Energy consumption as a predictor test of the durability of a biological tissue employed in cardiac bioprosthesis.

The mechanical behavior of the young bull pericardium in a fatigue test has been studied. This material is a similar tissue to those used in valve leaflet construction for a cardiac bioprosthesis. The consumed energy on each test was evaluated and afterwards used as a predictor of the biomaterial strength.

[Keratinocyte growth factor significantly improves healing of left-sided colon anastomoses].

Inadequate healing and consequent leakage from large bowel anastomoses are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality following large bowel surgery. Systemic application of KGF has been shown to promote mucosal healing in models of colitis in rats and mice. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of systemic Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF) administration on healing of colonic anastomoses in rats.

A validation trial of subdermal injection compared with intraparenchymal injection for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer.

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is increasingly being used as an accurate and less morbid surrogate for axillary dissection. However, a standardized technique in the biopsy of SLNs is not used. Some authors propose subdermal injection to be as accurate as peritumoral intraparenchymal injection (IPI).

The clinical utility of Tc-99m sestamibi scintimammography in detecting multicentric breast cancer.

The ability to recognize multicentric breast cancer preoperatively would assist in identifying appropriate candidates for breast conservation surgery. Tc-99m scintimammography (SMM) is an adjunct to conventional mammography in identifying selected patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to report the utility of SMM in identifying patients with multicentric breast cancer.

Tc-99m Sestamibi Scintimammography for the Evaluation of Breast Masses in Patients with Radiographically Dense Breasts.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of technetium-99m sestamibi (MIBI) scintimammography for the diagnosis of breast cancer in patients with palpable breast masses that cannot be adequately evaluated by mammography due to the presence of radiographically dense breasts. At 5 minutes after intravenous injection of MIBI, scintimammograms were obtained in 80 patients who had grade 3 or 4 glandular density on mammograms and a palpable breast mass. Excisional biopsy or FNA biopsy was obtained in 68 lesions in 67 patients.