Application of digital tomosynthesis in diagnosing spinal tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of digital tomosynthesis (DTS) applied in diagnosing spinal tuberculosis. METHODS: Images of digital radiology (DR) and DTS were retrospectively analyzed in patients with spinal tuberculosis, and image quality and ratio of detection of lesions were compared. RESULTS: Excellent ratio was higher for DTS images than DR images; ratios of detection of bone destruction, sequestration, and paraspinal abscess were higher for DTS than DR. CONCLUSIONS: DTS had better image quality and ratios of detection of lesions and could be applied in diagnosing and following spinal tuberculosis and other spinal conditions such as infections or suspected tumors.

Effect of a mangosteen dietary supplement on human immune function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

The effect of a mangosteen product containing multivitamins and essential minerals was tested on immune function and well-being in healthy adults. A randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 59 healthy human subjects (40-60 years old). Changes from baseline immune function were measured after a 30-day consumption of the mangosteen product and the placebo. The subjects' self-appraisal of their health status was also surveyed. A xanthone-rich mangosteen product intake increased mean values for peripheral T-helper cell frequency (P = .020) and reduced the serum C-reactive protein concentration (P = .014). Increases in peripheral CD4/CD8 double-positive (DP) T-cell frequency and serum complement C3, C4, and interleukin (IL)-1alpha concentrations were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the placebo group (DP, P = .038; C3, P = .017; C4, P = .031; IL-1alpha, P = .006). At the end of study, serum IL-1alpha and IL-1beta concentrations in the study group were significantly higher than that in the placebo group (IL-1alpha, P = .033; IL-1beta, P = .04). Furthermore, more participants in the experimental group reported greatly improved overall health status compared with participants receiving placebo (P = .001). The results indicated that the intake of an antioxidant-rich product significantly enhanced immune responses and improved the subject's self-appraisal on his or her overall health status.