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Archive for March, 2011

TSA Scan

The full-body scanners that are deployed in airports are considered now to be grave for regular flyers, of probable skin cancer, due to repeated radiation exposure.

Transportation Security Administration in USA has deployed full-body scanners in airports last year. Many opposed it stating privacy and health concerns due to radiation exposure, but TSA opined the radiation beam through the scanners are harmless, as of low frequency.

Flying exposes more to ionizing radiation, as a flyer is vulnerable more to cosmic rays at altitude elevation, in comparison to the scanners that put up about 1% or so.

Across 78 airports in the US have around 486 scanners being deployed so far, and about 1000 are believed to be deployed by 2011. There are 2 different types of full-body scanners put in use, generally, where each of the scanners produce out detailed outline of person on scan, to recognize out if they carry any lethal weapons or have hidden anything illegal/non-permissible under their clothes.

Millimeter-wave scanners used at airports emit low energy waves same like of a cell phone we use in every –day practice, where the scanners incarnate the reflected energy.

The backscatter X-Ray scanners, which are also used use low-dose ionized radiation similar to that used in diagnostic medical imaging procedures. In contradiction to X-Ray, where the disparity in the transmission of the beam through the human body is made to produce out images, the backscatter scanner detects out radiation emitted off of the person, and when the emitted out radiation go through the air, the energy gets deposited to the skin tissue, which can lead to serious skin cancers etc.  on prolonged exposure.

Unlike millimeter-wave scanners, the backscatter X-ray scanner uses ionizing radiation, and severe exposure can pose more dangers to the individuals. With low-dosage exposure only biological damage occurs, as the cell continuously repairs this damage endlessly to mend over the impairment.  On the other, moderate dosage can be bit harmful, as it transform the cells permanently, and could lead to grave cancers and other birth-associated deformities/irregularities.

In every other case of low, moderate or high-dose exposures, risk is always associated – if the individual is made to pass for prolonged usage. Though security is vital, but more than that health always take first priority. For elaborated article (Courtesy: Archives of Internal Medicine) we direct you to the following link: http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/archinternmed.2011.105v1.pdf

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Multiple Sclerosis

A recent medical research study corroborated out vein opening treatment for multiple sclerosis to be safe and protected for the patients affected with chronic progressive nervous disorder that involve loss of myelin sheath encasing the axons of medullated nerve fibers, similar to angioplasty (treatment method) which is suggested for cardiac patients, where surgery is carried out for to mend any smashed blood vessel for to unblock coronary artery (Vide: Cardiology).

The vein opening treatment for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affected patients will facilitate for better blood flow and circulation. The research team proclaimed out the verdict through a demonstrative session at the 36th annual scientific meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology set in Chicago. For the medical study, about 231 patients (multiple sclerosis) were passed through endovascular treatment of the internal jugular (located in the region of the neck/throat) and azygos veins, where some patients were given stent treatment (Interventional Radiology), while others were spared upon. The conducted process was viewed as secure and protected when carried out in hospitals and other outpatient setup.

Research team considers this study to be fundamental, for it will provide further insight and assurance for to consider this (open vein treatment) as feasible treatment option for MS patients. If we look through the global scenario, we would realize that over the globe around 2.5 million people are affected with multiple sclerosis, and amongst that the United States has the count of about 500,000 people struck with the syndrome, and this data was even substantiated by the national multiple sclerosis society which asserted it to be one of non-curable autoimmune disorders, known today.

The study conducted by the team did not assess the effectiveness of treatment, but only about the safety of it, and they did account for about 3% snag on it with all, in comparison to about 2 patients that were discharged in treatment phase of three hours. In the study, 3 patients went through irregular heart rhythm, whereas already treated veins in about 4 patients contracted by, after the treatment.

A study report published in year 2009 proposes that Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) might make multiple sclerosis and its vital symptoms worse, where in case of CCSVI – the barred veins from the spinal cord/brain reduce the blood flow to the heart, and for the same reason, vein opening treatment is considered a feasible option for to increase the blood flow, and for to bring up the condition of the patients affected with multiple sclerosis.

The Society of Interventional Radiology already brought out papers backing up clinical research to observe the effectiveness and security of interventional treatment for multiple sclerosis patients, and the research team considers this to be a new move toward the treatment of patients with neurologic conditions, of like that of multiple sclerosis.

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TSA Scanner (Millimeter Wave Detection)

The highly mocked Transportation Security Administration (TSA) body scans in Airports for to detect out concealed weapons and other paved way for medical advancement, as new camera supported on the same technology (millimeter wave detection) has been identified out for easy detection of hidden skin cancers (Oncology) and related.

The camera is researched out by Dr. Reza Zoughi of Missouri University of Science and Technology, which uses millimeter wave & microwave radio signals for to look into body structures through the sensors/detectors, akin to similar ways that other machines are used by TSA at airports for to sneak a quick look inside garments for masked weapons, and other. The new camera (Medical Equipment) is portable and backed up by battery through a laptop for display support and easy operation, where it is capable for to generate real-time digitally focused images with a speed up to 30 images per second.

The invention from Dr. Zoughi has unlimited applications, for to identify out defects in thermal insulating foam, which might have proved good for NASA prior the launch of discovery. The medical application is wide, as the technology can be used for to identify out cancerous skin lesions, and unlike X-ray, this new technology device is non-ionizing, as does not spoil soft tissues or sensitive materials on focus.

Battery operated – it can be put into practice with a lower power level, as well. Chances are there that the system will even be modified to be worked as hand-held video camera for to avert security issues, and for real-time 3-dimensional imagery in medical sphere.

(Courtesy: FastCompany)

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Teleradiology

Radiology professionals and related that are currently in this piece of writing may not be new to these terminologies – PACS Teleradiology, DICOM Web Server, or DICOM Web Viewer, as these all are utilized in the medical scenario concerned with diagnostic/digital imaging. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine, well known as DICOM is generally encompassed of various different parts, pertain to the functions that the care providers require their digital/diagnostic medical imaging apparatus to offer, for.

To talk about digital image storage and archiving – it usually occurs through utilization of DICOM web server, and we are well acquainted about it. But, when it is employed in combination with a DICOM web viewer, it becomes easy for to see the digital images that Radiology professionals desire to see on diagnostic imaging process, and when this is put in to the PACS Teleradiology scenario, medical professionals at the Radiology unit get to send/receive digital images over a secure and reliable online connection to distant networked places, in a zap.

Small and mid-sized care units through utilization of digital images (supported on DICOM format) can effectively augment their productivity and efficiency, and bring down their cost to maintain images the conventional way they were into, before. Several computers can be set up in connection to a DICOM web server that functions akin to other servers being utilized with computer processing units, where diagnostic medical/digital images can be stored up on the web server, in compliance to HIPAA.

The DICOM web server even facilitates for off-site reposition of digital/medical images in a Radiology unit, which is always recommended for healthcare disaster recovery, for business continuity. Besides, about the web-supported DICOM viewer – this software is utilized for the translation of DICOM data into visible picture/image format, where Web based DICOM viewer enhances healthcare consultation with off-site medical specialists/physicians.

Through suitable authorization to DICOM web viewer (on computer system), off-site specialists get to have access to diagnostic digital images from every regions and parts over the globe, at ease, as Web based DICOM viewer acts as the base of workplace in medical units, which permits the care providers for to carry on medical analysis/diagnoses with augmented digital imagination, without much hassle.

To speak further about Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and Teleradiology, the latter acts as a way by care providers in a healthcare unit for to have access to diagnostic medical images (digital) all at the same point in time, from distant places they are located at, as the utilization of PACS at varied workstations allows for effective storage and distribution of digital images of respective patients, and this technology adds value for the augmentation of data storage and transmittance over the Internet in a swift way, like never before.

When PACS network and web based DICOM viewer work in sync through the utilization of a web server, healthcare facilities get to bring up the functional capabilities of their unit in a remarkable manner, with minimal budget. Therefore, go for the technology for to trim down transfer and fitting costs and more associated with diagnostic medical images.

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CT Scan (Abdomen)

A recent research study editorial available in the World Journal of Gastroenterology (February 2011) states about the ineffectiveness of Hydro-stomach CT imaging that has been found unreliable and unsatisfactory for Early Gastric Cancer (EGC) detection and analysis.

Medical researchers arranged for comparison study for the recognition of Early Gastric Cancers (Oncology), supported on hydro-stomach computed tomography imaging technique, flanked by blinded/non-blinded analysis, in respect to surgical histological and Gastroscopic findings for visual examination of the stomach for microscopic structure of tissues. They conducted this study for to check on if the improvement rate of non-blinded analysis could be enhanced further in comparison to blinded analysis for detection of EGC (Early Gastric Cancer).

The research team even tried to evaluate on the core factors that had effect on cancer visibility through hydro-stomach CT imaging. On the generic front, oral contrast agents (air, plain water) are utilized for to attain sufficient gastric distension – to stretch it beyond normal dimensions, through expansion, for pre-operative CT scans in EGC affected patients.

Regardless of the fact of introduction of multi-detector CT technology, and through effective utilization of Multi-Planar Reconstruction (MPR) diagnostic images, the recognition of Early Gastric Cancer on Hydro-Stomach CT imaging technique did not show up satisfactory outcomes, which made the medical research team come up to the conclusion of declaring Hydro-stomach CT imaging technique to not be an authentic/dependable diagnostic tool for the recognition/identification of EGC.

The deprived performance of Hydro-stomach CT scan to identify out EGC was not considerably diverse amid blinded/non-blinded analysis, as the depth and size of invasion of Early Gastric Cancers were autonomous factors for cancer visibility.

MRI Contrast Agents

The federal agency in the Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration, US) approved and regulated the imaging agent (Gadovist: Gadolinium based contrast agent, which is a silvery-white ductile ferromagnetic trivalent metallic element) for to be utilized in patients that go through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI scans) of the central nervous system.

Contrast agents/media are generally utilized on diagnostic medical imaging for to draw attention to/highlight specific regions and parts of the body, for to make the care providers see it easily, to work on. These contrast agents have wide applications in MRI scans, CT scans, X-Ray examinations, to name a few.

FDA approved/regulated this health product (Gadovist – contrast agent) on March 14, 2011, where the contrast agent has been proved well for enhanced imaging of the central nervous system, for to recognize and visualize out lesions/wounds that disturb the cells, to detach the brain from the blood stream, leading to grave medical conditions. Gadovist MRI scans were found viable for to identify out and envisage blood circulation/supply of the central nervous system, as it has been found to have improved the revelation of lesions in the nervous system, when equated to Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans without the utilization of contrast agents/media.

This (Gadovist: gadolinium-based contrast agent) is the 6th contrast agent/GBCA that has been approved/regulated by US Food and Drug Administration, for to be utilized in MRI scanning of the central nervous system, as the usage has been advised/recommended for children (above 2 years old) and adults. Gadovist is more saturated (high concentration) in comparison to other Gadolinium based contrast agents, as is generally required to be administered half the volume, and about 657 patients were put through clinical trials to establish out the efficaciousness and safety of Gadovist for to be used in MRI scans.

Gadovist and all other Gadolinium based contrast agents (GBCAs) come boxed with caution about the danger associated with that of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), which is a grave, yet rare medical condition related with the utilization of GBCAs in patients with kidney disorders. Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis is characterized by induced pain and hardening of the skin, where it can even cause fibrosis of internal organs through development of excess fibrous connective tissues, and there is no treatment available, as yet, for NSF.

Gadovist, which has been approved by US Food and Drug Administration – offers less risk of NSF, as unlike other GBCAs, it is not counseled in patients with advance/severe kidney failures or injuries, or other vital kidney dysfunctions.

People/patients that received Gadovist on study accounted for nausea and headache, as most ordinary undesirable reaction with the administration of the agent, along with other associated adverse events (mild-severe) like that of hypersensitivity reactions – respiratory, cardiovascular, skin etc.

MRI Brain Scan

Medical Researchers at the University of California are up with the usage of an advance technology of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) for to analyze carefully the human brain, for generation of proton density images, as they say – this new tech-gadget has the capability for to produce out images more rapidly than expected before.

The new MRI technology guarantees for brain scan 30 times faster than other advance MRIs available in the market., as when the research team generated few images at the onset through it, things were very swift and instant for them, as they got to obtain images/results concurrently, like never before.

The upsurge in the technology (in alliance with University of Minnesota) is supported on with the mix of radio frequencies (multiple pulses) for to image varied parts of the brain, in a concurrent manner, where the signals are alienated by manifold receivers that gauge out the location and time, and produce out more rapid scan results.

The team was able to scan the brain instantly, facilitated on Echoplane imaging, with a fraction of seconds, before, but now with the rise in the new MRI technology, they are capable for to do the same in about 100-300 milliseconds. Researchers believe, with the increase in speed, the induced MRI would have far-reaching impact on all research studies pertain to human brain anatomy, for to map the communication network of the brain, as supported on the new MRI technology, they were quite able to decipher out the brain communication network far better and precisely, than otherwise.

After comprehending the generic nerve pathway of the brain through support from new technology MRI, the research team now hopes that they would be able to uncover hints to various disorders/syndromes, viz. Alzheimer’s disease, Autism (of abnormal absorption with the self) etc.

New Cancer Treatment (Tumors)

In a recent medical research study conducted by Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale healthcare and the Translational Genomics Research Institute – the team worked on willingness of patients to go for multiple tests/examinations for cancer new treatments, to receive advance experimental treatment in clinical trials, which paved the way to personalized medicine, where specific treatment methods are prescribed generally concerned with the genetic makeup (DNA) of the cancerous tumors of the patients. The clinical trials studies (Oncology) done by Mayo Clinic were comprised of about 61 patients that had 39 men and 22 women with advanced malignancy.

It is one of rare studies (cancer clinical trial) of its kind, where the patients were urged for their preferred tests/examinations and diagnostic/medical imaging studies that they would be keen to go through, to partake in clinical studies for cancer. They were even checked on for their perception on those invasive tests and studies performed on them. The subsequent study on willingness of patients for to go through Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic examinations in the premature phase (oncology clinical trials) will hit the publishing corner by the American Cancer Society (cancer edition), by July 2011. To comprehend some more about the cancer (of its molecular aspects), medical research team requires for to go for tumor specimens, and diagnostic images gathered from various imaging modalities (Radiology), viz. MRI, CT, PET etc., where the clinical trials of premature-phase include medical analyses of Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics, to evaluate on the effects of drug on the body and vice versa.

The study (clinical trials for cancer) was conducted for to examine out willingness of patients for to go through those and was even decided up for to gauge their tolerance levels on respective tests and examinations at clinical research center. The outcome was astonishing, as patients showed their willingness to go through extra/additional examinations for to partake in clinical studies, and the research team considered the study crucial for generation of vital information, gathered on from patients, for increased level of targeted therapy.

The in general tendency/willingness of patients to go through study-required tests/examinations were high, as they showed willingness for all sort of tests/examinations: diagnostic imaging (Ultrasound, X-Rays, PET, CT scans etc.), blood-urine, but most of them did not show their interest for MRI and skin/tumor biopsies, with only few exceptions that went through one-and-two tumor biopsy specimens. Research team considered this a vital thing, as it paved them a direction for to fabricate clinical studies for to ask patients to go for additional tumor diagnostic test/biopsies, but on the same the team even understands that they need to cautiously judge of total biopsies that were being requested, and of the molecular tests/examinations they decide to carry on with the tumor specimen. The clinical research study even threw light on previous negative experiences and hassles the patients had on more insidious/invasive tests (skin biopsies etc.) as the patients were found not willing to undergo such tests/examinations again; on the other, there were some patients that had insurance coverage and other benefits, which extended over their readiness for such tests/examinations.

Research team believes the results would serve well for further expedition over to fabricate patient-friendly biomarkers for cancer clinical studies, to go up for similar type of patient-specific medical research/study to educate and communicate over patients about treatment, to attain objectives of clinical research.

PET Scans (RatCAP)

In a recent scientific research development study, conducted by medical research scientists from the US Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory, Stony Brook University and other confederates established and confirmed out the possibilities of wearable/vesture portable PET scanner (Positron Emission Tomography) that the group has formulated for rats, as this technology tool will facilitate neuroscientists for incorporated, and simulation study of brain function (to gauge on molecular processes in the brain) and behavioral patterns in wide awake and alert animals, in motion, as PET studies in animals have helped the scientific research team to expose/discover out the molecular corroboration of conditions pertain to drug addiction.

The team had to freeze animals through general anesthesia to study them with PET, but immobilization and to make them unconscious through anesthetic treatment does not make it feasible for to concurrently study neurochemistry and the actions and behaviors of the animals, as to gauge the actions ensuing in the brain. The advancement of research team was to trim down the requirement for of control/moderation through development of PET scanner, which would be in motion with the animals, thereby amplifying the possibilities of to directly correlate the behavioral and imaging data obtained, simultaneously.

The miniature donut shaped design (portable vesture – PET scanner) that has been evolved out after so many years of scientific development phase is very easy to be worn just like a collar on a rat’s head for concurrent research and study of its behavior and brain functions. This light-weight miniature PET scanner (vesture/portable) nicknamed as RatCAP by the team, where the technology-gadget is counteracted with springs and stabilizers to facilitate the animals – considerable liberty of movement, where the PET scanner (portable) gauges on the stress hormones of the rats, when they are in motion, and up with daily cycle, and research team found that the rats were quite comfortable with the worn-up gadget (PET scanner), as they were able to move freely with it.

To authenticate the study of this portable scanner (PET) of concurrent studies for to gauge behavior and brain functions of the rat, the research team carried out tests with PET radiotracer (11C-raclopride), as it incorporates radioactive, positron releasing isotope of carbon. When the positrons act together/interrelate with electrons in a normal matter, they instantly destroy out each other, and emit back gamma rays. Detector in the donut shaped PET scanner is capable enough for to apprehend the signals from the gamma rays for to recognize out the location and absorption of the radioactive tracer in the body of the rat.

The radioactive tracer connects/combines up with receptors for dopamine, which is a brain chemical concerned with the movement and other brain memory formation.  The higher signal received out from the tracer shows out to presence of less natural dopamine in any specific part of the brain, whereas a low signal shows out to precise regions of the brain that has discharged dopamine. Through the research study, the team wanted to ensure if the portable scanner (vesture) could be utilized for to associate behavior of the brain with dopamine levels, to ensure normal functioning of the nervous system, but on an astonishing note the activity level was reciprocally associated to dopamine levels, as more active animals showed up lower amount of dopamine, as suggested on stronger radioactive tracer signals.

Scientists term it to be an unreasonable result, as the behavior establishment is generally linked with an increase in dopamine level, and on the same ground the team said their data can be taken as an exception to conventional prototypes, and eventually augments the understanding of the dopamine system. But, irrespective of the direction, the outcomes evidently show out that RatCAP can associate/compare behavioral measures with brain function measurements in a significant and useful way. The research team even put forward their results on rats wearing RatCAP, in motion about their cages along with animals that were given anesthesia, as they even compared out both the methods for to administer radioactive tracer, to instill all at once, and in a firm/steady infusion for to maintain concentration in the blood.

Researchers believe these measurements will aid them for to further improve the technique, and to add value to the results obtained through RatCAP in contrast to other study techniques. Now the research team is up for to utilize RatCAP for to explore distinctive behavioral expressions, which could be associated with concurrently gathered PET data.

Interstitial Lung Disease

A medical research team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) has come out with the result on a study conducted on about 2416 participants of increased risk for lung diseases and disorders, due to excessive smoking. Researchers stated that out of the mass they analyzed on, every twelve adult smoker had been recognized out with obstructive lung diseases, as evaluated on chest CT scan (Computed Tomography) images, which implied for Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) that is related with considerable diminutions in lung volumes. The medical research study result is available in the March edition of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Regardless of the fact of being positively related with smoking, these restrictive pulmonary diseases (Reduced lung densities) were in a contrary manner not related with pulmonary emphysema, which is an irregular medical condition of the lungs marked by lessened respiratory functions, due to chronic bronchitis/old age, or with excessive smoking.

The research team has admitted the fact in length of interstitial lung disease/lung abnormalities (Pulmonology) that it can develop prior any symptoms to any individual. Though it is recognized out that smoking is the prime reason for some of the types of interstitial disease of lungs (pulmonary diseases and disorders), but the occurrence of these chest CT scan irregularities and the effect on lung volumes is indistinct and uncertain, as the document submitted by the research team only suggests about the extent of lung volume diminution/reduction related to formerly not-recognized interstitial disease of lungs/chronic lung diseases in smokers.

The research team, for the study – took the sample of about 2416 partakers that had been characterized of interstitial lung disease from the COPD symptoms/COPD Gene study, to evaluate out on this nonreversible lung disease – which is a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema in heavy cigarette smokers. Through the study, the team came to the conclusion that interstitial lung abnormalities/disorders are related with both lessened total lung volume and less emphysema in cigarette smokers, and they stated further that heavy smokers with interstitial lung abnormalities are greater than before have a tendency for obstructive restrictive lung disease/lung oxygen volume.

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