Case report: rapid and durable response to PDGFR targeted therapy in a child with refractory multiple infantile myofibromatosis and a heterozygous germline mutation of the PDGFRB gene

Timeline. This file shows timeline of both described cases. (PDF 466 kb

Reflections on the concept of ‘precursor’: Juan de Vilanova and the discovery of Altamira

20 páginas, 2 figuras.Considering the case of Juan de Vilanova y Piera, often celebrated as the first scientist to accept the prehistoric antiquity of palaeolithic paintings, we explore some of the problems related to the concept of ‘precursor’ in the field of the history of science. In the first section, we propose a brief history of this notion focusing on those authors who have reflected critically on the meaning of predecessors. In the second section, the example of Vilanova illustrates the ways in which historians of science have created precursors. From the vantage of modern science, precursors have traditionally been defined as those who first indicated or announced ideas or theories later accepted by the scientific community. As a result, they have been represented as ‘heroes’ struggling hard to defeat the ignorance of their time. As the case of Juan de Vilanova illustrates, this traditional view is unsatisfactory in many ways. For this reason we consider in the third section a number of methodological strategies to promote a more adequate approach to pioneers. In particular, we suggest that the best way to surmount hagiographical approaches to past scientists is to put them in their own intellectual and historical contexts.Research for this article was supported by Memorial University of Newfoundland, the AREA project (Archives of European Archaeology), the European regional development fund (ERDF, project MEC HUM 2006-04730/HIST) and the project Una nueva filosofía de la historia para una nueva Europa (HUM2005-2006/FISO).Peer reviewe

Contrast Media Administration in Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography - A Systematic Review

Background Various different injection parameters influence enhancement of the coronary arteries. There is no consensus in the literature regarding the optimal contrast media (CM) injection protocol. The aim of this study is to provide an update on the effect of different CM injection parameters on the coronary attenuation in coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA).Method Studies published between January 2001 and May 2014 identified by Pubmed, Embase and MEDLINE were evaluated. Using predefined inclusion criteria and a data extraction form, the content of each eligible study was assessed. Initially, 2551 potential studies were identified. After applying our criteria, 36 studies were found to be eligible. Studies were systematically assessed for quality based on the validated Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)-II checklist.Results Extracted data proved to be heterogeneous and often incomplete. The injection protocol and outcome of the included publications were very diverse and results are difficult to compare. Based on the extracted data, it remains unclear which of the injection parameters is the most important determinant for adequate attenuation. It is likely that one parameter which combines multiple parameters (e.g. IDR) will be the most suitable determinant of coronary attenuation in CCTA protocols.Conclusion Research should be directed towards determining the influence of different injection parameters and defining individualized optimal IDRs tailored to patient-related factors (ideally in large randomized trials).</p