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F X Sundram

Publications and source records attributed to F X Sundram.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Radionuclide synovectomy and chronic haemophilic synovitis in Asians: a retrospective study.

Radionuclide synovectomy has been identified as the procedure of choice in treating chronic haemophilic synovitis among Caucasian populations. Its effectiveness among East Asians has not been studied. A retrospective study was carried out on 12 Asian haemophiliacs who underwent 12 radionuclide synovectomies. The average follow-up was 30.7 months (range 6-55) for primary procedures. 32P chromic phosphate and 188Re-tin colloid were injected into target joints according to protocol. There was a significant 80% decrease in the median frequency of haemarthrosis from 1.4 per month (range 0.2-7.0) to 0.25 per month (range 0.0-1.8) (P<0.05). Half of the patients had excellent results by 1 year of synovectomy. The median factor usage for target joint haemarthrosis postsynovectomy was 792 units per month (range 0-3209) reduced significantly from a presynovectomy level of 1452 units per month (range 306-7125) (P<0.05). Patients also reported a reduction in joint pain scores, and an improvement in joint mobility and quality of life. The majority of patients were satisfied with the overall outcome of radionuclide synovectomy. Radionuclide synovectomy appears to be effective in reducing the incidence of target joint haemarthrosis and quantity of factor usage for such bleeds among Asians with haemophilic synovitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Pilot study using technetium-99m pertechnetate sequential radionuclide-sialography to assess salivary gland function in nasopharyngeal cancer patients on radiation therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is mainly treated by radiation therapy. A common complication of radiotherapy is xerostomia. Direct measurements of the amount of saliva produced using suction cups and volumetric assessments are cumbersome and time-consuming. Sequential radionuclide sialography is a reproducible and convenient method of measuring salivary function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed NPC underwent a pilot study using technetium-99m pertechnetate sequential radionuclide sialography to assess their salivary function before and at 3 months post radiation therapy. From the sialography, time activity curves were obtained for analysis of salivary function. The shape of the time activity curve with citric acid stimulation was classified into 4 types according to the degree of radiation-induced dysfunction. RESULTS: All 14 patients had worse (P < 0.005) time activity curves for both parotids and submandibular glands after radiation therapy. All patients with abnormal curves before radiation therapy presented type IV (non-functioning) curve after radiation therapy. A ratio of pre- and post-stimulation counts allowed for quantification of the degree of stimulatory response. We found a significant decrease in Rc before and after radiation therapy for all salivary glands (P < 0.001). The salivary gland to background ratio, which is a reflection of the degree of salivary gland functional uptake, also had a significant reduction after radiation. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to use technetium-99m pertechnetate in the measurement of salivary gland function in nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated with radiation therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Radionuclide therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy worldwide. Surgical resection is generally accepted as the first choice treatment of HCC. Many non-surgical techniques have been developed and used for the treatment of inoperable HCC, with limited efficacy. This paper studies the role of radionuclide therapy in the treatment of inoperable HCC and in an adjuvant setting following curative resection of HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant articles published between 1980 and 2002 were reviewed. Articles were identified through a Medline search using the key words hepatocellular carcinoma, iodine-131 (I-131), lipiodol, yttrium-90 (Y-90), rhenium-188 (Re-188), monoclonal antibodies and anti-ferritin. RESULTS: The objective response rate of patients with HCC treated with intra-arterial I-131 lipiodol was 40% to 70% and the median survival was between 6 and 9 months. The efficacy of I-131 lipiodol was similar to transarterial chemo-embolisation, but appears to be better tolerated by patients. A median survival of 9.4 months to 54 weeks was achieved using intra-arterial Y-90 microspheres for the treatment of HCC. Tumours in 4 patients became resectable after treatment. Re-188 lipiodol is a relatively new radiopharmaceutical used for the treatment of HCC. The results of a pilot study have shown Re-188 lipiodol to be a safe and cost-effective radiopharmaceutical for the treatment of HCC via the intra-arterial route. Its efficacy should be subjected to further evaluation. The use of radio-labelled monoclonal antibodies, such as anticarcinoembryonic antigen and antiferritin, for the treatment of HCC has yielded encouraging results but these forms of treatment are largely experimental and limited to a few centres. Intra-arterial treatment using I-131 lipiodol in an adjuvant setting for patients following curative resection of HCC has resulted in improved disease-free and overall survival. The 3-year survival for the treatment and control groups were 86.4% and 46.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Radionuclide therapy presents another interesting option for the treatment of HCC amidst the wide array of non-surgical modalities available.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed2002

Imaging bacterial infection with (99m)Tc-ciprofloxacin (Infecton).

AIMS: The diagnosis of deep seated bacterial infections, such as intra-abdominal abscesses, endocarditis, and osteomyelitis, can be difficult and delayed, thereby compromising effective treatment. This study assessed the efficacy of a new radioimaging agent, Tc-99m ciprofloxacin (Infecton), in accurately detecting sites of bacterial infection. METHODS: Eight hundred and seventy nine patients with suspected bacterial infection underwent Infecton imaging and microbiological evaluation. The sensitivity and specificity of Infecton in detecting sites of bacterial infection were determined with respect to Centres of Disease Control, World Health Organisation, and Dukes's criteria. RESULTS: Five hundred and seventy four positive and 295 negative images were produced. These included 528 true positives, 46 false positives, 205 true negatives and 90 false negatives, giving an overall sensitivity of 85.4% and a specificity of 81.7% for detecting infective foci. Sensitivity was higher (87.6%) in microbiologically confirmed infections. CONCLUSIONS: Infecton is a sensitive technique, which aids in the earlier detection and treatment of a wide variety of deep seated bacterial infections. The ability to localise infective foci accurately is also important for surgical intervention, such as drainage of abscesses. In addition, serial imaging with Infecton might be useful in monitoring clinical response and optimising the duration of antimicrobial treatment.

Abscess↗
PubMed2002

Preliminary experience in radionuclide therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma using hepatic intra-arterial radio-conjugates.

INTRODUCTION: In a minority of the cases, resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is potentially curative but local recurrence is common. Adjuvant intra-arterial radio-conjugate therapy could potentially reduce the rate of local recurrence and increase disease-free and overall survival. However, in the majority of cases, treatment of HCC is largely palliative. A wide range of palliative treatment options are available and these include external radiation, hepatic intra-arterial chemo-embolisation, systemic chemotherapy and percutaneous ethanol injection. The long-term survival rate is poor. Hepatic intra-arterial radio-conjugate therapy provides a new and promising means of palliation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We share our initial experience in the treatment of patients with HCC. A total of 32 patients were recruited between October 1999 and June 2001. Group 1 comprised 15 patients who had potentially curative resection of HCC who were treated with Iodine-131 (I131) lipiodol as a form of adjuvant therapy. Group 2 comprised 17 patients with unresectable HCC, 12 of whom were treated with Yttrium-90 (Y90) microspheres and 5 with Rhenium-188 (Re188) lipiodol. The radio-conjugates were administered via the intra-arterial route. RESULTS: Thirteen of the 15 patients in group 1 who were treated with I131 lipiodol following curative resection of HCC were free of disease, 1 patient died and 1 patient who developed recurrence was retreated with Re188 lipiodol and was subsequently free of disease. The 6-month disease-free survival rate was 100% and the 12-month disease-free and overall survival rates were 72% and 85%, respectively. Of the 12 patients in group 2 who were treated with Y90 microspheres for unresectable HCC, 6 had stable disease, 2 showed tumour regression and 4 died. The 6-month and 12-month survival rates were 75% and 66%, respectively. Of the 5 patients in group 2 who were treated with Re188 lipiodol for unresectable HCC, 4 had stable disease and 1 had regression of the right lobe tumour but progression of the left lobe tumour. CONCLUSION: Our results in the adjuvant treatment of patients with I131 lipiodol following curative resection of early HCC and in the palliative treatment of unresectable HCC using Y90 microspheres and Re188 lipiodol are preliminary and not fully conclusive. These preliminary results have to be confirmed in larger groups of patients and by prospective, randomised, controlled trials. This study highlights the preliminary experience in radionuclide therapy of HCC using hepatic intra-arterial radio-conjugates in a local context.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed2001

188rhenium-TDD-lipiodol in treatment of inoperable primary hepatocellular carcinoma--a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of using 188Re Lipiodol for selective internal radiation therapy of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CLINICAL PICTURE: A 33-year-old female with poorly-differentiated multicentric HCC, elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and increased serum alkaline phosphatase. TREATMENT: Over a 2-month interval, the patient was treated twice with 4GBq of 188Re-TDD-Lipiodol. OUTCOMES: There was good localisation of 188Re Lipiodol in the tumours, but also in thyroid (first treatment) and gastrointestinal tract (both treatments). So far (5 months post-treatment), the patient remains well with stable disease. CONCLUSIONS: 188Re Lipiodol can be an effective radiopharmaceutical for the treatment of HCC; however, more work must be done to minimise the uptake in bowel.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Two cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare thyroid malignancy but accounts for a significant mortality. We present 2 cases of MTC and review the literature regarding its management and genetic screening. CLINICAL PICTURE: Patient 1 presented after a routine health screening and subsequently was found to have a germline mutation for MEN 2A. Patient 2 presented with sweating irritability and a thyroid mass which illustrates the progressive relentless nature of the disease and highlights current imaging practice. TREATMENT: Both patients underwent extensive surgery and received postoperatively ablative dose of radioactive iodine. Patient 2 also had a large dose I-131 MIBG therapy and further surgery. OUTCOME: In Patient 1, postoperative calcitonins remained elevated indicating residual disease. Patient 2 underwent further radioguided surgery; however, his postoperative calcitonins remained elevated. CONCLUSION: MTC can be relentless. Routine genetic screening of all patients with MTC, Tc-99m pentavalent (V) DMSA imaging, near total thyroidectomy with routine central neck dissections and removal of all lymph nodes in the central neck compartment should be performed.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Intermediate probability lung scans (IPLS): retrospective review of 82 cases.

OBJECTIVE: In the light of a reported 30-40% prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in intermediate probability lung scans (IPLS) based on results of the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED) study, we examined the frequency of documented PE in 82 patients with IPLS, the management strategy employed in these patients with regards to additional imaging (e.g. further evaluation with venous sonography or spiral computed tomographic angiography (CTA)), anticoagulation therapy, and subsequent follow-up outcomes. METHOD: Retrospective review of the medical records of 82 patients with intermediate probability ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) lung scans from January 1998 to July 1999. RESULTS: 14.1% of V/Q scans were reported as having an intermediate probability of PE. 72% of IPLS were subject to further evaluation with venous Doppler ultrasound and/or CTA, and 39% of these patients had evidence of thrombo-embolic disease. All patients with imaging evidence of thromboembolic disease were started on anticoagulation therapy. In addition, 19 patients were treated based on clinical judgement. Amongst the 35 patients who were not treated, 17 (49%) were based on clinical findings without further imaging. There was no mortality on follow-up of 28 cases of untreated IPLS. CONCLUSION: The majority of IPLS will have further imaging, out of which over one-third will have thrombo-embolic disease. Approximately half of IPLS cases will receive anticoagulation therapy. No mortality or PE was found on follow-up of patients who were not treated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

A non-invasive isotope dilution technique for quantifying hepatic blood flow using radiolabelled red blood cells.

Clinically significant changes in hepatic haemodynamics accompany the development of portal hypertension, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver metastases and liver cirrhoses, and after major liver resection. Hepatic blood flow parameters, such as hepatic arterial flow (HAF), hepatic portal flow (HPF), total hepatic blood flow (THBF) and hepatic perfusion index (HPI), are useful adjuncts to the diagnosis of liver pathology, the evaluation of disease progress and prognostication. Here, we describe a non-invasive method that combines the measurement of these parameters in a single study in real time. Red blood cells from eight pigs were labelled with 99Tc(m) using an in-vitro method and re-injected into the pigs. Data acquisition over the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys was started immediately and a blood sample was obtained 15 min post-injection. Hepatic arterial flow was determined from the ratio of the maximum gradients between the integrated time-activity curve of the left ventricle and the first-pass time-activity curve of the liver before the peak of the kidneys time-activity curve. The hepatic perfusion index was determined by comparing the slope of the liver time-activity curve before and after the kidney peak. Hepatic portal flow was determined from the hepatic arterial flow and the hepatic perfusion index, and total hepatic blood flow was determined as the sum of arterial and portal flow. The results were compared against those obtained from a clearance method using 99Tc(m)-DISIDA. The average hepatic perfusion index was 0.38, and the average hepatic arterial flow and hepatic portal flow were 168.3 +/- 52.9 and 274.6 +/- 60.1 ml x min(-1) respectively. The average total hepatic blood flow was 442.8 +/- 53.5 ml x min(-1), while the total hepatic flow determined by 99Tc(m)-DISIDA clearance was 419.7 +/- 62.6 ml x min(-1). No significant difference in total hepatic blood flow was found between the two methods. The results of this study show that it is possible to obtain all hepatic haemodynamics data in a single study using a non-invasive method.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

99mTc-sestamibi and 131I whole-body scintigraphy and initial serum thyroglobulin in the management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: 99mTc-sestamibi whole-body scanning has been used in the postoperative assessment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma together with 131I whole-body scanning and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) estimation. This study compared 99mTc-sestamibi whole-body scanning with 131I whole-body scanning in the context of initial serum Tg levels of patients after total or near-total thyroidectomy who were taken off thyroxine suppression therapy and who had no 131I ablation before surgery. METHODS: A prospective study of 360 patients was undertaken. 99mTc-sestamibi whole-body scintigraphy was performed at least 5 wk after thyroidectomy and was followed by 131I whole-body scanning. The patients had no thyroxine suppression for 5 wk, and Tg was measured thereafter. Radiologic studies (chest radiography, CT, MRI, sonography, and bone scanning) and histopathologic examinations were performed to clarify the presence of metastases with positive uptake on either 99mTc-sestamibi scans or 131I whole-body scans. Positive scans were defined as those with the presence of thyroid remnants, lymph node disease, or metastases. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-nine (71.9%) of the 360 patients had initial serum Tg levels < 30 ng/mL (group 1), whereas 101 (28.1%) had initial serum Tg levels > or = 30 ng/mL (group 2). Of the 259 group 1 patients, 82 had positive 99mTc-sestamibi scans and 113 had positive 131I scans; 71.7% of patients with positive 1311 scans also had positive 99mTc-sestamibi scans, and 98.8% of patients with positive 99mTc-sestamibi scans also had positive 131I scans. Of the 101 group 2 patients, 81 had positive 99mTc-sestamibi scans and 97 had positive 131I scans; 83.5% of patients with positive 131I scans also had positive 99mTc-sestamibi scans, and all patients with positive 99mTc-sestamibi scans also had positive 131I scans. Of those with initial serum Tg levels > or = 30 ng/mL (group 2), 27.2% had thyroid remnants and 68.8% had lymph node disease or metastases. 131I scanning detects more thyroid remnants and lung metastases than does 99mTc-sestamibi scanning. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that, compared with 131I scanning, 99mTc-sestamibi scanning is less sensitive in detecting thyroid remnants and lung metastases but appears to be more useful in the detection of lymph node disease before initial 131I treatment.

Diagnostic Imaging↗
PubMed2000

Technetium-99m sestamibi for the assessment of myocardial salvage following reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Reperfusion therapy with either thrombolysis or angioplasty has been shown to be beneficial in acute myocardial infarction. Tc-99m sestamibi is a myocardial tracer that can be used to assess myocardial salvage because of its property of very limited redistribution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess the feasibility of this technique locally, Tc-99m sestamibi was injected before and after reperfusion therapy with angioplasty (n = 11) or streptokinase (n = 18) in 29 patients with acute myocardial infarction (anterior = 25, inferior = 4). Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed within 4 hours of reperfusion and repeated 5 to 7 days later. RESULTS: Initial perfusion defect size ranged from 6% to 78% (mean 36.3 +/- 18.7%), and final defect size from 0% to 50% of the left ventricle (mean 23.7 +/- 14.8%, P < 0.001). Patients with proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesions had larger defects compared to those with mid LAD lesions (mean defect size 52% for pLAD versus 28% for mLAD, P < 0.013). However, there were wide variations in initial defect size (myocardium at risk) for a given infarct-related artery location. The mean decrease in defect size was 12% in the 28 patients with patent arteries compared to only 2% in the patient with an occluded artery (47% to 45%). There was no significant difference in amount of salvage between patients who had thrombolysis (mean 13%, P = 0.0003) and patients who had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) (mean 12%, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of myocardial salvage is feasible using Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT imaging. It allows for quantitation of myocardium at risk and the amount of myocardial salvage, which is not possible by angiography alone.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of technetium-99m ciprofloxacin (Infecton) in the imaging of infection.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of technetium-99m (Tc-99m) ciprofloxacin in imaging inflammation/infection. The ciprofloxacin for labelling, as a kit, was obtained from St Bartholomew's Hospital in London. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were injected intravenously with Tc-99m ciprofloxacin and imaging was done at 10 minutes, 4 hours and 24 hours if necessary. Tomographic images (SPECT) were obtained in a few patients. Ninety-six patients were studied using Tc-99m ciprofloxacin. Forty-eight patients had bone scans and 22 had Tc-99m IgG scans. Eight patients were imaged using Tc-99m HMPAO labelled white blood cell, and bacteriological culture results were available in 24 patients. Organisms cultured included Acinetobacter baumanii, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Blastococidia, Methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Salmonella and Candida. RESULTS: Findings were evaluated against microbiology, alternative imaging modalities and clinical outcome. There were 47 true positives, 33 true negatives, 5 false positives and 11 false negatives, giving a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 87%. The positive and negative predictive values were 90% and 75%, respectively. There were no side effects and the scan was particularly useful in the evaluation of painful joint prosthesis to exclude infection. Repeat studies on 8 patients given antibiotics over a long period were very useful in deciding on termination of the antibiotic treatment.

Abscess↗
PubMed1999

Structured abstracts.

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Abstracting and Indexing↗
PubMed1998

Bone mineral density--correlation between quantitative ultrasound characteristics and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

The speed of sound (SOS) and the broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), as determined by quantitative ultrasound at the calcaneum, were correlated with the bone mineral density (BMD) measurements using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the femoral neck and the lumbar spine in 110 females. There were moderate correlations of 0.629, 0.623 and 0.594 between the BMD at the anterior-posterior lumbar spine, lateral lumbar spine and femoral neck with the SOS at the calcaneum (all P < 0.001). The corresponding correlations with BUA were 0.646, 0.643 and 0.628 respectively (all P < 0.001). This suggests that quantitative ultrasound may be reasonably accurate and useful for the assessment of osteoporosis.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1997

Radioiodine (I-131) therapy and the incidence of hypothyroidism.

Radioiodine (I-131) is one of the accepted forms of treatment for thyrotoxicosis. The major drawback of this treatment is the definite incidence of hypothyroidism, which is either early or late, and is cumulative. We set out to analyse the local incidence of this outcome. Patients with hyperthyroidism, treated with radioiodine from 1984 to end of 1989, and still on follow-up with the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Singapore General Hospital were analysed for the incidence of hypothyroidism. Three hundred and eighty-two patients were analysed (305 females, 77 males). Their ages ranged from 14 to 85 years (mean 48.2, SD 11.1 years). The doses of radioiodine ranged from 4 to 18 mCi (mean 7.6 mCi, SD 1.8 mCi). Two hundred and sixty-two patients who received I-131 only required a single dose, while 87 needed one repeated dose of I-131, and 33 needed more than 2 doses. Of the 382 patients, 271(70.9%) became clinically hypothyroid, 6 (1.6%) were subclinically hypothyroid, 100 (26.7%) were euthyroid and 3 (0.8%) remained hyperthyroid. One hundred and eighty-one patients (47.4%) were clinically hypothyroid at the end of 1 year, and an average rise of 4.8% per year was observed from the second to the fifth year. From the sixth year onwards, the average incidence of hypothyroidism was 1% per year. I-131 is indeed an effective means of controlling thyrotoxicosis (99.2% were no longer hyperthyroid). The main problem with this treatment is hypothyroidism, and this is easily managed with L-thyroxine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Radionuclide imaging in primary hyperparathyroidism using 99mTc sestamibi--four case reports.

Radionuclide imaging using the 99mTc sestamibi either singly or as a subtraction technique with pertechnetate is a recent and reliable method in localising parathyroid adenomas prior to surgery. This is of use in pre-operative planning, as well as in failed first neck exploration. Four local patients with primary hyperparathyroidism whose parathyroid adenomas were localised by this scintigraphy are presented. The value and limitations of this imaging modality are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Clinical studies of alveolar-capillary permeability using technetium-99m DTPA aerosol.

Soluble radioaerosols such as technetium-99m diethylene triamine pentacetate (DTPA) permit simple quantitative studies of alveolar-capillary permeability to be performed, since the submicronic aerosols are deposited mainly at the lung periphery and are cleared across the alveolar-capillary membrane. Regional alterations in permeability can also be noted using this radionuclide technique. We have measured the pulmonary epithelial permeability in normal subjects and the alteration in smokers, in glue-sniffers, in patients with inhalation burns, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in patients with lung metastases from thyroid cancer treated with radioiodine 131I. In the normal volunteers, the time taken for 50% of inhaled 99mTcDTPA to be cleared form the lungs (T1/2) was 66 minutes +/- 1sd of 12 mins. The smokers had a mean T1/2 of 20 mins +/- 1sd 4 min. In the hard-core glue-sniffing group, the majority were smokers who had stopped smoking and glue-sniffing for periods varying from 1 day to 42 days, and it was possible to note the changes in clearance times against period of abstinence. In the patients with inhalations burns, there was change in lung clearance arising from pulmonary epithelial damage; these patients showed increased rate of clearance (short T1/2) with mean T1/2 of 36 min +/- 1sd of 11 mins, while the retention images revealed regional lung damage in moderately severe inhalation burns. Twenty-four patients with COPD had inhalation scans done with Tc-99m tin colloid radioaerosol, and these images were compared with the perfusion lung scans done with 99mTc macroaggregated albumin (MAA); in general the perfusion images matched the defects noted in the inhalation scans. The 99mTc DTPA clearance rate in these patients was normal i.e. T 1/2 = 78 +/- 14 mins. In the thyroid cancer patients with lung metastases, who had high doses of radioiodine treatment, the T 1/2 values were normal or prolonged slightly, mean T1/2 = 76 min +/- 23.

Adolescent↗