Comparison of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained by echo planar imaging diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and radial acquisition regime DWI in low field MRI systems: A phantom study.

INTRODUCTION: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with radial acquisition regime (RADAR; RADAR-DWI) is a fast spin echo (FSE)-based DWI imaging technique that is known to be robust to magnetic susceptibility artifacts and distortions as compared with echo planar imaging DWI (EPI-DWI). Several reports have suggested that the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained with FSE-based DWI are different from those obtained with EPI-DWI. The purpose of this study was to create phantoms that mimic the T2 and ADC values of various tissues and to demonstrate the ADC values obtained with RADAR-DWI and EPI-DWI in low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. METHODS: Several phantoms were created using sucrose and manganese (II) chloride tetrahydrate mimicking various tissues. RADAR-DWI and EPI-DWI were used to scan the phantoms, and the obtained ADC values were compared. RESULTS: The ADC values obtained with RADAR-DWI were significantly higher than those obtained with EPI-DWI for all phantoms (P < 0.05). The ADC values obtained by RADAR-DWI ranged from 0.70 ± 0.01 to 1.21 ± 0.02 ( × 10-3mm2s-1). Meanwhile, the ADC values obtained with EPI-DWI ranged from 0.59 ± 0.01 to 1.08 ± 0.05 ( × 10-3mm2s-1). CONCLUSIONS: We created phantoms mimicking T2 and ADC values of various tissues and demonstrated the differences in ADC values obtained with RADAR-DWI and EPI-DWI using low-field MRI systems. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: ADC values obtained by RADAR-DWI are significantly higher than those obtained by EPI-DWI, with different cutoff values for various tumor malignancies between them.

Technical Note: Novel imaging method to obtain gray matter-attenuated inversion recovery image using low-field magnetic resonance imaging systems.

INTRODUCTION: The double inversion recovery (DIR) technique suppresses two types of tissue signals with different T1 values by applying two inversion recovery (IR) pulses with different inversion times (TI). In contrast, the double tissue suppression with multi-echo acquisition and single TI combining HIRE (DOMUST-HIRE) method, is a technique enabling the white-matter-attenuated inversion recovery (WAIR) images by setting one inversion time (TI) in a sequence based on the multi-echo method and subtracting the second echo image from the first echo image. Here, we propose a new sequence that can provide the gray-matter-attenuated inversion recovery image based on the DOMUST-HIRE method. METHODS: In this small clinical study, we performed determination of optimal TI and physical evaluation by imaging a subject's head with T1WI and our proposed method for GAIR images. RESULTS: Our proposed method could increase the contrast ratio and the contrast-to-noise ratio between white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM), whereas the signal-to-noise ratio WM and GM decreased than with T1WI method. CONCLUSIONS: Our proposed method can be used to suppress GM and CSF signals. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The use of our proposed method in low-field MRI systems could provide GAIR image.

Feasibility of salt pads to improve fat suppression in low-field MRI systems.

INTRODUCTION: Fat-suppressed images are essential in clinical practice but are often affected by magnetic field inhomogeneity, resulting in poor image quality. We hypothesized that salt (99% sodium chloride [NaCl]) could be used as a magnetic field uniformity assist pad and verified whether salt pads improve magnetic field uniformity and the fat suppression effect in low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. METHODS: We conducted a small clinical study where coronal 2D fast spin-echo T2-weighted MRI with fat suppression was performed. The subjects were 10 healthy volunteers (six men and four women) with no surgical history, with a mean age of 20.5 years (range, 20-30 years). In the clinical study, we performed physical and visual evaluation by imaging a subject's knee with and without salt pads. RESULTS: The results of the clinical study indicated that the use of salt pads improved the magnetic field uniformity, thus increasing the fat suppression effect. CONCLUSIONS: Salt pads improved the homogeneity of the magnetic field and the fat suppression effect in low-field MRI systems. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The use of salt pads in low-field MRI systems could provide more accurate fat suppression images.

Prediction of pathological response to preoperative chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron-emission tomography.

AIM: To determine whether the pathological response to preoperative chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) can be predicted using 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron-emission tomography (F-18 FDG-PET). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with PDAC who underwent only neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) before surgery were enrolled in the study. All patients had F-18 FDG-PET examinations before NAC. The resected specimen was pathologically evaluated according to the Classification of Pancreatic Carcinoma (7th edn). Patients were categorised into a non-response group and a response group based on the pathological findings. The non-response group (Grades 1a and 1b) showed ≤50% necrosis in the specimen, while the specimens of the response group (Grades 2-3) showed >50% necrosis. The maximum standardised uptake values (SUVmax) of the tumours on F-18 FDG-PET were measured. The mean values of SUVmax were compared between the two groups. The diagnostic performance of SUVmax in distinguishing the two groups was also evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: The mean SUVmax of the response group was higher than that of the non-response group (9.00 ± 1.78 versus 4.26 ± 2.35; p<0.001). The optimal cut-off value of SUVmax was 9.28 for distinguishing the two groups. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the prediction in the response group were 80%, 95.7%, and 92.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SUVmax on F-18 FDG-PET may be useful as a biomarker to predict the pathological response to NAC in patients with PDAC.

Functional expression of equilibrative and concentrative nucleoside transporters in alveolar epithelial cells.

Equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) and concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs) mediate the cellular uptake of nucleosides and nucleobases across the plasma membrane and play important roles in the salvage pathways of nucleotide synthesis. However, information about nucleoside transport systems in the lung alveolar epithelial cells is limited. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the function and expression of nucleoside transporters using primary cultured alveolar type II cells and transdifferentiated type I-like cells. The uptake of uridine, a substrate for ENTs and CNTs, in type II and type I-like cells was time, temperature, and concentration dependent, and was inhibited by other nucleoside transporter substrates such as adenosine. Uridine uptake in both cells was insensitive to nanomolar concentrations of NBMPR, a potent ENT1 inhibitor, while it was inhibited by higher concentrations of NBMPR, suggesting that ENT2, but not ENT1, is involved in uridine uptake in these cells. Additionally, uridine uptake was higher in the presence of Na+ than in the absence of Na + and was partially inhibited by a CNT inhibitor phloridzin in these cells, suggesting that CNT is also involved in uridine uptake. In both cells, the mRNA expression of ENT1, ENT2, CNT2, and CNT3 was observed. Finally, the activity of uridine uptake was considerably higher in type II cells than in type I-like cells. In addition, the mRNA expression of ENT2, CNT2, and CNT3, but not ENT1, was lower in type I-like cells than in type II cells. These findings would help understand the functional roles of equilibrative and concentrative nucleoside transporters in alveolar epithelial cells.

Raised high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and cognitive impairment among African stroke survivors within the first three months following stroke.

Stroke remains a major factor causing death and disabilities such as cognitive impairment. There is conflicting evidence on the role and dynamics of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), an acute phase pro-inflammatory protein, in post-stroke cognitive impairment. This study evaluated cognitive impairment and examined its relationship with serum hsCRP in the first three months following stroke. Cognition was assessed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment test, while serum hsCRP concentrations were assessed using enzyme link immunosorbent assay kit. Data were processed using SPSS Statistics version 20.0. Sixty subjects, comprising of 30 stroke patients and 30 healthy subjects, matched for age, sex and level of education were studied. Cognitive impairment was observed among the stroke patients, while the healthy subjects showed normal cognitive function; and the difference in the cognitive scores of the two groups was highly significant (P = 0.001). There was higher prevalence of cognitive impairment among the stroke survivors compared to the non-stroke subjects. Serum hsCRP was significantly higher among the stroke survivors compared to the healthy subjects (P = 0.001). The high hsCRP level correlates well with duration of stroke and working memory domain of cognition. The data revealed a high prevalence of cognitive impairment and concurrent high serum hsCRP levels among stroke survivors in the first three months following stroke, in contrast with normal subjects. The high hsCRP level correlates with duration of stroke and working memory domain of cognition. The data suggest a role for serum hsCRP and inflammation in the development of post-stroke cognitive impairment.

Transport of ribavirin in human myelogenous leukemia cell line K562.

The anticancer effect of ribavirin, a purine nucleoside analogue, has been studied using cultured cancer cells such as the human myelogenous leukemia cell line K562. In order to exert its pharmacological effect, ribavirin has to enter cancer cells. However, there is little information concerning the transport mechanism of ribavirin into K562 cells. In this study, therefore, we examined the uptake mechanism of ribavirin in K562 cells. The uptake of ribavirin in K562 cells was time- and temperature-dependent, and was saturable with a Km value of 1.5 mM. Ribavirin uptake was inhibited by nucleosides such as adenosine and uridine, and by inhibitors of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) such as S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine and dipyridamole in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the expression of ENT1 mRNA in K562 cells was confirmed by real-time PCR. On the other hand, Na+-dependence of ribavirin uptake was not observed, suggesting the involvement of ENT1, but not Na+-dependent concentrative nucleoside transporters, in ribavirin uptake in K562 cells. Treatment of K562 cells with sodium butyrate induced erythroid differentiation, but ribavirin uptake activity and sensitivity of the uptake to various inhibitors were not different between native and differentiated K562 cells. These results suggest that ribavirin uptake into K562 cells is mainly mediated by ENT1, which may have a pivotal role in anticancer effect of ribavirin.

Craniofacial penetration by a wooden stick.

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating craniofacial injuries caused by stick-like foreign bodies occur as a result of accidents particularly in children, and often lead to significant morbidity. CASE SUMMARY: We describe a 5-year-old boy who sustained facial trauma after falling on a wooden stick which penetrated his left cheek. At the initial visit, his vital and neurological signs were normal. However, the stick had penetrated the frontal lobe to a depth of 3cm via the orbital cavity and the anterior skull base. The stick was successfully removed while visualizing the anterior skull base in an endoscopic transethmoidal approach. A follow-up examination one year after the accident demonstrated normal visual acuity and ocular motility, with no diplopia, tearing or pain. DISCUSSION: Penetrating facial injuries caused by stick-like objects carry a significantly higher risk of serious neurological involvement. Even if penetrating facial injuries sometimes appear trivial, the external injury site is often insufficient to determine the position of the object within the head. Although the cheek is a rare entry site for intracranial injuries, the extent of damage should be assessed fully before attempting removal.

Pathogenetic implication of fusion genes in acute promyelocytic leukemia and their diagnostic utility.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has been recognized as a discrete subset of hematopoietic malignancies constituting approximately 10% of acute myeloid leukemia cases. The hallmark reciprocal chromosomal translocation t(15;17) involving fusion between the retinoic acid receptor (RARα) gene and promyelocytic leukemia (PML) gene is a characteristic feature in APL which consequently results in the emergence of PML-RARα chimeric gene. This gene has been substantiated to be responsible for cellular transformation and is a prime target of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) as well as arsenic-trioxide (ATO) therapy. Since this initial discovery, about 10 diverse translocation partner genes of RARα have been reported that result in variant APL forms strongly suggesting that disruption of RARα underlies its pathogenesis. The nature of the fusion partner has a significant bearing upon disease characteristics including sensitivity to retinoids and ATO and thereby underpins the need for rapid and accurate diagnosis and also demands a highly specific treatment approach. In this article we laid emphasis on the rearrangement of the RARα gene and its different fusion partners resulting in variant forms of APL, their implication in underlying molecular pathogenesis of APL and also the different diagnostic modalities that should be employed for their rapid and accurate diagnosis.

High incidence of autoimmune gastritis in patients misdiagnosed with two or more failures of H. pylori eradication.

BACKGROUND: Although autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is generally considered relatively rare, we frequently encounter AIG among patients at to our hospital who have experienced at least two episodes of Helicobacter pylori eradication failure. AIMS: We investigated the incidence of AIG in consecutive patients who consulted our department for H. pylori eradication with reference to eradication history. METHODS: A total of 404 consecutive patients who visited the H. pylori-specific out-patient unit of our hospital from June 2015 to June 2017 were enrolled. Of these, 137 were treatment-naive, 47 had failed treatment once (single failure), and 220 had failed treatment twice or more (multiple failures) by 13 C-UBT. Gastroscopy was performed in all patients. Culture tests of gastric mucosal samples were performed for H. pylori and other bacteria positive for urease activity. Anti-parietal cell antibody (APCA) was measured. Patients with severe atrophy in the gastric corpus and positivity for APCA were diagnosed as having AIG. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients were diagnosed as having AIG, of whom two were treatment-naive (1.5%, 2/137), 1 failed eradication once (2.1% 1/47), and 40 failed treatment at least twice (18.2%, 40/220). The incidence of AIG was significantly higher in the multiple failure group than in the single failure or treatment-naive groups. Urease-positive bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and alpha-streptococcus, were identified in 33 of the 35 AIG patients who underwent culture testing. CONCLUSION: AIG patients were often misdiagnosed as refractory to eradication therapy, probably because achlorhydria in AIG might allow urease-positive bacteria other than H. pylori to colonise the stomach, causing positive 13 C-UBT results.

Reliability of the SF-36 in Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its associations with disease activity and damage: a two-consecutive year prospective study.

We aimed to validate the reliability of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) among Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Japanese patients with SLE ( n = 233) completed the SF-36 and other related demographic questionnaires, and physicians simultaneously completed the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index (SDI). Patients were prospectively followed for a repeat assessment the following year. The SF-36 subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α of 0.85-0.89), and an overall good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.70). The average baseline SF-36 subscale/summary scores except for "bodily pain" were significantly lower than those of the Japanese general population ( p < 0.05). The SDI showed an inverse correlation with the SF-36 subscale/summary scores except for "vitality" and "mental component summary" at baseline, whereas the SLEDAI-2K did not. In the second year, "social functioning" and "mental component summary" of the SF-36 deteriorated among patients whose SDI or SLEDAI-2K score increased (effect sizes < -0.20). In conclusion, the SF-36 demonstrated acceptable reliability among Japanese patients with SLE. Health-related quality of life measured by the SF-36 was reduced in Japanese patients with SLE and associated with disease damage, rather than disease activity.

The pharmacokinetics of intravenous ketorolac in children aged 2 months to 16 years: A population analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous ketorolac is commonly administered to children for the control of postoperative pain. An effect site EC50 for analgesia of 0.37 mg. L-1 is described in adults. AIMS: The aim of this study was to review age- and weight-related effects on ketorolac pharmacokinetic parameters in children and current dosing schedules. METHODS: Pooled intravenous ketorolac (0.5 mg. kg-1 ) concentration-time data in children aged 2 months to 16 years were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effects models. Allometry was used to scale to a 70 kg person. RESULTS: There were 64 children aged 2 months to 16 years (641 plasma concentrations) available for analysis. A two-compartment mammillary model was used to describe pharmacokinetics. Clearance was 2.53 (CV 45.9%) L. h-1. 70 kg-1 and intercompartment clearance was 4.43 (CV 95.6%) L. h-1. 70 kg-1 . Both central (V1) and peripheral (V2) volumes of distribution decreased with age over the first few years of postnatal life to reach V1 6.89 (CV 30.3%) L. 70 kg-1 and V2 5.53 (CV 47.6%) L. 70 kg-1 . CONCLUSION: Clearance, expressed as L. h-1. kg-1 , decreased with age from infancy. A dosing regimen of 0.5 mg. kg-1 every 6 hours maintains a trough concentration larger than 0.37 mg. L-1 in children 9 months to 16 years of age. This dosing regimen is consistent with current recommendations.

Endoscopic endonasal excision of nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma with intracranial extension.

INTRODUCTION: Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma (NCMH) is an extremely rare benign hamartoma of the sinonasal tract, predominantly involving infants and young children. METHODS: We report the case of a 3-year-old boy of NCMH with extension to anterior skull base. RESULTS: The tumor was completely resected piece by piece via an endonasal endoscopic approach. There is no recurrence 3 years after operation. CONCLUSIONS: We reported the case of NCMH extending to skull base was successfully resected by endonasal endoscopic approach.

Discovery of anti-microbial and anti-tubercular molecules from Fusarium solani: an endophyte of Glycyrrhiza glabra.

AIMS: Glycyrrhiza glabra is a high-value medicinal plant thriving in biodiversity rich Kashmir Himalaya. The present study was designed to explore the fungal endophytes from G. glabra as a source of bioactive molecules. METHODS AND RESULTS: The extracts prepared from the isolated endophytes were evaluated for anti-microbial activities using broth micro-dilution assay. The endophytic strain coded as A2 exhibiting promising anti-bacterial as well as anti-tuberculosis activity was identified as Fusarium solani by ITS-5.8S ribosomal gene sequencing technique. This strain was subjected to large-scale fermentation followed by isolation of its bioactive compounds using column chromatography. From the results of spectral data analysis and comparison with literature, the molecules were identified as 3,6,9-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-4,4-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-benzo[g]isochromene-5,10-dione (1), fusarubin (2), 3-O-methylfusarubin (3) and javanicin (4). Compound 1 is reported for the first time from this strain. All the four compounds inhibited the growth of various tested bacterial strains with MIC values in the range of <1 to 256 µg ml-1 . Fusarubin showed good activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv with MIC value of 8 µg ml-1 , whereas compounds 1, 3 and 4 exhibited moderate activity with MIC values of 256, 64, 32 µg ml-1 , respectively. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that reports significant anti-tuberculosis potential of bioactive molecules from endophytic F. solani evaluated against the virulent strain of M. tuberculosis. This study sets background towards their synthetic intervention for activity enhancement experiments in anti-microbial drug discovery programme. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Due to the chemoprofile variation of same endophyte with respect to source plant and ecoregions, further studies are required to explore endophytes of medicinal plants of all unusual biodiversity rich ecoregions for important and or novel bioactive molecules.

Shear Stiffness of 4 Common Intracranial Tumors Measured Using MR Elastography: Comparison with Intraoperative Consistency Grading.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The stiffness of intracranial tumors affects the outcome of tumor removal. We evaluated the stiffness of 4 common intracranial tumors by using MR elastography and tested whether MR elastography had the potential to discriminate firm tumors preoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, vestibular schwannomas, and gliomas scheduled for resection were recruited for MR elastography. On the elastogram, the mean and the maximum shear stiffnesses were measured by placing an ROI on the tumor. Blinded to the MR elastography findings, surgeons conducted qualitative intraoperative assessment of tumor consistency by using a 5-point scale. Histopathologic diagnosis was confirmed by using the resected specimens. The mean and maximum shear stiffnesses were compared with histopathologic subtypes, and the intraoperative tumor consistency was graded by the surgeons. RESULTS: The mean and maximum shear stiffnesses were the following: 1.9 ± 0.8 kPa and 3.4 ± 1.5 kPa for meningiomas, 1.2 ± 0.3 kPa and 1.8 ± 0.5 kPa for pituitary adenomas, 2.0 ± 0.4 kPa and 2.7 ± 0.8 kPa for vestibular schwannomas, and 1.5 ± 0.2 kPa and 2.7 ± 0.8 kPa for gliomas. The mean and maximum shear stiffnesses for meningiomas were higher than those of pituitary adenomas (P < .05). The mean and maximum shear stiffnesses were significantly correlated with the surgeon's qualitative assessment of tumor consistency (P < .05). The maximum shear stiffness for 5 firm tumors was higher than that of nonfirm tumors (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: MR elastography could evaluate intracranial tumors on the basis of their physical property of shear stiffness. MR elastography may be useful in discriminating firm tumors preoperatively.

Coping strategies and risk of cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality: the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective Study.

AIMS: Coping strategies may be significantly associated with health outcomes. This is the first study to investigate the association between baseline coping strategies and cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality in a general population cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Japan Public Health Center-based prospective Study asked questions on coping in its third follow-up survey (2000-04). Analyses on CVD incidence and mortality included 57 017 subjects aged 50-79 without a history of CVD and who provided complete answers on approach- and avoidance-oriented coping behaviours and strategies. Cox regression models, adjusted for confounders, were used to determine hazard ratios (HRs) according to coping style. Mean follow-up time was 7.9 years for incidence and 8.0 years for mortality.The premorbid use of an approach-oriented coping strategy was inversely associated with incidence of stroke (HR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73-1.00) and CVD mortality (HR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55-0.99). Stroke subtype analyses revealed an inverse association between the approach-oriented coping strategy and incidence of ischaemic stroke (HR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64-0.98) and a positive association between the combined coping strategy and incidence of intra-parenchymal haemorrhage (HR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.01-4.10). Utilizing an avoidance coping strategy was associated with increased mortality from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) only in hypertensive individuals (HR = 3.46; 95% CI, 1.07-11.18). The coping behaviours fantasizing and positive reappraisal were associated with increased risk of CVD incidence (HR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.03-1.50) and reduced risk of IHD mortality (HR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.40-0.99), respectively. CONCLUSION: An approach-oriented coping strategy, i.e. proactively dealing with sources of stress, may be associated with significantly reduced stroke incidence and CVD mortality in a Japanese population-based cohort.

Knowledge and Skills of Mothers/Care Givers of Children Under Five Years in Communities with Home Based Management of Malaria in Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana, 2013.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is still one of the major public health problems. More than 400 million cases of malaria are reported each year worldwide, Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region where about 90% of all malaria deaths in the world occur especially in children under five years of age. Home based management of Malaria showed a tremendous effect on reducing mortalities among children in Ghana. OBJECTIVES: to determine the current level of knowledge and skills of mothers in Tamale Metropolitan Area in the northern region of Ghana in terms of disease identification, management and transmission of malaria. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study conducted in 2013 involved 400 families and mothers/care givers with children less than five years were selected randomly and represented urban, peri-urbanand rural settings. RESULTS: More than 90% of respondents identified malaria by presence of fever while 57.5% used fever as a cardinal sign. 91% of participants sought early treatment in urban and peri-urban settings while 85% did so in rural sites. 55% of participants administered the correct doses daily but only 17% of them knew the side effects of Antimalarial medications used. Almost all participants were aware about transmission of malaria, when to repeat the drug dose and usage of paracetamol as a medicine to reduce body temperature. CONCLUSION: The overall knowledge and skills demonstrated are encouraging, there is no much difference between urban and rural settings. Community based initiatives should be strengthened and promoted to provide homemade solutions to saving lives and resources.

Validation of the Japanese version of the Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire that includes physician-based assessments in a large observational cohort.

The Systemic Lupus Activity Questionnaire (SLAQ) is a patient-reported outcome for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We aimed to translate it into Japanese and further investigate its validity and reliability. The English version of the SLAQ was translated into Japanese and administered to Japanese SLE patients at our university clinic. Physicians assessed disease activity using the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). The patients were prospectively followed for repeat assessment a year later. Ultimately, 255 patients participated. The patients' 10-point ratings of disease activity and SLAQ scores were significantly correlated (Spearman's ρ = 0.53). The SLAQ score was weakly correlated with the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K)-nolab (omitting laboratory items; ρ = 0.18) but not with the SLEDAI-2K (ρ = 0.02). These results suggested its convergent and discriminant validity. The SLAQ demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.80), and good test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.85). The effect sizes and the standardized response means of the SLAQ were as follows: clinical worsening, 0.26 and 0.31, and improvement, -0.39 and -0.41, respectively, which indicated a small but significant responsiveness. The Japanese version of the SLAQ demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity; its performance was comparable to that of the original version.

Anterior mediastinal solid tumours in adults: characterisation using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, diffusion-weighted MRI, and FDG-PET/CT.

AIM: To find significant parameters to characterise anterior mediastinal solid tumours in adults using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), and combined 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight histologically confirmed anterior mediastinal solid tumours in 48 patients (24 men, 24 women; age range 21-83 years, mean 50.7 years) were examined. The parameters analysed were maximal diameter, presence of capsule/septa on T2-weighted images, time-signal intensity curves (TICs), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax). Also examined was whether any differences between histological types could be seen in these parameters. In a validation study, 42 anterior mediastinal solid tumours in 42 patients were examined consecutively. RESULTS: The washout pattern on TIC was seen only in thymic epithelial tumours (20/32). SUVmax of lymphoma (mean, 17.9), malignant germ cell tumours (14.2), and thymic carcinomas (15.6) were significantly higher than that of thymomas (6.1). The mean maximal diameter of thymic epithelial tumours was significantly smaller than that of lymphomas (p<0.01) and malignant germ cell tumours (p<0.05). The validation study also yielded high accuracy (38/42, 91%) in differentiation among the anterior mediastinal solid tumours. CONCLUSION: The SUVmax, TIC pattern on DCE-MRI, and maximal diameter might be useful to differentiate anterior mediastinal solid tumours in adults.