14 research outputs found
Prospective comparative study of spiral computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often detected at a
relatively late stage when tumour size prohibits curative surgery.
Screening to detect HCC at an early stage is performed for patients at
risk. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare prospectively the
diagnostic accuracy and classification for management of the two state of
the art secondline imaging techniques: triphasic spiral computer
tomography (CT) and super paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) enhanced magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI). PATIENTS: Sixty one patients were evaluated
between January 1996 and January 1998. Patients underwent CT and MRI
within a mean interval of 6.75 days. METHODS: CT and MRI were evaluated
blindly for the presence and number of lesions, characterisation of these
lesions, and classification for management. For comparison of the data on
characterisation, the CT and MRI findings were compared with
histopathological studies of the surgical specimens and/or follow up
imaging. Data of patients not lost to follow up were available to January
2001. RESULTS: SPIO enhanced MRI detected more lesions and overall smaller
lesions than triphasic spiral CT (number of lesions 189 v 124; median
diameter 1.0 v 1.8 cm; Spearman rank's correlation coefficient 0.63,
p<0.001). There was no significant difference in accuracy between CT and
MRI for lesion characterisation. The agreement in classification for
management was very good (weighted kappa 0.91, 95% CI 0.83-0.99).
CONCLUSION: SPIO enhanced MRI detects more and smaller lesions, but both
techniques are comparable in terms of classification for management. SPIO
enhanced MRI may be preferred as there is no exposure to ionising
radiation
The potential diagnostic yield of whole exome sequencing in pregnancies complicated by fetal ultrasound anomalies
Introduction: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the potential diagnostic yield of prenatal whole exome sequencing in fetuses with structural anomalies on expert ultrasound scans and normal chromosomal microarray results. Material and methods: In the period 2013-2016, 391 pregnant women with fetal ultrasound anomalies who received normal chromosomal microarray results, were referred for additional genetic counseling and opted for additional molecular testing pre- and/or postnatally. Most of the couples received only a targeted molecular test and in 159 cases (40.7%) whole exome sequencing (broad gene panels or open exome) was performed. The results of these molecular tests were evaluated retrospectively, regardless of the time of the genetic diagnosis (prenatal or postnatal). Results: In 76 of 391 fetuses (19.4%, 95% CI 15.8%-23.6%) molecular testing provided a genetic diagnosis with identification of (likely) pathogenic variants. In the majority of cases (91.1%, 73/76) the (likely) pathogenic variant would be detected by prenatal whole exome sequencing analysis. Conclusions: Our retrospective cohort study shows that prenatal whole exome sequencing, if offered by a clinical geneticist, in addition to chromosomal microarray, would notably incre
No association between glucocorticoid receptor polymorphisms and long-term respiratory outcome after very preterm birth
Developmen
Translation and validation of the Revised Dental Beliefs Survey (DBS-R) in China
Patient perceptions of behaviours and attitudes of dentists are associated with dental fear and poor dental attendance in Western countries. However, there is a paucity of research exploring patient perceptions of the dentist in China. One reason for this may be the lack of a valid and reliable scale in Chinese (Standard Mandarin) to measure this. This study aimed to translate the Revised Dental Beliefs Survey (DBS-R) into Chinese and then explore the reliability and validity of this measure (both the short and longer versions) in a Chinese population. We translated the DBS-R using the forwards-backwards method and pilot tested it on a small sample of adults in China. Following this, 480 Chinese adults completed the newly translated scale, as well as well as a standardised dental anxiety questionnaire (the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale Chinese version) to test convergent validity. 109 participants completed the DBS-R again 2 weeks later for test-retest reliability. Both versions of the Chinese DBS-R were internally consistent and demonstrated convergent validity; test-retest reliability was also good. Both versions of the scale performed similarly, but for now we would suggest the 28-item version may be superior as items relating to the technical competence of the dentist appear important to Chinese adults
Antenatal glucocorticoid treatment is not associated with long-term metabolic risks in individuals born before 32 weeks of gestation
BACKGROUND: A single course of maternal glucocorticoid treatment is effective in reducing neonatal mortality after preterm birth. However, in animals, maternal glucocorticoid treatment is associated with lifelong hyperglycaemia and hypertension, and impaired nephrogenesis in offspring. Findings from studies in humans on this topic are highly contradictory due to a number of methodological flaws, and renal function after glucocorticoid exposure has never been assessed. OBJECTIVES: To assess in individuals born <32 gestational weeks whether antenatal glucocorticoid treatment for preterm birth is associated with long-term metabolical risks, including renal function, in adulthood. DESIGN: Birth cohort study. SETTING: Multicentre study. PATIENTS: 412 19 year olds born <32 gestational weeks from the Project On Preterm and Small-for-gestational-age infants (POPS) cohort. INTERVENTIONS: Maternal betamethasone 12 mg administered twice with a 24 h interval. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body composition, insulin resistance, the serum lipid profile, blood pressure and estimated renal function. RESULTS: We did not find any long-term adverse effects of antenatal betamethasone, with the exception of an effect on glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In 19-year-old survivors, GFR was lower after betamethasone: -5.2 ml/min (95% CI -8.9 to -1.4) per 1.73 m(2). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in neonatal mortality associated with a single course of maternal betamethasone is not accompanied by long-term metabolical risks in survivors of preterm birth. The only adverse effect found was lower GFR. Although this difference was not clinically relevant at 19 years, it might predict an increased risk of chronic renal failure in prematurely born individuals who were exposed antenatally to betamethason