Exome Sequencing of 5 Families with Severe Early-Onset Periodontitis.

Periodontitis is characterized by alveolar bone loss leading to tooth loss. A small proportion of patients develop severe periodontitis at the juvenile or adolescent age without exposure to the main risk factors of the disease. It is considered that these cases carry rare variants with large causal effects, but the specific variants are largely unknown. In this study, we performed exome sequencing of 5 families with children who developed stage IV, grade C, periodontitis between 3 and 18 y of age. In 1 family, we found compound heterozygous variants in the gene CTSC (p.R272H, p.G139R), 1 of which was previously identified in a family with prepubertal periodontitis. Subsequent targeted resequencing of the CTSC gene in 24 patients <25 y of age (stage IV, grade C) identified the known mutation p.I453V (odds ratio = 4.06, 95% CI = 1.6 to 10.3, P = 0.001), which was previously reported to increase the risk for adolescent periodontitis. An affected sibling of another family carried a homozygous deleterious mutation in the gene TUT7 (p.R560Q, CADD score >30 [Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion]), which is implicated in regulation of interleukin 6 expression. Two other affected siblings shared heterozygous deleterious mutations in the interacting genes PADI1 and FLG (both CADD = 36), which contribute to the integrity of the environment-tissue barrier interface. Additionally, we found predicted deleterious mutations in the periodontitis risk genes ABCA1, GLT6D1, and SIGLEC5. We conclude that the CTSC variants p.R272H and p.I453V have different expressivity and diagnostic relevance for prepubertal and adolescent periodontitis, respectively. We propose additional causal variants for early-onset periodontitis, which also locate within genes that carry known susceptibility variants for common forms. However, the genetic architecture of juvenile periodontitis is complex and differs among the affected siblings of the sequenced families.

Radiological management of postoperative lymphorrhea.

PURPOSE: Postoperative lymphorrhea can occur after different surgical procedures and may prolong the hospital stay due to the need for specific treatment. In this work, the therapeutic significance of the radiological management of postoperative lymphorrhea was assessed and illustrated. METHOD: A standardized search of the literature was performed in PubMed applying the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) term "lymphangiography." For the review, the inclusion criterion was "studies with original data on Lipiodol-based Conventional Lymphangiography (CL) with subsequent Percutaneous Lymphatic Intervention (PLI)." Different exclusion criteria were defined (e.g., studies with <15 patients). The collected data comprised of clinical background and indications, procedural aspects and types of PLI, and outcomes. In the form of a pictorial essay, each author illustrated a clinical case with CL and/or PLI. RESULTS: Seven studies (corresponding to evidence level 4 [Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine]) accounting for 196 patients were included in the synthesis and analysis of data. Preceding surgery resulting in postoperative lymphorrhea included different surgical procedures such as extended oncologic surgery or vascular surgery. Central (e.g., chylothorax) and peripheral (e.g., lymphocele) types of postoperative lymphorrhea with a drainage volume of 100-4000 ml/day underwent CL with subsequent PLI. The intervals between "preceding surgery and CL" and between "CL and PLI" were 2-330 days and 0-5 days, respectively. CL was performed before PLI to visualize the lymphatic pathology (e.g., leakage point or inflow lymph ducts), applying fluoroscopy, radiography, and/or computed tomography (CT). In total, seven different types of PLI were identified: (1) thoracic duct (or thoracic inflow lymph duct) embolization, (2) thoracic duct (or thoracic inflow lymph duct) maceration, (3) leakage point direct embolization, (4) inflow lymph node interstitial embolization, (5) inflow lymph duct (other than thoracic) embolization, (6) inflow lymph duct (other than thoracic) maceration, and (7) transvenous retrograde lymph duct embolization. CL-associated and PLI-associated technical success rates were 97-100% and 89-100%, respectively. The clinical success rate of CL and PLI was 73-95%. CL-associated and PLI-associated major complication rates were 0-3% and 0-5%, respectively. The combined CL- and PLI-associated 30-day mortality rate was 0%, and the overall mortality rate was 3% (corresponding to six patients). In the pictorial essay, the spectrum of CL and/or PLI was illustrated. CONCLUSION: The radiological management of postoperative lymphorrhea is feasible, safe, and effective. Standardized radiological treatments embedded in an interdisciplinary concept are a step towards improving outcomes.

Percutaneous afferent lymphatic vessel sclerotherapy for postoperative lymphatic leakage after previous ineffective therapeutic transpedal lymphangiography.

BACKGROUND: To demonstrate the efficacy of percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided afferent lymphatic vessel sclerotherapy (ALVS) in the treatment of postoperative lymphatic leakage (LL) after ineffective therapeutic transpedal lymphangiography (TL). METHODS: A retrospective review in this institute involving 201 patients was conducted from May 2011 to September 2018. Patients diagnosed with postoperative LL undergoing ineffective therapeutical TL before the performance of percutaneous CT-guided ALVS were involved. Technical success and clinical success of TL and ALVS were established. The technical success and efficacy of ALVS in the treatment of postoperative LL after ineffective therapeutic TL were assessed. The clinical success rate of ALVS is also assessed, and the complications are reviewed. RESULTS: In total, nine patients were involved including three patients (33.3%) presented with chylothorax, three patients (33.3%) presented with inguinal lymphatic fistula/lymphocele, and three patients (33.3%) presented with lymphatic fistula in the thigh; 27 ± 18 days (mean ± standard deviation) after surgery, therapeutic TL was successfully performed and showed definite afferent lymphatic vessel and leakage site in all the patients. Due to clinical failure after TLs, the following ALVS was performed with a mean interval of 12 ± 8 days after TL. The technical success rate was 9/9 (100.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 63.1-100.0%). An average of 2.7 ± 1.3 mL 95% ethanol as sclerosant agent was injected during the procedure. The clinical success was observed in 8 of the 9 patients (88.9%, 95% CI 51.8-99.7%) with a time between ALVS and the LL cure of 8 ± 6 days. No complications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed the role of percutaneous CT-guided ALVS as a safe, feasible, and effective salvage treatment for postoperative LL after ineffective TL.

The roles of iodized oil-based lymphangiography and post-lymphangiographic computed tomography for specific lymphatic intervention planning in patients with postoperative lymphatic fistula: a literature review and case series.

In the management of patients with postoperative lymphatic fistula (LF) in different locations, iodized oil-based lymphangiography (LAG) from trans-pedal or intranodal route is an established diagnostic approach with the potential to plan further interventional treatments. However, specific lymphatic interventions are indicated depending on different locations and morphologies of the LF. After a systematic literature review, four types of interventions can be considered, including direct leakage embolization/sclerotherapy (DLE/DLS), percutaneous afferent lymphatic vessel embolization (ALVE), percutaneous afferent lymphatic vessels disruption/sclerotherapy (ALVD/ALVS), and trans-afferent nodal embolization (TNE). In the iodized oil-based LAG, three potential lymphatic targets including confined leakage, definite afferent LVs, and definite closest afferent LNs should be comprehensively assessed. For optimal prospective treatment planning for LF, iodized oil-based post-lymphangiographic computed tomography (post-LAG CT) is a useful complement to the conventional iodized oil-based LAG, which can be performed easily after LAG. This review article summarized the current evidence of the specific lymphatic interventions in patients with postoperative LF and explored the potential benefits of post-LAG CT in the intervention planning from a case series.

[What can/should be treated in kidney tumors and when]. / Was kann/soll bei Nierentumoren wann behandelt werden.

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE: In the treatment of localized renal cell carcinoma, the lack of randomization in controlled trials on thermal ablation is a major limitation. The latter leads to significant study bias and it ultimately remains unclear whether the improved overall survival in favor of partial nephrectomy can actually be attributed to the treatment method. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS: For T1a (≤4 cm) renal cell carcinoma without lymph node and distant metastases, excellent technical and clinical results have been described after imaging-guided radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation. METHODICAL INNOVATIONS: Low major complication rates, preservation of renal function and three-dimensional confirmation of negative ablation margins (A0 ablation) are the advantages of computed tomography (CT)-guided thermal ablation. PERFORMANCE: According to the results of controlled (non-randomized) trials on T1a renal cell cancer, the cancer-specific survival rates are comparable between ablative and surgical techniques. ACHIEVEMENTS: It is high time for prospective randomized controlled trials to define the actual value of percutaneous thermal ablation and partial nephrectomy in the treatment of T1a renal cell carcinoma. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Apart from localized renal cell carcinoma, angiomyolipoma and oncocytoma can be treated by thermal ablation. Transarterial embolization extends the radiological spectrum for the treatment of renal tumors, either as complementary embolization (e. g. before thermal ablation of T1a and T1b renal cell carcinoma), prophylactic embolization (e. g. angiomyolipoma >6 cm), preoperative embolization (e. g. before laparoscopic partial nephrectomy) or palliative embolization (e. g. in patients with symptomatic macrohematuria due to renal cell carcinoma).

Transarterial embolization (TAE) as add-on to percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of renal tumors: Review of the literature, overview of state-of-the-art embolization materials and further perspective of advanced image-guided tumor ablation.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of stage I renal cell carcinoma has recently gained significant attention as the now available long-term and controlled data demonstrate that RFA can result in disease-free and cancer-specific survival comparable with partial and/or radical nephrectomy. In the non-controlled single center trials, however, the rates of treatment failure vary. Operator experience and ablation technique may explain some of the different outcomes. In the controlled trials, a major limitation is the lack of adequate randomization. In case reports, original series and overview articles, transarterial embolization (TAE) before percutaneous RFA was promising to increase tumor control and to reduce complications. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature on TAE as add-on to percutaneous RFA for renal tumors. Specific data regarding technique, tumor and patient characteristics as well as technical, clinical and oncologic outcomes have been analyzed. Additionally, an overview of state-of-the-art embolization materials and the radiological perspective of advanced image-guided tumor ablation (TA) will be discussed. In conclusion, TAE as add-on to percutaneous RFA is feasible and very effective and safe for the treatment of T1a tumors in difficult locations and T1b tumors. Advanced radiological techniques and technologies such as microwave ablation, innovative embolization materials and software-based solutions are now available, or will be available in the near future, to reduce the limitations of bland RFA. Clinical implementation is extremely important for performing image-guided TA as a highly standardized effective procedure even in the most challenging cases of localized renal tumors.

The Use of Iliac Side Branch Devices in Patients with Aortoiliac Aneurysm.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and short-time patency rate of iliac side branch devices based on the authors' institution's experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of 17 patients (all men) with an aortoiliac aneurysm (median age 72.5 years) who underwent endovascular repair between October 2013 and June 2015 (20 months) at our institution was analyzed retrospectively. Primary endpoint was primary technical success, defined as adequate implantation of the iliac branch device with patency of the hypogastric side branch without the need of further re-interventions within 30 days. Mean follow-up was 8.2 ±â€Š5.4 months. RESULTS: Eighteen iliac side branch devices were implanted with a branch patency of 100 % and a primary technical success rate of 94.4 % (n = 17). Perioperative 30 days mortality was 0 %. The mean diameter of treated abdominal aorta and common iliac artery was 41 ±â€Š14 and 30 ±â€Š8 mm. In one case partial dislocation of the iliac side branch device occurred due to severe kinking of iliac arteries with development of an iliac endoleak type Ib that had to be treated in a second intervention. Three patients (15 %) showed an endoleak type II from the inferior mesenteric artery without the need of re-intervention. After three months one patient suffered from subtotal thrombotic occlusion of the bridging stent that was successfully resolved through intra-arterial fibrinolytic therapy and additional stent graft implantation. CONCLUSION: Summarized, implantation of iliac side branch devices is a feasible technique with favourable short-term results in patients with aortoiliac aneurysm. KEY POINTS: • Implantation of iliac side branch devices is a feasible technique.• Distinguish short-term results of side branch endografting in patients with aortoiliac aneurysm.• Carefully patient selection is necessary to avoid complications and re-interventions. Citation Format: • Maus V, Kurz P, Sommer CM et al. The Use of Iliac Side Branch Devices in Patients with Aortoiliac Aneurysm.. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2016; 188: 746 - 752.

Medical Liability and Patient Law in Germany: Main Features with Particular Focus on Treatments in the Field of Interventional Radiology.

UNLABELLED: On February 26th, 2013 the patient law became effective in Germany. Goal of the lawmakers was a most authoritative case law for liability of malpractice and to improve enforcement of the rights of the patients. The following article contains several examples detailing legal situation. By no means should these discourage those persons who treat patients. Rather should they be sensitized to to various aspects of this increasingly important field of law. To identify relevant sources according to judicial standard research was conducted including first- and second selection. Goal was the identification of jurisdiction, literature and other various analyses that all deal with liability of malpractice and patient law within the field of Interventional Radiology--with particular focus on transarterial chemoembolization of the liver and related procedures. In summary, 89 different sources were included and analyzed. The individual who treats a patient is liable for an error in treatment if it causes injury to life, the body or the patient's health. Independent of the error in treatment the individual providing medical care is liable for mistakes made in the context of obtaining informed consent. Prerequisite is the presence of an error made when obtaining informed consent and its causality for the patient's consent for the treatment. Without an effective consent the treatment is considered illegal whether it was free of treatment error or not. The new patient law does not cause material change of the German liablity of malpractice law. KEY POINTS: •On February 26th, 2013 the new patient law came into effect. Materially, there was no fundamental remodeling of the German liability for medical malpractice. •Regarding a physician's liability for medical malpractice two different elements of an offence come into consideration: for one the liability for malpractice and, in turn, liability for errors made during medical consultation in the process of obtaining informed consent. •Forensic practice shows that patients frequently enforce both offences concurrently.

Development of a sink-source interaction model for the growth of short-rotation coppice willow and in silico exploration of genotype×environment effects.

Identifying key performance traits is essential for elucidating crop growth processes and breeding. In Salix spp., genotypic diversity is being exploited to tailor new varieties to overcome environmental yield constraints. Process-based models can assist these efforts by identifying key parameters of yield formation for different genotype×environment (G×E) combinations. Here, four commercial willow varieties grown in contrasting environments (west and south-east UK) were intensively sampled for growth traits over two 2-year rotations. A sink-source interaction model was developed to parameterize the balance of source (carbon capture/mobilization) and sink formation (morphogenesis, carbon allocation) during growth. Global sensitivity analysis consistently identified day length for the onset of stem elongation as most important factor for yield formation, followed by various 'sink>source' controlling parameters. In coastal climates, the chilling control of budburst ranked higher compared with the more eastern climate. Sensitivity to drought, including canopy size and rooting depth, was potentially growth limiting in the south-east and west of the UK. Potential yields increased from the first to the second rotation, but less so for broad- than for narrow-leaved varieties (20 and 47%, respectively), which had established less well initially (-19%). The establishment was confounded by drought during the first rotation, affecting broad- more than narrow-leaved canopy phenotypes (-29%). The analysis emphasized quantum efficiency at low light intensity as key to assimilation; however, on average, sink parameters were more important than source parameters. The G×E pairings described with this new process model will help to identify parameters of sink-source control for future willow breeding.

Percutaneous management of postoperative bile leaks after upper gastrointestinal surgery.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the benefit of percutaneous interventional management of patients with postoperative bile leak on clinical outcome. Primary study endpoints were closure of the bile leak and duration of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) treatment. Secondary study endpoints were necessity of additional CT-guided drainage catheter placement, course of serum CRP level as parameter for inflammation, and patients' survival. METHODS: Between January 2004 and April 2008, all patients who underwent PTBD placement after upper gastrointestinal surgery were analyzed regarding site of bile leak and previous attempt of operative bile leak repair, interval between initial surgery and PTBD placement, procedural interventional management, course of inflammation parameters, duration of PTBD therapy, PTBD-related complications, and patients' survival. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent PTBD placement for treatment of postoperative bile leaks. In 12 patients (40%), PTBD was performed secondary to a surgical attempt of bile leak repair. Additional percutaneous drainage of bilomas was performed in 14 patients (47%). CRP serum level decreased from 138.1 ± 73.4 mg/l before PTBD placement to 43.5 ± 33.4 mg/l 30 days after PTBD placement. The mean duration of PTBD treatment was 55.2 ± 32.5 days in the surviving patients. In one patient, a delayed stenosis of the bile duct required balloon dilation. Two PTBD-related complications (portobiliary fistula, hepatic artery aneurysm) occurred, which were successfully treated by embolization. Overall survival was 73% (22 patients). CONCLUSIONS: PTBD treatment is an effective therapy. PTBD treatment and additional CT-guided drainage of bilomas helped to reduce intraabdominal inflammation, as shown by reduction of inflammation parameters.

Self-expanding nitinol renal artery stents: comparison of safety and efficacy of bare versus Polyzene-F nanocoated stents in a porcine model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of a Polyzene-F nanocoat on new low-profile self-expandable nitinol stents in minipig renal arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten bare nitinol stents (BNS) and 10 stents coated with a 50 nm-thin Polyzene-F coating were randomly implanted into renal arteries of 10 minipigs (4- and 12-week follow-up, 5 animals/group). Thrombogenicity, on-stent surface endothelialization, vessel wall injury, late in-stent stenosis, and peristrut vessel wall inflammation were determined by quantitative angiography and postmortem histomorphometry. RESULTS: In 6 of 10 BNS, >50% stenosis was found, but no stenosis was found in stents with a nanothin Polyzene-F coating. Histomorphometry showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) different average maximum luminal loss of 55.16% ± 8.43% at 12 weeks in BNS versus 39.77% ± 7.41% in stents with a nanothin Polyzene-F coating. Stents with a nanothin Polyzene-F coating had a significantly (p < 0.05) lower inflammation score after 12 weeks, 1.31 ± 1.17 versus 2.17 ± 0.85 in BNS. The results for vessel wall injury (0.6 ± 0.58 for Polyzene-F-coated stents; 0.72 ± 0.98 for BNS) and re-endothelialization, (1.16 ± 0.43 and 1.23 ± 0.54, respectively) were not statistically significant at 12-week follow-up. No thrombus deposition was observed on the stents at either follow-up time point. CONCLUSION: Nitinol stents with a nanothin Polyzene-F coating successfully decreased in-stent stenosis and vessel wall inflammation compared with BNS. Endothelialization and vessel wall injury were found to be equal. These studies warrant long-term pig studies (≥120 days) because 12 weeks may not be sufficient time for complete healing; thereafter, human studies may be warranted.

Renal artery embolization combined with radiofrequency ablation in a porcine kidney model: effect of small and narrowly calibrated microparticles as embolization material on coagulation diameter, volume, and shape.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of renal artery embolization with small and narrowly calibrated microparticles on the coagulation diameter, volume, and shape of radiofrequency ablations (RFAs) in porcine kidneys. Forty-eight RFAs were performed in 24 kidneys of 12 pigs. In 6 animals, bilateral renal artery embolization was performed with small and narrowly calibrated microparticles. Upper and lower kidney poles were ablated with identical system parameters. Applying three-dimensional segmentation software, RFAs were segmented on registered 2 mm-thin macroscopic slices. Length, depth, width, volume_segmented, and volume_calculated were determined to describe the size of the RFAs. To evaluate the shape of the RFAs, depth-to-width ratio (perfect symmetry-to-lesion length was indicated by a ratio of 1), sphericity ratio (perfect sphere was indicated by a sphericity ratio of 1), eccentricity (perfect sphere was indicated by an eccentricity of 0), and circularity (perfect circle was indicated by a circularity of 1) were determined. Embolized compared with nonembolized RFAs showed significantly greater depth (23.4 ± 3.6 vs. 17.2 ± 1.8 mm; p < 0.001) and width (20.1 ± 2.9 vs. 12.6 ± 3.7 mm; p < 0.001); significantly larger volume_segmented (8.6 ± 3.2 vs. 3.0 ± 0.7 ml; p < 0.001) and volume_calculated (8.4 ± 3.0 ml vs. 3.3 ± 1.1 ml; p < 0.001); significantly lower depth-to-width (1.17 ± 0.10 vs. 1.48 ± 0.44; p < 0.05), sphericity (1.55 ± 0.44 vs. 1.96 ± 0.43; p < 0.01), and eccentricity (0.84 ± 0.61 vs. 1.73 ± 0.91; p < 0.01) ratios; and significantly greater circularity (0.62 ± 0.14 vs. 0.45 ± 0.16; p < 0.01). Renal artery embolization with small and narrowly calibrated microparticles affected the coagulation diameter, volume, and shape of RFAs in porcine kidneys. Embolized RFAs were significantly larger and more spherical compared with nonembolized RFAs.

Combined CT- and fluoroscopy-guided nephrostomy in patients with non-obstructive uropathy due to urine leaks in cases of failed ultrasound-guided procedures.

AIM: To report our experience of combined CT- and fluoroscopy-guided nephrostomy in patients with non-obstructive uropathy due to urine leaks in cases of failed ultrasound-guided procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients (23 kidneys) with non-obstructive uropathy due to urine leaks underwent combined CT- and fluoroscopy-guided nephrostomy. All procedures were indicated as second-line interventions after failed ultrasound-guided nephrostomy. Thirteen males and five females with an age of 62.3±8.7 (40-84) years were treated. Urine leaks developed in majority after open surgery, e.g. postoperative insufficiency of ureteroneocystostomy (5 kidneys). The main reasons for failed ultrasound-guided nephrostomy included anatomic obstacles in the puncture tract (7 kidneys), and inability to identify pelvic structures (7 kidneys). CT-guided guidewire placement into the collecting system was followed by fluoroscopy-guided nephrostomy tube positioning. Procedural success rate, major and minor complication rates, CT-views and needle passes, duration of the procedure and radiation dose were analyzed. RESULTS: Procedural success was 91%. Major and minor complication rates were 9% (one septic shock and one perirenal abscess) and 9% (one perirenal haematoma and one urinoma), respectively. 30-day mortality rate was 6%. Number of CT-views and needle passes were 9.3±6.1 and 3.6±2.6, respectively. Duration of the complete procedure was 87±32 min. Dose-length product and dose-area product were 1.8±1.4 Gy cm and 3.9±4.3 Gy cm2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Combined CT- and fluoroscopy-guided nephrostomy in patients with non-obstructive uropathy due to urine leaks in cases of failed ultrasound-guided procedures was feasible with high technical success and a tolerable complication rate.

Percutaneous treatment of biliary cast syndrome after orthotopic liver transplantation: comparison of mechanical versus hydraulic rheolytic cast extraction.

PURPOSE: Biliary cast syndrome (BCS) is the presence of casts within the intrahepatic or extrahepatic biliary system after orthotopic liver transplantation. Our work compares two percutaneous methods for BCS treatment: the mechanical cast-extraction technique (MCE) versus the hydraulic cast-extraction (HCE) technique using a rheolytic system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 patients were included in the study. Six patients were referred for HCE, and 18 patients were treated with MCE. A statistically significant larger number of sessions was required in the MCE group (21.0, range 11 to 72 sessions) (p = 0.033). RESULTS: Median therapy duration was shorter in the HCE group at 2.4 months (range 2 to 5) compared with 6.7 months (range 3 to 39) in the MCE group (p < 0.001). Both patient acceptance was better and costs for total therapy were 40% less in the HCE group. No significant differences where found concerning clinical and biochemical improvement or graft and patient survival. CONCLUSION: The use of the hydraulic rheolytic system decreased total therapy time, thereby decreasing the induced inflammation time of the biliary tree. A significant benefit of HCE has been observed in our patients when we compare our results with those of MCE.

Effect of intravenous morphine comedication on bile duct visualization, diameter and volume applying intravenous CT cholangiography in a porcine liver model.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine whether intravenous morphine comedication improves bile duct visualization, diameter and/or volume applying intravenous CT cholangiography in a porcine liver model. METHODS: 12 Landrace pigs underwent intravenous CT cholangiography. Eight minutes after initiation of the contrast material infusion, either morphine sulfate (n = 6 animals) or normal saline (n = 6 animals) was administered. Eighteen consecutive CT scans of the liver were acquired with 2-min intervals starting with initiation of the contrast material infusion. Maximum bile duct visualization scores, diameters and volumes and time to maximum bile duct visualization scores, diameters and volumes were determined. RESULTS: Maximum bile duct visualization scores, diameters and volumes and time to maximum bile duct visualization scores, diameters and volumes were not significantly different when the morphine group was compared to the normal saline group. Maximum bile duct visualization scores ranged between 4.00 ± 0.00 and 2.83 ± 1.47. Maximum bile duct diameters ranged between 6.77 ± 0.40 and 2.10 ± 1.35 mm. Maximum bile duct volume was 16.41 ± 7.33 ml in the morphine group and 16.79 ± 5.65 ml in the normal saline group. CONCLUSION: Intravenous morphine comedication failed to improve bile duct visualization and to increase bile duct diameter and volume applying CT cholangiography.

Modelling supply and demand of bioenergy from short rotation coppice and Miscanthus in the UK.

Biomass from lignocellulosic energy crops can contribute to primary energy supply in the short term in heat and electricity applications and in the longer term in transport fuel applications. This paper estimates the optimal feedstock allocation of herbaceous and woody lignocellulosic energy crops for England and Wales based on empirical productivity models. Yield maps for Miscanthus, willow and poplar, constrained by climatic, soil and land use factors, are used to estimate the potential resource. An energy crop supply-cost curve is estimated based on the resource distribution and associated production costs. The spatial resource model is then used to inform the supply of biomass to geographically distributed demand centres, with co-firing plants used as an illustration. Finally, the potential contribution of energy crops to UK primary energy and renewable energy targets is discussed.

COX-2 is associated with periodontitis in Europeans.

COX-2 plays an important role in periodontitis by mediating inflammatory reactions in periodontal tissues, and the COX-2 polymorphisms rs20417 and rs689466 have been reported to be associated with periodontitis in populations of Taiwanese and Chinese ethnicity. To test whether these variants were associated with periodontitis in populations of European ethnicity, we genotyped the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs689466 and rs6681231, the latter a haplotype tagging SNP (htSNP) for rs20417 (r2>0.95), in our large-analysis population of individuals with aggressive (n = 532) and chronic periodontitis (n = 1052), and 2873 healthy control individuals. The rare G allele of htSNP rs6681231 was associated with aggressive periodontitis prior to and after adjustment for the covariates smoking, diabetes, and gender, with an odds ratio of 1.57 (95% confidence interval 1.18-2.08; p = 0.002). The validation of the association of rs20417 by the htSNP rs6681231 provides evidence for a general genetic risk of COX-2 variants in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

Patients with life-threatening arterial renal hemorrhage: CT angiography and catheter angiography with subsequent superselective embolization.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical and clinical success of superselective embolization in patients with life-threatening arterial renal hemorrhage undergoing preinterventional CT angiography. Forty-three patients with clinical signs of life-threatening arterial renal hemorrhage underwent CT angiography and catheter angiography. Superselective embolization was indicated in the case of a positive catheter angiography. Primary study goals were technical and clinical success of superselective embolization. Secondary study goals were CT angiographic and catheter angiographic image findings and clinical follow-up. The mean time interval between CT angiography and catheter angiography was 8.3 +/- 10.3 h (range, 0.2-34.1 h). Arterial renal hemorrhage was identified with CT angiography in 42 of 43 patients (98%) and catheter angiography in 39 of 43 patients (91%) (overview angiography in 4 of 43 patients [9%], selective angiography in 16 of 43 patients [37%], and superselective angiography in 39 of 43 patients [91%]). Superselective embolization was performed in 39 of 43 patients (91%) and technically successful in 37 of 39 patients (95%). Therefore, coil embolization was performed in 13 of 37 patients (35%), liquid embolization in 9 of 37 patients (24%), particulate embolization in 1 of 37 patients (3%), and a combination in 14 of 37 patients (38%). Clinical failure occurred in 8 of 39 patients (21%) and procedure-related complications in 2 of 39 patients (5%). The 30-day mortality rate was 3%. Hemoglobin decreased significantly prior to intervention (P < 0.001) and increased significantly after intervention (P < 0.005). In conclusion, superselective embolization is effective, reliable, and safe in patients with life-threatening arterial renal hemorrhage. In contrast to overview and selective angiography, only superselective angiography allows reliable detection of arterial renal hemorrhage. Preinterventional CT angiography is excellent for detection and localization of arterial renal hemorrhage and appropriate for guidance of the embolization procedure.

A 3' UTR transition within DEFB1 is associated with chronic and aggressive periodontitis.

Periodontal diseases are complex inflammatory diseases and affect up to 20% of the worldwide population. An unbalanced reaction of the immune system toward microbial pathogens is considered as the key factor in the development of periodontitis. Defensins have a strong antimicrobial function and are important contributors of the immune system toward maintaining health. Here, we present the first systematic association study of DEFB1. Using a haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) approach, including described promoter SNPs of DEFB1, we investigated the associations of the selected variants in a large population (N=1337 cases and 2887 ethnically matched controls). The 3' untranslated region SNP, rs1047031, showed the most significant association signal for homozygous carriers of the rare A allele (P=0.002) with an increased genetic risk of 1.3 (95% confidence interval: 1.11-1.57). The association was consistent with the specific periodontitis forms: chronic periodontitis (odds ratio=2.2 (95% confidence interval: 1.16-4.35), P=0.02), and aggressive periodontitis (odds ratio=1.3 (95% confidence interval 1.04-1.68), P=0.02). Sequencing of regulatory and exonic regions of DEFB1 identified no other associated variant, pointing toward rs1047031 as likely being the causative variant. Prediction of microRNA targets identified a potential microRNA-binding site at the position of rs1047031.

Impact of stent design on in-stent stenosis in a rabbit iliac artery model.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of stent design on in-stent stenosis in rabbit iliac arteries. Four different types of stent were implanted in rabbit iliac arteries, being different in stent design (crown or wave) and strut thickness (50 or 100 microm). Ten stents of each type were implanted. Each animal received one crown and one wave stent with the same strut thickness. Follow-up was either 12 weeks (n = 10 rabbits) or 24 weeks (n = 10 rabbits). Primary study end points were angiographic and microscopic in-stent stenosis. Secondary study end points were vessel injury, vascular inflammation, and stent endothelialization. Average stent diameter, relative stent overdilation, average and minimal luminal diameter, and relative average and maximum luminal loss were not significantly different. However, a trend to higher relative stent overdilation was recognized in crown stents compared to wave stents. A trend toward higher average and minimal luminal diameter and lower relative average and maximum luminal loss was recognized in crown stents compared to wave stents with a strut thickness of 100 microm. Neointimal height, relative luminal area stenosis, injury score, inflammation score, and endothelialization score were not significantly different. However, a trend toward higher neointimal height was recognized in crown stents compared to wave stents with a strut thickness of 50 microm and a follow-up of 24 weeks. In conclusion, in this study, crown stents seem to trigger neointima. However, the optimized radial force might equalize the theoretically higher tendency for restenosis in crown stents. In this context, also more favorable positive remodeling in crown stents could be important.