Current state-of-the-art 1.5 T and 3 T extracranial carotid contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography

Recent advances in magnetic resonance (MR) hardware and software have improved the resolution and spatial coverage of head and neck first-pass contrast-enhanced (CE) MR angiography. Despite these improvements, high-quality submillimeter-resolution 1.5 T and 3 T carotid CE MR angiography is not consistently available in the general radiology practice. This article reviews the important imaging parameters and potential pitfalls that affect carotid CE MR angiography image quality, and the dose and timing of the gadolinium-based contrast agent, and summarizes vendor-specific protocols for high-quality submillimeter-resolution carotid CE MR angiography at 1.5 and 3 T.     

纳米羟基磷灰石/硫酸庆大霉素缓释系统的制备及体内释放实验

目的:制备纳米羟基磷灰石/硫酸庆大霉素缓释系统(drug delivery system,DDS),观察其体内释药特性,为慢性骨髓炎的治疗寻找更好的方法。方法:实验于2004-05/2005-03在南方医科大学珠江医院中心实验室和华南理工大学生物工程与材料学院实验室完成。实验材料:纳米羟基磷灰石(nano-hydroxypatite,nano-HA)、聚羟基丁酸酯-羟基戊酸酯共聚物[poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate),PHBV]、聚乙二醇(polyethylene glycol,PEG)、硫酸庆大霉素(gentamicin,GM)。新西兰大白兔24只。实验方法:①nano-HA/PHBV-PEG-GM-DDS的制备:以nano-HA为载药核心,外包裹生物相容性好且降解可调控的PHBV、PEG,承载GM制成。②采用SPSS10.0统计软件包绘制庆大霉素浓度与抑菌环直径的半对数标准曲线。③体内释放实验:在新西兰大白兔左股骨外上髁钻孔,刮除部分骨质和骨髓,将nano-HA-PHBV/PEG-GM微球自骨窗内植入,分别于术后1,3,5,7,10,14,21,28d8个时间点各选3只大白兔,麻醉后取干骺端松质骨及骨干皮质骨标本。用标准曲线计算出各标本药物浓度,用SPSS10.0统计软件包绘制nano-HA/PHBV-PEG-GM-DDS的释药浓度与时间关系曲线。实验评估:①扫描电镜下观察nano-HA/PHBV-PEG-GM-DDS的微球形态。②nano-HA/PHBV-PEG-GM-DDS的释药浓度与时间的关系。结果:纳入兔24只,均进入结果分析。①nano-HA/PHBV-PEG-GM-DDS微球形态:大小均匀规整,微球平均粒径为345μm,小微球粒径为78μm,微球表面形态一致,为多孔皱缩结构。②nano-HA/PHBV-PEG-GM-DDS释药浓度与时间的关系:术后第1天nano-HA/PHBV-PEG-GM-DDS周围皮质骨和松质骨中庆大霉素质量浓度分别为(110.10±11.70),(97.30±9.60)mg/L,其后逐渐下降,至术后第28天时皮质骨和松质骨中庆大霉素质量浓度仍可分别达(7.30±1.40),(6.80±1.10)mg/L,局部骨组织中庆大霉素质量浓度仍在金黄色葡萄球菌最小抑菌浓度(2mg/L)以上。结论:nano-HA/PHBV-PEG-GM-DDS具有较好的体内缓释作用。     

Predictors and outcomes of scleroderma renal crisis: The high‐dose versus low‐dose D‐penicillamine in early diffuse systemic sclerosis trial

Objective

The reported frequency of scleroderma M01‐R renal crisis (SRC) in diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is 15–20%. Early use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has markedly improved outcome. The present analysis reexamines the prognostic factors for and outcome of SRC in a prospective cohort of patients with early diffuse SSc.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the cohort of SSc patients who participated in the High‐Dose Versus Low‐Dose D‐Penicillamine in Early Diffuse SSc trial. Patients with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma were enrolled if their disease duration was <18 months. Because the trial failed to show a difference between treatment groups, the data were pooled.

Results

One hundred thirty‐four SSc patients entered the observation period a mean ± SD of 0.8 ± 0.3 years after onset of SSc. SRC occurred in 18 patients a mean ± SD of 0.9 ± 1.1 years after entry. During a mean ± SD 4.0 ± 1.1 years of followup after entry, 9 of the 18 patients died (mean ± SD 0.6 ± 0.9 years after SRC onset). Baseline characteristics that predicted SRC included a modified Rodnan skin thickness score of ≥20 (P < 0.01), enlarged cardiac silhouette on radiograph (P = 0.04), large joint contractures (wrist, elbow, knee) (P = 0.008), and prednisone use at entry (P = 0.01). Baseline characteristics that did not predict SRC included age, sex, race, Health Assessment Questionnaire score, fist closure, handspread, lung involvement, muscle weakness, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and platelet count. In 5 of 10 subjects for whom at least 2 sequential skin scores were available, skin scores increased significantly (P = 0.012) in the 6 months before onset of SRC.

Conclusion

SRC occurred in 13% of patients soon (mean 11 months) after entry into the cohort. Predictors of SRC identified in this study included higher than average skin score, prednisone use at study entry, large joint contractures, and heart enlargement. Our data suggest, however, that low‐dose prednisone alone was not associated with the onset of SRC, except in the appropriate clinical setting. Although ACE inhibitors and dialysis are now readily available, SRC continues to be associated with poor survival (in this study, 50% of patients with SRC died).