1,721,029 research outputs found
Liver investigations: Updating on US technique and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)
No full textOver the past few years, the cross sectional imaging techniques (Computed Tomography – CT and Magnetic Resonance – MR) have improved, allowing a more efficient study of focal and diffuse liver diseases. Many papers had been published about the results of a routinely clinical use of the dual source/dual energy CT techniques and the use of hepatobiliary contrast agents in MR liver studies. As a consequence, these new improvements have diverted the attention away from the Ultrasound technique and its technical and conceptual evolutions. In these years of disinterest, US and especially Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) have consolidated and grown in their application in clinical routine for liver pathologies. In particular, thanks to the introduction of new, dedicated software packages, CEUS has allowed not only qualitative, but also quantitative analysis of lesion microcirculation, thus opening a new era in the evaluation of lesion characterization and response to therapy. Moreover, the renewed interest in liver elastography, a baseline ultrasound-based imaging modality, has led to the development of a competitive technique to assess liver stiffness and then for the evaluation of the progression towards cirrhosis, and characterization of focal liver lesions, opening the way to avoid, in selected cases, liver biopsy. The aim of this review is to offer an up-to-date overview on the state of the art of clinical applications of US and CEUS in the study of focal and diffuse liver pathologies. Besides, it aims to highlight the emerging role of perfusion techniques in the assessment of local and systemic treatment response and to show how the liver evolution from steatosis to fibrosis can be revealed by elastography
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Correlation between congenital absence of the portal vein and hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report
No full textSecretin-stimulated MR cholangiopancreatography: spectrum of findings in pancreatic diseases
No full textAbstract: MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is an imaging technique that has evolved over the past 2 decades and that continues to have a fundamental role in the non-invasive detection of morphologic features of the pancreatic ducts. In several studies, MRCP has shown a good correlation with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the evaluation of diseases and anatomic variants of the pancreatic ductal system. However, in physiologic conditions the pancreatic ducts are not always easily recognisable. More recently, secretin-enhanced MRCP protocols have been developed for a more complete assessment of pancreatic ducts and glandular function, including monitoring of pancreatic flow dynamics and duodenal filling after pancreatic hormonal stimulation with secretin. The injection of this hormone causes temporary dilation of the pancreatic ducts, principally by increasing pancreatic exocrine secretions, and thus improving MRCP detection of the ducts and characterisation of pancreatic disorders and allowing the assessment of the exocrine pancreatic reserve. The purpose of this pictorial review is to summarise the technical aspects of secretin-stimulated MRCP, to report the secretin-stimulated MRCP findings of pancreatic duct abnormalities and to review the diagnostic capabilities of secretin-stimulated MRCP in various pancreatic ductal system conditions. Main Messages: • MRCP has a fundamental role in the non-invasive detection of pancreatic ducts. • In physiologic conditions pancreatic ducts are not always well detected on MRCP. • Secretin injection causes temporary dilation of pancreatic ducts and thus improves MRCP detection. • Secretin-stimulated MRCP may allow the assessment of the exocrine pancreatic reserve. • Secretin increases the diagnostic capabilities of MRCP for evaluating pancreatic disorders
Technical Details and Result of a Minimally Invasive Management of Gastric Band Erosions: a Series of 47 Patients
No full textIntroduction: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is proven to be a safe and effective treatment option for obesity in the long term. However, in recent decades, LAGB prevalence progressively decreased worldwide principally due to the incidence and the management of the complications. Understanding the optimal management of the complications becomes therefore of primary importance. The aim of this study is to describe a personal technical, laparoscopic solution of band erosion and to analyze outcomes in 47 patients. Methods: From October 1995 to January 2019, 3697 LAGB were performed at our institution. Since November 2011, an original laparoscopic gastric banding removal technique was introduced. All the bands placed in these patients were Lap-Band AP System (Allergan, Irvin, CA). The data of the patients who underwent gastric band removal because of band erosion were retrieved from a prospectively collected institutional database, and used for the present retrospective evaluation. Result: Ninety-four patients (2.5% of the entire casuistic) with eroded band were diagnosed and treated at our institution. Forty-seven patients were treated with the laparoscopic gastric banding removal technique introduced in November 2011. All the operations have been performed laparoscopically with no conversion or intraoperative complications. There were neither major complications nor peri-operative (30 days) mortality. Conclusion: Proper preoperative management and a standardized minimally invasive technique could help to cope with erosion, the most frightening complication of LAGB. Understanding the optimal management of complications and safe reoperation techniques can contribute to a rational use of the LAGB, reversing the current declining tendency
Teenagers with obesity: Long-term results of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding
No full textBackground: Obesity is a rapidly spreading chronic disease worldwide. Long-term results are critical to assess the effectiveness of a bariatric procedure, particularly in young patients who have long life expectancy. Methods: A retrospective study on adolescents with morbid obesity who underwent Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) at our institute from 1995 to 2018 was made. Primary endpoints were efficacy, in term of weight loss and comorbidity resolution, occurrence of complications and reoperations. Results: Fifty-nine patients underwent LAGB between 1995 and 2018. Intra- and post-operative mortality was absent. The patients' presence at follow-up at 5, 10 and 15 years was 38/50 (76%), 18/25 (72%) and 5/8 (63%), respectively. At those times the mean excess weight loss percentage was 61.7 ± 29.4, 48.1 ± 50.4 and 55.8 ± 51.2, respectively. Comorbidity resolution rates were 100% for patients with diabetes, 78% for patients with hypertension, 75% for joint pain suffers, 69% for patients with sleep apnea and 57% for patients with anxiety and depression. Total reoperation rate was 30.5%. The band was removed in 8 patients: 3 due to erosions, 3 by patients' choice and 2 conversions to other bariatric procedures. Conclusion: LAGB, in combination with the patients' close follow-up performed by an interdisciplinary team, can be an effective long-term surgical treatment for teenagers with morbid obesity. Level of Evidence: Level I
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