99mTc-MIBI Lung Scintigraphy in the Assessment of Pulmonary Involvement in Interstitial Lung Disease and Its Comparison With Pulmonary Function Tests and High-Resolution Computed Tomography: A Preliminary Study

The differentiation of active inflammatory processes from an inactive form of the disease is of great value in the management of interstitial lung disease (ILD). The aim of this investigation was to assess the efficacy of 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) scans in distinguishing the severity of the disease compared to radiological and clinical parameters.In total, 19 known cases of ILD were included in this study and were followed up for 1 year. Five patients without lung disease were considered as the control group. The patients underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography scans, followed by 99mTc-MIBI scanning. The 99mTc-MIBI scans were analyzed either qualitatively (subjectively) or semiquantitatively.All 19 ILD patients demonstrated a strong increase in 99mTc-MIBI uptake in the lungs compared to the control group. The 99mTc-MIBI scan scores were higher in the patient group in both the early phase (0.240.19-0.31 vs 0.110.10-0.15, P 0.14). The 99mTc-MIBI scan scores were not significantly correlated with the PFT findings (P > 0.05). In total, 5 patients died and 14 patients were still alive over the 1-year follow-up period. There was also a significant difference between the uptake intensity of 99mTc-MIBI and the outcome in the early phase (dead: 0.320.29-0.43 vs alive: 0.210.18-0.24, P < 0.05) and delayed phase (dead: 0.270.22-0.28 vs alive: 0.100.07-0.19, P < 0.05).The washout rate was ~40 min starting from 20 min up to 60 min and this rate was significantly different in our 2 study groups (ILD: 46.6115.61-50.39 vs NL: 70.9127.09-116.36, P = 0.04).The present study demonstrated that 99mTc-MIBI lung scans might distinguish the severity of pulmonary involvement in early views, which were well correlated with HRCT findings. These results also revealed that 99mTc-MIBI lung scans might be used as a complement to other diagnostic and clinical examinations in terms of functional information in ILD; however, further investigations are strongly required

Concurrent papillary thyroid cancer and parathyroid adenoma as a rare condition: A case report

Although the pathological relationship between parathyroid and thyroid diseases is common, an association between parathyroid adenoma and thyroid cancer is rare. Concomitant thyroid cancer in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) has been reported at varying frequencies. WE present here a 23-year-old man who had papillary thyroid carcinoma in the right thyroid lobe and a parathyroid adenoma in the left thyroid lobe, which were confirmed surgically. Copyright © 2012 Via Medica

The role of gated myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (GMPS) in myocarditis: A case report and review of the literature

Acute myocarditis is one of the most challenging diagnoses and treatments in cardiology. The acute viral myocarditis diagnosis is usually based on high suspicion, history taking, and physical examination. Likewise, the use of chest radiography, electrocardiography (ECG), and echocardiography is helpful in making a final diagnosis, but all are non-specific. In addition, in imaging query, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) depicts some degree of cardiac inflammation in the course of myocarditis. Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has also been shown to be useful in diagnosis, and this noninvasive technique diminishes the need for myocardial biopsy. The current study presents the diagnostic and prognostic role of MPI in a 25-year-old patient with suspected myocarditis. The patient underwent gated-technetium-99m-lablled, methoxyisobutyl isonitrile, single photon emission computed tomography (Gated 99mTc-MIBI SPECT) that showed nonheterogeneous absorption with remarkable decreased radiotracer uptake in the myocardium in both stress and rest phases. In addition, the gated mode demonstrated decreased wall motion and thickening of the myocardium with a sum motion score (SMS) of 28, a sum thickening score (STS) of 15, and a measured LVEF of 34%. The study concludes that 99mTC-MIBI SPECT imaging is a useful modality in the preparation of supplementary diagnostic and prognostic information in viral myocarditis. Copyright © 2011 Via Medica

Nuclear imaging with radiolabeled odor molecules in patients with olfactory disorder

Smell loss originates from peripheral disorders, like intranasal obstruction and olfactory cell injury, as well as central pathway diseases. Information derived from electrophysiological and psychophysical tests are useful for identifying loss of smell, but not for discriminating between central and peripheral deficits. This is because conventional imaging modalities are unable to deliver information about functional olfactory performance. Although functional imaging is able to show abnormal changes in central olfactory pathways, it seems that it is only possible to observe such abnormalities in olfactory cell dysfunction. We hypothesize that the scanning of peripheral olfactory systems by radiolabeled odor molecules may specifically reveal olfactory dysfunction and may be useful for differentiating peripheral from central olfactory disorders

The association of rate pressure product (RPP) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) findings: A preliminary study

Introduction: The product of heart rate and systolic blood pressure, termed as rate-pressure product (RPP), is a very reliable indicator of myocardial oxygen demand and is widely used clinically. There have been previous attempts to describe the relationship between RPP and the onset of pain in angina pectoris. The current study aimed to evaluate the association between RPP results and scan findings.Materials and methods: In total, 497 patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent gated, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging with dipyridamole, exercise, or dobutamine stress, and were included in this study. Baseline and maximum heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and electrocardiogram (ECG) results were recorded. The rate-pressure product (RPP) was calculated as the product of heart rate and systolic arterial pressure for both baseline and maximum measures. The difference between the RPP max and the basal RPP is known as the RPP reserve. Researchers also obtained semi-quantitative analyses of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), using gated software, demographic information, risk factors of CAD, and pretest likelihoods of CAD using nomograms.Result: Four hundred and ninety-seven cases, including 426 patients with dipyridamole stress, 59 with exercise stress, and 12 with dobutamine stress, underwent myocardial perfusion imaging. Scan results were positive in 194 (45.5) and negative in 232 (54.5) patients with dipyridamole stress. In patients with exercise stress, the scan was positive in 24 (40.7) cases and negative in 35 (59.3) cases. In dobutamine stressed patients, the scan was positive in 6 (50) cases and negative in the 6 remaining cases. Dipyridamole stress resulted in a significant difference between HR at rest and at maximum (28.95 ± 24.53, p-value<0.0001), between systolic BP at rest and maximum (6.75 ± 12.50, p-value<0.0001) and between diastolic BP at rest and maximum (1.45 ± 5.80; p-value<0.0001). There was a significant correlation between sum stress scores (SSS) and reserved RPP (r= -0.12, p-value<0.001) which, in dipyridamole patients, was r=-0.18, p-value=0.0001). In addition, there was a significant association between reserved RPP and risk of CAD (p-value<0.001). In the patients with dipyridamole stress, the ejection fraction (EF) change (odds ratio =0.92; 95 CI: 0.86-0.98; p=0.01), reserve RPP (odds ratio =1.00; 95 CI: 1.00-1.00; p=0.04), risk of CAD (odds ratio =5.80; 95 CI: 3.21-10.50; p<0.0001) and age (odds ratio =0.94; 95 CI: 0.89-0.98; p=0.01) were associated significantly with MPI results, using multiple logistic regressions.Conclusion. The study demonstrated that RPP is associated with MPI findings using gated SPECT imaging with dipyridamole stress. However, to confirm this preliminary result, further studies are mandatory. © The Author(s) 2012

Study of genetic diversity in sunflower promising inbred lines using morphological traits

One of the most important factors in breeding programs advancement is the evaluation and quantification of genetic diversity in breeding population. In the preparation of pre-breeding population and hybrid production, selection of convenient parents that are efficiently distant, is so important. In order to precise description for the sunflower genetic stocks of the Oilseed Department (Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran), morphological traits and oil percentage of 49 promising inbred lines including 18 R-lines and 31 B-lines were studied using sunflower descriptor. These lines were planted based on a simple Lattice (7 x 7) design with 2 checks in 2005. Results of ANOVA revealed significant differences between the lines for almost all traits. Relationships between quantitative and quantitative traits, qualitative and quantitative traits and qualitative and qualitative traits were calculated, using correlation analysis, ANOVA and chi square method, respectively. Results showed that there is a negative correlation between oil percentage and 100 seed weight. Classification of lines based on cluster analysis grouped the lines in to two distinct male and female groups. Factor analysis, extracted 4 factors that altogether comprised 73.92% of total variation in data. Biplot analysis based on the first two principle components clearly separated male and female lines. According to these findings Heterotic plausible groups were suggested for future crosses and hybrid assessment

The relationship between religion and risky behaviors among Iranian university students

One factor that protects an individual from risky behavior is religiosity, which is referred to as a shield against risky behaviors. Belief in God and religion plays an important role in young people’s lives, and in comparison with their non-religious peers. They engage less frequently in risky behaviors, such as violence and sexual relations. The present study investigated the relationship between religiosity and engagement in risky behaviors among students from the Pishva branch of the Islamic Azad University, Tehran Province in Iran. This is a descriptive, analytic cross-sectional study. The sample was comprised of 448 students from different degree majors attending the University. Participants completed two questionnaires, including the Risk-Taking Scale and Duke University Religion Index. The data analyses used one-way ANOVAs and Pearson’s correlations. This study found that students who engaged more often in organized religious activities and had higher intrinsic religiosity were less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as sexual risk taking, careless driving, violence, smoking, along with alcohol and drug abuse. Participants with higher involvement in private religious activities reported lower tendencies for the above-mentioned risky behaviors, except sexual risk taking. The findings of this study indicate that the different dimensions of religiousness are related to students’ tendency to avoid risky behavior. Thus, it appears that religion may have a role to play in preventing risky taking behavior in Iran

Unhealthy lifestyles and ischaemic electrocardiographic abnormalities: the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study

We assessed prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and unhealthy lifestyles in 3723 participants aged ≥ 25 years in the northern Persian Gulf region; 96.0% had ≥ 1 cardiovascular risk factor. Over 60% had unhealthy body weight, only 8.3% ate the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, 70.6% were physically inactive and 19.0% were current smokers. Prevalence of electrocardiogram (ECG) with evidence of IHD was 12.7%. Present or past smoking and truncal obesity were independently associated with IHD ECGs in men, and past or present smoking and obesity in women. Hypertension and diabetes were independently associated with increased risk of IHD EC

Clinical significance of mild inferolateral wall ischemia of the left ventricle on 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

INTRODUCTION: Mild ischemia in the inferolateral wall on myocardial perfusion imaging is seen frequently in practice. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of the above issue on myocardial perfusion SPECT with coronary angiography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients enrolled in this study exhibited mild ischemia of the inferolateral wall on myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with 99mTc-MIBI, using the 20 left ventricular segments model. Each patient completed a questionnaire, including type of chest pain, risk factors, and previous examinations, and all cases were followed up for one year. Luminal stenosis of >50% was classified as significant stenosis on coronary angiography. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: During investigation, 105 cases had mild ischemia on myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) of which 36 subjects (22 male and 14 female) underwent coronary angiography. The mean age was 56.62±10.23 years old (age range: 36-73 years). The inferolateral wall was compared to the left circumflex (LCX) territory. Nineteen out of 36 (52.7%) cases had stenosis in the LCX. Twenty-three of 105 (21.90%) underwent revascularization during the one year follow up. In multiple logistic regressions, with LCX stenosis on angiography as the dependent variable, only abnormal MPI was independently associated significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study may indicate that even a mild perfusion defect in the inferolateral wall should be carefully managed, especially in high-risk subjects for coronary artery disease. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences Clinical significance of mild inferolateral wall ischemia of the left ventricle on 99mTc-MIBI myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) M. ASSADI, A. ABDI-ARDEKANI1, M. POURBEHI2, A. AMINI2, H. JAVADI3, I. NABIPOUR, M. ABBASZADEH3, M. ASSADI3 The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran 1Department of Cardiology, Bushehr Heart Center, Faculty of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran 2Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (GRCGH), Golestan University of Medical Sciences (GUOMS), Gorgan, Iran 3The Persian Gulf Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences