MR imaging of blood vessels using three-dimensional reconstruction: methodology

Multisection, dual-echo magnetic resonance (MR) transaxial images of blood vessels contain both anatomic and qualitative information about flow. Even so, the images are produced as a series of two-dimensional tomographic sections from which full visualization of connected structures is difficult. A computer algorithm was developed that automatically detects flowing blood based on pixel intensity and calculated T2 and provides reconstructed views of vessels while analyzing and displaying flow characteristics. Images of abdominal vessels, aortic aneurysms, and the heart were encoded by flow and color to demonstrate depth. In addition, these data were reconstructed to derive a more accurate assessment of patency. With this technique, transaxial images can be used to analyze flow patterns, determine patent areas, and visualize all levels of vessels in a single image.     

Priapism as a complication of long-term intravenous nutrition.

A case of priapism following prolonged intravenous nutrition is reported. The small amounts of heparin as received by our patient would tend to minimise a risk of hypercoagulability. However, the administration of intravenous feeding agents and the concomitant metabolic acidosis may have enhanced this risk.     

Antineoplastic agents 470. Absolute configuration of the marine sponge bromopyrrole agelastatin A

Two bromopyrrole marine alkaloids were isolated from the Mexican sponge, Agelas sp.: hymenidin (1) and agelastatin A (2). The structures were elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data and found to correspond to those in the literature. The absolute configuration of agelastatin A (2) was elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Agelastatin A (2) exhibited strong activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines as well as human umbilical vein endothelial cells.     

Authorship ignorance: views of researchers in French clinical settings

OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge and behaviour of researchers regarding criteria for authorship, and the practices of ghost and gift authorship. DESIGN: Semidirective interviews of senior clinical researchers. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-nine main investigators of clinical research programmes.Main measurements: Awareness and use of International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship, and perceptions about ghost and gift authorship. RESULTS: A total of 48 protocols submitted by 42 principal investigators between 1994 and 1996 were identified. Thirty-nine investigators were contacted; 37 (one of whom delegated a co-author) were interviewed between May 2002 and March 2003. Two co-authors of two principal investigators were also interviewed. In all, 42 studies were represented. The interviews lasted for 40-90 minutes and were conducted with openness and respect for confidentiality.The choice of names of co-authors did not follow the ICMJE recommendations. Half of the respondents stated they were aware of criteria for authorship and knew of ICMJE, but most of them did not cite any of the ICMJE criteria among those they applied in deciding authorship. Most of them disagreed with the obligation to meet the three criteria justifying co-authorship because they found these too rigid and inapplicable. Gift authorship was a common practice; 59% of the respondents had been a recipient of gift authorship. Twenty-five (64%) were aware of ghost authorship and the majority considered it questionable and blameworthy. CONCLUSIONS: The ICMJE criteria were ignored by clinicians at a university hospital. Ghost and gift authorship were frequent among them. There is a need for French guidelines for authorship to be prepared and implemented.     

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and parathyroid adenoma. Limits of Wermer's syndrome]

The authors report the case of a patient with pancreatic and parathyroid adenomatosis and discuss whether it belongs to Wermer's syndrome. After a study of the various possible endocrine involvements, the complexity of hormonal inter-relations is studied, the prognosis and classification of multiple endocrine tumours are then discussed.