Feasibility study of a novel portable digital radiography system modified for fluoroscopy in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: A portable radiographic system capable of fluoroscopic imaging in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) potentially benefits critically ill neonates by eliminating the need to transport them to a fluoroscopy suite.

Objective: To evaluate whether a portable bedside fluoroscopy system in the NICU can deliver comparable image quality at a similar dose rate to a standard system in a fluoroscopy suite.

Materials And Methods: In phase A, 20 patients <3 years of age and scheduled to undergo upper gastrointestinal series (upper GI) or voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG) in the radiology fluoroscopy suite were recruited to evaluate a portable fluoroscopic unit.

Identification of clinical parameters to increase the diagnostic yield of the non-emergent upper gastrointestinal series in pediatric outpatients.

Background: Outpatient, non-emergent upper gastrointestinal (GI) series are frequently requested in children with no surgical history who have nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain, failure to thrive and vomiting. The positive yield of an upper GI series in these patients, and, thus, its utility, has not been studied.

Objectives: We evaluated the incidence of positive upper GI findings in children without a history of GI pathology or abdominal surgery in order to identify clinical indications associated with a greater diagnostic yield.

Inhibition of Smooth Muscle β-Catenin Hinders Neointima Formation After Vascular Injury.

Objective: Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) contribute to neointima formation after vascular injury. Although β-catenin expression is induced after injury, whether its function is essential in SMCs for neointimal growth is unknown. Moreover, although inhibitors of β-catenin have been developed, their effects on SMC growth have not been tested.