FSE T2-weighted two-point Dixon technique for fat suppression in the lumbar spine: comparison with SPAIR technique

PURPOSE:Fat suppression magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique has been used to improve the diagnostic confidence in lumbar spine diseases. We aimed to compare T2-weighted water-fat separation technique (T2 Dixon) with spectral attenuated inversion recovery (SPAIR) image for fat suppression.METHODS:Lumbar spine MRI examinations were performed in 79 patients by using a 3.0 T machine. We compared T2 Dixon water-only image and SPAIR image for the evaluation of fat suppression quality and lesion conspicuity. For qualitative evaluation, two radiologists scored the images from Dixon and SPAIR for fat suppression uniformity and lesion conspicuity. Quantitative assessment was also performed for 39 lesions in 26 patients who had lesions in their spine bodies. Contrast ratio (CR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated by signal intensity measurement of the lesions, adjacent bodies, and background noise. The Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test and paired sample t-test were used to assess the statistical significance of qualitative and quantitative data, respectively.RESULTS:For qualitative assessment, T2 Dixon water-only image showed higher mean scores for fat suppression quality and lesion conspicuity than SPAIR (2.99±0.11 vs. 2.18±0.38 and 2.84±0.37 vs. 2.28±0.51, respectively). For quantitative measurement, the CR and CNR values of the lesions were higher on T2 Dixon than on SPAIR. Both qualitative and quantitative results showed statistically significant differences between T2 Dixon and SPAIR (P < 0.01 in all).CONCLUSION:T2 Dixon sequence was superior to SPAIR for the quality of fat suppression and for the delineation of lumbar spine lesions

Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Schizophrenia (AMP® SCZ): Rationale and Study Design of the Largest Global Prospective Cohort Study of Clinical High Risk for Psychosis

This article describes the rationale, aims, and methodology of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Schizophrenia (AMP® SCZ). This is the largest international collaboration to date that will develop algorithms to predict trajectories and outcomes of individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis and to advance the development and use of novel pharmacological interventions for CHR individuals. We present a description of the participating research networks and the data processing analysis and coordination center, their processes for data harmonization across 43 sites from 13 participating countries (recruitment across North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America), data flow and quality assessment processes, data analyses, and the transfer of data to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Data Archive (NDA) for use by the research community. In an expected sample of approximately 2000 CHR individuals and 640 matched healthy controls, AMP SCZ will collect clinical, environmental, and cognitive data along with multimodal biomarkers, including neuroimaging, electrophysiology, fluid biospecimens, speech and facial expression samples, novel measures derived from digital health technologies including smartphone-based daily surveys, and passive sensing as well as actigraphy. The study will investigate a range of clinical outcomes over a 2-year period, including transition to psychosis, remission or persistence of CHR status, attenuated positive symptoms, persistent negative symptoms, mood and anxiety symptoms, and psychosocial functioning. The global reach of AMP SCZ and its harmonized innovative methods promise to catalyze the development of new treatments to address critical unmet clinical and public health needs in CHR individuals

Identification of Naturally Processed Epitope Region Using Artificial APC Expressing a Single HLA Class I Allotype and mRNA of HCMV pp65 Antigen Fragments

Recently, long synthetic peptides or in silico-predicted epitope peptides have been used to identify T cell epitopes, but these approaches may not be suitable for investigating naturally processed epitopes. Here, mRNAs, including fragments or predicted epitope sequences of HCMV pp65 antigen, were generated by in vitro transcription following transcriptionally active PCR. Then, artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) expressing a single HLA allotype were transfected with mRNAs to identify epitopes in donors with T cell responses that recognize pp65 antigen restricted to HLA-A*02:01, -A*02:06, or -B*07:02. T cells restricted to a particular HLA allotype showed positive responses in some of the 10 fragment antigens. Among predicted epitopes within these positive fragments, three epitopes of HLA-A*02:01, -A*02:06, and -B*07:02 were confirmed. In addition, T cells expanded by anti-CD3 stimulation for two weeks could also be effectively used for the identification of these T cell epitopes, although there were individual differences. These results demonstrated that fragment antigens and epitopes can be rapidly generated using mRNA, and naturally processed antigenic regions can be detected using aAPCs without a T cell cloning procedure. This method will help to identify novel T cell epitopes for developing immunotherapy and vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer

Association between Peripheral Inflammatory Cytokines and Cognitive Function in Patients with First-Episode Schizophrenia

In this study, we investigated the impact of inflammatory cytokines on the cognitive performance of patients with schizophrenia. The included patients met the criteria for schizophrenia spectrum disorder and were aged between 15 and 40 years, with a duration of illness &le;1 year. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-&alpha;; interferon-&gamma;; and interleukin (IL)-1&beta;, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 levels were measured. A computerized neurocognitive battery, measures for social cognitive function, and clinical measures were administered. A total of 174 patients with first-episode psychosis were enrolled. The TNF-&alpha; level was negatively correlated with scores on the digit span, verbal learning, and Wisconsin card sorting tests, and the number of correct responses on the continuous performance test (CR-CPT), whereas a positive correlation was detected with the trail making test (TMT)-B time. The interferon-&gamma; level was negatively correlated with performance on the false belief and visual learning tests. The IL-1&beta; level was positively correlated with the TMT-A time and CPT reaction time, whereas it was negatively correlated with the CR-CPT and performance on the visual learning and social cognitive tests. The IL-12 level was negatively correlated with the CR-CPT and false belief test. Our results suggest that proinflammatory cytokines are associated with cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia

Azygos Vein Aneurysm Mimicking Paratracheal Mass: Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

Aneurysms of the azygos vein are rare and can sometimes mimic a paratracheal or posterior mediastinal mass. It is important to confirm the diagnosis with radiologic tools before performing invasive procedures, which carry the risk of hemorrhage. Here, we present a case in a 79-year-old asymptomatic patient of an increasing azygos vein aneurysm that mimicked a growing paratracheal mass. Review of images obtained using various modalities, including dynamic magnetic resonance image (MRI), revealed that the image findings were suggestive of azygos vein aneurysm. Using this method, an exact diagnosis can be reached without resorting to invasive procedures

Endovascular Treatment of Traumatic Vascular Injuries in the Head and Neck Region

Background and Objectives: Traumatic vascular injuries of the head and neck pose significant treatment challenges due to the complex anatomy, diverse clinical presentation, and mostly emergent nature. Endovascular treatment increasingly complements traditional surgical approaches. This study aimed to report our 10-year experience in treating traumatic vascular injuries of the head and neck with endovascular therapy and to determine the effectiveness of endovascular treatment. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 21 patients treated for head and neck vascular injuries between May 2011 and April 2021 was performed. Patients’ medical histories, clinical presentations, imaging findings, treatment materials, and clinical outcomes were reviewed. Treatments included stenting, coil embolization, and other endovascular techniques focused on hemostasis and preservation of the parent vessel. Results: The most common injuries involved the internal maxillary artery branches (n = 11), followed by the common or internal carotid artery (n = 6), vertebral artery (n = 3), and others. Endovascular treatment achieved successful hemostasis in all but one case. In five of six carotid artery injuries and two of three vertebral artery injuries, we achieved successful hemostasis while preserving the parent vessel using covered and bare stents, respectively. Conclusions: Endovascular therapy might be a useful treatment modality for traumatic vascular injuries in the head and neck region, offering efficacy, safety, and a minimally invasive approach

Glucose-lowering effect of Reducose® enriched with 1-deoxynojirimycin and l-leucine: Studies on insulin secretion in INS-1 cells and reduction of blood glucose in diabetic rats

The extract of mulberry leaf and its active ingredients have already been reported to have anti-diabetic effects; however, further studies are required to obtain better quality extracts and higher yields of active ingredients. Reducose® is a commercially available aqueous extract of mulberry leaves with a high content of active ingredients. In this study, the biological activities of Reducose®, 1-deoxynojirimycin, and l-leucine were evaluated using a glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) assay. The GSIS assay results were expressed as the glucose-stimulated index (GSI). Considering the pharmacological safety in pancreatic β-cells, the appropriate non-toxic concentrations were selected by screening for cytotoxicity of Reducose®, 1-deoxynojirimycin, and l-leucine before the GSIS assay. The effect of Reducose®, 1-deoxynojirimycin, and l-leucine on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in INS-1 cells was compared. Reducose®, 1-deoxynojirimycin, and l-leucine increased the GSI values more effectively than gliclazide (positive control). This was associated with an increase in protein expression, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, insulin receptor substrate-2, activated pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1, which are related to the regulation of pancreatic β-cell function and survival. In order to elucidate the effect of Reducose® in anti-diabetic effects, blood glucose levels, insulin levels, and liver and lipid concentrations were investigated in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetes. We observed that administration of Reducose® can decrease fasting blood glucose levels and reduce the production of AST, ALT, TG, and TC to a similar extent as metformin (positive control). These results suggested that Reducose® play a role in promoting GSIS but not enough to show that the content and proportion of 1-deoxynojirimycin and l-leucine play an important role in the GSIS activity of Reducose®

"Immunoregulatory effects of extracts from the stem bark of Albizzia julibrissin Durazz

Although there are many disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) available, more safe and effective reagents have yet to be developed. Activated T cells make good targets for DMARD therapy. Therefore, we screened over fifty herbal extracts, and identified that water extract from the stem bark of Albizzia julibrissin selectively killed activated T cells but not naive splenocytes, in vitro. Wb3-3, obtained by further extraction and column chromatography to maximize selective activity, was used for further investigation. Annexin-V and caspase activity assay revealed that WB3-3 killed activated T cells by inducing apoptosis, which was mediated through mainly caspase-8 rather than caspase-9. The effect of WB3-3 in vivo was conlirmed by the elimination of V8- but no V6-T cells following activation with Streptococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB). Furthermore, WB3-3 inhibited neither CD25 upregulationnor proliferative response, and rather increased IL-2 secretion during Con A activation of naive T cells.Our results imply the potential of WB3-3 to include a lead compound for a new immunoregulatory drug

Suppressive Effect of AIF Extract, a water extract of three herb, on Collagen-induced Arthritis in Mice.

AIF has been formulated using three herbs known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-osteolytic effects. In this study, the potential therapeutic effects of AIF for rheumatoid arthritis were assessed in vitro and in vivo. The effects of AIF on the inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1, iNO), cartilage protection (MMP-13), and selective killing of activated T cells were examined, in vitro. In addition, the therapeutic effect of AIF was evaluated using a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. DBA/1 mice were immunized with type II collagen. Following booster immunization, mice were treated with the oral administration of 276 mg/kg/d AIF once a day for 18 days, then, the severity of CIA was evaluated by macroscopic scoring and histopathological assessment. AIF significantly inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-1, iNO, and MMP-13 in a dose dependent manner in vitro. Also, AIF killed activated T cells selectively, conserving naïve T cells. The oral administration of AIF in CIA mice suppressed the progression of CIA significantly and decreased synovial hyperplasia, cartilage destruction, and bone erosion. AIF showed potent anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and substantial protective effect for the progression of CIA in vivo. These results suggest that AIF contains effective compound(s) which may modify the progression of rheumatoid arthritis

The hazardous interactions of copper-dyed patient gowns with MRI: Two cases of superficial abdominal burns

Magnetic resonance imaging is a commonly used imaging modality in medical procedures. Despite its prevalent use, unexpected adverse events such as burns can occur during an MRI procedure. The majority of the transmitted Radio Frequency power can be converted into heat within the patient's tissue due to resistive losses, leading to such incidents. In this study, we present an intriguing case of a patient who experienced an MRI-induced burn, presumably caused by the copper dye in the patient's gown. Notably, we observed frequent distortion of the MR image due to the patient's gown. The awareness and understanding of such potential adverse events are critical for clinicians and technicians to prevent future occurrences. Through this study, we aim to contribute to this critical area of patient safety during MRI procedures