Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity parameters of the brain white matter tracts in preterm infants: reproducibility of region-of-interest measurements.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion tensor parameters can be analysed by fitting regions of interest (ROIs) to selected brain structures. The clinical usefulness of these measurements is influenced by their reproducibility and validity. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reproducibility of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) measurements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-six infants were imaged once at term-equivalent age. We measured several brain regions. Reproducibility was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: Intra-observer reproducibility was excellent for FA in the calcarine cortex (right) and frontal white matter (left), and for MD in the corpus callosum (anterior), internal capsule, corona radiata, putamen, frontal white matter, optic radiation (left), thalamus (right) and calcarine cortex (right). Inter-observer reproducibility was excellent for FA in the corpus callosum (posterior) and for MD in the internal capsule and corona radiata (right). Inter-observer reproducibility was poor for FA in frontal and posterior white matter (right) and for MD in the inferior colliculus (right). Reproducibility was fair to good in other areas. The Bland-Altman plots showed no considerable bias, and variance was independent of the mean value. CONCLUSION: Reproducibility of ROI measurement was fair to good for both FA and MD.

Effect of a low dose of sea buckthorn berries on circulating concentrations of cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and flavonols in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies indicate beneficial effects of flavonoids on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study the effect of flavonoid-rich sea buckthorn berry (SBB) on circulating lipid markers associated with CVD risk and plasma flavonol concentration. Also investigated was whether changes in the circulating flavonol concentrations correlate with the SBB induced changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration observed previously. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In all 229 healthy participants completed the randomized double-blind study and consumed daily 28 g of SBB or placebo for 3 months. Fasting blood samples for the analysis of lipid markers and flavonols were obtained at the beginning and end of the study. RESULTS: Compared to the placebo, the consumption of SBB increased the plasma concentration of the flavonols quercetin and isorhamnetin significantly [treatment differences 3.0 ng/ml (P = 0.03) and 3.9 ng/ml (P < 0.01), respectively]. The increase of kaempferol concentration was not significant [treatment difference 0.7 ng/ml (P = 0.08)]. SBB did not affect the serum total, HDL, LDL cholesterol, or the serum triacylglycerol concentrations. There was no correlation between the changes in flavonol and CRP concentrations of participants. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of SBB significantly increased the fasting plasma concentration of quercetin and isorhamnetin indicating that it is a good dietary source of flavonols. However, this did not convert to affecting the circulating concentrations of lipid markers in healthy, normolipidemic adults having healthy diets.