Discordant findings of Iodine-131 scintiscan and chest radiogram in carcinoma of thyroid patients

Since 1987, 560 patients have been treated in our department for carcinoma of thyroid with radioactive Iodine-131. Recently, we have come across a patient with bilateral pulmonary concentration of Iodine-131, that is visualised on Iodine-131 whole body scintiscan, whereas chest radiogram was negative. Respectively, the files of 560 patients of carcinoma of thyroid were analysed. It is found, out of 560 patients treated, 16 patients, had pulmonary concentration of Iodine-131. The chest radiogram was normal in six out of these 16 patients. Details of both chest radiogram and scintiscans are presented in this study.     

Collective-Intelligence Recommender Systems: Advancing Computer Tailoring for Health Behavior Change Into the 21st Century

BackgroundWhat is the next frontier for computer-tailored health communication (CTHC) research? In current CTHC systems, study designers who have expertise in behavioral theory and mapping theory into CTHC systems select the variables and develop the rules that specify how the content should be tailored, based on their knowledge of the targeted population, the literature, and health behavior theories. In collective-intelligence recommender systems (hereafter recommender systems) used by Web 2.0 companies (eg, Netflix and Amazon), machine learning algorithms combine user profiles and continuous feedback ratings of content (from themselves and other users) to empirically tailor content. Augmenting current theory-based CTHC with empirical recommender systems could be evaluated as the next frontier for CTHC.ObjectiveThe objective of our study was to uncover barriers and challenges to using recommender systems in health promotion.MethodsWe conducted a focused literature review, interviewed subject experts (n=8), and synthesized the results.ResultsWe describe (1) limitations of current CTHC systems, (2) advantages of incorporating recommender systems to move CTHC forward, and (3) challenges to incorporating recommender systems into CTHC. Based on the evidence presented, we propose a future research agenda for CTHC systems.ConclusionsWe promote discussion of ways to move CTHC into the 21st century by incorporation of recommender systems.     

The association between aneurysm formation and systemic hypertension in Takayasu's arteritis

We have studied the incidence and patterns of aneurysm formation in 88 consecutive patients with Takayasu's arteritis by utilizing digital subtraction pan-aortoarteriography by the intravenous and/or intra-arterial route. Seventy-two patients underwent initial intravenous angiography of which 64 (89%) were diagnostic. All the intra-arterial studies (n = 24) were diagnostically adequate. Arterial aneurysms were seen in eight patients (9.1%) and the saccular variety (75%) was the most common. Clinical and angiographic features of these eight patients were compared with those of the remaining patients. No major differences were observed except that longstanding uncontrolled hypertension was present in all patients with aneurysm formation. In comparison, hypertension was observed in 30 (49.2%) of the remaining 61 patients in whom clinical details were available. Angiographic localization of the aneurysm is important since there are no clinical features that distinguish these patients and rupture of a strategically located aneurysm can prove fatal. The association between hypertension and aneurysm formation suggests that hypertension in these patients should be aggressively managed at the onset of disease. In this regard percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty may prove a possible management adjunct.     

Utility of coaxial technique for renal angioplasty in patients with a difficult-to-cross stenosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of coaxial approach in difficult-to-cross lesions in patients with failed percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty by conventional over-the-wire exchange technique. Twelve stenoses in 10 patients (six women and four men; age range 19 ± 7 years) with uncontrolled hypertension were treated by this method. The stenosis was caused by nonspecific aortoarteritis in 8 patients and fibromuscular dysplasia in 2 patients. It was ostial in seven and post-ostial in five vessels. Conventional exchange technique was unsuccessful in all of them. All procedures were done by femoral route. Technical success was seen in 11 (92 %), without complication. The stenosis improved from 90 ± 2.1 % (range 80–100 %) to 6 ± 7 % (range 0–20 %), blood pressure decreased from 198 ± 12.3 mm Hg (range 180–220 mm Hg)/130 ± 6.7 mm Hg (range 120–140 mm Hg) to 119 ± 5.7 mm Hg (range 110–130 mm Hg)/83 ± 3.9 mm Hg (range 80–90 mm Hg), and number of drug treatments for hypertension fell from 3.6 ± 0.52 (range 3–4) to 1 ± 0.94 (range 0–3; p < 0.01). Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty resulted in “cure” in 3 patients and “improvement” in 7 patients. Follow-up period was 3–21 months (mean 6.4 months). No restenosis was detected. Coaxial approach is safe and effective in treating difficult-to-cross lesions in which renal angioplasty by conventional exchange technique is unsuccessful. Received: 7 May 1998; Revision received: 10 November 1998; Accepted: 25 November 1998     

Neuroprotective Potential of Novel Multi-Targeted Isoalloxazine Derivatives in Rodent Models of Alzheimer’s Disease Through Activation of Canonical Wnt/β-Catenin Signalling Pathway

Previous reports suggest that Alzheimer’s disease is protected by cholinesterase inhibitors. We synthesized some isoalloxazine derivatives and evaluated them using in vitro cholinesterase inhibition assay. Two of the compounds (7m and 7q) were figured out as potent cholinesterase inhibitors. They further showed anti-Aβ aggregatory activity in the in vitro assay. The current study deals with the evaluation of neuroprotective potentials of the potent compounds (7m and 7q) using different in vitro and in vivo experiments. The compounds were first assessed for their tendency to cross blood–brain barrier using in vitro permeation assay. They were evaluated using scopolamine-induced amnesic mice model. Additionally, ROS scavenging and anti-apoptotic properties of 7m and 7q were established against Aβ_1–42-induced toxicity in rat hippocampal neuronal cells. 7m and 7q were also evaluated using Aβ_1–42-induced Alzheimer’s rat model. Lastly, their involvement in Wnt/β-catenin pathway was also demonstrated. The results indicated good CNS penetration for 7m and 7q. The neuroprotective effects of 7m and 7q were evidenced by improved cognitive ability in both scopolamine and Aβ_1–42-induced Alzheimer’s-like condition in rodents. The in vivo results also confirmed their anti-cholinesterase and anti-oxidant potential. Immunoblot results showed that treatment with 7m and 7q decreased Aβ_1–42, p-tau, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP levels in Aβ_1–42-induced Alzheimer’s rat brain. Additionally, immunoblot results demonstrated that 7m and 7q activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as evidenced by increased p-GSK-3, β-catenin, and neuroD1 levels in Aβ_1–42-induced Alzheimer’s rat brain. These findings have shown that isoalloxazine derivatives (7m and 7q) could be the potential leads for developing effective drugs for the treatment of AD.     

Doppler echocardiography in normally functioning replacement aortic valves: a review of 129 studies

Echocardiography is the technique of choice for the assessment of replacement aortic valves. Hemodynamic function depends on the design and size of the valve. This review summarizes the published information available to the end of 2005. The most obstructive valve was the caged-ball, followed by the stented porcine and single tilting-disc valves. The stented bovine pericardial valves were slightly less obstructive than these, and similar to the intra-annular bileaflet mechanical valves. Stentless valves appeared slightly less obstructive still, and similar to reduced-cuff mechanical bileaflet valves. Homografts were the least obstructive. Approximate guide thresholds suggesting obstruction were derived.     

In vitro antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activities of Bauhinia variegata Linn

Objectives:

To evaluate the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Bauhinia variegata Linn. for in vitro antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activity.

Materials and Methods:

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the stem bark and root of B. variegata Linn. were prepared and assessed for in vitro antioxidant activity by various methods namely total reducing power, scavenging of various free radicals such as 1,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), super oxide, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide. The percentage scavenging of various free radicals were compared with standard antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA). The extracts were also evaluated for antihyperlipidemic activity in Triton WR-1339 (iso-octyl polyoxyethylene phenol)-induced hyperlipidemic albino rats by estimating serum triglyceride, very low density lipids (VLDL), cholesterol, low-density lipids (LDL), and high-density lipid (HDL) levels.

Result:

Significant antioxidant activity was observed in all the methods, (P < 0.01) for reducing power and (P < 0.001) for scavenging DPPH, super oxide, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide radicals. The extracts showed significant reduction (P < 0.01) in cholesterol at 6 and 24 h and (P < 0.05) at 48 h. There was significant reduction (P < 0.01) in triglyceride level at 6, 24, and 48 h. The VLDL level was also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced from 24 h and maximum reduction (P < 0.01) was seen at 48 h. There was significant increase (P < 0.01) in HDL at 6, 24, and 48 h.

Conclusion:

From the results, it is evident that alcoholic and aqueous extracts of B. variegata Linn. can effectively decrease plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and VLDL and increase plasma HDL levels. In addition, the alcoholic and aqueous extracts have shown significant antioxidant activity. By the virtue of its antioxidant activity, B. variegata Linn. may show antihyperlipidemic activity.