Pretreatment findings on magnetic resonance imaging in primary central nervous system lymphoma may predict overall survival duration.

BACKGROUND: and purpose: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) lesions often show avid contrast enhancement on T1-weighted contrast-enhanced MRI sequences. However, several case reports and a clinical study have described PCNSL in patients with no contrast enhancement on MRI. We assessed whether overall survival (OS) time was related to any tumor characteristics (lesion location, volume, and number; contrast enhancement; necrosis; proximity to the subarachnoid space; and edema) on MRI in patients with PCNSL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records (MRI features, pathology, and survival data) of all patients at our institution with PCNSL who had been seen from, 2007 through 2017, and had undergone pretreatment MRI. RESULTS: We identified 79 patients (42 men, 37 women) with a mean age at diagnosis of 61.7 ± 10.4 years. The mean OS duration was 44.6 ± 41.7 months. The most common pathological diagnosis (74 patients) was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. No associations were found between OS time and lesion location, volume, and number; contrast enhancement; necrosis; proximity to the subarachnoid space; or edema. However, a sole patient with non-enhancing PCNSL on MRI was found to have low-grade disease, with prolonged survival (>83 months). Several other patients with leptomeningeal disease had a mean OS time of 80 months. Patients with hemorrhagic lesions had a mean OS of 25.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: The survival time for patients with PCNSL may be longer than previously thought, especially for patients with leptomeningeal seeding and lesions with hemorrhagic components Also, non-enhancing tumors may be less aggressive than enhancing tumors.

Tetra-µ-acetato-κ8 O:O'-bis-[(3-chloro-pyridine-κN)ruthenium(II,III)](Ru-Ru) hexa-fluorido-phosphate 1,2-di-chloro-ethane monosolvate.

The title compound, [Ru2(µ-O2CCH3)4(C5H4ClN)2]PF6·C2H4Cl2, was obtained via a rapid substitution reaction of 3-chloro-pyridine for water in [Ru2(µ-O2CCH3)4(H2O)2]PF6 in 2-propanol and subsequent crystallization from a di-chloro-ethane solution. The cationic diruthenium(II,III) tetra-acetate core lies on a crystallographic inversion center with Ru-Ru and Ru-N bond lengths of 2.2738 (3) and 2.2920 (17) Å, respectively. The Ru-Ru-N bond angle is close to linear at 176.48 (4)°, and a significant π-stacking inter-action of 3.5649 (16) Šis seen between overlapping pyridine rings of adjacent cations.

Long-term safety of MRI-guided administration of AAV2-GDNF and gadoteridol in the putamen of individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Direct putaminal infusion of adeno-associated virus vector (serotype 2) (AAV2) containing the human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) transgene was studied in a phase I clinical trial of participants with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Convection-enhanced delivery of AAV2-GDNF with a surrogate imaging tracer (gadoteridol) was used to track infusate distribution during real-time intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI). Pre-, intra-, and serial postoperative (up to 5 years after infusion) MRI were analyzed in 13 participants with PD treated with bilateral putaminal co-infusions (52 infusions in total) of AAV2-GDNF and gadoteridol (infusion volume, 450 mL per putamen). Real-time iMRI confirmed infusion cannula placement, anatomic quantification of volumetric perfusion within the putamen, and direct visualization of off-target leakage or cannula reflux (which permitted corresponding infusion rate/cannula adjustments). Serial post-treatment MRI assessment (n = 13) demonstrated no evidence of cerebral parenchyma toxicity in the corresponding regions of AAV2-GDNF and gadoteridol co-infusion or surrounding regions over long-term follow-up. Direct confirmation of key intraoperative safety and efficacy parameters underscores the safety and tissue targeting value of real-time imaging with co-infused gadoteridol and putative therapeutic agents (i.e., AAV2-GDNF). This delivery-imaging platform enhances safety, permits delivery personalization, improves therapeutic distribution, and facilitates assessment of efficacy and dosing effect.

Novel carbohydrate blend enhances chemical and sensory properties of lobster (Homarus americanus) after one-year frozen storage.

It has previously been shown that a novel blend of carbohydrates could preserve lobster meat after 6 months of frozen storage. Increased year-round demand for high-quality lobster may make selling to the frozen seafood market an unintended option for some fishermen. Yet, the chemical and sensory changes that occur in lobster meat after one-year frozen storage in this cryoprotectant blend is not known. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical and sensory characteristics of lobster frozen in five different solutions: solution-1 (water); solution-2 (water + NaCl + STPP, sodium tripolyphosphate, 0.5%); solution-3 (water + NaCl + carbohydrate blend); solution-4 (water + NaCl + STPP, 0.25% + carbohydrate blend), and solution-5 (water + NaCl + STPP, 0.5% + carbohydrate blend). No difference (P > 0.05) existed among the treatments with regard to Malondialdehyde levels as a measure of lipid oxidation. Lobster frozen in the cryoprotectant showed increased tenderness, compared to the control which was frozen in water. The lobster meat treated with a combination of the carbohydrate blend and STPP had lower (P < 0.05) moisture content than the control. In addition, consumers preferred (P < 0.05) lobster frozen in the novel cryoprotectant blend and STPP with respect to flavour, texture, and overall acceptability compared to the control. Penalty analysis revealed that overall liking scores were positively associated with the attributes moist and sweet. In conclusion, the combination of the novel carbohydrate blend and STPP enhanced the sensory quality and the chemical properties of frozen lobster, which in turn extended the shelf-life of these products. These findings may have wide implications for the long-term preservation of frozen lobster meat.

Clinical and Radiologic Considerations for Idiopathic Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome often occurs in the setting of rapid weight loss and scoliosis corrective spinal surgery. A reduction of fat around the third part of the duodenum can predispose the duodenum to compression and obstruction by the SMA as it emerges from the abdominal aorta. In this report, we describe this underdiagnosed condition in a previously healthy young female presenting with progressive post-prandial emesis, non-specific abdominal pain, and weight loss. A critical review of this disease process is explored to highlight pathology, imaging characteristics, and essential alternative diagnostic considerations. We also discuss potential complications and current treatment strategies. SMA syndrome poses unique diagnostic challenges, and an awareness of its clinical presentation can further improve patient outcomes and avoid potentially life-threatening complications.

Incidence of Venous Thromboembolic Events in Mandated Risk Assessment versus Optional DVT Prophylaxis Era at a Large Tertiary Cancer Center.

Cancer patients are thought to be at high risk for venous thromboembolic events (DVT/PE). Beginning in October 2007, our tertiary cancer center instituted "mandated risk assessment" computerized DVT prophylaxis order entry, for all hospital admissions with an option for active opt out by the physician with a stated reason. Retrospective review of all DVT/PE events within 30 days of a hospital admission [any inpatient admission (IA) and outpatient surgery (OPS)] in comparable "optional (O)" (January 2005-September 2007) vs "mandated risk assessment (M)" (October 2007-May 2010) DVT prophylaxis order eras. Patient demographics, admission details, type of prophylaxis, treatment, and outcome were also analyzed. There were 16,363 for the O (11,944 IA/4,419 OPS) and 17,757 for the M (12,957 IA/4,800 OPS) DVT prophylaxis order eras. The number of DVT/PE events in the O era was 67 (prevalence 0.41%) versus 102 for the M era (prevalence 0.57%), P = 0.037. In the DVT/PE patients, DVT prophylaxis had been ordered during the index admission in 66 per cent for O versus 83 per cent for M (P = 0.008). Low-molecular-weight heparin was increasingly used in M era (33% vs 16%, P = 0.009). There was also no difference between O vs M era for status at DVT/PE diagnosis (outpatient 36% vs 24%) or associated symptoms. There were no deaths attributable to DVT/PE in the O era versus 3 deaths in the M era. Although DVT prophylaxis use improved with "mandated risk assessment" ordering, the DVT/PE incidence did not decrease. It may be difficult to overcome the surprisingly low baseline prevalence and multiple risk factors in this population.