Absence of DNA double-strand breaks in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells after 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging assessed by γH2AX flow cytometry.

Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is regarded as a non-harming and non-invasive imaging modality with high tissue contrast and almost no side effects. Compared to other cross-sectional imaging modalities, MRI does not use ionising radiation. Recently, however, strong magnetic fields as applied in clinical MRI scanners have been suspected to induce DNA double-strand breaks in human lymphocytes.

Contrast Enhancement on Cone-Beam Breast-CT for Discrimination of Breast Cancer Immunohistochemical Subtypes.

Purpose: To evaluate whether contrast enhancement on cone-beam breast-CT (CBBCT) could aid in discrimination of breast cancer subtypes and receptor status.

Methods: This study included female patients age >40 years with malignant breast lesions identified on contrast-enhanced CBBCT. Contrast enhancement of malignant breast lesions was standardized to breast fat tissue contrast enhancement.

The role of cone-beam breast-CT for breast cancer detection relative to breast density.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of breast density on the diagnostic accuracy of non-contrast cone-beam breast computed tomography (CBBCT) in comparison to mammography for the detection of breast masses.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from August 2015 to July 2016. Fifty-nine patients (65 breasts, 112 lesions) with BI-RADS, 5th edition 4 or 5 assessment in mammography and/or ultrasound of the breast received an additional non-contrast CBBCT.

Osteoprotective effects of Cimicifuga racemosa and its triterpene-saponins are responsible for reduction of bone marrow fat.

Purpose: Elderly people often develop visceral obesity accompanied by osteoporosis. Visceral adipocytes secrete a number of adipokines and cytokines which augment the development of arteriosclerosis and type 2 diabetes. Bone marrow fat cells also secrete these pro-inflammatory cytokines which stimulate osteoclast and inhibit osteoblast activity.

Cimicifuga racemosa and its triterpene-saponins prevent the Metabolic Syndrome and deterioration of cartilage in the knee joint of ovariectomized rats by similar mechanisms.

Purpose: An unphysiologic accumulation of fat cells in many parts of the body including abdomen and joints results in increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines which have adverse effects on serum lipids, glucose and on joint cartilage. The special extract of Cimicifuga racemosa CR BNO 1055 was shown to reduce the size of the abdominal fat depot. It was therefore tempting to test whether this extract, its saponin and its unpolar and polar fractions S- and R-fraction respectively (no quotation) also reduce fat depots and fat cell accumulation in a fat depot located in the lower hind leg (called paratibial fat depot = PFD), in joint fat pads (in the knee joint this is called Hoffa's fat pad) that occur in response to ovariectomy and whether this was accompanied by reduced serum lipids, glucose and improved cartilage features in the knee joint.