Effects of metallic implants on magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of Fontan palliation

This study examined the effects of endovascular metallic implants on the ability of magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate cardiovascular anatomy and to assess ventricular size and function in 101 consecutive patients with Fontan palliation. Compared with studies in patients without implants, in whom 100% of anatomic segments were adequately visualized and the median image quality grade for ventricular function assessment was 5 of 5, the presence of any implant (54% of studies) reduced the proportion of adequately imaged anatomy to 77% (p <0.001) and the median image quality grade for ventricular function assessment to 3 of 5 (p <0.001).     

The pituitary gland: changes on MR images during the 1st year after delivery

PURPOSE: To longitudinally and prospectively investigate changes in the volume and signal intensity on T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images of the pituitary gland up to 1 year after delivery and evaluate whether termination of lactation has an effect on these parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All participants provided informed consent for participation in the study, which was approved by the institutional review board. Thirteen volunteers (mean age, 28 years; age range, 26-32 years) underwent MR imaging 2 and 4 weeks after delivery and then at intervals of 0.5-2.0 months until 1 year after delivery. Eight participants terminated lactation during the study period. Sagittal and coronal T1-weighted images were obtained. Signal intensities of the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary were calculated relative to that of the pons. The volume of the pituitary was also calculated. Two-tailed paired Student t tests and separate simple linear regression analyses were used to test for statistically significant differences. RESULTS: The mean pituitary volume was 544 mm3 at 2 weeks, 523 mm3 at 4 months, 512 mm3 at 8 months, and 511 mm3 at 12 months after delivery, with significant differences between 2 weeks and 4 months (P = .002) and between 4 and 8 months (P = .003) after delivery. The mean ratio of the signal intensity of the anterior lobe of the pituitary to the signal intensity of the pons was 1.11 at 2 weeks, 1.07 at 4 months, 1.03 at 8 months, and 1.00 at 12 months after delivery, with significant differences between 2 weeks and 4 months (P = .004) and between 4 and 8 months (P = .0001) after delivery. Termination of lactation had no statistically significant effect on pituitary volume or the ratio of the signal intensity of the anterior or posterior lobe of the pituitary to the signal intensity of the pons. CONCLUSION: The volume of the pituitary gland decreases up to 8 months after delivery, and the T1-weighted signal intensity of the anterior lobe of the pituitary decreases; termination of lactation has no statistically significant effect on these parameters.     

Effect of aqueous extract of Pterocarpus marsupium wood on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

An aqueous extract of Pterocarpus marsupium wood was screened for hypoglycemic activity on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. During both acute and sub-acute tests, the water extract, at an oral dose of 250 mg/kg, showed statistically significant hypoglycemic activity.     

An unusual presentation of female urethral leiomyoma

Leiomyoma of the urethra is a rare clinical entity. We report an unusual presentation of this tumour, which led to a diagnostic and surgical dilemma. The patient was a 16-year old female who presented with a labial mass which was palpable abdominally. Imaging methods and laparoscopy demonstrated a well defined soft tissue mass arising from the pelvis, without any obvious involvement of the urinary tract. The tumour (8 x 10 cm) was completely excised with reconstruction of the bladder and urethra. Histology confirmed a cellular leiomyoma.     

Research articles published in clinical radiology journals: trend of contribution from different countries

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To determine different countries' trend of contribution to clinical radiology journals and its relationship with impact factor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the journals, which publish articles on clinical radiology, were selected from the category of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine group of journals, and articles published in these journals between 1991 and 2000 were searched for the authors' affiliation using the Medline database. Then, share of research output of the top-ranking 20 countries was determined along with the trend over time. Also, the relationship of different countries' contribution with the impact factor of journals was examined by cross-sectional time-series linear model. RESULTS: Of total articles (38,359), the United States' share for the selected journals in clinical radiology was 43.2% (16,582 articles) and ranked top in the world, followed by the United Kingdom (9.9%) and Japan (8.0%). The recent increase in the share was statistically significant for Japan, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Turkey, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and China. On the other hand, the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada showed a significant negative trend. Among the top-ranking 10 countries, the US contribution was significantly higher to journals with high-impact factors, whereas the opposite was true for France. CONCLUSION: The United States, United Kingdom, and Canada showed a negative trend over the last decade in terms of proportion of contribution of articles to the clinical radiology journals. However, only the United States published more articles in high-impact factor journals.     

Factors associated with spousal physical violence against women in Bangladesh

Using data from a population-based survey of 2,702 women of reproductive age and from 28 in-depth interviews of abused women conducted during 2000-01, this study explores factors associated with domestic violence in urban and rural Bangladesh. Multilevel analysis revealed that in both residential areas, dowry or other demands in marriage and a history of abuse of the husband's mother by his father increased the risk of violence. Better spousal communication and husband's education beyond the tenth grade decreased the risk of violence. In the urban area, women's being younger than their husband and participating in savings and credit groups increased the risk of abuse, whereas husband's education beyond the sixth grade had a protective effect. In the rural area, women's earning an income increased the risk. These factors are important to consider when designing interventions.     

Cell-to-cell movement of the PVX 12K, 8K,or coat proteins may depend on the host,leaf developmental stage,and the PVX 25K protein

The requirements for intercellular movement of Potato virus X (PVX) 12K, 8K, and coat proteins (CP) differed in two Nicotiana spp. Plasmids containing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene fused to PVX 12K, 8K, or CP genes were bombarded to tobacco leaves. Protein movement was observed in N. benthamiana but not N. tabacum leaves. GFP:12K and GFP:8K moved cell-to-cell in 25K-expressing transgenic N. tabacum source but not sink leaves. In N. tabacum, GFP:12K and GFP:8K intercellular movement depends on the 25K and leaf developmental stage. Leaves were bombarded using two biolistic delivery methods and the results were similar indicating that movement of GFP:12K or GFP:8K is independent of the delivery system. Mutations in 12K, 8K, and CP genes within the PVX genome inhibited viral intercellular movement in both Nicotiana spp. Thus plasmodesmata gating is not an essential function of these proteins for virus cell-to-cell movement. These proteins likely provide additional activities for virus cell-to-cell movement.     

Genetic architecture of Al3+ toxicity tolerance in rice F2:3 populations determined through QTL mapping

Ecotoxicology - Aluminum (Al3+) toxicity is one of the factors limiting crop production in acidic soils. Identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs)/genes for tolerance to Al3+ toxicity at seed...