scholarly journals FACTORS AFFECTING INTERPRETATION OF TISSUE DIELECTRIC CONSTANT (TDC) IN ASSESSING BREAST CANCER TREATMENT RELATED LYMPHEDEMA (BCRL)

Lymphology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
HN Mayrovitz ◽  
E Arzanova ◽  
S Somarriba ◽  
S Eisa

Tissue dielectric constant (TDC) measurements are increasingly used as quantitative adjunctive tools to detect and assess lymphedema. Various factors affect measured TDC values that may impact clinical interpretations. Our goal was to investigate possible impacts of: 1) anterior vs. medial arm measures, 2) total body water (TBW%) and arm fat percentages (AF%), 3) measurement depth, and 4) skin firmness. In 40 healthy women (24.5±2.5 years), TDC was measured bilaterally on anterior forearm to 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, and 5.0 mm depths using a multiprobe device and on anterior and medial aspects using a compact device. TBW% and AF% were measured at 50KHz and skin firmness measured by skin indentation force (SIF). Results showed: 1) No statistically significant difference in TDC values between anterior and medial arm, 2) a moderate direct correlation between TDC and TBW% (r=0.512, p=0.001), 3) an inverse correlation between TDC and AF% (r= -0.494, p<0.001) with correlations greatest at the deepest depth, and 4) a slight but statistically significant inverse correlation between TDC and SIF (r= -0.354, p=0.001). TDC values with compact vs. multiprobe were within 6% of each other with interarm (dominant/nondominant) ratios not significantly different. The findings provide a framework to help interpret TDC values among divergent conditions.

Parasitology ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 589-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. PEDERSEN ◽  
I. SAEED ◽  
H. FRIIS ◽  
K. F. MICHAELSEN

The objective of this experiment was to detect a possible interaction between iron deficiency and intestinal nematode infections. We report on a 2×2 study where thirty-one 10-week-old pigs fed a low or a normal iron diet were infected with bothTrichuris suis(4500 eggs) andAscaris suum(1200 eggs). No significant difference was detected between diet groups with respect to parasitological parameters forA. suumor the total number of adultT. suisrecovered at necropsy 10 weeks p.i. However, in the low iron groupT. suiswere located more proximally and the worms were increased in length. A higher proportion of pigs with initial faecal egg excretion at 6 weeks p.i. was observed in the low iron group, indicating a shortened pre-patency period. Worm fecundity and total faecal egg excretion were also highest in the low iron group. A significant correlation was found between female worm length and fecundity. The peripheral eosinophil counts were diminished in the low iron host groups. The infected low iron group experienced more severe pathophysiological changes in terms of hypoalbuminaemia and decreases in erythrocyte volumes. A significant inverse correlation existed between iron content in the bone-marrow and liver (body) store. In conclusion, iron deficiency increased the severity ofT. suisinfection in pigs.


Author(s):  
Francesco Campa ◽  
Analiza M. Silva ◽  
Catarina N. Matias ◽  
Cristina P. Monteiro ◽  
Antonio Paoli ◽  
...  

Background: Bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) is a widely used method based on the interpretation of raw bioimpedance parameters to evaluate body composition and cellular health in athletes. However, several variables contribute to influencing BIVA patterns by militating against an optimal interpretation of the data. This study aims to explore the association of morphological characteristics with bioelectrical properties in volleyball, soccer, and rugby players. Methods: 164 athletes belonging to professional teams (age 26.2 ± 4.4 yrs; body mass index (BMI) 25.4 ± 2.4 kg/m2) underwent bioimpedance and anthropometric measurements. Bioelectric resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) were standardized for the athlete’s height and used to plot the vector in the R-Xc graph according to the BIVA approach. Total body water (TBW), phase angle (PhA), and somatotype were determined from bioelectrical and anthropometric data. Results: No significant difference (p > 0.05) for age and for age at the start of competition among the athletes was found. Athletes divided into groups of TBW limited by quartiles showed significant differences in the mean vector position in the R-Xc graph (p < 0.001), where a higher content of body fluids resulted in a shorter vector and lower positioning in the graph. Furthermore, six categories of somatotypes were identified, and the results of bivariate and partial correlation analysis highlighted a direct association between PhA and mesomorphy (r = 0.401, p < 0.001) while showing an inverse correlation with ectomorphy (r = −0.416, p < 0.001), even adjusted for age. On the contrary, no association was observed between PhA and endomorphy (r = 0.100, p = 0.471). Conclusions: Body fluid content affects the vector length in the R-Xc graph. In addition, the lateral displacement of the vector, which determines the PhA, can be modified by the morphological characteristics of the athlete. In particular, higher PhA values are observed in subjects with a high mesomorphic component, whereas lower values are found when ectomorphy is dominant.


Twin Research ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Isaac Blickstein ◽  
Ran D. Goldman ◽  
Ram Mazkereth

AbstractIn order to examine birth weight characteristics of twins delivered to nulliparous mothers in relation to maternal age, we used a population-based cohort of Israeli twins delivered between 1993–98 to select all 4793 (37.6%) nulliparas who delivered twins. Maternal age was subdivided as less than 20 years, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, and 40 years or more. We counted the frequencies of each total twin birth weight (twin A+twin B) in each of three categories (less than 3000, 3000–4999, and more than 5000 g) and the frequency of very low birth weight (VLBW, less than 1500 g) neonates in each of the six maternal age categories. There were significantly more nulliparas in the twin population at age groups less 30 years and significantly less at ages 30 years or more. We found a highly significant inverse correlation between the proportion of nulliparas and maternal age group, decreasing from 71.8% at less than 20 years to 18.6% at age 35–39 years (% nulliparas = 85 − 13.7 × age group, Pearson R2 = 0.98). However, this trend changed abruptly to the observed figure of 25.9% nulliparas aged 40 years or more instead of the expected 2.8%. We failed to reveal any significant difference in birth weight characteristics between the maternal age groups (all p > 0.05, all confidence intervals included 1.0). The more than tenfold deviation of the observed from the predicted frequency of nulliparas aged 40 years or more suggests that a different relationship between parity and age occurs at this age group. Maternal age of nulliparas is not associated with different birth weight characteristics of their twins.


Lymphology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Mayrovitz

Obesity is linked to the risk of breast cancer and treatment-related lymphedema (BCRL). Thus, knowledge of how obesity, or more specifically total body fat percentage (TBF) and body mass index (BMI), affect measurements that are used to detect or track lymphedema is clinically important. Tissue dielectric constant (TDC) is one measure used to help characterize lymphedema features, detect its presence, and assess treatment-related changes. The goal of this research was to determine the extent to which TDC values depend on TBF and BMI. TDC was measured on both forearms (2.5mm depth) in 250 women (18-72 years) along with TBF (impedance, 50KHz). TBF was 12.2%-54.4% (median=29.3%) and BMI was 14.7Kg/m2-44.3 Kg/m2 (median=22.6 Kg/m2). TDC values and interarm ratios were compared between subgroups that had TBF and BMI values in lower vs. upper quartiles. Subjects in the upper quartile had slightly lower TDC values (1.3 TDC units, p &lt;0.01) that was at most a 5% differential. Contrastingly, TDC interarm ratios were not dependent on TBF or BMI levels. These findings suggest that when tracking lymphedema changes using the TDC method, treatment-related or temporal changes in a woman’s TBF or BMI are unlikely to significantly impact TDC values or their inter-arm ratios.


1985 ◽  
Vol 53 (01) ◽  
pp. 005-007 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Pabinger-Fasching ◽  
K Lechner ◽  
H Niessner ◽  
P Schmidt ◽  
E Balzar ◽  
...  

SummaryIn patients with severe nephrotic syndrome determinations of plasma protein C : Ag levels (8 patients: 5 adults, 3 children) and protein C activity (3 out of 8 patients) revealed significantly elevated plasma protein C concentrations. Furthermore we observed a significant inverse correlation of protein C : Ag to AT III : Ag levels. No protein C : Ag could be detected in the urine of two patients studied. We conclude from our data, that changes of plasma protein C do not contribute to the high thrombotic tendency in nephrotic syndrome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moreno Zanardo ◽  
Fabio Martino Doniselli ◽  
Anastassia Esseridou ◽  
Massimiliano Agrò ◽  
Nicol Antonina Rita Panarisi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Iodinated contrast media (ICM) could be more appropriately dosed on patient lean body weight (LBW) than on total body weight (TBW). Methods After Ethics Committee approval, trial registration NCT03384979, patients aged ≥ 18 years scheduled for multiphasic abdominal CT were randomised for ICM dose to LBW group (0.63 gI/kg of LBW) or TBW group (0.44 gI/kg of TBW). Abdominal 64-row CT was performed using 120 kVp, 100–200 mAs, rotation time 0.5 s, pitch 1, Iopamidol (370 mgI/mL), and flow rate 3 mL/s. Levene, Mann–Whitney U, and χ2 tests were used. The primary endpoint was liver contrast enhancement (LCE). Results Of 335 enrolled patients, 17 were screening failures; 44 dropped out after randomisation; 274 patients were analysed (133 LBW group, 141 TBW group). The median age of LBW group (66 years) was slightly lower than that of TBW group (70 years). Although the median ICM-injected volume was comparable between groups, its variability was larger in the former (interquartile range 27 mL versus 21 mL, p = 0.01). The same was for unenhanced liver density (IQR 10 versus 7 HU) (p = 0.02). Median LCE was 40 (35–46) HU in the LBW group and 40 (35–44) HU in the TBW group, without significant difference for median (p = 0.41) and variability (p = 0.23). Suboptimal LCE (< 40 HU) was found in 64/133 (48%) patients in the LBW group and 69/141 (49%) in the TBW group, but no examination needed repeating. Conclusions The calculation of the ICM volume to be administered for abdominal CT based on the LBW does not imply a more consistent LCE.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
V.L Malavasi ◽  
E Fantecchi ◽  
V Tordoni ◽  
L Melara ◽  
A Barbieri ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Natural history of atrial fibrillation (AF) shows a progression of arrhythmia from non-permanent to permanent AF. Permanent AF was found associated with a worse prognosis than non-permanent one. Aim To assess the factors associated with progression to permanent AF in an unselected population of AF patients with non-permanent AF. Methods In this prospective study we enrolled in- as well as out-patients with non-permanent AF and age ≥18 years, with at least one episode of ECG-documented AF within 1 year. The patients were followed-up at 1 month and every 6 months thereafter. Results Out of 523 patients, 314 (60%) were in non-permanent AF (80 [25.5%] paroxysmal AF, 165 [52.5%] persistent AF, 69 [2%] first diagnosed AF), mostly male (188, 59.9%), median age 71 years (IQ range 62–77), median CHA2DS2VASc 3 (1–4), median HATCH score 1 (1–2). After a median follow-up of 701 (IQ range 437–902) days, 66 patients (21%) showed permanent AF. CHA2DS2VASc and HATCH scores were incrementally associated to progression to permanent AF (CHA2DS2VASc χ2 p=0.001; HATCH χ2 p=0.017; p for trend CHA2DS2VASc &lt;0.001, HATCH p=0.001). At multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression the following variables were significantly associated with AF progression: age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.041; 95% CI: 1.004–1.079; p=0.028), at least moderate left atrial (LA) enlargement (&gt;42 ml/m2) (HR 2.092; 95% CI: 1.132–3.866; p=0.018), antiarrhythmics drugs after the enrollment (HR 0.087; 95% CI: 0.011–0.662; p=0.018), EHRA score &gt;2 (HR 0.351; 95% CI: 0.158–0.779; p=0.010) and Valvular HD (HR 2.161; 95% CI: 1.057–4.420; p=0.035). Adding LA dilation to HATCH score (HATCH-LA) and assigning 2 points based on multivariable Cox regression, HATCH-LA was statistically better in ROC curves in prediction of AF progression vs HATCH score (area under the curve 0.695 vs 0.636; DeLong p=0.0225). Survival-free curves on freedom from permanent AF using as discriminator HATCH-LA score ≤2 vs &gt;2 led to a statistically significant difference (χ2=16.080 p&lt;0.001), but the same was not found for HATCH score (χ2 =3.099; p=0.078). Conclusions In patients without permanent AF, progression of AF was independentely related to age, LA dilation, AF symptoms severity, antiarrhythmic drugs and Valvular HD. HATCH score predicted AF progression and adding to it LA dilation (at least moderate) improved patients stratification for the risk of evolution to permanent AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maher Kurdi ◽  
Badrah Alghamdi ◽  
Nadeem Shafique Butt ◽  
Saleh Baeesa

Abstract Background Tumour associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are considered dominant cells in glioblastoma microenvironment. Aim The purpose of this study was to assess the expression of CD204+ M2-polarized TAMs in glioblastomas and their relationship with CD4+TILs, Iba+microglia, and IDH1 mutation. We also exploreed the prognostic value of these markers on the recurrence-free interval (RFI). Methods The expressions of CD204+TAMs, CD4+TILs, and Iba1+microglia were quantitively assessed in 45 glioblastomas using immunohistochemistry. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox hazards were used to examine the relationship between these factors. Results CD204+TAMs were highly expressed in 32 tumours (71%) and the remaining 13 tumours (29%) had reduced expression. CD4+TILs were highly expressed in 10 cases (22%) and 35 cases (77.8%) had low expression. There was an inverse correlation between CD204+TAMs and CD4+TILs, in which 85% of tumours had a high expression of CD204+TAMs and a low expression of CD4+TILs. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in IDH1 mutation status between the two groups (p = 0.779). There was a significant difference in Iba1+microglial activation between IDH1mutant and IDH1wildtype groups (p = 0.031). For cases with a high expression of CD204+TAMs and a low expression of CD4+TILs, there was a significant difference in RFI after treatment with chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy (p = 0.030). Conclusion Glioblastoma with a dense CD204+TAMs and few CD4+TILs is associated with IDH1wildtype. These findings suggest that TAMs masks tumour cell and suppress T-cell tumoricidal functions via immunomodulatory mechanisms. Blockade of the CD204-TAM receptor may prevent this mechanism and allow the evolution of TILs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liangxiao Bao ◽  
Shengwei Rong ◽  
Zhanjun Shi ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Yang Zhang

Abstract Background Femoral posterior condylar offset (PCO) and posterior tibial slope (PTS) are important for postoperative range of motion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, normative data of PCO and PTS and the correlation between them among healthy populations remain to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to determine PCO and PTS in normal knees, and to identify the correlation between them. Methods Eighty healthy volunteers were recruited. CT scans were performed followed by three-dimensional reconstruction. PCO and PTS were measured and analyzed, as well as the correlation between them. Results PTS averaged 6.78° and 6.11°, on the medial and lateral side respectively (P = 0.002). Medial PCO was greater than lateral (29.2 vs. 23.8 mm, P <  0.001). Both medial and lateral PCO of male were larger than female. On the contrary, male medial PTS was smaller than female, while there was no significant difference of lateral PTS between genders. There was an inverse correlation between medial PCO and PTS, but not lateral. Conclusions Significant differences exhibited between medial and lateral compartments, genders, and among individuals. An inverse correlation exists between PCO and PTS in the medial compartment. These results improve our understanding of the morphology and biomechanics of normal knees, and subsequently for optimising prosthetic design and surgical techniques.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Gamze Aytaş ◽  
Rümeyza Kazancıoğlu ◽  
Ömer C. Elçioğlu ◽  
Meltem Gürsu ◽  
A. Serra Artan ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Orthostatic hypotension (OH) affects 5–20% of the population. Our study investigates the presence of OH in diabetic nephropathy (DNP) patients and the factors affecting OH in comparison with nondiabetic chronic kidney disease (NDCKD) patients. <b><i>Method:</i></b> Patients presented to the nephrology clinic, and those who consented were included in the study. DNP was defined by kidney biopsy and/or clinical criteria. NDCKD patients of the same sex, age, and eGFR were matched to DNP patients. Demographic parameters and medications were obtained from the records. OH was determined by Mayo clinic criteria. The same researcher used an electronic device to measure blood pressure (BP). All samples were taken and analyzed the same day for biochemical and hematologic parameters and albuminuria. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 112 (51 F, 61 M, mean age: 62.56 ± 9.35 years) DNP and 94 (40 F, 54 M, mean age: 62.23 ± 10.08 years) NDCKD patients were included. There was no significant difference between DNP and NDCKD groups in terms of OH prevalence (70.5 vs. 61.7%, <i>p</i> = 0.181). Male patients had significantly higher OH prevalence than female patients (74.7 vs. 60.0%, <i>p</i> = 0.026). There was no significant difference in change in systolic BP between the groups (24.00 [10.00–32.00] mm Hg vs. 24.00 [13.75–30.25] mm Hg, <i>p</i> = 0.797), but the change in diastolic BP was significantly higher in the DNP group (8.00 [2.00–13.00] mm Hg vs. 6.00 [2.00–9.00] mm Hg, <i>p</i> = 0.025). In the DNP group, patients with OH had significantly higher uric acid levels than those without OH (7.18 ± 1.55 vs. 6.36 ± 1.65 mg/dL, <i>p</i> = 0.017). And, 73.7% of patients on calcium channel blockers developed OH (<i>p</i> = 0.015), and OH developed in 80.6% of 36 patients on alpha-blockers (<i>p</i> = 0.049). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> OH prevalence is very high in CKD, and etiology of CKD does not have a statistically significant effect on the frequency of OH, despite a difference that could be meaningful clinically. Therefore, patients with CKD are checked for OH, with or without concurrent diabetes mellitus. Evaluation of postural BP changes should be a part of nephrology practice.


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