in the management of patients, and providing information regarding future applications and research.publishedVersio

Temperature modulates testis steroidogenesis in European eel

[EN] This study evaluates the effects of temperature on hCG-induced spermatogenesis in European eel (Anguilla anguilla), subjected to three thermal regimes: T10: 10 degrees C (first 4 weeks), 15 degrees C (next 3 weeks) and 20 degrees C (last 6 weeks); T15: 15 degrees C (first 4 weeks) and 20 degrees C (last 9 weeks); and T20: constant 20 degrees C for the duration of the experiment. At 10 degrees C, maturation stopped in the A spermatogonial stage (SPG1), and no further maturation was observed until the temperature was >= 15 degrees C. With the aim of explaining these results, the influence of temperature on steroidogenic enzyme gene expression and steroid synthesis was tested. The initial synthesis of androgens (T and 11-KT) increased at SPG1, and was not influenced by temperature. Likewise, the gene expression of the steroidogenic enzymes linked to androgen synthesis (aacyp11a1, aacyp17-I and aa11 beta HSD) also increased at SPG1. In contrast, no correlation was seen between the increase in E2 and the aacyp19a1 gene expression peak in the testes, with E2 increasing as a consequence of the seawater acclimation carried out before hormonal treatment, and peaking the aacyp19a1 gene expression at B spermatogonial stage (SPG2).Aacyp21 gene expression was also higher at SPG2, and this stage was only reached when the rearing temperature was >= 15 degrees C. In conclusion, androgen synthesis is not dependent on temperature, but further maturation requires higher temperatures in order to induce a change in the steroidogenic pathway towards estrogen and progestin synthesis. This study demonstrates that temperature plays a crucial role in European eel maturation, even perhaps controlling gonad development during the reproductive migration. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.This study was funded by the European Community's 7th Framework Programme under the Theme 2 "Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology", grant agreement no245257 (PRO-EEL), VLC/CAMPUS Program (SP.20140630) and by the MINECO (REPRO-TEMP; AGL2013-41646-R). V.G. and I.M. had predoctoral grants from MINECO (BES-2009-020310) and Generalitat Valenciana, respectively. M.C.V. and M.M. have predoctoral grants from UPV (2011-S2-02-6521) and Generalitat Valenciana (Programa Grisolia), respectively. D.S.P. was supported by MICINN and UPV (PTA2011-4948-I) and was granted with a Short-Term Scientific Mission to make the steroids analyses in Tromso by COST Office (COST Action FA1205: Assessing and improving the quality of aquatic animal gametes to enhance aquatic resources. The need to harmonize and standardize evolving methodologies, and improve transfer from academia to industry; AQUAGAMETE).Peñaranda, D.; Morini, M.; Tveiten, H.; Vilchez Olivencia, MC.; Gallego Albiach, V.; Dirks, R.; Van Den Thillart, GE.... (2016). Temperature modulates testis steroidogenesis in European eel. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A: Molecular and Integrative Physiology. 197:58-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2016.03.012S586719

Comments and illustrations of the WFUMB CEUS liver guidelines: Rare benign focal liver lesion, part I.

Improved detection and characterization of common focal liver lesions (FLL) are the main topics of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) guidelines on the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). On stateof-the-art CEUS imaging, to create a library of rare FLL, especially concerning their atypical imaging characteristics, might be helpful for improving clinical diagnostic efficiency. In this review, we aim to summarize the ultrasound and CEUS features of rare benign FLL. Currently there are limited reports and images published

Comments and illustrations of the WFUMB CEUS liver guidelines: Rare benign focal liver lesion, part II.

It is important to be familiar with the typical imaging features of the uncommon or even extremely rare focal liver lesions (FLL). Current guidelines of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) is aimed at assessing the usefulness of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the management of various FLL. In this review, we aim to summarize the ultrasound and CEUS characteristics with literature review of some extremely rare benign FLL, which might be helpful for improving diagnostic efficiency clinically

Copper-gold fertility of arc volcanic rocks: a case study from the Early Permian Lizzie Creek Volcanic Group, NE Queensland, Australia

The Early Permian Lizzie Creek Volcanic Group of the northern Bowen Basin, NE Queensland, Australia, has compositions that range from basalt through andesite to rhyolite with geochemical signatures (e.g., enrichment in Cs, Rb, Ba, U, Th, and Pb, depletion in Nb and Ta) that are typical of arc lavas. In the Mount Carlton district the Lizzie Creek Volcanic Group is host to high-sulfidation epithermal Cu-Au-Ag mineralization, whereas farther to the south near Collinsville (~50 km from Mount Carlton) these volcanic sequences are barren of magmatic-related mineralization. Here, we assess whether geochemical indicators of magma fertility (e.g., Sr/Y, La/Yb, V/Sc) can be applied to volcanic rocks through study of coeval volcanic sequences from these two locations. The two volcanic suites share similar petrographic and major element geochemical characteristics, and both have undergone appreciable hydrothermal alteration during, or after, emplacement. Nevertheless, the two suites have distinct differences in alteration-immobile trace element (V, Sc, Zr, Ti, REE, Y) concentrations. The unmineralized suite has relatively low V/Sc and La/Yb, particularly in the high SiO2 rocks, which is related to magma evolution dominated by fractionation of clinopyroxene, plagioclase, and magnetite. By contrast, the mineralized suite has relatively high V/Sc but includes high SiO2 rocks with depleted HREE and Y contents, and hence high La/Yb. These trends are interpreted to reflect magma evolution under high magmatic H2O conditions leading to enhanced amphibole crystallization and suppressed plagioclase and magnetite crystallization. These rocks have somewhat elevated Sr/Y compared to the unmineralized suite, but as Sr is likely affected by hydrothermal mobility, Sr/Y is not considered to be a reliable indicator of magmatic conditions. Our data show that geochemical proxies such as V/Sc and La/Yb that are used to assess Cu-Au fertility of porphyry intrusions can also be applied to cogenetic volcanic sequences, provided elemental trends with fractionation can be assessed for a volcanic suite. These geochemical tools may aid regional-scale exploration for Cu-Au mineralization in convergent margin terranes, especially in areas that have undergone limited exhumation or where epithermal and porphyry mineralization may be buried beneath cogenetic volcanic successions

Fertility of arc volcanic suites for Cu-Au mineralisation: a case study from NE Queensland, Australia

Coeval volcanic rocks distal and proximal to hydrothermal Au-Ag-Cu mineralisation in the early Permian Lizzie Creek Volcanics (LCV), NE Queensland, Australia, have been studied to evaluate whether geochemical parameters of these rocks can be used to assess magma fertility. The LCV (280-295 Ma) form the basement of the Bowen Basin that developed due to back-arc extension behind the Carboniferous Connors Arch. The LCV range in composition from basalt to rhyolite, and have geochemical compositions that are typical of arc lavas (e.g. LILE enrichment, Nb, Ta depletion). Samples collected distal to known mineralisation are bimodal (basalt –dacite to rhyolite) in composition displaying the commonly known "Daly Gap". By contrast volcanic samples from the mineralised district (Mt Carlton epithermal and porphyry deposits) cover the full range of compositions from andesite to rhyolite. Distinct differences in whole-rock geochemistry can be particularly observed in TiO2, Sr/Y, V/Sc and REE element composition. Our approach applies proposed Cu-Au fertility concepts for causative porphyry intrusions to volcanic rocks [1]. Sr/Y and V/Sc ratios of samples from the Mt. Carlton district fall within the favorable range of proposed Cu fertility concepts; the samples distal to mineralisation fall outside these fertility ranges. La/Yb and Dy/Yb ratios of Mt. Carlton samples suggest the cryptic involvement of a hydrous phase (amphibole?) during fractionation, which is not evident in distal samples. Hf isotope data from zircons from the Mt. Carlton district records a trend towards unradiogenic compositions with time, from inherited early Carboniferous zircons (□Hf = 1-3) to early Permian host rocks (□Hf = +1 to -1), indicating increased input from old crustal sources due to crustal thickening and a compressive environment. Our data shows that geochemical proxies for Cu fertility used for porphyry intrusions can also be applied to cogenetic volcanic sequences, which in turn may be a useful geochemical tool to aid regional-scale exploration for Cu-Au mineralisation in convergent margin terranes

Fertility of arc volcanic suites for Cu-Au mineralisation: a case study from NE Queensland, Australia

Coeval volcanic rocks distal and proximal to hydrothermal Au-Ag-Cu mineralisation in the early Permian Lizzie Creek Volcanics (LCV), NE Queensland, Australia, have been studied to evaluate whether geochemical parameters of these rocks can be used to assess magma fertility. The LCV (280-295 Ma) form the basement of the Bowen Basin that developed due to back-arc extension behind the Carboniferous Connors Arch. The LCV range in composition from basalt to rhyolite, and have geochemical compositions that are typical of arc lavas (e.g. LILE enrichment, Nb, Ta depletion). Samples collected distal to known mineralisation are bimodal (basalt –dacite to rhyolite) in composition displaying the commonly known "Daly Gap". By contrast volcanic samples from the mineralised district (Mt Carlton epithermal and porphyry deposits) cover the full range of compositions from andesite to rhyolite. Distinct differences in whole-rock geochemistry can be particularly observed in TiO2, Sr/Y, V/Sc and REE element composition.\ud Our approach applies proposed Cu-Au fertility concepts for causative porphyry intrusions to volcanic rocks [1]. Sr/Y and V/Sc ratios of samples from the Mt. Carlton district fall within the favorable range of proposed Cu fertility concepts; the samples distal to mineralisation fall outside these fertility ranges. La/Yb and Dy/Yb ratios of Mt. Carlton samples suggest the cryptic involvement of a hydrous phase (amphibole?) during fractionation, which is not evident in distal samples. \ud Hf isotope data from zircons from the Mt. Carlton district records a trend towards unradiogenic compositions with time, from inherited early Carboniferous zircons (□Hf = 1-3) to early Permian host rocks (□Hf = +1 to -1), indicating increased input from old crustal sources due to crustal thickening and a compressive environment.\ud Our data shows that geochemical proxies for Cu fertility used for porphyry intrusions can also be applied to cogenetic volcanic sequences, which in turn may be a useful geochemical tool to aid regional-scale exploration for Cu-Au mineralisation in convergent margin terranes

Gastrointestinal Ultrasound in Functional Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract - EFSUMB Consensus Statement

Abdominal ultrasonography and intestinal ultrasonography are widely used as first diagnostic tools for investigating patients with abdominal symptoms, mainly for excluding organic diseases. However, gastrointestinal ultrasound (GIUS), as a real-time diagnostic imaging method, can also provide information on motility, flow, perfusion, peristalsis, and organ filling and emptying, with high temporal and spatial resolution. Thanks to its noninvasiveness and high repeatability, GIUS can investigate functional gastrointestinal processes and functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGID) by studying their behavior over time and their response to therapy and providing insight into their pathophysiologic mechanisms. The European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) has established a Task Force Group consisting of GIUS experts, which developed clinical recommendations and guidelines on the role of GIUS in several acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases. This review is dedicated to the role of GIUS in assisting the diagnosis of FGID and particularly in investigating patients with symptoms of functional disorders, such as dysphagia, reflux disorders, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. The available scientific evidence of GIUS in detecting, assessing, and investigating FGID are reported here, while highlighting sonographic findings and its usefulness in a clinical setting, defining the actual and potential role of GIUS in the management of patients, and providing information regarding future applications and research

EFSUMB Gastrointestinal Ultrasound (GIUS) Task Force Group: Celiac sprue and other rare gastrointestinal diseases ultrasound features

Transabdominal gastrointestinal ultrasound (GIUS) is unique in its capacity to examine the bowel non-invasively and in its physiological condition, including extra-intestinal features such as the splanchnic vessels, mesentery, omentum and lymph nodes- even at the bedside. Despite this, and its extensive documentation for its usefulness, it has only been fully implemented in a few European countries and expert centres. Therefore, the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) established a GIUS Task Force Group in 2014 consisting of international experts from 9 European countries with the objectives to standardize and promote the use of GIUS in a clinical setting. This is achieved by publishing clinical guidelines and recommendations on indications and use of GIUS and so far,4 guidelines have been published: first on "examination techniques and normal findings", second on inflammatory bowel disease", third on "acute appendicitis and diverticulitis" and fourth on "transrectal and perineal ultrasound"