Implementation and prospective clinical validation of AI-based planning and shimming techniques in cardiac MRI.

Purpose: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is a vital diagnostic tool in the management of cardiovascular diseases. The advent of advanced CMR technologies combined with artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to simplify imaging, reduce image acquisition time without compromising image quality (IQ), and improve magnetic field uniformity. Here, we aim to implement two AI-based deep learning techniques for automatic slice alignment and cardiac shimming and evaluate their performance in clinical cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Bicuspid Pulmonic Valve and Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm.

Bicuspid pulmonary valves and pulmonary artery aneurysms are two rare entities, reported in association, and usually attributed to hemodynamic alterations caused by the bicuspid pulmonary valve. We present magnetic resonance images of a patient with a bicuspid pulmonary valve and pulmonary artery aneurysm, and propose an alternative mechanism for this association, based on recent embryologic studies that link anomalies of the semilunar valves and great vessels with derangement of the cardiac neural crest cell development.

A survey of a HBCU's senior year nursing students' perception of the HIV/AIDS phenomenon: a follow-up study.

This study was a follow-up to a previous study that was done among first semester nursing college students at a historically Black college and university in northeastern United States. The original intent was to ascertain their perceptions and knowledge of various aspects of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) phenomenon. It involved an anonymous survey questionnaire featuring yes and no answers, a Likert scale, and qualitative response questions concerning prevention behavior.

A quick survey of an HBCU's first year nursing students' perception of the HIV/AIDS phenomenon.

There are always some assumptions that are made about the knowledge of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) phenomenon among graduating high school seniors. To ascertain their knowledge, a categorical survey questionnaire was designed featuring yes and no answers, a Likert scale, and qualitative response questions to the problem of HIV/AIDS prevention behavior. It was administered to first semester nursing college students at an historically black college and university (HBCU) in northeastern United States.

New hybrid online graduate program in medical imaging graduates its first class of students.

According to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), the current shortage of radiologic technologists (RTs) will continue to grow and by 2010, when many RTs are expected to retire from the profession, there will be an estimated 24,000 vacancies. In response to the shortage of RTs, The MGH Institute of Health Professions has developed a fast-track hybrid online graduate program in medical imaging (MI) which is geared toward bachelor degree prepared students who are seeking to make a career change. By targeting bachelor prepared students, the Institute seeks to attract academically mature students who will make a sustaining contribution to the field of radiologic science.

MR tagging demonstrates quantitative differences in regional ventricular wall motion in mice, rats, and men.

Rats and genetically manipulated mouse models have played an important role in the exploration of molecular causes of cardiovascular diseases. However, it has not been fully investigated whether mice or rats and humans manifest similar patterns of ventricular wall motion. Although similarities in anatomy and myofiber architecture suggest that fundamental patterns of ventricular wall motion may be similar, the considerable differences in heart size, heart rate, and sarcomeric protein isoforms may yield quantitative differences in ventricular wall mechanics.

Quantification of stenotic mitral valve area with magnetic resonance imaging and comparison with Doppler ultrasound.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the pressure half-time (PHT) method for estimating mitral valve areas (MVAs) by velocity-encoded cardiovascular magnetic resonance (VE-CMR) and to compare the method with paired Doppler ultrasound.

Background: The pressure half-time Doppler echocardiography method is a practical technique for clinical evaluation of mitral stenosis. As CMR continues evolving as a routine clinical tool, its use for estimating MVA requires thorough evaluation.

Therapy interventions for improving joint range of motion: A systematic review.

The authors conducted a systematic review of the published evidence on conservative interventions for loss of upper extremity joint range of motion following selected musculoskeletal conditions. Several databases (Medline, CINAHL, PEDRO, PubMed, and Cochrane) were searched for articles that met inclusion criteria. Two reviewers determined abstract selection; two reviews performed critical appraisal of 26 articles.

Practical value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for clinical quantification of aortic valve stenosis: comparison with echocardiography.

Background: Valvular pathology can be analyzed quickly and accurately through the use of Doppler ultrasound. For aortic stenosis, the continuity equation approach with Doppler velocity-time integral (VTI) data is by far the most commonly used clinical method of quantification. In view of the emerging popularity of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as a routine clinical imaging tool, the purposes of this study were to define the reliability of velocity-encoded CMR as a routine method for quantifying stenotic aortic valve area, to compare this method with the accepted standard, and to evaluate its reproducibility.

Establishing minimal clinically important differences for scores on the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory for inpatient rehabilitation.

Background And Purpose: Standardized pediatric assessment tools such as the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) numerically quantify changes during rehabilitation through test scores, but they are unable to provide client-specific information regarding important changes in function. The purpose of this study was to identify the smallest change in PEDI scores during inpatient rehabilitation that was considered to be a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) by physical therapists and other clinicians.

Subjects And Methods: A retrospective review was done of the medical charts of 53 children and youth (1-19 years of age) discharged from an inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Employer, physical therapist, and employee outcomes in the management of work-related upper extremity disorders.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among employer, provider, and patient outcome measures and how they are related to clinical factors and other occupation-related factors. Data were obtained from a New England workplace physical therapy (PT) clinic. Successful outcomes were defined as remaining-on/returning-to preinjury job (employer); achieving PT goals (provider); and increases in the SF-36 scale scores (patient).