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World Neurosurg 2019 Feb 7. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, California, 94305, U.S.A.

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a novel radiation-free tomographic imaging method that provides a background-free, signal attenuation-free, direct quantification of the spatial distribution of superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with high temporal resolution (milliseconds), high spatial resolution (< 1 mm), and extreme sensitivity (μmol). The technique is based on non-linear magnetization of the SPIONs when exposed to an oscillating magnetic field. MPI was first described in 2001. Read More

Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2019 Feb 29;16(2):129-142. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

a Physical Sciences Platform , Sunnybrook Research Institute , Toronto , ON , Canada.

Introduction: Treatment of several diseases of the brain are complicated by the presence of the skull and the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Focused ultrasound (FUS) and microbubble (MB)-mediated BBB treatment is a minimally invasive method to transiently increase the permeability of blood vessels in targeted brain areas. It can be used as a general delivery system to increase the concentration of therapeutic agents in the brain parenchyma. Read More

Theriogenology 2019 Feb 13;125:210-215. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

MTA-SZIE Large Animal Clinical Research Group, H-2225, Üllő, Hungary.

Prepartum fetal surveillance techniques have been widely used in both human and veterinary obstetrics, although these tests differ in their sensitivity for the assessment of fetal well-being. In equine reproduction, the 'gold standard' examination technique is the equine biophysical profile (EBP) described by Virginia Reef in 1995. Although this fetal assessment has many benefits, its accuracy, sensitivity and specificity have not been evaluated so far. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2018 Oct 16;18(10). Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden.

We have developed a transmission-based, open-ended coaxial dielectric probe that can be used in clinical situations and overcomes many of the limitations related to the typical reflection-based dielectric probes. The approach utilizes the low profile, open-ended coaxial cables enabling clinicians to still probe relatively compact spaces. The sensing depth can be extended to as large as 1. Read More

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2019 Feb 31;98(2):154-161. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo University Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Introduction: The present study aims to investigate the association of spontaneous labor onset with neonatal outcomes in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis. The secondary goal was to evaluate the association between ultrasound markers and labor onset in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis.

Material And Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 207 pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis between 2005 and 2017. Read More

Obstet Gynecol 2018 Oct;132(4):1033-1039

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Associates, PLLC, New York, New York.

Objective: To report the utility of the ultrasonographic biophysical profile, which includes all the components of a biophysical profile minus the nonstress test, in women with maternal indications for antepartum surveillance.

Methods: We conducted a case series reviewing the records of all women at 32 weeks of gestation or greater with at least one indication for antenatal testing (per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) delivered by a single maternal-fetal medicine practice between 2006 and 2018. Indications included diabetes, hypertension, lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome, sickle cell disease, renal disease, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, isoimmunization, inherited thrombophilia, and prior intrauterine fetal demise. Read More

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018 Aug 17. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; Robarts Research Institute, London, ON. Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON. Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Glutathione [GSH] is a major intracellular antioxidant that disposes peroxides and protects neurons and glial cells from oxidative stress. In both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, atypical levels of GSH have been demonstrated, particularly in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), though no consistent results have emerged due to limitations in sample size. Our objective was to evaluate if GSH levels in the ACC are abnormal in these 2 disorder, when compared to healthy controls. Read More

Med Phys 2018 Oct 31;45(10):4704-4710. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075, Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.

Purpose: To correlate the accumulated thermal dose (ATD) with lesion size in magnetic resonance (MR)-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy to help guide future clinical treatments.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-six patients with medication-refractory essential tremor were treated using a commercial MRgFUS brain system (ExAblate 4000, InSightec) in a 3T MR scanner (MR750, GE Healthcare). Intraoperative MR-thermometry was performed to measure the induced temperature and thermal dose distributions (thermal coefficient = -0. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2018 Sep 9;228:13-26. Epub 2018 Jun 9.

School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia; UROGIV Research Group, Colombia. Electronic address:

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of different diagnostic tests for histologic chorioamnionitis in patients at more than 20 weeks of gestation.

Methods: A systematic search was carried out through MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, CENTRAL and unpublished literature. Observational studies included with pregnant women (>20 weeks) with chorioamnionitis. Read More

Fetal Diagn Ther 2019 23;45(2):125-130. Epub 2018 May 23.

Pediatric Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Background: Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect with increasing incidence. Given the lack of surveillance guidelines among maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists, this study describes current practices in gastroschisis management.

Materials And Methods: An online survey was administered to MFM specialists from institutions affiliated with the North American Fetal Therapy Network (NAFTNet). Read More

Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2018 5;11:105-116. Epub 2018 Apr 5.

Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Purpose: To identify the most common practices implemented for the screening and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to estimate the GDM clinician-reported proportion as a proxy of the incidence in Mexico.

Materials And Methods: Three hundred fifty-seven physicians in four major cities were asked about their practices regarding GDM screening, treatment, clinical exams, and health care staff involved in case of GDM diagnosis, as well as the percentage of women with GDM they care for. Data management and statistical analyses were done with Stata 13. Read More

BMC Cancer 2018 04 2;18(1):358. Epub 2018 Apr 2.

Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso", National Research Council of Italy, Naples, Italy.

Background: Giant Cell Tumour of Bone (GCT) is a locally aggressive primary bone tumour that usually occurs at the epiphyses of the long bones of the appendicular skeleton with a tendency to recurrence. Recurrent somatic H3F3A mutations have been described in 92% of GCT cases. GCTs involving the Clivus are extremely rare lesions and less than 15 cases are described in the literature. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2018 Jun 2;44(6):1057-1062. Epub 2018 Apr 2.

Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Osaka Medical Center Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Osaka, Japan.

Aim: To examine the predictive value of ultrasound parameters for antepartum non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS) in fetal growth restriction (FGR) cases after late preterm.

Methods: Retrospective review of singleton FGR cases before 37 weeks gestation who delivered after 34 weeks gestation was performed. The association between ultrasound parameters that was assessed from 34 to 36 weeks gestation and the development of antepartum NRFS that was diagnosed by nonstress test and biophysical profile was analyzed by using multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2018 May 1;49:53-65. Epub 2018 Mar 1.

Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. Electronic address:

A uniform approach to management of fetal growth restriction (FGR) improves outcome, prevents stillbirth, and allows appropriately timed delivery. An estimated fetal weight below the tenth percentile with coexisting abnormal umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), or cerebroplacental ratio Doppler index best identifies the small fetus requiring surveillance. Placental perfusion defects are more common earlier in gestation; accordingly, early-onset (≤32 weeks of gestation) and late-onset (>32 weeks) FGR differ in clinical phenotype. Read More

Spinal Cord 2018 09 20;56(9):863-872. Epub 2018 Mar 20.

Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA.

Study Design: Cross-sectional design.

Objectives: This study examined the relationships between circulating adiponectin levels, body composition, metabolic profile, and measures of skeletal muscle mitochondrial enzyme activity and biogenesis.

Settings: Clinical Research in a Medical Center. Read More

J Med Ultrason (2001) 2018 Oct 22;45(4):565-570. Epub 2018 Feb 22.

Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

Introduction: The objective is to assess if fetal halogen light stimulation can reduce the time needed to obtain a normal biophysical profile (BPP).

Methods: Patients scheduled for a BPP and who satisfied the inclusion criteria were prospectively randomized to halogen light stimulation and no stimulation groups. The study group was exposed to handheld halogen light for 10 s whenever fetal breathing, movement, or tone was absent through the first 5 min of BPP. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2018 Apr 21;40(4):454-459. Epub 2017 Dec 21.

Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Objective: To review the management and outcome of pregnancies of women presenting to obstetrical triage with decreased fetal movements (DFM).

Study Design: A retrospective review of women presenting with DFMs to two large Canadian obstetrical centres with a combined 9490 deliveries per year. The charts were reviewed for compliance with the Canadian guidelines for demographics (age, parity, GA, comorbidities, etc. Read More

Hum Brain Mapp 2018 01 13;39(1):563-574. Epub 2017 Nov 13.

Departments of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

Objectives: The innate alarm system (IAS) models the neurocircuitry involved in threat processing in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, we investigate a primary subcortical structure of the IAS model, the superior colliculus (SC), where the SC is thought to contribute to the mechanisms underlying threat-detection in PTSD. Critically, the functional connectivity between the SC and other nodes of the IAS remains unexplored. Read More

Wiad Lek 2017;70(4):731-736

Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine.

The Aim: To study the impact of emergent infections (human herpesvirus type 6) on the fetal state.

Materials And Methods: The study involved examination of 90 pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of gestation (Group 1 (25 pregnant) consisted of patients with a viral infection, CMV carriers, Group 2 (25 pregnant) included women with a viral infection, herpes simplex virus types 1/2, Group 3 amounted for 20 patients with a viral infection, herpes simplex virus type 6, Group 4 comprised 20 patients with normal pregnancy and no signs of infection. Concentration of IgM and IgG to herpes simplex virus types 1/2, IgM and IgG to herpesvirus type 6 in venous blood of the pregnant was determined by enzyme-immunoassay. Read More

J Clin Diagn Res 2017 Aug 1;11(8):QD06-QD07. Epub 2017 Aug 1.

Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecologya, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Congenital uterine anomaly has been well established as cause of infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss. However, only few studies have reported the association of mullerian anomalies and adverse pregnancy outcome in third trimester. We are hereby reporting a case of 25-year- old female second gravida who presented at 36 weeks six days pregnancy with complaint of decreased foetal movements for the past two weeks. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2017 30;2017:1364818. Epub 2017 Aug 30.

Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA.

Purpose: To quantify liver adiposity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to determine its association with metabolic profile in men with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Materials And Methods: MRI analysis of liver adiposity by fat signal fraction (FSF) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was completed on twenty participants. Intravenous glucose tolerance test was conducted to measure glucose effectiveness () and insulin sensitivity (). Read More

Nucl Med Biol 2017 Oct 12;53:21-28. Epub 2017 Jul 12.

Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC, UMR 7178, F-67000, Strasbourg, France.

Introduction: Herein we have evaluated the uptake of O-(2-F-fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosine (F-FET) in insulinoma in comparison with those of 6-F-fluoro-3,4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine (F-FDOPA) providing first data from both murine xenograft model and one patient with proved endogenous hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.

Methods: Dynamic F-FET and carbidopa-assisted F-FDOPA PET were performed on tumor-bearing nude mice after subcutaneous injection of RIN-m5F murine beta cells and on a 30-year-old man with type-1 multiple endocrine neoplasia and hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia defined by a positive fasting test.

Results: Seven and three nude mice bearing a RIN-m5F insulinoma xenograft were respectively studied by F-FET and F-FDOPA μPET. Read More

Magn Reson Imaging 2017 11 15;43:66-73. Epub 2017 Jul 15.

Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia. Electronic address:

Objective: Kangaroo knee cartilages are robust tissues that can support knee flexion and endure high levels of compressive stress. This study aimed to develop a detailed understanding of the collagen architecture in kangaroo knee cartilages and thus obtain insights into the biophysical basis of their function.

Design: Cylindrical/square plugs from femoral and tibial hyaline cartilage and tibial fibrocartilage were excised from the knees of three adult red kangaroos. Read More

Clin Neurophysiol 2017 09 19;128(9):1774-1809. Epub 2017 Jun 19.

Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany.

Low intensity transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) in humans, encompassing transcranial direct current (tDCS), transcutaneous spinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS), transcranial alternating current (tACS), and transcranial random noise (tRNS) stimulation or their combinations, appears to be safe. No serious adverse events (SAEs) have been reported so far in over 18,000 sessions administered to healthy subjects, neurological and psychiatric patients, as summarized here. Moderate adverse events (AEs), as defined by the necessity to intervene, are rare, and include skin burns with tDCS due to suboptimal electrode-skin contact. Read More

Arch Gynecol Obstet 2017 Oct 11;296(4):635-643. Epub 2017 Jul 11.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Tuebingen, Calwerstrasse 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.

Purpose: First trimester risk assessment plays a major role in the contemporary pregnancy care. It has evolved significantly since its introduction in the 1990s when it essentially consisted of just the nuchal translucency measurement. Today, it involves the measurement of several biophysical and biochemical markers and can assess the risk for a wide array of major chromosomal and non-chromosomal defects as well as other pregnancy-related complications. Read More

Acta Inform Med 2017 Mar;25(1):19-23

Clinic for Urology, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banjaluka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Introduction: Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), especially preeclampsia, is a state of extremely increased oxidative stress (OS), due to decrease of antioxidant capacity in comparison to normotensive pregnant women. The consequences of increased state of oxidative stress with hypertension disorder in pregnancy are disorder of placental blood flow, intrauterine hypoxia of the fetus and disturbance in transfer of O2 manifested as pathological ultrasound (US) parameters (amount of amniotic fluid and biophysical profile of fetus) and cardiotocography parameters (CTG).

Aim: The aim of this research is to analyze correlation of TBARS oxidative stress markers with ultrasound parameters of pregnancy course and cardiotocography parameters in pregnant women with PIH. Read More

Neurosurgery 2017 May;80(5):793-799

Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Service de Neurochirurgie, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.

Background: Biophysical modeling of glioma is gaining more interest for clinical practice. The most popular model describes aggressivity of tumor cells by two parameters: net proliferation rate (ρ) and propensity to migrate (D). The ratio ρ/D, which can be estimated from a single preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), characterizes tumor invasiveness profile (high ρ/D: nodular; low ρ/D: diffuse). Read More

Biomater Sci 2017 May;5(5):1001-1013

Department of Biophysics, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, Sichuan, P. R. China.

Multifunctional theranostics have offered some interesting new opportunities for cancer therapy and diagnosis in the last decade. Herein, magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (M-MSNs) were designed and synthesized, then the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) and antitumor drug doxorubicin (Dox) were adsorbed onto the M-MSNs. Biocompatible alginate/chitosan polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) were assembled on the M-MSNs to achieve a pH-responsive drug delivery system and adsorb P-gp shRNA for reversing the multidrug resistance. Read More

Biomed Opt Express 2017 Feb 5;8(2):593-607. Epub 2017 Jan 5.

Section of Neuroelectronic Systems, Department of General Neurosurgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Engesserstraβe 4, 79108 Freiburg, Germany; Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS), University of Freiburg and University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Study (USIAS), Strasbourg, France.

OCT has been demonstrated as an efficient imaging modality in various biomedical and clinical applications. However, there is a missing link with respect to the source of contrast between OCT and other modern imaging modalities, no quantitative comparison has been demonstrated between them, yet. We evaluated, to our knowledge, for the first time OCT measurement of rat brain with our previously proposed forward imaging method by both qualitatively and quantitatively correlating OCT with the corresponding T1-weighted and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images, fiber density map (FDM), and two types of histology staining (cresyl violet and acetylcholinesterase AchE), respectively. Read More

Urologiia 2016 Apr(2):49-57

Department of Urology and Andrology, A.I. Burnazyan SSC Federal Medical Biophysical Center of FMBA of Russia.

Introduction: The so-called stent-related symptoms caused mainly by detrusor overactivity due to distal ("cystic") curl of the internal stent are common among patients with this type of drainage. The need for long-term stenting makes the quality of life of cancer patients one of the challenging problems of modern urology. The aim of this study was to optimize treatment of stent-related symptoms in cancer patients with internal long-term stents by complementing the treatment regimen with m-anticholinergic solifenacin. Read More

Med Sci Sports Exerc 2017 07;49(7):1293-1296

1UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA; 2Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, UCSD School of Medicine/Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego, San Diego, CA; and 3Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Institute of Genetic Medicine and Smilow Center for Marfan Syndrome Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

Basketball and volleyball attract individuals with a characteristic biophysical profile, mimicking features of Marfan syndrome. Consequently, identification of these abnormalities can be lifesaving.

Purpose: To determine how physical examination, echocardiography, and genetic screening can identify elite volleyball players with a previously undiagnosed aortopathy. Read More

J Clin Ultrasound 2017 Oct 9;45(8):502-506. Epub 2017 Feb 9.

Texas A&M University, Administration Building, 400 Bizzell Street, College Station, TX, 77843.

We report a case of fetal neuroblastoma presenting with massive liver metastasis diagnosed during the biophysical profile sonographic examination performed for decreased fetal movement. The patient presented at 37 weeks' gestation with limited fetal movement over 24 hours. Biophysical profile showed marked polyhydramnios and an enlarged abdomen filled with a homogeneous mass lesion suspicious for liver metastasis. Read More

Med Phys 2017 Apr 14;44(4):1234-1245. Epub 2017 Mar 14.

Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1, Canada.

Purpose: Sagittally reconstructed 3D (SR3D) ultrasound imaging shows promise for improved needle localization for high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy (HDR-BT); however, needles must be manually segmented intraoperatively while the patient is anesthetized to create a treatment plan. The purpose of this article was to describe and validate an automatic needle segmentation algorithm designed for HDR-BT, specifically capable of simultaneously segmenting all needles in an HDR-BT implant using a single SR3D image with ~5 mm interneedle spacing.

Materials And Methods: The segmentation algorithm involves regularized feature point classification and line trajectory identification based on the randomized 3D Hough transform modified to handle multiple straight needles in a single image simultaneously. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2017 May 3;26(5):547-553. Epub 2017 Feb 3.

Department of Medical Biophysics and.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to compare the recovery of neuronal metabolism and functional reorganization in the primary motor cortex (M1) between mild and moderate cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) following surgical intervention. METHODS Twenty-eight patients with CSM underwent 3-T MRI scans that included spectroscopy and functional MRI, before surgery and 6 months postsurgery. The classification of severity was based on the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association questionnaire. Read More

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2017 Feb 16;136(2):138-144. Epub 2016 Nov 16.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasr AlAiny Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Objective: To assess the association between pre-eclampsia severity and biochemical and ultrasonography markers.

Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken of women with severe pre-eclampsia (group 1, n=90), mild pre-eclampsia (group 2, n=90), or a normal pregnancy (group 3, n=90) who attended a hospital in Egypt in October 2013-April 2015. Associations between pre-eclampsia and biochemical, cardiotocography, and ultrasonography markers were investigated. Read More

J Magn Reson 2017 Mar 30;276:22-30. Epub 2016 Dec 30.

Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles 90095, United States; Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.

Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) offers an alternative and potentially important tool to the standard gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (GE-EPI) for functional MRI (fMRI). Both passband and transition band based bSSFP have been proposed for fMRI. The applications of these methods, however, are limited by banding artifacts due to the sensitivity of bSSFP signal to off-resonance effects. Read More

Einstein (Sao Paulo) 2016 Oct-Dec;14(4):455-460

Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.

Objective: To evaluate the acute effects of maternal and fetal hemodynamic responses in pregnant women submitted to fetal Doppler and an aerobic physical exercise test according to the degree of effort during the activity and the impact on the well-being.

Methods: Transversal study with low risk pregnant women, obtained by convenience sample with gestational age between 26 to 34 weeks. The participants carry out a progressive exercise test. Read More

J Am Coll Radiol 2016 Dec 28;13(12 Pt A):1483-1493. Epub 2016 Oct 28.

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Bayview Campus, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Although there is limited evidence that antepartum testing decreases the risk for fetal death in low-risk pregnancies, women with high-risk factors for stillbirth should undergo antenatal fetal surveillance. The strongest evidence supporting antepartum testing pertains to pregnancies complicated by intrauterine fetal growth restriction secondary to uteroplacental insufficiency. The main ultrasound-based modalities to determine fetal health are the biophysical profile, modified biophysical profile, and duplex Doppler velocimetry. Read More

Vision Res 2017 01 2;130:57-66. Epub 2016 Dec 2.

Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 925 N. 87th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marquette University, 1250 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA; Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. Electronic address:

Adaptive optics (AO) imaging tools enable direct visualization of the cone photoreceptor mosaic, which facilitates quantitative measurements such as cone density. However, in many individuals, low image quality or excessive eye movements precludes making such measures. As foveal cone specialization is associated with both increased density and outer segment (OS) elongation, we sought to examine whether OS length could be used as a surrogate measure of foveal cone density. Read More

Theriogenology 2017 Jan 6;88:106-117. Epub 2016 Oct 6.

Catedra y Servicio de Reproducción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina. Electronic address:

Progesterone (P) is a requirement for pregnancy development. Previous reports observed a maximal value of serum P concentration on 21 days after the first mating after which it slowly declines throughout the rest of pregnancy. Ultrasound examination should be performed to ensure that pregnancy interruption is complete. Read More

Neurosurg Rev 2017 Jul 14;40(3):419-425. Epub 2016 Nov 14.

Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 6 Tiantanxili, Beijing, 100050, China.

As it grows in size, an intracranial aneurysm (IA) is prone to rupture. In this study, we compared two extreme groups of IAs, ruptured IAs (RIAs) smaller than 10 mm and un-ruptured IAs (UIAs) larger than 10 mm, to investigate the genes involved in the facilitation and prevention of IA rupture. The aneurismal walls of 6 smaller saccular RIAs (size smaller than 10 mm), 6 larger saccular UIAs (size larger than 10 mm) and 12 paired control arteries were obtained during surgery. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2017 Nov 29;30(22):2671-2678. Epub 2016 Nov 29.

b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Ataturk University, School of Medicine , Erzurum , Turkey.

Aim: To evaluate whether antenatal betamethasone affects the fetal biophysical profile (BPP) and Doppler indices of umbilical and middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) in cases of preeclampsia without severe features.

Materials And Methods: Forty singleton preeclamptic pregnancies without severe features at gestational ages of 28-34 weeks were randomly divided into two groups of 20 patients: betamethasone and control groups. Patients in the betamethasone group were administered two consecutive doses of 12 mg betamethasone intramuscularly, 24 h apart, and patients in the control group were administered the same volume of saline as a placebo. Read More

J Nucl Med 2017 Jan 8;58(1):36-41. Epub 2016 Sep 8.

Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine, Strasbourg University Hospitals, Strasbourg, France

Patient premedication with carbidopa seems to improve the accuracy of 6-F-fluoro-3,4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine (F-FDOPA) PET for insulinoma diagnosis. However, the risk of PET false-negative results in the presence of carbidopa is a concern. Consequently, we aimed to evaluate the effect of carbidopa on F-FDOPA uptake in insulinoma β-cells and an insulinoma xenograft model in mice. Read More

J Pak Med Assoc 2016 09;66(9 Suppl 1):S30-3

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.

Foetal monitoring in antenatal period and during labour is done to detect foetal distress and to take necessary action timely in order to improve perinatal outcome. Maternal awareness of foetal movement is routinely recommended in all pregnancies after 28 weeks gestation. In high risk pregnancies like diabetes, foetal growth restriction, macrosomia, additional means of foetal surveillance should be used like antenatal cardiotocography, non stress test, biophysical profile or Doppler studies. Read More

Med Phys 2016 Aug;43(8):4803

Departments of Medical Imaging and Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada and Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada.

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to improve the repeatability of the measurement of the slice-sensitivity profile (SSP) in reconstructed breast tomosynthesis volumes.

Methods: A grid of aluminum ball-bearings (BBs) within a PMMA phantom was imaged on breast tomosynthesis systems from three different manufacturers. The full-width half-maximum (FWHM) values were measured for the SSPs of the BBs in the reconstructed volumes. Read More

BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2016 07 15;17:286. Epub 2016 Jul 15.

Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Background: Reconstruction of a segmental fracture with massive bone loss is still a challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. The aim of our study was to develop a suitable biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel system as a carrier for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 delivery in the treatment of critical-sized femoral defects.

Methods: A block copolymer composed of monomethoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and 2, 2'-Bis (2-oxazolin) (Box) was synthesized by ring opening polymerization. Read More

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2016 Sep;95(9):968-75

Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.

The key determinant to a fetus maintaining its health is through adequate perfusion and oxygen transfer mediated by the functioning placenta. When this equilibrium is distorted, a number of physiological changes, including reduced fetal growth, occur to favor survival. Technologies have been developed to monitor these changes with a view to prolong intrauterine maturity while reducing the risks of stillbirth. Read More

Case Rep Obstet Gynecol 2016 2;2016:7501263. Epub 2016 Jun 2.

King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, P.O. Box 9515, Jeddah 21423, Saudi Arabia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Khaled National Guard Hospital, National Guard Health Affairs, P.O. Box 9515, Jeddah 21423, Saudi Arabia.

Background. Primary hyperparathyroidism is rare in pregnancy. An association between primary hyperparathyroidism and preeclampsia has been reported in few cases worldwide. Read More

Srp Arh Celok Lek 2016 Jan-Feb;144(1-2):69-73

Introduction: It is estimated that 3-10% of infants are growth restricted. Growth disturbances may have long-term issues. Doppler allows insight into the fetal response to intrauterine stress. Read More