Artificial Intelligence Applications for Workflow, Process Optimization and Predictive Analytics.

There is great potential for artificial intelligence (AI) applications, especially machine learning and natural language processing, in medical imaging. Much attention has been garnered by the image analysis tasks for diagnostic decision support and precision medicine, but there are many other potential applications of AI in radiology and have potential to enhance all levels of the radiology workflow and practice, including workflow optimization and support for interpretation tasks, quality and safety, and operational efficiency. This article reviews the important potential applications of informatics and AI related to process improvement and operations in the radiology department.

mTOR Inhibition Is Most Beneficial After Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients With Active Tumors.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival benefit of sirolimus in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (exploratory analysis of the SiLVER-trial).

Summary And Background Data: Patients receiving LT) for HCC are at a high risk for tumor recurrence. Calcineurin inhibitors have shown evidence to promote cancer growth, whereas mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors like sirolimus have anticancer effects.

Development of a Predictive Model for Blood Transfusions and Bleeding During Liver Transplantation: An Observational Cohort Study.

Objective: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) frequently is associated with major blood loss and considerable transfusion requirements. The goal of this study was to define the risk factors for multiple transfusions and major bleeding during OLT and to help identify higher risk patients that could benefit from targeted interventions.

Design: OLTs were studied for this observational cohort study.

The effects of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors, methotrexate, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids on cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this systematic literature review was to determine the association between cardiovascular events (CVEs) and antirheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)/psoriasis (Pso). Systematic searches were performed of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases (1960 to December 2012) and proceedings from major relevant congresses (2010-2012) for controlled studies and randomised trials reporting confirmed CVEs in patients with RA or PsA/Pso treated with antirheumatic drugs. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed on extracted data.

Effect of biologics on depressive symptoms in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review.

Background: Twenty to fifty percent of patients with psoriasis have depressive symptoms.

Objective: To describe the effects of biologics (tumour necrosis factor inhibitors [TNFi] or interleukin 12/23 inhibitors [IL-12/23i]) on depressive symptoms in patients with psoriasis.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of biologics on depressive symptoms in adults with psoriasis.

Comparison of bupivacaine and 2-chloroprocaine for spinal anesthesia for outpatient surgery: a double-blind randomized trial.

Background: We have always been searching for the ideal local anesthetic for outpatient spinal anesthesia. Lidocaine has been associated with a high incidence of transient neurological symptoms, and bupivacaine produces sensory and motor blocks of long duration. Preservative-free 2-chloroprocaine (2-CP) seems to be a promising alternative, being a short-acting agent of increasing popularity in recent years.

Independent validation of a model predicting the need for packed red blood cell transfusion at liver transplantation.

Objectives: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may be associated with major blood loss and equally considerable transfusion requirements. We had developed previously a model capable of predicting the probability of packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion. We tested the ability of that model in predicting the need for PRBC transfusion after its conversion into the nomogram format, which represents a friendly tool to be used.

Hypertrophy of the non-embolized liver after chemotherapy.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC(+)) and portal vein embolization (PVE) enables curative resection in more patients with colorectal-liver metastases (CRLM). However, after NC(+), structural alterations have been reported with the risk of post-operative hepatic failure. We undertook to determine if NC(+) toxicity limits future remnant liver (FRL) hypertrophy after PVE.

MELD score and blood product requirements during liver transplantation: no link.

Background: Orthotopic liver transplantation has been traditionally associated with major blood loss and the need for allogenic blood product transfusions. In recent years, improvements in surgical and anesthetic techniques have greatly decreased the amount of blood products transfused. We have published a median of 0 for all intraoperative blood products transfused.

Comparison of spinal anesthesia with general anesthesia on morphine requirement after abdominal hysterectomy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare morphine consumption with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) between spinal anesthesia (SA) (bupivacaine, morphine and fentanyl) and general anesthesia (GA) (sufentanil) after an abdominal hysterectomy.

Methods: Forty women were randomly assigned to receive SA with bupivacaine 15 mg, 0.15 mg of intrathecal morphine and 15 microg of fentanyl or GA with sufentanil, both combined with PCA.

Ebp1 expression in benign and malignant prostate.

Background: ErbB3-binding protein 1 (Ebp1) is a member of the PA2G4 family of proliferation-regulated proteins that is expressed in multiple malignant and non-malignant cells. ErbB3 and other members of the EGFR family have been implicated in cancer progression, it however remains unknown whether Ebp1 participate in prostate cancer progression in vivo. Therefore, the present study examines Ebp1 expression in cancerous and non-cancerous prostates tissues.

Treatment of post liver transplantation bile duct stricture with self-expandable metallic stent.

Objective: The aim of this study is to report our experience using self-expandable covered metallic stents (Wallstent) to treat different types of biliary strictures after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Patients And Methods: Between January 1999 and July 2004, 222 OLTs were performed with choledocho-choledochostomy (CC) bile duct reconstruction. An anastomotic biliary stricture was diagnosed and treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or percutaneous procedures in 100 patients (45%).

Evaluation of cell salvage autotransfusion utility during liver transplantation.

Background: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may be associated with massive blood loss and the need for allogenic blood product transfusions. Cell salvage autotransfusion (CS) is an attractive alternative to allogenic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. However, controversy surrounds its usefulness during OLT; some studies stated that CS decreased transfusions of allogenic blood products and others stated that blood loss was increased.

Postpartum pain relief: a randomized comparison of self-administered medication and standard administration.

Objective: To compare pain relief in postpartum women receiving analgesia administered by nurses with the relief achieved by use of self-administered medication (SAM).

Method: This randomized trial included women in spontaneous or induced labour or admitted for elective Caesarean section (CS). Women were stratified according to the mode of delivery.

Reuse of liver graft from a brain dead recipient.

Background: Brain death in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) is a rare occurrence after successful orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Reuse of the liver graft may be considered. We report a successful OLT using such an organ in a 62-yr-old man with hematochromatosis-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sublingual nitroglycerine as a tocolytic in external cephalic version: a comparative study.

Objective: To study the effect of sublingual nitroglycerine as a tocolytic on the success rate of external cephalic version (ECV) in nulliparous and parous women.

Methods: A retrospective case-controlled study of all ECV cases from February 1996 to February 2000 in a single centre. The rates of successful ECV were compared between women who had their ECV before February 1998 (control group), those who had their ECV after February 1998 and received 0.

Parathyroid hormone metabolites in renal failure: bioactivity and clinical implications.

Non-(1-84) parathyroid hormones (PTHs) are large circulating carboxyl-terminal PTH (C-PTH) fragments with a partially preserved amino-terminal structure. They were discovered during high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of circulating PTH molecular forms detected by an intact PTH (I-PTH) assay. Like other C-PTH fragments, they accumulate in blood in renal failure and account for up to 50% of I-PTH.

Organization of a gene coding for an oviduct-specific glycoprotein (oviductin) in the hamster.

Hamster oviductin, a high molecular weight glycoprotein secreted by the oviducts, is believed to participate in fertilization and protection of the tubal epithelium. Expression of the oviductin gene is confined strictly to nonciliated secretory cells of the oviduct and is regulated by hormones. The objective of this study was to characterize the genomic organization and to identify potential regulatory elements implicated in the control of transcription of the oviductin gene.