The K65R mutation in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) can be selected by the RT inhibitors tenofovir (TDF), abacavir (ABC), and didanosine (DDI). Recently, in vitro studies have shown that K65R is selected in tissue culture more rapidly with subtype C than subtype B viruses. The prevalence of K65R in viruses sequenced at the Tel-Aviv AIDS Center was evaluated. This study analyzed retrospectively sequences from 1999 to 2007 in patients treated with TDF, ABC, and/or DDI and compared rates of mutational prevalence between subtypes. Fisher's exact test was used to determine statistical significance. Forty-four sequences from patients treated with the three above-cited drugs were analyzed. Subtypes A (n = 1), CRF01_AE (n = 4), CRF02_AG (n = 2), B (n = 21), C (n = 11), D (n = 1), F (n = 3), and G (n = 1) were represented. Seven non-B viruses had the K65R mutation, which was only found in one subtype B virus. Of these seven samples four were subtype C, one was subtype CRF01_AE, and two were subtype CRF02_AG. None of the eight viruses with K65R harbored thymidine analogue mutations. In this study, non-subtype B viruses possessed the K65R mutation at higher incidence than subtype B viruses. Subtype C viruses may be especially prone to develop this mutation. Larger studies are needed to confirm these data. Efforts should be intensified to understand better differences in drug resistance between various HIV subtypes.

Our study shows that oral contrast is noncontributory to radiological diagnosis in most patients presenting to the ED with acute nontraumatic abdominal pain. These patients can therefore undergo abdominal CT scanning without oral contrast, with no effect on radiological diagnostic performance.

Spectral CT adds a new dimension to radiological evaluation, beyond assessment of anatomical abnormalities. Spectral data allows for detection of specific materials, improves image quality while at the same time reducing radiation doses and contrast media doses, and decreases the need for follow up evaluation of indeterminate lesions. We review the different acquisition techniques of spectral images, mainly dual-source, rapid kV switching and dual-layer detector, and discuss the main spectral results available. We also discuss the use of spectral imaging in abdominal pathologies, emphasizing the strengths and pitfalls of the technique and its main applications in general and in specific organs.

The leading etiology of endophthalmitis changed from postoperative endophthalmitis to endophthalmitis after IVT injection from 2003 to 2010, and the incidence of the infection as a complication of those procedures decreased.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the quantitative and qualitative effects of virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) by spectral detector computed tomography (SDCT) on calcium blooming in coronary computed tomography angiography. Methods Coronary computed tomography angiography using SDCT was performed on 42 patients with coronary artery calcifications. Stenosis grading by diameter and area of calcified plaques and free lumen using VMI from 70 to 140 keV was performed and compared with measurements by conventional images. In addition, interobserver reliability and subjective image quality were assessed by 2 experienced readers. Results A total of 61 coronary arteries were evaluated. Stenosis grading by diameter and area showed significant incremental decrease, from 48.86% to 22.82% and from 41.18% to 11.33%, respectively, with increasing VMI (P < 0.05). Interobserver reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.99). Overall image quality was best at 80 keV. Conclusions Calcium blooming significantly decreases at higher monoenergetic levels from SDCT, increasing luminal dimensions and decreasing stenotic grading, with best overall subjective image quality using 80-keV VMI.

The authors found subclinical increases in the foveal and perifoveal macular thicknesses following extraocular muscle surgery. These findings could be attributed to change in the mechanical forces caused by the new position of the extraocular muscles and transmitted via the sclera or, alternatively, to postoperative inflammation and alterations in the blood-retinal barrier. The clinical implications of these findings remain to be clarified.

Since its introduction, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has gained an important role in the diagnosis and management of abdominal and pelvic diseases. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can improve lesion detection rates as well as success rates of interventional procedures when compared to conventional ultrasound alone. Additionally, CEUS enables the interventionalist to assess the dynamic enhancement of different tissues and lesions, without the adverse effects of contrast-enhanced computed tomography, such as exposure to ionizing radiation and nephrotoxicity from iodinated contrast material. This review article describes the various applications and advantages of the use of CEUS to enhance performance of ultrasound-guided interventions in the abdomen and pelvis.

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