Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postprandial hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of Allium hertifolium and Sesamum indicum on hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Oxidative stress associated with postprandial hyperlipidemia contributes to endothelial dysfunction, which shifts hemostasis to a more thrombogenic state. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Allium hertifolium and Sesamum indicum on postprandial lipemic, glycemic profile and endothelial markers in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. A total of 32 male rabbits were randomized into 4 groups: Group 1: Control group (normal group); Group 2: Hypercholesterolemic diet (1% cholesterol); Group 3: 1% cholesterol administered with A. hertifolium extract (2% of diet); Group 4: 1% cholesterol administered with S. indicum powder (10% of diet). The serum was analyzed for lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC); triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), ApoB), glucose, nitrite, nitrate, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) levels and plasma was analyzed for fibrinogen and factor VII. These factors were measured in blood samples following 15 h of fasting and 3 h after feeding. The results showed A. hertifolium and S. indicum to be effective in reducing SGPT, fibrinogen, total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C values in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet group. Consumption of A. hertifolium and S. indicum did not significantly change factor VII, ApoB and nitrite levels in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet group. Intake of S. indicum significantly decreased serum SGOT, nitrate, glucose and TG compared to hypercholesterolemic diet group. A. hertifolium and S. indicum with a high content of phenolic compounds change the postprandial profile lipids, endothelial markers and trombogenic factors and might be beneficial in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Key words: Allium hertifolium, Sesamum indicum , postprandial, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). INTRODUCTION In recent years, so many researches have confirmed and approved the correlation between the loads of postprandial elevated triglyceride and atherosclerosis.
Imaging of metastatic CNS neuroblastoma.

OBJECTIVE Although neuroblastoma is a common childhood malignancy, which frequently metastasizes, involvement of the CNS is rarely reported in the literature. However, over the past several years, we have encountered an increasing number of cases of metastatic neuroblastoma to the CNS. This metastatic potential and changing metastatic pattern may, in part, be due to advances in medical treatment, leading to prolonged survival. This article will review the common and uncommon manifestations of metastatic neuroblastoma with an emphasis on the skull, dura, brain, ventricles, and leptomeninges. CONCLUSION Neuroblastoma has diverse manifestations including masquerading as primary neurologic disease. This disease must be considered in a child with any unexplained neurologic disorder. Realizing that neuroblastoma may represent the cause of neurologic disease in a child will lead to earlier diagnosis.
High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation: effective and safe therapy for solid tumors in difficult locations.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound therapeutic ablation of solid tumors in difficult locations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A procedure was performed with a focused ultrasound tumor therapeutic system which provides real-time ultrasound guidance. All patients underwent MDCT or MRI, and some patients underwent PET/CT. From November 2007 through April 2009, 31 patients with 38 lesions of the liver and pancreas in difficult locations were treated. Six patients had hepatocellular carcinoma, 13 patients had hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer, two had hepatic metastases of breast cancer, two had hepatic metastasis of neuroendocrine tumors, one patient had lymph node metastasis of breast cancer at the hepatic hilum, six patients had pancreatic cancer, and one patient had a neuroendocrine tumor. Difficult location was defined as tumor adjacent to a main blood vessel, the heart, the gallbladder and bile ducts, the bowel, or the stomach. RESULTS The mean diameter of tumors was 2.7 +/- 1.4 cm. PET/CT, MDCT, or both on the day after one session of high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment showed complete response in all six patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, the patient with lymph node metastasis, and 22 of 24 patients with hepatic metastasis. The symptoms of all seven patients with pancreatic caner or neuroendocrine tumors were palliated, and PET/CT or MRI showed complete response of six of seven lesions. Portal vein thrombosis occurred after high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation in one patient with pancreatic cancer. No other side effects were detected in a median follow-up period of 12 months. CONCLUSION According to our short- and long-term follow-up results, ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation can be considered a safe and feasible approach to the management of solid tumors in difficult locations.
Renal artery revascularization: predictive value of kidney length and volume weighted by resistive index.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of renal length, volume, and resistive index measurements at Doppler ultrasound and MR angiography in predicting improvement after renal angioplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-one patients underwent Doppler ultrasound examinations and MR angiography before percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty. Renal length, total and cortical volumes, and resistive index were calculated. Combinations of length, volume, and resistive index measurements were correlated with improvement in blood pressure and renal function after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty. Thresholds for improving patient selection were chosen after analysis of receiver operating characteristics curves. RESULTS Lower total and cortical volumes on MR angiograms and shorter kidney length on Doppler ultrasound images were found among patients with successful blood pressure control (p = 0.042, p = 0.035, and p = 0.016, respectively). Renal length measured with Doppler ultrasound and cortical volume measured with MR angiography weighted by resistive index were the best predictive factors (p = 0.004, p = 0.006). Using a threshold of renal length-resistive index product less than 7 cm, therapeutic response was predicted with a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 50%, whereas with a threshold value of 52 mL/m(2) for cortical renal volume-resistive index product divided by body surface area, sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 50% were obtained. CONCLUSION Renal length and volume combined with resistive index measurements appear to be predictive of therapeutic response after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty.
Incidental finding of focal FDG uptake in the bowel during PET/CT: CT features and correlation with histopathologic results.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the clinically significant lesions associated with incidental detection of focal uptake of (18)F-FDG in the bowel at PET/CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS Among 2,250 consecutively registered patients with various nongastrointestinal malignant diseases who underwent FDG PET/CT as part of their care, patients with the incidental finding of focal bowel uptake of FDG were included in the study. All patients underwent an endoscopic or surgical procedure for characterization of the lesions. The location, intensity of uptake, and appearance of the lesions on PET/CT images were recorded and compared with the endoscopic and surgical pathologic results. RESULTS Twenty-one of 25 foci of intense uptake in the bowel were associated with endoscopic or surgical abnormalities (positive predictive value, 84%). Seven lesions were malignant (two primary, five secondary); 13 were premalignant (nine tubovillous adenoma, four tubular adenoma); and one lesion was benign (hyperplastic polyp). Eleven lesions detected with endoscopy were not FDG avid, and all 11 were smaller than 1 cm in diameter. There was no statistically significant difference in the maximum standardized uptake values of the benign and malignant lesions. CONCLUSION The incidental finding of focal FDG uptake in the bowel justifies further investigation of these foci and should not be dismissed as physiologic uptake. Premalignant lesions, such as adenoma, are often found, and early treatment may prevent the development of carcinoma.
Assessment of knowledge about glaucoma amongst patients attending an eye clinic in Abuja, Nigeria

The purpose of the study was to assess the level of knowledge about glaucoma among the patients who attend the CBN staff eye clinic in Abuja. An exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on adult CBN staff members and their eligible dependants. Data on demographics and knowledge of glaucoma were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. One hundred and forty five respondents (100% return) participated in the study. Purposive sampling was done to recruit respondents. Of the total respondents’, 74.5% (n=108) claimed they had heard about glaucoma but only 14.5% (n = 21) had knowledge about glaucoma. Glaucoma knowledge was found to be independent of age, sex, ethnicity, educational level and respondents’ status within the CBN. Knowledge about glaucoma in this population is therefore according to the results, inadequate. Appropriate recommendations were made to improve glaucoma knowledge amongst patients who attend the clinic.
Reducing cardiac risk in non-cardiac surgery: evidence from the DECREASE studies

Ischaemic cardiac events are a major cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality in non-cardiac surgery; 10–40% of the perioperative deaths are due to myocardial infarction (MI). Drugs that influence myocardial oxygen balance (e.g. beta-blockers) or improve plaque stability (e.g. statins) would be expected to reduce perioperative MI. Evidence for the benefit of beta-blockers in high-risk patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery comes from various studies including the Dutch Echocardiographic Cardiac Risk Evaluation Applying Stress Echocardiography (DECREASE) study, in which perioperative bisoprolol significantly reduced short- and long-term cardiac death and MI. DECREASE IV found that bisoprolol also significantly reduced 30-day cardiac death and MI in intermediate-risk patients, with a non-significant trend towards a beneficial effect of fluvastatin XL. DECREASE III showed that in high-risk patients undergoing major vascular surgery, fluvastatin XL reduced myocardial ischaemia and the combined endpoint of cardiovascular death and MI. DECREASE II showed that patients identified as intermediate risk on the basis of clinical assessment did not need pre-operative echocardiographic cardiac stress testing, provided that they received bisoprolol to maintain tight heart rate control. DECREASE V found that in high-risk patients with extensive stress-induced ischaemia, coronary revascularization (added to tight heart rate control with bisoprolol) did not produce any additional reduction in death and MI.
Prospective study of access site complications of automated contrast injection with peripheral venous access in MDCT.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to prospectively assess the frequency and type of IV injection site complications associated with high-flow power injection of nonionic contrast medium in MDCT. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Contrast-enhanced (300-370 mg iodine/mL) MDCT examinations with high flow rates (up to 8 mL/s) using automatic CT injectors were performed according to standardized MDCT protocols. The location, type, and size (16-24 gauge) of IV catheters and volumes, iodine concentration, and flow rates of contrast medium were documented. Patients were questioned about associated discomfort, IV catheter sites were checked, and adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS Prospectively, 4,457 patients were studied. The injection rate ranged from 1-2.9 mL/s (group 1; n = 1,140) to 3-4.9 mL/s (group 2; n = 2,536) to 5-8 mL/s (group 3; n = 781); 1.2% of the patients experienced extravasations (n = 52). Contrast medium iodine concentration, flow rates, and volumes were not related to the frequency of extravasation. The extravasation rate was highest with 22-gauge IV catheters (2.2%; p < 0.05) independently of the anatomic location. For 20-gauge IV catheters, extravasation rates were significantly higher in the dorsum of the hand than in the antecubital fossa (1.8% vs 0.8%; p = 0.018). Extravasation rates were higher in older patients (≥ 50 vs < 50 years, 0.6% vs 1.4%; p = 0.019). Different iodine concentrations did not trigger significant differences in contrast material reactions (p = 0.782). CONCLUSION Automated IV contrast injection applying high flow rates (i.e., up to 8 mL/s) is performed without increased risk of extravasation. The overall extravasation rate was 1.2% and showed no correlation with iodine concentration, flow rates, or contrast material reactions. Performing high flow rates with low-diameter IV catheters (e.g., 22-gauge catheters) and a location of IV catheter in the hand is associated with a higher extravasation rate.
Correlates of Physical Activity in Persons with Arthritis: Review and Recommendations

Background: Physical activity (PA) is important for arthritis self-management. A better understanding of the PA correlates in persons with arthritis will help inform interventions. Methods: Computer searches were conducted on PubMed, PsychInfo, Current Contents, and Cinahl databases. Reference lists of extracted articles were also searched. Thirty-six studies published between 1976 and February 2004 met inclusion criteria. Results: PA correlates are presented for sociodemographic, psychological, health-related, social, and environmental categories. Self-efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers, mental well-being, prior PA, and pain received the most consistent support as PA correlates, whereas sociodemographic, social, and environmental variables were the least studied. Too few studies were conducted to allow comparisons across arthritis type or study design. Conclusions: We recommend that additional qualitative research be conducted to understand factors influencing PA in persons with arthritis. Prospec.
Carotid plaque vulnerability: quantification of neovascularization on contrast-enhanced ultrasound with histopathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research is to develop a computerized method to quantify carotid plaque neovascularization on contrast-enhanced ultrasound images and to compare the results with the histopathologic analysis of the plaque. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty-seven patients (age range, 48-84 years; mean [± SD] age, 68.4 ± 9.72 years) were recruited before endarterectomy. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination of the carotid artery was performed by applying low mechanical index and harmonics with pulse inversion. An algorithm was developed that implemented several image processing methods to automatically quantify neovascularization and reconstruct the vascular tree in the atheromatous plaque. Neovascularization and the number of inflammatory cells seen on histopathologic analysis of the plaque after endarterectomy were compared with neovascularization determined by the computerized method. The mean (± SD) ratios of the ultrasound and histopathologic measurements were calculated. RESULTS In five patients, heavy calcification of the plaque prevented visualization of plaque texture. Intraplaque neovascularization on contrast-enhanced ultrasound images was significant in 19 patients and low in three patients. The ratio of the neovascularization area to the total plaque area on contrast-enhanced ultrasound images was well correlated with the same histopathologic ratio (R(2) = 0.7905) and with the number of inflammatory cells present in the plaque (R(2) = 0.6109). The histopathologic ratio and the number of intraplaque inflammatory cells also were well correlated (R(2) = 0.7034). CONCLUSION The newly developed method allowed quantification of the intraplaque neovascularization as a feature of vulnerability in the carotid plaque and proved to be highly correlated with histopathologic results.
Correlation of diffusion and perfusion MRI with Ki-67 in high-grade meningiomas.

OBJECTIVE Atypical and anaplastic meningiomas have a greater likelihood of recurrence than benign meningiomas. The risk for recurrence is often estimated using the Ki-67 labeling index. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between Ki-67 and regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and between Ki-67 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in atypical and anaplastic meningiomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of the advanced imaging and immunohistochemical characteristics of atypical and anaplastic meningiomas was performed. The relative minimum ADC, relative maximum rCBV, and specimen Ki-67 index were measured. Pearson's correlation was used to compare these parameters. RESULTS There were 23 cases with available ADC maps and 20 cases with available rCBV maps. The average Ki-67 among the cases with ADC maps and rCBV maps was 17.6% (range, 5-38%) and 16.7% (range, 3-38%), respectively. The mean minimum ADC ratio was 0.91 (SD, 0.26) and the mean maximum rCBV ratio was 22.5 (SD, 7.9). There was a significant positive correlation between maximum rCBV and Ki-67 (Pearson's correlation, 0.69; p = 0.00038). However, there was no significant correlation between minimum ADC and Ki-67 (Pearson's correlation, -0.051; p = 0.70). CONCLUSION Maximum rCBV correlated significantly with Ki-67 in high-grade meningiomas.
Complications of CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of the chest: prevention and management.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this article is to describe potential complications of percutaneous needle biopsy of the chest, discuss the risk factors associated with the development of complications, and explain how to prevent complications and manage complications when they occur. CONCLUSION Pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage are the most common complications of percutaneous needle biopsy of the chest, whereas air embolism and tumor seeding are extremely rare. Attention to biopsy planning and technique and postprocedural care help to prevent or minimize most potential complications.
Utility of the apparent diffusion coefficient for distinguishing clear cell renal cell carcinoma of low and high nuclear grade.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to assess the utility of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in distinguishing low-grade and high-grade clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS The cases of 57 patients with pathologically proven ccRCC who underwent preoperative MRI, including diffusion-weighted imaging, were retrospectively assessed. ADC values were obtained from ADC maps calculated using b-value combinations of 0 and 400 s/mm² and of 0 and 800 s/mm² (hereafter referred to as ADC-400 and ADC-800). Lesions were also evaluated for an array of conventional MRI features. A single expert uropathologist reviewed all slides to determine nuclear grade. The utility of ADC for detecting high-grade ccRCC, alone and in combination with conventional MRI features, was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and binary logistic regression. RESULTS ADC-400 and ADC-800 were significantly lower among high-grade than among low-grade ccRCC (2.24 ± 0.50 mm²/s vs 1.59 ± 0.57 mm²/s for ADC-400, p < 0.001; 1.85 ± 0.40 mm²/s vs 1.28 ± 0.48 mm²/s for ADC-800; p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve for identifying high-grade ccRCC using ADC-400 and ADC-800 was 0.801 and 0.824 respectively (p = 0.606), with optimal thresholds, sensitivity, and specificity as follows: ADC-400: 2.17 mm²/s, 88.5%, 64.5% and ADC-800: 1.20 mm²/s, 65.4%, 96.0%. Using multivariate logistic regression, only necrosis (p = 0.0229) and perinephric fat invasion (p = 0.0160) were retained among conventional imaging features as independent risk factors for high-grade ccRCC. The accuracy of the logistic regression model for predicting high-grade ccRCC was significantly improved by inclusion of either ADC-400 (p = 0.0143) or ADC-800 (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION ADC is significantly lower in high-grade ccRCC compared with low-grade ccRCC and increases the accuracy for detecting high-grade ccRCC compared with conventional MRI features alone.
Application of MR mammography beyond local staging: is there a potential to accurately assess axillary lymph nodes? evaluation of an extended protocol in an initial prospective study.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to clinically test an extended MR mammography (MRM) protocol for combined local staging (T-staging) and locoregional staging (N-staging) of breast cancer within one single examination using a dedicated whole-body scanner. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Fifty-six consecutive primary breast cancer patients without prior treatment underwent MRM and surgicopathological N-staging. The MRM protocol (10 minutes; axial T1-weighted gradient-recalled echo; dynamic contrast-enhanced; T2-weighted; turbo spin-echo) was extended to evaluate axillary lymph nodes (90 seconds; coronal T2-weighted HASTE; T1-weighted volumetric breath-hold examination; field of view, both axillae, supraclavicular nodes, and cervical nodes). A dedicated whole-body scanner was used. First, two experienced radiologists independently rated the presence of lymph node metastasis (present or absent, weighted kappa). Second, predefined descriptors were applied by both readers to differentiate lymph node status. These were statistically analyzed using univariate chi-square statistics, sensitivity and specificity, positive likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio (OR), and multivariate statistics (binary logistic-regression, receiver operating characteristics, and chi-squared automatic interaction detection [CHAID] tree). RESULTS Most significant predictors (p < 0.001) of present metastasis were "irregular margin" (diagnostic OR, 14.0), "inhomogeneous cortex" (diagnostic OR, 8.4), "perifocal edema" (positive likelihood ratio, 100) and "asymmetry" (diagnostic OR, 19.5). CHAID tree identified "asymmetry" and "irregular margin" as significant predictors (adjusted-p < 0.05) for present metastasis (PPV: 100%), whereas absence of "asymmetry" and "homogeneous internal structure" were highly predictive of absent metastasis (negative predictive value, 94.3%). Combination of significant descriptors using binary logistic regression revealed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.93 (p < 0.001). Interrater agreement was "almost-perfect" (κ = 0.95). CONCLUSION Combined T-staging and locoregional staging (N-staging) was possible within one imaging session using the proposed protocol. Despite a minimal increase in examination time, high diagnostic accuracy and excellent interrater reliability were achieved.