MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a longitudinal study of eight IGHD subjects (2 males, 6 females) with a mean age of 11.1 ± 0.8 years and age-matched control groups. The pituitary gland, basal ganglia and limbic structures volumes were obtained using 3T MRI voxel-based morphology. The left-hand bone age was assessed using the Tanner-Whitehouse method. Follow-up imaging was performed after an average of 1.8 ± 0.4 years on rhGH.
RESULTS: Subjects with IGHD had a smaller mean volume of the pituitary gland, right thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala than the controls. After rhGH therapy, these volumes normalized to the age-matched controls. Corpus callosum of IGHD subjects had a larger mean volume than the controls and did not show much volume changes in response to rhGH therapy. There were changes towards normalization of bone age deficit of IGHD in response to rhGH therapy.
CONCLUSION: The pituitary gland, hippocampus, and amygdala volumes in IGHD subjects were smaller than age-matched controls and showed the most response to rhGH therapy. Semi-automated volumetric assessment of pituitary gland, hippocampus, and amygdala using MRI may provide an objective assessment of response to rhGH therapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty primary school children were included. They were divided into caries and caries-free groups. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from each participant using spitting method. The salivary elements were measured using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and Pearson's correlation analysis were performed.
RESULTS: Salivary Cu and Zn levels were significantly higher in children with dental caries compared to those caries-free (p < 0.05). Moreover, these elements had a positive correlation with dental caries (Cu: r=0.698, p<0.001; Zn: r=0.181, p<0.05). No significant variations in Mn and Fe were observed between caries and caries-free group (p>0.05). Additionally, there were significant differences in salivary Zn and Fe among different age groups (p<0.05) and highly significant differences in salivary Cu, Mn and Fe among different ethnic groups (p<0.001). However, all elements exhibited no significant differences between males and females.
CONCLUSION: The salivary Cu and Zn levels showed significant differences between caries and caries-free groups. The findings also revealed significant variations in the levels of salivary Cu, Mn and Fe among different ethnic groups and salivary Zn and Fe among different age groups.
METHODS AND RESULTS: The POME final discharge, upstream (unpolluted by POME), and downstream (effluent receiving point) parts of the rivers from two sites were physicochemically characterized. The taxonomic and gene profiles were then evaluated using de novo metatranscriptomics, while the metabolites were detected using qualitative metabolomics. A similar bacterial community structure in the POME final discharge samples from both sites was recorded, but their composition varied. Redundancy analysis showed that several families, particularly Comamonadaceae and Burkholderiaceae [Pr(>F) = 0.028], were positively correlated with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The results also showed significant enrichment of genes regulating various metabolisms in the POME-receiving rivers, with methane, carbon fixation pathway, and amino acids among the predominant metabolisms identified (FDR 4, and PPDE > 0.95). This was further validated through qualitative metabolomics, whereby amino acids were detected as the predominant metabolites.
CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that genes regulating amino acid metabolism have significant potential for developing effective biomonitoring and bioremediation strategies in river water influenced by POME final discharge, fostering a sustainable palm oil industry.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 live Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The rats' mandibular first molar tooth was extracted, and an incision wound was made on the tongue. The extraction socket and incision wound were irrigated using normal saline and different concentrations of locally processed miswak plant extracts (0.05%, 10%, and 20%) for 7 days. The rats were sacrificed for gross examination of the tooth socket and tongue healing. Both soft tissue and alveolar bone were examined microscopically.
RESULTS: Complete closure of the incision wound was observed on all rats' tongues; miswak groups showed better wound healing than control and placebo groups in the oral mucosa overlying the alveolar bones. 0.05% and 20% miswak extracts showed prominent wound healing effects in the sagittal sections of the tongue, with moderate formation of connective tissue under the wound site and notable wound contraction. The 20% miswak extract group showed the highest percentage of healed oral mucosa on the alveolar bone and higher bone deposition at the alveolar base.
CONCLUSION: A concentration of 20% miswak extract enhances the initial phase of wound healing both in oral soft and hard tissues. Miswak extract at this concentration was not toxic to the tissues and had potential therapeutic effects in oral tissue healing.
METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal control rats (N) which received vehicle, and diabetic rats which either received vehicle (DV) or 100 mg/kg of TRF (DT). Diabetes was induced with intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight). Treatments were given orally, once daily, for 12 weeks after confirmation of hyperglycaemia. Fundus photographs were captured at baseline, 6- and 12-week post-STZ injection and average diameter of retinal veins and arteries were measured. At 12-week post-STZ injection, rats were euthanised, and retinae were collected for measurement of Ang-2 and PKC gene and protein expressions.
RESULTS: Retinal venous and arterial diameters were significantly greater in DV compared to DT at week 12 post-STZ injection (p N and this effect of TRF was associated with significantly lower Ang-2 and PKC gene and protein expressions compared to DV.
CONCLUSION: Oral TRF reduces the expression of retinal angiogenic markers and preserves the retinal vascular diameter of rats with STZ-induced DR.
METHODS:: A literature search was done for articles published between 2002 and 2017 on Medline electronic databases. Of 249 titles identified, 38 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with 14 articles related to quantifiable imaging parameters (heterogeneity, vascularity, diffusion, cell density, infiltrations, perfusion, and metabolite changes) and 24 articles relevant to molecular biomarkers linked to imaging.
RESULTS:: Genes found to correlate with various imaging phenotypes were EGFR, MGMT, IDH1, VEGF, PDGF, TP53, and Ki-67. EGFR is the most studied gene related to imaging characteristics in the studies reviewed (41.7%), followed by MGMT (20.8%) and IDH1 (16.7%). A summary of the relationship amongst glioma morphology, gene expressions, imaging characteristics, prognosis and therapeutic response are presented.
CONCLUSION:: The use of radiogenomics can provide insights to understanding tumour biology and the underlying molecular pathways. Certain MRI characteristics that show strong correlations with EGFR, MGMT and IDH1 could be used as imaging biomarkers. Knowing the pathways involved in tumour progression and their associated imaging patterns may assist in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment management, while facilitating personalised medicine.
ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:: Radiogenomics can offer clinicians better insight into diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of therapeutic responses of glioma.
CASE: A case of a 21-year-old woman with no known medical illness who presented with gradual painless bilateral visual loss is described. She had a history of travelling on a long-haul flight 3 weeks prior to presentation. Examination showed presence of bilateral papilloedema, no vitritis, choroiditis and retinitis. Blood investigations showed raised international normalised ratio (INR). Otherwise, workup for infectious causes of optic disc swelling, connective tissue disease screening were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) of the brain showed loss of flow signal in the right transverse sinus and the left sigmoid sinus. Blood workup for preexisting hypercoagulable state was normal. She was diagnosed with deep cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and showed complete recovery with oral corticosteroid and anticoagulant therapy.
CONCLUSION: Deep cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a potentially serious consequence of long-haul flights. A high index of suspicion along with radiological techniques is needed for early detection and initiation of anticoagulation for this reversible condition.
METHODS: This study recruited 21 ALS patients, 19 age-matched PD patients, and 21 agematched healthy controls. Patient demographics and clinical scores relating to the respective diseases were documented. The RNFL thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography at baseline and after 6 months.
RESULTS: At baseline, the RNFL in the superior quadrant was significantly thinner in the patients with ALS than in healthy controls (109.90±22.41 µm vs. 127.81±17.05 µm [mean±standard deviation], p=0.008). The RNFL thickness did not differ significantly between the ALS and PD patients or between the PD patients and healthy controls. At 6 months, there was further significant RNFL thinning in patients with ALS, for both the overall thickness (baseline: median=94.5 µm, range=83.0-106.0 µm; follow-up: median=93.5 µm, range=82.5-104.5 µm, p=0.043) and the thickness in the inferior quadrant (median=126 µm, range=109.5-142.5 µm; and median=117.5 µm, range=98.5-136.5 µm; respectively, p=0.032). However, these changes were not correlated with the ALS functional scores. In contrast, the patients with PD did not demonstrate a significant change in RNFL thickness between the two time points.
CONCLUSIONS: The RNFL thickness is a promising biomarker of disease progression in patients with ALS but not in those with PD, which has a slower disease progression.