Fungal Planet description sheets: 1042-1111.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Cladosporium arenosum from marine sediment sand. Argentina, Kosmimatamyces alatophylus (incl. Kosmimatamyces gen. nov.) from soil. Australia, Aspergillus banksianus, Aspergillus kumbius, Aspergillus luteorubrus, Aspergillus malvicolor and Aspergillus nanangensis from soil, Erysiphe medicaginis from leaves of Medicago polymorpha, Hymenotorrendiella communis on leaf litter of Eucalyptus bicostata, Lactifluus albopicri and Lactifluus austropiperatus on soil, Macalpinomyces collinsiae on Eriachne benthamii, Marasmius vagus on soil, Microdochium dawsoniorum from leaves of Sporobolus natalensis, Neopestalotiopsis nebuloides from leaves of Sporobolus elongatus, Pestalotiopsis etonensis from leaves of Sporobolus jacquemontii, Phytophthora personensis from soil associated with dying Grevillea mccutcheonii. Brazil, Aspergillus oxumiae from soil, Calvatia baixaverdensis on soil, Geastrum calycicoriaceum on leaf litter, Greeneria kielmeyerae on leaf spots of Kielmeyera coriacea. Chile, Phytophthora aysenensis on collar rot and stem of Aristotelia chilensis. Croatia, Mollisia gibbospora on fallen branch of Fagus sylvatica. Czech Republic, Neosetophoma hnaniceana from Buxus sempervirens. Ecuador, Exophiala frigidotolerans from soil. Estonia, Elaphomyces bucholtzii in soil. France, Venturia paralias from leaves of Euphorbia paralias. India, Cortinarius balteatoindicus and Cortinarius ulkhagarhiensis on leaf litter. Indonesia, Hymenotorrendiella indonesiana on Eucalyptus urophylla leaf litter. Italy, Penicillium taurinense from indoor chestnut mill. Malaysia, Hemileucoglossum kelabitense on soil, Satchmopsis pini on dead needles of Pinus tecunumanii. Poland, Lecanicillium praecognitum on insects' frass. Portugal, Neodevriesia aestuarina from saline water. Republic of Korea, Gongronella namwonensis from freshwater. Russia, Candida pellucida from Exomias pellucidus, Heterocephalacria septentrionalis as endophyte from Cladonia rangiferina, Vishniacozyma phoenicis from dates fruit, Volvariella paludosa from swamp. Slovenia, Mallocybe crassivelata on soil. South Africa, Beltraniella podocarpi, Hamatocanthoscypha podocarpi, Coleophoma podocarpi and Nothoseiridium podocarpi (incl. Nothoseiridium gen. nov.) from leaves of Podocarpus latifolius, Gyrothrix encephalarti from leaves of Encephalartos sp., Paraphyton cutaneum from skin of human patient, Phacidiella alsophilae from leaves of Alsophila capensis, and Satchmopsis metrosideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros excelsa. Spain, Cladophialophora cabanerensis from soil, Cortinarius paezii on soil, Cylindrium magnoliae from leaves of Magnolia grandiflora, Trichophoma cylindrospora (incl. Trichophoma gen. nov.) from plant debris, Tuber alcaracense in calcareus soil, Tuber buendiae in calcareus soil. Thailand, Annulohypoxylon spougei on corticated wood, Poaceascoma filiforme from leaves of unknown Poaceae. UK, Dendrostoma luteum on branch lesions of Castanea sativa, Ypsilina buttingtonensis from heartwood of Quercus sp. Ukraine, Myrmecridium phragmiticola from leaves of Phragmites australis. USA, Absidia pararepens from air, Juncomyces californiensis (incl. Juncomyces gen. nov.) from leaves of Juncus effusus, Montagnula cylindrospora from a human skin sample, Muriphila oklahomaensis (incl. Muriphila gen. nov.) on outside wall of alcohol distillery, Neofabraea eucalyptorum from leaves of Eucalyptus macrandra, Diabolocovidia claustri (incl. Diabolocovidia gen. nov.) from leaves of Serenoa repens, Paecilomyces penicilliformis from air, Pseudopezicula betulae from leaves of leaf spots of Populus tremuloides. Vietnam, Diaporthe durionigena on branches of Durio zibethinus and Roridomyces pseudoirritans on rotten wood. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes.

Genomic comparison of two strains of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis with contrasting pathogenic phenotype.

In a previous study, we evaluated the degree of virulence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) strains isolated from cattle in Argentina in a murine model. This assay allowed us to differentiate between high-virulent MapARG1347 and low-virulent MapARG1543 strains. To corroborate whether the differences in virulence could be attributed to genetic differences between the strains, we performed Whole Genome Sequencing and compared the genomes and gene content between them and determined the differences related to the reference strain MapK10. We found 233 SNPs/INDELS in one or both strains relative to Map K10. The two strains share most of the variations, but we found 15 mutations present in only one of the strains. Considering NS-SNP/INDELS that produced a severe effect in the coding sequence, we focus the analysis on four predicted proteins, putatively related to virulence. Survival of MapARG1347 strain in bMDM was higher than MapARG1543 and was more resistant to acidic pH and H2O2 stresses than MapK10. The genomic differences between the two strains found in genes MAP1203 (a putative peptidoglycan hydrolase), MAP0403 (a putative serine protease) MAP1003c (a member of the PE-PPE family) and MAP4152 (a putative mycofactocin binding protein) could contribute to explain the contrasting phenotype previously observed in mice models.

[Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath: characteristic findings of the bone scintigraphy and correlation with MRI]. / Tumor de células gigantes de la vaina tendinosa: hallazgos característicos de la gammagrafía ósea y correlación con la RMN.

We report 3 cases of an unusual tumor, that is, the giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath. The patients consulted due to the appearance of a well-defined, painless, soft tissue mass with mild-to-moderate inflammation located in the thumbs or toes. These clinical data, together with the bone scan findings, oriented the diagnostic suspicion that was confirmed by a pathology study of the tumor after resection. This work has aimed to review the characteristics of the bone scan (BS) image of this tumor and its correlation with the conventional X-ray imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Abnormal expression and processing of uromodulin in Fabry disease reflects tubular cell storage alteration and is reversible by enzyme replacement therapy.

Uromodulin (UMOD) malfunction has been found in a range of autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial nephropathies associated with hyperuricaemia, gouty arthritis, medullary cysts and renal failure-labelled as familial juvenile hyperuricaemic nephropathy, medullary cystic disease type 2 and glomerulocystic kidney disease. To gain knowledge of the spectrum of UMOD changes in various genetic diseases with renal involvement we examined urinary UMOD excretion and found significant quantitative and qualitative changes in 15 male patients at various clinical stages of Fabry disease. In untreated patients, the changes ranged from normal to a marked decrease, or even absence of urinary UMOD. This was accompanied frequently by the presence of aberrantly processed UMOD lacking the C-terminal part following the K432 residue. The abnormal patterns normalized in all patients on enzyme replacement therapy and in some patients on substrate reduction therapy. Immunohistochemical analysis of the affected kidney revealed abnormal UMOD localization in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and the distal convoluted tubule, with UMOD expression inversely proportional to the degree of storage. Our observations warrant evaluation of tubular functions in Fabry disease and suggest UMOD as a potential biochemical marker of therapeutic response of the kidney to therapy. Extended comparative studies of UMOD expression in kidney specimens obtained during individual types of therapies are therefore of great interest.

[Evaluation of renal lesions using 99mTc-DMSA in children with urinary tract infection and the relation with vesicoureteral reflux]. / Evaluación de lesiones renales mediante 99mTc-DMSA en niños con antecedentes de infección del tracto urinario y su relación con el reflujo vesicoureteral.

OBJECTIVE: Paediatric patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) have risk of developing renal scarrings. Although it is known that vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) predisposes to UTIs and it seems to have an important role in the development of renal lesions, some recent published studies question that relation. The aim of the study was to evaluate renal scarring by using renal scintigraphy 99mTc-DMSA and see the relation with or without the presence of VUR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated retrospectively a total of 230 patients (460 renal units), mean age: 11 months (range: 12d-5y), with UTI probed by urinoculture. All were studied with voiding cistourethrography (MCU) to evaluate the presence or absence of VUR. Patients were evaluated with 99mTc-DMSA scan 6 months after UTI to determine if UTI caused renal scarring. RESULTS: Renal scans with 99mTc-DMSA 6 months post-infection were abnormal in 62 renal units, affecting 54 patients (23 %). From all patients studied, 110 were diagnosis of VUR being affected 161 renal units, 43 of them (27 %) presented renal scarrings. From the remaining 120 patients without VUR that is 240 renal units, 19 of them (8 %) presented parenchymatous damage. CONCLUSION: Renal scarring resulting from UTI are in some cases related to VUR, but sometimes are caused by the infection itself. Not all patients with VUR develop renal lesions, and neither the presence of VUR always predispose children to renal lesions. MCU and direct isotopic cystography are useful for diagnosis of VUR but we shouldn't avoid 99mTc-DMSA scan in the management of children with UTI.

Hipoxemia silenciosa y uso de oxímetro de pulso en el hogar para detección precoz de complicaciones por Covid-19: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Silent hypoxemia and use of pulse oximeter at home for early detection of complications from Covid-19: a case report and review of the literature

Silent hypoxemia is one of the clinical presentations caused by SARS-CoV-2. It is still considered a medical mystery, as there are inconsistencies between arterial oxygen saturation levels and respiratory symptoms; a clinical scenario that had not been seen before. Their main risk is that it delays medical assistance because they do not have breathing difficulties and, when they consult, the lung damage is quite advanced. The early detection of hypoxia can favor the premature diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia and start treatment without delay. The pulse oximeter is presented as a useful, inexpensive, and easy-to-use tool for monitoring oxygen saturation at home in mild illness and detecting silent hypoxemia. This work presents the case of a patient with COVID-19 who, thanks to the use of a pulse oximeter at home, was able to detect silent hypoxemia and favored the early diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. (AU)

Myocyte cell damage after administration of doxorubicin or mitoxantrone in breast cancer patients assessed by indium 111 antimyosin monoclonal antibody studies.

PURPOSE: To compare myocyte cell damage induced by doxorubicin or mitoxantrone, we performed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measurements and indium 111 antimyosin antibody studies in a group of patients with advanced breast cancer who had been treated with these anthracycline derivatives. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 35 patients eligible to receive chemotherapy including the anthracyclines: doxorubicin or mitoxantrone (cumulative dose of doxorubicin, 500 mg/m2; or mitoxantrone, 120 mg/m2). LVEF was measured before and after 10 cycles of chemotherapy. Antimyosin uptake in the myocardium was quantified by means of a heart-to-lung ratio (HLR). RESULTS: Patients treated with doxorubicin presented with a significant decrease in LVEF after chemotherapy (before, 60.4% +/- 8.92%; after, 49.8% +/- 9.71%; P = .001). Antimyosin uptake was observed in all patients with a HLR of 2.03 +/- 0.25. Seven of eight patients with a HLR greater than 2.03 had a greater than 10% decrease in LVEF. Patients treated with mitoxantrone did not present with a decrease in LVEF after chemotherapy (before, 55.4% +/- 6.25%; after, 55.8% +/- 7.25%; not significant). Antimyosin uptake was observed in 14 of 17 patients with a HLR of 1.77 +/- 0.18 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: 111In antimyosin monoclonal antibodies defect myocardial cell damage produced by doxorubicin and mitoxantrone. In patients with advanced breast cancer, cumulative doses of 120 mg/m2 of mitoxantrone produce less myocardial cell damage than cumulative doses of 500 mg/m2 of doxorubicin. 111In antimyosin uptake without decrease in LVEF after treatment with mitoxantrone indicates the presence of myocyte cell damage, but not to the extent necessary to deteriorate function. These results indicate that 111In antimyosin antibody studies are useful in the noninvasive comparative assessment of cardiotoxicity produced by different anthracycline derivatives.

High prevalence of myocardial monoclonal antimyosin antibody uptake in patients with chronic idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Monoclonal antimyosin antibody studies were undertaken to assess the presence of myocardial uptake in patients with chronic idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Three groups were studied: 17 patients with chronic (greater than 12 months) idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, 12 patients with a large, poorly contracting left ventricle not due to dilated cardiomyopathy (control patients) and 8 normal individuals. The patients in the cardiomyopathy and control groups showed a similar degree of clinical and functional impairment. Imaging was undertaken 48 h after antimyosin injection. The heart/lung ratio of antimyosin uptake was used to assess the results. The mean ratio in the cardiomyopathy group was 1.83 +/- 0.36 (range 1.40 to 2.80), a value significantly higher than that obtained in the control patients without cardiomyopathy (mean 1.46 +/- 0.04, range 1.38 to 1.50) or normal subjects (mean 1.46 +/- 0.13, range 1.31 to 1.6) (p less than 0.01). No difference in the ratio was noted between the normal subjects and control patients. Abnormal antimyosin uptake was seen in 12 (70%) of the 17 patients with cardiomyopathy and in only 1 (8%) of the 12 control patients. Positive monoclonal antimyosin antibody studies are highly prevalent in chronic idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Marked ventricular repolarization abnormalities in highly trained athletes' electrocardiograms: clinical and prognostic implications.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to study the functional, clinical and prognostic implications of marked repolarization abnormalities (MRA) sometimes seen in athletes' electrocardiograms (ECGs). BACKGROUND: The clinical meaning of ECG MRA in athletes is unknown. No relationship has been drawn between either training intensity or any particular type of sport and MRA. Athletes are usually symptom free and do not show any decrease in their physical performance. It is as yet unclear whether MRA may have a negative effect on the performance of such athletes in competitive sports. METHODS: We studied 26 athletes with MRA (negative T waves > or =2 mm in three or more ECG leads at rest). No athletes presented clinical symptoms of cardiac disease or decrease in their physical performance. Clinical and physical examinations, ECG at rest, exercise test and echocardiographic and antimyosin studies were performed in all athletes. Rest/exercise myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography studies were performed in 17 athletes. The follow-up ranged from 4 to 20 years (mean 6.7 years). RESULTS: Four athletes were excluded due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Echocardiographic studies showed right and left normal ventricular dimensions for highly conditioned athletes. In the exercise test, heart rate was 166 +/- 12.4 beats/min, and exercise tolerance was 15.2 +/- 2.7 metabolic equivalents of the task. All athletes had ECG at rest simulating myocardial ischemia or "pseudoischemia" with a tendency to normalize during exercise. Myocardial perfusion studies were normal in the studied athletes. Antimyosin studies showed mild and diffuse myocardial radiotracer uptake in 15 athletes (68%). No adverse clinical events were observed in the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MRA have no clinical or pathological implications in athletes and should, therefore, not preclude physical training or participation in sporting events.

Efficacy of augmented immunosuppressive therapy for early vasculopathy in heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to prospectively and comparatively evaluate the role of serial myocardial perfusion imaging and coronary angiography for the detection of early vasculopathy in a large patient population and also to determine the short- and long-term efficacy of augmented immunosuppressive therapy in the potential reversal of the early vasculopathy. BACKGROUND: Allograft vasculopathy is the commonest cause of death after the first year of heart transplantation. Anecdotal studies have reported the efficacy of augmented immunosuppressive therapy after early detection of vascular involvement. However, no prospective study has evaluated the feasibility of early detection and treatment of allograft vasculopathy. METHODS: In 76 cardiac allograft recipients, 230 coronary angiographic and 376 scintigraphic studies were performed in a follow-up period of 8 years. Angiography was performed at 1 month and every year after transplantation, and thallium-201 scintigraphy at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after transplantation and twice a year thereafter. Prospective follow-up of 76 patients showed that 18 developed either angiographic or scintigraphic evidence of coronary vasculopathy. All episodes were treated with 3-day methylprednisolone pulse and antithymocyte globulin. RESULTS: Twenty-two episodes of vasculopathy were diagnosed and treated in these 18 patients. Of these 22 episodes, two were detected only by angiography, seven by both angiography and scintigraphy, four by scintigraphy and histologic evidence of vasculitis and nine episodes only by thallium-201 scintigraphy studies. Angiographic and/or scintigraphic resolution was observed in 15 of the 22 episodes (68%) with augmented immunosuppression. The likelihood of regression was higher when treatment was instituted within the first year of transplantation (92%) than after the first year (40%) (p = 0.033). Eighty percent of patients who responded to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that early detection of allograft coronary vasculopathy is feasible with surveillance myocardial perfusion or coronary angiographic studies. When identified early after transplantation, immunosuppressive treatment may result in regression of coronary disease.

Spectrum of alcohol-induced myocardial damage detected by indium-111-labeled monoclonal antimyosin antibodies.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the prevalence, intensity and evolving changes of myocardial damage detected by myocardial uptake of antimyosin antibodies in patients with alcohol-induced dilated cardiomyopathy, alcohol addicts attending a detoxification unit and healthy subjects with short-term alcohol consumption. BACKGROUND: Evidence of alcohol-induced myocardial damage may be provided by myocardial uptake of indium-111-labeled monoclonal antimyosin antibodies. The spectrum of such damage in patients who are heavy drinkers (> 100 g for > 10 years), with or without cardiomyopathy, and the impact of short-term alcohol ingestion on antimyosin antibody uptake have not been adequately explored. METHODS: One hundred twenty antimyosin studies were performed in 56 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (group I), 15 alcohol addicts attending a detoxification unit (group II) and 6 volunteers for short-term alcohol ingestion (group III). Estimation of antibody uptake was calculated through a heart/lung ratio (HLR) (normal < 1.55). RESULTS: The 56 patients in group I (54 men, 2 women; mean [+/-SD] age 46 +/- 11 years) had consumed 123 +/- 60 g/day of alcohol for 21 +/- 9 years, for a cumulative intake of 914 +/- 478 kg. Mean duration of symptoms was 46 +/- 49 months. Mean left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was 71 +/- 10 mm, and mean ejection fraction was 28 +/- 12%. No differences in New York Heart Association functional class, ventricular size or ejection fraction were noted between 28 active and 28 past consumers, except for the prevalence and intensity of antibody uptake (75% vs. 32%, p < 0.001) and HLR (1.75 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.49 +/- 0.17, p = 0.0001). In 19 patients in the active group restudied after alcohol withdrawal, antibody uptake decreased (from 1.76 +/- 0.17 to 1.55 +/- 0.19, p < 0.001), and ejection fraction improved (from 30 +/- 12% to 43 +/- 16%, (p < 0.001). No changes occurred in the 15 past consumers restudied. The 15 male patients in group II (mean age 36 +/- 4 years) had consumed 156 +/- 59 g/day for 17 +/- 5 years, for a cumulative alcohol intake of 978 +/- 537 kg, an amount similar to that in patients in group I, but antimyosin antibody uptake was detected in only 3 (20%) of 15 patients. None of six group III subjects developed antibody uptake after short-term ethanol ingestion. Despite the small sample size, the power to detect clinically relevant differences in most variables that did not reach statistical significance was amply sufficient. CONCLUSIONS: In alcohol-induced dilated cardiomyopathy, alcohol withdrawal is associated with the reduction or disappearance of myocardial damage and improvement of function. The difference in prevalence of antimyosin antibody uptake in patients with and without cardiac disease who consume similar amounts of alcohol suggests the presence of those with different myocardial susceptibilities to alcohol. Short-term ethanol ingestion in healthy subjects does not induce detectable uptake of antimyosin antibodies.

Somatostatin and somatostatin receptor subtype gene expression in medullary thyroid carcinoma.

The possible existence of an autocrine/paracrine role for SRIF in normal and neoplastic thyroid parafollicular C cells has supported the use of SRIF analogues in the treatment of patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). In this study, we have investigated the expression of SRIF by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, and the expression of SRIF receptor (SSTR) subtypes by RT-PCR, in a series of 14 MTCs. SRIF messenger RNA was detected in all cases, although immunoreactive cells were only identified in 8. SSTR messenger RNA was present in 12 out of the 14 tumors. Expression of more than 1 SSTR subtype was detected in 10 tumors. SSTR2, the subtype that preferentially binds to the SRIF analogue octreotide, was the subtype most frequently detected, whereas SSTR4 was not detected in any case. These results confirm the frequent expression of both SRIF and its receptors in MTC. The presence of different combinations of SSTR subtypes in a given patient may explain the variable clinical response to SRIF analogues and may promote the search for more selective drugs with different affinities to the various receptor subtypes.

Indium-111 antimyosin scintigraphy to assess myocardial damage in patients with suspected myocarditis and cardiac rejection.

Indium-111 antimyosin scans were used to assess myocardial damage in patients with suspected myocarditis and cardiac transplant rejection. The calculation of a myocardium to lung ratio (AM index) to quantify antimyosin uptake was performed. AM index in normal subjects (n = 8) at 48 hr postinjection was 1.46 +/- 0.04. In patients with suspected myocarditis (16 studies in 13 patients), AM index was 2.0 +/- 0.5 (p less than 0.001); suggesting a considerable incidence of ongoing cell damage in this group, despite the small proportion of positive right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy (RVbx) (4/13). In patients studied after cardiac transplantation (37 studies in 17 patients), AM indexes correlated with RVbx. In patients with RVbx proven rejection (n = 14), AM index was 1.87 +/- 0.19 (p less than 0.001). In patients with RVbx showing infiltrates but not myocyte damage (n = 13), AM index was 1.80 +/- 0.27 (p = 0.02). In patients with normal RVbx (n = 10), AM index was 1.56 +/- 0.17 (p = NS versus controls; p = 0.001 versus those with positive RVbx). Calculated AM indexes correlated with graded visual analysis of the scans (r = 0.823; p = 0.001). Antimyosin scans are an appropriate method to assess myocardial damage in patients with suspected myocarditis and cardiac rejection.

Detection of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in patients with sarcomas by indium-111-antimyosin monoclonal antibody studies.

To assess myocardial cell damage due to doxorubicin cardiotoxicity, we prospectively studied 30 patients with sarcomas who were receiving chemotherapy, including doxorubicin. Sixteen patients were treated by continuous infusion over 72 hr and 14 patients were treated by bolus injection. Antimyosin studies and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measurements were performed before chemotherapy and at intermediate and maximal cumulative doses. Myocardial antimyosin uptake was quantified by a heart-to-lung ratio (HLR). Myocardial antimyosin uptake was observed in all patients at 240-300 mg/m2 when ejection fraction was still maintained. Seven patients presented with a decrease of > or = 10% in absolute ejection fraction units at 420-600 mg/m2. Five of these patients had mild congestive heart failure. All patients who presented with a decrease in LVEF > or = 10% at 420-600 mg/m2 had increased antimyosin uptake with HLR > or = 1.90 at a cumulative dose of 240-300 mg/m2. Patients who were treated with continuous infusion had less antimyosin uptake than those who were treated with bolus administration (mean HLR of 1.70 +/- 0.09 versus HLR of 2.01 +/- 0.16 at a cumulative dose of 240-300 mg/m2, p < 0.01; HLR of 1.86 +/- 0.12 versus HLR of 2.32 +/- 0.34 at a cumulative dose of 420-600 mg/m2, p < 0.01). Two of 16 patients treated by continuous infusion and 5 of 14 patients treated by bolus injection presented with a decrease in ejection fraction > or = 10%. LVEF after chemotherapy in the infusion group was 56% +/- 5% and 48% +/- 8% (p < 0.05) in the bolus group. Antimyosin studies are helpful in the assessment of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. Intense antimyosin uptake at intermediate cumulative doses identifies patients at risk of cardiotoxicity before ejection fraction deteriorates. Patients with sarcomas treated by continuous infusion present with less antimyosin uptake than those treated with bolus injection, indicating less severe cardiotoxicity.

Indium-111-antimyosin scintigraphy after doxorubicin therapy in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Indium-111-antimyosin (111In-antimyosin) scans were performed in 20 women with advanced breast cancer after 10 cycles of chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil and doxorubicin (total cumulative dose of doxorubicin of 500 mg/m2). Antimyosin uptake in the myocardium was quantified by means of a heart-to-lung ratio (HLR). Antimyosin uptake in the myocardium was observed in 17/20 (85%) patients, and HLR after chemotherapy was 1.86 +/- 0.25. Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was determined before and after chemotherapy. Patients with decreased EF (8/20, 40%) presented with more intense antimyosin uptake (HLR of 2.11 +/- 0.10 versus 1.70 +/- 0.16 (p = 0.01]. HLR values correlated with EF values after chemotherapy (r = -0.47, p less than 0.05). Positive antimyosin studies after chemotherapy including doxorubicin, indicate the presence of myocardial damage in these patients. Antimyosin studies are a sensitive method to detect myocyte damage in patients after doxorubicin therapy.

Bone marrow regeneration after hormonal therapy in patients with bone metastases from prostate carcinoma.

Two patients with prostate carcinoma and bone metastases were treated with hormonal therapy. Radioimmune imaging of bone marrow performed with 99mTc-labeled antigranulocyte antibody BW 250/183 before treatment demonstrated absence of granulopoietic bone marrow in extensive regions of the central and proximal peripheral skeleton, indicating diffuse bone marrow invasion. Bone marrow scans performed after treatment demonstrated presence of granulopoietic bone marrow in these regions, indicating bone marrow regeneration. This finding was consistent with favorable response to treatment.

Indium-111-antimyosin and iodine-123-MIBG studies in early assessment of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.

UNLABELLED: Detection of myocyte cell damage with 111In-antimyosin and impairment of adrenergic neuron function with [123I]MIBG during doxorubicin administration may provide easy identification of patients at risk of significant functional impairment. METHODS: We studied 36 cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy, including doxorubicin, to assess [123I]MIBG and 111In-antimyosin uptake in the course of doxorubicin administration. MIBG scans, antimyosin scans and ejection fraction measurements were performed before chemotherapy, at intermediate cumulative doses and at maximal cumulative doses of doxorubicin. MIBG uptake was quantified by a heart-to-mediastinum ratio and antimyosin uptake was quantified by a heart-to-lung ratio. RESULTS: All patients had absent antimyosin uptake (mean ratio 1.40 +/- 0.06) with normal MIBG uptake (ratio 1.85 +/- 0.29) before chemotherapy; ejection fraction was 61% +/- 8%. With a 240-300 mg/m2 dose of doxorubicin, an increase in antimyosin uptake was observed with a ratio of 1.85 +/- 0.2 (p < 0.01), whereas a similar degree of MIBG uptake was observed (mean ratio of 1.80 +/- 0.2, p = ns); ejection fraction was 59% +/- 5% (p = ns). At 420-600 mg/m2, increased antimyosin uptake was observed with a ratio of 2.02 +/- 0.3 (p < 0.01), and a decrease in MIBG uptake was also observed (mean ratio of 1.76 +/- 0.2, p < 0.05); ejection fraction was 52% +/- 8% (p < 0.05). Patients with more intense antimyosin uptake at intermediate doses tended to be those with more severe functional impairment at maximal cumulative doses. CONCLUSION: At cumulative doses of 420-600 mg/m2, antimyosin and MIBG studies detect cell damage and impaired adrenergic neuron activity in patients with maintained or slightly decreased ejection fraction.

Radioimmune imaging of bone marrow in patients with suspected bone metastases from primary breast cancer.

Radioimmune imaging of bone marrow was performed by technetium-99m- (99mTc) labeled antigranulocyte monoclonal antibody BW 250/183 (AGMoAb) scans in 32 patients with suspected bone metastases from primary breast cancer. AGMoAb scans showed bone marrow defects in 25/32 (78%) patients; bone invasion was subsequently confirmed in 23 (72%) patients. Conventional bone scans performed within the same week detected bone metastases in 17/32 (53%) patients (p less than 0.001). AGMoAb scans detected more sites indicating metastatic disease than bone scans in 12 of these 17 patients (71%). All patients with bone metastases in the axial skeleton had bone marrow defects at least at the sites of bone metastases. Of 15 patients with normal, or indicative of, benign disease bone scans, 8 patients (53%) presented with bone marrow defects in the AGMoAb scans. Bone invasion was confirmed in six of them. AGMoAb bone marrow scans provide a method for the early detection of bone metastatic invasion in patients with breast cancer and suspected bone metastases.

Relationship between cerebral perfusion in frontal-limbic-basal ganglia circuits and neuropsychologic impairment in patients with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy.

UNLABELLED: Early detection of neuropsychologic impairment in cirrhotic patients with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy (SHE) is important for their prognosis and quality of life. Abnormal MRI and MR spectroscopy (MRS) findings have been proposed as early markers of brain damage in these patients, but the role of functional neuroimaging in this field still has to be defined. In this study, the SPECT perfusion pattern in patients with SHE was investigated, and the relationship between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and the MRI, MRS, neuropsychologic evaluation and biochemical data of these patients was assessed. METHODS: Data were obtained from 13 cirrhotic patients with SHE and 13 age-matched healthy volunteers. Fasting venous blood ammonia and manganese sampling and a battery of standardized neuropsychologic tests related to basal ganglia function and sensitive to the effects of liver disease were all performed on the same day. MRI and 99mTc-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime SPECT were performed within 2 wk. RESULTS: A pattern of decreased prefrontal rCBF was found in patients with SHE compared with healthy volunteers. Basal ganglia and mesial temporal rCBF correlated inversely with performance on motor tasks involving speed (Purdue pegboard test) and frontal premotor function (Luria graphic alternances and Stroop tests). Thalamic rCBF correlated positively with T1-weighted MRI signal hyperintensity in the globus pallidus and with abnormal MRS findings. Neither the MRI signal intensity of the globus pallidus nor MRS correlated with neuropsychologic test results. CONCLUSION: Cirrhotic patients with SHE show a SPECT pattern of impaired prefrontal perfusion that does not seem to account for their neuropsychologic deficits. On the other hand, perfusion in some parts of the limbic system and limbic-connected brain regions, such as the striatum and the mesial temporal regions, increased with neuropsychologic impairment. These findings suggest that brain SPECT may be more sensitive than MRI in delineating cirrhotic patients requiring in-depth clinical testing to reveal basal ganglia-related neuropsychologic alterations.

Technetium-99m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile in localization of ectopic parathyroid adenoma.

Preoperative localization of ectopic parathyroid lesions is crucial for the correct treatment of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Invasive and noninvasive procedures, including selective venography, ultrasound, CT and MRI provide limited sensitivity in the detection of ectopic lesions. We report three patients in whom 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy accurately detected ectopic parathyroid adenomas and was instrumental in the cure for these patients. Technetium-99m-MIBI scintigraphy provides a simple and accurate noninvasive test for the detection of ectopic parathyroid adenomas.