Steady state of gradient echo sequences with radiofrequency phase cycling: Analytical solution,contrast enhancement with partial spoiling

Spoiled gradient echo sequences can only reach a homogeneous steady state if sufficiently strong crusher gradients are used in combination with RF phase cycling (RF spoiling). However, the signal depends quite sensitively on the chosen phase increment ? and—lacking analytical solutions—numerical simulations must be used to study the transient and steady‐state magnetization. For the steady state an exact analytical solution is derived, which holds for arbitrary sequence and tissue parameters. Besides a considerably improved computation performance, the analytical approach enables a better understanding of the complicated dependence on ?. For short repetition times (TR) the regime of small ? turns out to be particularly interesting: It is shown that the typical ?_c, where RF spoiling starts to become effective, is essentially inversely proportional to T₂. This tissue dependence implies that contrasts can be considerably larger with partial spoiling (? ≈ ?_c) than with conventional RF spoiling (? ? ?_c). As an example, the uptake of contrast agents in tissues is investigated. For typical parameters a considerably improved contrast enhancement can be obtained, both theoretically and experimentally. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Proximal radioulnar transposition in an elbow dislocation.

Proximal radioulnar transposition in an elbow dislocation is rare. Only three cases have been recorded. Translocation can easily be missed unless radiographs are carefully examined. Proximal radioulnar translocation has been believed to be iatrogenic. The injury we report was not iatrogenic, and mechanical locking of radial head and neck fracture necessitated open reduction.     

A new marker of epidermal differentiation associated with the membrane coating granules: characterization and applications to pathology.

A murine monoclonal antibody, BC12, was obtained after immunization against suprabasal human keratinocytes. In the epidermis of normal human skin, the antigen recognized by BC12 (BC12 antigen) is located at the apex of keratinocytes in the upper stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum but is absent in other layers. The BC12 antigen is also present in hair follicles. Immunoblotting performed on keratinocyte subpopulations confirmed the presence of the BC12 antigen in differentiated keratinocytes only. Two-dimensional immunoblotting showed that the BC12 antigen corresponds to a set of polypeptides with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 33kD. In keratinocyte cultures, the antigen is present only in stratified areas. The distribution of the BC12 antigen, as studied by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, and its presence in certain subcellular fractions of epidermal cells suggest that it is a component of membrane coating granules (MCGs) or that it is associated with these structures. Strikingly, in psoriasis, eczema and many other diseases, the BC12 antibody does not label the epidermis, but vessels in dermal papillae. The BC12 antibody may thus be a useful tool in the study of keratinocyte differentiation and MCG physiology, and, also, in pathology.     

Rehabilitation of a Spark Erosion Prosthesis: A Clinical Report

When complex prostheses are fabricated, it is expected that at some point maintenance will be necessary. This clinical report documents a 10-year-old maxillary spark erosion prosthesis that had been repaired many times, was discolored, and exhibited significant signs of wear. The metal superstructure was intact; therefore, only the acrylic resin base and teeth needed to be replaced. To reduce both cost and time without the prosthesis for the patient, the rehabilitation was completed within 24 hours.     

13-cis-retinoic acid (NSC 122758) in the treatment of children with metastatic neuroblastoma unresponsive to conventional chemotherapy: Report from the childrens cancer study group

The Childrens Cancer Study Group evaluated daily oral 13-cis-retinoic acid to determine its therapeutic efficacy in 28 children with advanced neuroblastoma refractory to conventional therapy. Cheilitis and fissured lips were the most common side effects; however, fewer than 50% of the patients experienced any toxicity. Two of twenty-two evaluable children demonstrated positive response to therapy. In one case, a child received the drug for 11 months. Seventeen patients demonstrated progressive disease within 28 days of the start of treatment. Three other patients with stable disease, or removed from study at day 28, were considered nonresponsive. Our data demonstrate that, when given as a single daily oral dose of 100 mg/m², 13-cis-retinoic acid does not have significant activity in children with advanced neuroblastoma. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Function of the supraspinatus muscle: Abduction of the humerus studied in cadavers

We evaluated the function of the supraspinatus tendon with a dynamic shoulder model. Active glenohumeral joint motion was simulated in 10 cadaveric shoulder specimens with hydrodynamic cylinder forces at the deltoid muscle and at the rotator cuff. Computerized regulation initiated standardized cycles of glenohumeral joint motion, where the isolated effect of the supraspinatus muscle could be studied. The efficacy of the supraspinatus muscle on elevation of the glenohumeral joint was measured with an ultrasonic sensor system. Pressures underneath the coracoa-cromial vault were recorded with capacitive sensors, as an indicator of the impingement at the shoulder. Elimination of force of the supraspinatus muscle led to a 6 percent decrease in elevation of the glenohumeral joint. The deltoid muscle was able to reverse this loss of elevation by a force increase of one third of the lost supraspinatus force. If no force was applied to the supraspinatus muscle, average pressures underneath the coracoacromial vault decreased 8 percent. It was concluded that the supraspinatus produces less torque and more glenohumeral joint compression than the deltoid. However, the supraspinatus has no effect on depression of the humeral head during elevation.

The clinical consequence of our observations is that operative closure of supraspinatus tendon defects is not mandatory.     

Rotigotine transdermal patch in early Parkinson's disease: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study versus placebo and ropinirole.

Rotigotine is a new, non-ergot dopamine agonist formulated in a transdermal delivery system. The present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the rotigotine transdermal patch in the treatment of early Parkinson's disease. Patients (n = 561) were randomized to rotigotine, ropinirole, or placebo. The titration period was up to 13 weeks, and there was a minimum dose-maintenance period of 24 weeks for ropinirole and 33 weeks for rotigotine. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with a minimum of 20% decrease in the combined Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part II and Part III scores. The responder rate in the rotigotine group was significantly higher than in the placebo group (52% vs. 30%, P < 0.0001). Transdermal rotigotine at doses < or =8 mg/24 h did not show noninferiority to ropinirole at doses < or =24 mg/day. In a post-hoc subgroup analysis, rotigotine < or =8 mg/24 hours had a similar efficacy to ropinirole at doses < or =12 mg/day. The rotigotine transdermal patch was well tolerated. The most common adverse events were application-site reactions, nausea, and somnolence. Application-site reactions were predominantly mild or moderate in intensity. In conclusion, the rotigotine transdermal patch represents an effective and safe option for the treatment of patients with early Parkinson's disease.