Exploring aerosols near clouds with high-spatial-resolution aircraft remote sensing during SEACRS.

Since aerosols are important to our climate system, we seek to observe the variability of aerosol properties within cloud systems. When applied to the satellite-borne Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), the Dark Target (DT) retrieval algorithm provides global aerosol optical depth (AOD at 0.55 μm) in cloud-free scenes.

Normal magnetic resonance imaging anatomy of the ankle & foot.

This article discusses anatomic relationships, anatomic variants, and MRI protocols that pertain to the foot and ankle. MR images with detailed anatomic description form the cornerstone of this article. The superb image quality will facilitate learning normal imaging anatomy, as well as conceptualizing spatial relationships of anatomic structures.

Normal MR imaging anatomy of the knee.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the preferred imaging modality for evaluating internal derangement of the knee, due to its superior soft tissue contrast resolution, multiplanar imaging capability, and lack of ionizing radiation. The superb image quality facilitates learning of normal imaging anatomy and conceptualizing spatial relationships of anatomic structures, leading to improved understanding of pathologic processes, mechanisms of injury, and injury patterns, and ultimately increased diagnostic accuracy. This article depicts normal MR imaging anatomy and commonly encountered anatomic variants using representative MR images of the knee, and describes and explains the rationale of routine knee MR imaging protocol.

Normal MR imaging anatomy of the thigh and leg.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the modality of choice for evaluating the soft tissues of the thigh and leg because of its superior soft tissue contrast resolution, multiplanar imaging capability, and lack of ionizing radiation. The superb image quality facilitates learning normal imaging anatomy, which ultimately forms the foundation of diagnostic interpretation. The purpose of this article is twofold: (1) depict normal MR anatomy throughout the thigh and leg using representative MR images, emphasizing a compartmental approach; and (2) describe and explain the rationale of standard imaging protocols.

Paroxetine to treat irritable bowel syndrome not responding to high-fiber diet: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objectives: The purpose of the trial was to determine whether a high-fiber diet (HFD) alone or in combination with paroxetine or placebo was effective treatment for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Design: Trial of HFD alone (Group 1) followed by a randomized, double-blind trial of HFD with paroxetine or placebo (Group 2).

Setting: Gastroenterology office in a 524-bed university-affiliated community hospital in Pittsburgh.

Utility of measuring 6-methylmercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine nucleotide levels in managing inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with 6-mercaptopurine in a clinical practice setting.

Background: Measuring levels of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) metabolites (6-thioguanine nucleotides [6-TGNs] and 6-methylmercaptopurine [6-MMP]) has been proposed as a method to adjust 6-MP dose to optimize therapeutic response while minimizing toxicity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. A 6-TGN level of >230 pmol/8 x 108 red blood cells (RBCs) has been reported to be associated with a higher efficacy rate, and a level of >450 pmol/8 x 108 RBCs has been reported to be associated with myelotoxicity. A 6-MMP level of >5,700 pmol/8 x 108 RBCs has been reported to be associated with an increased frequency of abnormal results of liver function tests (LFTs).

Preliminary study of ciprofloxacin in active Crohn's disease.

Based on limited reports of the successful use of antibiotics in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) and on the possibility that intestinal bacteria may be one of the etiologic factors playing a role in the pathogenesis of this condition, we undertook a study to evaluate the use of a broad-spectrum antibiotic in CD. Our team studied the efficacy of adding the antibiotic ciprofloxacin to the treatment of moderately active, but resistant cases of CD. Forty-seven adults with moderately active CD were randomly assigned treatment with ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily versus placebo twice daily for 6 months.