Effectiveness of atorvastatin in acute atherothrombotic cerebral infarction

Introduction: Cerebrovascular Diseases (CVD) constitute one of the most important health problems on a global scale and in Cuba they occupy the third cause of death and the first cause of disability. Objective: To evaluate the use of atorvastatin in the acute phase of atherothrombotic cerebral infarction. Method: A prospective longitudinal study was carried out in patients who attended the on-call department of the Julio Trigo López Hospital and were diagnosed with acute atherothrombotic cerebral infarction, who were randomly administered with prior informed consent: 0, 20 mg or 40 mg of atorvastatin , they underwent CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) of the skull, which was repeated on the third day and at 30 days, the value of PCR (C Reactive Protein) was determined in on-call body, on the fifth day and at 30 days, they were clinically evaluated according to the NIHSS scale (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) in on-call body , daily during their admission and 30 days later. Results: The size of the infarct area decreased by 19.4% with 40 mg of atorvastatin as did the CRP value which was reduced by 16 mg/Ll. The clinical assessment (NIHSS scale) was reduced according to the dose of atorvastatin by slightly more than 8 points. Conclusions: The decrease in infarct area was directly proportional to the dose of atorvastatin used, just as the CRP values were lower and the favorable clinical evolution was associated with the use of this.

Desmoplastic fibroma of bone: A morphological and immunohistochemical characterization

Background: Desmoplastic Fibroma (DF) of bone is a locally aggressive and infrequent benign neoplasm. Recently was described a role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the interstitial fibrotic processes. Case presentation: A 13-year-old female presented with pain, swelling and limitation of movements in right forearm. An osteolytic lesion at the distal end of the right radius was shown, with pathologic concentration of Technetium 99 and slight enhancement of soft tissue lesion employing computerized axial tomography. The surgical biopsy showed nodular formations of hyalinized collagen fibers arranged in thick bands with few well-differentiated interstitial fibroblasts / myofibroblasts, focally expressing VEGF-A. Conclusion: The intramedullary neoplastic proliferation is limited by the cortical bone, provoking compression of the intratumorally micro-vessels, favoring both, the extracellular matrix and VEGF-A synthesis. Future research should include therapeutic intervention with anti-CD117 and anti-VEGF-A drugs, with the aim of limiting tumor growth, facilitating the complete surgical excision of the neoplasm. Keywords: desmoplastic fibroma; vascular endothelial growth factor; hyalinization; neoplasm progression.

Analisa Perbandingan Citra Hasil Segmentasi Menggunakan Metode K-Means dan Fuzzy C Means pada Citra Input Terkompresi

<p><em style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;" lang="EN">In pattern recognition, image processing plays a role in automatically separating objects from the background. In addition, the object will be processed by the pattern classifier. In the medical world, image processing plays a very important role. CT Scan (Computed Tomography) or CAT Scan (Computed Axial Tomography) is an example of an image processing application that can be used to view fragments or cross sections of parts of the human body. Tomography is the process of producing two-dimensional images from three-dimensional film through several one-dimensional scans. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the image most often used in the field of radiology. MRI images can display the anatomical details of objects clearly in multiple sections (multiplanar) without changing the patient's position. In this study, two methods were compared, namely K-Means and Fuzzy C Means, in a segmentation process with the aim of separating between normal areas or areas with disturbances (lesions). The images used are brain and chest MRI images with a total of 10 MRI images. The image quality of the segmentation results is compared with the quality test using the Variation of Information (VOI) parameters, Global Consistency Error (GCE), MSE (Mean Square Error), PSNR (Peak Signal to Noise Ratio) and segmentation time.</span></em></p><pre style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><em><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN;" lang="EN">In pattern recognition, image processing plays a role in automatically separating objects from the background. In addition, the object will be processed by the pattern classifier. In the medical world, image processing plays a very important role. CT Scan (Computed Tomography) or CAT Scan (Computed Axial Tomography) is an example of an image processing application that can be used to view fragments or cross sections of parts of the human body. Tomography is the process of producing two-dimensional images from three-dimensional film through several one-dimensional scans. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the image most often used in the field of radiology. MRI images can display the anatomical details of objects clearly in multiple sections (multiplanar) without changing the patient's position. In this study, two methods were compared, namely K-Means and Fuzzy C Means, in a segmentation process with the aim of separating between normal areas or areas with disturbances (lesions). The images used are brain and chest MRI images with a total of 10 MRI images. The image quality of the segmentation results is compared with the quality test using the Variation of Information (VOI) parameters, Global Consistency Error (GCE), MSE (Mean Square Error), PSNR (Peak Signal to Noise Ratio) and segmentation time.</span></em></pre>

The ISCHEMIA trial: optimal medical therapy against PTCA in the stable patient: the endless story

In patients with acute coronary syndrome, an aggressive approach with coronary angiography and revascularization leads to important benefits compared to medical therapy alone. On the contrary, the prognostic impact of coronary revascularization in patients suffering from stable coronary artery disease has long been the subject of debate. The pivotal study in this area is COURAGE, published in 2007, in which coronary revascularization showed no benefit about the combined endpoint of death from all causes and acute myocardial infarction (AMI), compared to medical therapy. The ISCHEMIA study, published in 2020, compared selective coronary angiography and revascularization vs. a non-invasive approach. By protocol, the patients were initially evaluated with coronary computed axial tomography angiography: in case of coronary stenosis &gt;50%, they were then randomized to the two strategies. While in the invasive arm patients were revascularized, in the non-invasive arm revascularization was used only in case of patient destabilization. As in COURAGE, the results of ISCHEMIA did not demonstrate superiority of revascularization over medical therapy alone for a combined endpoint of cardiovascular death, AMI, or hospitalization for unstable angina, heart failure, or cardiac arrest. Based on recent evidence from ISCHEMIA, it is therefore confirmed that coronary revascularization in stable patients does not seem to improve the prognosis compared to medical therapy alone.

EP.WE.620The utility of Computerized Axial Tomography (CT) investigation in two week waits colorectal referral pathway: should it be done more often during the pandemic?

Aim Colorectal two week wait pathway investigations have been majorly affected due to Covid 19 especially with regards to endoscopy as well as virtual colonoscopy procedures in comparison to CT scan. We aimed to analyze the CT scan findings of colorectal rapid access patients. Method A total of 1900 patients was referred via the straight to test pathway in the year 2020.A retrospective analysis of CT scan investigation performed in these patients was analyzed. Results A total of 90 (4.74%) patients had a CT Scan as part of the work.20 patients (22%) of the CT scan revealed malignancy. 10 patients (50%) had metastatic disease on the scan. Among them, 6 (60%) were due to colorectal primary and another 2 (20%) was due to thoracic cancers. The remaining were diagnosed with widespread metastatic disease of unknown origin. Among the remaining 10 patients, Curative surgery was offered to 5 patients with colorectal primary and one patient with hepatocellular carcinoma. The remaining patients were diagnosed with High grade B cell lymphoma, Neuroendocrine tumor, pancreatic mass and primary renal cell carcinoma. One patient had high grade small bowel obstruction due to a band adhesion resulting in emergency surgery and 5% of the patient needed a vascular referral for Abdominal aneurysm. Conclusion CT scan in two week colorectal referral patients play a significant role in diagnosis of advanced disease. The ease of the procedure makes it more attractive during the pandemic in contrast to endoscopy and virtual-colonoscopy which has been significantly impacted by COVID 19.

Functional evaluation of the diaphragm with a noninvasive test

Cardiac surgery with median sternotomy causes iatrogenic damage to the function of the diaphragm muscle that is both temporary and permanent. Myocardial infarction itself causes diaphragmatic genetic alterations, which lead the muscle to nonphysiological adaptation. The respiratory muscle area plays several roles in maintaining both physical and mental health, as well as in maximizing recovery after a cardiac event. The evaluation of the diaphragm is a fundamental step in the therapeutic process, including the use of instruments such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed axial tomography (CT). This article reviews the neurophysiological relationships of the diaphragm muscle and the symptoms of diaphragmatic contractile dysfunction. The authors discuss a scientific basis for the use of a new noninstrumental diaphragmatic test in the hope of stimulating research.

Nodal tuberculosis on positron emission tomography/computed tomography with 18F-Fluordexosiglucose, a case report

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease, caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus. Extrapulmonary disease can cause nonspecific symptoms and signs, which makes diagnostic suspicion difficult. We present the case of a man with a history of cancer in complete remission, diagnosed with lymph node tuberculosis, after being admitted to our hospital due to fever, dyspnea, and central chest pain. A Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Axial Tomography with 18F-fluordexosiglucose is requested; which showed multiple mediastinal adenopathic conglomerates with intense radiotracer uptake, suggesting ruling out malignancy. Active lymph node tuberculosis will show increased metabolic activity with Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Tomography with 18F-fluordexosiglucose, which could make the differential diagnosis with malignant tumors or other granulomatous diseases difficult, as in the case of our patient. Therefore, it is important to consider lymph node tuberculosis as a differential diagnosis in patients with adenopathies suspected of malignancy.

Finite element modeling of multiple density materials of bone specimens for biomechanical behavior evaluation

The finite elements method allied with the computerized axial tomography (CT) is a mathematical modeling technique that allows constructing computational models for bone specimens from CT data. The objective of this work was to compare the experimental biomechanical behavior by three-point bending tests of porcine femur specimens with different types of computational models generated through the finite elements’ method and a multiple density materials assignation scheme. Using five femur specimens, 25 scenarios were created with differing quantities of materials. This latter was applied to computational models and in bone specimens subjected to failure. Among the three main highlights found, first, the results evidenced high precision in predicting experimental reaction force versus displacement in the models with larger number of assigned materials, with maximal results being an R2 of 0.99 and a minimum root-mean-square error of 3.29%. Secondly, measured and computed elastic stiffness values follow same trend with regard to specimen mass, and the latter underestimates stiffness values a 6% in average. Third and final highlight, this model can precisely and non-invasively assess bone tissue mechanical resistance based on subject-specific CT data, particularly if specimen deformation values at fracture are considered as part of the assessment procedure.

Molecular Docking Studies of Secondary Metabolites against Sequestosome-1 to Treat Parkinson Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the major progressive neurological disorders. It occurs due to a low level of a chemical substance in the brain known as Dopamine, which controls the muscle movements of the body. In many cases, PD occurs due to a low level of dopamine. PD generally appears in persons between the ages of 50 & 60. Some common symptoms of Parkinson's are slow movements, tremors, change in voice, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, psychosis, etc. Diagnosis of PD is done by CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) scan or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and DAT (Dopamine Transporter) scan. No specific cure for PD but Medication, Surgery, Adequate rest, exercise, and a balanced diet, and Several different drugs may help to relieve Parkinson's Disease (PD). According to the in silico study, we found that Rosmarinic Acid (RA) was the compound, which may inhibit the activities of Sequestosome-1. After in vitro and in vivo studies, Rosmarinic Acid may be an effective drug to control Parkinson's disease (PD).

Probing Small Distances in Live Cell Imaging

For probing small distances in living cells, methods of super-resolution microscopy and molecular sensing are reported. A main requirement is low light exposure to maintain cell viability and to avoid photobleaching of relevant fluorophores. From this point of view, Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM), Axial Tomography, Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy (TIRFM) and often a combination of these methods are used. To show the high potential of these techniques, measurements on cell-substrate topology as well as on intracellular translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 are described. In addition, molecular parameters can be deduced from spectral data, fluorescence lifetimes or non-radiative energy transfer (FRET) between a donor and an acceptor molecule. As an example, FRET between the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) is described. Since this interaction, as well as further processes of cellular signaling (e.g., translocation of GLUT4) are sensitive to stimulation by pharmaceutical agents, methods (e.g., TIRFM) are transferred from a fluorescence microscope to a multi-well reader system for simultaneous detection of large cell populations.