Sonographic findings of breast hamartoma: emphasis on compressibility

The characteristic features of hamartoma in terms of discrepancies in mammographic and sonographic shapes of the mass were evaluated. We reviewed 16 pathologically proven breast hamartomas, which had undergone preoperative mammography and ultrasonography. All masses were analyzed according to ACR-BIRADS on mammography. On sonography, each mass was analyzed for size, shape, margin, internal echogenicity, and posterior acoustic enhancement. We also analyzed the echogenicity of halo, and compared the characteristic changes in the shape of hamartomas attributable to compression in mammograms and sonograms. The most common sites were at 12 o'clock in the right breast and 2 o'clock in the left. The most common mammographic findings of the hamartomas were a round shape (11/16), a circumscribed margin (13/16), internal fat densities (D4)(16/16) and radiolucent halos (14/16). The most common sonographic findings of the hamartomas were an oval shape (16/16), circumscribed margins (10/16), heterogeneous internal echogenicity (14/16), echogenic (7/16) or echolucent halos (5/16), and posterior enhancements (12/16). The characteristic feature of hamartomas was a change of the mammographic round shape mass into an elongated oval shape mass by sonography (11/11), suggesting the compressibility of hamartomas. Three of the hamartomas contained a pathologically proven internal calcification. The presence of a hamartoma was suggested by a change in a mammographic round mass with a radiolucent halo into an oval heterogeneous mass surrounded by an echogenic or echolucent halo on the sonogram. This characteristic difference between the mammographic and sonographic findings was attributed to the hamartoma compressibility, and was associated with the over-proliferation of fat containing mature normal breast tissue.     

A new resin matrix for dental composite having low volumetric shrinkage

The applications of dental restorative composite resins containing 2,2 bis [4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxy propoxy) phenyl] propane (Bis-GMA), as a base resin, and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), as a diluent, are often limited in dentistry due to the relatively large amount of volumetric shrinkage that occurs during the curing reaction. In this study, various new resin matrices were examined for use as dental composites in order to reduce the amount of volumetric shrinkage that occurs in dental composites as a result of curing. Bis-GMA derivatives were synthesized by substituting methyl groups for hydrogen on the phenyl ring. The derivatives of TEGDMA with different chain lengths or reactive groups were also examined. The molecular structural changes in the TEGDMA derivatives were not effective in reducing the level of volumetric shrinkage. The resin matrix containing a Bis-GMA derivative and TEGDMA showed a reduced amount of volumetric shrinkage in proportion to the number of methyl groups on the phenyl rings. Polymerization with a mixture of Bis-GMA, its derivatives and a diluent is a promising strategy for obtaining a polymer with a low amount of volumetric shrinkage. A comparison of the volumetric shrinkage of dental composites containing Bis-GMA, TMBis-GMA (2,2-bis[3,5-dimethyl, 4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxy propoxy) phenyl] propane)), and TEGDMA with that prepared from a Bis-GMA and TEGDMA mixture showed that the volumetric shrinkage reduction in the new resin was approximately 50%. Furthermore, the mechanical strength of the former was higher than that of the latter.     

Respiratory effects in two-dimensional Fourier transform MR imaging

Respiratory and other regular motions during two-dimensional Fourier transform magnetic resonance imaging produce image artifacts consisting of local blurring and more or less regularly spaced "ghost" images propagating along the direction of the phase-encoding magnetic field gradient. The patterns of these ghost artifacts can be understood in terms of the technique of image production and basic properties of the discrete Fourier transform. This understanding permits, without respiratory gating, production of images of improved quality in body regions in which there is significant respiratory motion. In particular, the ghosts can be maximally separated from the primary image by choosing intervals between phase-encoding gradient pulse increments that are equal to one-half the respiratory period; they can be minimally separated by choosing an interval equal to the respiratory period. Increasing the number of signal averages between each phase-encoding increment decreases the intensity of the ghosts.     

Osteopetrosis: MR characteristics at 1.5 T

Four patients with proved osteopetrosis (three with the infantile malignant form and one with the benign form) were examined with magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T. All patients were studied in the coronal and sagittal planes using both short and long repetition time/echo time sequences. The infantile malignant form was characterized by a complete lack of signal from the marrow alternating with a signal intensity equivalent to that of the intervertebral disks, resulting in a "stepladder" appearance. In the benign form or after successful marrow transplantation in the infantile malignant form, intermediate or high signal intensity in the vertebrae was noted, suggesting the presence of some marrow elements.     

Dynamics of Serum Retinol and Alpha-Tocopherol Levels According to Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Status

The available data on the association between micronutrients in the blood and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are limited. To investigate the clinical implications of this relationship, we sought to identify the difference in the serum levels of vitamins A and E according to NAFLD status using data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In this cross-sectional study of the Korean population, NAFLD and its severity were defined using prediction models. Differences in the prevalence and severity of NAFLD were analyzed according to serum retinol (vitamin A) and alpha (α)-tocopherol (vitamin E) levels. Serum levels of retinol and α-tocopherol were positively correlated with the prevalence of NAFLD. In most prediction models of the NAFLD subjects, serum retinol deficiency was significantly correlated with advanced fibrosis, while serum α-tocopherol levels did not differ between individuals with or without advanced fibrosis. Similar trends were also noted with cholesterol-adjusted levels of α-tocopherol. In summary, while circulating concentrations of retinol and α-tocopherol were positively associated with the presence of NAFLD, advanced liver fibrosis was only correlated with serum retinol levels. Our findings could provide insight into NAFLD patient care at a micronutrient level.     

A digest of the Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for Nephrotic Syndrome 2020

Clinical and Experimental Nephrology -     

Immunogenicity,safety and reactogenicity of ROTAVAC® in healthy infants aged 6–8 weeks in Vietnam

BackgroundROTAVAC® is derived from human 116E rotavirus (RV) neonatal strain. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity, safety and reactogenicity of ROTAVAC® in Vietnam.MethodWe conducted a phase IV clinical trial in healthy infants aged 6–8 weeks using the complete regimen of ROTAVAC® with three doses. Serum anti-RV IgA was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to assess the geometric mean concentration in infants who received the complete regimen of the vaccine.ResultsA total of 360 participants were enrolled in this clinical trial. The mean age ± standard deviation at enrollment was 6.9 ± 0.6 weeks. The anti-RV IgA titer was 4.01 ± 3.74 mg/ml pre-vaccination and substantially increased to 29.27 ± 80.64 mg/ml post-vaccination. The value of logIgA significantly increased (p = 0.003) from 0.28 ± 0.79 to 1.03 ± 0.54. The proportion of participants with equal to and greater than 3-fold and 4-fold shifts in pre- to post-vaccination antibody titer (IgA) were 55.4% and 48.3%, respectively. No adverse events or serious adverse events were recorded immediately within 30 min after the administration of each dose. The most common adverse events within 14 days after each visit were fever, unusual crying and irritability. Other adverse events occurred at a low rate, and no case of intussusception was noted.ConclusionsThe complete regimen of ROTAVAC® demonstrated an immunological response with clinically acceptable safety profile. Post-completion of this study, ROTAVAC® is now a WHO-prequalified vaccine and available in Vietnam.     

Biomechanical assessment with electromyography of post-stroke ankle plantar flexor spasticity

Spasticity has been defined as a motor disorder characterized by a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflex (muscle tone). Muscle tone consists of mechanical-elastic characteristics, reflex muscle contraction and other elements. The aims of this study were to determine whether to assess spasticity quantitatively, and to characterize biomechanical and electromyographic spasticity assessment parameters. These assessment parameters were described by investigating the correlation between clinical measures and the response to passive sinusoidal movement with consecutive velocity increments. Twenty post-stroke hemiplegic patients and twenty normal healthy volunteers were included in the study. Five consecutive sinusoidal passive movements of the ankle were performed at specific velocities (60, 120, 180, and 240 degrees/ sec). We recorded the peak torque, work, and threshold angle using a computerized isokinetic dynamometer, and simultaneously measured the rectified integrated electromyographic activity. We compared these parameters both between groups and between different velocities. The peak torque, threshold angle, work, and rectified integrated electromyographic activity were significantly higher in the post-stroke spastic group at all angular velocities than in the normal control group. The threshold angle and integrated electromyographic activity increased significantly and linearly as angular velocity increased, but the peak torque and work were not increased in the post-stroke spastic group. Peak torque, work, and threshold angle were significantly correlated to the Modified Ashworth scale, but the integrated electromyographic activity was not. The biomechanical and electromyographic approach may be useful to quantitatively assess spasticity. However, it may also be very important to consider the different characteristics of each biomechanical parameter.     

Inhibitory effects of plant extracts on adjuvant-induced arthritis

Twenty seven plant extracts were selected on the basis of ancient literature search for rheumatoid arthritis or similar syndrome. Methanol extract of each plant was prepared and administered orally to rats everyday at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day. Experimental arthritis was induced by subplantar injection of heat-killedMycobacterium butyricum to right hind paw of rats. This treatment provoked swelling of the treated paw in two phases, acute primary swelling and secondary arthritic swelling. An inhibition of secondary swelling was considered to be antiarthritic activity. Several plant methanol extracts such asAkebia quinata (caulis),Ephedra sinica (herba) andSophorae subprostrata (radix) were found to show significant inhibitory activity against secondary swelling at the dose tested. Our results strongly suggested an antiarthritic potential of these plant extracts.