Regional myocardial dysfunction: evaluation of patients with prior myocardial infarction with fast CT

A prototype ultrafast cine computed tomographic (CT) scanner, designed specifically for cardiac imaging, was used to evaluate a preliminary series of patients with prior myocardial infarction (n = 21) and a control group without coronary artery disease (n = 5). Multilevel 50-msec CT scan exposures were obtained during peripheral intravenous bolus injections of contrast medium. A comparison was made between cine-CT scans and standard left ventriculographic images in assessing segmental left ventricular motion. Results indicate that cine CT, performed at sufficiently rapid speeds (20 scans per second) to allow useful analysis of regional ventricular wall motion, can provide adequate image quality. Analysis of 110 segments revealed a good correlation (90.9%) between the two techniques in characterizing normal from abnormal regional wall motion. Cine CT, based on this initial study, demonstrates considerable potential for evaluating not only cardiac chamber dimensions but also segmental wall dynamics.     

Nonpalpable breast lesion localization using a curved-end retractable wire

A new needle-wire system has been developed for localization of nonpalpable breast lesions. The curved-end wire, which is made of a tough pseudoelastic alloy, eliminates many of the pitfalls of this procedure for both the radiologist and the surgeon. Advantages of this new system include the ability to anchor the needle during filming, the ability to easily reposition the needle if necessary, the option of injecting dye, the inability to transect the wire during surgery, and the option of leaving both the needle and wire in place in the subject to allow easier dissection during biopsy.     

A nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern is associated with a decrease in circulating oxidized LDL particles in healthy women from the Québec City metropolitan area

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern under free-living conditions on circulating oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) in a group of 71 healthy women from the Quebec City metropolitan area. The 12-wk nutritional intervention consisted of 2 courses on nutrition and 7 individual sessions with a dietitian. A score based on the 11 components of the Mediterranean pyramid was established to determine the women's adherence to the Mediterranean food pattern. Plasma ox-LDL concentrations were measured by a monoclonal antibody mAb-4E6-based competition ELISA. Among all women, plasma ox-LDL decreased by 11.3% after 12 wk of nutritional intervention (P < 0.0001) despite a lack of change in plasma LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). Also, an increase in the Mediterranean dietary score was significantly correlated with a decrease in ox-LDL concentrations (r = -0.30; P = 0.01). More specifically, increases in servings of fruits (r = -0.25; P < 0.05) and vegetables (r = -0.24; P < 0.05) were associated with decreases in ox-LDL concentrations. Changes in the food pattern in response to a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern were accompanied by beneficial effects in circulating ox-LDL concentrations in healthy women.