Detection of Coalescent Acute Mastoiditis on MRI in Comparison with CT

Purpose Current imaging standard for acute mastoiditis (AM) is contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), revealing inflammation-induced bone destruction, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outperforms CT in detecting intracranial infection. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of MRI with CT in detecting coalescent AM and see to which extent MRI alone would suffice to diagnose or rule out this condition. Methods The MR images of 32 patients with AM were retrospectively analyzed. Bone destruction was evaluated from T2 turbo spin echo (TSE) and T1 Gd magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo (MPRAGE) images. Intramastoid enhancement and diffusion restriction were evaluated subjectively and intramastoid apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured. The MRI findings were compared with contrast-enhanced CT findings of the same patients within 48 & x202f;h of the MR scan. Results Depending on the anatomical subsite, MRI detected definite bone defects with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 54-82%. Exception was the inner cortical table where sensitivity was only 14% and specificity was 76%. Sensitivity for general coalescent mastoiditis remained 100% due to multiple coexisting lesions. The absence of intense enhancement and non-restricted diffusion had a high negative predictive value for coalescent mastoiditis: an intramastoid ADC above 1.2 & x202f;x 10(-3)& x202f;mm(2)/s excluded coalescent mastoiditis with a negative predictive value of 92%. Conclusion The MRI did not miss coalescent mastoiditis but was inferior to CT in direct estimation of bone defects. When enhancement and diffusion characteristics are also considered, MRI enables dividing patients into low, intermediate and high-risk categories with respect to coalescent mastoiditis, where only the intermediate risk group is likely to benefit from additional CT.Peer reviewe

Detection of Coalescent Acute Mastoiditis on MRI in Comparison with CT

Purpose Current imaging standard for acute mastoiditis (AM) is contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), revealing inflammation-induced bone destruction, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outperforms CT in detecting intracranial infection. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of MRI with CT in detecting coalescent AM and see to which extent MRI alone would suffice to diagnose or rule out this condition. Methods The MR images of 32 patients with AM were retrospectively analyzed. Bone destruction was evaluated from T2 turbo spin echo (TSE) and T1 Gd magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo (MPRAGE) images. Intramastoid enhancement and diffusion restriction were evaluated subjectively and intramastoid apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured. The MRI findings were compared with contrast-enhanced CT findings of the same patients within 48 & x202f;h of the MR scan. Results Depending on the anatomical subsite, MRI detected definite bone defects with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 54-82%. Exception was the inner cortical table where sensitivity was only 14% and specificity was 76%. Sensitivity for general coalescent mastoiditis remained 100% due to multiple coexisting lesions. The absence of intense enhancement and non-restricted diffusion had a high negative predictive value for coalescent mastoiditis: an intramastoid ADC above 1.2 & x202f;x 10(-3)& x202f;mm(2)/s excluded coalescent mastoiditis with a negative predictive value of 92%. Conclusion The MRI did not miss coalescent mastoiditis but was inferior to CT in direct estimation of bone defects. When enhancement and diffusion characteristics are also considered, MRI enables dividing patients into low, intermediate and high-risk categories with respect to coalescent mastoiditis, where only the intermediate risk group is likely to benefit from additional CT

Additive Manufacturing of Resected Oral and Oropharyngeal Tissue : A Pilot Study

Better visualization of tumor structure and orientation are needed in the postoperative setting. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a system in which oral and oropharyngeal tumors are resected, photographed, 3D modeled, and printed using additive manufacturing techniques. Three patients diagnosed with oral/oropharyngeal cancer were included. All patients underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging followed by resection. In the operating room (OR), the resected tissue block was photographed using a smartphone. Digital photos were imported into Agisoft Photoscan to produce a digital 3D model of the resected tissue. Physical models were then printed using binder jetting techniques. The aforementioned process was applied in pilot cases including carcinomas of the tongue and larynx. The number of photographs taken for each case ranged from 63 to 195. The printing time for the physical models ranged from 2 to 9 h, costs ranging from 25 to 141 EUR (28 to 161 USD). Digital photography may be used to additively manufacture models of resected oral/oropharyngeal tumors in an easy, accessible and efficient fashion. The model may be used in interdisciplinary discussion regarding postoperative care to improve understanding and collaboration, but further investigation in prospective studies is required

Competitive success of southern populations of Betula pendula and Sorbus aucuparia under simulated southern climate experiment in the subarctic

Global warming has been commonly accepted to facilitate species' range shifts across latitudes. Cross-latitudinal transplantations support this; many tree species can well adapt to new geographical areas. However, these studies fail to capture species' adaptations to new light environment because the experiments were not designed to explicitly separate species' responses to light and temperature. Here we tested reaction norms of tree seedlings in reciprocal transplantations 1,000km apart from each other at two latitudes (60 degrees N and 69 degrees N). In contrast to past studies, we exposed our experimental plants to same temperature in both sites (temperature of 60 degrees N growing site is recorded to adjust temperature of 69 degrees N site in real time via Internet connection) while light environment (photoperiod, light quality) remained ambient. Shoot elongation and autumn coloration were studied in seedlings of two deciduous trees (Betula pendula and Sorbus aucuparia), which were expected to respond differently to day length. Sorbus as a member of Rosaceae family was assumed to be indifferent to photoperiod, while Betula responds strongly to day length. We hypothesized that (1) southern and northern populations of both species perform differently; (2) southern populations perform better in both sites; (3) autumn phenology of southern populations may delay in the northern site; (4) and Sorbus aucuparia is less dependent on light environment. According to the hypotheses, shoot elongation of northern population was inherently low in both species. An evolutionary consequence of this may be a competitive success of southern populations under warming climate. Southern population of B.pendula was delayed in autumn coloration, but not in growth cessation. Sorbus aucuparia was less responsive to light environment. The results suggest that light provides selection pressure in range shifts, but the response is species dependent

Additive Manufacturing of Resected Oral and Oropharyngeal Tissue: A Pilot Study

Better visualization of tumor structure and orientation are needed in the postoperative setting. We aimed to assess the feasibility of a system in which oral and oropharyngeal tumors are resected, photographed, 3D modeled, and printed using additive manufacturing techniques. Three patients diagnosed with oral/oropharyngeal cancer were included. All patients underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging followed by resection. In the operating room (OR), the resected tissue block was photographed using a smartphone. Digital photos were imported into Agisoft Photoscan to produce a digital 3D model of the resected tissue. Physical models were then printed using binder jetting techniques. The aforementioned process was applied in pilot cases including carcinomas of the tongue and larynx. The number of photographs taken for each case ranged from 63 to 195. The printing time for the physical models ranged from 2 to 9 h, costs ranging from 25 to 141 EUR (28 to 161 USD). Digital photography may be used to additively manufacture models of resected oral/oropharyngeal tumors in an easy, accessible and efficient fashion. The model may be used in interdisciplinary discussion regarding postoperative care to improve understanding and collaboration, but further investigation in prospective studies is required

Relation between serum uric acid and carotid intima-media thickness in healthy postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: Serum uric acid (SUA) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However it is still disputed whether the relationship is mediated by other risk factors such as obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension and insulin resistance. We explored the association of the uric acid level with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a well known marker of CVD, in postmenopausal healthy women. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled postmenopausal women undergoing a screening for health evaluation. After an accurate clinical examination, and a biochemical evaluation, the enrolled subjects underwent B mode ultrasonography to assess common carotid intima media thickness. RESULTS: Among 234 women aged 45-70 years, the uric acid level is associated with carotid IMT independently of other prognostic factors (p=0.03). In particular, women in the highest tertiles of uric acid level have a greater IMT than women in the lowest tertile (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Independently of other cardiovascular risk factors, SUA levels are associated with carotid IMT even in subjects without the metabolic syndrome. This confirms and expands the role of uric acid in the determinism of CVD. Prospective trials would be useful to evaluate interventions aimed at lowering the uric acid level

Prevalence of hyperuricemia and relation of serum uric acid with cardiovascular risk factors in a developing country

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hyperuricemia has rarely been investigated in developing countries. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of hyperuricemia and the association between uric acid levels and the various cardiovascular risk factors in a developing country with high average blood pressures (the Seychelles, Indian Ocean, population mainly of African origin). METHODS: This cross-sectional health examination survey was based on a population random sample from the Seychelles. It included 1011 subjects aged 25 to 64 years. Blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, total and HDL cholesterol, serum triglycerides and serum uric acid were measured. Data were analyzed using scatterplot smoothing techniques and gender-specific linear regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of a serum uric acid level >420 μmol/L in men was 35.2% and the prevalence of a serum uric acid level >360 μmol/L was 8.7% in women. Serum uric acid was strongly related to serum triglycerides in men as well as in women (r = 0.73 in men and r = 0.59 in women, p < 0.001). Uric acid levels were also significantly associated but to a lesser degree with age, BMI, blood pressure, alcohol and the use of antihypertensive therapy. In a regression model, triglycerides, age, BMI, antihypertensive therapy and alcohol consumption accounted for about 50% (R2) of the serum uric acid variations in men as well as in women. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the prevalence of hyperuricemia can be high in a developing country such as the Seychelles. Besides alcohol consumption and the use of antihypertensive therapy, mainly diuretics, serum uric acid is markedly associated with parameters of the metabolic syndrome, in particular serum triglycerides. Considering the growing incidence of obesity and metabolic syndrome worldwide and the potential link between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular complications, more emphasis should be put on the evolving prevalence of hyperuricemia in developing countries

Mycorrhization of fagaceae forests within mediterranean ecosystems

Mediterranean Fagaceae forests are valuable due to their ecological and socioeconomic aspects. Some profitable plant species, such as Castanea (timber and chestnut), Quercus (timber and cork), and Fagus (timber), encounter in this habitat the excellent edaphoclimatic conditions to develop. All Fagaceae plants are commonly associated to ECM fungal species, which are found in these forests in quite stable communities, mainly enriched in Russulaceae and Telephoraceae species. Currently, the Mediterranean Basin is considered as one of the global biodiversity hotspots, since many of their endemic plant species are not found elsewhere and are now under threat. Due to climate changing and introduction of disease agents, Fagaceae forests are facing an adaptation challenge to both biotic and abiotic threats. Although ECM communities are highly disturbed by climate factors and tree disease incidence, they could play an important role in increasing water availability to the plant and also improving plant tree defense against pathogens. Recent advances, namely, on genomics and transcriptomics, are providing tools for increasing the understanding of Fagaceae mycorrhization process and stress responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Such studies can provide new information for the implementation of the most adequate management policies for protecting threaten Mediterranean forests.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio