Glia maturation factor induces interleukin-33 release from astrocytes: implications for neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Multiple sclerosis (MS) involve activation of glial cells and release of inflammatory mediators leading to death of neurons. Glia maturation factor (GMF) is up-regulated in the central nervous system (CNS) in these neurodegenerative diseases. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is highly expressed constitutively in the CNS.

Protection of MPTP-induced neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration by Pycnogenol.

Oxidative stress and inflammation play a crucial role in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis and may represent a target for treatment. Current PD drugs provide only symptomatic relief and have limitations in terms of adverse effects and inability to prevent neurodegeneration. Flavonoids have been suggested to exert human health benefits by its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Contrast enhanced computed tomography characterization of fluorodeoxygluocose-avid regional and non-regional lymph nodes in patients with suspicion of metastatic bladder cancer.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess if size alone can predict the presence of metastatic disease within lymph nodes seen on contrast enhanced-computed tomography (CE-CT) in patients with suspicion of metastatic bladder cancer and also to evaluate the nodal distribution and morphological characteristics of fluorodeoxygluocose (FDG) avid lymph nodes on CE-CT.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis from 2002 to 2009 was performed on patients with suspicion of recurrent disease undergoing restaging FDG-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. Standardized uptake value (SUVmax) adjusted for lean body mass was recorded in abnormal lymph nodes in the abdominopelvic region.

CA 15-3 (Mucin-1) and physiological characteristics of breast cancer from Lahore, Pakistan.

Background: High incidence of breast cancer and its fatal effect has reached an alarming stage across the globe, including the third world countries. Many factors have been reported to be associated with the development of breast cancer but detailed structural and functional information is missing. CA 15-3 is one of the known potential tumor marker of breast cancer; however little is known about structure and functional site of this protein.

MRI of perianal fistulas: bridging the radiological-surgical divide.

Perianal fistula is a clinical entity with multiple surgical treatment options. Recently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as an important imaging modality in the management of perianal fistulas. It provides accurate description of the fistula within the anal canal in relation to the sphincter complex and other pelvic floor structures as well as the associated complications such as abscess.

Enhanced expression of glia maturation factor correlates with glial activation in the brain of triple transgenic Alzheimer's disease mice.

We previously demonstrated that glia maturation factor (GMF), a brain specific protein, isolated, sequenced and cloned in our laboratory, induce expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the central nervous system. We also reported that the up-regulation of GMF in astrocytes leads to the destruction of neurons suggesting a novel pathway of GMF-mediated cytotoxicity of brain cells, and implicated its involvement in the pathogenesis of inflammatory neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, we examined the expressions of GMF in triple-transgenic Alzheimer's disease (3xTg-AD) mice.

Prevalence of unsuspected thyroid nodules in adults on contrast enhanced 16- and 64-MDCT of the chest.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of unsuspected thyroid nodules on contrast enhanced 16- and 64-modified discrete cosine transform (MDCT) of the chest, in a population of adult outpatients imaged for indications other than thyroid disease.

Methods: This retrospective study involved review of intravascular contrast-enhanced MDCT scans of the chest from 3077 consecutive adult outpatients, to identify unsuspected thyroid nodules. Exclusion criteria included history of thyroid cancer, known thyroid nodules or thyroid disease and risk factors for thyroid cancer, as evidenced by their medical records.

The revised Atlanta classification for acute pancreatitis: updates in imaging terminology and guidelines.

Imaging of acute pancreatitis requires not only an understanding of the disease subtypes and the myriad of associated complications but also familiarity with the appropriate radiologic nomenclature as defined by the Atlanta symposium in 1992 and, more recently, by the Acute Pancreatitis Classification Working Group in 2008. The accurate description of the radiological findings plays a critical role in the evaluation and management of patients with acute pancreatitis, particularly those with severe disease. There have been increasing efforts to develop uniformity in the use of terminology used to define the radiologic findings in acute pancreatitis, in particular, the terminology for fluid collections, a common area of inconsistency and confusion.

Incidentally detected cystic lesions of the pancreas on CT: review of literature and management suggestions.

Purpose: To facilitate a better understanding of incidentally noted cystic pancreatic lesions, since these lesions often pose a challenge regarding appropriate management.

Methods: This article reviews pathophysiology, prevalence, significance, and recommendations for management of the various pancreatic cystic lesions. Illustrative cases are demonstrated.

Efficient down-regulation of glia maturation factor expression in mouse brain and spinal cord.

Long-lasting siRNA-based down-regulation of gene of interest can be achieved by lentiviral-based expression vectors driving the production of short hairpin RNA (shRNA). We investigated an attractive therapeutic approach to target the expression of proinflammatory GMF by using lentiviral vector encoding GMF-specific shRNA to reduce GMF levels in the spinal cord and brain of mice. To determine the effect of GMF-shRNA on GMF protein levels, we performed quantitative ELISA analysis in brain and in thoracic, cervical and lumbar regions of spinal cord from mice followed by GMF-shRNA (G-shRNA) or control shRNA (C-shRNA) treatments.

Clinical course of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is aggravated by glia maturation factor.

The role of glia maturation factor (GMF) in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) 35-55 peptide-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was investigated using GMF-deficient (GMF-KO) mice. We demonstrate that GMF-KO mice were resistant to the MOG 35-55 peptide-induced EAE as compared to wild type (Wt) mice (two in eight versus 10 in 10). Next, we examined the effect of administration of recombinant human GMF (rGMF) on MOG 35-55 peptide-induced EAE in mice.

Expression of glia maturation factor in neuropathological lesions of Alzheimer's disease.

Aims: The pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of amyloid plaques (APs), neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), degenerating neurones, and an abundance of reactive astrocytes and microglia. We aim to examine the association between glia maturation factor (GMF) expression, activated astrocytes/microglia, APs and NFTs in AD-affected brain regions.

Methods: Brain sections were stained with Thioflavin-S to study AD pathology and sequentially immunolabeled with antibodies against GMF, glial fibrillary acidic protein (marker for reactive astrocytes), and Ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1, marker for activated microglia) followed by visualization with avidin-biotin peroxidase complex.

Accessory mitral valve associated with transient ischemic attacks.

Accessory mitral valve (AMV) is an unusual congenital cardiac anomaly typically presenting with left ventricular outflow obstruction. We describe a patient with AVM presenting with transient ischemic attack. 

Principles and applications of diffusion-weighted imaging in cancer detection, staging, and treatment follow-up.

Diffusion-weighted imaging relies on the detection of the random microscopic motion of free water molecules known as Brownian movement. With the development of new magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technologies and stronger diffusion gradients, recent applications of diffusion-weighted imaging in whole-body imaging have attracted considerable attention, especially in the field of oncology. Diffusion-weighted imaging is being established as a pivotal aspect of MR imaging in the evaluation of specific organs, including the breast, liver, kidney, and those in the pelvis.

Augmented expression of glia maturation factor in Alzheimer's disease.

We have previously demonstrated that glia maturation factor (GMF), a brain-specific protein, isolated, sequenced, and cloned in our laboratory, is a prominent mediator of inflammation in the CNS leading to the death of neurons. In the present study, we demonstrate, for the first time, a significant upregulation of the GMF protein in various regions of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains compared with age-matched non-demented (ND) control brains. We analyzed AD and ND brain samples by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a combination of highly specific monoclonal and polyclonal anti-GMF antibodies developed and characterized in our laboratory.

Somatic and visceral solitary fibrous tumors in the abdomen and pelvis: cross-sectional imaging spectrum.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are a unique group of mesenchymal neoplasms of fibroblastic or myofibroblastic origin. These tumors were originally described as "benign fibrous mesotheliomas" of the pleural cavity and were erroneously thought to be confined to the serosal surfaces (due to a putative mesothelial or submesothelial origin). It is now established that SFTs are ubiquitous neoplasms with both pleural and extrapleural distribution.

Hepatocellular adenomas: current update on genetics, taxonomy, and management.

Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) are uncommon, benign hepatocellular neoplasms that commonly occur in young women. Recent advances in pathology and cytogenetics have thrown fresh light on the pathogenesis of HCAs leading to classification of HCAs into 3 distinct subtypes, each with a characteristic epidemiology, histopathology, oncogenesis, and imaging findings. The aim of the article was to provide a comprehensive review of contemporary taxonomy of HCAs, with an emphasis on cross-sectional imaging findings and management.

Urgent device retrieval using partial left heart bypass.

Percutaneous cardiovascular device implantation plays an important and increasing role in the treatment of congenital heart disease. Device related complications of malposition and embolisation are uncommon and can usually be retrieved by catheter. We present two interesting cases in which migrated devices resulted in thoracic aortic obstruction; both were refractory to percutaneous retrieval.

Suppression of neuro inflammation in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by glia maturation factor antibody.

Glia maturation factor (GMF), a protein primarily localized in the central nervous system (CNS) was isolated, sequenced and cloned in our laboratory. We previously demonstrated that GMF mediates the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the central nervous system of mice. In the present study we show that immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55 (MOG35-55) caused an early onset (days 7-9 post immunization) and severe EAE with a mean peak score of 3.

Dual-phase computed tomographic angiography of focal nodular hyperplasia: defining predictable postcontrast attenuation levels relative to aorta and inferior vena cava.

Purpose: To test the clinical observation that the postcontrast attenuation level of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) at dual-phase computed tomography (CT) rarely exceeds 50% of aortic enhancement or absolute inferior vena cava (IVC) enhancement.

Materials And Methods: Nineteen pathologically proven FNHs in 17 female patients imaged with intravenous contrast-enhanced multidetector CT, of which 15 had arterial and venous phase acquisitions, were evaluated. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed each CT study in consensus, using axial sections, multiplanar reconstructions, and 3-dimensional rendering techniques (volume rendering and maximum intensity projection).

Overexpression of glia maturation factor reinstates susceptibility to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in glia maturation factor deficient mice.

Glia maturation factor (GMF), a primarily CNS localized protein was discovered and characterized in our laboratory. We previously demonstrated that GMF is the upstream regulator for excessive production and release of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines in brain cells leading to the destruction of oligodendrocytes, the myelin forming cells, and neurons. We also reported that mice lacking endogenous GMF (GMF-deficient, GMF-KO) were resistant to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55 (MOG(35-55)) induced EAE, since immunization induced only delayed EAE with diminished severity.

White Paper Report of the RAD-AID Conference on International Radiology for Developing Countries: identifying challenges, opportunities, and strategies for imaging services in the developing world.

The RAD-AID Conference on International Radiology for Developing Countries was an assembly of individuals and organizations interested in improving access to medical imaging services in developing countries where the availability of radiology has been inadequate for both patient care and public health programs. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss data, experiences, and models pertaining to radiology in the developing world and to evaluate potential opportunities for future collaboration. Conference participants included radiologists, technologists, faculty members of academic medical institutions, and leadership of nongovernmental organizations involved in international health care and social entrepreneurship.

New agents and techniques for imaging prostate cancer.

The successful management of prostate cancer requires early detection, appropriate risk assessment, and optimum treatment. An unmet goal of prostate cancer imaging is to differentiate indolent from aggressive tumors, as treatment may vary for different grades of the disease. Different modalities have been tested to diagnose, stage, and monitor prostate cancer during therapy.