Perceived Dark Rim Artifact in First-Pass Myocardial Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Due to Visual Illusion

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that human visual illusion can contribute to sub-endocardial dark rim artifact in contrast-enhanced myocardial perfusion magnetic resonance images.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Numerical phantoms were generated to simulate the first-passage of contrast agent in the heart, and rendered in conventional gray scale as well as in color scale with reduced luminance variation. Cardiac perfusion images were acquired from two healthy volunteers, and were displayed by the same gray and color scales used in the numerical study. Before and after k-space windowing, the left ventricle (LV)-myocardium boarders were analyzed visually and quantitatively through intensity profiles perpendicular the boarders.RESULTS: k-space windowing yielded monotonically decreasing signal intensity near the LV-myocardium boarder in the phantom images, as confirmed by negative finite difference values near the board ranging −1.07 to −0.14. However, the dark band still appears, which is perceived by visual illusion. Dark rim is perceived in the in-vivo images after k-space windowing that removed the quantitative signal dip, suggesting that the perceived dark rim is a visual illusion. The perceived dark rim is stronger at peak LV enhancement than the peak myocardial enhancement, due to the larger intensity difference between LV and myocardium. In both numerical phantom and in-vivo images, the illusory dark band is not visible in the color map due to reduced luminance variation.CONCLUSION: Visual illusion is another potential cause of dark rim artifact in contrast-enhanced myocardial perfusion MRI as demonstrated by illusory rim perceived in the absence of quantitative intensity undershoot.

Cutaneous lesions in colorectal carcinoma: a rare presentation

No abstract available.

A rare presentation of Bilateral mesiodens in maxilla.

Supernumerary teeth are a relatively frequent disorder of odontogenesis characterized by an excess number of teeth. Mesiodens is the most common type of supernumerary teeth found in the premaxilla between the two central incisors. They can be supplemental (resembling natural teeth), conical, tuberculate, or molariform. We present a rare case of 41 year old male patient who presented with bilateral mesiodens.

Prevalence of Overweight / Obesity among School Children In Karnataka, South India

Worldwide, non-communicable diseases (NCD) represent 43% of the burden of disease and are expected to be responsible for 60% of the disease burden and 73% of all deaths by 2020.Obesity in children and adolescents is gradually becoming a major public health problem in many developing countries, including India. The present study was undertaken to identify the prevalence of childhood overweight /obesity and to find the relationship between BMI and waist circumference of the children. Eleven schools were selected randomly from Udupi district of Karnataka state, India. A school based survey was carried out among 2938 school children in the age group of 10 – 16 years. On the day of survey, the purpose of the study was explained. The demographic proforma was administered and standard procedures were followed to assess the anthropometric measurements. Result showed that 7% of children were overweight and 5% were obese. The Pearson Correlation computed between BMI and waist circumference showed a positive ( r = 0.763, p =<0.0001) relationship between BMI and waist circumference. The study concluded that childhood obesity prevalence is increasing among children. Higher BMI was found among children in the age of 10 – 12 years and among girls than the boys. The gender difference in BMI could be due to sedentary lifestyles of girls. As the BMI of children increases the waist circumference also increases.

Anomalous branching pattern of the aortic arch and its clinical applications

The aortic arch gives rise to three classical branches, namely the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery. We report a rare variation of the left common carotid artery and the right vertebral arteries originating from the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left vertebral artery that was arising from the arch of the aorta, proximal to the origin of the left subclavian artery. Variations in the branching pattern of the arch of aorta can alter the cerebral haemodynamics that leads to cerebral abnormalities. Knowledge of the variations in the classical branches of the arch of aorta is important in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysm after subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Free radical scavenging effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of shilajit

Shilajit [Botanical/Scientific name: Asphaltum] is a bituminous substance found in the lower Himalayan mountains. It is a compact mass of vegetable organic matter composed of a dark gummy matrix thought to be largely the result of humification of the plant Styrax officinalis Linn, and/or Euphorbia royleana Boiss. Shilajit is used as aphrodisiac, rejuvenator, alterative tonic, respiratory stimulant, internal antiseptic, diuretic and lithotriptic. In the current study, we investigated the free radical scavenging effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Shilajit, employing various established in vitro systems, such as the p-carotene-linoleate model system, 1, l-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity. Shilajit showed noticeable inhibitory activity toward p-carotene-linoleate model system, inhibition of DPPH radical and also possessed nitric oxide scavenging activity. The data obtained in the in vitro models clearly establish the free radical scavenging effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Shilajit

Sodium potassium ATPase and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase activity in patients with hyperthyroidism: a comparison with euthyroid patients

Sodium potassium ATPase [Na+-K+ ATPase] and Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase [G 6 PD] activities in different tissues have been found to be stimulated by thyroid hormones. In erythrocytes, the activities of these enzymes were reported to vary. The aim of our study was to determine the sodium potassium ATPase and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase activities in patients with hyperthyroidism and compare them with those of patients with euthyroid goiter. After approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee and obtaining informed consent from all patients, 40 hyperthyroid patients [17 men, 23 women; mean age 44.75 +/- 2.6 years] and 50 patients with euthyroid goiter [13 men, 37 women; mean age 37.2 +/- 1.6 years] were included in the study. They were classified based on T3, T4, TSH measurements. Erythrocyte Na+-K+ ATPase and G 6 PD activity were measured using spectrophotometry. In hyperthyroid patients, Na+-K+ ATPase activity was significantly lower compared to euthyroid controls [134.98 +/- 3.78 vs. 164.34 +/- 3.85 nmol pi/hr.mg protein, p<0.001] and G 6 PD levels were significantly elevated when compared to euthyroid controls [19.19 +/- 0.438 U/g Hb vs. 11.505 +/- 0.385 U/g Hb, p<0.001]. Hyperthyroidism is associated with decrease in Na+-K+ ATPase activity and increase in G 6 PD levels when compared to patients with euthyroid goiter. The measurement of Na+-K+ATPase activity could be used as an early marker for diagnosis of hyperthyroidism

anti-inflammatory activity of the leaves of Colocasia esculenta

Anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Colocasia esculenta Linn. was studied in wistar rats using the carrageenan induced left hind paw edema, carrageenan induced pleurisy and cotton pellet induced granuloma model. The ethanolic extract [100 mg/kg, p.o.] inhibited carrageenan induced rat paw edema. It also showed an inhibitory effect on leukocyte migration and a reduction on the pleural exudates as well as reduction on the granuloma weight in the cotton pellet granuloma method. The results indicated that the ethanolic extract produced significant [p<0.05] anti-inflammatory activity when compared with the standard and untreated control

Primary health care through family health programmes in field practice area Hadaba Shargia, Tripoli, Libya

The study looked at 3 465 people from 427 families who visited the family clinic in Hadaba Shargia, Tripoli, Libya, between December 1985 and November 1987. Total coverage for the multiphasic screening was 61.93%, out of which a majority were below the age of 15 years. The literacy rate was 64.18%. Most of those screened above the age of 15 were housewives. Of the families, 75.36% were living as nuclear families, with average family size of 8.1. Morbidity prevalence at the time of survey was 464.6 per 1 000, with a predominance of infectious diseases. Vaccination coverage was high for BCG, while moderate for DPT and polio and low for measles

Prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni in Tauorga town, north-west Libya

This study was conducted in nine localities of Tauorga Town, which is situated in north-west of Libya, with the objective of finding out the present trend of Schistosomiasis mansoni in general population and to plan suitable strategies for its prevention. 1544 people were selected by two stage cluster random sampling and the data was gathered by direct interview from the family members during home visit. Stool samples were colleted and examined for Schistosoma mansoni eggs. The study revealed that the overall prevalence of Schistosomiasis mansoni was 20.85%, which was varied between 1.78% and%55.58 in different localities. Significantly higher prevalence was observed in school age group [28.61%], in males [25.28%] and in localities situated within the area of 2 km from the spring [55.58%]

Breast feeding practice in an urban population of Tripoli, Libya

This study included 350 mothers from the urban community of Tripoli. 94.3% mothers had initiated breast-feeding for various periods, 47.9% of whom fed their children for less than one month and only 13.94% fed upto six months and above. Breast-feeding was positively associated with maternal factors like higher age [35 yeas and above] or parity [5 and above] non-schooling or non-working motherhood, low income group, and joint family system. However, prolonged duration of breast-feeding was associated maximum between 25 to 34 years by age and between 5 to 9 by parity. The main reasons for commencement of artificial feeding were insufficient breast milk [47.43%] and subsequent pregnancy [12.57%]