Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

I Mazzaro

Publications and source records attributed to I Mazzaro.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

First experiments on diffraction-enhanced imaging at LNLS.

Diffraction-enhanced images have been obtained using two silicon crystals in a non-dispersive set-up at the XRD2 beamline at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). A first asymmetrically cut silicon crystal using the (333) reflection vertically expanded the monochromated beam from 1 mm to 20 mm allowing the imaging of the whole sample without movements. A symmetrically cut Si(333) second crystal was used as a Bragg analyzer. Images of biological samples including human tissue were recorded using a direct-conversion CCD detector resulting in enhancement of the contrast compared with absorption-contrast images.

Brazil↗

X-ray scattering from human breast tissues and breast-equivalent materials.

The angular distributions of photons scattered by human breast tissues (adipose and glandular) and by eight breast-equivalent materials (water, polymethylmethacrylate, nylon, polyethylene and four commercial breast-equivalent materials simulating different glandular-adipose proportions) have been measured at a photon energy of 17.44 keV (Kalpha-radiation of Mo). Transmission target geometry has been used with an acceptance of +/- 0.6 degrees and an uncertainty of approximately 7%. Experimental molecular form factors were extracted from diffraction patterns normalizing the number of scattered photons with theoretical data in regions where no structure is expected. Linear attenuation coefficients have been measured for all samples at this energy. The results for water, polymethylmethacrylate, nylon and adipose tissue agree with former reported data. The results for human breast tissues at low and medium scattering angle (1-25 degrees, corresponding to the momentum transfer region between 0.2 and 3 nm(-1)) differ from the breast-equivalent materials. The results for adipose tissue are similar to the corresponding values from commercial breast-equivalent materials while the results for glandular tissue are similar to those for water.

Breast↗

A versatile X-ray diffraction station at LNLS (Brazil).

Versatility was a major consideration in the project to provide an X-ray diffraction station at LNLS. At least two techniques are possible at the station: powder diffraction and multiple single-crystal diffraction. A two-crystal monochromator based on monolithic elastic translators, developed at LNLS, with sagittal focusing by the second crystal, allows 10 mrad of a >/=2 keV monochromatic beam to be used on the diffractometer. The station is equipped with a fast scintillation detector, imaging plates, a high-energy-resolution pin-diode detector, an ionization chamber and a high-angular-resolution soller slit. The data collection and control hardware and software were also developed at LNLS. The theta-2theta goniometry for powder diffraction on this 1 m-diameter diffractometer is based on commercial rotation tables. The multiple single-crystal goniometry is realized by an independent elastic axis driven by differential micrometers for both high- and low-resolution angular movements. At least four independent axes can be positioned as necessary on the diffractometer table. Powder diffractograms and double-crystal rocking curves collected with the synchrotron beam show the expected quality.

Journal Article↗

[Predictive value of the ajmaline test in dysfunction of the sinus node. Prospective 4-year follow-up relative to 77 patients].

To establish the usefulness of Ajmaline test for the evaluation of sinus node function, 77 pts (47 M, 30 F, mean age +/- SD = 61 +/- 15 yrs) first underwent an electrophysiologic study and then were followed-up for a mean period of 46.3 months. The following parameters were determined before and after i.v. administration of Ajmaline (1 mg/kg in 1 minute): sinus cycle length (SCL), corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRT) and sino-atrial conduction time (SACT). The pts were divided into 3 groups: Group A: 10 pts without clinical or electrocardiographic signs of sinus node dysfunction (SND) and with normal control CSNRT and SACT (less than or equal to 500 and less than or equal to 120 msec, respectively); Group B: 46 pts with clinical-electrocardiographic signs of suspected or apparently not severe SND (sinus bradycardia greater than or equal to 40 beats/min and/or syncopes with positive vagal manoeuvres) and/or slightly abnormal control CSNRT (greater than 500 less than or equal to 600 msec) and/or SACT (greater than 120 less than or equal to 150 msec); Group C: 21 pts with clinical-electrocardiographic signs of apparently severe SND (sinus bradycardia less than or equal to 39 beats/min, sino-atrial block, sinus arrest) and/or definitely prolonged control CSNRT and/or SACT (greater than 600 and greater than 150 msec, respectively). The Ajmaline test was considered negative for the presence of a severe SND if SCL was not prolonged after the administration of the drug more than 20% and CSNRT and SACT were not prolonged more than 50% compared to the control values. Otherwise the Ajmaline test was considered positive. Twenty-seven out of the 77 pts studied underwent permanent pacemaker implantation (23 immediately after the electrophysiologic study and 4 during the follow-up). The following results were obtained: the Ajmaline test was negative in 100% of group A, 87% of group B and 48% of group C pts and positive in 0% of group A, 13% of group B and 52% of group C pts; during the follow-up a negative test resulted predictive in 56 out of 60 pts (92%) and a positive test in 16 out of 17 pts (94%). The predictive accuracy of the test was, therefore, 93.5%. These results indicate that Ajmaline test is an useful provocative test for disclosing, during electrophysiologic studies, pts who have severe SND and for selecting those who need pacemaker implantation.

Adolescent↗