Role of delayed enhancement MRI in patients with acute coronary syndrome and unobstructed coronary arteries: reply

We thank Coceani and L'Abbate for their comments on our paper.We concur that ‘pathophysiology cannot be inferred fromcoronary lumenography alone’, and this was one of thekey motivations in conducting the present study.     

A systematic review of the ultrasound estimation of fetal weight.

OBJECTIVES: The range and use of ultrasound fetal measurements have gradually been extended. Measurements have been combined to estimate fetal weight by mathematically based non-linear regression analysis or physically based volumetric methods. Fetal weight estimation is inaccurate, with poor sensitivity for prediction of fetal compromise. Several authors have shown the unacceptable level of intra- and interobserver variability in fetal measurement and the impact of errors on growth assessment. The aims of this study were to review the available methods and possible sources of inaccuracy. METHODS: Four databases were searched for studies comparing ultrasound estimated fetal weight (EFW) with birth weight. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria evaluated 11 different methods. Errors were graphically summarized. RESULTS: No consistently superior method has emerged. Volumetric methods provide some theoretical advantages. Random errors are large and must be reduced if clinical errors are to be avoided. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of EFW is compromised by large intra- and interobserver variability. Efforts must be made to minimize this variability if EFW is to be clinically useful. This may be achieved through averaging of multiple measurements, improvements in image quality, uniform calibration of equipment, careful design and refinement of measurement methods, acknowledgment that there is a long learning curve, and regular audit of measurement quality. Further work to improve the universal validity and accuracy of fetal weight estimation formulae is also required.     

Effects of haloperidol on motor and cognitive functioning in aged mice

The effects of haloperidol on motor and functioning and cognitive functioning were studied in young (3-5 months old) and aged (20-22 months old) male mice by examining haloperidol-induced catalepsy and haloperidol-induced decrements in performance on a radial arm maze. The aged mice were much more sensitive to these adverse effects of haloperidol than were the young mice. Studies of the distribution of radioactivity from [3H]haloperidol to the brain indicated that the differences in sensitivity to this drug were not due to pharmacokinetic differences. The results demonstrate that mice are suitable for studies of aging-induced changes in the behavioral effects of neuroleptic agents.     

Short-Ti inversion-recovery pulse sequence: analysis and initial experience in cancer imaging

Inversion recovery (IR), commonly considered a pulse sequence capable of producing T1-weighted images with excellent display of normal anatomy, is versatile: The null point and peak time provide a useful, succinct summary of the properties of IR and its capacity for producing both T1- and T2-weighted images. Shortening of the inversion time (TI) and creation of a short-TI inversion-recovery (STIR) pulse sequence increases sensitivity to malignancy and other abnormalities by making the effects of prolonged T1 and T2 on signal intensity additive and by nulling the signal from fat. The authors examined over 300 patients with various malignancies and compared STIR images with T1- and T2-weighted images obtained at 0.5 T. In 43 cases, signal-difference-to-noise ratios (SD/Ns) were calculated between tumor, fat, and muscle. In general, STIR images demonstrated tumor as a conspicuously high-intensity area in a background of muted, discernible anatomic detail. The good contrast achieved with STIR sequences between tumor and fat (SD/N = 18.1) and tumor and muscle (SD/N = 12.9) consolidated into a single image the information contained separately on T1- and T2-weighted images, which facilitates efficient detection and localization of malignancy.     

Effect of smoking on fibronectin production by human amnion and placenta.

Fibronectin production from amnion and placental tissues was evaluated in pregnant woman smokers and nonsmokers in order to examine if there were alterations of fibronectin metabolism in intrauterine tissues. In both amnion and placental tissues, cycloheximide inhibited the fibronectin output indicating that it was being synthesized. Mean fibronectin output by amnion in pregnant woman smokers was significantly lower than that in pregnant woman nonsmokers. In contrast, in the placenta from pregnant woman smokers, the output was significantly higher than that in pregnant woman nonsmokers. The present observations indicate that smoking alters an important biochemical constituent in amnion and placenta, possible leading to some complications.