Quantitative analysis of Tc-pertechnetate thyroid uptake with a large-field CZT gamma camera: feasibility and comparison between SPECT/CT and planar acquisitions.

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of a large field Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) camera to estimate thyroid uptake (TU) on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images with and without attenuation correction (Tomo-AC and Tomo-NoAC) compared with Planar acquisition in a series of 23 consecutive patients. The secondary objective was to determine radiation doses for the tracer administration and for the additional Computed Tomography (CT) scan.

Methods: Cross-calibration factors were determined using a thyroid phantom, for Planar, Tomo-AC and Tomo-NoAC images.

Early chest CT-scan in emergency patients affected by community-acquired pneumonia is associated with improved diagnosis consistency.

Chest CT-scan (CT) exceeds chest X-ray (CXR) to diagnose community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) but actual use and results remain unclear. We examine whether CT performed at ED visit improved ED diagnosis of CAP as compared to a final diagnosis of CAP at hospital discharge (gold standard diagnosis for the study), and how it impacts relevant clinical outcomes. This retrospective monocenter observational study was based on the analysis of the hospital database.

Microvascular injuries, secondary edema, and inconsistencies in lung vascularization between affected and nonaffected pulmonary segments of non-critically ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients presenting with clinical deterioration.

Purpose: We aimed to better understand the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in non-critically ill hospitalized patients secondarily presenting with clinical deterioration and increase in oxygen requirement without any identified worsening factors.

Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients without clinical or biological evidence for superinfection, without left ventricular dysfunction and for whom a pulmonary embolism was discarded by computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography. We investigated lung ventilation and perfusion (LVP) by LVP scintigraphy, and, 24 h later, left and right ventricular function by Tc-99m-labeled albumin-gated blood-pool scintigraphy with late (60 mn) tomographic albumin images on the lungs to evaluate lung albumin retention that could indicate microvascular injuries with secondary edema.

Self-Illusion and Medical Expertise in the Era of COVID-19.

The Dunning-Kruger premise assumes that unqualified people are unaware of their limited skills. We tested this hypothesis in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, 2487 participants had to self-estimate their knowledge about COVID-19 in a questionnaire on the topic.

An Intravenous 100-mL Lipid Emulsion Infusion Dramatically Improves Myocardial Glucose Metabolism Extinction in Cardiac FDG PET Clinical Practice.

Purpose: Physiological myocardial accumulation of FDG impairs the diagnosis of inflammatory/infectious or tumoral myocardial detection by FDG PET/CT. We prospectively evaluated the addition, 3 hours before imaging, of an intravenous 100-mL lipid emulsion infusion (Intralipid) to a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet (HFLCD) for at least 2 meals followed by a fast of at least 6 to 12 hours in patients referred for the diagnosis of myocardial inflammation, endocarditis, cardiac or paracardiac masses, intracardiac device, or prosthetic valve infections.

Methods: Data of 58 patients consecutively included (28 Intralipid patients, 30 controls with HFLCD alone) were compared.

Prognostic Value of Plasma hPG (Circulating Progastrin) in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Precise management of kidney cancer requires the identification of prognostic factors. hPG (circulating progastrin) is a tumor promoting peptide present in the blood of patients with various cancers, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of plasma hPG in 143 prospectively collected patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC).

COVID-19 pneumonia: relationship between inflammation assessed by whole-body FDG PET/CT and short-term clinical outcome.

Purpose: [18F]-2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET/CT (FDG PET/CT) is a sensitive and quantitative technic for detecting inflammatory process. Glucose uptake is correlated with an increased anaerobic glycolysis seen in activated inflammatory cells such as monocytes, lymphocytes, and granulocytes. The aim of the study was to assess the inflammatory status at the presumed peak of the inflammatory phase in non-critically ill patients requiring admission for COVID-19.

Connect dispatch centers for call handling improves performance.

The aim of this Letter to the Editor was to report a strategy to reduce time waiting for emergency calls in a dispatch center, in line with a recently published article that reviewed evidence for medical dispatching systems to accurately dispatch Emergency medical Services. Here, we tested the effect of a connected distribution of calls, where a call is allocated to the first available resource among a pooled group of telecommunicators from several dispatch centers. We found that connect dispatch centers improve dispatch center performance, especially during an overloaded period.

The Left Atrio-Vertebral Ratio: a new simple means for assessing left atrial enlargement on Computed Tomography.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe a new method to quickly estimate left atrial enlargement (LAE) on Computed Tomography.

Methods: Left atrial (LA) volume was assessed with a 3D-threshold Hounsfield unit detection technique, including left atrial appendage and excluding pulmonary venous confluence, in 201 patients with ECG-gated 128-slice dual-source CT and indexed to body surface area. LA and vertebral axial diameter and area were measured at the bottom level of the right inferior pulmonary vein ostium.

Key performance indicators' assessment to develop best practices in an Emergency Medical Communication Centre.

Introduction: Emergency Medical Communication Centre (EMCC) represents a pivotal link in the chain of survival for those requiring rapid response for out-of-hospital medical emergencies. Assessing and grading the performance of EMCCs are warranted as it can affect the health and safety of the served population.

Objective: The aim of our work was to describe the activity on an EMCC and to explore the associations between different key performance indicators.

Assessment of oxidative stress after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Introduction: Pathophysiology of cardiac arrest corresponds to a whole body ischemia-reperfusion. This phenomenon is usually associated with an oxidative stress in various settings, but few data are available on cardiac arrest in human. The aim of the present study was to evaluate different oxidative stress markers in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients treated with therapeutic hypothermia.

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccine coverage in 584 patients taking biological therapy for chronic inflammatory joint: A retrospective study.

Objectives: To evaluate influenza and pneumococcal vaccine coverage in patients taking biological therapy for chronic inflammatory joint disease and to identify factors associated with the decision to administer these two vaccines.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional questionnaire study of a cohort of 584 patients taking biological therapy for chronic inflammatory joint disease (rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis). We studied the influenza and pneumococcal vaccine coverage rates, information about these vaccines given to patients by the primary-care physician and rheumatologist, and reasons for not administering the vaccines.

Incremental value of normal adenosine perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance: Long-term outcome.

Background: The purpose of the study was to determine the long-term prognostic value of normal adenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients referred for evaluation of myocardial ischemia.

Methods: We reviewed 300 consecutive patients (age 65 ± 11 years, 74% male) with suspected or known coronary disease and normal wall motion who had undergone adenosine stress CMR negative for ischemia and scar. Most patients were at intermediate risk of coronary artery disease.

The effect of work shift configurations on emergency medical dispatch center response.

Objective: It has been proved that emergency medical dispatch centers (EMDC) save lives by promoting an appropriate allocation of emergency medical service resources. Indeed, optimal dispatcher call duration is pivotal to reduce the time gap between the time a call is placed and the delivery of medical care. However, little is known about the impact of work shift configurations (i.

Relative impact of iodine supplementation and maternal smoking on cord blood thyroglobulin in pregnant women with normal thyroid function.

Objective: To assess the impact on cord blood (CB) thyroglobulin (Tg) of early iodine supplementation during pregnancy.

Methods: A total of 111 healthy pregnant women with normal thyroid function were included in a prospective randomized study and divided into two groups with (150 μg/day) or without iodine supplementation started during the first trimester. Maternal smoking was assessed qualitatively by self-reported statements and quantitatively by cotininuria.

Predictive factors of successful telephone-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Background: Our emergency medical service developed a telephone (phone)-assisted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (PACPR) procedure.

Objectives: To describe this procedure and study the factors modulating its implementation.

Methods: We conducted a single-center prospective study of telephone calls to our emergency medical communication center for cardiac arrest, for which PACPR was initiated.

Noninvasive ventilation use in French out-of-hospital settings: a preliminary national survey.

Objective: The objective of our study was to describe noninvasive ventilation (NIV) practices (pressure support ventilation and continuous positive airway pressure) in French out-of-hospital mobile intensive care units (SMUR) and their compliance with national consensus guidelines.

Method: Online inquiry into practices of NIV among managers of French SMUR. Analyzed data include types of NIV devices and use of NIV.

Long-term follow-up of patients with first-time chest pain having 64-slice computed tomography.

A paucity of data on outcome of coronary multislice computed tomography (CT) is available. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term follow-up of 64-slice CT in a homogenous patient group. In total 222 patients (136 men, 61%, 59 ± 11 years of age) with chest pain at intermediate risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and no previous CAD underwent 64-slice CT.

Medial fronto-facial capillary malformations.

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of facial medial capillary malformations (CM), which differ from salmon patches by their wider extent, darker color, and incomplete resolution.

Study Design: Children were prospectively recruited from pediatric dermatology clinics and retrospectively from clinical and photographic databases.

Results: From June 2006 to June 2008, 84 children (56 girls; 66.

[Assessment of an immature platelet fraction (IFP%) in the diagnosis of thrombocytopenia].

Reticulated platelets are young platelets containing mRNA. They reflect the rate of thrombopoesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the percentage of reticulated platelets (IPF%) as a diagnostic test for thrombocytopenia pathogenesis.

Mechanism, glasgow coma scale, age, and arterial pressure (MGAP): a new simple prehospital triage score to predict mortality in trauma patients.

Objectives: Prehospital triage of trauma patients is of paramount importance because adequate trauma center referral improves survival. We developed a simple score that is easy to calculate in the prehospital phase.

Design: Multicenter prospective observational study.

Relationship between impulse oscillometry and spirometric indices in cystic fibrosis children.

Background: The aim of our retrospective study was to determine the relationship between impulse oscillometry (IOS) data and spirometric tests in cystic fibrosis (CF) children. methods: Thirty CF children aged 4-19 years have performed lung function tests (LFT). A subset of 15 patients repeated LFT on five separate occasions.

Detection of mild hyposalivation in elderly people based on the chewing time of specifically designed disc tests: diagnostic accuracy.

Objectives: To compare sialometry with chewing time (including swallowing) of specifically designed disc tests.

Design: Index test versus reference standard (sialometry; 60 patients); reliability study (10 patients).

Setting: Outpatient dental clinic and geriatric ward, Nice University Hospital, France.

NF-kappaB inhibition triggers death of imatinib-sensitive and imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia cells including T315I Bcr-Abl mutants.

The Bcr-Abl inhibitor imatinib is the current first-line therapy for all newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Nevertheless, resistance to imatinib emerges as CML progresses to an acute deadly phase implying that physiopathologically relevant cellular targets should be validated to develop alternative therapeutic strategies. The NF-kappaB transcription factor that exerts pro-survival actions is found abnormally active in numerous hematologic malignancies.