Search

Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is currently the preferred method for monitoring left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in cancer patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic anti-neoplastic therapy. In Denmark, however, the traditional standard for LVEF monitoring has been rooted in nuclear medicine departments utilizing equilibrium radionuclide angiography (ERNA). Although ERNA remains a principal modality, there is an emerging trend towards the adoption of echocardiography for this purpose. Given this context, assessing the reproducibility of 3DE among non-specialized medical personnel is crucial for its clinical adoption in such departments. To assess the feasibility of 3DE for LVEF measurements by technologists, we evaluated the repeatability and reproducibility of two moderately experienced technologists. They performed 3DE on 12 volunteers over two sessions, with a collaborative review of the results from the first session before the second session. Two-way intraclass correlation values increased from 0.03 to 0.77 across the sessions. This increase in agreement was mainly due to the recognition of false low measurements. Our findings underscore the importance of incorporating reproducibility exercises in the context of 3DE, especially when operated by technologists. Additionally, routine control of the acquisitions by physicians is deemed necessary. Ensuring these hurdles are adequately managed enables the adoption of 3DE for LVEF measurements by technologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Preoperative location of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands (HPGs) is vital when planning minimally invasive surgery in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Dual‐isotope subtraction scintigraphy with 99mTc‐MIBI/123Iodide using SPECT/CT and planar pinhole imaging (Di‐SPECT) has shown high sensitivity, but is challenged by high radiation dose, time consumption and cost. 11C‐Choline PET/CT (faster with a lower radiation dose) is non‐inferior to Di‐SPECT. We aim to clarify to what extent the two are interchangeable and how often there are discrepancies. Design: This is a prospective, GCP‐controlled cohort study. Patients and Measurements: One hundred patients diagnosed with PHPT were included and underwent both imaging modalities before parathyroidectomy. Clinical implications of differences between imaging findings and negative imaging results were assessed. Surgical findings confirmed by biochemistry and pathology served as reference standard. Results: Among the 90 patients cured by parathyroidectomy, sensitivity was 82% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 74%–88%) and 87% (95% CI: 79%–92%) for Choline PET and Di‐SPECT, respectively, p =.88. In seven cases at least one imaging modality found no HPG. Of these, neither modality found any true HPGs and only two were cured by surgery. When a positive finding in one modality was incorrect, the alternative modality was correct in approximately half of the cases. Conclusion: Choline PET and Di‐SPECT performed equally well and are both appropriate as first‐line imaging modalities for preoperative imaging of PHPT. When the first‐line modality fails to locate an HPG, additional preoperative imaging with the alternate modality offers no benefit. However, if parathyroidectomy is unsuccessful, additional imaging with the alternate modality has merit before repeat surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.robot.2005.09.012 Byline: Lars Kock Jensen (a), Bent Bruun Kristensen (a), Yves Demazeau (a)(b) Keywords: Multi-agent systems; Intelligent manufacturing; Agent architecture; Autonomous robots Abstract: The main objective of this article is to promote the use of inexpensive and realistic prototypes to verify the applicability of state-of-the-art technologies in the area of mobile robotics and intelligent manufacturing systems. We propose a toy prototype based on a LEGO.sup.[R] Mindstormsacents RCX brick extended with a PDA and wireless LAN. We describe and evaluate the application of an agent-oriented approach for a prototype of an autonomous transportation system. This transportation system is an integral part of the FLIP project in which intelligent collaboration during transportation and processing of LEGO.sup.[R] bricks is investigated. Author Affiliation: (a) The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute for Production Technology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark (b) Laboratoire LEIBNIZ, Institut IMAG 46, Avenue Felix Viallet, 38031 Grenoble Cx, France Article History: Received 1 March 2004; Revised 24 August 2005; Accepted 13 September 2005

Background and Aim: Primary Raynaud's phenomenon (pRP) is characterized by an exaggerated response to cold, resulting in the whitening typically of the fingers and toes. The patients are generally perceived as healthy individuals with a benign condition. However, the condition has been associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and changes in autonomic nervous system activity. This study aimed to investigate whether pRP is associated with pervasive changes in autonomic nervous activity. The hypothesis was that patients with pRP have increased sympathetic nervous activity. Methods: The autonomic nervous activity of 22 patients with pRP was investigated by means of heart rate variability (HRV) and the plasma catecholamine response to head‐up tilt and compared with 22 age‐ and gender‐matched controls. In addition, the patients were examined with a [123I]metaiodobenzylguanidine heart scintigraphy and compared with an external control group. Results: The plasma norepinephrine response to head‐up tilt was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group. Similarly, the heart scintigraphy revealed a lower heart‐to‐mediastinum ratio in the patient group than in the control group. HRV analysis did not reveal significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that the autonomic nervous activity of patients with pRP was altered compared with the activity of healthy individuals. This was observed both during rest and after positional stress, but the findings did not uniformly concur with our initial hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]