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ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jun 2024Sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS) is a scalable and valuable technique for the synthesis of organic-inorganic materials with several potential applications at the...
Sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS) is a scalable and valuable technique for the synthesis of organic-inorganic materials with several potential applications at the industrial level. Despite the increasing interest for this technique, a clear picture of the fundamental physicochemical phenomena governing the SIS process is still missing. In this work, infiltration of AlO into thin poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films using trimethyl aluminum (TMA) and HO as precursors is investigated by operando dynamic spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) analysis. The TMA diffusion coefficient values at temperatures ranging from 70 to 100 °C are determined, and the activation energy for the TMA diffusion process in PMMA is found to be = 2.51 ± 0.03 eV. Additionally, systematic data about reactivity of TMA molecules with the PMMA matrix as a function of temperature are obtained. These results provide important information, paving the way to the development of a comprehensive theory for the modeling of the SIS process.
PubMed: 38941159
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c06887 -
Head and Neck Pathology Jun 2024Previous studies have shown that at least a of intraoral eosinophilic ulcer is best classified as a CD30 + T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD), with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have shown that at least a of intraoral eosinophilic ulcer is best classified as a CD30 + T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD), with histopathology reminiscent of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) of the skin. Microscopically, a mixed population of inflammatory cells, often including eosinophils and varying numbers of atypical lymphoid cells, frequently expressing CD30, is typical for LyP, whose clinicopathological spectrum includes type A, B, C, D, E, and LyP with DUSP22/IRF4 rearrangement. To date, about 27 intraoral LyP cases have been reported. Of them, 7 cases were diagnosed as LyP type C, which is frequently confused with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) on histopathology.
METHODS
A 60-year-old male was referred for a one-month history of a tongue ulcer.
RESULTS
Microscopy showed numerous subepithelial atypical large lymphoid cells, which expressed CD4 (with partial loss of CD3, CD5, and CD7), CD8 (few cells), CD30 (about 50%, in non-diffuse pattern with size variability), TIA-1, and Ki-67 (85%), without staining for CD56, ALK, LMP1, and EBER1/2, concerning for a diagnosis of ALCL. However, after three weeks, the lesion completely healed.
CONCLUSION
We present here a rare case of intraoral CD30+ T-cell LPD that we believe is the oral counterpart of cutaneous LyP type C.
Topics: Humans; Male; Lymphomatoid Papulosis; Middle Aged; Ki-1 Antigen; Diagnosis, Differential; Immunohistochemistry; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Biomarkers, Tumor; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 38941041
DOI: 10.1007/s12105-024-01664-z -
Insights Into Imaging Jun 2024We aimed to develop MRI-based radiomic models (RMs) to improve the diagnostic accuracy of radiologists in characterizing intestinal fibrosis in patients with Crohn's...
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to develop MRI-based radiomic models (RMs) to improve the diagnostic accuracy of radiologists in characterizing intestinal fibrosis in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).
METHODS
This retrospective study included patients with refractory CD who underwent MR before surgery from November 2013 to September 2021. Resected bowel segments were histologically classified as none-mild or moderate-severe fibrosis. RMs based on different MR sequence combinations (RM1: T2WI and enhanced-T1WI; RM2: T2WI, enhanced-T1WI, diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI], and apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]); RM3: T2WI, enhanced-T1WI, DWI, ADC, and magnetization transfer MRI [MTI]), were developed and validated in an independent test cohort. The RMs' diagnostic performance was compared to that of visual interpretation using identical sequences and a clinical model.
RESULTS
The final population included 123 patients (81 men, 42 women; mean age: 30.26 ± 7.98 years; training cohort, n = 93; test cohort, n = 30). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of RM1, RM2, and RM3 was 0.86 (p = 0.001), 0.88 (p = 0.001), and 0.93 (p = 0.02), respectively. The decision curve analysis confirmed a progressive improvement in the diagnostic performance of three RMs with the addition of more specific sequences. All RMs performance surpassed the visual interpretation based on the same MR sequences (visual model 1, AUC = 0.65, p = 0.56; visual model 2, AUC = 0.63, p = 0.04; visual model 3, AUC = 0.77, p = 0.002), as well as the clinical model composed of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (AUC = 0.60, p = 0.13).
CONCLUSIONS
The RMs, utilizing various combinations of conventional, DWI and MTI sequences, significantly enhance radiologists' ability to accurately characterize intestinal fibrosis in patients with CD.
CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT
The utilization of MRI-based RMs significantly enhances the diagnostic accuracy of radiologists in characterizing intestinal fibrosis.
KEY POINTS
MRI-based RMs can characterize CD intestinal fibrosis using conventional, diffusion, and MTI sequences. The RMs achieved AUCs of 0.86-0.93 for assessing fibrosis grade. MRI-radiomics outperformed visual interpretation for grading CD intestinal fibrosis.
PubMed: 38940988
DOI: 10.1186/s13244-024-01740-6 -
Abdominal Radiology (New York) Jun 2024To assess the role of 3.0 T Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Fiber Tractography (FT) of the testes in the work-up of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA).
PURPOSE
To assess the role of 3.0 T Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Fiber Tractography (FT) of the testes in the work-up of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA).
METHODS
This prospective study included consecutive NOA men and controls. A 3.0 T scrotal MRI was performed, including DTI. The testicular apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were calculated. FT reconstructions were created. The Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by pairwise comparisons, assessed differences in testicular ADC and FA between NOA histologic phenotypes (group 1: hypospermatogenesis; group 2: maturation arrest; and group 3: Sertoli cell-only syndrome) and normal testes. The Mann-Whitney-U test compared ADC and FA between NOA testes with positive and negative sperm retrieval. Visual assessment of the testicular fiber tracts was performed. Fiber tracts fewer in number, of reduced thickness, disrupted and/or disorganized were considered "abnormal". Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression analysis assessed variations in testicular fiber tracts morphology.
RESULTS
Twenty-nine NOA men (mean age: 39 ± 5.93 years) and 20 controls (mean age: 26 ± 5.83 years) were included for analysis. Higher ADC (p < 0.001) and FA (p < 0.001) was observed in NOA testes compared to controls. Differences in FA were found between groups 1 and 3 (0.07 vs 0.10, p = 0.26) and groups 2 and 3 (0.07 vs 0.10, p = 0.03), but not between groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.66). An increase in FA was observed in NOA testes with Sertoli cell-only syndrome compared to hypospermatogenesis and maturation arrest. FA was higher in NOA testes with negative results for the presence of sperm compared to those with positive results (0.09 vs 0.07, p = 0.006). FT showed "abnormal" fiber tracts in NOA testes (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
3.0 T DTI and FT provide an insight into deranged spermatogenesis in NOA testes.
PubMed: 38940912
DOI: 10.1007/s00261-024-04457-8 -
European Radiology Jul 2024
Topics: Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Early Detection of Cancer; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Breast Density; Contrast Media; Mammography; Ultrasonography, Mammary; Precision Medicine; Breast
PubMed: 38940855
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10323-w -
Sarcoidosis, Vasculitis, and Diffuse... Jun 2024Any test that provides sufficient prognostic information to guide treatment decisions in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is not available. The aim of our study was...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Any test that provides sufficient prognostic information to guide treatment decisions in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is not available. The aim of our study was to determine the predictive factors of mortality in patients with IPF treated with antifibrotics.
METHODS
Patients with diagnosis of IPF who were treated with antifibrotics between 2016 - 2021 were included in the study. Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients was derived from hospital records retrospectively. Kaplan Meier and multivariate cox regression analysis were achieved for detection of mortality predictors.
RESULTS
Study population was composed of 119 IPF patients with a male predominance of 80.7% (n=96). Mean age of the patients was 67.9 ± 7.07 years. On univariate analysis, sex was not a significant predictor of mortality (HR 1.79; 95% CI: 0.87 - 3.69, p =0.11). BMI ≤ 26,6 m2/kg, DLCO ≤ 3.11 ml/mmHg/min, age over 62 years, 6DWT ≤ 382 meters, NLR ≤ 2.67 and PDW ≤ 16.7% were found to be significant for predicting mortality. On multivariate cox regression analysis four parameters remained significant for prediction of mortality: RDW > 14%, NLR ≤ 2.67, BMI ≤ 26,6 m2/kg and DLCO ≤ 3.11 ml/mmHg/min (respectively, HR: 2.0. 95% CI: 1.02 - 3.91, p=0.44; HR: 2.68. 95% CI: 1.48 - 4.85, p=0.001, HR: 2.07. 95% CI: 1.14 - 3.76, p=0.02, HR: 3.46. 95% CI: 1.85 - 6.47, p<0.001). A scoring system with these parameters discriminated patients with worse prognosis with a sensitivity of 89.1 % and a specificity of 65.8 % when total point was over 2 (AUC0.83, p<0.001). Conclusions In this study, DLCO, BMI, RDW and NLR levels significantly predicted mortality in IPF patients. Along with GAP index, scoring system with these simple parameters may give information about the prognosis of an IPF patient treated with antifibrotics.
PubMed: 38940720
DOI: 10.36141/svdld.v41i2.13779 -
Sarcoidosis, Vasculitis, and Diffuse... Jun 2024Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare idiopathic interstitial lung disease (ILD) characterized by subpleural parenchymal fibrosis and elastosis mainly in the...
BACKGROUND
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare idiopathic interstitial lung disease (ILD) characterized by subpleural parenchymal fibrosis and elastosis mainly in the upper lobes. PPFE occurs in a secondary form that overlaps with underlying medical conditions or complications. This study evaluated the clinical impact of coexisting factors on the survival of patients with PPFE.
METHODS
Fifty-five PPFE patients were retrospectively evaluated. The patients' diagnoses were categorized as "idiopathic PPFE" with no known cause or "secondary PPFE" with underlying medical conditions or complications. The clinical characteristics and survival rates of these groups were compared.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients (50.9%) were diagnosed with idiopathic PPFE and 27 (49.1%) with secondary PPFE, including cases of occupational dust exposure, connective tissue disease (CTD), post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and a family history of ILD. The idiopathic and secondary PPFE groups had similar clinical features, laboratory tests, and pulmonary function profiles, including a low body mass index, normal Krebs von den Lungen-6, high surfactant protein-D, and high residual volume/total lung capacity. In the secondary PPFE group, post-HSCT was associated with a worse prognosis, and CTD was associated with better prognosis. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that post-HSCT and a reduced forced vital capacity were significantly associated with a worsened survival in patients with PPFE.
CONCLUSIONS
The prognosis of PPFE is highly influenced by underlying medical conditions or complications. Patients with post-HSCT PPFE should be monitored particularly closely, as they are at higher risk of a poor prognosis than others.
PubMed: 38940719
DOI: 10.36141/svdld.v41i2.13845 -
Sarcoidosis, Vasculitis, and Diffuse... Jun 2024Thoracic involvement of Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is relatively rare and may be disregarded at the time of initial diagnosis due to its asymptomatic...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Thoracic involvement of Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is relatively rare and may be disregarded at the time of initial diagnosis due to its asymptomatic nature. This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence and patterns of thoracic involvement in a retrospective cohort of Turkish patients with IgG4-RD.
METHODS
A total of 90 patients (47 males and 43 females, with a mean age of 57.7±15.5 years) diagnosed with IgG4-RD were reviewed retrospectively. All computed tomography (CT) scans were re-evaluated by two thoracic radiologists and IgG4-related thoracic disease was assessed on four compartments: The mediastinum, pulmonary parenchyma, airways, and pleura. IgG4-related thoracic disease was categorized as: definite, highly probable, probable or possible.
RESULTS
There were 64 patients who had undergone at least one thorax CT examination, and 18 (28%) were diagnosed with IgG4-related thoracic disease. The rate of IgG4-related thoracic disease increased by 20% and reached a ratio of 48.4% (n=31) after a thorough reevaluation of registry data specifically to thoracic findings. The mediastinum was the most frequently involved compartment, affecting 16 (51.6%) patients, followed by pulmonary parenchyma in 14 (45.2%) patients, and airways and pleura in 10 (32.3%) patients each. Other organ involvements were more prevalent and IgG4 levels were higher in patients with thoracic involvement. Eosinophils were significantly elevated in patients with thoracic involvement (p=0.023).
CONCLUSIONS
IgG4-related thoracic disease is heterogeneous and likely to be more prevalent than currently recognized. The mediastinum is the most frequently involved compartment. It is important to assess IgG4-related thoracic disease at the time of initial diagnosis. Elevated levels of serum IgG4 and eosinophils, as well as a greater number of organ involvements may serve as indicators of thoracic involvement.
PubMed: 38940718
DOI: 10.36141/svdld.v41i2.14165 -
Sarcoidosis, Vasculitis, and Diffuse... Jun 2024Endobronchial biopsy (EBBX) has been reported to increase diagnostic yield for pulmonary sarcoidosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the diagnostic yield...
The role for endobronchial biopsy in the era of endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis: a single center experience.
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Endobronchial biopsy (EBBX) has been reported to increase diagnostic yield for pulmonary sarcoidosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the diagnostic yield for EBBX following endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA).
METHODS
We identified a cohort of patients in the University of Minnesota Sarcoidosis Registry who had EBBx and EBUS-TBNA as part of workup for abnormal chest imaging. Data regarding demographics, biopsy approach and technique were recorded.
RESULTS
Our cohort included 37 patients (53.24±9.5, Male, 22±0.57; 3.8% were African American). In these patients who had EBBX, EBUS-TBNA was performed in 100% of patients and TBBX was performed in 2 patients (5%). EBBX was positive in 9 patients (24%) and EBUS-TBNA was positive in 34 patients (92%). TBBX was diagnostic in one of two patients. EBBX was the only diagnostic tissue in 3 of the 37 patients (8%). Conclusion: The diagnostic yield of EBBX is lower than previously reported, with only 8% of EBBXs demonstrating granulomatous inflammation. However, instrumentation used for obtaining EBBX as well as the presence of visible lesions does influence the diagnostic yield. Studies with adequate power are needed before implementing changes in clinical practice. When performed alongside EBUS-TBNA, EBBX did not significantly add to the diagnostic yield in sarcoidosis unless visible lesions were observed.
PubMed: 38940717
DOI: 10.36141/svdld.v41i2.14192 -
Sarcoidosis, Vasculitis, and Diffuse... Jun 2024Cardiac sarcoidosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Immunosuppressive treatment focuses on suppressing myocardial inflammation, which can lead to...
Cardiac sarcoidosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Immunosuppressive treatment focuses on suppressing myocardial inflammation, which can lead to major adverse events especially when progressing to fibrosis. Conventional management usually includes steroids and steroid sparing agents such as methotrexate and azathioprine. Tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors are often reserved for those with a worsening clinical status and/or evidence of persistent inflammatory activity despite conventional therapy. Refractory cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) can be defined as the persistence or progression of active disease, evidenced either by lack of clinical response or persistence or progression of imaging abnormalities, despite being on conventional therapy. In the United Kingdom, tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors are currently not licensed for cardiac sarcoidosis as there are no randomised controlled trials to assess the efficacy of infliximab in this patient cohort. In this study, we present the outcomes of six patients treated with infliximab for refractory cardiac sarcoidosis at Royal Brompton Hospital and performed a systematic review of the existing literature on use of infliximab in cardiac sarcoidosis. We searched the Cochrane Library, OVID Medline, OVID Embase, Web of Science and Pubmed to identify 7 full-text studies assessing the role of infliximab in the management of cardiac sarcoidosis. Infliximab was found to play a vital role in stabilising refractory cardiac sarcoidosis by stemming clinical deterioration, arrythmia burden and even reducing steroids requirements. Further prospective trial data is necessary to validate these findings.
PubMed: 38940716
DOI: 10.36141/svdld.v41i2.14484