Optimizing Radiation Dose and Image Quality in Stroke CT Protocols: Proposed Diagnostic Reference Levels for Multiphase CT Angiography and Perfusion Imaging.

Objective: In suspected acute ischemic stroke, it is now reasonable to expand the conventional "stroke protocol" (non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT), arterial CT angiography (CTA), and optionally CT perfusion (CTP)) to early and late venous head scans yielding a multiphase CTA (MP-CTA) to increase diagnostic confidence. Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) have been defined for neither MP-CTA nor CTP. We therefore present dosimetry data, while also considering image quality, for a large, unselected patient cohort.

Identification of Novel Genetic Risk Variants Associated with Hidradenitis Suppurativa in an Exome Sequencing Cohort of 92,455 Individuals.

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a prevalent and persistent inflammatory skin disorder, lacking a known cure or effective biomarkers for early diagnosis at present. The genetic determinants of HS have not been fully documented, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Methods: To identify relevant HS gene variants in sporadic HS patients, this study utilized longitudinal electronic health records (EHRs) and whole-exome sequencing.

Real-life effects of pharmacological osteoporosis treatments on bone mineral density by quantitative computed tomography.

Introduction: Monitoring of bone mineral density (BMD) is used to assess pharmacological osteoporosis therapy. This study examined the real-life effects of antiresorptive and osteoanabolic treatments on volumetric BMD (vBMD) of the spine by quantitative computed tomography (QCT).

Materials And Methods: Patients aged ≥ 50 years with a vBMD < 120 mg/ml had ≥ 2 QCT.

Butyrate and propionate are microbial danger signals that activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in human macrophages upon TLR stimulation.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are immunomodulatory compounds produced by the microbiome through dietary fiber fermentation. Although generally considered beneficial for gut health, patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) display poor tolerance to fiber-rich diets, suggesting that SCFAs may have contrary effects under inflammatory conditions. To investigate this, we examined the effect of SCFAs on human macrophages in the presence of Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists.