[Significance of various examination methods in the management of prostatic cancer].

The authors investigated the sensitivity and specificity of four methods: rectal digital examination, prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and transrectal ultrasound in the diagnosis of 100 prostate cancer and 50 suffering in benign prostatic hypertrophy patients. In 21 patients the prostate cancer was proved by perineal punch biopsy and in 79 cases by biopsy and by TUR as well. Because of its simplicity the rectal investigation has to be first one, after that the PSA has to be determined.

Prevalence and recovery of aspiration poststroke: a retrospective analysis.

This retrospective study was undertaken to review aspiration documented by videofluoroscopic modified barium swallow (VMBS) examination in a group of patients admitted to a stroke rehabilitation unit. Forty-two of 54 patients tested demonstrated evidence of aspiration of thin liquids on VMBS performed an average of over 5 weeks following the onset of stroke. However, only patients in whom there was clinical concern of aspiration (54 of 255 stroke patients admitted to the rehab unit) were tested with VMBS evaluation.

Preoperative staging and early postoperative complications in radical prostatectomy. Experiences in 35 cases.

It is already a textbook item that in patients with prostatic cancer stage T1-T2 N0M0 radical prostatectomy is the only curative treatment. Radical prostatectomy is indicated also for patients in stage T3 N0M0 who underwent antiandrogenic (Fugerel) treatment for 3 months with the aim of reducing tumour volume. In the following 35 cases will be scrutinized, with special regard to preoperative staging and early postoperative complications.

Renal functional reserve in patients with IgA glomerulopathy.

Unlabelled: Seven patients with histologically proven IgA nephropathy and modest impairment of renal function, and 2 patients with IgA nephropathy and nephrotic syndrome were investigated, compared to a control group of 9 healthy individuals, to study the effects of amino acids on glomerular and tubular function, and to evaluate renal functional reserve in IgA nephropathy with different clinical course. Inulin and PAH clearances were used to evaluate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF); proximal and distal tubular fluid delivery and reabsorption were measured by lithium clearance, before and after submission of a standardized amino acid solution. GFR and ERPF increased significantly during amino acid load in healthy individuals and patients without nephrotic syndrome, while filtration fraction (GFR/ERPF) remained constant.

Hepatic pseudomass observed with computed tomography after direct injection of contrast agent into the portal vein.

Hepatic pseudomasses have been described on both non-contrast and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans, as well as on scans obtained by CT-arteriography and CT-portography. The authors describe a hepatic pseudomass that appeared in CT scans after direct injection of contrast material into the portal vein through an indwelling catheter.

Magnetic resonance imaging of a giant nonfunctioning retroperitoneal paraganglioma.

The authors describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomographic, ultrasonographic and angiographic appearance of a giant nonfunctioning retroperitoneal paraganglioma. To their knowledge, the MRI appearance of a nonfunctioning paraganglioma has not been previously described. The MRI characteristics of the nonfunctioning tumour were similar to those of a functioning paraganglioma and included hyperintensity in T2-weighted images and intense enhancement after intravenous administration of contrast agent.

Nephrotoxicity of cyclosporine in humans: effect of cyclosporine on glomerular filtration and proximal tubular reabsorption.

The chronic nephrotoxic effects of cyclosporine (CsA) include proximal tubular atrophy and vacuolization. This study investigated the effect of CsA on renal hemodynamics and segmental electrolyte transport in CsA-treated patients. The clearance of inulin (CIn) and PAH para-amino-hippuric acid (CPAH) was determined; proximal tubular function was studied using a lithium clearance method and calculating tubular phosphate reabsorption per milliliter of glomerular filtrate (TP/CIn).

Acute effects of dobutamine on myocardial oxygen consumption and cardiac efficiency measured using carbon-11 acetate kinetics in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to use positron emission tomography (PET)-derived carbon (C)-11 acetate kinetics to determine the effects of dobutamine on oxidative metabolism and its effects on myocardial efficiency in a group of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Dobutamine is known to improve myocardial function but may do so at the expense of myocardial oxygen consumption, which could be a potential deleterious effect. Carbon-11 acetate kinetics correlate with myocardial oxygen consumption as shown in animal models.

[Activating ergotherapy--a method for increasing cognitive performance in geriatric patients].

A study was performed in two groups of multimorbid longterm geriatric inpatients (n = 22 in each group). This compared the effects of re-activating occupational therapy (= study-group) on cognitive functions, subjective well-being, affectivity and social integration. The control group was monitored with a normal program of functional rehabilitation.

A comparison of propofol with methohexital and isoflurane in two general anesthetic techniques.

The purpose of this study was to compare two general anesthetic techniques involving oral intubation for use in outpatient third molar surgery. Fifty American Society of Anesthesiologists I or II patients were randomly allocated to two groups. Group 1 received methohexital, isoflurane, nitrous oxide, and alfentanil, while group 2 received propofol, alfentanil, and nitrous oxide.

Dynamic abdominal computed tomography: "top-down" compared with "bottom-up" imaging.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the liver is usually performed from the top down, and there is usually less opacification of the top slices than the more inferior slices. The authors reasoned that reversing the direction of scanning would allow more time for the parenchyma at the top of the liver to become enhanced and would result in better opacification of the parenchyma and the hepatic veins. To test this hypothesis they assigned 32 patients to either a "top-down" or a "bottom-up" group; each patient then underwent unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT.

Thermotropic behavior of phosphatidylcholine-glucosyl ceramide mixtures: effects of phospholipid acyl chain composition and interaction with water.

The thermotropic behavior of multilamellar vesicles composed of mixtures of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine-glucosyl ceramide and of egg phosphatidylcholine-glucosyl ceramide was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. Macroscopic demixing of the lipid components occurred when multilamellar vesicles were prepared from mixtures of glucosyl ceramide and egg phosphatidylcholine by conventional methods. This problem was overcome by a technique based on spray drying of the lipid mixture.

Impact of B-mode color encoding on rapid detection of ultrasound targets: an in vitro study.

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact that new B-Mode color encoding schemes have on an observer's ability to rapidly detect ultrasound targets in an in vitro system. Four phantoms were created with five-, six-, or seven-tissue-density objects. Each phantom was scanned in routine grey scale (256 grey levels) and in three different color encoding algorithms.

Sonolucent peripancreatic masses: differential diagnosis and related imaging.

The most common cause of a sonolucent mass in the epigastrium is a pancreatic pseudocyst; however, several other conditions can simulate a pseudocyst on ultrasonography (US) scans. This pictorial essay illustrates the spectrum of conditions that may present in this fashion and demonstrates the use of other imaging modalities, such as colour-flow and pulsed Doppler US, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, in their evaluation.

Producing picture-perfect posters.

Scientific posters form an integral part of many radiology meetings. They provide the opportunity for interested parties to read the material at an individualized pace, to study the images in detail, and to return to the exhibit numerous times. Although the content of the poster is undoubtedly its most important component, the visual presentation of the material can enhance or detract from the clarity of the message.

Dobutamine stress echocardiography: prevalence of a nonischemic response in a low-risk population.

The problems of population referral bias in the calculation of specificity in diagnostic testing for coronary artery disease have been previously described. Previous studies investigating the sensitivity and specificity of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) have been subject to pretest and posttest referral biases, largely as a result of the requirement for coronary arteriography. This study determines the normalcy rate for DSE by examining a population at statistically low risk for coronary artery disease.

Improved visualization of carcinoid liver metastases by indium-111 pentetreotide scintigraphy following treatment with cold somatostatin analogue.

Five patients with hepatic metastases of midgut carcinoid underwent somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with indium-111 pentetreotide before and during treatment with octreotide. Octreotide treatment changed the biodistribution of 111In-pentetreotide significantly. Whereas the radioactivity in liver, spleen and kidney decreased, hepatic metastases showed increased contrast.

Paradoxic hypotension during dobutamine stress echocardiography: clinical and diagnostic implications.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the prevalence, magnitude and clinical implications of a hypotensive response during dobutamine stress echocardiography.

Background: Dobutamine stress echocardiography is an accurate noninvasive method for detecting coronary artery disease. It has been associated with unexpected hypotension in a proportion of patients.

Spectroscopic and functional characterization of the putative transmembrane segment of the minK potassium channel.

MinK (Isk) is a voltage-dependent K+ channel whose gene has been recently cloned and which consists of 130 amino acids [Takumi, T., Ohkubo, H., & Nakanishi, S.