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1.
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl ; 62(21): e202303032, 2023 May 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36929023

ABSTRACT

Cyclopropanes are desirable structural motifs with valuable applications in drug discovery and beyond. Established alkene cyclopropanation methods give rise to cyclopropanes with a limited array of substituents, are difficult to scale, or both. Herein, we disclose a new cyclopropane synthesis through the formal coupling of abundant carbon pronucleophiles and unactivated alkenes. This strategy exploits dicationic adducts derived from electrolysis of thianthrene in the presence of alkene substrates. We find that these dielectrophiles undergo cyclopropanation with methylene pronucleophiles via alkenyl thianthrenium intermediates. This protocol is scalable, proceeds with high diastereoselectivity, and tolerates diverse functional groups on both the alkene and pronucleophile coupling partners. To validate the utility of this new procedure, we prepared an array of substituted analogs of an established cyclopropane that is en route to multiple pharmaceuticals.

2.
Immunology ; 167(4): 558-575, 2022 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35881080

ABSTRACT

Post-stroke infection is a common complication of stroke that is associated with poor outcome. We previously reported that stroke induces an ablation of multiple sub-populations of B cells and reduces levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody, which coincides with the development of spontaneous bacterial pneumonia. The loss of IgM after stroke could be an important determinant of infection susceptibility and highlights this pathway as a target for intervention. We treated mice with a replacement dose of IgM-enriched intravenous immunoglobulin (IgM-IVIg) prior to and 24 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and allowed them to recover for 2- or 5-day post-surgery. Treatment with IgM-IVIg enhanced bacterial clearance from the lung after MCAO and improved lung pathology but did not impact brain infarct volume. IgM-IVIg treatment induced immunomodulatory effects systemically, including rescue of splenic plasma B cell numbers and endogenous mouse IgM and IgA circulating immunoglobulin concentrations that were reduced by MCAO. Treatment attenuated MCAO-induced elevation of selected pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lung. IgM-IVIg treatment did not increase the number of lung mononuclear phagocytes or directly modulate macrophage phagocytic capacity but enhanced phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus bioparticles in vitro. Low-dose IgM-IVIg contributes to increased clearance of spontaneous lung bacteria after MCAO likely via increasing availability of antibody in the lung to enhance opsonophagocytic activity. Immunomodulatory effects of IgM-IVIg treatment may also contribute to reduced levels of damage in the lung after MCAO. IgM-IVIg shows promise as an antibacterial and immunomodulatory agent to use in the treatment of post-stroke infection.


Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections , Stroke , Mice , Animals , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Immunologic Factors , Immunoglobulin M , Stroke/complications , Stroke/therapy , Bacteria , Lung
3.
J Paediatr Child Health ; 58(11): 2058-2067, 2022 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36070197

ABSTRACT

AIM: Paediatricians and child psychiatrists review children with complex comorbidity, noting similarities between tertiary Child Development Service (CDS) and Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) cohorts. Mental health comorbidity is common in developmental services. Developmental comorbidity in mental health cohorts is uncharacterised. The study aimed to describe CDS and CYMHS cohorts using measures of child development, mental health, physical health and psychosocial risk. METHODS: A questionnaire was completed by parents of CDS and CYMHS new clients aged 4-11. It included measures of mental health symptoms, child development, physical health, stressful life events, family functioning, parent mental health and socio-economic variables. Sample rates were compared to population norms. CDS and CYMHS cohorts were compared. RESULTS: The study population had elevated rates of psychosocial risk, family dysfunction, physical illness, developmental risk and mental health symptoms. CDS had higher levels of developmental risk and family dysfunction. Most CDS clients (81%) had mental health difficulties. CYMHS clients were older, and had more mental health symptoms, stressful life events and child safety contact; 81% of CYMHS clients demonstrated developmental risk. CDS and CYMHS had similar socio-demographic profiles and parent mental health difficulties, and similarly high rates of physical health problems. CONCLUSIONS: Consideration should be given to mental health screening and support in CDS, and to developmental screening in CYMHS. Both services support at-risk children with complex developmental, mental health and physical co-morbidity necessitating shared approaches to clinical and population health, including care integration, and collaborative cross-disciplinary models of service provision and training, and advocacy.


Subject(s)
Mental Disorders , Mental Health , Child , Adolescent , Humans , Child Development , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Mental Disorders/therapy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Comorbidity
4.
Behav Brain Sci ; 44: e38, 2021 04 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33899707

ABSTRACT

Willpower is often conceptualized as incorporating effortful and momentary suppression of immediate but ultimately inferior rewards. Yet, growing evidence instead supports a process of attribute weighting, whereby normatively optimal choices arise from separable evaluation of different attributes (e.g., time and money). Strategic allocation of attention settles conflicts between competing choice-relevant attributes, which could be expanded to include self-referential predictions ("resolve").


Subject(s)
Attention , Reward , Decision Making , Humans
5.
Can Assoc Radiol J ; 72(4): 669-677, 2021 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33543645

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Leadership development has become increasingly important in medical education, including postgraduate training in the specialty of radiology. Since leadership skills may be acquired, there is a need to establish leadership education in radiology residency training. However, there is a paucity of literature examining the design, delivery, and evaluation of such programs. The purpose of this study is to collate and characterize leadership training programs across postgraduate radiology residencies found in the literature. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted. Relevant articles were identified through a search of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and ERIC databases from inception until June 22, 2020. English-language studies characterizing leadership training programs offered during postgraduate radiology residency were included. A search of the grey literature was completed via a web-based search for target programs within North America. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 1168 citations, with 6 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Four studies were prospective case series and two were retrospective. There was heterogeneity regarding program structure, content, teaching methodology, and evaluation design. All programs were located in the United States. Outcome metrics and success of the programs was variably reported, with a mix of online and in person feedback used. The grey literature search revealed 3 American-based programs specifically catered to radiology residents, and none within Canada. CONCLUSION: The review highlighted a paucity of published literature describing leadership development efforts within radiology residency programs. The heterogeneity of programs highlighted the need for guidance from regulatory bodies regarding delivery of leadership curricula.


Subject(s)
Curriculum/statistics & numerical data , Education, Medical, Graduate/methods , Internship and Residency/methods , Leadership , Radiology/education , Education, Medical, Graduate/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Internship and Residency/statistics & numerical data , United States
6.
AJR Am J Roentgenol ; 215(1): 133-141, 2020 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32160050

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to prospectively compare image quality and diagnostic accuracy of clinically significant prostate cancer with and without endorectal coil (ERC) at 3 T using a combination of T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted MRI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Twenty-three patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer underwent MRI with and without ERC at the same visit. Patients subsequently underwent radical prostatectomy. Specimens were assessed by whole-mount histopathologic examination. Two radiologists reviewed MR images for image quality (5-point scale) and disease using Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data Systems version 2 (PI-RADSv2). Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) were calculated with and without ERC. Additionally, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was correlated with Gleason score and ADC values of each lesion were compared with and without ERC. RESULTS. Image quality was comparable with and without ERC (3.8 vs 3.5). Twenty-nine cancer foci larger than 0.5 cm in diameter were found in 23 patients on histopathologic examination; 18 tumors had a Gleason score of 7 or greater. Two radiologists recorded AUC for tumors with a Gleason score of 7 or greater as 0.96 and 0.96 with ERC and 0.88 and 0.91 without ERC. All 13 tumors with a Gleason score of 3 + 4 were detected with ERC, but only 9 were detected without ERC. One of five tumors with Gleason scores less than 3 + 4 was missed with and without ERC. ADC significantly correlated with Gleason score. There was no significant difference in the ADC of a lesion on MRI with and without an ERC. CONCLUSION. MRI with and without ERC was equally accurate at showing prostate cancers with Gleason scores of 4 + 3 or greater. However, MRI with ERC was superior at showing cancer with a Gleason score of 3 + 4. There was no significant difference in ADC values between scores acquired with or without an ERC.


Subject(s)
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/instrumentation , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Aged , Biopsy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Grading , Prospective Studies , Prostatectomy , Prostatic Neoplasms/surgery , Sensitivity and Specificity
7.
AJR Am J Roentgenol ; 214(1): 3-9, 2020 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31691610

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE. Underrepresentation of women in the top hierarchy of academic medicine exists despite women comprising more than half of the medical school graduates and residency positions. The purpose of this study is to analyze and quantify the relationship of gender, research productivity, and career advancement in Canadian academic radiology departments. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Seventeen academic radiology departments with affiliated residency programs in Canada were searched for publicly available data on faculty to generate a database for gender and academic profiles of the radiologists. Bibliometric data were collected using Scopus archives. The associations of gender, academic ranks, and leadership positions were assessed, and a p value of ≤ 0.05 was defined as significant. Significant variables were analyzed using a multivariate linear regression model. RESULTS. Of 1266 faculty members, gender information and academic rank were available for 932 faculty members: 597 (64.05%) were men and 335 (35.95%) were women (χ2 = 21.82; p < 0.0001). Of a total of 563 assistant professors, 331 (58.79%) were men and 232 (41.21%) were women; of 258 associate professors, 177 (68.60%) were men and 81 (31.40%) were women; and of 111 professors, 89 (80.18%) were men and 22 (19.82%) were women. The gender gap widens at higher academic ranks, displaying a threefold drop in the ratio of women holding the rank of full professor (6.57%) compared with 14.91% male professors; 29.55% of women radiologists have first-in-command leadership positions compared with 70.45% of men. A comparable or higher h-index is noted for women Canadian radiologists after adjusting for number of citations, number of publications, and years of active research. CONCLUSION. Canadian academic radiology departments have fewer women radiologists in senior faculty and leadership positions. Our study results show that Canadian female radiologists at the professor level have more publications than their male counterparts.


Subject(s)
Academies and Institutes , Leadership , Physicians, Women/statistics & numerical data , Radiology/statistics & numerical data , Canada , Female , Humans , Male
8.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med ; 200(2): 235-246, 2019 07 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30849228

ABSTRACT

Rationale: Acute respiratory distress syndrome is defined by the presence of systemic hypoxia and consequent on disordered neutrophilic inflammation. Local mechanisms limiting the duration and magnitude of this neutrophilic response remain poorly understood. Objectives: To test the hypothesis that during acute lung inflammation tissue production of proresolution type 2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) dampens the proinflammatory effects of hypoxia through suppression of HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor-1α)-mediated neutrophil adaptation, resulting in resolution of lung injury. Methods: Neutrophil activation of IL4Ra (IL-4 receptor α) signaling pathways was explored ex vivo in human acute respiratory distress syndrome patient samples, in vitro after the culture of human peripheral blood neutrophils with recombinant IL-4 under conditions of hypoxia, and in vivo through the study of IL4Ra-deficient neutrophils in competitive chimera models and wild-type mice treated with IL-4. Measurements and Main Results: IL-4 was elevated in human BAL from patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, and its receptor was identified on patient blood neutrophils. Treatment of human neutrophils with IL-4 suppressed HIF-1α-dependent hypoxic survival and limited proinflammatory transcriptional responses. Increased neutrophil apoptosis in hypoxia, also observed with IL-13, required active STAT signaling, and was dependent on expression of the oxygen-sensing prolyl hydroxylase PHD2. In vivo, IL-4Ra-deficient neutrophils had a survival advantage within a hypoxic inflamed niche; in contrast, inflamed lung treatment with IL-4 accelerated resolution through increased neutrophil apoptosis. Conclusions: We describe an important interaction whereby IL4Rα-dependent type 2 cytokine signaling can directly inhibit hypoxic neutrophil survival in tissues and promote resolution of neutrophil-mediated acute lung injury.


Subject(s)
Acute Lung Injury/immunology , Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Subunit/immunology , Interleukin-4/immunology , Neutrophils/immunology , Receptors, Cell Surface/immunology , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/immunology , Acute Lung Injury/metabolism , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Hypoxia/immunology , Cell Survival/drug effects , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism , Interleukin-4/metabolism , Interleukin-4/pharmacology , Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Subunit/genetics , Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Subunit/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Neutrophils/drug effects , Neutrophils/metabolism , Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/metabolism , STAT Transcription Factors/metabolism , Signal Transduction
9.
J Clin Nurs ; 29(5-6): 872-886, 2020 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31856344

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to reduce indwelling urinary catheter (IDC) use and duration through implementation of a multifaceted "bundled" care intervention. BACKGROUND: Indwelling urinary catheters present a risk for patients through the potential development of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), with duration of IDC a key risk factor. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection is considered preventable yet accounts for over a third of all hospital-acquired infections. The most effective CAUTI reduction strategy is to avoid IDC use where ever possible and to remove the IDC as early as appropriate. DESIGN: A cluster-controlled pre- and poststudy at a facility level with a phased intervention implementation approach. METHODS: A multifaceted intervention involving a "No CAUTI" catheter care bundle was implemented, in 4 acute-care hospitals, 2 in metropolitan and 2 in rural locations, in New South Wales, Australia. Indwelling urinary catheter point prevalence and duration data were collected at the bedside on 1,630 adult inpatients at preintervention and 1,677 and 1,551 at 4 and 9 months postintervention. This study is presented in line with the StaRI checklist (see Appendix S1). RESULTS: A nonsignificant trend towards reduction in IDC prevalence was identified, from 12% preintervention to 10% of all inpatients at 4 and 9 months. Variability in preintervention IDC prevalence existed across hospitals (8%-16%). Variability in reduction was evident across hospitals at 4 months (between -2% and 4%) and 9 months (between 0%-8%). Hospitals with higher preintervention prevalence showed larger decreases, up to 50% when preintervention prevalence was 16%. Indwelling urinary catheter duration increased as more of the short-term IDC placements were avoided. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a multifaceted intervention resulted in reduced IDC use in four acute-care hospitals in Australia. This result was not statistically significant but did reflect a positive trend of reduction. There was a significant reduction in short-term IDC use at 9 months postintervention. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Clinical nurse leaders can effectively implement change strategies that influence patient outcomes. Implementation of the evidence-based "No CAUTI" bundle increased awareness of appropriate indications and provided nurses with the tools to inform decision-making related to insertion and removal of IDCs in acute inpatient settings. Working in partnership with inpatients and the multidisciplinary team is essential in minimising acute-care IDC use.


Subject(s)
Catheter-Related Infections/prevention & control , Catheters, Indwelling/adverse effects , Patient Care Bundles/nursing , Urinary Catheters/adverse effects , Urinary Tract Infections/prevention & control , Adult , Catheter-Related Infections/etiology , Controlled Before-After Studies , Female , Humans , Male , New South Wales , Practice Patterns, Nurses' , Urinary Tract Infections/etiology
10.
J Neurosci ; 38(37): 7952-7968, 2018 09 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30076214

ABSTRACT

How do we make choices for others with different preferences from our own? Although neuroimaging studies implicate similar circuits in representing preferences for oneself and others, some models propose that additional corrective mechanisms come online when choices for others diverge from one's own preferences. Here we used event-related potentials (ERPs) in humans, in combination with computational modeling, to examine how social information is integrated in the time leading up to choices for oneself and others. Hungry male and female participants with unrestricted diets selected foods for themselves, a similar unrestricted eater, and a dissimilar, self-identified healthy eater. Across choices for both oneself and others, ERP value signals emerged within the same time window but differentially reflected taste and health attributes based on the recipient's preferences. Choices for the dissimilar recipient were associated with earlier activity localized to brain regions implicated in social cognition, including temporoparietal junction. Finally, response-locked analysis revealed a late ERP component specific to choices for the similar recipient, localized to the parietal lobe, that appeared to reflect differences in the response threshold based on uncertainty. A multi-attribute computational model supported the link between specific ERP components and distinct model parameters, and was not significantly improved by adding time-dependent dual processes. Model simulations suggested that longer response times previously associated with effortful correction may alternatively arise from higher choice uncertainty. Together, these results provide a parsimonious neurocomputational mechanism for social decision-making, additionally explaining divergent patterns of choice and response time data in decisions for oneself and others.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT How do we choose for others, particularly when they have different preferences? Whereas some studies suggest that similar neural circuits underlie decision-making for oneself and others, others argue for additional, slower perspective-taking mechanisms. Combining event-related potentials with computational modeling, we found that integration of others' preferences occurs over the same timescale as for oneself while differentially tracking recipient-relevant attributes. Although choosing for others took longer and produced differences in late-emerging neural responses, computational modeling attributed these patterns to greater response caution rather than egocentric bias correction. Computational simulations also correctly predicted when and why choosing differently for others takes longer, suggesting that a model incorporating value integration and evidence accumulation can parsimoniously account for complex patterns in social decision-making.


Subject(s)
Brain/physiology , Choice Behavior/physiology , Evoked Potentials/physiology , Hunger/physiology , Models, Neurological , Social Perception , Adolescent , Adult , Diet , Female , Humans , Male , Reaction Time/physiology , Young Adult
11.
J Clin Nurs ; 28(23-24): 4572-4581, 2019 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31469471

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify the point prevalence of indwelling urinary catheters (IDCs) in adult inpatients in acute care hospitals, and to describe the indications for IDC insertion based on patient age, gender, specialty and hospital. BACKGROUND: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are preventable healthcare-associated infections. IDC duration is the strongest predictor of CAUTI, and little is known about characteristics of patients who receive an IDC. DESIGN: Two single-day point prevalence surveys collected baseline patient data as part of a larger pre-post control-intervention study. METHODS: Surveys were conducted at four acute care hospitals in NSW, Australia, for all adult patients. Data collection included IDC presence, insertion details and urine culture collection. Point prevalence data were linked with electronically extracted patient demographic data. This study is presented in line with STROBE checklist (See Supplementary File 1). RESULT: Data from 1,630 patients were analysed, with 196 patients (12%) identified as having an IDC on the survey dates. IDC prevalence rates were higher in males (13%) than in females (11%). Critical care had the highest rate of patients with IDCs (42%). Urine cultures were collected in 70 patients with an IDC (43%). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicated similar rates of IDC use in males and females, and there was no significant difference in age between patients with or without an IDC. However, indication for IDC varied by patient age and gender. High rates of urine culture collection may represent routine collection. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: IDC use is found across genders, all age groups and specialties. Nurses should be aware that any of their patients may have an IDC and be particularly aware of certain indications based on patient age and gender. Routine urine culture collection is not advised, and instead, nurses should be guided by clinical decision-making tools.


Subject(s)
Catheter-Related Infections/epidemiology , Catheters, Indwelling/adverse effects , Urinary Catheterization/statistics & numerical data , Urinary Tract Infections/epidemiology , Aged , Case-Control Studies , Catheter-Related Infections/nursing , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , New South Wales/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time Factors , Urinary Catheterization/nursing , Urinary Catheters , Urinary Tract Infections/nursing
12.
Can Assoc Radiol J ; 70(2): 134-146, 2019 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30853306

ABSTRACT

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate is a powerful and increasingly utilized imaging study for the diagnosis, staging, and surveillance of prostate cancer. With greater adoption by clinicians, it is becoming more common for incidental findings to be first detected on prostate MRI. Inadequate description of clinically significant findings may not prompt appropriate patient management, while over-reporting of indolent findings comes at increased patient anxiety, cost of workup, and iatrogenic risk. This review article aims to improve awareness, review pathophysiology, and present key imaging features of incidental findings seen on prostate MRI, ranging from common to rare and from benign to clinically significant.


Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Incidental Findings , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male Urogenital Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Musculoskeletal Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Male , Prostate/diagnostic imaging , Radiologists
14.
AJR Am J Roentgenol ; 210(5): 1073-1078, 2018 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29570377

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate whether the quantitative measurement of venous phase enhancement on CT can distinguish a pheochromocytoma from an adrenal adenoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pathology database was retrospectively appraised over a period of 7 years and revealed 43 histopathologically proven adrenal adenomas and 34 pheochromocytomas. The lesion densities were measured on the 60-second venous phase CT on all adrenal lesions to assess venous phase enhancement values. RESULTS: Venous phase enhancement of 85 HU or greater afforded a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 88.2%, 83.7%, 81.1%, and 90%, respectively (p < 0.0001). The positive likelihood ratio was 5.42. Venous phase enhancement of ≥ 85 HU was detected in 30 (88.2%) pheochromocytomas (p < 0.001) and in seven (16.3%) adenomas. Venous phase enhancement of < 85 HU was detected in four (11.8%) pheochromocytomas and in 36 (83.7%) adenomas. Of the pheochromocytomas imaged with a triphasic protocol (n = 15), 66.7% (n = 10) met both absolute and relative percentage washout criteria for the diagnosis of a lipid-poor adenoma (p > 0.1). CONCLUSION: A significant subset of pheochromocytomas mimics adenomas on absolute or relative percentage washout calculations. However, nodules with venous phase enhancement of 85 HU or more are much more likely to be pheochromocytomas than adenomas, regardless of whether the lesion shows absolute or relative percentage washout compatible with a lipid-poor adenoma. The typical values of absolute and relative percentage washout of adrenal adenoma should be interpreted along with the venous phase enhancement value to avoid potential misdiagnoses.


Subject(s)
Adenoma/diagnostic imaging , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Pheochromocytoma/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Incidental Findings , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Sensitivity and Specificity
15.
AJR Am J Roentgenol ; 210(2): 320-332, 2018 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29220210

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to review the general principles, technique, and clinical applications of contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the liver. CONCLUSION: Proper technique and optimization of contrast-enhanced ultrasound require a balance between maintaining the integrity of the microbubble contrast agent and preserving the ultrasound signal. Established and emerging applications in the liver include diagnosis of focal lesions, aiding ultrasound-guided intervention, monitoring of therapy, and aiding surgical management.


Subject(s)
Contrast Media , Liver Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Liver/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography/methods , Humans , Image Enhancement/methods , Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods , Microbubbles
16.
Headache ; 58(1): 138-144, 2018 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29193050

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Using a "double-pulse" adaptation paradigm, in which two stimuli are presented in quick succession, this study examines the neural mechanisms underlying potentiation of the visual evoked potential (VEP) in visual snow syndrome. BACKGROUND: Visual snow is a persistent visual disturbance characterized by rapid flickering dots throughout the visual field. Like the related condition of migraine with aura, visual snow has been hypothesized to arise from abnormal neuronal responsiveness, as demonstrated by a lack of typical VEP habituation to repeated visual stimulation. Yet the exact neural mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. Previous "double-pulse" experiments suggest that typical VEP habituation reflects disruptive gamma-band (50-70 Hz) neural oscillations, possibly driven by inhibitory interneurons. Given that migraine has been associated with reduced cortical inhibition, we propose here that visual snow may likewise reflect diminished inhibitory activity, resulting in decreased gamma power following initial visual stimulation and concomitant potentiation of the subsequent VEP response. METHODS: We compared VEP responses to double-pulse adaptation in a 22-year-old man with a 2-year history of visual snow versus a group of age- and gender-matched controls (N = 5). The patient does not have a comorbid diagnosis of episodic migraine or migraine with aura, and controls had no personal or family history of migraine. RESULTS: In contrast to the pattern of habituation observed in controls, visual snow was associated with persistent potentiation of the VEP response. Consistent with our predictions, time-frequency analysis revealed reduced gamma-band power following the initial stimulus in visual snow relative to controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results support an antagonistic interplay between gamma power and rapid neural adaptation, shedding new light on the neural mechanisms of VEP potentiation in visual snow.


Subject(s)
Gamma Rhythm/physiology , Habituation, Psychophysiologic/physiology , Vision Disorders/diagnosis , Vision Disorders/etiology , Case-Control Studies , Electroencephalography , Evoked Potentials, Visual , Humans , Male , Migraine Disorders/complications , Photic Stimulation , Young Adult
17.
J Obstet Gynaecol Can ; 40(7): 871-875, 2018 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29681508

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosis of ovarian torsion remains controversial, with some studies reporting correct diagnosis in only 23% to 66% of cases. Normal Doppler flow does not necessarily exclude an ovarian torsion; in fact, it may lead to missing the diagnosis and has been show to delay management. The objective of our study was to assess sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound diagnosis of ovarian torsion and to analyze the factors contributing to correct and incorrect diagnosis. METHODS: All women presenting with abdominal pain and admitted for urgent/emergent surgery to the gynaecology service at a major teaching hospital between September 2010 and August 2015 were reviewed. Of those, 55 cases of surgically proven ovarian torsion and 48 control cases were selected. Ultrasound reports were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of right ovarian torsion case and 27% of left ovarian torsion cases had normal Doppler flow. Presence of ovarian cysts was significantly associated with torsion. Sensitivity of ultrasound was 70% and specificity was 87%. CONCLUSION: While ultrasound can be used to support a diagnosis of ovarian torsion, it is a clinical diagnosis that requires integration of many factors, especially patient presentation and exclusion of other non-gynaecological pathologies. Doppler flow is not a useful variable to diagnose or exclude ovarian torsion and we recommend it should not be used to exclude a diagnosis of ovarian torsion.


Subject(s)
Ovarian Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Torsion Abnormality/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Blood Flow Velocity , Female , Humans , Ovarian Diseases/physiopathology , Ovary/blood supply , Predictive Value of Tests , Pulsatile Flow , Sensitivity and Specificity , Torsion Abnormality/physiopathology , Ultrasonography, Doppler
19.
Can Assoc Radiol J ; 69(4): 409-416, 2018 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30318459

ABSTRACT

Peer review for radiologists plays an important role in identifying contributing factors that can lead to diagnostic errors and patient harm. It is essential that all radiologists be aware of the multifactorial causes of diagnostic error in radiology and the methods available to reduce it. This pictorial review provides readers with an overview of common errors that occur in abdominal radiology and strategies to reduce them. This review aims to make readers more aware of pitfalls in abdominal imaging so that these errors can be avoided in the future. This essay also provides a systematic approach to classifying abdominal imaging errors that will be of value to all radiologists participating in peer review.


Subject(s)
Diagnostic Errors/prevention & control , Digestive System Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Radiography, Abdominal/methods , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Humans , Radiologists
20.
Can Assoc Radiol J ; 69(4): 349-355, 2018 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30245005

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Acute radiologic emergencies, primarily severe contrast reactions, are rare but life-threatening events. Given a generalized paucity of formalized or mandated training, studies have shown that radiologists and trainees perform poorly when acutely managing such events. Moreover, skill base, knowledge, and comfort levels precipitously decline over time given the infrequent occurrence of these events during one's daily practice. The primary aim of this study was to assess radiologists' preparedness for managing acute radiologic emergencies and to determine the efficacy of a high-fidelity simulation based training model in an effort to provide a rationale for similar programs to be implemented on a provincial or national level. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study of radiology residents and attending radiologists throughout the province who were recruited to attend a full-day simulation-based course presenting various cases of acute radiologic emergencies. Participant demographics were collected at the time of commencement of the workshop. Course materials were disseminated 4 weeks prior to the workshop, and a 17-question knowledge quiz was administered before and after the workshop. Likert-type questionnaires were also distributed to survey comfort levels and equipment familiarity. The knowledge quiz and questionnaire were redistributed at 3- and 6-month intervals for acquisition of follow-up data. RESULTS: A total of 14 attending radiologists and 7 residents attended the workshop, with all participants completing the preworkshop questionnaire and 90.5% (19 of 21) completing the post-workshop questionnaire. Participants' principle locations of practice were as follows: academic institutions (50%), community hospitals (36.9%), and private clinics (13.1%). A significant increase in knowledge was demonstrated, with average scores of 10 out of 17 (59%) and 14.5 out of 17 (85%) (P < .001) before and after the workshop, respectively. A significant increase in participants' comfort levels in recognizing acute anaphylactic reactions (3.5; 4.7, P < .001), commencing initial management for acute radiologic emergencies (3.3; 5.0, P < .001), and administering the correct dose for anaphylactic reactions (2.5; 4.8, P < .001) was also demonstrated. Moreover, participants became increasingly familiar with the contents and equipment found within contrast reaction kits (2.8; 3.8, P < .01). Repeat evaluations at 3 and 6 months found an average knowledge test score of 13.8 out of 17 (81%) and 10.8 out of 17 (64%), respectively. Comfort levels were also reassessed in recognizing acute anaphylactic reactions (4.5; 4.1), commencing initial management (4.0; 3.9) and administering the correct dose of medication (4.0; 3.7) at 3- and 6-month intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Acute radiologic emergencies are rare but life-threatening events that require rapid diagnosis and treatment to mitigate associated morbidity and mortality. Simulation-based workshops are a highly efficacious training model to increase knowledge, comfort levels, and equipment familiarity for radiologists and trainees alike; however, retraining at regular intervals is required.


Subject(s)
Anaphylaxis/therapy , Clinical Competence/statistics & numerical data , Contrast Media/adverse effects , Internship and Residency , Patient Simulation , Radiology/education , Anaphylaxis/chemically induced , Anaphylaxis/diagnosis , Canada , Educational Measurement , Humans , Prospective Studies , Radiologists/standards , Radiologists/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires
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