False Negative Report of 18F -FDG PET/CT in a Patient with Liver Metastases due to Uveal Melanoma

Background:To report a false negative 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) of liver metastasis in a patient with malignant uveal melanoma. Material and Methods:A 74-year-old man with left eye uveal melanoma and liver metastasis that was found seven months after the enucleation surgery. Results:Seven months post-enucleation surgery, ultrasonography revealed a suspicious hepatic lesion. Further investigation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and PET scan was recommended. MRI with and without contrast reported mild post-contrast enhancement in the right lobe of the liver, suggestive of metastasis from the known tumor of the patient. 18F-FDG PET/CT surprisingly showed no metabolic evidence of malignancy throughout the body. Finally, the patient was scheduled for an ultrasound-guided biopsy. Pathology reported metastatic malignant melanoma. Conclusion:It is important to remember not to rely solely on PET/CT since it may report false negative results in liver metastasis

Estimation of peak outflow in dam failure using neural network approach under uncertainty analysis

This paper presents two Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based models for the prediction of peak outflow from breached embankment dams using two effective parameters including height and volume of water behind the dam at the time of failure. Estimation of optimal weights and biases in the training phase of the ANN is analysed by two different algorithms including Levenberg—Marquardt (LM) as a standard technique used to solve nonlinear least squares problems and Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) as a new evolutionary algorithm in the evolutionary computation field. Comparison of the obtained results with those of the conventional approach based on regression analysis shows a better performance of the ANN model trained with ICA. Investigation on the uncertainty band of the models indicated that LM predictions have the least uncertainty band whilst ICA’s have the lowest mean prediction error. More analysis on the models’ uncertainty is conducted by a Monte Carlo simulation in which 1000 randomly generated sets of input data are sampled from the database of historical dam failures. The result of 1000 ANN models which have been analysed with three statistical measures including p-factor, d-factor, and DDR confirms that LM predictions have more limited uncertainty band

A Study of the Conditions of Energy Dissipation in Stepped Spillways with Λ-shaped step Using FLOW-3D

In the present study, energy dissipation was investigated in a specific type of stepped spillways. The purpose was to achieve the highest level of energy dissipation in downstream of the spillway. It was performed by providing a specific type of geometry for step as a great roughness. Here, steps were recognized as great roughness against flow. Their shape and number were designed in such a way that the maximum flow energy can be minimized in this stage, i.e. over steps before reaching to downstream. Accordingly, it can be stated that the highest energy dissipation rate will be obtained in the structure at downstream. Moreover, thereby, heavy costs imposed by designing and constructing stilling basin on project can be minimized. In this study, FLOW-3D was employed to analyse and obtain energy dissipation rate. The best geometry of the steps, through which the maximum energy dissipation can be achieved, was determined by reviewing related literature and inventing the proposed model in FLOW-3D. To evaluate the proposed method, analyses were performed using trial and error in mesh networks sizes as well as the mentioned methods and the results were compared to other studies. In other words, the most optimal state was obtained with Λ-shaped step at angel of 25 degree with respect to energy dissipation rate compare to smooth step

Retinal Screening of Coats Disease Using Electrooculography

Background: Coats disease is a retinal disorder characterized by the abnormal dilation of blood vessels within the human retina. This study aimed to evaluate the electrooculography (EOG) in patients diagnosed with Coats disease. Material and Methods: A total of 11 male patients (20 affected eyes) suffering from Coats disease were selected for this investigation. EOG measurements were conducted on the patient group using the Mangoni machine. Subsequently, the results were compared with an equivalent number of 11 normal participants (20 eyes) following the EOG test. Finally , statistical analysis was carried out. Results: The case and control groups did not display significant differences in terms of age. However, a notable distinction was observed in the Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) between the two groups. Moreover, the comparison of the Arden Index (AI) of EOG showed values of 2.21 ± 0.23 and 2.20 ± 0.23 in the control and case groups, respectively. The difference in the mean AI of EOG was not statistically significant between the patients and the normal groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that Coats disease does not seem to cause damage to the retina, particularly the retinal pigment epithelium, which is reflected in the Arden Index (AI) of the EOG wave. These results suggest that the retinal pigment epithelium remains relatively unaffected in individuals afflicted by Coats disease, as evidenced by the comparable AI values of the EOG wave between the patient and control groups

Stormwater Management Based on Resilient Urban Drainage Strategies

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

Electrophysiological Eye Examination Changes in a Patient with Sjogren's Syndrome

AbstractSjogren's syndrome is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. It may exist as either a primary syndrome or as a secondary syndrome associated with other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis. Patient with Sjogren's syndrome have certain visual system involvements with dry eye being the most common type. These patients may also exhibit certain pathological changes in their retina and visual pathway.Here we report the electrophysiological recording including visual evoked potential, electro- retinography and electrooculography findings in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome. keywords: Sjogren's Syndrome; Evoked Potentials, Visual; Electro- retinography. 

Visual Evoked Potentials Changes among Patients with Chronic Mustard Gas Exposure

Purpose: To report the chronic effect of mustard gas exposure on visual pathway measured by visual evoked potentials.Patients and Methods:  The present study included 150 participants in three groups. The case group included 50 patients with chronic mustard gas exposure inflicted on them during the Iran - Iraq war (1980 - 1988).  The first control group included fifty veterans of the Iran -  Iraq war with no history of exposure to mustard gas and the second control group included 50 age and sex matched participants with no history of involvement in the war. Visual evoked potentials including latency and amplitude of VEP, P100 peak wave were measured in all participants and were compared between groups. Results: The result of the present study showed significant delay in mean latency of VEP, P100 peak in the case group compared to both control groups, while the difference in amplitude of VEP, P100 peak was not statistically significant. Conclusion: A significant delay in the latency of VEP, P100 peak among patients with a chronic history of mustard gas exposure was found, which might be due to disturbances in visual pathway caused by mustard gas exposure.Keywords: Mustard gas; Evoked potentials; Visual; Iran

Electroretinographic Changes in Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Abnormal Visual Evoked Potentials

Purpose: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of nervous system which is accompanied by degeneration of visual pathway in certain cases. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP) are among the diagnostic techniques in detecting this disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible electroretinography (ERG) changes among these patients. Patients and Methods: Thirty eyes of the patients with definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and delay in latency of visual evoked potential P100 peak entered the present prospective case control study as the case group. Latency and amplitude of ERG b-wave peak were measured in each eye. The result was compared with normal eyes thirty from age and sex marched individuals to evaluate the possible differences between the two groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference regarding the demographic data (age, UCVA) between the case and control groups. The b-wave latency did show a statistically significant difference between patients with MS and normal controls (P < 0.001). The ERG b-wave amplitude did not show statistically significant difference between patients with MS and the control group. Conclusion: From the result of the present study it seems that the latency of b-wave in flash ERG might be used as an indicator to evaluate the retinal dysfunction in MS patients with abnormal VEP pattern.Keywords:  Multiple sclerosis; retinal changes; flash electroretinograph

Health-promoting behaviors and related factors among high school teachers in the city of Rasht, Iran

Background: Health Promoting Behaviors (HPB) are of great importance because of their potential benefits to prevent the progression of chronic diseases, reduce disease burden, improve quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs. The present study aimed to determine and compare HPB and related factors among high school teachers.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 257 high school teachers (138 women and 119 men) having at least associate degree in Rasht city, Iran during 2015. Data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire including the personal, familial, and social factors and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLPII) standard questionnaire. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 24.0. running descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent sample t-test, analysis of variance. P values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: Among the participants 138 (53.7%) were female. The overall mean (SD) score of HPB among participants was 129.6 (22.64) and was undesirable. This score was significantly better among the women 130.6 (24.61) compared with men 128.5 (20.54) (P=0.01). The highest mean score of HPB was related to nutrition 26.8 (5.01), followed, respectively, by spiritual growth 22.6 (4.25) and interpersonal relations 21.7 (4.82). Physical activity with the mean (SD) score of 18.09 (4.14) had the lowest overall mean score of HPB. Female teachers had a significantly higher scores than men in all aspects (P<0.05), except for physical activity and stress management.Conclusion: The overall mean score of HPB among participants was undesirable. Total HPB in female teachers were better than that in the male teachers. Female teachers had a better status than men in all aspects except for physical activity and stress management