Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

Water-fat separation imaging of the heart with standard magnetic resonance bSSFP CINE imaging.

Abstract: Purpose To study balanced steady-state free precession CINE phase-sensitive water-fat separation imaging in four cardiac imaging planes to determine the necessary phase correction and image artifacts particular to this technique. Methods Ten healthy volunteers and two subjects with known heart pathologies were studied with standard balanced steady-state free precession CINE imaging. Water-only and fat-only images were calculated using sign detection of the real part of the complex image after phase correction with constant and linear terms. Phase correction values were determined using both manual and automated methods. Differences in phase correction values between imaging planes, cardiac phases, coil elements, automated image reconstruction parameters as well as artifact scores between the automated and manual methods were studied with statistical tests. Results Water-fat separation performed well in the heart after constant and linear phase correction. Both constant (p = 0.8) and linear x (p = 1) and y (p = 1) phase correction values did not vary significantly across cardiac phases, but varied significantly among the coils (p < 0.001) and imaging planes (p < 0.001). False water-fat separation artifacts were most frequent in the chest/back and also were present at the mitral and aortic valves. Conclusion Constant and linear phase correction is necessary to provide consistent results in standard imaging planes using a balanced steady-state free precession water-fat separation postprocessing algorithm applied to standard cardiac CINE imaging. Magn Reson Med 71:2096–2104, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tumors Arising From Injection of Cultured Murine Placental Cells Into Normal Animals: Direct Evidence for Placental Origin of Tumors of Two Histologic Types

Abstract: Long-term culture of placentas obtained from the mating of a congenic C3H male mouse carrying a unique electrophoretic variant of the X-chromosome-linked enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK-1) and a normal C3H female mouse has resulted in cell lines that have apparently undergone spontaneous malignant transformation in vitro. When injected into normal syngeneic animals, these cell lines have given rise to invasive carcinomas of two distinct histologic types, an adenocarcinoma and a poorly differentiated carcinoma. Both were demonstrated to be of placental origin by the continued presence of the allozyme coded on the paternal X-chromosome. Compared to murine tumors of other etiologies, these cell lines were characterized by a high intracellular alkaline phosphatase concentration.

Five-Year Clinical and Quality of Life Outcomes From the CoreValve US Pivotal Extreme Risk Trial

Abstract: BACKGROUND Older adults with comorbidities who are at extreme risk for surgical aortic valve replacement may be appropriate candidates for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We present the 5-year clinical, echocardiographic, and health status outcomes of such patients treated with CoreValve self-expanding supra-annular TAVR. METHODS The CoreValve US Extreme Risk Pivotal Trial was a prospective, nonrandomized, single-arm clinical trial of TAVR at 41 sites in the United States. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality or major stroke. Secondary outcomes included echocardiographic parameters and patient-reported health status, assessed with the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. RESULTS Between February 2011 and August 2012, 639 patients with severe aortic stenosis at extreme surgical risk underwent attempted TAVR (mean age 82.8±8.4 years, 53% women, mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality 10.4±5.6%, 77% iliofemoral access). The 5-year Kaplan-Meier rate of death or major stroke was 72.6% ([95% CI, 68.4%–76.7%]; death 71.6%, major stroke 11.5%), with no significant differences according to access site. Among patients who survived 5 years, mean transvalvular gradient was 7.5±5.9 mm Hg, and 3.1% had moderate or severe aortic regurgitation. Health status measures improved significantly by 1 month after TAVR through 1 year (mean change in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire–Overall Summary score 24.8 points [95% CI, 22.4–27.2]). Beyond 1 year, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire–Overall Summary score decreased gradually but remained significantly improved from pre-TAVR through 5 years of follow-up among surviving patients (mean change from baseline, 14.3 points [95% CI, 10.7–17.9]). CONCLUSIONS Patients with severe aortic stenosis at extreme surgical risk who are treated with self-expanding supra-annular TAVR have high 5-year mortality. However, the short-term benefits of TAVR in terms of valve hemodynamics and quality of life are mostly preserved among surviving patients at 5 years, thereby supporting the continued use of TAVR in these challenging patients. REGISTRATION https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01240902.

Laser angioplasty of totally occluded coronary arteries and vein grafts: preliminary report on a current trial.

Abstract: CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE: Among the various laser angioplasty systems and atherectomy devices currently in clinical trials, the Lastac system appears to be particularly suitable for treating totally occluded coronary arteries and vein grafts. Preliminary results of a clinical trial in more than 35 patients show a recanalization rate of 92% and no complications attributable to the laser. Restenosis has occurred in five cases; in three of these, the arteries were reopened with laser or conventional angioplasty.