Array compression for MRI with large coil arrays.

Arrays with large numbers of independent coil elements are becoming increasingly available as they provide increased signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and improved parallel imaging performance. Processing of data from a large set of independent receive channels is, however, associated with an increased memory and computational load in reconstruction. This work addresses this problem by introducing coil array compression. The method allows one to reduce the number of datasets from independent channels by combining all or partial sets in the time domain prior to image reconstruction. It is demonstrated that array compression can be very effective depending on the size of the region of interest (ROI). Based on 2D in vivo data obtained with a 32-element phased-array coil in the heart, it is shown that the number of channels can be compressed to as few as four with only 0.3% SNR loss in an ROI encompassing the heart. With twofold parallel imaging, only a 2% loss in SNR occurred using the same compression factor.     

The role of definitive radiation therapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue

Between 1968 and 1985, 114 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were evaluated in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA); of these, 86 received treatment with curative intent. The majority were treated with radiation therapy alone, whereas the remainder were treated with radiation therapy with preoperative or postoperative surgery. There were 17 T1 primary malignancies, 40 T2, 27 T3, and 2 T4. Clinically positive adenopathy was present in 48% of the patients overall and ranged from 35% in the T1 group to 100% in the T4 group. Twenty-six percent of patients either presented with or later had second malignancies. At 36 months, the patient status was evaluated as dead of disease (37%), dead of intercurrent disease (23%), alive with disease (1%), and alive without evidence of disease (38%). Seventy-five patients received external beam therapy and 32 patients received an implant as either all or part of their treatment. Average doses were in the range of 6000 Gy. Adjusted local control rate at 3 years was not statistically different for different treatment techniques used on either T1 or T2 primary malignancies. The rates were 89% versus 88% for T1 lesions treated with definitive radiation therapy versus postoperative radiation therapy. For T2 primary malignancies, the rates were 67%, 71%, and 83% for the definitive, preoperative, and postoperative radiation therapy groups, respectively. For T3 lesions, there was close to statistical significance with the corresponding rates being 47%, 50%, and 100%, respectively. When the effect of implants was examined for T1 and T2 lesions, no difference in local control rate at 3 years was noticed with or without an implant. Survival was improved for the group presenting with positive neck disease when compared with the N0 group. The external beam severe complication rate was less than 5%, and the implant complication rate was 6%.     

Familial malignant retroperitoneal paraganglioma

Paragangliomas are neuroendocrine tumours and those occurring in the head and neck have well recognized familial association. Retroperitoneal paragangliomas are uncommon and we present two cases of familial malignant retroperitoneal paraganglioma. Review of the literature revealed marked differences in the incidence and malignant potential of familial and non-familial paraganglioma. In contrast to the cases reported here, familial tumours are generally benign, though they may occur at multiple sites. Familial and non-familial paragangliomas may indeed be different disease entities.     

A psychodynamic approach to the master treatment plan.

Formulating master treatment plans for the hospital treatment of psychiatric patients is especially challenging to psychodynamically oriented clinicians unaccustomed to reducing complex intrapsychic and interpersonal phenomena to specific observable behaviors. In collaboration with a wide cross section of hospital staff members, the authors developed a conceptual framework for treatment plans compatible with psychodynamic thinking. They describe the treatment evaluation research from which the format of the treatment plan evolved, as well as the guide they developed to facilitate its implementation .     

Infected chronic hematoma mimicking soft tissue neoplasm

A rare case of an infected chronic hematoma in a patient with immunodeficiency syndrome mimicking a soft tissue neoplasm is presented. There are few reported cases of hematogenous infection of chronic hematomas, which be difficult to differentiate from soft tissue neoplasms.     

Antioxidant Activity of Limonene on Normal Murine Lymphocytes: Relation to H2O2 Modulation and Cell Proliferation

Abstract: Limonene is a monoterpene present in citrus fruit and is used as flavouring agents of foods. It was shown that monoterpenes possess antioxidant activity. Previously, it was demonstrated that limonene exerts anti‐proliferative action on a lymphoma cell line without modifying normal lymphocyte viability. H₂O₂ has a modulator role in cell proliferation. In the present study, the effect of limonene on normal lymphocytes proliferation and its relation with H₂O₂ level modulation was analysed, evaluating its effect on the activity of cell antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Limonene exerted a biphasic effect on cell proliferation; the increase in cell proliferation was related to the decrease in H₂O₂ level by the increase in catalase and peroxidase activities. Moreover, limonene protected the cells to the oxidative stress induced by exogenous addition of H₂O₂. In view of these results, it is possible that limonene could protect normal lymphocytes from diseases related to oxidative stress, including cancer, but further research is necessary to establish the role of limonene as a potential antioxidant that can effectively protect lymphocytes from oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.     

Seminested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting Helicobacter pylori DNA in carotid atheromas.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the detection of the glmM gene, selected as Helicobacter pylori target sequence, was improved. While performing pathogenicity island cagA gene detection to discriminate pathogenic strains in atherosclerotic carotid samples, several cagA-positive but glmM-negative samples were found. Polymorphisms present in the region amplified in the nested PCR reaction could explain this result; primers were therefore designed to perform a seminested reaction; this modification optimized sensitivity while maintaining specificity. A real-time PCR for Helicobacter DNA detection was also setup. The combination of all 4 PCR reactions detected 83% of H. pylori DNA-positive samples in atherosclerotic carotid tissue, 64% of which were cagA gene positive.