scholarly journals NON-CONTRAST MR LYMPHOGRAPHY OF RARE LYMPHATIC ABNORMALITIES

Lymphology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
MD Seckeler ◽  
L Moedano ◽  
D Mustacich ◽  
BT Kalb ◽  
M Saranathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Injection ◽  
Rare Disorders ◽  
Fontan Patient ◽  
Lymphatic Abnormalities ◽  
Mr Lymphography ◽  
Lateral Chest ◽  
Vertebral Bodies ◽  
Fine Resolution ◽  
Detailed Imaging ◽  
Normal Controls

Detailed imaging of the lymphatic system often requires direct injection of contrast into lymph nodes which can be technically challenging, time consuming, and produce painful stimuli. We sought to describe the use of non-contrast MR lymphography (NCMRL) for normal controls and patients with a variety of rare disorders associated with lymphatic pathologies. Two control subjects and five affected patients (decompensated Fontan circulation, central conducting lymphatic abnormality, familial lymphedema and two with Gorham-Stout disease) were studied. NCMRL images were segmented in a semi-automated fashion and the major lymphatic channels and thoracic duct (TD) highlighted for identification. Adequate imaging was available for both controls and 4/5 affected patients; the youngest patient could not be imaged given patient motion. For the two controls, the TD was seen in the expected anatomic location. For the decompensated Fontan patient, there were numerous tortuous lymphatic channels, predominantly in the upper chest and neck. For the familial lymphedema patient, a TD was not identified; instead, peripheral lymphatic collaterals near the lateral chest walls. For the first Gorham-Stout patient, the TD was enlarged with large intrathoracic lymph collections. For the second Gorham-Stout patient, there were bilateral TD with lymph collections in vertebral bodies. Using NCMRL, we were able to image normal and abnormal lymphatic systems. An important learning point is the potential need for sedation for younger patients due to long image acquisition times and fine resolution of the structures of interest.

CT volumetry of lumbar vertebral bodies in patients with hypoplasia L5 and bilateral spondylolysis and in normal controls

2012 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 839-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido E. Wilms ◽  
Endry Willems ◽  
Philippe Demaerel ◽  
Frederik De Keyzer
Keyword(s):  
Ct Volumetry ◽  
Vertebral Bodies ◽  
Normal Controls

Ultrastructure of melanocyte-keratinocyte interactions and pigment transfer in vitro

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 650-651
Author(s):  
Raul I. Garcia ◽  
Evelyn A. Flynn ◽  
George Szabo
Keyword(s):  
Direct Injection ◽  
Skin Pigmentation ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Pigment Granule ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Ultrastructural Level ◽  
Lanthanum Tracer ◽  
A Cell

Skin pigmentation in mammals involves the interaction of epidermal melanocytes and keratinocytes in the structural and functional unit known as the Epidermal Melanin Unit. Melanocytes(M) synthesize melanin within specialized membrane-bound organelles, the melanosome or pigment granule. These are subsequently transferred by way of M dendrites to keratinocytes(K) by a mechanism still to be clearly defined. Three different, though not necessarily mutually exclusive, mechanisms of melanosome transfer have been proposed: cytophagocytosis by K of M dendrite tips containing melanosomes, direct injection of melanosomes into the K cytoplasm through a cell-to-cell pore or communicating channel formed by localized fusion of M and K cell membranes, release of melanosomes into the extracellular space(ECS) by exocytosis followed by K uptake using conventional phagocytosis. Variability in methods of transfer has been noted both in vivo and in vitro and there is evidence in support of each transfer mechanism. We Have previously studied M-K interactions in vitro using time-lapse cinemicrography and in vivo at the ultrastructural level using lanthanum tracer and freeze-fracture.

The self and schizophrenia: a cognitive approach

2003 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marek Nieznanski
Keyword(s):  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Approach ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Self Schema ◽  
Persons With Schizophrenia ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Trait Words ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
Normal Controls

The aim of the study was to explore the basic features of self-schema in persons with schizophrenia. Thirty two schizophrenic patients and 32 normal controls were asked to select personality trait words from a check-list that described themselves, themselves as they were five years ago, and what most people are like. Compared with the control group, participants from the experimental group chose significantly more adjectives that were common to descriptions of self and others, and significantly less that were common to self and past-self descriptions. These results suggest that schizophrenic patients experience their personality as changing over time much more than do healthy subjects. Moreover, their self-representation seems to be less differentiated from others-representation and less clearly defined than in normal subjects.

Parallel Reduction of Plasma Levels of High and Low Molecular Weight Kininogen in Patients with Cirrhosis

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 1428-1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Scott ◽  
Francesco Salerno ◽  
Elettra Lorenzano ◽  
Werner Müller-Esterl ◽  
Angelo Agostoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Function ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Major Band ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Normal Controls

SummaryLittle is known about the regulation of high-molecular-weight-kininogen (HK) and low-molecular-weight-kininogen (LK) or the relationship of each to the degree of liver function impairment in patients with cirrhosis. In this study, we evaluated HK and LK quantitatively by a recently described particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay (PCFIA) and qualitatively by SDS PAGE and immunoblotting analyses in plasma from 33 patients with cirrhosis presenting various degrees of impairment of liver function. Thirty-three healthy subjects served as normal controls. Patients with cirrhosis had significantly lower plasma levels of HK (median 49 μg/ml [range 22-99 μg/ml]) and LK (58 μg/ml [15-100 μg/ml]) than normal subjects (HK 83 μg/ml [65-115 μg/ml]; LK 80 μg/ml [45-120 μg/ml]) (p < 0.0001). The plasma concentrations of HK and LK were directly related to plasma levels of cholinesterase (P < 0.0001) and albumin (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001) and inversely to the Child-Pugh score (P < 0.0001) and to prothrombin time ratio (P < 0.0001) (reflecting the clinical and laboratory abnormalities in liver disease). Similar to normal individuals, in patients with cirrhosis, plasma HK and LK levels paralleled one another, suggesting that a coordinate regulation of those proteins persists in liver disease. SDS PAGE and immunoblotting analyses of kininogens in cirrhotic plasma showed a pattern similar to that observed in normal controls for LK (a single band at 66 kDa) with some lower molecular weight forms noted in cirrhotic plasma. A slight increase of cleavage of HK (a major band at 130 kDa and a faint but increased band at 107 kDa) was evident. The increased cleavage of HK was confirmed by the lower cleaved kininogen index (CKI), as compared to normal controls. These data suggest a defect in hepatic synthesis as well as increased destructive cleavage of both kininogens in plasma from patients with cirrhosis. The decrease of important regulatory proteins like kininogens may contribute to the imbalance in coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, which frequently occurs in cirrhotic patients.

The Clinical Usefulness of the Platelet Aggregation Test for the Diagnosis of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (04) ◽  
pp. 344-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
B H Chong ◽  
J Burgess ◽  
F Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Heparin Therapy ◽  
Serotonin Release ◽  
Point System ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Heparin Concentration ◽  
Release Test ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Normal Controls

SummaryThe platelet aggregation test is widely used for the diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a potentially serious complication of heparin therapy. We have evaluated its sensitivity and specificity in comparison with those of the 14C-serotonin release test. The sensitivity of the platelet aggregation test was found to vary with the heparin concentration and the donor of the platelets used in the test. The optimal heparin concentrations were between 0.1 and 1.0 U/ml. Using these heparin concentrations, the mean sensitivity varied from 39% (with the least reactive platelets) to 81% (with the most reactive platelets). In comparison, the sensitivity of the release test ranged from 65% to 94%. The specificities of the platelet aggregation test were 82%, 90% and 100% for the following control groups: (1) non-thrombocytopenic patients given heparin, (2) patients with thrombocytopenia due to other causes, and (3) normal controls not given heparin, respectively. The corresponding specificities for the release test was 94%, 90% and 100%. The specificities can be further increased to 100% for all controls with the adoption of a two-point system which defines a positive result as one in which platelet aggregation occurs with a low heparin concentration (0.5 U/ml) but not with 100 U heparin/ml. For optimal results, a two-point platelet aggregation test should be performed with heparin concentrations of 0.5 and 100 U/ml and using platelets of more reactive donors.

Heparin Response and Clearance in Acute and Chronic Liver Disease

1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (03) ◽  
pp. 591-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Sette ◽  
R D Hughes ◽  
P G Langley ◽  
A E S Gimson ◽  
R Williams
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Chronic Liver Disease ◽  
Peak Level ◽  
Chronic Liver ◽  
Clotting System ◽  
Activated Clotting Time ◽  
At Iii ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Normal Controls

SummaryPatients with liver disease are at risk of bleeding due to abnormalities of the clotting system although they must be anticoagulated if they require haemodialysis or haemoperfusion. The anticoagulant of choice is heparin.In this study we have investigated heparin kinetics in patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) after a single intravenous dose of heparin (2,500 units) and found there was an increased clearance of heparin whether measured by its anti-Xa effect (t1/2 = 27.8 ± 2.9 min compared to t1/2 = 50.2 ± 2.7 min in normal controls p <0.001) or by the whole blood activated clotting time (t1/2 = 23.7 ± 2.2 min compared to t1/2 = 37.0 ± 2.0 min p <0.001). There was a decreased peak level of heparin measured by anti-Xa effect (peak level in FHF = 0.48 ± 0.05 u/ml and in controls = 0.69 ± 0.04 u/ml, p <0.02), but an increased sensitivity to heparin (sensitivity in FHF = 0.072 ± 0.011 sec/unit, in controls 0.033 ± 0.003 sec/unit, p <0.001). Patients with FHF had very low levels of antithrombin III (AT III), but there was no correlation between this and any parameters of heparin effect or clearance. In a group of patients with chronic liver disease heparin kinetics did not differ from controls despite low levels of AT III.The changes in heparin kinetics in FHF are likely to be complex with the balance between the proteins that act as cofactors, (e.g. AT III) and the proteins that have heparin neutralising activity, controlling the response of added heparin.

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