Coronary anomalies: what the radiologist should know

AbstractCoronary anomalies comprise a diverse group of malformations, some of them asymptomatic with a benign course, and the others related to symptoms as chest pain and sudden death. Such anomalies may be classified as follows: 1) anomalies of origination and course; 2) anomalies of intrinsic coronary arterial anatomy; 3) anomalies of coronary termination. The origin and the proximal course of anomalous coronary arteries are the main prognostic factors, and interarterial course or a coronary artery is considered to be malignant due its association with increased risk of sudden death. Coronary computed tomography angiography has become the reference method for such an assessment as it detects not only anomalies in origination of these arteries, but also its course in relation to other mediastinal structures, which plays a relevant role in the definition of the therapeutic management. Finally, it is essential for radiologists to recognize and characterize such anomalies.

Avaliação de indicadores de uso diverso como inibidores de corrosão

Very often hydrochloric acid is employed in acidification operations aiming to dissolve the mineral matrix in petroleum wheel operations, which always require intense use of corrosion inhibitors. This work presents an evaluation of common indicators, phenolfthaleine, fluorescein, methylene blue, alizarine S and methyl orange, as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in HCl 15% w/v at temperatures of 26, 40 and 60 ºC. Fluorescein and methyl orange show excelent corrosion inhibition efficiencies at 26 ºC; however at 60 ºC only fluorescein shows good corrosion inhibition when employed with alcohol and/or formaldehyde. For the fluorescein 1% w/v + formaldehyde 0.6% w/v mixture we present polarization and impedance curves and adsorption isotherms.

Elimination of dyes from aqueous solutions using iron oxides and chitosan as adsorbents: a comparative study

This work investigates the adsorption of Alizarin, Eriochrome Blue Black R and Fluorescein using chitosan, goethite and magnetite as adsorbents. For Alizarin, the best adsorbent is chitosan with a Langmuir parameter of 15.8 mmol dye/g adsorbent. For Eriochrome Blue Black R only 1.94 mmol dye/g chitosan is adsorbed. Langmuir parameters for the Alizarin adsorption on both iron oxides display one or two orders of magnitude lower than for chitosan and two orders of magnitude lower in the case of Eriochrome Blue Black R. Fluorescein does not adsorb in appreciable amounts on chitosan and it presents the lower affinity on the iron oxides.

Antioxidant capacity of eugenol derivatives

Toxicity and antioxidant capacity of eugenol derivatives (E2 = 2-Methoxy-4-[1-propenylphenyl]acetate, E3 = 4-Allyl-2-methoxyphenylacetate, E4 = 4-Allyl-2-methoxy-4-nitrophenol, E5 = 5-Allyl-3-nitrobenzene-1,2-diol, E6 = 4-Allyl-2-methoxy-5-nitrophenyl acetate) were evaluated in order to determine the influence of the sustituents. E2-E6 were synthesized from eugenol (E1). E1 was extracted from cloves oil, and E2-E6 were obtained through acetylation and nitration reactions. Antioxidant capacity evaluated by DPPH (1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil) and ORAC fluorescein demonstrated that E1 and E5 have a higher capacity and the minor toxicity evaluated by red blood cells haemolysis and the Artemia saline test. In accordance with our results, the compound's (E1-E5) use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and or food industries could be suggested.

Dried powders of velvetbean and pine bark added to soil reduce Rhizoctonia solani-induced disease on soybean

Diseases induced by Rhizoctonia solani, like damping-off and root and stem rot on soybean (Glycine max), are a serious problem around the world. The addition of some organic material to soil is an alternative control for these diseases. In this study, benzaldehyde and dried powders of kudzu (Pueraria lobata), velvetbean or mucuna (Mucuna deeringiana), and pine bark (Pinus spp.) were used in an attempt to improve soybean plant growth and to reduce the disease R. solani (AG-4) causes on soybean. Benzaldehyde (0.1-0.4 mL/kg of soil) and velvetbean (25-100 g/kg) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced mycelial growth of R. solani in laboratory tests. In greenhouse experiments, the percentage of non-diseased plants was higher in treatments with pine bark and velvetbean (50-100 g/kg). In soil treated with kudzu (r²=0.91) or velvetbean (r²=0.94), increasing rates of these amendments tended to increase plant fresh mass. In microplot field conditions, soil amended with velvetbean (r²=0.85) and pine-bark (r²=0.61) significantly reduced disease on soybean. Numbers of Bacillus megaterium (r²=0.87) and Trichoderma hamatum (r²=0.92) and hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate (r²=0.91) were higher in soil amended with increasing rates of velvetbean, indicating an increase in microbial activity. From this study it is concluded that dried powders of velvetbean and pine bark added to soil can reduce Rhizoctonia-induced disease on soybean.

Angiografia com gás dióxido de carbono

Carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is generally considered a safe alternative contrast media for digital subtraction angiography in patients with renal insufficiency ar hypersensitivity to iodinated contrast material. In this article we report one case in wich this technique was used successfully in a 48 years old man with elevated levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen suffering from a trofic isquemic lesion in lhe right toe. The method was used preoperatively after an inconclusive duplex scan of lhe limb. No complications related to the method of imaging were found and the patient submitted to a bypass grafting revascularization procedure.

Pseudotumor de pâncreas por corpo estranho

The diagnosis of pancreatic masses represents a great challenger for imaging studies. However the occurrence of pancreatic masses have been reported more frequently in the last years due to advances in imaging diagnostic methods. During the last decade, the surgical approach of pancreatic masses was limited to an attempt of establishing histological diagnosis, staging and evaluation of resection of these masses. Recently, the approach and staging of pancreatic masses was facilitated by sophisticated methods of diagnosis, especially, ultrasound, dynamic computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (/RM), angiography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (CPRE), endoscopic ultrasound, laparoscopy and biochemical tumors markers. The present paper reports a case of a pancreatic mass due to foreign body in which the imaging study helped to determine out this rare etiological agent that has not been previouly described in literature.

Localização de insulinoma pela injeção seletiva intra-arterial de cálcio

Insulinomas are rare endocrine tumors with an estimated incidence of 1(one) per million. Optimal therapy for all islet tumors of the pancreas is curative surgical resection. However, previous reports have show that, in the absence of preoparative localization, insulinoma may not be found intraoperatively in about 20% of patients. With current imaging technology, including serial computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography, localization of insulinomas less than 2cm remains inadequate. This case report shows that selective intraarterial calcium injection with hepatic venous sampling for insulin levels measured is a efficient technique for the localization of insulinomas.

Pseudoaneurisma gigante de artéria esplênica

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm larger than 10 cm is a rare condition. The risk of rupture is probably high and surgical treatment is necessary. The objective of this article is to report a case of a patient with giant pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery submitted to surgical resection. A 26-year-old man complaining of gastrointestinal hemorrhage and abdominal pain The patient’s medical history revealed that one year before he had an abdominal blunt trauma. The angiography showed a giant pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery with compression of the stomach. The patient was operated on by abdominal access and the spleen and pseudoaneurysm were resected. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 13 days after surgery without problems.

Immunohistochemical detection of Clostridia species in paraffin-embedded tissues of experimentally inoculated guinea pigs

Blackleg is caused by Clostridium chauvoei, whereas malignant oedema is caused by C. chauvoei, C. septicum, C. sordellii, C. perfringens type A, and/or C. novyi type A. Anti-C. chauvoei, anti-C. septicum, anti-C. sordellii and anti-C. novyi type A polyclonal antibodies were produced in rabbits and purified in a column of DEAE-cellulose. Aliquots of the antisera were conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate and the remaining was used for the streptavidin biotin peroxidase technique (SBPT). SBPT was standardized to detect C. chauvoei, C. septicum, C. sordellii and C. novyi type A in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of guinea pigs. SBPT was compared to a fluorescent antibody technique (FAT). Sections and smears of muscle from inoculation area (MIA), heart, liver, spleen and kidney, were obtained for both SBPT and FAT. Cross-reactions between the different Clostridial species were not observed. C. chauvoei and C. septicum were detected in all specimens from the animals inoculated with these microorganisms, while only sections of muscle obtained from all the animals inoculated with C. sordellii and C. novyi type A were positive. The same results observed by the SBPT, were obtained on tissue smears of these microorganisms stained by the FAT. The results indicate that SBPT is suitable for detection of C. chauvoei, C. septicum, C. sordellii and C. novyi type A in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of guinea pigs.

Lack of a relationship between serum ferritin levels and coronary atherosclerosis evaluated by coronary arteriography

Many clinical and epidemiological studies have demonstrated the relationship between serum ferritin and ischemic heart disease. In the present study we evaluated the relationship between coronary heart disease (CHD) and serum ferritin levels in patients submitted to coronary arteriography. We evaluated 307 patients (210 (68.7%) males; median age: 60 years) who were submitted to coronary angiography, measurement of serum ferritin and identification of clinical events of ischemic heart disease. Serum ferritin is reported as quartiles. Ninety-six patients (31.27%) had normal coronary angiography (group 1) and 211 (68.73%) had coronary heart disease (group 2). Of the patients with CHD, 61 (28.9%) had serum ferritin levels higher than 194 ng/ml (4th quartile), as opposed to only 14 (14.58%) of those without CHD (P = 0.0067). In the 2nd quartile, 39 patients (18.48%) had CHD, while 35 patients (36.46%) had normal coronary arteries (P = 0.00064). Multivariate analysis of the data showed that the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.33). We conclude that there is no independent relationship between coronary heart disease and increased levels of serum ferritin.

Ligand-induced endocytosis and nuclear localization of angiotensin II receptors expressed in CHO cells

A construct (AT1R-NF) containing a "Flag" sequence added to the N-terminus of the rat AT1 receptor was stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and quantified in the cell membrane by confocal microscopy after reaction with a fluorescein-labeled anti-Flag monoclonal antibody. Angiotensin II bound to AT1R-NF and induced endocytosis with a half-time of 2 min. After 60-90 min, fluorescence accumulated around the cell nucleus, suggesting migration of the ligand-receptor complex to the nuclear membrane. Angiotensin antagonists also induced endocytosis, suggesting that a common step in the transduction signal mechanism occurring after ligand binding may be responsible for the ligand-receptor complex internalization.

The X-X-/E+E+ genotype of the XbaI/EcoRI polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein B gene as a marker of coronary artery disease in a Brazilian sample

Studies that consider polymorphisms within the apolipoprotein B (apo B) gene as risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) have reported conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to search for associations between two DNA RFLPs (XbaI and EcoRI) of the apo B gene and CAD diagnosed by angiography. In the present study we compared 116 Brazilian patients (92 men) with CAD (CAD+) to 78 control patients (26 men) without ischemia or arterial damage (CAD-). The allele frequencies at the XbaI (X) and EcoRI (E) sites did not differ between groups. The genotype distributions of CAD+ and CAD- patients were different (chi²(1) = 6.27, P = 0.012) when assigned to two classes (X-X-/E+E+ and the remaining XbaI/EcoRI genotypes). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with the X-X-/E+E+ genotype presented a 6.1 higher chance of developing CAD than individuals with the other XbaI/EcoRI genotypes, independently of the other risk factors considered (sex, tobacco consumption, total cholesterol, hypertension, and triglycerides). We conclude that the X-X-/E+E genotype may be in linkage disequilibrium with an unknown variation in the apo B gene or with a variation in another gene that affects the risk of CAD.

Association studies between -1185A/G von Willebrand factor gene polymorphism and coronary artery disease

High levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF) have been associated with cardiovascular disease. The A allele of the -1185A/G polymorphism in the 5'-regulatory region of the vWF gene was associated with the highest plasma vWF levels in a normal population. To examine the association between -1185A/G polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD), 173 Brazilian Caucasian subjects submitted to coronary angiography were studied. Of these, 57 (33%) had normal coronary arteries (control group) and 116 (67%) had CAD (patient group). Plasma vWF levels were higher in patients (145 U/dl) than in controls (130 U/dl), but the differences were significant only for O blood group subjects. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 864-bp vWF promoter region followed by AccII restriction digestion was used to identify the -1185A/G genotypes. The -1185A allele frequency was 43.1% in patients and 44.7% in controls. Allele and genotype frequencies were not significantly different between patients and controls. No association was observed between the -1185A/G genotypes and plasma vWF levels in patients or controls. These results suggest that -1185A/G polymorphism is not an independent risk factor for CAD.

Estrogen receptor 1 gene polymorphisms and coronary artery disease in the Brazilian population

We examined the association of three established single nucleotide polymorphisms, IVS1-397T>C, IVS1-351A>G, and +261G>C, in the ESR1 gene with the prevalence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in a southern Brazilian population of European ancestry. Three hundred and forty-one subjects (127 women and 214 men) with coronary artery disease (CAD) were classified as having significant disease (CAD+ patient group) when they showed 60% or more luminal stenosis in at least one coronary artery or major branch segment at angiography; patients with 10% or less luminal stenosis were considered to have minimal CAD (CAD- patient group). The control sample consisted of 142 subjects (79 women and 63 men) without significant disease, in whom coronary angiography to rule out the presence of asymptomatic CAD was not performed. The polymorphisms were investigated by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction analyses. In the male sample, the +261G>C*C allele was more frequent in CAD+ than CAD- subjects (8 versus 1%, P = 0.024). Homozygosity for the C allele of the IVS1-397T>C polymorphism was also significantly associated with increased CAD severity (OR: 2.99; 95% CI = 1.35-6.63; P = 0.007). In agreement with previous findings, these results suggest that the IVS1-397T>C*C allele was associated with CAD severity independent of gender, whereas the association of the +261G>C variant with CAD was observed in males only. The relation between ESR1 variation and CAD may influence clinical decisions such as the use of hormone therapy, and additionally will be helpful to identify the genetic susceptibility determinants of cardiovascular disease development.