Dietary Patterns and Risk of Obesity and Early Childhood Caries in Australian Toddlers: Findings from an Australian Cohort Study.

We examined associations between dietary patterns at 12 months, characterised using multiple methodologies, and risk of obesity and early childhood caries (ECC) at 24-36 months. Participants were Australian toddlers (n = 1170) from the Study of Mothers' and Infants' Life Events affecting oral health (SMILE) birth cohort. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and the Dietary Guideline Index for Children and Adolescents (DGI-CA) were applied to dietary intake data (1, 2 or 3-days) at 12 months, and regression analysis used to examine associations of dietary patterns with body mass index -score and presence of ECC at 24-36 months.

ESUR recommendations for MR imaging of the sonographically indeterminate adnexal mass: an update.

Unlabelled: An update of the 2010 published ESUR recommendations of MRI of the sonographically indeterminate adnexal mass integrating functional techniques is provided. An algorithmic approach using sagittal T2 and a set of transaxial T1 and T2WI allows categorization of adnexal masses in one of the following three types according to its predominant signal characteristics. T1 'bright' masses due to fat or blood content can be simply and effectively determined using a combination of T1W, T2W and FST1W imaging.

Perceptions of UK medical graduates' preparedness for practice: a multi-centre qualitative study reflecting the importance of learning on the job.

Background: There is evidence that graduates of different medical schools vary in their preparedness for their first post. In 2003 Goldacre et al. reported that over 40% of UK medical graduates did not feel prepared and found large differences between graduates of different schools.

The adnexal incidentaloma: a practical approach to management.

There has been explosive growth in the utilization of cross-sectional imaging studies in the evaluation of patients with known or suspected abdominal and pelvic pathology. These imaging studies have led to a veritable epidemic of incidentally detected adnexal masses in both oncology and non-oncology patient populations that in the past remained undiscovered. In this commentary we provide some guidance and practical advice for further investigation and management of the adnexal incidentaloma.

Detection of diethylene glycol adulteration in propylene glycol--method validation through a multi-instrument collaborative study.

Four portable NIR instruments from the same manufacturer that were nominally identical were programmed with a PLS model for the detection of diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination in propylene glycol (PG)-water mixtures. The model was developed on one spectrometer and used on other units after a calibration transfer procedure that used piecewise direct standardization. Although quantitative results were produced, in practice the instrument interface was programmed to report in Pass/Fail mode.

Clinical utility of image-guided peritoneal and omental biopsy.

Image-guided core biopsy of the omentum and peritoneum was described a decade ago and has since been validated in a number of large studies as a safe and effective means of providing a tissue diagnosis in patients with undiagnosed peritoneal disease. Some studies have addressed its ability for determining whether peritoneal infiltration and/or omental masses in patients with prior malignancy represent recurrent disease or a new disease process. Others have focused on the specific issue of women suspected to have advanced peritoneal carcinomatosis from ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer where the primary management of the patient is directed by the tissue diagnosis.

ESUR guidelines: ovarian cancer staging and follow-up.

Objective: To design clear guidelines for the staging and follow-up of patients with ovarian cancer, and to provide the radiologist with a framework for use in multidisciplinary conferences.

Methods: Guidelines for ovarian cancer staging and follow-up were defined by the female imaging subcommittee of the ESUR (European Society of Urogenital Radiology) based on the expert consensus of imaging protocols of 12 leading institutions and a critical review of the literature.

Results: Computed tomography (CT) with coverage of the base of the lungs to the inguinal region is regarded as the imaging technique of choice for preoperative staging.

MR imaging of the sonographically indeterminate adnexal mass.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the sonographically indeterminate adnexal mass can be used to guide patient care and reduce the costs of investigation and treatment. Most indeterminate masses result from common benign conditions, and women with such masses can avoid unnecessary or inappropriate surgery. For the minority of women in whom indeterminate masses are malignant, use of MR imaging rather than a "wait and watch" strategy of interval re-examination with ultrasonography offers a more timely diagnosis.

Recent EORTC and MRC UK studies: implications for imaging ovarian cancer.

For many years the primary management of newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer has been cytoreductive surgery followed by chemotherapy, and the mainstay of follow-up of treated women has been serial assay of serum CA-125. The findings of 2 recent research protocols have a significant effect on these aspects of management.

ESUR guidelines for MR imaging of the sonographically indeterminate adnexal mass: an algorithmic approach.

A significant proportion of adnexal masses detected by sonography are indeterminate. Either their organ of origin is uncertain or it is unclear whether their nature is benign or malignant. MR imaging of the sonographically indeterminate adnexal mass can resolve most of these uncertainties.

Screening of heparin API by near infrared reflectance and Raman spectroscopy.

Near infrared (NIR) reflectance and laser Raman spectra for a set of 69 heparin powder samples obtained from several foreign and domestic suppliers were measured. Both the NIR and Raman spectra of individual heparin API powder samples were correlated with sample compositions determined from response corrected relative peak areas of the capillary electropherograms of the samples using a partial least squares (PLS) regression model. Twenty-eight sample spectra were used to develop PLS models for the three major sample components; heparin, oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).

Ovarian cancer: what's new, where next?

The recent RDOG studies have confirmed the value of CT in the management of ovarian cancer. However we now know that metastases to the ovary may exactly mimic primary cancer. This demands a firm histological diagnosis when surgery is not planned and especially with a history of breast and gastrointestinal tract cancer.

Delayed release tablet dissolution related to coating thickness by terahertz pulsed image mapping.

Delayed release dosage forms such as Asacol employ coatings that are engineered to breakdown and release the drug topically at the nominal pH of the lower intestinal tract. Asacol tablets were found to dissolve in an erratic fashion when they are dissolved in buffers below pH 7 which can occur naturally. In this study Terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI) was used to accurately map the coating thickness of a group of Asacol tablets that were subsequently dissolved using the USP method at pH 6.

Near infrared spectroscopy of magnesium stearate hydrates and multivariate calibration of pseudopolymorph composition.

Samples of magnesium stearate monohydrate and dihydrate were used to prepare standard mixtures of known pseudopolymorphic composition. Near infrared spectra (NIR) of the standard mixtures were measured to develop multivariate calibration models for the pseudopolymorphic composition of magnesium stearate by partial least squares (PLS) regression. Magnesium stearate hydrate compositions of the standard mixtures were compared against the hydrate composition based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Raman chemical imaging for ingredient-specific particle size characterization of aqueous suspension nasal spray formulations: a progress report.

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using Raman chemical imaging (i.e., Raman imaging microspectroscopy) to establish chemical identity, particle size and particle size distribution (PSD) for a representative corticosteroid in aqueous nasal spray suspension formulations.

Image guided biopsy in the management of cancer of the ovary.

When used in the context of multidisciplinary team discussion, image guided biopsy using ultrasound (US) or computed tomography (CT) guidance is of value in planning management of women with suspected ovarian cancer and peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) of uncertain aetiology. It is essential in women believed to have ovarian cancer but with poor performance status or with advanced disease believed beyond the scope of primary cytoreductive surgery for whom staging surgical pathology will not be obtained. It provides a site-specific primary tumour diagnosis in 93% of cases and it should replace diagnostic laparoscopy or laparotomy for this purpose.

Quality assessment of internet pharmaceutical products using traditional and non-traditional analytical techniques.

This work investigated the use of non-traditional analytical methods to evaluate the quality of a variety of pharmaceutical products purchased via internet sites from foreign sources and compared the results with those obtained from conventional quality assurance methods. Traditional analytical techniques employing HPLC for potency, content uniformity, chromatographic purity and drug release profiles were used to evaluate the quality of five selected drug products (fluoxetine hydrochloride, levothyroxine sodium, metformin hydrochloride, phenytoin sodium, and warfarin sodium). Non-traditional techniques, such as near infrared spectroscopy (NIR), NIR imaging and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), were employed to verify the results and investigate their potential as alternative testing methods.

A complex caliceal-cutaneous and caliceal-peritoneal fistula in a renal transplant patient: a case for conservative management.

Caliceal fistula is a rare complication after renal transplant and may lead to graft failure. We present a case of complex caliceal-cutaneous and caliceal-peritoneal fistula in a renal transplant patient who was successfully managed conservatively.

Periodontal disease among the middle-aged Vietnamese population.

Information about periodontal disease patterns among the populations of developing countries is limited. These populations may illustrate the natural history of the disease owing to low or virtually no access to dental care, contributing to a more complete understanding of the disease process. The present study aimed to describe the patterns of periodontal loss of attachment (LOA) among representative middle-aged Vietnamese adults.

Influence of the subpubic arch angle on anal sphincter trauma and anal incontinence following childbirth.

Objective: To assess the relationship between the subpubic arch angle, anal sphincter and perineal trauma, and anal incontinence after childbirth in nulliparous women.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.