Identification of the inflow zone of unruptured cerebral aneurysms: comparison of 4D flow MRI and 3D TOF MRA data

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The hemodynamics of the inflow zone of cerebral aneurysms may be a key factor in coil compaction and recanalization after endovascular coil embolization. We performed 4D flow MR imaging in conjunction with 3D TOF MRA and compared their ability to identify the inflow zone of unruptured cerebral aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This series comprised 50 unruptured saccular cerebral aneurysms in 44 patients. Transluminal color-coded 3D MRA images were created by selecting the signal-intensity ranges on 3D TOF MRA images that corresponded with both the luminal margin and the putative inflow.

RESULTS

4D flow MR imaging demonstrated the inflow zone and yielded inflow velocity profiles for all 50 aneurysms. In 18 of 24 lateral-projection aneurysms (75%), the inflow zone was located distally on the aneurysmal neck. The maximum inflow velocity ranged from 285 to 922 mm/s. On 4D flow MR imaging and transluminal color-coded 3D MRA studies, the inflow zone of 32 aneurysms (64%) was at a similar location. In 91% of aneurysms whose neck section plane angle was <30° with respect to the imaging section direction on 3D TOF MRA, depiction of the inflow zone was similar on transluminal color-coded 3D MRA and 4D flow MR images.

CONCLUSIONS

4D flow MR imaging can demonstrate the inflow zone and provide inflow velocity profiles. In aneurysms whose angle of the neck-section plane is obtuse vis-a-vis the imaging section on 3D TOF MRA scans, transluminal color-coded 3D MRA may depict the inflow zone reliably.

ACTH expression in synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and Lewis rats with adjuvant arthritis

Abstract Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and another pro-opiomelanocortin-derived neuropeptide, β-endorphin (β-End), are stimulated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) at the anterior pituitary. CRH and β-End have predominantly proinflammatory effects in peripheral inflammatory sites. We have supposed that inflammatory stimuli develop ACTH as well as β-End. In this study, we investigated the expression of ACTH in inflamed synovial tissue from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), and at inflammatory joints with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in female Lewis (LEW/N) rats. The expression of ACTH immunostaining was significantly greater in synovium of RA patients than in that of OA patients (P < 0.0001), and correlated with the extent of inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltration. Extensive and intense intracellular ACTH immunostaining, which correlated with the advance in arthritis score, was observed in the synovial lining layer, inflammatory mononuclear cells, and fibroblast-like cells of synovium and chondrocytes in LEW/N rats with AA. In addition, we performed double immunostaining of the same sections from arthritic joints in rats with anti-ACTH and anti-CRH antibodies. ACTH and CRH colocalized in inflammatory mononuclear cells and fibroblast-like cells. ACTH may play a role in the pathogenesis of RA as well as CRH.

Effect of cold exposure on plasma glucose and acetate turnover rates in sheep

Isotopic dilution methodology of [U-13C]glucose and [1-13C]Na-acetate were performed simultaneously as primed continuous infusions to determine plasma glucose and acetate metabolism in sheep during thermoneutral (TN) and cold exposure (CE, 2−4°C). The experiment was performed using crossbred (Corriedale × Suffolk) sheep (n = 5; 3 male and 2 female; ~2 years old, 38 ± 2.5 kg of initial bodyweight). The animals were offered mixed hay of orchardgrass and reed canarygrass (40 : 60) 62 g/kg0.75/day with ad libitum water access. Concentration of plasma glucose was determined enzymatically using the glucose oxidase method. Plasma concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and glucose were higher (P = 0.01 and P = 0.05 respectively) during CE than TN. Plasma concentration and the turnover rate of acetate were numerically higher (P = 0.09 and P = 0.25 respectively) during CE than during TN. Plasma glucose turnover rate was higher (P = 0.02) during CE than TN. The present findings suggested that plasma acetate turnover rate tended to be elevated during CE, with further more extensive studies required to clarify the significance.

Comparison of broiler performance using Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), Bio-Sel-E and commercial diet

An experiment was conducted to determine the impact of Plantain (PL), Bio-Sel-E and commercial broiler diet on the growth performance, feed conversion ratio, performance index and carcass yield of broiler. A total of 160 day old broiler chicks (Cobb-500) were randomly distributed into four groups with four replication in each group and having 10 birds in each replication. Basal diet was used for group 1 (control), Basal diet was supplemented with PL (0.5% of DM basis) and Bio-Sel-E (5g/50 birds in drinking water) for group 2 and 3 respectively and for group 4 used commercial broiler diet (Quality Feed Ltd.). Total feed intake was similar among the groups. Feed conversion ratios of PL diet, Bio-Sel-E diet, and commercial broiler diet were comparable, and were lower (P<0.05) than the control diet. Significantly higher body weight gain and performance index were found in PL, Bio-Sel-E and commercial broiler diet groups than control diet. The dressing yield of PL diet and commercial broiler diet were comparable, and they were higher (P<0.05) than Control diet and Bio-Sel-E diet. It could be concluded that the Supplementation of 0.5% PL in the diet had positive effect on growth, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, performance index and carcass characteristics of broilers almost similar of Bio-Sel-E and commercial broiler diet. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v42i2.18492 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2013. 42 (2): 123-130

Role of mechanical forces in hand nail configuration asymmetry in hemiplegia: an analysis of four hundred thumb nails

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between nail configuration and mechanical force, the nail morphology and pinch strengths of the paralyzed and non-paralyzed sides of patients with hemiplegia were measured.

METHODS

Study 1: Analysis of nail configuration. Both thumb nails of 100 subjects with hemiplegia and 100 healthy volunteers (400 thumb nails) were enrolled. The left and right thumb nails were compared in terms of configuration, namely the curve index (defined as nail height/width). Study 2: Measurement of pinch strength. In 10 subjects with hemiplegia and 10 healthy volunteers, the pinch strengths of both sides were compared.

RESULTS

Study 1: In the subjects with hemiplegia, the palsy side had a significantly higher curve index than the non-palsy side (32.7 ± 8.3 vs. 24.4 ± 6.5%). The two sides of the healthy volunteers did not differ significantly in terms of the curve index. Study 2: In all hemiplegia cases, the non-palsy side had a higher pinch strength. The differences were statistically significant (4.40 ± 1.90 vs. 0.05 ± 0.16 kg). In the healthy volunteers, the dominant and non-dominant sides did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSION

Mechanical forces may affect the nail configuration and could participate in the pathophysiology of nail deformities.