Diffusion-weighted MRI in head and neck radiology: applications in oncology

Extracranial application of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gained increasing importance in recent years. As a result of technical advances, this new non-invasive functional technique has also been applied in head and neck radiology for several clinical indications. In cancer imaging, diffusion-weighted MRI can be performed for tumour detection and characterization, monitoring of treatment response as well as the differentiation of recurrence and post-therapeutic changes after radiotherapy. Even for lymph node staging promising results have been reported recently. This review article provides overview of potential applications of diffusion-weighted MRI in head and neck with the main focus on its applications in oncology.

Extracranial applications of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging

Diffusion-weighted MRI has become more and more popular in the last couple of years. It is already an accepted diagnostic tool for patients with acute stroke, but is more difficult to use for extracranial applications due to technical challenges mostly related to motion sensitivity and susceptibility variations (e.g., respiration and air-tissue boundaries). However, thanks to the newer technical developments, applications of body DW-MRI are starting to emerge. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the current status of the published data on DW-MRI in extracranial applications. A short introduction to the physical background of this promising technique is provided, followed by the current status, subdivided into three main topics, the functional evaluation, tissue characterization and therapy monitoring.

Cardiovascular proteomics: implications for clinical applications

Proteomics is fulfilling its potential and beginning to impact the diagnosis and therapy of cardiovascular disease. As de novo proteomics analysis gets more streamlined, and robust high-throughput methods are developed, more and more attention is being directed toward the field of cardiovascular serum and plasma biomarker discovery. To take cardiovascular proteomics from bench to bedside, great care must be taken to achieve reproducible results. Despite technical advances, however, the absolute number of clinical biomarkers thus far discovered by a proteomics approach is small. Although several factors contribute to this lack, one step is to build "translation teams" involving a close collaboration between researchers and clinicians.

Dual energy subtraction: principles and clinical applications

Two technical solutions using single or dual shot offer different advantages and disadvantages for dual energy subtraction. The principles of these are explained and the main clinical applications with results are demonstrated. Elimination of overlaying bone and proof or exclusion of calcification are the primary aims of energy subtraction chest radiography, offering unique information in different clinical situations.

Patterns of motor abilities and technical skills as predictors of success for young elite football players

Sport-motor tests play an important role in football talent selections. However, single tests represent only parts of the complex game performance. The best game performance therefore does not necessarily need to go hand in hand with the best results in all tests of a test battery. Considering the complexity of the game performance appropriately, a holistic perspective together with a person-oriented approach are applied. Thereby, systems consisting of several variables are identified and analysed in a longitudinal study. Following this idea, six sport-motor tests were aggregated into a subsystem. 106 young male elite football players were tested three times (2011, 2012, 2013; Mage, t2011=12.26, SD=0.29). One year later (2014) their performance level was enquired. Data were analysed using the LICUR method, a cluster analytical method. Four patterns were identified, which remained stable at all measuring points. The players frequently show intraindividual and structurally similar patterns over time. At the third measuring point, a pattern occurred out of which the players are significantly more likely to advance to the highest performance level one year later. This pattern appears consistently above average, but does not always show best test performances. The significantly frequent development along structurally stable patterns suggests a predictive validity of the subsystem sport-motor tests between the ages of 12 to 15. Above average, but not necessarily outstanding performances both in the motor abilities as well as in the football specific tests appears to be particularly promising. This finding emphasizes the need of a holistic perspective in the talent selection.

IGS Technical Report 2011

Applications of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to Earth Sciences are numerous. The International GNSS Service (IGS), a federation of government agencies, universities and research institutions, plays an increasingly critical role in support of GNSS–related research and engineering activities. This Technical Report 2011 includes contributions from the IGS Governing Board, the Central Bureau, Analysis Centers, Data Centers, station and network operators, and others highlighting status and important activities, changes and results that took place and were achieved during 2011.

IGS Technical Report 2012

Applications of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to Earth Sciences are numerous. The International GNSS Service (IGS), a federation of government agencies, universities and research institutions, plays an increasingly critical role in support of GNSS–related research and engineering activities. This Technical Report 2012 includes contributions from the IGS Governing Board, the Central Bureau, Analysis Centers, Data Centers, station and network operators, and others highlighting status and important activities, changes and results that took place and were achieved during 2012.

IGS Technical Report 2013

Applications of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to Earth Sciences are numerous. The International GNSS Service (IGS), a federation of government agencies, universities and research institutions, plays an increasingly critical role in support of GNSS–related research and engineering activities. This Technical Report 2013 includes contributions from the IGS Governing Board, the Central Bureau, Analysis Centers, Data Centers, station and network operators, and others highlighting status and important activities, changes and results that took place and were achieved during 2013.

IGS Technical Report 2014

Applications of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to Earth Sciences are numerous. The International GNSS Service (IGS), a federation of government agencies, universities and research institutions, plays an increasingly critical role in support of GNSS–related research and engineering activities. This Technical Report 2014 includes contributions from the IGS Governing Board, the Central Bureau, Analysis Centers, Data Centers, station and network operators, and others highlighting status and important activities, changes and results that took place and were achieved during 2014.

IGS Technical Report 2015

Applications of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to Earth Sciences are numerous. The International GNSS Service (IGS), a federation of government agencies, universities and research institutions, plays an increasingly critical role in support of GNSS–related research and engineering activities. This Technical Report 2015 includes contributions from the IGS Governing Board, the Central Bureau, Analysis Centers, Data Centers, station and network operators, and others highlighting status and important activities, changes and results that took place and were achieved during 2015.