Effect of soil and water environment on typeability of PowerPlex Y (Promega) in selected tissue samples.

In cases of decomposed bodies Y chromosomal STR markers may be useful in identification of a male relative. The authors assessed typeability PowerPlex Y (Promega) loci in tissue material stored in water and soil environment. Tissue material was collected during autopsies of five persons aged 20-30 years with time of death determined within the limit of 14 hours. Heart muscle, liver and lung specimens were stored in pond water, sea water, sand and peat soil. DNA was extracted by organic method from tissue samples collected in 7-day intervals. Liver specimens were typeable in all PowerPlex Y loci within 100 days of storage in pond water with gradual decline at DYS392 in sea water. Heart muscle specimens stored in pond water exhibited allelic loss at DYS19, DYS385, DYS389II and DYS392, while all loci were typeable in sea water stored samples. For lung specimens allelic loss was noted throughout the profile. Storage of liver specimens in peat soil for more than 14 days resulted in allelic drop-out, and after 21 days no profiles were typeable. Heart muscle specimens were typeable in all PowerPlex Y systems after 35-day storage in sand, while allelic drop-out and subsequent lack of profiles were noted after 14 and 35 days respectively. Lung specimens stored in garden soil exhibited allelic drop-out and subsequent lack of profiles after 7 and 21 days, respectively. All PowerPlex Y loci were typeable in the latter material in sand up to day 35 with gradual decline of longer amplicons (DYS19, DYS385, DYS389II and DYS392)

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography versus computed tomographic angiography in the monitoring of patients after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm - preliminary experience

BACKGROUND: Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is routinely used in the monitoring of patients after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The aim of the study was to determine if contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) provides equivalent results to CTA in detection of endo-leaks in patients after abdominal aortic stentgraft placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a group of 7 patients (6 men and 1 woman; aged 71±7 years) after repair procedure, 16 CTA and 16 CEUS follow-up examinations were performed. Second-generation contrast agent (Sonovue) and low-mechanical index technique were used for ultrasonography imaging. RESULTS: Computed tomographic angiography showed seven cases of type I, five cases of type II, and no endo-leaks in four examinations. In 15 out of 16 studies, the results of CEUS were consistent with the results of CTA. In one discrepant study, type II endo-leak was detected with CEUS while CTA was negative. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and CTA examinations in patients after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm provide comparable results. CEUS may be considered an alternative technique to CTA

Przydatność szarokopasmowego odwróconego w fazie obrazowania harmonicznego z wykorzystaniem Dopplera mocy w diagnostyce naczyniaków wątroby

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the sensitivity of echo-enhanced phase-inversion power Doppler sonography (PI) in depicting the vascular enhancement of hemangiomas, thus confirming the exact diagnosis. Material/Methods: Twenty patients were examined. The presence of hemangioma was confirmed by surgical resection (n=2), two-phase (hepatic arterial and portal phases) contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography (n=8), or sonographic follow-up, which showed no change in lesion size for at least 6 months (n=10). Prior to enhanced sonography, all patients had undergone both native B-mode and tissue harmonic imaging mode sonography, color Doppler, and power Doppler helical CT examinations. After injection of 2.5 g of Levovist intravenously, analysis of the arrival of contrast agent was performed by phase-inversion power Doppler sonography. Results: Evaluation of the 20 patients revealed 37 hemangiomas. Color and power Doppler sonography were non-specific for hemangioma in our examination. However, based on the phase-inversion power Doppler sonography findings, the 20 patients with the 37 hemangiomas were diagnosed. Typical features of hemangioma, such as peripheral globular and rim-like enhancement followed by a slow centripetal fill-in, were clearly visible. In 3 cases of small hemangiomas, computed tomography had failed to disclose the pathology, while phase-inversion sonographic images were completely suggestive of what was later confirmed at 6 months follow-up. Conclusions: Based on our results, we can recommend phase-inversion power Doppler sonography in the differential diagnosis of hemangioma by visualizing the characteristic rim-like enhancement pattern followed by a slow centripetal fill-in as an excellent diagnostic modality

Leczenie mózgowych malformacji tętniczo-żylnych metodą przezskórnej embolizacji

Background: In this paper we present our results of treating cerebral arteriovenous malformations implementing percutaneous embolization between 2001-2003. Material/Methods: From year 2001 to 2003, a group of 34 patients underwent endovascular embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations. This group consisted of 10 female and 24 male patients aged 15 to 78 (mean: 45.3). DSA examination was performed to assess the possibility of percutaneous embolization. Microcatheters 1.2 F, 1.5 F, or 1.8 F were used in accordance with the dimensions of the malformation. The tip of the catheter was placed close to the nidus of the malformation. Results: Cerebral arteriovenous malformations were localized mainly in the temple region (38%) or in the parietal region (27%). Primary embolization resulted in total occlusion in 41% of AVMs fed by up to three vessels, Repeated interventions led to occlusion of the additional hemangiomas in up to 70.5% of all lesions. In cases of AMVs fed by more than 4 vessels, the second embolization did not result in total occlusion of the hemangiomas. Curative results were obtained in only 12 patients (35%). Total or partial occlusion resulted in the partial reduction of the diameters of the malformations by 30 to 80% (mean: 74%). Conclusions: The best results of embolization were achieved in cases of small and medium malformations fed by 1-3 vessels (70.5% of cases). In our opinion, percutaneous embolization could be applied as an independent curative method in adult patients with small and medium arteriovenous malformations, grades I - III of the Spetzler-Martine scale

Diagnostyka obrazowa opryszczkowego zapalenia mózgu u osób dorosłych

Wczesne rozpoznanie opryszczkowego zapalenia mózgu u osób dorosłych może stwarzaæ niekiedy znaczne trudności. Niejednoznaczny wynik badań laboratoryjnych zmusza do poszukiwania nowych metod diagnostycznych. Pomocne w tym zakresie wydają się badania obrazowe: tomografia komputerowa, rezonans magnetyczny, spektroskopia rezonansu magnetycznego oraz tomografia emisyjna pojedynczego fotonu. Należy jednak pamiętać, że nawet ujemny wynik tych badań nie powinien opóźniać włączenia leczenia przeciwwirusowego i jego kontynuacji do czasu wykluczenia tej etiologii w badaniach dodatkowych

The Effect of Contrast Medium SonoVue® on the Electric Charge Density of Blood Cells

The effect of contrast medium SonoVue® on the electric charge density of blood cells (erythrocytes and thrombocytes) was measured using a microelectrophoretic method. We examined the effect of adsorbed H+ and OH− ions on the surface charge of erythrocytes or thrombocytes. Surface charge density values were determined from electrophoretic mobility measurements of blood cells performed at various pH levels. The interaction between solution ions and the erythrocyte’s or thrombocyte’s surface was described by a four-component equilibrium model. The agreement between the experimental and theoretical charge variation curves of the erythrocytes and thrombocytes was good at pH 2–9. The deviation observed at a higher pH may be caused by disregarding interactions between the functional groups of blood cells

Zróżnicowanie gęstości tkanki mózgowej w badaniu tomografii komputerowej w ognisku niedokrwienia w odniesieniu do stanu klinicznego u pacjentów w ostrym i podostrym okresie udaru niedokrwiennego mózgu

Background: The detecion of ischaemic brain tissue by a CT depends on degree and time of hypoperfusion. The aim of the present study was to establish interrelation between morphologic changes in CT scans and clinical classification of focal neurological deficit. Material/Methods: We analyzed data from 139 consecutive patients enrolled in a prospective cohort study at Clinic of Neurology University Hospital in Bialystok, at which emergency CT for patients suspected of having acute (>6 h) ischaemic stroke was performed. Next follow up nonenhanced CT scans were obtained between 7 and 10 day after admission. Resultts: In general, the presence of an ischaemic hypodensity in a patient with signs and symptoms of acute stroke signifies irreversible infarction. In hyperacute and acute stage of ischaemic stroke focal decreased attenuation was about 10-20 HU. In subacute stage focal parenchymal hypodensity further decreased to 20-30 HU. Patients with mild neurological deficit and quick recovery had smaller focal areas of infarct with slight density changes compared to larger territory of infarct extent in patients with severe neurologic symptoms. Conclusions: In subacute stage of ischaemic stroke extent of parenchymal changes and degree of hypodensity correlates with stroke severity and may have some prognostic significance

Doppler ultrasound detection of preclinical changes in foot arteries in early stage of type 2 diabetes

Background: There are few reports regarding the changes within the vessels in the initial stage of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to estimate the hemodynamic and morphological parameters in foot arteries in type 2 diabetes subjects and to compare these parameters to those obtained in a control group of healthy volunteers. Material and Methods: Ultrasound B-mode, color Doppler and pulse wave Doppler imaging of foot arteries was conducted in 37 diabetic patients and 36 non-diabetic subjects to determine their morphological (total vascular diameter and flow lumen diameter) and functional parameters (spectral analysis). Results: In diabetic patients, the overall vascular diameter and wall thickness were statistically significantly larger when compared to the control group in the right dorsalis pedis artery (P=0.01; P=0.001), left dorsalis pedis artery (P=0.007; P=0.006), right posterior tibial artery (P=0.005; P=0.0005), and left posterior tibial artery (P=0.007; P=0.0002). No significant differences were observed in both groups in flow lumen diameters and blood flow parameters (PSV, EDV, PI, RI). In the diabetic group, the level of HbA1c positively correlated with flow resistance index in the right dorsalis pedis artery (r=0.38; P=0.02), right posterior tibial artery (r=0.38; P=0.02) and left posterior tibial artery (r=0.42; P=0.009). The pulsatility index within the dorsalis pedis artery decreased with increased trophic skin changes (r=-0.431, P=0.009). Conclusions: In the diabetic group, overall artery diameters larger than and flow lumina comparable to the control group suggest vessel wall thickening occurring in the early stage of diabetes. Doppler flow parameters are comparable in both groups. In the diabetic group, the level of HbA1c positively correlated with flow resistance index and negative correlation was observed between the intensity of trophic skin changes and the pulsatility index