Medicine
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This study aimed to investigate the utility of adding superb microvascular imaging (SMI) to B-mode ultrasound (US) for distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid nodules and evaluate the usefulness of SMI quantification of nodular vascularity for diagnosing thyroid cancer. The malignancy likelihood was scored for 3 datasets before versus after additional color Doppler imaging or SMI using 4-scale visual analysis (i.e., B-mode US alone, B-mode US + color Doppler image, and B-mode US + SMI). Further, the SMI pixel count was measured in the region of interest, including the whole nodule, on the longitudinal view. ⋯ The optimal cut-off value for the SMI pixel count for predicting malignant thyroid nodules obtained using a receiver operating characteristic curve was 17 (40.54% in sensitivity, 91.3% in specificity). Analysis based on the US pattern of thyroid nodules revealed significant differences in the nodules with low-to-intermediate suspicious US features between malignant and benign nodules. Quantification analysis of vascularity using SMI can differentiate malignant thyroid nodules from benign ones.
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Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTDs) are characterized by vascular abnormalities of the trophoblast, but their pathogenesis is unknown. Angiogenin (ANG) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, which are molecules implicated in the angiogenic process, may play some role in this process. ⋯ ANG and MMP-2 levels were significantly elevated in the placental tissues and maternal serum from patients with GTDs. Further studies with more patients may clarify the vascular abnormalities in GTDs and determine potential biomarkers in the differential diagnosis of GTDs.
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Comparative Study
The radiographic assessments of spino-pelvic compensation using IoT-based real-time ischial pressure adjustment.
In malalignment syndrome, the spino-pelvic alignment correction with foot orthotics can be applied only to a standing position in the coronal plane. Considering the fact that the average time Koreans spend sitting in a chair is 7.5 hours per day, studies on spino-pelvic correction in sitting position is needed. The purpose of this study is to investigate the pressure changes and radiographic assessment of spino-pelvic alignment using a chair equipped with a height-adjustable seat-plate. ⋯ The radiographic results of pelvic imbalance compensation during seated show a statistical improvement of average SHD (from −0.9 to −0.8 mm, P = .005) and average ICHD (from 9.5 to 2.5 mm, P = .037). For a standing posture after use of smart chair, average SHD value (−3.0 to −1.0 mm, P = .005), ICHD (from 1.8 to 0.8 mm, P = .016), and average LLD value (0.8–0.1 mm, P = .033) were statistically significant improved. Spine-pelvic malalignment can be improved by individually customized pelvic compensation using balanced seat plate height adjustments under the real-time pressure sensing and monitoring on the buttocks while seated.
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Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common microvascular complication of diabetic patients, along with hypertension, hyperlipemia, proteinuria, edema, and other clinical manifestations. Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is a traditional Chinese medicine and has shown significant clinical efficacy against DN. However, the overall molecular mechanism of this therapeutic effect has not been entirely elucidated. ⋯ This systematic review also does not involve endangering participant rights. Ethical approval will not be required. The results may be published in a peer-reviewed journal or disseminated at relevant conferences.
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Genetic variation is known to affect response to calcium channel blockers (CCBs) among different populations. This study aimed to determine the genetic variations associated with poor response to this class of antihypertensive drugs among Filipinos. One hundred eighty one hypertensive participants on CCBs therapy were included in an unmatched case-control study. ⋯ The variant rs1458038 near fibroblast growth factor 5 gene showed significant association with poor blood pressure-lowering response based on additive effect (CT genotype: adjusted OR 3.41, P = .001; TT genotype: adjusted OR 6.72, P < .001). These findings suggest that blood pressure response to calcium channels blockers among Filipinos with hypertension is associated with gene variant rs1458038 near fibroblast growth factor 5 gene. Further studies are recommended to validate such relationship of the variant to the CCB response.