Introduction: The relative roles of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the investigation of common bile duct (CD) calculi were evaluated using "evidence-based practice" (EBP) methods.
Methods: A focused clinical question was constructed. A structured search of primary and secondary evidence was performed. Retrieved studies were appraised for validity, strength and level of evidence (Oxford/CEBM scale: 1-5). Retrieved literature was divided into group A; MRCP slice thickness >or=5 mm, group B; MRCP slice thickness = 3 mm or 3D-MRCP sequences.
Results: Six studies were eligible for inclusion (3 = level 1b, 3 = level 3b). Group A: sensitivity and specificity of MRCP and EUS were (40%, 96%) and (80%, 95%), respectively. Group B: sensitivity and specificity of MRCP and EUS were (87%, 95%) and (90%, 99%), respectively.
Conclusion: MRCP should be the first-line investigation for CD calculi and EUS should be performed when MRCP is negative in patients with moderate or high pre-test probability.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00261-007-9304-3 | DOI Listing |
Background: Focused ultrasound (FUS)-induced blood-brain barrier opening (BBBO) is a technique for safely, non-invasively, and transiently opening the blood brain barrier in a targeted area of the brain. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown that FUS is capable of decreasing amyloid plaque load and stimulating neurogenesis in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) models, in addition to being safe for use in human patients. However, the effect of FUS-BBBO on neurons has not yet been characterized, despite its crucial role in cognition and regulating brain function.
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Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Background: Lyn kinase, a member of the Src family of tyrosine kinases, predominantly phosphorylates ITIM and ITAM motifs linked to immune receptors and adaptor proteins, and is emerging as a target for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The role of Lyn in TREM2-mediated microglial activation and phagocytosis, a critical pathway for clearing Aβ plaques, remains unclear and potent, selective, and brain penetrant Lyn inhibitors are unavailable. In this study, we report the characterization of Lyn kinase inhibitors from the literature as well as the establishment of an advanced virtual screening platform at the IUSM-Purdue-TREAT-AD center to identify new type II Lyn inhibitors suitable as molecular probes.
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ICMR - National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Background: Traditionally associated with recreational and spiritual uses, psychedelics have gained attention in psychotherapy for their therapeutic potential. Functioning as potent 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) agonists, these compounds have demonstrated the ability to enhance neural plasticity by activating serotoninergic and glutamatergic systems. Despite these recognized effects, their role in treating neurodegenerative disorders, particularly dementia, remains relatively unexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Accumulating evidence suggests that the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (α-syn), is involved in the pathophysiology of AD and elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The role of Natural Killer (NK) cells of the innate immune system in AD has largely been overlooked. In a murine model, depletion of NK cells augmented the accumulation of pathological α-syn.
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