Practical application of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance mammography [CE-MRM] by an algorithm combining morphological and enhancement patterns

The purpose of this article is to report our practical utilization of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance mammography [DCE-MRM] in the diagnosis of breast lesions. In many European centers, was preferred a high-temporal acquisition of both breasts simultaneously in a large FOV. We preferred to scan single breasts, with the aim to combine the analysis of the contrast intake and washout with the morphological evaluation of breast lesions. We followed an interpretation model, based upon a diagnostic algorithm, which combined contrast enhancement with morphological evaluation, in order to increase our confidence in diagnosis. DCE-MRM with our diagnostic algorithm has identified 179 malignant and 41 benign lesions; final outcome has identified 178 malignant and 42 benign lesions, 3 false positives and 2 false negatives. Sensitivity of CE-MRM was 98.3%; specificity, 95.1%; positive predictive value 98.9%; negative predictive,. value, 92.8% and accuracy, 97.7%. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserve

Association of kidney disease measures with risk of renal function worsening in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: Albuminuria has been classically considered a marker of kidney damage progression in diabetic patients and it is routinely assessed to monitor kidney function. However, the role of a mild GFR reduction on the development of stage 653 CKD has been less explored in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic role of kidney disease measures, namely albuminuria and reduced GFR, on the development of stage 653 CKD in a large cohort of patients affected by T1DM. Methods: A total of 4284 patients affected by T1DM followed-up at 76 diabetes centers participating to the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists (Associazione Medici Diabetologi, AMD) initiative constitutes the study population. Urinary albumin excretion (ACR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) were retrieved and analyzed. The incidence of stage 653 CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or eGFR reduction > 30% from baseline was evaluated. Results: The mean estimated GFR was 98 \ub1 17 mL/min/1.73m2 and the proportion of patients with albuminuria was 15.3% (n = 654) at baseline. About 8% (n = 337) of patients developed one of the two renal endpoints during the 4-year follow-up period. Age, albuminuria (micro or macro) and baseline eGFR < 90 ml/min/m2 were independent risk factors for stage 653 CKD and renal function worsening. When compared to patients with eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73m2 and normoalbuminuria, those with albuminuria at baseline had a 1.69 greater risk of reaching stage 3 CKD, while patients with mild eGFR reduction (i.e. eGFR between 90 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) show a 3.81 greater risk that rose to 8.24 for those patients with albuminuria and mild eGFR reduction at baseline. Conclusions: Albuminuria and eGFR reduction represent independent risk factors for incident stage 653 CKD in T1DM patients. The simultaneous occurrence of reduced eGFR and albuminuria have a synergistic effect on renal function worsening

Consecutive regression of MALT lymphomas coexisting in the pharyngeal and gastric tissue after the eradication of Helicobacter pylori

The stomach is one of the most common organs in which mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma develops. It is well established that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection plays a major role in the development of gastric MALT lymphoma and that the presence of Hp in the gastric mucosa is connected with mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT).The same tissue is located in the oral cavity and pharynx in Waldayer’s circuit. Recently, the oral cavity was proposed as an extragastric reservoir of Hp infection. We report the case of a 79-year-old female patient with concomitant pharyngeal (MALT) lymphoma and Hp-related gastric MALT lymphoma. Gastric MALT lymphoma was detected both through endoscopic examination as well as in biopsies. Pharyngeal MALT lymphoma was also detected in biopsies. Hp has been recognized in the gastric mucosa by positive serum H. pylori antibody and urease tests. Treatment of the Hp infection in our patient using antibiotics led to the regression of both lesions. This is the first case report on the regression of a pharyngeal MALT lymphoma after Hp eradication

Geostatistics and Structure from Motion Techniques for Coastal Pollution Assessment along the Policoro Coast (Southern Italy)

The coastal system, with its physical chemical and biological components, is the place where the lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere intersect and interact, and in which human activity has a considerable impact on the balance of the whole ecosystem. The aim of this study is to assess the health of the coastal environment in a natural protected area in Policoro (Italy). Sand samples have been collected and analysed to detect the presence of environmental contaminants and pollutants (heavy metals). A photogrammetric survey was carried out using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and an updated orthophoto of the area was obtained using the Structure from Motion (SfM) processing technique. Geostatistical techniques have been used to assess the distribution of the contaminants in the study area

Oligella ureolytica conjunctivitis in a female patient

Oligella ureolytica, an aerobic gram-negative found as a commensal microorganism in human urinary tracts, is an emerging bacteria which is rarely implicated as human pathogen. In the past referred to as CDC Group IVe, this bacterium is not commonly encountered as a source of infection and is difficult to isolate by means of conventional laboratory procedures. We present here the case of a 55-year-old female patient suffering from bilateral conjunctivitis. An Oligella ureolytica infection was identify in an eye swab sample. The pathogen was isolated in pure culture (48/72 h) and an antibiogram was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method (manual test)

Clinical utility of QuantiFERON TB Gold Test in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infections

Introduction: Early diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection can avoid a progression to active tuberculosis.The interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production measured by the new interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) can be used to identify subjects with, because the tuberculin skin test, is unreliable to discriminative between subjects with and others. Methods: 186 patients tested positive with the tuberculin skin test were evaluated with QuantiFERON- TB Gold [QFT-G (Cellestis Ltd, Carnegie, Australia)]. Results: 61 (32.8%) samples showed a positive response with QFT-G test and only 1 (0.54%) patient tested indeterminate. Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that QFT-G-positivity showed a strong correlation with clinical suspect of latent tuberculosis infection

RAD120 and TORCH diagnosys: final considerations

This work is a second step of comparative clinical trial about the performance of automatic system RAD 120, with final fluorescent determination, and ALISEI, a referential system in ELISA. In this second comparison RAD120 shows that the problems of the first step have been resolved after adjournment, and this second step, demonstrates if RAD 120 has became a referential system in torch diagnosis