Inter-Scan Reproducibility of Carotid Plaque Volume Measurements by 3-D Ultrasound

We tested a novel 3-D matrix transducer with respect to inter-scan reproducibility of carotid maximum plaque thickness (MPT) and volume measurements. To improve reproducibility while focusing on the largest plaque/most diseased part of the carotid artery, we introduced a new partial plaque volume (PPV) measure centered on MPT. Total plaque volume (TPV), PPV from a 10-mm segment and MPT were measured using dedicated semi-automated software on 38 plaques from 26 patients. Inter-scan reproducibility was assessed using the t-test, Bland–Altman plots and Pearson's correlation coefficient. There was a mean difference of 0.01?mm in MPT (limits of agreement: ?0.45 to 0.42?mm, Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.96). Both volume measurements exhibited high reproducibility, with PPV being superior (limits of agreement: ?35.3?mm³ to 33.5?mm³, Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.96) to TPV (limits of agreement: ?88.2 to 61.5?mm³, Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.91). The good reproducibility revealed by the present results encourages future studies on establishing plaque quantification as part of cardiovascular risk assessment and for follow-up of disease progression over time.     

Control of Porous Layer Thickness in Thermophoretic Deposition of Nanoparticles

The film thickness plays an important role in the performance of materials applicable to different technologies including chemical sensors, catalysis and/or energy materials. The relationship between the surface and volume of the functional layers is key to high performance evaluations. Here we demonstrate the thermophoretic deposition of different thicknesses of the functional layers designed using flame combustion of tin 2-ethylhexanoate dissolved in xylene, and measurement of thickness by scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam. The parameters such as spray fluid concentration (differing Sn²⁺ content), substrate-nozzle distance and time of the spray were considered to investigate the layer growth. The results showed ≈ 23, 124 and 161 μm thickness of the SnO₂ layer after flame spray of 0.1, 0.5 M and 1.0 M tin 2-EHA-Xylene solutions for 1200 s. While Sn²⁺ concentration was 0.5 M for all the flame sprays, the substrates placed at 250, 220 and 200 mm from the flame nozzle had layer thicknesses of 113, 116 and 132 µm, respectively. Spray time dependent thickness growth showed a linear increase from 8.5 to 152.1 µm when the substrates were flame sprayed for 30 s to 1200 s using 0.5 M tin 2-EHA-Xylene solutions. Changing the dispersion oxygen flow (3–7 L/min) had almost no effect on layer thickness. Layers fabricated were compared to a model found in literature, which seems to describe the thickness well in the domain of varied parameters. It turned out that primary particle size deposited on the substrate can be tuned without altering the layer thickness and with little effect on porosity. Applications depending on porosity, such as catalysis or gas sensing, can benefit from tuning the layer thickness and primary particle size.     

The effect of core stability and general exercise on abdominal muscle thickness in non-specific chronic low back pain using ultrasound imaging

Background: There is a controversy regarding whether core stability exercise (CSE) is more effective than general exercise (GE) for chronic LBP. To compare different exercises regarding their effect on improving back strength and stability, performance of abdominal muscles is a useful index. Ultrasound imaging for measuring muscle thickness could be used to assess muscle performance. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare CSE and GE in chronic LBP using ultrasound imaging for measurement of thickness of the deep stabilizing and main global trunk muscles in non-specific chronic LBP. Methods: Each program included 16 training sessions three times a week. Using ultrasound imaging, four transabdominal muscle thickness were measured before and after the intervention. Disability and pain were measured as secondary outcomes. Results: After the intervention on participants (n = 43), a significant increase in muscle thickness (hypertrophy) was seen only in right and left rectus abdominis in the GE group, but significant difference to the CSE group was only on the right side. Disability and pain reduced within the groups without a significant difference in the change between them. Conclusions: The present results provided evidence that only GE increased right and left rectus muscle thickness. The only significant difference between CSE and GE groups was the right rectus thickness. As rectus is a global muscle, the effect of GE on strength improvement (one side stronger than the other) may have a negative effect on motor control of lumbopelvic muscles and possibly increase the risk of back pain occurring or becoming worse, though this was not observed in the present study.     

Treatment of tumors involving the optic nerves and chiasm

An approach toward treatment of tumors involving the optic apparatus is presented. When tumors cause mass effect, microsurgical excision or debulking is generally recommended. Radiosurgery has been controversial yet advances in imaging and high speed computer planning allow treatment of lesions involving the optic apparatus with low morbidity. Microsurgical and radiosurgical approaches to tumors involving the globe, orbit, suprasellar region and third ventricle are discussed. Gamma Knife radiosurgery for choroidal melanomas spares orbital excenteration. We have used a marginal dose of 20–25 Gy for choroidal melanomas and generally limit the optic nerves and chiasm to less than 10 Gy in other cases. The effective dose for cavernous hemangiomas remains unclear, however we have had success with marginal doses in the range of 16–20Gy. Lower doses may prove successful yet better spare vision in cases where vision is useful. Our combined microsurgical and radiosurgical approach to tumors involving the apparatus has had an excellent rate of sparing vision, a low overall morbidity and excellent success.     

Effect of 2-year treatment with low-dose rosuvastatin on intima-media thickness in hypercholesterolemic subjects with asymptomatic carotid artery disease

Objectives: Recent evidence indicates that rosuvastatin 40 mg may exert a beneficial effect in both carotid and coronary atherosclerosis progression. In particular, 2-year rosuvastatin treatment reduced the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in patients with low cardiovascular risk. However, despite the fact that in clinical practice lower doses of rosuvastatin are usually administered at this time, there are no clear data about its effect on cIMT. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin 10 mg/day on cIMT over a 2-year follow-up.

Methods: Forty-five patients with hypercholesterolemia and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis on baseline carotid ultrasound investigation were treated with rosuvastatin 10 mg/day for 24 months. cIMT and lipid profile were assessed after 12 months and at the end of the study (24 months).

Results: After 24 months, the treatment showed a 35.67% reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (171 vs 110 mg/dl; p < 0.001), a 32.27% reduction in total cholesterol (251 vs 170 mg/dl; p < 0.001), a 19.67% increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (49 vs 61 mg/dl; p < 0.001), and a 10% reduction in triglycerides (120 vs 108 mg/dl; p < 0.01). Rosuvastatin treatment was associated with a 26.6% reduction in left cIMT (1.20 vs 0.90 mm; p < 0.001) and a 22.2% reduction in right cIMT (1.22 vs 0.95 mm; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Two-year treatment with rosuvastatin 10 mg/day in hypercholesterolemic adults with evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis establishes a significant reduction in cIMT and improves lipid and lipoprotein levels, with a good tolerability profile.     

Choroidal thickening in a case of carotid cavernous fistula

A 47-year-old woman was diagnosed with dural carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) in her right eye (RE). Scans of the choroid using Spectralis optic coherence tomography (OCT) demonstrated significant asymmetry in subfoveal choroidal thickness (RE 451 μm, left eye (LE) 367 μm). This asymmetry disappeared after the fistula was embolizated through the ophthalmic artery (RE 341 μm; LE 340 μm). This case suggests that OCT should be considered as an ancillary test in the diagnosis of CCF.     

颈动脉斑块各项检测临床意义分析

本文旨在通过彩色多普勒超声赙心脑血管疾病患者颈部血管形态、血管壁内中膜厚度、有无斑块、管腔狭窄或闭塞、血流动力学改变进行主要观察，早期发现颈动脉斑块并预测斑块的性质，为早期诊断、指导临床治疗、观察疗效和判断预后提供重要参考价值。