Validation of the traditional Chinese version of the Menopausal Rating Scale with WHOQOL-BREF.

Objective To assess the criterion validity, construct validity and test-retest reliability of the traditional Chinese language version of the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS-TC version). Methods This was an observational, cross-sectional study covering hospital and community samples of 317 women aged 39-62 years. Two questionnaires were administered, namely, the MRS-TC version, made up of 11 items in three dimensions, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to examine the test-retest reliability of the questionnaire on two separate occasions, 2 weeks apart. The internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's α. To evaluate criterion validity, the relationship between the individual items and dimension scores of both instruments was estimated. Pearson's correlation was used to assess convergent and discriminant validity; construct validity was evaluated by comparing the mean scores of menopausal and non-menopausal women for each of the MRS dimensions. Results The final questionnaire comprised 11 items in three dimensions. The intra-class correlation (ICC) for the test-retest reliability ranged from 0.83 to 0.93; values of Cronbach's α for psychological, somatic, and urogenital symptom domains were 0.88, 0.68, and 0.59, respectively. For the convergent and discriminant validity, the correlations between the individual questionnaire and the WHOQOL-BREF were significant; those with the MRS dimensions were significantly negatively associated for the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains. Conclusion The MRS-TC version using the traditional Chinese language is a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing menopausal symptoms and global quality of life in climacteric women.

Role of the p38 pathway in mineral trioxide aggregate-induced cell viability and angiogenesis-related proteins of dental pulp cell in vitro.

AIM: To investigate the influence of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on angiogenesis of primary human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) via the MAPK pathway, in particular p38. METHODOLOGY: Human dental pulp cells were cultured with MTA to angiogenesis, after which cell viability, ion concentration, osmolality, NO secretion, the von Willebrand factor (vWF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) protein expression were examined. PrestoBlue(®) was used for evaluating the proliferation of hDPCs. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine vWF and Ang-1 protein secretion in hDPCs cultured on MTA and the control. Cells cultured on the tissue culture plate without the cement were used as the control. The t-test was used to evaluate the significance of the differences between the mean values. RESULTS: Mineral trioxide aggregate elicited a significant (P < 0.05) increased viability compared with the control (15%, 16% and 13% on days 1, 3 and 5 of cell seeding, respectively). MTA consumed calcium and phosphate ions, and released more Si ions in the medium. MTA significantly (P < 0.05) increased the osmolality of the medium to 313, 328 and 341 mOsm kg(-1) after 1, 3 and 5 days, respectively. P38 was activated through phosphorylation, and the phosphorylation kinase was investigated in the cell system after being cultured with MTA. Expression levels for Ang-1 and vWF in hDPCs on MTA were higher than those of the MTA + p38 inhibitor (SB203580) group (P < 0.05) at all of the time-points. CONCLUSIONS: Mineral trioxide aggregate was able to activate the p38 pathway in hDPCs cultured in vitro. Moreover, Si increased the osmolality required to facilitate the angiogenic differentiation of hDPCs via the p38 signalling pathway. When the p38 pathway was blocked by SB203580, the angiogenic-dependent protein secretion decreased. These findings verify that the p38 pathway plays a key role in regulating the angiogenic behaviour of hDPCs cultured on MTA.

Transcriptome sequencing and analysis of the coconut leaf beetle, Brontispa longissima.

The coconut leaf beetle, Brontispa longissima, is a destructive pest of palm plants. Although its ecological and biological characteristics are well understood, its genetic information remains largely unknown. To advance our understanding of its molecular ba-sis of biology and ecology, we sequenced and analyzed its whole transcriptome by using high-throughput Illumina paired-end sequencing technology. Approximately 8.08 Gb of clean reads were generated in a single run, which were assembled by using Trinity into 41,652 unigenes with an average length of 932 bp. By sequence similarity searches for known proteins, 23,077 (55.4%) unigenes were annotated by BLASTx searches against the NCBI non-redundant protein database. Of the unigenes assembled, 18,153 and 13,733 were assigned to Gene Ontology and Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins, respectively. In addition, 10,415 unigenes were mapped onto 247 pathways using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway database. These transcriptomic resources will facilitate gene identification and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of biological and ecological aspects under-lying this palm pest, in order to design a new control strategy.

Characterizing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreen spray.

OBJECTIVE: Numerous commercial products contain titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs); however, many of these are not labelled as containing NPs. This study sought to develop an effective means of characterizing TiO2 and ZnO NPs in sunscreen sprays, including the size, shape and composition of the particles as well as their aggregation/agglomeration characteristics. METHODS: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with a window-type microchip K-kit/copper grid and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to characterize the oxide NPs. RESULTS: TME pre-treatment was performed using two approaches: using a conventional copper grid (requiring dilution) and using a K-kit (not requiring dilution). The use of K-kit in conjunction with XRD makes it possible to obtain direct measurements from samples that have not undergone pre-treatment, which could otherwise alter the nature of the samples, such as the degree of agglomeration. XRD was used to obtain information related to particle size and crystal structure. A strong correlation was observed between XRD and TEM measurements. CONCLUSION: The proposed measurement methods were shown to be highly effective in the characterization of oxide NPs in sunscreen sprays, providing consistent information related to NPs and their interactions in the formulations.

Complete response after MAID treatment for advanced primary ovarian angiosarcoma: case report and literature review.

The patient presented in this case report was a 45-year-old female, with a Stage IIIA ovarian angiosarcoma combined with mature teratoma, that underwent debulking surgery and achieved complete remission for 11 months after six cycles of MAID chemotherapy (mesna, adriamycin/doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and dacarbazine). Thereafter, she had tumor recurrence with peritoneal seeding and massive pleural effusion; hence she received chemotherapy again. Although she had been undergoing a series of chemotherapies, the tumor continued to progress. Hence, she refused further chemotherapy since September 2012. Unfortunately, she passed away in January 2013 due to severe dyspnea with wide spread tumor progression. She had the longest survival period (31 months) and complete remission period than the other advanced primary ovarian angiosarcoma cases ever reported in the literature.

Müllerian adenosarcoma: a review of cases and literature.

OBJECTIVE: Mullerian adenosarcoma usually originates in the endometrium and grows as a polypoid mass in post-menopausal women presenting as abnormal vaginal bleeding. This report reviewed Miillerian adenosarcoma cases to clarify the clinical and pathologic characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen cases ofMiillerian adenosarcoma in two medical centers covering a 15-year period were reviewed. Their clinical characteristics, pathologic findings, treatment, and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Of the 15 cases, three originated from the endometrium, six arose from uterine adenomyosis, three from the adnexa, and three from the cervix. There was only one post-menopausal case. One case was of breast cancer with tamoxifen (TMX) therapy. There were four Miillerian adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth (MASO) cases, three of which died within one year after surgery. Only the focal MASO case survived. CONCLUSION: The rare variant of MASO is very aggressive and associated with poor prognosis.

Evaluation of the effects of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) dispersants on intrinsic biodegradation of trichloroethylene (TCE).

In this study, the biodegradability of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) dispersants and their effects on the intrinsic biodegradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) were evaluated. Results of a microcosm study show that the biodegradability of three dispersants followed the sequence of: polyvinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate-co-itaconic acid (PV3A) > polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20) > polyacrylic acid (PAA) under aerobic conditions, and PV3A > Tween 20 > PAA under anaerobic conditions. Natural biodegradation of TCE was observed under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. No significant effects were observed on the intrinsic biodegradation of TCE under aerobic conditions with the presence of the dispersants. The addition of PAA seemed to have a slightly adverse impact on anaerobic TCE biodegradation. Higher accumulation of the byproducts of anaerobic TCE biodegradation was detected with the addition of PV3A and Tween 20. The diversity of the microbial community was enhanced under aerobic conditions with the presence of more biodegradable PV3A and Tween 20. The results of this study indicate that it is necessary to select an appropriate dispersant for nZVI to prevent a residual of the dispersant in the subsurface. Additionally, the effects of the dispersant on TCE biodegradation and the accumulation of TCE biodegrading byproducts should also be considered.

Assessment of dementia risk in aging adults using both FDG-PET and FDDNP-PET imaging.

BACKGROUND: In a previous study, positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-(1-{6-[(2-[F-18]fluoroethyl)(methyl)amino]-2-naphthyl}ethylidene)malononitrile (FDDNP), a molecule that binds to plaques and tangles in vitro, identified three subgroups of non-demented subjects according to FDDNP binding patterns: low global (LG) binding; high frontal, parietal, medial temporal binding (HF/PA); and high medial and lateral temporal and posterior cingulate (HT/PC) binding. In this follow-up investigation, we compared 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro- d-glucose (FDG)-PET cerebral metabolic patterns in the three FDDNP-PET binding subgroups. METHODS: Fifty-four subjects with normal aging (N = 28) or amnestic forms of mild cognitive impairment (N = 26) underwent FDDNP-PET and FDG-PET scanning. Subjects in the LG, HF/PA, and HT/PC FDDNP subgroups were compared according to visual ratings, statistical parametric mapping, and automated region of interest analyses of their FDG-PET data. RESULTS: The FDDNP-PET subgroups demonstrated different glucose metabolic patterns according to visual ratings, region of interest, and statistical parametric mapping analyses of FDG-PET data. The LG FDDNP subgroup showed no areas of significant hypometabolism relative to the other subgroups and had low Alzheimer's disease risk by FDG-PET standards. The HF/PA FDDNP subgroup demonstrated hypometabolism in bilateral inferior parietal/parietotemporal, bilateral posterior cingulate, perisylvian, mid-temporal gyrus, and dorsolateral prefrontal regions, which is a pattern suggestive of high Alzheimer's disease risk. The HT/PC FDDNP subgroup demonstrated heterogeneous FDG-PET patterns with predominant anterior frontal and anterior temporal hypometabolism, suggestive of mixed etiologies, including fronto-temporal dementia risk. CONCLUSIONS: The FDG-PET data provided independent validation that different patterns of FDDNP-PET binding in non-demented individuals may be associated with differential dementia risk.

Self-reported memory impairment and brain PET of amyloid and tau in middle-aged and older adults without dementia.

BACKGROUND: Whether perceived changes in memory parallel changes in brain pathology is uncertain. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans using 2-(1-{6-[(2-[F-18]fluoroethyl)(methyl)amino]-2-naphthyl}ethylidene)malononitrile (FDDNP) can measure levels of amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles in vivo. Here we investigate whether degree of self-reported memory impairment is associated with FDDNP-PET binding levels in persons without dementia. METHODS: Fifty-seven middle-aged and older adults without dementia (mean age ±standard deviation = 66.3 ± 10.6 years), including 25 with normal aging and 32 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), were assessed. The outcome measures were the four factor scores of the Memory Functioning Questionnaire (MFQ) (frequency of forgetting, seriousness of forgetting, retrospective functioning, and mnemonics use) and FDDNP-PET binding levels in medial temporal, lateral temporal, posterior cingulate, parietal, frontal, and global (overall average) regions of interest. RESULTS: After controlling for age, higher reported frequency of forgetting was associated with greater medial temporal (r = -0.29, p = 0.05), parietal (r = -0.30, p = 0.03), frontal (r = -0.35, p = 0.01), and global FDDNP-PET binding levels (r = -0.33, p = 0.02). The remaining MFQ factor scores were not significantly associated with FDDNP-PET binding levels, and no significant differences were found between normal aging and MCI subjects. Item analysis of the frequency of forgetting factor revealed five questions that yielded similar results as the full 32-question scale (r = -0.52, p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that some forms of memory self-awareness, in particular the reported frequency of forgetting, may reflect the extent of cerebral amyloid and tau brain pathology.

Differential gene expression between the porcine morula and blastocyst.

The survival and development of pre-implantation embryos are determinant factors affecting the outcome of animal reproduction. It is essential to transfer the expression of the genetic material from maternal sources, that is the ovum to the zygote before implantation to ensure successful development. Differentiation and transformation of blastomeres initiated during the morula and blastocyst stages is an important step of the embryonic development prior to implantation. We collected morula and early blastocyst samples from pure-bred Landrace pigs in vivo to study the differential gene expression patterns at these two stages. Total RNA was extracted from individual embryos and two rounds of amplification were employed. Two micrograms of antisense RNA, targets, were prepared and hybridized with each of four custom made oligo microarrays representing 24,000 porcine genes. The analyses of replicate hybridizations showed that among the 24,000 genes, 162 genes were expressed fivefold or greater in the morula compared to early blastocysts and 2126 genes were expressed fivefold or greater in early blastocysts compared to the morula. Of these differentially expressed genes, 1429 genes were functionally annotated with related human Gene Ontology terms. In addition to basic metabolic processes, genes related to signal transduction, transportation and cell differentiation were found in both stages and were up-regulated as embryo development proceeded. Real time polymerase chain reaction was utilized to quantify 12 genes differentially expressed in the 2 embryonic stages and validated the reliability of major evidences shown in microarrays. In conclusion, we have obtained a preliminary landscape of genes differentially expressed during the transition from morula to early blastocysts in pigs and showed a generally increased transcriptional activity, perhaps in preparation for implantation. Our results provide an opportunity to study the functions of these genes in relation to the development and survival of pre-implantation porcine embryos.

Effects of Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide in diet on growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, and biochemistry of broilers.

In the present study, we analyzed the effects of Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GCP) on growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity, and biochemistry of broilers. A total of 600, one-day-old AA broilers randomly divided into 5 treatment groups with 6 replicate pens of 20 birds per cage received dietary supplementation with GCP (0, 200, 500, 1,000, and 1,500 mg/kg) for 42 d. The supplementation of GCP linearly decreased (P < 0.05) feed conversion rate on day 22 to 42. Dietary supplementation with GCP reduced (P < 0.05) serum total cholesterol on day 21 and 42 and linearly improved (P < 0.05) albumin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Dietary supplementation with 1,000 or 1,500 mg/kg GCP significantly increased (P < 0.05) serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity on day 21 and 42 and reduced (P < 0.05) serum malondialdehyde content on 21 d. Dietary supplementation with 1,000 or 1,500 mg/kg GCP significantly improved (P < 0.05) interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) expressions in liver on day 21 and 42. At the end of the experiment, we randomly selected 20 broilers from 3 treatment groups (0, 1,000, and 1,500 mg/kg), respectively, to perform an lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute stress experiment. The 60 broilers were divided into 6 treatment groups with 10 birds per cage. The experiment was designed as a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement with GCP (0, 1,000, or 1,500 mg/kg) and LPS (injection of saline or 1 mg/kg body weight) levels as treatments. When the grouping was finished, the broilers were immediately intraperitoneally injected with LPS or normal saline. Six hours after challenged, serum antioxidant and liver immunity were analyzed. The results showed that dietary GCP prevented LPS-induced reductions in T-SOD activity and increases in malonaldehyde content (P < 0.05). Also, dietary GCP supplementation mitigated the LPS-induced increase in IL-1ß and IFN-γ in the liver. Supplementation with 1,500 mg/kg GCP showed the most optimal effect in broilers. GCP has the potential to be used as feed additive in broilers.

FDDNP binding using MR derived cortical surface maps.

OBJECTIVES: To assess quantitatively the cortical pattern profile of regional FDDNP binding to beta-amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles on MR derived cortical maps, FDDNP PET images were corrected for movement and partial volume (PV), and optimized for kernel size. METHODS: FDDNP DVR PET images from 23 subjects (7 with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 6 with mild cognitive impairment and 10 controls) were obtained from Logan analysis using cerebellum as reference. A hemispheric cortical surface model for each subject was extracted from the MRI. The same transformations were applied to the FDDNP DVR PET images to map them into the same space. The cortical map with PV correction was calculated as the ratio of the DVR cortical surface and that of the simulated map, created from the mask derived from MRI and smoothed to the PET resolution. Discriminant analysis was used to order the FDDNP DVR cortical surfaces based on subjects' disease state. Linear regression was used to assess the rate of change of DVR vs. MMSE for each hemispheric cortical surface point. RESULTS: The FDDNP DVR cortical surface corrected for movement and PV had less hemispheric asymmetry. Optimal kernel size was determined to be 9 mm. The corrected cortical surface map of FDDNP DVR showed clear spatial pattern that was consistent with the known pathological progression of AD. CONCLUSION: Correcting for movement, PV as well as optimizing kernel size provide sensitive statistical analysis of FDDNP distribution which confirms in the living brain known pathology patterns earlier observed with cognitive decline with brain specimens.

PET of brain amyloid and tau in mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Amyloid senile plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles are neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease that accumulate in the cortical regions of the brain in persons with mild cognitive impairment who are at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Noninvasive methods to detect these abnormal proteins are potentially useful in developing surrogate markers for drug discovery and diagnostics. METHODS: We enrolled 83 volunteers with self-reported memory problems who had undergone neurologic and psychiatric evaluation and positron-emission tomography (PET). On the basis of cognitive testing, 25 volunteers were classified as having Alzheimer's disease, 28 as having mild cognitive impairment, and 30 as having no cognitive impairment (healthy controls). PET was performed after injection of 2-(1-{6-[(2-[F-18]fluoroethyl)(methyl)amino]-2-naphthyl}ethylidene)malononitrile (FDDNP), a molecule that binds to plaques and tangles in vitro. All subjects also underwent 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) PET, and 72 underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: Global values for FDDNP-PET binding (average of the values for the temporal, parietal, posterior cingulate, and frontal regions) were lower in the control group than in the group with mild cognitive impairment (P<0.001), and the values for binding in the group with mild cognitive impairment were lower than in the group with Alzheimer's disease (P<0.001). FDDNP-PET binding differentiated among the diagnostic groups better than did metabolism on FDG-PET or volume on MRI. CONCLUSIONS: FDDNP-PET scanning can differentiate persons with mild cognitive impairment from those with Alzheimer's disease and those with no cognitive impairment. This technique is potentially useful as a noninvasive method to determine regional cerebral patterns of amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles.

Efficient high-peak-power AlGaInAs eye-safe wavelength disk laser with optical in-well pumping.

We have demonstrated an efficient high-peak-power AlGaInAs eye-safe wavelength disk laser at 1555 nm. The quantum defect and the thermal load are significantly reduced by pumping the quantum well directly. The overall conversion efficiency is enhanced over three times compared with the barrier pumping method. With a pump peak power of 3.7 kW, an output peak power of 0.52 kW is generated at a pulse repetition rate of 20 kHz.

A nonerythroid isoform of protein 4.1R interacts with the nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein.

Red blood cell protein 4.1 (4.1R) is an 80- kD erythrocyte phosphoprotein that stabilizes the spectrin/actin cytoskeleton. In nonerythroid cells, multiple 4.1R isoforms arise from a single gene by alternative splicing and predominantly code for a 135-kD isoform. This isoform contains a 209 amino acid extension at its NH2 terminus (head piece; HP). Immunoreactive epitopes specific for HP have been detected within the cell nucleus, nuclear matrix, centrosomes, and parts of the mitotic apparatus in dividing cells. Using a yeast two-hybrid system, in vitro binding assays, coimmunolocalization, and coimmunoprecipitation studies, we show that a 135-kD 4.1R isoform specifically interacts with the nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) protein. NuMA and 4.1R partially colocalize in the interphase nucleus of MDCK cells and redistribute to the spindle poles early in mitosis. Protein 4.1R associates with NuMA in the interphase nucleus and forms a complex with spindle pole organizing proteins, NuMA, dynein, and dynactin during cell division. Overexpression of a 135-kD isoform of 4.1R alters the normal distribution of NuMA in the interphase nucleus. The minimal sequence sufficient for this interaction has been mapped to the amino acids encoded by exons 20 and 21 of 4.1R and residues 1788-1810 of NuMA. Our results not only suggest that 4.1R could, possibly, play an important role in organizing the nuclear architecture, mitotic spindle, and spindle poles, but also could define a novel role for its 22-24-kD domain.

Differential FDDNP PET patterns in nondemented middle-aged and older adults.

OBJECTIVE: The authors explored whether positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-(1-{6-[(2-[fluorine-18]fluoroethyl)(methyl) amino]-2-naphthyl} ethylidene)malononitrile (FDDNP), a molecule that binds to plaques and tangles in vitro, might identify homogeneous subgroups of persons in middle-aged and older persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or normal cognition. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-six subjects (MCI, N = 29; normal cognition, N = 27). MEASUREMENTS: FDDNP-PET scans were performed. Logan parametric images were produced using cerebellum as a reference region, and relative distribution volumes were obtained for regions of interest (ROIs) known to accumulate plaques and tangles in Alzheimer disease (AD). Cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups of subjects according to FDDNP signal distribution. Once the FDDNP clusters were identified, the authors then characterized the clusters also with respect to diagnosis and cognitive test performances and conducted analyses on cluster differences in these variables. RESULTS: The authors identified three FDDNP clusters: high signal in lateral temporal and posterior cingulate ROIs (high temporal-posterior cingulate HT/PC); low signal in all ROIs (low global [LG] cluster); high frontal and parietal signal with intermediate temporal and posterior cingulate signal (HF/PA). Most MCI subjects belonged to the HT/PC and HF/PA clusters, whereas most cognitively normal subjects were in the LG cluster. On cognitive tests, the HT/PC and the HF/PA clusters performed significantly worse than LG but did not significantly differ from each other. CONCLUSIONS: This approach may be useful in identifying potential high-risk imaging cluster patterns. Longitudinal follow-up would be performed to determine the association of these subgroups with diagnostic and functional outcome.

The significance of endograft geometry on the incidence of intraprosthetic thrombus deposits after abdominal endovascular grafting.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the incidence and risk factors of intraprosthetic thrombotic deposits in abdominal aortic endografts. METHODS: The clinical records of 51 patients (44 males; mean age 76.3 years, range: 63-90 years) with abdominal aortic aneurysm treated with transfemoral implantation of bifurcated stent graft between the years 2002 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients underwent three-phase helical computed tomographic (CT) examinations at 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month intervals and then annually. The formation of intraprosthetic thrombus associated with use of anti-platelet, preoperative mural thrombus in the aneurysm, ratio of cross-sectional area between the mainbody and bilateral limb grafts and length of mainbody were evaluated. RESULTS: Over a 10-month mean follow-up, intraluminal deposits of thrombotic material were observed in eight of 51 patients (15.6%, 95% confidence interval: 8.2-28). The first signs of thrombus formation occurred on average 9.8 months after endografting (range: 1-24 months). Intraprosthetic thrombotic deposits was not related to preoperative mural thrombus formation (p=0.38) or postoperative anti-platelet or anticoagulation medication (p=0.40). However, it was significantly related to the ratio of the cross-sectional area between the mainbody and the bilateral limb grafts and the length of mainbody (p=0.04 and p=0.01). There were three graft limbs occlusion owing to kinking with no intraprosthetic thrombus detected on CT scans taken prior to occlusion. One patient developed distal left proximal superior femoral artery embolisation 4 months after detectable intraprosthetic mainbody thrombus in a CT scan follow-up. In no case did the thrombotic deposits clear completely from the prosthesis lumen during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This short experience demonstrates that incidentally found thrombotic deposits in abdominal aortic endografts are common. The deposition of thrombus is mostly influenced by the geometry of the aortic stent graft with wider mainbody diameter coupled with smaller limb grafts and longer mainbody graft. Most of these thrombi are clinically silent and require no additional treatment.

Changes in uterine blood flow following laparoscopic myomectomy with or without uterine artery ligation on two- and three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in uterine perfusion following laparoscopic myomectomy with or without uterine artery ligation (UAL). METHODS: From November 2005 to July 2007, we enrolled prospectively 105 women with symptomatic myomas who were scheduled to undergo laparoscopic myomectomy (57 with UAL (study group) and 48 without (control group)). Power Doppler ultrasound was used to evaluate uterine artery resistance (RI) and pulsatility (PI) indices and peak systolic velocity (PSV) and three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound was used to obtain vascularization (VI), flow (FI) and vascularization flow (VFI) indices of the uterine tissue, which were calculated by VOCAL (Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis) software. RESULTS: Characteristics of the myomas, operative time and duration of hospital stay were comparable between the two groups, whereas the median (range) of estimated blood loss (50 (50-200) vs. 100 (50-900) mL, P = 0.001) and the frequency of excessive bleeding of > 500 mL (0% vs. 10%, P = 0.018) were significantly lower in the study group. The RI, PI and PSV were comparable between the two groups preoperatively, significantly lower in the study group 1 week after surgery (0.69 vs. 0.74, 1.31 vs. 1.76, and 34.08 vs. 47.49, respectively, P < 0.05), and comparable again 3 months later. The myometrial VI and VFI decreased after surgery and all three 3D power Doppler indices of the study group were similar to those of the control group throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: Concurrent UAL during laparoscopic myom- ectomy reduces the intraoperative blood loss and frequency of excessive bleeding without permanently compromising uterine perfusion.

Current and future uses of neuroimaging for cognitively impaired patients.

Technological advances have led to greater use of both structural and functional brain imaging to assist with the diagnosis of dementia for the increasing numbers of people with cognitive decline as they age. In current clinical practice, structural imaging (CT or MRI) is used to identify space-occupying lesions and stroke. Functional methods, such as PET scanning of glucose metabolism, could be used to differentiate Alzheimer's disease from frontotemporal dementia, which helps to guide clinicians in symptomatic treatment strategies. New neuroimaging methods that are currently being developed can measure specific neurotransmitter systems, amyloid plaque and tau tangle concentrations, and neuronal integrity and connectivity. Successful co-development of neuroimaging surrogate markers and preventive treatments might eventually lead to so-called brain-check scans for determining risk of cognitive decline, so that physicians can administer disease-modifying medications, vaccines, or other interventions to avoid future cognitive losses and to delay onset of disease.