Radial volumetric imaging breath-hold examination (VIBE) with k-space weighted image contrast (KWIC) for dynamic gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI of the liver: advantages over Cartesian VIBE in the arterial phase

To compare radial volumetric imaging breath-hold examination with k-space weighted image contrast reconstruction (r-VIBE-KWIC) to Cartesian VIBE (c-VIBE) in arterial phase dynamic gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) of the liver. We reviewed 53 consecutive DCE-MRI studies performed on a 3-T unit using c-VIBE and 53 consecutive cases performed using r-VIBE-KWIC with full-frame image subset (r-VIBEfull) and sub-frame image subsets (r-VIBEsub; temporal resolution, 2.5-3 s). All arterial phase images were scored by two readers on: (1) contrast-enhancement ratio (CER) in the abdominal aorta; (2) scan timing; (3) artefacts; (4) visualisation of the common, right, and left hepatic arteries. Mean abdominal aortic CERs for c-VIBE, r-VIBEfull, and r-VIBEsub were 3.2, 4.3 and 6.5, respectively. There were significant differences between each group (P < 0.0001). The mean score for c-VIBE was significantly lower than that for r-VIBEfull and r-VIBEsub in all factors except for visualisation of the common hepatic artery (P < 0.05). The mean score of all factors except for scan timing for r-VIBEsub was not significantly different from that for r-VIBEfull. Radial VIBE-KWIC provides higher image quality than c-VIBE, and r-VIBEsub features high temporal resolution without image degradation in arterial phase DCE-MRI. aEuro cent Radial VIBE-KWIC minimised artefact and produced high-quality and high-temporal-resolution images. aEuro cent Maximum abdominal aortic enhancement was observed on sub-frame images of r-VIBE-KWIC. aEuro cent Using r-VIBE-KWIC, optimal arterial phase images were obtained in over 90 %. aEuro cent Using r-VIBE-KWIC, visualisation of the hepatic arteries was improved. aEuro cent A two-reader study revealed r-VIBE-KWIC's advantages over Cartesian VIBE.ArticleEUROPEAN RADIOLOGY. 24(6):1290-1299 (2014)journal articl

Solitary Peutz-Jeghers type hamartomatous polyps in the duodenum are not always associated with a low risk of cancer: two case reports

INTRODUCTION: A hamartomatous polyp without associated mucocutaneous pigmentation or a family history of Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome is diagnosed as a solitary Peutz-Jeghers type hamartomatous polyp. As compared with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers type hamartomatous polyps are diagnosed with a lower risk of cancer and are regarded as a different disorder. CASE PRESENTATION: In case one, we describe an 84-year-old Japanese man with a 14 mm duodenal polyp. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed and histological examination showed findings suggestive of a hamartomatous polyp with a focus of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. In case two, we describe a 76-year-old Japanese man who had been treated for prostate, rectal and lung cancer. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a duodenal polyp measuring 15 mm in diameter. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed, and histological examination showed findings suggestive of a hamartomatous polyp. Liver and thyroid cancers were found after the endoscopic treatment. CONCLUSION: Although duodenal solitary hamartomatous polyps are associated with a lower risk of cancer, four patients, including our cases, have been diagnosed with cancerous polyps. Patients with duodenal solitary hamartomatous polyps should be treated by endoscopic or surgical resection and need whole-body screening

Early effects of oral administration of lafutidine with mosapride compared with lafutidine alone on intragastric pH values

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The ideal medication for treatment of acid related diseases should have a rapid onset of action to promote hemostasis and resolution of symptoms. The aim of our study was to investigate the inhibitory effects on gastric acid secretion after a single oral administrations of lafutidine, is a newly synthesized H2-receptor antagonist, with mosapride 5 mg or lafutidine alone.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ten <it>Helicobacter pylori </it>negative male subjects participated in this randomized, two-way crossover study. Intragastric pH was monitored continuously for 4 hours after a single oral administration of lafutidine 10 mg or lafutidine 10 mg with mosapride 5 mg (the lafutidine being administrated one hour after the mosapride). Each administration was separated by a 7-day washout period.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The average pH during the 4-hour period after administration of lafutidine 10 mg with mosapride 5 mg was higher than after lafutidine 10 mg alone (median: 5.25 versus 4.58, respectively; <it>p </it>= 0.0318). During the 3–4 hour study period, lafutidine 10 mg with mosapride 5 mg provided a higher pH, compared to lafutidine 10 mg alone (median: 7.28 versus 6.42; <it>p </it>= 0.0208).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In <it>H. pylori </it>negative healthy male subjects, an oral dose of lafutidine 10 mg with mosapride 5 mg more rapidly increased intragastric pH than lafutidine 10 mg alone.</p

Radial volumetric imaging breath-hold examination (VIBE) with k-space weighted image contrast (KWIC) for dynamic gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI of the liver: advantages over Cartesian VIBE in the arterial phase

To compare radial volumetric imaging breath-hold examination with k-space weighted image contrast reconstruction (r-VIBE-KWIC) to Cartesian VIBE (c-VIBE) in arterial phase dynamic gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) of the liver. We reviewed 53 consecutive DCE-MRI studies performed on a 3-T unit using c-VIBE and 53 consecutive cases performed using r-VIBE-KWIC with full-frame image subset (r-VIBEfull) and sub-frame image subsets (r-VIBEsub; temporal resolution, 2.5-3 s). All arterial phase images were scored by two readers on: (1) contrast-enhancement ratio (CER) in the abdominal aorta; (2) scan timing; (3) artefacts; (4) visualisation of the common, right, and left hepatic arteries. Mean abdominal aortic CERs for c-VIBE, r-VIBEfull, and r-VIBEsub were 3.2, 4.3 and 6.5, respectively. There were significant differences between each group (P < 0.0001). The mean score for c-VIBE was significantly lower than that for r-VIBEfull and r-VIBEsub in all factors except for visualisation of the common hepatic artery (P < 0.05). The mean score of all factors except for scan timing for r-VIBEsub was not significantly different from that for r-VIBEfull. Radial VIBE-KWIC provides higher image quality than c-VIBE, and r-VIBEsub features high temporal resolution without image degradation in arterial phase DCE-MRI. aEuro cent Radial VIBE-KWIC minimised artefact and produced high-quality and high-temporal-resolution images. aEuro cent Maximum abdominal aortic enhancement was observed on sub-frame images of r-VIBE-KWIC. aEuro cent Using r-VIBE-KWIC, optimal arterial phase images were obtained in over 90 %. aEuro cent Using r-VIBE-KWIC, visualisation of the hepatic arteries was improved. aEuro cent A two-reader study revealed r-VIBE-KWIC's advantages over Cartesian VIBE.ArticleEUROPEAN RADIOLOGY. 24(6):1290-1299 (2014)journal articl

Preparation of Polymeric Adsorbents Bearing Diglycolamic Acid Ligands for Rare Earth Elements

We synthesized polymeric adsorbents modified with diglycolamic acid ligands for the recovery of rare earth elements. Styrene, divinylbenzene, and glycidyl methacrylate were copolymerized by suspension polymerization in the presence of diluent mixtures of heptane and toluene. Varying the composition of the diluent mixtures changed the pore characteristics of the polymeric particles; the highest specific surface area (51.2 m²/g) was obtained with mixtures of equal volumes of heptane and toluene. Polymeric adsorbents were prepared by functionalizing the synthesized polymeric particles with amino groups and then diglycolamic acid ligands. The content of the amino groups was almost constant, whereas that of the diglycolamic acid ligands depended on the specific surface area of the adsorbents. The synthesized polymeric adsorbents selectively adsorbed rare earth elements from a solution containing rare earth and base metal ions. The high adsorption rate of the adsorbents was due to their large specific surface area

Shape of Barrett’s epithelium is associated with prevalence of erosive esophagitis

AIM: To test the hypothesis that the shape and length of Barrett’s epithelium are associated with prevalence of erosive esophagitis