Neurologic Manifestations of COVID-19.

Neurological manifestations of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are reported to occur in as much as 37% of the affected patients. These manifestations range from headache and dizziness to altered mental status and consciousness, anosmia, ageusia, sensory disturbances, and stroke. The mechanisms by which the neurological symptoms arise are not yet determined but may either proceed as an indirect consequence of systemic hyperinflammation or result from the direct invasion of the virus to neural and glial cells.

Prognostic value of baseline volumetric multiparametric MR imaging in neuroendocrine liver metastases treated with transarterial chemoembolization.

Objectives: To determine whether baseline multiparametric MR imaging can predict overall survival (OS) and hepatic progression-free survival (HPFS) in patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELMs) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods: This retrospective study included 84 NELMs patients treated with TACE. Tumor volume and volumetric measurements of arterial enhancement (AE), venous enhancement (VE), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were performed on baseline MR imaging.

Added value of apparent diffusion coefficient in distinguishing between serous and mucin-producing pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

Objectives: To evaluate the added value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on MRI in differentiating serous from mucin-producing pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCNs).

Methods: One hundred seventeen patients with PCN measuring ≥ 10 mm were included. Three readers independently evaluated MRI with and without the use of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).

Correlation between quantitative liver and spleen volumes and disease severity in primary sclerosing cholangitis as determined by Mayo risk score.

Objectives: To correlate total and lobar liver and spleen volume with disease severity in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) as determined by Mayo risk score.

Methods: This HIPAA-compliant single center retrospective study included 147 PSC patients with available imaging studies (MRCP/CT) and laboratory data between January 2003 and January 2018. Total and lobar (right, left and caudate) liver volume and spleen volume were measured.

Association of IL-10 and TGF-beta cytokine gene polymorphisms with autoimmune hepatitis.

Background And Aims: Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic immune-mediated liver injury caused by dysregulated immune response to liver antigens. Genetic susceptibility is affected by multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms in immune-related genes. There are few reports on the association of TGF-β and IL-10 genetic variants with autoimmune hepatitis.

Influence of MTHFR gene variations on perceived stress modification: Preliminary results of NURSE study.

High level of perceived stress in nurses is due to a genetic predisposition and environmental stressors. The aim of NURSE (Nursing Unacquainted Related Stress Etiologies) study was to investigate the association of C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism and stress perception among nurses. In this comprehensive study, 216 female nurses were recruited.

Utility of volumetric contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted MRI in differentiating between common primary hypervascular liver tumors.

Background: Differentiating between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), and hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) is usually achievable by MRI. However, in some cases with atypical imaging findings accurate diagnosis may be difficult.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic value of volumetric contrast-enhanced (CE) and volumetric diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating between HCC, FNH, and HCA.

Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Multiparametric MR Imaging to Predict Patient Survival.

Purpose To determine the performance of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-based tumor metrics for evaluation of response to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA). Materials and Methods Ninety-four patients with unresectable ICCA underwent baseline and follow-up MR imaging after TACE and were followed up until death or end of study duration. Lesions were analyzed for anatomic (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST] and tumor volume) and functional (viable tumor volume, viable tumor burden, and apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]) volumetric MR parameters by using semiautomatic software.

Association of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) gene polymorphisms with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is a member of IRF family which induce signaling pathways and are involved in modulation of cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune system activity. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an auto-inflammatory syndrome where the inflammatory markers are believed to play a fundamental role in its pathogenesis. In this study, we aimed to assess the association of IRF5 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility of JIA in Iranian population.

Are pancreatic IPMN volumes measured on MRI images more reproducible than diameters? An assessment in a large single-institution cohort.

Objectives: To assess reproducibility of volume and diameter measurement of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) on MRI images.

Methods: Three readers measured the diameters and volumes of 164 IPMNs on axial T2-weighted images and coronal thin-slice navigator heavily T2-weighted images using manual and semiautomatic techniques. Interobserver reproducibility and variability were assessed.

Prediction of post-TACE necrosis of hepatocellular carcinoma usingvolumetric enhancement on MRI and volumetric oil deposition on CT, with pathological correlation.

Objective: To investigate whether volumetric enhancement on baseline MRI and volumetric oil deposition on unenhanced CT would predict HCC necrosis and response post-TACE.

Method: Of 115 retrospective HCC patients (173 lesions) who underwent cTACE, a subset of 53 HCC patients underwent liver transplant (LT). Semiautomatic volumetric segmentation of target lesions was performed on dual imaging to assess the accuracy of predicting tumour necrosis after TACE in the whole cohort and at pathology in the LT group.

Accuracy of apparent diffusion coefficient in differentiating pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour from intrapancreatic accessory spleen.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the accuracy of absolute apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and normalised ADC (lesion-to-spleen ADC ratio) in differentiating pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (NET) from intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS).

Methods: Study included 62 patients with the diagnosis of pancreatic NET (n=51) or IPAS (n=11). Two independent reviewers measured ADC on all lesions and spleen.

IL4 gene polymorphisms in Iranian patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

Background: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic long-lasting hepatocellular inflammation associated with circulating auto antibodies. In addition to the genetic component, several cytokines have been implicated to be involved in AIH. This study was performed to investigate potential associations of AIH with IL4 gene variants.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Insulin Glargine and Aspart, Compared to NPH and Regular Insulin in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective: Appropriate treatment of patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is necessary to avoid further complications. This study was performed to compare the efficacy of insulin Glargine and Aspart with NPH insulin and regular insulin regimen in a group of children with T1DM.

Methods: Forty patients with T1DM were enrolled in this study.

Cytokines in common variable immunodeficiency as signs of immune dysregulation and potential therapeutic targets - a review of the current knowledge.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is characterized by low levels of circulating immunoglobulins and compromised specific antibody response leading to frequent infections. Cytokines play an important role in the orchestration of the antibody response. Several previous studies have attempted to identify distinct cytokines responsible for the inflammatory changes and different manifestations of CVID, but there are conflicting results regarding the cytokine profiles in CVID patients.

Efficacy of combination therapy with erythropoietin and methylprednisolone in clinical recovery of severe relapse in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifaceted disease in which genetic and environmental factors are involved. Although neurodegeneration aspect of MS has major influence in patients' disability, none of the available treatments have been shown to obviously reduce neurodegeneration. Recently, the role of Erythropoietin (EPO) as a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory agent has been attracted tremendous interest.

Interleukin-23 receptor single nucleotide polymorphisms in ulcerative colitis. A study in Iranian populations.

Background/objective: Genetic factors seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Genome wide association studies showed a highly significant association between interleukin 23 receptor (IL23R) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and Crohn's disease; however, there are contrary results regarding the disease-modifying effects of IL23R variants in UC. This study was performed in a group of patients with UC to test the possible role of IL23R SNPs in conferring susceptibility or protection against the disease.

Association of vitamin D receptor with longevity and healthy aging.

Longevity is a multifaceted trait in which variety of genes and environmental factors are involved. Newly, the role of vitamin D has been revived regarding its potential advantage on delaying the aging process. Vitamin D exerts its effect through vitamin D receptor (VDR).