Loss Path Influence on the MRI Radio Frequency Pulse Sequence: A Theoretical Evidence

The RF pulse is initiated from either the loop or loopless MRI antenna. It has shown an increased advancement in recent times. Somehow, the concept has proven successful in the MR imaging procedure. Using the fundamental theories of the MRI concept, mathematical experimentation was carried out analytically to investigate the Loss Path Concept (LPC). The LPC was proposed to be one of the defects responsible for poor/blurred medical imaging of certain parts of the body. The LPC results obtain in this mathematical experimentation was found to be -56 dB and 6.7 dB. Theoretically, the LPC can be resolved mathematically by incorporating the molecular boundaries of the tissues. Practically, LPC can be resolved by introducing a detachable RF strip detector to synchronise-particles across different molecular boundaries and prevent patients from excess exposure to RF radiation.

Reexpansion pulmonary oedema as a complication of pleural drainage

One hundred and one (6%) of 1,678 patient studied had bilateral reexpansion pulmonary oedema(RPO). On the whole, one thousand, seven hundred and seventy nine (1,779) pleural spaces were studied, fifteen pleural spaces (0.8%), with mean age of 23 +/- 4.5 years had RPO. Among these 15 patients with RPO, the mean period of lung collapse before pneumothorax (PThx) was evacuated was 31.8 +/- 21.8 days and for hydrothorax (HThx) was 31.3 +/- 30.1 days; for 15 patients without RPO (controls), matched for age and sex, the mean period of lung collapse before CTTD was 7.5 +/- 4.1 days and 5.4 +/- 1.3 days respectively for PThx and HThx. The differences in the period of lung collapse among patients with RPO and those without, for each pleural disease was statistically significant (P < 0.03). Volume of pleural fluid drained before RPO was noticed was 2196 +/- 1103 mls, for the 15 matched patients without RPO (controls), it was 1060 +/- 115 mls (p < 0.05). Volume of pleural fluid drained among the patients with SR (Severe response), MR (mild to moderate response) and RD (radiological diagnosis) did not correlate with severity of response. We conclude that prevention of RPO is the desired goal in the management of pleural effusion or Pneumothorax. RPO is commonest among young patients who have had lung collapse for 7 or more days. In these circumstances RPO is prevented, its incidence and severity reduced by methods of gradual evacuation of PThx or pleural fluid drainage.

Detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA in blood cultures by PCR

We have developed a PCR assay, with primers derived from the autolysin (lyt) gene, for the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA in blood cultures. The predicted fragment of 247 bp was detected in all strains of pneumococci, embracing 12 different serotypes that were tested. Although DNA extracted from four viridans streptococci spp. Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguis, and Streptococcus parasanguis) gave amplification products, these were quite different from the predicted fragment for S. pneumoniae. Application of the assay for diagnosis of septicemia caused by S. pneumoniae showed concordance between PCR and culture results. However, on four occasions PCR was positive in supernatants from both paired culture bottles while pneumococci were cultured from only one. Performing PCR on negative cultures in controlled studies such as vaccine trials may provide a sensitive tool for increasing case detection.