Magnetic resonance tissue phase mapping demonstrates altered left ventricular diastolic function in children with chronic kidney disease.

Background: Echocardiographic examinations have revealed functional cardiac abnormalities in children with chronic kidney disease.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of MRI tissue phase mapping in children and to assess regional left ventricular wall movements in children with chronic kidney disease.

Materials And Methods: Twenty pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease (before or after renal transplantation) and 12 healthy controls underwent tissue phase mapping (TPM) to quantify regional left ventricular function through myocardial long (Vz) and short-axis (Vr) velocities at all 3 levels of the left ventricle.

Left ventricular mass and systolic function in children with chronic kidney disease-comparing echocardiography with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Increased left ventricular mass (LVM) is an important risk marker of uremic cardiovascular disease. Calculation of LVM by echocardiography (Echo) relies on geometric assumptions and in adults on hemodialysis overestimates LVM compared to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). We compare both techniques in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Deciphering the hormonal signalling network behind the systemic resistance induced by Trichoderma harzianum in tomato.

Root colonization by selected Trichoderma isolates can activate in the plant a systemic defense response that is effective against a broad-spectrum of plant pathogens. Diverse plant hormones play pivotal roles in the regulation of the defense signaling network that leads to the induction of systemic resistance triggered by beneficial organisms [induced systemic resistance (ISR)]. Among them, jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) signaling pathways are generally essential for ISR.

Mycorrhiza-induced resistance and priming of plant defenses.

Symbioses between plants and beneficial soil microorganisms like arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to promote plant growth and help plants to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses. Profound physiological changes take place in the host plant upon root colonization by AMF affecting the interactions with a wide range of organisms below- and above-ground. Protective effects of the symbiosis against pathogens, pests, and parasitic plants have been described for many plant species, including agriculturally important crop varieties.

Prognostic and predictive relevance of CA-125 at primary surgery of ovarian cancer.

Introduction: Despite radical surgery and chemotherapy, most patients with ovarian cancer develop recurrence and die due to progressive disease. To stratify patients for optimal therapy, prognostic and predictive factors are needed. We examined the role of pre- and postoperative CA-125 in this context.

Tumor volume of growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas during treatment with pegvisomant: a prospective multicenter study.

Context: Clinical and biochemical remission in acromegaly can frequently be achieved with the recombinant GH receptor antagonist pegvisomant, even when other treatments fail. However, increases in tumor volume have been reported.

Objective: Because previous studies suffer from inhomogenous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols, this prospective study examined the long-term course of adenoma volume during pegvisomant therapy by standardized MRI.

Prognostic significance of CA-125 in the management of patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma selected for secondary cytoreduction.

Background: Despite radical surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment of ovarian cancer, the majority of patients develop recurrence and die due to progressive disease. Routine measurement of the tumor marker CA-125 is often used in the follow-up management. However, the role of preoperative CA-125 as a prognostic factor before secondary cytoreduction of relapsed ovarian cancer has not been determined.

Education and a standardized management protocol improve the assessment and management of asthma in the emergency department.

Study Objective: To evaluate the effect of a standardized management protocol on acute asthma care in the emergency department (ED).

Method: We conducted a before-after study regarding acute asthma management. Deficiencies in acute asthma care over a time period of 19 month (January 1997- October 1998) were identified.