Targeting feasibility evaluation of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound in the management of osteomyelitis: a virtual treatment planning study in 75 patients.

Osteomyelitis is one of the most serious complications linked to diabetes and increases the possibility of limb amputation considerably. There exists an important clinical need to improve management of osteomyelitis, especially for diabetic patients who are more susceptible to failures, relapses and chronicity of multiple bone infections. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) can offer a clinical management option for patients with osteomyelitis by providing a non-surgical and potentially rapid-recovery treatment option.

Progression From Perianal High-Grade Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia to Anal Cancer in HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Background: High-grade intraepithelial neoplasia is known to progress to invasive squamous-cell carcinoma of the anus. There are limited reports on the rate of progression from high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia to anal cancer in HIV-positive men who have sex with men.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe in HIV-positive men who have sex with men with perianal high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia the rate of progression to anal cancer and the factors associated with that progression.

A modified portfolio diet complements medical management to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease.

Background & Aims: Secondary prevention can improve outcomes in high risk patients. This study investigated the magnitude of cardiovascular risk reduction associated with consumption of a modified portfolio diet in parallel with medical management.

Design: 30 patients with type II diabetes, 6 weeks post bypass surgery received dietary counseling on a Modified Portfolio Diet (MPD) (low fat, 8 g/1000 kcal viscous fibres, 17 g/1000 kcal soy protein and 22 g/1000 kcal almonds).

Modulation of endothelial function by Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and its components in healthy individuals: a randomized controlled trial.

Aims: Ginseng root and its derivatives remain atop the most widely used medicinal herbs in cardiovascular disease, despite inadequate substantiation of efficacy. We previously reported the potential of Korean red ginseng (KRG) to affect vascular tone by decreasing arterial wave reflection via an unknown mechanism. Given the preclinical link between ginseng intake and vasoactivity related to nitric oxide (NO) production, we sought to directly evaluate the effects of KRG root and its major root components, on an established noninvasive measure of endothelial function.

Cardiovascular risk factors, diet and lifestyle among European, South Asian and Chinese adolescents in Canada.

Objective: The authors previously reported that adult South Asian immigrants to Canada have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to their European and Chinese counterparts. It is unknown whether these ethnic differences also exist among adolescents, and whether they are related to diet and lifestyle. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of CVD risk factors among apparently healthy adolescents in the three largest ethnic population groups in Canada (European, South Asian and Chinese).

Ten-year absolute fracture risk and hip bone strength in Canadian women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at risk of osteoporosis (OP) and fractures because of SLE or its treatments. We aimed to determine in women with SLE (1) the prevalence of low bone mass (LBM) in those < 50 years of age and OP in those > 50 years of age; (2) the 10-year absolute fracture risk in those > 40 years of age using the Canadian Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX); (3) bone quality using hip structural analysis (HSA); and (4) the associations between HSA and age, SLE duration, and corticosteroid exposure.

Methods: Women without prior OP fractures were eligible.

Thrombovascular events affect quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: To compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with and without previous thrombovascular events (TE).

Methods: The Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) was used to assess HRQOL in 5 patient groups: (1) primary APS (PAPS; n = 35); (2) APS associated to SLE (SAPS; n = 37); (3) SLE+TE without persistent positive antiphospholipid antibody (SLE+TE-aPL; n = 75); (4) SLE-TE+aPL (n = 71); and (5) SLE-TE-aPL (n = 608).

Results: The data on both mental component summary and physical component summary (PCS) scores showed an impaired quality of life in all patient groups.

Healthcare cost and loss of productivity in a Canadian population of patients with and without lupus nephritis.

Objective: To compare the healthcare cost and loss of productivity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with (LN) and without lupus nephritis (lupus nephritis-negative, LNN).

Method: Patients were classified into those with active (ALN and ALNN) and inactive disease (ILN and ILNN). Patients reported on visits to healthcare professionals and use of diagnostic tests, medications, assistive devices, alternative treatments, hospital emergency visits, surgical procedures, and hospitalizations as well as loss of productivity in the 4 weeks preceding enrollment.

The metabolic syndrome in healthy, multiethnic adolescents in Toronto, Ontario: the use of fasting blood glucose as a simple indicator.

Background: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide and prevention represents a major challenge. Usually identified in middle age, the MetS has pediatric roots and there are variable incidence rates between ethnic groups. Due to the difficulty of diagnosis, it remains largely undetected in adolescents.

Effects of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer) and its isolated ginsenosides and polysaccharides on arterial stiffness in healthy individuals.

Background: Preclinical studies indicate a role of Korean red ginseng (KRG) in the modulation of vascular function; however, clinical evidence is scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of KRG root on peripheral blood pressure (BP) and augmentation index (AI), an emerging method to assess cardiovascular risk beyond conventional BP measurements. Furthermore, in an attempt to elucidate which of the major components of KRG is responsible for these effects, the ginsenoside and polysaccharide fractions isolated from the same KRG root were also investigated.

Variability in physician care practices for glucose treatment in stroke patients.

Background: Hyperglycemia is noted in up to 60% of stroke patients. Practice guidelines recommend glucose monitoring following stroke but provide few management recommendations. We examined physician care practices for glucose management in stroke patients.