1,042 research outputs found
Dialectical Materialism and the Construction of a New Quantum Theory: David Joseph Bohm, 1917–1992
Staging of endometrial cancer with MRI: Guidelines of the European Society of Urogenital Imaging
The purpose of this study was to define guidelines for endometrial cancer staging with MRI. The technique included critical review and expert consensus of MRI protocols by the female imaging subcommittee of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology, from ten European institutions, and published literature between 1999 and 2008. The results indicated that high field MRI should include at least two T2-weighted sequences in sagittal, axial oblique or coronal oblique orientation (short and long axis of the uterine body) of the pelvic content. High-resolution post-contrast images acquired at 2min ± 30 s after intravenous contrast injection are suggested to be optimal for the diagnosis of myometrial invasion. If cervical invasion is suspected, additional slice orientation perpendicular to the axis of the endocervical channel is recommended. Due to the limited sensitivity of MRI to detect lymph node metastasis without lymph node-specific contrast agents, retroperitoneal lymph node screening with pre-contrast sequences up to the level of the kidneys is optional. The likelihood of lymph node invasion and the need for staging lymphadenectomy are also indicated by high-grade histology at endometrial tissue sampling and by deep myometrial or cervical invasion detected by MRI. In conclusion, expert consensus and literature review lead to an optimized MRI protocol to stage endometrial cance
Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in mucosal primary head and neck cancer: A prospective imaging biomarker study
Background: Radical radiotherapy, with or without concomitant chemotherapy forms the mainstay of organ preservation approaches in mucosal primary head and neck cancer. Despite technical advances in cancer imaging and radiotherapy administration, a significant proportion of patients fail to achieve a complete response to treatment. For those patients who do achieve a complete response, acute and late toxicities remain a cause of morbidity. A critical need therefore exists for imaging biomarkers which are capable of informing patient selection for both treatment intensification and de-escalation strategies. Methods/design: A prospective imaging study has been initiated, aiming to recruit patients undergoing radical radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for mucosal primary head and neck cancer (MPHNC). Eligible patients are imaged using FDG-PET/CT before treatment, at the end of week 3 of treatment and 12 weeks after treatment completion according to local imaging policy. Functional MRI using diffusion weighted (DWI), blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD ) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) sequences is carried out prior to, during and following treatment. Information regarding treatment outcomes will be collected, as well as physician-scored and patient-reported toxicity. Discussion: The primary objective is to determine the correlation of functional MRI sequences with tumour response as determined by FDG-PET/CT and clinical findings at 12 weeks post-treatment and with local control at 12 months post-treatment. Secondary objectives include prospective correlation of functional MRI and PET imaging with disease-free survival and overall survival, defining the optimal time points for functional MRI assessment of treatment response, and determining the sensitivity and specificity of functional MRI sequences for assessment of potential residual disease following treatment. If the study is able to successfully characterise tumours based on their functional MRI scan characteristics, this would pave the way for further studies refining treatment approaches based on prognostic and predictive imaging data
MRI of female genital tract congenital anomalies: European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) guidelines
OBJECTIVE: To develop imaging guidelines for the MR work-up of female genital tract congenital anomalies (FGTCA). METHODS: These guidelines were prepared based on a questionnaire sent to all members of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) Female Pelvic Imaging Working Group (FPI-WG), critical review of the literature and expert consensus decision. RESULTS: The returned questionnaires from 17 different institutions have shown reasonable homogeneity of practice. Recommendations with focus on patient preparation and MR protocol are proposed, as these are key to optimised examinations. Details on MR sequences and planning of uterus-orientated sequences are provided. CONCLUSIONS: The multiplanar capabilities and soft tissue resolution of MRI provide superb characterisation of the wide spectrum of findings in FGTCA. A standardised imaging protocol and method of reporting ensures that the salient features are recognised, contributing to a correct diagnosis and classification of FGTCA, associated anomalies and complications. These imaging guidelines are based on current practice among expert radiologists in the field and incorporate up to date information regarding MR protocols and essentials of recently published classification systems. KEY POINTS: * MRI allows comprehensive evaluation of female genital tract congenital anomalies, in a single examination. * A dedicated MRI protocol comprises uterus-orientated sequences and vaginal and renal evaluation. * Integration of classification systems and structured reporting helps in successful communication of the imaging findings
Genome-wide association study of borderline personality disorder reveals genetic overlap with bipolar disorder, major depression and schizophrenia
Borderline personality disorder (BOR) is determined by environmental and
genetic factors, and characterized by affective instability and impulsivity,
diagnostic symptoms also observed in manic phases of bipolar disorder (BIP).
Up to 20% of BIP patients show comorbidity with BOR. This report describes the
first case–control genome-wide association study (GWAS) of BOR, performed in
one of the largest BOR patient samples worldwide. The focus of our analysis
was (i) to detect genes and gene sets involved in BOR and (ii) to investigate
the genetic overlap with BIP. As there is considerable genetic overlap between
BIP, major depression (MDD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) and a high comorbidity of
BOR and MDD, we also analyzed the genetic overlap of BOR with SCZ and MDD.
GWAS, gene-based tests and gene-set analyses were performed in 998 BOR
patients and 1545 controls. Linkage disequilibrium score regression was used
to detect the genetic overlap between BOR and these disorders. Single marker
analysis revealed no significant association after correction for multiple
testing. Gene-based analysis yielded two significant genes: DPYD (P=4.42 ×
10−7) and PKP4 (P=8.67 × 10−7); and gene-set analysis yielded a significant
finding for exocytosis (GO:0006887, PFDR=0.019; FDR, false discovery rate).
Prior studies have implicated DPYD, PKP4 and exocytosis in BIP and SCZ. The
most notable finding of the present study was the genetic overlap of BOR with
BIP (rg=0.28 [P=2.99 × 10−3]), SCZ (rg=0.34 [P=4.37 × 10−5]) and MDD (rg=0.57
[P=1.04 × 10−3]). We believe our study is the first to demonstrate that BOR
overlaps with BIP, MDD and SCZ on the genetic level. Whether this is confined
to transdiagnostic clinical symptoms should be examined in future studies
Stellar and thermal neutron capture cross section of ⁹Be
The neutron capture cross section of ⁹Be for stellar energies was measured via the activation technique using the Karlsruhe Van de Graaff accelerator in combination with accelerator mass spectrometry at the Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator. To characterize the energy region of interest for astrophysical
applications, activations were performed in a quasistellar neutron spectrum of kT = 25 keV and for a spectrum
at En = 473 ± 53 keV. Despite the very small cross section, the method used provided the required sensitivity for
obtaining fairly accurate results of 10.4 ± 0.6 and 8.4 ± 1.0 μb, respectively. With these data it was possible to
constrain the cross section shape up to the first resonances at 622 and 812 keV, thus allowing for the determination
of Maxwellian-averaged cross sections at thermal energies between kT = 5 and 100 keV. In addition, we report
a new experimental cross section value at thermal energy of σth = 8.31 ± 0.52 mb.This work was partly funded by the Austrian Science
Fund (FWF), Projects No. P20434 and No. I428, and by
the Australian Research Council, Projects No. DP140100136
and No. DP180100496
Determination of the stellar (n,gamma) cross section of 40Ca with accelerator mass spectrometry
The stellar (n,gamma) cross section of 40Ca at kT=25 keV has been measured
with a combination of the activation technique and accelerator mass
spectrometry (AMS). This combination is required when direct off-line counting
of the produced activity is compromised by the long half-life and/or missing
gamma-ray transitions. The neutron activations were performed at the Karlsruhe
Van de Graaff accelerator using the quasistellar neutron spectrum of kT=25 keV
produced by the 7Li(p,n)7Be reaction. The subsequent AMS measurements were
carried out at the Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator (VERA) with a 3 MV
tandem accelerator. The doubly magic 40Ca is a bottle-neck isotope in
incomplete silicon burning, and its neutron capture cross section determines
the amount of leakage, thus impacting on the eventual production of iron group
elements. Because of its high abundance, 40Ca can also play a secondary role as
"neutron poison" for the s-process. Previous determinations of this value at
stellar energies were based on time-of-flight measurements. Our method uses an
independent approach, and yields for the Maxwellian-averaged cross section at
kT=30 keV a value of 30 keV= 5.73+/-0.34 mb.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure
Staging of endometrial cancer with MRI: guidelines of the european society of urogenital imaging
The purpose of this study
was to define guidelines for endometrial
cancer staging with MRI. The
technique included critical review and
expert consensus of MRI protocols by the female imaging subcommittee of
the European Society of Urogenital
Radiology, from ten European institutions,
and published literature between
1999 and 2008. The results
indicated that high field MRI should
include at least two T2-weighted
sequences in sagittal, axial oblique or
coronal oblique orientation (short and
long axis of the uterine body) of the
pelvic content. High-resolution postcontrast
images acquired at 2 min ± 30 s
after intravenous contrast injection
are suggested to be optimal for the
diagnosis of myometrial invasion. If
cervical invasion is suspected, additional
slice orientation perpendicular
to the axis of the endocervical channel
is recommended. Due to the limited
sensitivity of MRI to detect lymph
node metastasis without lymph nodespecific
contrast agents, retroperitoneal
lymph node screening with
pre-contrast sequences up to the level
of the kidneys is optional. The likelihood
of lymph node invasion and
the need for staging lymphadenectomy
are also indicated by high-grade histology
at endometrial tissue sampling
and by deep myometrial or cervical
invasion detected by MRI. In conclusion,
expert consensus and literature
review lead to an optimized MRI
protocol to stage endometrial cancer
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