MRI investigation of normal fetal lung maturation using signal intensities on different imaging sequences.

To purpose of this paper is to study the relation between normal lung maturation signal and changes in intensity ratios (SIR) and to determine which magnetic resonance imaging sequence provides the strongest correlation of normal lung SIs with gestational age. 126 normal singleton pregnancies (20-37 weeks) were examined with a 1.5 Tesla unit.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the normal placenta.

The goal of this study was to provide a representative description of the normal placenta with contrast medium-free magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to determine a standard of reference. One hundred consecutive singleton pregnancies were investigated by MRI without application of a contrast medium. The mean gestational age (GA) at the time of investigation was 29.

A new look at the fetus: thick-slab T2-weighted sequences in fetal MRI.

Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the fetus is considered an established adjunct to fetal ultrasound, stacks of images alone cannot provide an overall impression of the fetus. The present study evaluates the use of thick-slab T2-weighted MR images to obtain a three-dimensional impression of the fetus using MRI. A thick-slab T2-weighted sequence was added to the routine protocol in 100 fetal MRIs obtained for various indications (19th to 37th gestational weeks) on a 1.

Cytokeratin expression patterns for distinction of odontogenic keratocysts from dentigerous and radicular cysts.

Background: The clinical outcome of treatment of odontogenic cysts differs depending on separate entities. Particular clinical relevance must be attached to the distinction between odontogenic keratocysts, which have an evident tendency to recur, and other odontogenic cysts. The aim of this study was to evaluate cytokeratin (CK) expression patterns as an additional tool for characterization of different cysts as the histomorphologic appearance often is not decisive.

Prenatal magnetic resonance imaging as a useful adjunctive to ultrasound-enhanced diagnosis in case of a giant foetal tumour of the neck.

Large cervical masses in the prenatal period are rare and can cause life threatening situations after birth. All available diagnostic techniques should therefore be used to determine the best mode of delivery in the case of such malformation. A large cervical mass was detected by ultrasound in a 41-year-old women, gravida 4, para 3, at 29 + 5 weeks of gestation.

The clinical impact of magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses with central nervous system anomalies on ultrasound scan.

Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on fetuses with sonographically diagnosed central nervous system (CNS) anomalies to determine frequency and type of cases in which fetal MRI adds clinically relevant information.

Patients And Methods: Forty-three cases presenting with CNS anomalies by ultrasonography were investigated by MRI. The potential effect of MRI on parental counseling and pre- or postnatal management were the main endpoints.

Association of deletions of the chromosomal region 15q24-ter and diaphragmatic hernia: a new case and discussion of the literature.

Objective: To provide new insights into how chromosomal aberrations affect fetal development, as well as for the counseling of parents in comparable situations, it is important to characterize and report the genotypes of fetuses with clinical anomalies.

Methods: Molecular cytogenetic analyses in a fetus with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Results: This report describes the first case of a deletion of the region q26.

Monocyte-biomaterial interaction inducing phenotypic dynamics of monocytes: a possible role of monocyte subsets in biocompatibility.

For the in vitro study of cell-biomaterial surface interactions, the choice of cell type is crucial. In vivo data indicate that during the healing of the implant in the tissues, the pivotal cell types are the macrophages. These cells, upon interaction with any foreign material, might initiate a spectrum of responses, which could lead to acute and chronic inflammatory changes affecting the biocompatibility of the implant.

Expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) at the interface of polymer-implants in vivo.

Synthetic polymer meshes are widely applied in the modern surgical approach for repairing abdominal wall defects. The implanted material is often observed leading to post-operative complications such as deficient abdominal wall mobility and adhesion formation with the abdominal cavity and/or abdominal organs. However, the functioning of the implant is primarily affected by the wound healing process guided by inflammatory events occurring at the tissue-material interface.

Prenatal diagnosis of the Meckel-Gruber syndrome from 11th to 20th gestational week.

Introduction: The Meckel-Gruber syndrome (MKS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that is characterized by typical sonographical findings: occipital encephalocele, postaxial polydactyly and cystic enlargement of the kidneys. Its recurrence risk of 25 % demands an exact diagnosis.

Method: Retrospective analysis of the sonographic characteristics in relation to the gestational age in eight cases with the pathologic diagnosis of MKS.

Interaction between a perfluorocarbon emulsion and radiographic contrast media.

This study evaluated specially designed perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions as blood substitutes in case of induced ischemia of the left heart ventricle in healthy farm pigs. Two hundred ml of perfluorocarbon emulsion were infused while 200 ml of blood were simultaneously drawn. Radiographic contrast media were given to aid placement of balloon catheters in the left coronary artery.

Fetal skeletal deformities - the diagnostic accuracy of prenatal ultrasonography and fetal magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of prenatal ultrasonography and fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in fetuses with skeletal deformities (SD).

Methods: Fourteen pregnant women of 21 - 34 weeks of gestation whose fetuses had SD on prenatal ultrasound (seven fetuses with spina bifida, four with complex malformation syndrome, two with scoliosis, and one with chondrodysplasia) were additionally investigated by fetal MRI using a 1.5T superconducting system with T1-and T2-weighted sequences in three section-planes.

Foetal facial clefts: prenatal evaluation of lip and primary palate by 2D and 3D ultrasound.

Introduction: To examine whether three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) is an accurate diagnostic method of clinical use in the ability to define the location and extent of facial clefting prenatally, compared to two-dimensional ultrasound (2D US).

Methods: 18 foetuses suspected or diagnosed to suffer from a facial cleft by 2D US were examined with a targeted 3D US. 2D US and 3D US results were compared with postnatal outcome.

Prenatal diagnosis of a giant foetal lymphangioma and haemangiolymphoma in the second trimester using 2D and 3D ultrasound.

Lymphangiomas are benign tumours of the lymphatic system. Early prenatal diagnosis is important to permit a planned delivery and provide adequate postnatal care. It thereby improves prognosis and allows the option of terminating the pregnancy if poor outcome is predicted.

Magnetic resonance imaging in foetuses with bilateral moderate ventriculomegaly and suspected anomaly of the corpus callosum on ultrasound scan.

Objective: The diagnosis of anomalies of the corpus callosum (ACC) in foetuses with bilateral moderate ventriculomegaly (BMV) is difficult by means of ultrasound scan. The aim of this study was to examine the value of the additional investigation with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in foetuses with BMV and suspected ACC on ultrasound scan. Pathogenesis and clinical presentation of BMV and ACC are discussed.

Prenatal diagnosis of a de novo inversion of chromosome (2)(p21q11).

Prenatal diagnosis of "apparently balanced" chromosomal rearrangements, if not inherited from a parent, are problematic for genetic counsellors and families. Although the parents need to be informed about the increased risk of multiple congenital anomalies, the anomalies that the fetus is at risk can not be discussed unless a similar breakpoint and accompanying phenotype have been reported in the literature. In the reported case prenatal ultrasound examination revealed a massive hydrocephalus internus and IUGR.

Single-dose pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin during continuous venovenous hemofiltration in critical care patients.

Background: Ofloxacin is a quinolone administered to patients with severe infections. Pharmacokinetic data on ofloxacin in critically ill patients on renal replacement therapy are sparse and conflicting.

Methods: Eight patients with anuric acute renal failure were administered 400 mg of ofloxacin intravenously.

[Pathology of implants].

Progress in the surgery of implants and biomaterials can be accomplished by: 1. Painstakingly analysing and registering of defaulting implants after explantation within a "National Registry of Implant Pathology". 2.

A whole blood flow cytometric determination of platelet activation by unfractionated and low molecular weight heparin in vitro.

The influence of unfractionated (Heparin-Natrium) and low-molecular heparin (Fragmin(R)) on platelet activation in whole blood was investigated by FACS analysis in vitro using antibodies against glycoprotein (gp) IIb/IIIa (CD 41), GMP 140 (CD 62P), gp 53 (CD 63) and fibrinogen. Samples were also labeled with anti-gp Ib (CD 42b). Neither unfractionated heparin (UFH) nor low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) led to significant (i.

Fetal ovarian cysts: development and neonatal outcome.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of fetal ovarian cysts in relation to their size and ultrasonic appearance.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed pre- and postnatal charts of 61 infants with a prenatal diagnosis of ovarian cysts between 1991 and 2000.

Results: In a total of 61 fetuses 65 ovarian cysts were detected by transabdominal ultrasound: 35 (57 %) cysts on the left side, 22 (36 %) on the right side and 4 fetuses (7 %) had bilateral cysts.

Inhibition of TNF-alpha induced cell death in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and Jurkat cells by protocatechuic acid.

The Chinese herb radix Salviae miltiorrhizae (RSM) is used in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Several components of the plant extract from salvia mitorrhiza bunge have been determined previously, one of which is protocatechuic acid (PAC). It has been found, in the study, that PAC inhibited TNF-alpha-induced cell death of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and Jurkat cells in a concentration of 100 microM when applied 2 h prior to TNF-alpha exposure.

Atherosclerosis and cancer: common pathways on the vascular endothelium.

This article reviews experimental and clinical data on atherosclerosis and cancer showing common pathogenic mechanisms. It is suggested that common pathways follow dysfunction of the vascular endothelium. The activation of the haemostatic system and the overexpression of cytokines and adhesion molecules by the endothelial cells represent important features of this dysfunction.