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Copyright of Giornale di Medicina Militare is the property of Difesa Servizi S.p.A. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Thermal ablation techniques are procedures of growing interest for management of bone metastases. Among these, cryoablation is probably the most advanced. It allows treatment of large and irregular volumes of pathological tissue, real-time evaluation of the area of ablation and appears less painful than heat-based ablative techniques like radiofrequency and microwaves. Literature shows the effectiveness of cryoablation in the management of bone metastases in terms of pain palliation, but also its employment with curative intent is recommended. We reviewed the outcomes of cryoablation procedures performed in our radiology department over the last seven years, confirming the results in terms of pain palliation and local control of disease. We retrospectively evaluated results of 28 procedures of cryoablation, of which 17 treated with palliative and 11 with curative intent. In a 3-month follow-up study, we recorded an overall reduction of pain (evaluated using a VAS 0–10 scale) between pre- and post-treatment. The mean values dropped from 6.9 (SD: ± 1.3) to 3.5 (SD ± 2.6) (p < 0.0001). In the group of patients treated for local tumor control (follow-up: 22.4 months), we recorded a stability and/or reduction in volume of the lesion in 10 out 11 patients. No major complications were recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer review can be used as a teaching methodology to improve students' learning and critical thinking. However, teachers have many concerns about the reliability and validity of students' grading. The paper describes the application of peer review as a teaching strategy to the large course of Biomedical Informatics in the School of Medicine at the University of Florence. The aim of the study was twofold: (I) assessing the validity of students' reviews, calculating the correlation between students' assigned score and instructor's assigned score; (II) assessing the validity of student's self-evaluation, calculating the correlation between student's assigned score and teacher's assigned score. To this aim a statistical analysis was performed. The results showed a moderate concordance between the marks assigned by peers and those assigned by the instructor. Nevertheless, the comparison between the teacher median and the peer-review median shows a minimal difference that has almost no effect on changing the final grade. Instead, there was poor concordance between the marks attributed by the instructor and those relating to the student's self-evaluation. Even if further studies are needed, the promising results can begin to dispel teachers' concerns about students' grading skills that prevent the application of peer review. On such basis, the use of peer review systems can streamline the application of peer review in classes with a high number of students reducing the workload on the teacher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Form@re is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tibial tubercle fractures in adolescents are uncommon injuries which typically occur in 12–16 year-old males involved in athletic activities. We hereby present our experience in the surgical treatment of such lesion. By reviewing all the tibial tuberosity fractures treated surgically at our institution between January 2012 and January 2016, we were able to identify 12 patients (14 fractures), of which 11 males and 1 female, whose average age at the time of the trauma was of 14.05. According to the Ogden classification, we identified two Type IIA fractures, one Type IIB fracture, one Type IIIB fracture, four Type IIIC fractures, four Type IVA fractures, one Type IVB fracture and one Type IVC fracture. All patients underwent surgical treatment—9 fractures ORIF (64.3%), 5 CRIF (35.7%)—and postsurgical immobilization in plaster cast for 15 days, with a non-weight bearing period of approximately 4.7 weeks. They all had a complete ROM recovery and returned to preinjury activities within 4.1 months on average. The successful union of the fracture was observed in all patients, and no cases of meniscal lesions, compartment syndrome, infections, lower limb length discrepancy or axial deviations emerged at the minimum follow-up of 24 months. After an average period of 11 months and 2 weeks (range 6.1–16.3), all patients underwent surgical implant removal. Our experience matches the outcomes described in the literature, therefore confirming the safety and effectiveness of this treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reported the case of a 38-year-old patient who in 2017 presented to our institution after post-traumatic complete ankylosis of the elbow. He complained of stiffness and pain, and the radiographs revealed complete fusion of the humeroulnar joint. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) on admission was 31, and the elbow was fused at 90° flexed position. The patient underwent semiconstrained total elbow arthroplasty with Bryan-Morrey approach; after a 2.1 years follow-up, active arc of movement was 120°. The MEPS was excellent with a 100 points score, the patient was able to complete all activities of daily living. We did not report any complications. Total elbow arthroplasty has shown to be a good therapeutic option that make it possible to restore adequate functional range of motion and relieve pain in young patients with post-traumatic stiffness/arthritis of the elbow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reported the case of a 38-year-old patient who in 2017 presented to our institution after post-traumatic complete ankylosis of the elbow. He complained of stiffness and pain, and the radiographs revealed complete fusion of the humeroulnar joint. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) on admission was 31, and the elbow was fused at 90° flexed position. The patient underwent semiconstrained total elbow arthroplasty with Bryan-Morrey approach; after a 2.1 years follow-up, active arc of movement was 120°. The MEPS was excellent with a 100 points score, the patient was able to complete all activities of daily living. We did not report any complications. Total elbow arthroplasty has shown to be a good therapeutic option that make it possible to restore adequate functional range of motion and relieve pain in young patients with post-traumatic stiffness/arthritis of the elbow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the evaluation plan and the first results of DIDeL (Didactics in e-Learning), a research and development project of the University of Florence, aimed at promoting faculty professional development on e-learning methods and technologies. From a theoretical point of view the project is based on a multi-levels model characterized by the combination of methodological approaches and teaching tools. The evaluation plan reflects this articulation with the aim to measure users' satisfaction, the impact of the programme on teachers' techno-didactic competences on the short and medium run, as well as the impact on students' career progression. Specifically, this paper illustrates and discusses the results of a questionnaire administered online to all the teachers who participated in at least one of the project's training activities during the first half of 2018: it was investigated the level of satisfaction of training and teachers' self-perception of learning in terms of knowledge and skills. 166 teachers answered the questionnaire. The results show a high level of appreciation for the various types of training initiatives, which confirms the design hypotheses and the methodologies adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Form@re is the property of Firenze University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the aortic bifurcation (AB) morphological characteristics, analyzed on computed tomography angiography (CTA), on outcomes of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a single-center experience.Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using a prospectively collected database. Morphological features considered as potentially impacting outcomes were maximum AB diameter (ABmax), minimum diameter (ABmin), mean diameter (ABaverage), AB area (ABarea), and AB calcification (ABcalcification) and thrombosis (ABthrombosis). Outcome measures were perioperative, 30-day, and midterm AAA-related reinterventions and all-cause mortalities.Results: Investigators reviewed 306 preoperative CTA scans. Maximum aortic diameter was 51.4 ± 12.4 mm (range 40-110), and mean ABmax was 24.2 ± 8.8 mm (range 10-60), ABmin 17.0 ± 5.4 mm (range 4-40), ABaverage 20.6 ± 6.5 mm (range 9-47.5), and ABarea 35.2 ± 24.2 mm2 (range 6-176). ABcalcification ≥ 50% was present in 63 patients (20.6%), and ABthrombosis ≥ 50% in 102 patients (33.3%). Technical success was obtained in all cases, without perioperative reintervention or death. At 30-day follow-up, the reintervention rate was 3.3%, and mortality rate was 1.3%. At a mean follow-up period of 35 ± 28.6 (range, 1-72) months, reintervention and mortality rates were 6.5 and 4.9%, respectively. None of the analyzed thresholds were predictive of adverse outcomes. At multivariate analysis, association of a narrowed AB with severe calcification of the distal aorta showed a significant differences in terms of reinterventions (p = 0.009).Conclusions: Our limited experience seems to reveal that a cutoff of ≤ 20 mm for AB diameter, as in current guidelines, is ineffective in predicting outcomes after EVAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the European and national policies for the realization of the objectives and strategies of "Lisbon 2010" and "Horizon 2020", lifelong guidance is recognized as a permanent right for every person. The main objective of the research is to develop a self-orientation online path that helps to increase and improve the self-reflection of people with disabilities on their own knowledge, soft skills, interests, strengths and weaknesses. The final result is supposed to be the recognition of the career project closer to their personal and professional profile. The platform value is related to the active role played by the person with disabilities in the orientation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Hypogastric artery (HA) revascularization during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is still open to debate. Moreover, exclusion-related complication rates reported in literature are not negligible. The aim of this study is to present and analyze the outcomes in patients undergoing EVAR with exclusion of 1 or both HAs at our academic center. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our results in patients submitted to EVAR and needing HA exclusion, in terms of perioperative (30-day) and follow-up rates of intestinal and spinal cord ischemia, buttock claudication, buttock skin necrosis, and sexual dysfunction. Results: From January 2008 to December 2014, a total of 527 patients underwent elective standard infrarenal EVAR; among those 104 (19.7%) had iliac involvement needing HA exclusion. In 73 patients with unilateral iliac involvement (70.1%, group UH), many single HAs were excluded. Thirty-one patients (29.9%) had bilateral iliac involvement (group BH), of which 16 (51.6%) had 1 HA excluded with revascularization of the contralateral one (group BHR); in the remaining 15 patients (48.4%) both HAs were excluded (group BHE). No 30-day or follow-up aneurysm-related mortality, intestinal, or spinal cord ischemia were recorded. At 30 days, skin necrosis was observed in 2 patients. Buttock claudication and sexual dysfunction rates were significantly greater in group BHE than in group BHR (P < .05). At a mean 18.6 months follow-up (range: 4-47), buttock claudication and sexual dysfunction rates in group BHE were persistently higher than that in groups UH and BHR (P < .05); HA coil embolization was significantly associated with buttock claudication and sexual dysfunction (P < .05). Conclusions: Whenever anatomically feasible, at least 1 HA should be salvaged in case of bilateral involvement. In case of unilateral HA exclusion, the rate of complications is not negligible. Coil embolization is related to a higher complication rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If finding a job is currently difficult for many people, for those with disabilities it actually is a path with many obstacles. The ONU Convention on persons with disabilities rights is in line with the basic concepts of the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, which supports programs against discrimination, and adopts equal opportunities and active inclusion as priorities. In the European and national policies for the realization of the objectives and strategies of "Lisbon 2010" and "Horizon 2020", lifelong guidance is recognized as a permanent right for every person. The main objective of the research is to develop a self-orientation online path that helps to increase and improve the match between disabled people and businesses in the country and internationally. The purpose is to collect data about each transition: from school to university, from university to the first entry into the labor market, from the first work experience to the stabilization of the employment. The collection of data will be analyzed, considering job as a means for self-realization and not only for the mere subsistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work talks about some of the rapports between the Spanish military history, from the Reconquista to the Colonial war in Marocco, and the development in Spain of militarist ideology in the first part of the XX century. In the Spanish Civil War, are presents many elements of a Crusade and many elements of a colonial war. The big charge of violence, the usual killing of the prisoners, and the absolute refuse of a limit in the employment of the military strong, are some of the most important and dramatic character of this conflict, taken from the Spanish experience of the war in North-Morocco. The difficult experience of the colonial war was really the mental and political background of the most part of the military official class who, at the born of the Spanish Third Republic in the 1931, take part in the project for "rescue Spain from the red danger". In the conspirator?s plain, the republican Spain was the new "terra infidelium" like the Muslim Spain or the American continent of the XV-XVI centuries, and the Spanish Morocco?s Army represented the strong of "old Spain", called to conquer a new Spanish empire. The power of General Franco, founded during the civil war, was in fact the political representation of a colonial order, build after the conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reciprocal relationships between motor impairment, dopaminergic dysfunction, and cerebral metabolism (rCMRglc) in de novo Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Twenty-six de novo untreated PD patients were scanned with 123I-FP-CIT SPECT and 18F-FDG PET. The dopaminergic impairment was measured with putaminal 123I-FP-CIT binding potential (BP), estimated with two different techniques: an iterative reconstruction algorithm (BPOSEM) and the least-squares (LS) method (BPLS). Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the specific brain regions in which UPDRS III scores and putaminal BP values correlated with rCMRglc. The SPM results showed a negative correlation between UPDRS III and rCMRglc in premotor cortex, and a positive correlation between BPOSEM and rCMRglc in premotor and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, not surviving at multiple comparison correction. Instead, there was a positive significant correlation between putaminal BPLS and rCMRglc in premotor, dorsolateral prefrontal, anterior prefrontal, and orbitofrontal cortex ( p < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparison). Putaminal BPLS is an efficient parameter for exploring the correlations between PD severity and rCMRglc cortical changes. The correlation between dopaminergic degeneration and rCMRglc in several prefrontal regions likely represents the cortical functional correlate of the dysfunction in the motor basal ganglia-cortical circuit in PD. This finding suggests focusing on the metabolic course of these areas to follow PD progression and to analyze treatment effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To investigate metabolic disturbances, possibly leading to stone disease, in the Camey II technique for creating a urinary reservoir from an intestinal segment. PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty patients with a Camey II ileal neobladder and 26 controls had metabolic investigations of blood samples, and 24-h and fasting urine samples, to assess renal function, the risk of stone formation, and bone turnover. The state of saturation with calcium oxalate, uric acid and brushite were calculated using a computer program. RESULTS The patients had lower renal clearances than the controls ( P < 0.001), with a slight tendency to decrease with time from surgery. Metabolic hyperchloraemic acidosis occurred in 57% of the patients and tended to be worse at lower glomerular filtration rates ( P < 0.05). Severe hypocitraturia in both daily and fasting urine was the most striking urinary feature. There was no difference in the other variables. The state of saturation with brushite was slightly higher in patients due to the slightly higher urinary pH. There was a trend to lower bone turnover, involving markers of both resorption and formation, in the patients. CONCLUSIONS The Camey II technique led to only minor functional or metabolic changes; renal function tended to deteriorate and mild metabolic acidosis was the main feature. Fasting and 24-h hypocitraturia occurred in most patients, representing a potential threat for calcium stone formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical potential of striatal imaging with dopamine transporter (DAT) SPECT tracers is hampered by the limited capability to recover activity concentration ratios due to partial volume effects (PVE). We evaluated the accuracy of a least squares method that allows retrieval of activity in regions of interest directly from projections (LS-ROI). An Alderson striatal phantom was filled with striatal to background ratios of 6:1, 9:1 and 28:1; the striatal and background ROIs were drawn on a coregistered X-ray CT of the phantom. The activity ratios of these ROIs were derived both with the LS-ROI method and with conventional SPECT EM reconstruction (EM-SPECT). Moreover, the two methods were compared in seven patients with motor symptoms who were examined with N-3-fluoropropyl-2-β-carboxymethoxy-3-β-(4-iodophenyl) (FP-CIT) SPECT, calculating the binding potential (BP). In the phantom study, the activity ratios obtained with EM-SPECT were 3.5, 5.3 and 17.0, respectively, whereas the LS-ROI method resulted in ratios of 6.2, 9.0 and 27.3, respectively. With the LS-ROI method, the BP in the seven patients was approximately 60% higher than with EM-SPECT; a linear correlation between the LS-ROI and the EM estimates was found ( r = 0.98, p = 0.03). The LS-ROI PVE correction capability is mainly due to the fact that the ill-conditioning of the LS-ROI approach is lower than that of the EM-SPECT one. The LS-ROI seems to be feasible and accurate in the examination of the dopaminergic system. This approach can be fruitful in monitoring of disease progression and in clinical trials of dopaminergic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multihole collimators are the most important piece of instrumentation in determining the tradeoff between spatial resolution and noise in nuclear medicine images. Recently, we found that the collimator-to-detector gap greatly influences the hole-pattern artifacts. In addition, we also showed that specific values of the gap exist which minimize the artifacts: here we call this phenomenon ‘penumbral masking’ (PM). In this paper, we study the matter in greater detail and we take PM into account in the problematic context of designing high-energy collimators by, basically, substituting the conventional hole-array pattern constraint with a mathematical expression of the PM effect. With this approach we found that a solution to the problem of maximizing sensitivity for a given spatial resolution always exists while, without the PM concept, in the case of lead (Pb), a solution exists below 300 KeV, a sub-optimal solution can be found within the 300—320 KeV range and no solution at all exists beyond 320 KeV. Thus, one is able to minimize the hole-pattern artifacts while designing high-energy collimators even if a somewhat lower sensitivity has to be accepted: for example, with lead, at 511 KeV, sensitivity is reduced by 20% compared to what it would be without the introduction of PM. When high energies are involved, even with our approach the weight constraint is a major problem, but this does not affect the capability of reducing the hole-pattern artifacts. However, even when the theoretical solution may not be feasible, this approach clarifies the design of high-energy collimators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present here a direct least-squares estimation (DLSE) method for the determination of renal kinetic parameters from sequences of very fast acquisitions performed with a three-headed single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system. A simple linear model for the behavior of the radiopharmaceutical, as well as a spatial model for its spatial distribution are defined. The model enables one to estimate the kinetic parameters directly from the projections, once the plasma concentration function is known. A new technique for the accurate reconstruction of time-radioactivity curves based on the direct reconstruction of the region-of-interest contents from a series of data from three-projections is presented. The technique is used to determine the plasma concentration function with a sub-second time resolution. The spatially-variant geometrical response is also included in the model to compensate for the spatial resolution of the SPECT system. Results obtained from simulations are presented. Basic spatial and time features of the simulations are derived from a patient study. Noise and segmentation errors are also simulated. The DLSE method is compared with the conventional one of deriving kinetic parameters from the time series of reconstructed images. The standard deviation of results given by DLSE is less than 2%, whereas with the conventional method it is between 5% and 6%. Within the limit of statistical fluctuations, DLSE results are unbiased whereas those of the conventional method are overestimated by 24%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that used the theory of multihole collimators to examine the artifacts which are caused by the hole-array pattern of high-energy collimators. Discussion of the theory of multihole collimators; Conditions for the minimization of hole-array artifacts; Description of the simulation of images based on the theoretical model of multihole collimators.

Purpose: Both BTA TRAK and NMP22 urine concentrations have shown a sensitivity superior to urine cytology in the detection of bladder cancer. We compared these tumor markers with urine cytology performed on 3 consecutive samples and evaluated by an expert cytopathologist. Patients and Methods: The investigations were conducted on 94 patients undergoing a diagnostic cystoscopy for a high suspicion of bladder cancer (group 1) and on 102 patients with previous history of transitional cell carcinoma awaiting a follow-up cystoscopy (group 2). Biopsy specimens were obtained also from tumor negative patients. Immunoassays for BTA TRAK and NMP22 were carried out according to standard methods. The choice of the cut-off was based on the ground of sensitivity and specificity curves intersection. Urine cytology results were expressed as positive, negative and ‘dubious’. Results: Overall sensitivity was 56% for NMP22 (cut-off 11 U/ml) and 57% for BTA TRAK (cut-off 60 U/ml). When dubious results were considered as positive cases, urine cytology achieved a sensitivity of 73.3%. Assuming dubious cases as negative results, urine cytology sensitivity resulted 59.3%. When the 2 groups of patients were evaluated separately with different cut-off, there was no significant gain in sensitivity for BTA TRAK and NMP22 over urine cytology. Conclusions: Urine cytology performed on 3 samples showed the highest sensitivity and specificity. The diagnostic advantage of urine cytology over BTA TRAK and NMP22 was maintained when patients were stratified by tumor grade.Copyright © 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the study which developed a method to calculate weighting factors from the theoretical knowledge of the geometric response of a multihole collimator. Discretization of the blurred Radon transform; Derivation of the collimator geometric transfer function; Calculation of the weighting factors; Theory; Conclusions.

This study aimed to identify risk factors for squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) in women with known HIV status and to explore the association between SIL, HPV subtype, and HIV-induced immunosuppression. The study population consisted of women with known HIV serological status who were attending a network of 16 clinical centres in Italy. Detailed behavioural data, clinical and laboratory parameters, and samples for diagnosis of SIL by Papanicolau smear and HPV infection using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were obtained from each study participant. The strength of the association between SIL and possible risk factors was assessed calculating crude and adjusted odds ratios derived from univariate analysis and multivariate models. We enrolled 236 women, of whom 135 (57.2%) were HIV-infected. SIL was diagnosed in 57 women (24.1%); of these, 48 (35.6%) were HIV-infected and 9 (8.9%) were HIV-negative. HPV-DNA was detected in 41 (72%) women with SIL and in 45 (25%) women without SIL. HPV-DNA was more often detected among HIV-infected women than among HIV-negative women (40% vs. 32%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Women infected with high-risk types or with low-risk-uncharacterised types of HPV both had a higher risk of SIL compared with HPV-negative women (respectively, AOR: 17.53 and AOR: 2.89). HIV-infected women with severe or moderate immunosuppression were more likely to have SIL than HIV-negative women (respectively, AOR: 7.29 and AOR: 3.09) also independently from HPV infection. Women reporting use of a contraceptive pill had a 2.5 times higher risk of SIL compared with those who never used hormonal contraceptives. The results confirm that high-risk HPV types are strongly associated with SIL, and that HIV infection may strengthen the effect of HPV at cervical level. The use of oral contraceptives may slightly increase the risk of SIL in women with at-risk behaviour for HIV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that the quantitative potential of emission computed tomography (ECT) relies on the ability to compensate for resolution, attenuation and scatter effects. Reconstruction algorithms which are able to take these effects into account are highly demanding in terms of computing resources. The reported work aimed to investigate the use of a parallel high-performance computing platform for ECT reconstruction taking into account an accurate model of the acquisition of single-photon emission tomographic (SPET) data. An iterative algorithm with an accurate model of the variable system response was ported on the MIMD (Multiple Instruction Multiple Data) parallel architecture of a 64node Cray T3D massively parallel computer. The system was organized to make it easily accessible even from low-cost PC-based workstations through standard TCP/IP networking. A complete brain study of 30 (64×64) slices could be reconstructed from a set of 90 (64×64) projections with ten iterations of the conjugate gradients algorithm in 9 s, corresponding to an actual speed-up factor of 135. This work demonstrated the possibility of exploiting remote high-performance computing and networking resources from hospital sites by means of low-cost workstations using standard communication protocols without particular problems for routine use. The achievable speed-up factors allow the assessment of the clinical benefit of advanced reconstruction techniques which require a heavy computational burden for the compensation effects such as variable spatial resolution, scatter and attenuation. The possibility of using the same software on the same hardware platform with data acquired in different laboratories with various kinds of SPET instrumentation is appealing for software quality control and for the evaluation of the clinical impact of the reconstruction methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technetium 99m d,l-cyclobutylpropylene amine oxime (Tc-CBPAO) has been developed as a brain-imaging agent for single photon emission tomography (SPET).Tc-CBPAO can be prepared using a simple labelling procedure suitable for routine clinical use. It has a high in vitro stability, as has been demonstrated by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. This shows that 3 h after labelling, less than 5% of the primary lipophilic complex which is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) converts to a secondary hydrophilic complex. Brain uptake (% dose/g wet tissue) ofTc-CBPAO, determined at 5 and 30 min after injection in two groups of six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, was found to be 0.74±0.06 and 0.73±0.13 (mean ± SD), respectively. These values are not significantly different from those obtained repeating the experiment withTc-labelled hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (-HMPAO) (0.72±0.15 at 5 min and 0.88 ± 0.24 at 30 min after injection). Since the rat brain uptake ofTc-CBPAO remained unchanged for a period of time suitable for tomographic study, the comparison of the two tracers was extended to two groups of ten patients. The latter were affected by neurological and psychiatric disorders and were studied with SPET. Human brain uptake (% dose/cc cortical grey matter) ofTc-CBPAO andTc-HMPAO were 3.04±0.57 and 4.22±0.46 (mean × 10 ± SD × 10), respectively, with a 32% significant difference. In two other groups of five patients, the first transit time-activity curves of the two tracers were compared. From the analysis of these curves we suggest thatTc-CBPAO has a higher binding effect on blood components and/or a higher degradation rate in blood than that ofTc-HMPAO. This may account for the reduced human brain uptake. In conclusion, SPET images ofTc-CBPAO reflect blood perfusion, and they have a good diagnostic quality. The main advantage ofTc-CBPAO is its in vitro stability; however,Tc-HMPAO is a superior imaging agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brain phantom is described that is characterized by a high anatomical definition and by the possibility of varying the internal contrast with the use of a single radioactive solution. The experimental work was done with a single-photon emission computerized tomographic (SPET) rotating camera. The phantom was used to study the contrast recovery of both the filtered back-projection and an iterative reconstruction algorithm. Moreover, it was also used to find a cross-calibration factor between activity concentrations in the SPET slices and an external reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study analyses the case histories of urinary stone colics recorded at the hospital 'Val di Sieve' (Florence) during the period 1962-1971 by comparing the weather conditions of the 353 days during which the cases occurred, with the weather conditions of a sample of 'normal' reference days. From the analysis it seems to emerge that a hot and - at the same time - dry weather, as well as wide changes in air pressure, may favour in predisposed individuals the onset of urinary stone colics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method of estimating the I-hippuran clearance of each kidney during renal sequential scintigraphy is presented. The clearance rates were obtained from the elaboration of the renal histograms and of a blood curve recorded on the precordium, directly compared with the injected dose. A function simulating the progressive deformation of the radioactive bolus as kidney perfusion is impaired was introduced into the computation. The method was tested on 23 patients who underwent simultaneous determination of the clearance rate with the Sapirstein method, the results being corrected to 1.73 m of body surface area. The correlation coefficient r between the obtained data (the sum of the clearance rates of the two sides) and the results of the Sapirstein method was 0.89. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnostic efficacy of Tc-citrate brain scintigraphy was assessed in 22 patients with proven brain lesions. All patients were given Tc-DTPA and then 2 days later, Tc-citrate. Our results show a superior diagnostic efficacy of the Tc-DTPA test in detecting brain lesions both of vascular and neoplastic type, especially when the lesions have a poor blood supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]