Feasibility of Ultrasound-Based Computational Fluid Dynamics as a Mitral Valve Regurgitation Quantification Technique: Comparison with 2-D and 3-D Proximal Isovelocity Surface Area-Based Methods

Current Doppler echocardiography quantification of mitral regurgitation (MR) severity has shortcomings. Proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA)-based methods, for example, are unable to account for the fact that ultrasound Doppler can measure only one velocity component: toward or away from the transducer. In the present study, we used ultrasound-based computational fluid dynamics (Ub-CFD) to quantify mitral regurgitation and study its advantages and disadvantages compared with 2-D and 3-D PISA methods. For Ub-CFD, patient-specific mitral valve geometry and velocity data were obtained from clinical ultrasound followed by 3-D CFD simulations at an assumed flow rate. We then obtained the average ratio of the ultrasound Doppler velocities to CFD velocities in the flow convergence region, and scaled CFD flow rate with this ratio as the final measured flow rate. We evaluated Ub-CFD, 2-D PISA and 3-D PISA with an in vitro flow loop, which featured regurgitation flow through (i) a simplified flat plate with round orifice and (ii) a 3-D printed realistic mitral valve and regurgitation orifice. The Ub-CFD and 3-D PISA methods had higher precision than the 2-D PISA method. Ub-CFD had consistent accuracy under all conditions tested, whereas 2-D PISA had the lowest overall accuracy. In vitro investigations indicated that the accuracy of 2-D and 3-D PISA depended significantly on the choice of aliasing velocity. Evaluation of these techniques was also performed for two clinical cases, and the dependency of PISA on aliasing velocity was similarly observed. Ub-CFD was robustly accurate and precise and has promise for future translation to clinical practice.     

Comparison of efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone and combination of triamcinolone with 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars: Randomised control trial

The treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scar is challenging with no universally accepted mode for permanent ablation. Conventional therapies yield unpredictable results, significant complications and require elaborate hardware.

GeneXpert MTB/RIF Version G4 for Identification of Rifampin-Resistant Tuberculosis in a Programmatic Setting

A recent Cochrane review estimated GeneXpert MTB/RIF specificity for rifampin resistance as 98% (95% confidence interval [CI], 97 to 99), based on results from earlier test versions. The measured positive predictive value of the new generation test from programmatic implementation in Cape Town, South Africa, was 99.5% (95% CI, 98.5 to 100), confirming excellent specificity.     

Quantification of the area and shunt volume of multiple,circular, and noncircular ventricular septal defects: A 2D/3D echocardiography comparison and real time 3D color Doppler feasibility determination study

Background

Quantification of defect size and shunt flow is an important aspect of ventricular septal defect (VSD) evaluation. This study compared three‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) with the current clinical standard two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE) for quantifying defect area and tested the feasibility of real time 3D color Doppler echocardiography (RT3D‐CDE) for quantifying shunt volume of irregular shaped and multiple VSDs.

Methods

Latex balloons were sutured into the ventricles of 32 freshly harvested porcine hearts and were connected with tubing placed in septal perforations. Tubing was varied in area (0.13–5.22 cm²), number (1–3), and shape (circle, oval, crescent, triangle). A pulsatile pump was used to pump “blood” through the VSD (LV to RV) at stroke volumes of 30–70 mL with a stroke rate of 60 bpm. Two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE), 3DE, and RT3D‐CDE images were acquired from the right side of the phantom.

Results

For circular VSDs, both 2DE and 3DE area measurements were consistent with the actual areas (R² = 0.98 vs 0.99). For noncircular/multiple VSDs, 3DE correlated with the actual area more closely than 2DE (R² = 0.99 vs 0.44). Shunt volumes obtained using RT3D‐CDE positively correlated with pumped stroke volumes (R² = 0.96).

Conclusions

Three‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is a feasible method for determining VSD area and is more accurate than 2DE for evaluating the area of multiple or noncircular VSDs. Real‐time 3D color Doppler echocardiography (RT3D‐CDE) is a feasible method for quantifying the shunt volume of multiple or noncircular VSDs.     

Hematobiochemical effects of cadmium intoxication in male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and its amelioration with silymarin and milk thistle

The present study was designed to investigate the toxico-pathological effect of cadmium (Cd) and its amelioration with silymarin (SL) and milk thistle (MT) in male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). A total of 144 male quail were divided into nine equal groups (A–I). Experimental feeds were offered to these groups containing different combinations of Cd chloride (Cd1: 150 and Cd2: 300?mg/kg feed), SL (250?mg/kg of feed), and MT (10?g/kg of feed). The duration of the experiment was 60 days. The physical parameters studied included feed intake and body weight. Hematobiochemical parameters included total protein, albumin, ALT, AST, creatinine, urea, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique, and group means were compared by Duncan’s multiple range test. The body weight decreased significantly in Cd-treated groups while SL and MT ameliorated the toxic effects of Cd as compared to control group. The hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and hematocrit (Hct) values were decreased significantly in Cd2-treated group, while Hb and Hct decreased nonsignificantly in Cd1-treated group compared with control. Similar hematological findings were observed, when Cd was used in combinations with SL and MT. Urea, creatinine, and AST increased significantly, while ALT increased nonsignificantly in Cd-treated groups as compared to control group, while total protein, albumin, and globulin decreased significantly in Cd-treated groups as compared to control group. The SL and MT completely ameliorated these toxic effects at low dose of Cd; however, amelioration was partial at higher doses of Cd. These compounds (SL &; MT) might be used to ameliorate toxic effects of Cd in Japanese quail.