TASK DEFINITION: In this task, you are given a passage which has a question and the context. You have to generate an answer to the question based on the information present in the context.
PROBLEM: Context: Readout-segmented echo planar imaging (rs-EPI) significantly reduces susceptibility artifacts in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the breast compared to single-shot EPI but is limited by longer scan times. To compensate for this, we tested a new simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) acquisition for accelerated rs-EPI.', 'After approval by the local ethics committee, eight healthy female volunteers (age, 38.9 ± 13.1 years) underwent breast MRI at 3T. Conventional as well as two-fold (2× SMS) and three-fold (3× SMS) slice-accelerated rs-EPI sequences were acquired at b-values of 50 and 800 s/mm(2). Two independent readers analyzed the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in fibroglandular breast parenchyma. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was estimated based on the subtraction method. ADC and SNR were compared between sequences by using the Friedman test.', 'The acquisition time was 4:21 min for conventional rs-EPI, 2:35 min for 2× SMS rs-EPI and 1:44 min for 3× SMS rs-EPI. ADC values were similar in all sequences (mean values 1.62 × 10(-3)mm(2)/s, p=0.99). Mean SNR was 27.7-29.6, and no significant differences were found among the sequences (p=0.83).\Question: Do simultaneous multi-slice readout-segmented echo planar imaging for accelerated diffusion-weighted imaging of the breast?

SOLUTION: SMS rs-EPI yields similar ADC values and SNR compared to conventional rs-EPI at markedly reduced scan time. Thus, SMS excitation increases the clinical applicability of rs-EPI for DWI of the breast.

PROBLEM: Context: Hepatic osteodystrophy has been reported in patients with various chronic liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis. However, it has not been well investigated in patients with hepatitis B virus infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity and bone mineral density (BMD) in a population representative of normal Koreans.', 'Subjects with both HBsAg and BMD levels examined during the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were included. HBsAg-seropositive (+) subjects were compared with those who were HBsAg-seronegative (-). BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and femur by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multivariable logistic regression was performed for BMD .', 'In total, 11,306 participants were included in this study, among which 423 (3.7\xa0%) were HBsAg(+): 153 premenopausal female (3.4\xa0%), 83 postmenopausal female (3.5\xa0%), and 187 male (4.2\xa0%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and body mass index showed that HBsAg(+) male had significantly lower BMD of the femoral neck than HBsAg(-) male (0.810\xa0±\xa00.009 vs. 0.827\xa0±\xa00.002\xa0g/cm(2), p\xa0=\xa00.035). Further adjustment for waist circumference, smoking, drinking, exercise, income, occupation, and vitamin D levels showed that HBsAg(+) male had significantly lower BMD of the femur neck (0.810\xa0±\xa00.010 vs. 0.831\xa0±\xa00.002\xa0g/cm(2), p\xa0=\xa00.032) and lumbar spine (0.953\xa0±\xa00.011 vs. 0.974\xa0±\xa00.003\xa0g/cm(2), p\xa0=\xa00.049) than HBsAg(-) male.\Question: Are males seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen at risk of lower bone mineral density : the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys?

SOLUTION: HBsAg seropositivity was significantly associated with lower BMD in male. Future long-term prospective studies investigating bone turnover markers and hormones are needed to better understand the pathophysiology and clinical significance of chronic hepatitis B virus-related hepatic osteodystrophy.

PROBLEM: Context: The neurochemical effects produced by acute administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on the monoaminergic systems in the brain are well documented; however, there has been little consideration of the potential effects of MDMA on other neurotransmitter systems.', 'The present study was designed to investigate the acute effect of MDMA on cholinergic neurons by measuring acetylcholine (ACh) release in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) and dorsal hippocampus, terminal regions of cholinergic projection neurons originating in the basal forebrain.', 'In vivo microdialysis and high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED) were used to assess the effects of MDMA on the extracellular concentration of ACh in the PFC and dorsal hippocampus of the rat.', 'The systemic administration of MDMA (3-20 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in an increased extracellular concentration of ACh in the PFC and dorsal hippocampus. Reverse dialysis of MDMA (100 microM) into the PFC and hippocampus also increased ACh release in these brain regions. Treatment with parachlorophenylalanine and alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine, inhibitors of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) synthesis, respectively, significantly attenuated the release of ACh stimulated by MDMA in the PFC, but not in the dorsal hippocampus.\Question: Does 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine enhance the release of acetylcholine in the prefrontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus of the rat?

SOLUTION:
MDMA exerts a stimulatory effect on the release of ACh in the PFC and dorsal hippocampus in vivo, possibly by mechanisms localized within these brain regions. In addition, these results suggest that the MDMA-induced release of ACh in the PFC involves both serotonergic and dopaminergic mechanisms.