• Espinoza Wooten opublikował 5 miesięcy, 2 tygodnie temu

    The present paper describes the imaging methods for obtaining optimal images and the characteristic imaging findings with the aim of standardizing image quality and improving diagnostic accuracy when radiologists diagnose AIP in actual clinical settings.PURPOSE To assess the impact of cardiac motion during percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided core needle biopsy (PCT-CNB) of small lung lesions near pericardium, focusing on safety and diagnostic accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-eight PCT-CNBs were performed between March 2010 and June 2018 in 78 patients with small (≤ 20 mm) lung nodules, each within 10 mm of pericardium. Shifts in distance and length of interface separating lesions from pericardium were calculated and compared by cardiac chambers (left atrium, left ventricle, right atrium, or right ventricle). Risk factors for complications were subjected to univariate analysis, and diagnostic accuracy was assessed. RESULTS The respective mean values were 0.8 ± 1.1 mm (range 0-5.1 mm) for shifts in distance and 1.5 ± 2.1 mm (range 0-10.8 mm) for length of interface. Neither parameter shifted significantly with respect to cardiac chambers (p > 0.05, both). Pneumothorax ensued in 28 patients (35.9%), and pulmonary hemorrhage occurred in 41 (52.6%). The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of PCT-CNB were 91.2%, 100%, and 93.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that cardiac motion has no impact on either the incidence of complications or the diagnostic accuracy of PCT-CNB in patients with small (≤ 20 mm) lung lesions near pericardium.PURPOSE We compared the maximal recognizable bronchial bifurcation order (MRBBO) in CT virtual bronchoscopy (CTVB) using ultrahigh-resolution CT (UHRCT) and different reconstruction parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS We enrolled 38 patients undergoing noncontrast chest CT by UHRCT and reconstructed CTVB utilizing 3 different combinations of reconstruction parameters, as classified into Group A (matrix size, 512; slice thickness, 1.0 mm), Group B (matrix size, 512; slice thickness, 0.5 mm), and Group C (matrix size, 1024; slice thickness, 0.25 mm). In right S1, left S1 + 2, and both S3 and S10, two reviewers counted the number of consecutively identified bronchial bifurcations to compare MRBBO among these groups using Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS In these segments, MRBBO increased from Group A to C. MRBBO was significantly higher in Group C than in both Groups A and B in all the segments except left S10 (P  less then  0.05 for all). In left S10, it was significantly higher in Group C than in Group A (P  less then  0.05) but comparable between Groups B and C (P = 0.122). CONCLUSIONS MRBBO is higher in CTVB by UHRCT utilizing 1024-matrix size and 0.25-mm thickness than parameters currently recommended for CTVB (matrix size, 512; slice thickness, 0.5-1.0 mm).Experiments examining mercury (Hg) toxicity in Daphnia are usually conducted in highly standardized conditions that prevent the formation of biofilm. Although such standardization has many advantages, extrapolation of results to natural conditions and inference of ecological effects is challenging. This is especially true since biofilms can accumulate metals/metalloids and play a key role in their transfer to higher trophic level organisms. In this study, we experimentally tested the effects of spontaneously appearing biofilm in Daphnia cultures on accumulation of Hg and its natural antagonist selenium (Se) in Daphnia magna. We added Hg (in the form of mercury (II) chloride) at two concentrations (0.2 µg/L and 2 µg/L) to experimental microcosms and measured the uptake of Hg and Se by D. magna in the presence and absence of biofilm. To test for consistent and replicable results, we ran two identical experimental sets one week apart. Biofilm presence significantly reduced the accumulation of Hg, while increasing the tissue Se content in D. magna, and these findings were reproducible across experimental sets. These findings indicate that highly standardized tests may not be adequate to predict the bioaccumulation and potential toxicity of metals/metalloids under natural conditions.The main goal of this study was to perform an ecotoxicological profiling of terrestrial and aquatic cyanobacterial strains found in different soils or in toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Vojvodina region, Serbia, using the effect-directed analysis (EDA) approach. The applied procedure was based on a series of in vitro or small-scale bioassays covering multiple endpoints in combination with advanced chemical analytical protocols. Non-selective and non-target preparation techniques were used for the extraction of a broad range of chemical compounds present in three terrestrial (Anabaena Č2, Anabaena Č5, Nostoc S8) and three aquatic (Nostoc Z1, Phormidium Z2, Oscillatoria K3) strains. Ecotoxicological endpoints addressed included evaluation of the fish cytotoxicity in vitro (acute toxicity), algal growth inhibition (chronic toxicity), and interaction with cellular detoxification mechanisms. All cyanobacterial strains tested in the 1st tier EDA showed significant effects in terms of chronic toxicity and interaction with cellular detoxification. Three major fractions of different polarities were further tested in the 2nd tier, using bioassays which showed the strongest response induction of CYP1A1 biotransformation enzyme and inhibition of zebrafish organic anion (Oatp1d1) and cation (Oct1) uptake transporters. Oscillatoria K3 strain was selected for a more detailed 3rd tier EDA, and the obtained results revealed that positive sub-fractions possess polar anion and cation compounds that are reactive to both uptake transporters, and compounds responsible for the strongest effects have a pronounced lipophilic character. Apart from lipophilic non-polar compounds that represent typical phase I substrates, sub-fractions that contained polar substances are also shown to significantly induce CYP1A1.Proline is one of the most important compatible osmolyte in cells, which accumulates in response to various stresses, including salt, water deficit, heavy metal, pathogen infection and extreme temperature. In this study, a growth chamber was employed to simulate heat environment for Avicennia marina seedlings. We detected some physiological indices in the leaves of A. marina at 40 °C, including the activity of delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS), the content of free proline and soluble protein, transpiration rate and membrane permeability, and discussed the relationship between these five indices and heat resistant ability. And then a P5CS gene was cloned from A. marina using homologous cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends methods. It was designated as AmP5CS, encoding a protein that contained a feedback inhibition site of proline, proA, proB, conserved Leu zipper, GSA-DH domain and other functional domains of P5CS protein in high plants. Expression analysis of AmP5CS gene indicated it was involved in heat stress response. It is the first time that P5CS from A. marina has been cloned and the findings laid the foundation of figuring out heat resistant mechanisms and relieving heat damage, which is significant during global warming.Algal species Raphidocelis subcapitata and Chlorella vulgaris are commonly used to test the chemicals with an antibacterial mode of action during marketing authorization process. However, significant differences in the sensitivity toward antibiotic exposure have been reported. The selection of an inappropriate test species would thus underestimate the environmental hazard of target chemicals and pose a potential threat to the ecosystem. Since oxidative stress is a crucial factor determining the inhibition of algal growth, an investigation on oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanisms in these two species was performed to explore its roles in species sensitivity. Here, roxithromycin (ROX), a macrolide antibiotic extensively used to treat respiratory, urinary and soft tissue infections, was used for testing. After 7 days exposure to ROX at the low (0.01 mg L-1) and high (0.09 mg L-1) concentrations, R. subcapitata was inhibited while the growth of C. vulgaris was stimulated. We investigated the roles of oxidative stress in algae by measuring the oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA), non-enzymatic antioxidants (GSH), and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GP, GST). The results suggested that when the growth of algae is inhibited, MDA content as well as activities of oxidative stress enzymes would increase, and thus, activating the antioxidant system. On the contrary, it was inferred that when the growth is stimulated, MDA content and oxidative stress enzymes activities would decrease.BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury after partial or radical nephrectomy remains an unsolved problem even when using minimally invasive techniques. We aimed to identify risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) after minimally invasive nephrectomy and to develop a clinical risk scoring system. METHODS Medical records of 1762 patients who underwent minimally invasive laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic partial (n = 1009) or radical (n = 753) nephrectomy from December 2005 to November 2018 were reviewed. Candidate risk factors were screened using univariate analysis and ranked using linear discriminant analysis; top ranking factors were incorporated into a multivariate logistic regression model. Then, the final clinical scoring system was created based on the estimated odds ratios. RESULTS The incidence of acute kidney injury after partial or radical nephrectomy was 20.3 and 61.6%, respectively. Risk factors incorporated into the scoring system included size of the parenchymal mass removed (3  6 cm, 5 points), male sex (2 points), diabetes mellitus (1 point), warm ischemia time ≥ 25 min (1 point), and immediate postoperative neutrophil count ≥ 12,000 µl-1 (1 point) in patients with partial nephrectomy, and sex (male, 10 points; female, 7 points) in patients with radical nephrectomy. For risk scores of 0-4, 5-6, 7, 8-9, and 10 points, the probabilities of acute kidney injury were approximately 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80%, respectively. The predictive accuracy of the scoring system was 0.827 (95% CI 0.789-0.865). CONCLUSION Our risk scoring system could help clinicians identify those at risk of acute kidney injury after minimally invasive partial or radical nephrectomy, thereby optimizing postoperative management.BACKGROUND Patients seeking bariatric surgery are traveling longer distances to reach Bariatric Centers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of travel distance on adherence to follow-up and outcomes after bariatric surgery. METHODS A retrospective review of all consecutive patients who had undergone bariatric surgery from June 2013 to May 2014 was performed, and the patients were divided into two groups those who traveled 50 miles or less and those who traveled more than 50 miles. Primary outcome assessed was the influence of distance on post-operative follow-up attrition over 4-year period. Secondary outcomes assessed were excess weight loss, length of stay (LOS), complications and readmission rates. RESULTS A total of 228 patients underwent bariatric surgery with 4 years of follow-up available. Of these, 145 patients traveled 50 miles or less and 83 patients traveled greater than 50 miles. Patient demographics were similar between the two groups. Those who traveled more had statistically higher probability of attrition up to 3-year follow-up mark.

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