Fine-Scale Haplotype Mapping Reveals an Association of the Gene with Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women.

Introduction: The Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated () gene encodes a demethylase, which modulates RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and plays a regulatory role in adipocyte differentiation and the pathogenesis of human obesity.

Methods: To understand the potential role of in osteoporosis (OP), we investigated five single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in intron 1 (rs8057044, rs8050136, rs9939609, rs62033406, and rs9930506) of the gene, and a missense SNV i.e.

Fertility Awareness-Based Methods for Family Planning and Women's Health: Impact of an Online Elective.

Background And Objectives: Fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) are evidence-based means of tracking observable biomarkers of a woman's fertility for the purpose of reproductive health monitoring and family planning. However, medical education regarding FABMs is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 4-week, two-part online elective on students' knowledge of FABMs, confidence in explaining and offering them to patients, and anticipated behaviors in future practice.

INSULIN RESISTANCE AND PATHOGENESIS OF POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a disease predisposing postmenopausal women to fractures, and often accompanied by insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Previous studies provided contradictory results concerning prevalence of MetS in postmenopausal OP. To better understand the pathogenesis of IR, we reviewed cellular and molecular aspects and systematically reviewed studies providing homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index.

Incidental FAPI Localization in Benign Bone Lesions in a Case of Carcinoma Stomach.

Recently developed radiolabeled FAPI (fibroblast-activation protein inhibitors) have attracted researcher's attention in diagnosing various tumors because of its high specificity and better tumor-to-background ratio. Increasing use of 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT has resulted in reporting of incidental benign findings as well. We hereby present a case of suspected carcinoma stomach showing increased uptake in primary tumor in stomach as well as incidental uptake in benign subchondral cysts in bilateral shoulder joints and right hip joint on 68 Ga-FAPI PET CT scan.

Validation of In-House Kit-Like Synthesis of Ga-Trivehexin and Its Biodistribution for Targeting the Integrin αvβ6 Expressing Tumors.

Integrin αvβ6 has become an extremely promising theranostic target for precise delineation of fast-growing malignant cells in the recent years. The aim of the study was to validate the in-house kit-like synthesis of Ga-Trivehexin (integrin αvβ6) and to evaluate its uptake in patients with integrin αvβ6 expressing head and neck and pancreatic cancer. Ga-Trivehexin was synthesized by adding the variable amount of integrin αvβ6 (30-50 μg) to full volume (4-5 mL) Ga-68 in 0.

Incremental Value of 18 F-FDG-Labeled Leukocytes PET/CT Over 18 F-FDG PET/CT Scan in the Detection of Occult Infection.

Purpose: Differentiating infection and sterile inflammation is the main clinical concern of clinicians as they are closely related to each other. Although 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging is widely used, its main disadvantage is its lack of specificity to discriminate aseptic from septic inflammation. 18 F-WBC PET/CT scan is a promising tool for the accurate diagnosis of infection owing to its high specificity.

Feasibility of F-FDG Labelling of Leucocytes in a Centre Without an On-Site Cyclotron and Monitoring of Radiation Dose to Occupational Worker in the Labelling Procedure.

Differentiation of infection from sterile inflammation is still a major concern for clinicians. The F-WBC positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan has been considered a promising tool for accurate diagnosis of infection owing to its high specificity, but it renders the availability of a medical cyclotron a necessity. The aim of the present study was to determine the feasibility of labeling leukocytes and establish the protocol in a center without the availability of an on-site medical cyclotron.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) promoter -1562C/T functional polymorphism is associated with an increased risk to develop micropapillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an important mediator of tumor initiation and progression. The MMP-9 promoter -1562C/T functional polymorphism increases gene expression and was identified as a susceptibility factor for various cancers.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of the MMP-9 promoter genotype on the risk of developing papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and to correlate cancer patient genotype with the clinical and pathological phenotype.

Radiographic assessment of lung edema (RALE) score is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock and refractory cardiac arrest after percutaneous implantation of extracorporeal life support.

VA-ECMO is a promising therapeutic option in refractory cardiogenic shock (RCS) and refractory cardiac arrest (RCA). However, increase in left ventricular afterload enhances further reduction of LV contractility and pulmonary edema. The aim of this study was to evaluate pulmonary edema based on the RALE score and the prognostic value of the score on ECLS weaning and mortality.

18F-FDG PET/CT in Bilateral Breasts Metastasis From Ovarian Carcinoma.

Ovarian carcinomas generally metastasize within the peritoneal cavity due to exfoliation of malignant cells from primary tumor. Metastasis to the breasts is an unusual event and may mimic primary neoplastic disease. Usually, breast metastasis presents as a single isolated, well-circumscribed soft tissue lesion, and serous papillary carcinoma is the most common type of ovarian tumor that can metastasize to the breast.

Serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor as a potential biomarker of renal impairment severity in diabetic nephropathy.

Aims: To investigate serum soluble form of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and biopsy-proven diabetic nephropathy (DN), its correlation with histological parameters and its capacity as a biomarker for renal impairment severity.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 75 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and DKD, among whom 28 had biopsy-proven DN.

Results: Among the 75 patients, 9 (12%) had type 1 and 66 (88%) type 2 DM.

Radioguided Surgery in Insulinoma Using Ga Labeled Exendin-4: a Case Report.

Laparoscopic resection of tumor is often performed for benign and small insulinomas, or for those located in the body or tail of the pancreas. The precise preoperative and intraoperative localization of the insulinoma is critical to minimize the surgical intervention. Conventional imaging studies, i.

Significant Liver Atrophy Due to Vascular Compromise Associated With Adult Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Diaphragmatic hernia in adults is mostly post-traumatic in origin, and rarely congenital. In both situations, the right side is less commonly involved due to the protection offered by the liver and earlier closure of the right pleuroperitoneal canal. A congenital diaphragmatic hernia may present in adulthood with multi-visceral contents, of which the liver is an extremely rare content, mentioned only in a few previous reports.

Upfront Use of 177Lu-Labeled PSMA Radioligand Therapy and Treatment Response Assessment in Treatment-Naive Prostate Cancer.

Prostatic malignancy is the most common type of nonskin cancer and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the treatment of choice in metastatic prostate cancer, whereas ADT delays progression of disease, but it is associated with significant adverse effects and frequently impairs the quality of life. Therefore, there is growing interest in treatments to postpone ADT while achieving a good progression-free survival.

Dosimetric analyses of intra-arterial versus standard intravenous administration of 177Lu-DOTATATE in patients of well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor with liver-dominant metastatic disease.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to perform calculation of the absorbed doses to organs at risk and to neuroendocrine tumors and to determine whether hepatic intra-arterial (IA) injection of Lu-DOTATATE Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) would achieve higher intratumoral concentrations than standard intravenous administration of Lu-DOTATATE.

Methods: 29 patients with Grade I-II, inoperable, metastatic gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEPNET) were prospectively identified and enrolled for the study. 15 patients of GEPNETs with liver-dominant metastatic disease and less than 3 sites of extrahepatic metastatic disease were administered a single dose of Lu-DOTATATE therapy through the selective catheterization of the hepatic artery (IA group).

Invasive Fungal Infection in COVID-19-Recovered Patient Detected on 18F-FDG-Labeled Leukocytes PET/CT Scan.

Occurrence of invasive fungal infections has gained significant attention during recent times in patients with COVID-19. Patients with severe form of COVID-19, such as those treated in the intensive care unit with prolonged steroid use, are particularly vulnerable to secondary bacterial and fungal infections. Disseminated systemic mycosis is a life-threatening condition, especially in immunocompromised patients.

The Relationship between Advanced Oxidation Protein Products, Vascular Calcifications and Arterial Stiffness in Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

: Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is likely that the accumulation of uremic toxins resulting in increased oxidative stress (OS) is a major contributing factor, but no clear link has been identified. The purpose of this research is to establish if advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels in the serum of predialysis patients are a contributing factor to vascular calcification and increased arterial stiffness.

Therapeutic efficacy of Ac-PSMA-617 targeted alpha therapy in patients of metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer after taxane-based chemotherapy.

Objectives: Ac-PSMA-617 therapy has shown good response in many recent studies. We report our experience of targeted alpha therapy with Ac-PSMA-617 in mCRPC patients who have failed therapy with taxanes.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-eight patients with CRPC with progressive disease following at least one taxane-based chemotherapy received Ac-PSMA-617 between July 2017 and Nov 2019.

Serum Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) can help identify patients with papillary thyroid cancer at high risk of persistent disease: Value and limitations of a potential marker of neoplasia.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an important mediator of invasion and metastasis in neoplasia. In thyroid cancer expression levels correlate with aggressiveness but data on peripheral MMP-9 levels are less definitive.

Objective: Prospective study evaluating serum MMP-9 in the diagnosis and prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer.

Alterations of regulatory factors and DNA methylation pattern in thyroid cancer.

Purpose: DNA methylation plays an important role in thyroid oncogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between global and local DNA methylation status and to establish the levels of important DNA methylation regulators (TET family and DNMT1) in thyroid tumours: follicular adenoma-FA, papillary thyroid carcinoma-PTC (classic papillary thyroid carcinoma-cPTC and papillary thyroid carcinoma follicular variant fvPTC).

Methods: Global DNA methylation profile in thyroid tumours tissue (41 paired samples) was assessed by 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine levels evaluation (ELISA), along with TETs and DNMT1 genes expression quantification.

Incremental Value of Ga-68 Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-11 Positron-Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Scan for Preoperative Risk Stratification of Prostate Cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is the second-most common cause of cancer.Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-11 positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan help in accurate staging of PC owing to its high PSMA avidity and specificity. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the incremental value of Ga-68 PSMA-11 PET/CT over multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in the locoregional staging of intermediate- and high-risk PC using histopathology from radical prostatectomy specimens as a gold standard.

A Learning Collaborative Approach to Improve Mental Health Service Delivery in Pediatric Primary Care.

Background: Pediatric primary care practitioners (PPCPs) report inadequate training in the care of children with common mental health conditions. Although additional training is needed, system changes are also necessary to support improvements in care.

Methods: We developed the Building Mental Wellness Learning Collaborative to assist PPCPs in delivering better mental health services in primary care by targeting 5 focus areas: mental health promotion; early identification and screening; practitioner skills; collaboration and community linkages; and medication management.

Methylation of tumour suppressor genes associated with thyroid cancer.

Background: Thyroid carcinoma is the most common endocrine malignancy worldwide. Changes in DNA methylation can cause silencing of normally active genes, especially tumour suppressor genes (TSG) or activation of normally silent genes.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the degree of promoter methylation for a panel of markers for thyroid neoplasms and to establish their relationship with thyroid oncogenesis.

THE INVOLVEMENT OF VDR PROMOTER METHYLATION, CDX-2 VDR POLYMORPHISM AND VITAMIN D LEVELS IN MALE INFERTILITY.

Introduction: Vitamin D (VD) levels were correlated with different health conditions, including reproductive disorders in males. Vitamin D action is mediated through vitamin D receptor (VDR), which acts as a transcription factor. VDR gene promoter is embedded in a GC-rich island.