Narrow interval dual phase 18F-FDG PET/CT: A practical approach for distinguishing tumor recurrence from radiation necrosis in brain metastasis.

Purpose of our research is to demonstrate efficacy of narrow interval dual phase [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) imaging in distinguishing tumor recurrence (TR) from radiation necrosis (RN) in patients treated for brain metastases. 35 consecutive patients (22 female, 13 male) with various cancer subtypes, lesion size > 1.0 cm3, and suspected recurrence on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) underwent narrow interval dual phase FDG-PET/CT (30 and 90 min after tracer injection).

Faecal Immunochemical Testing to Detect Colorectal Cancer in Symptomatic Patients: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

(1) Background: NHS England recommended faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for symptomatic patients in June 2020 to rationalise limited diagnostic services during COVID-19. (2) Aim: to investigate the diagnostic performance of FIT, analysing the proportion of FIT-negative colorectal cancers (CRC) missed in symptomatic patients and how this risk could be mitigated. (3) Design and Setting: a retrospective study of biochemistry and cancer databases involving patients referred from primary healthcare with suspected CRC to a single secondary care trust in North East London.

Assessment of Salivary ABO Blood Group Antigens and Secretor Status in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan: A Correlational Analysis of 300 Samples.

Aim To estimate the ABO blood groups from saliva samples and to correlate with the secretor status. Materials and methods A sample size of 300 individuals was selected from the outpatient department of Surendera Dental College & Research Institute, Sriganganagar, India, and from dental camps organized by the college in the near vicinity. Informed consent was obtained from selected individuals to collect their blood and saliva samples.

A Study of personality profile and criminal behavior in substance abusers.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to study the personality characteristics and criminal behavior in the substance abusers. The role of various sociodemographic variables in substance abusers, which affected their criminal behavior was also studied. Moreover, in the present study, the personality profile of substance users and nonusers was compared using psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism (PEN) inventory.

Incidence and outcomes of no-reflow phenomenon during percutaneous coronary intervention among patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Previous studies describing the no-reflow phenomenon in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were largely confined to single-center studies or small registries. To better characterize the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of the no-reflow phenomenon in a large contemporary population, we analyzed patients with AMI who were undergoing PCI of native coronary artery stenoses in the CathPCI Registry from January 1, 2004 through September 5, 2008 (n = 291,380). The angiographic no-reflow phenomenon was site reported using a standardized definition.

Clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcome of patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis referred for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation.

Background: Little is known about the clinical profile of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who undergo implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation.

Objective: This study sought to analyze the risk profile of ESRD patients admitted for ICD implantation.

Methods: Patients undergoing first-time device implantation in National Cardiovascular Data Registry/ICD registry from 01/01/06 to 12/31/07 were analyzed (n = 164,069).

Incidence and predictors of stroke associated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Stroke is a serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Clinical characteristics associated with this complication have not been well defined. Data were analyzed from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry.

Impact of home warfarin use on the treatment and outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

The periprocedural management, bleeding risks, and outcomes of patients taking warfarin previous to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have not been well characterized. All patients undergoing PCI in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry from January 1, 2004 to March 31, 2006 were analyzed (n = 307,443). Multivariable modeling was used to evaluate the association between home warfarin use and in-hospital mortality and bleeding (requiring blood transfusion and/or prolonging hospital stay and/or causing hemoglobin drop >3.

Optimized scintigraphic evaluation of infection and inflammation: role of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography fusion imaging.

Gallium-67 citrate and radiolabeled white blood cells have become standard inflammation/infection-seeking agents whereas other agents, such as (99m)Tc diphosphonates, commonly are used to infer an infectious process. These radiopharmaceuticals reflect physiologic and pathologic function rather than anatomical abnormality. In the clinical setting, it is often necessary to correlate these functional studies with anatomical imaging.

Bleeding complications after contemporary pharmacoinvasive therapy for ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Pharmacoinvasive therapy for the treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a strategy that combines early restoration of coronary flow via pharmacologically induced thrombolysis with subsequent, prompt percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Prior studies suggesting a heightened bleeding risk of PCI performed early after fibrinolysis predated contemporary pharmacoinvasive practice including use of femoral closure devices (CD), fibrin specific thrombolytics, lower doses of heparin and stents.

Methods: Consecutive patients were included in this retrospective registry study if they underwent emergent PCI for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) followed by immediate use of a groin closure device.

Soluble CD40 ligand is an early initiator of inflammation after coronary intervention.

Background: This prospective study evaluated the early increase in markers of inflammation after coronary stenting, and the predictors of early rise. Elevation of markers of inflammation after percutaneous coronary intervention correlates with an increased risk of adverse events. The role of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) as a potential initiator of inflammation after stenting has not been described.

Development of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa antagonists: translation of pharmacodynamic effects into clinical benefit.

This article will review the development of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa antagonists, with particular emphasis on the characteristics and pharmacodynamic studies of each agent that is available for clinical use. Abciximab is a Fab fragment of the 7E3 antibody that has high affinity and a slow rate of dissociation from glycoprotein IIb-IIIa. In contrast, the small molecules eptifibatide and tirofiban, have a much more rapid rate of dissociation, with an off time of 10 to 15 s.

Attenuation of platelet reactivity by enoxaparin compared with unfractionated heparin in patients undergoing haemodialysis.

Background: Increased platelet reactivity presages adverse cardiac events. Because both haemodialysis and unfractionated heparin (UFH) can increase platelet reactivity, we compared platelet reactivity during haemodialysis when patients were anticoagulated with UFH or enoxaparin.

Methods: Patients (n = 20) underwent consecutive haemodialysis sessions with either UFH or enoxaparin in a random order.

Increased coronary arterial release of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and soluble CD40 ligand indicative of inflammation associated with culprit coronary plaques.

Blood taken from the coronary artery ostium reflects biochemical changes indicative of thrombosis in the culprit vessel. We sought to determine whether inflammation is manifested by increased concentrations of selected markers in ostial blood sampled from a culprit coronary artery proximal to an atherosclerotic plaque. The concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) were measured in blood drawn from 75 patients before percutaneous coronary intervention from the femoral artery and from a guide catheter after engagement of the culprit coronary artery.

Increase in interleukin-6 in the first hour after coronary stenting: an early marker of the inflammatory response.

Background: Inflammation after coronary stenting presages adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). While changes in inflammatory markers have been defined 24-72 hours after PCI, potential changes during the first few hours have not. This study was designed to determine if a systemic inflammatory response could be measured within the first hour after stenting.

Comparison of inflammatory markers in patients with diabetes mellitus versus those without before and after coronary arterial stenting.

Patients with diabetes are at increased risk for adverse events after coronary stenting, perhaps reflecting a pro-inflammatory state. To characterize the inflammatory response to coronary stenting in patients with and without diabetes, blood samples were obtained from 75 patients before stenting and 10 minutes, 1 hour, and 24 hours later. C-reactive protein (CRP, microg/ml), interleukin (IL)-6 (pg/ml), IL-1 receptor antagonist (pg/ml), and soluble CD40 ligand (ng/ml) were assayed in each sample by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.