We carried out a population-based study on low-grade diffuse gliomas in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (population 1.16 million). From 1980 to 1994, 987 astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors were diagnosed, of which 122 (12.4%) were low-grade (WHO grade II). The incidence rates adjusted to the World Standard Population, per million population per year, were 2.28 for low-grade diffuse astrocytomas, 0.89 for oligoastrocytomas, and 2.45 for oligodendrogliomas. The survival rate (mean follow-up 7.5+/-4.8 years) was highest for patients with oligodendroglioma (78% at 5 years, 51% at 10 years), followed by those with oligoastrocytoma (70% at 5 years, 49% at 10 years) and fibrillary astrocytoma (65% at 5 years, 31% at 10 years). Survival of patients with gemistocytic astrocytoma was poor, with survival rates of 16% at 5 years and 0% at 10 years. Younger patients (<50 years) survived significantly longer than older patients (>50 years; P=0.013). DNA sequencing, performed in 84% of cases, revealed that TP53 mutations were most frequent in gemistocytic astrocytomas (88%), followed by fibrillary astrocytomas (53%) and oligoastrocytomas (44%), but were infrequent (13%) in oligodendrogliomas. The presence of TP53 mutations was associated with shorter survival of patients with low-grade diffuse gliomas (log-rank test; P=0.047), but when each histological type was analyzed separately, an association was observed only for oligoastrocytoma ( P=0.05). Loss on 1p and 19q were assessed by quantitative microsatellite analysis in 67% of cases. These alterations were frequent in oligodendrogliomas (1p, 57%; 19q, 69%), less common in oligoastrocytomas (1p, 27%; 19q, 45%), rare in fibrillary astrocytomas (1p, 7%; 19q, 7%), and absent in gemistocytic astrocytomas. None of these alterations were predictive of survival. These results establish the frequency of key genetic alterations in low-grade diffuse gliomas at a population-based level. Multivariate Cox's regression analysis indicates that only age and histological type, but not genetic alterations, are significant predictive factors.

We compared the effects of 12-week programs of resistance training (RT), high-intensity interval aerobic training (HIAT), and moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training (MICT). The primary goal was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the exercise modalities for the management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A total of 61 sedentary obese men with NAFLD were randomized into one of the following exercise regimens (RT, HIAT, or MICT). Hepatic fat content was decreased to a similar extent in the RT, HIAT, and MICT groups (−14.3% vs. −13.7% vs. −14.3%) without significant changes in weight and visceral fat. The gene expression levels of fatty acid synthesis were significantly decreased in the subjects’ monocytes. Hepatic stiffness was decreased only in the HIAT group (−16.8%). The stiffness change was associated with restored Kupffer cell phagocytic function (+17.8%) and decreased levels of inflammation such as leptin (−13.2%) and ferritin (−14.1%). RT, HIAT, and MICT were equally effective in reducing hepatic fat content, but only HIAT was effective in improving hepatic stiffness and restoring Kupffer cell function. These benefits appeared to be independent of detectable weight and visceral fat reductions; the benefits were acquired through the modulation of in vivo fatty acid metabolism and obesity-related inflammatory conditions.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is useful not only for preoperative staging of gynecologic malignancies but also for prediction of the histopathologic features of a variety of intrapelvic tumors. Familiarity with the specific imaging findings that have been reported for the uterine cervix is a goal of radiologists. The typical MR imaging findings of uterine cervical lesions correspond to the histopathologic features. These lesions can be categorized as epithelial neoplasms, nonepithelial neoplasms, and nonneoplastic diseases. Cervical carcinoma accounts for most cases of malignant lesions and is staged by using the classification system established by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. MR imaging allows differentiation between endophytic and exophytic growth and between normal and abnormal findings after hysterectomy and irradiation. Other epithelial neoplasms of the uterine cervix include adenoma malignum, which is a special type of cervical adenocarcinoma, as well as carcinoid tumor and malignant melanoma. Nonepithelial neoplasms of the uterine cervix include malignant lymphoma and leiomyoma. Nonneoplastic diseases of the uterine cervix include cervical pregnancy, cervicitis, nabothian cysts, polyps, and endometriosis.

Purpose: To study the MR characteristics of nonbenign uterine smooth muscle tumors. Materials and Methods:Nine patients with pathologically proven leiomyosarcomas, and three patients with smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (SMTUMP) were included in this study. Twelve cases of benign uterine leiomyomas and variants, in which gynecologists suspected leiomyosarcomas, were also analyzed. In each case we studied the size, location, signal intensity, and contrast enhancement of the tumors.Results: Nine of the 12 nonbenign characters had more than 50% of high-intensity areas on T2-weighted images (T2WI), and some hyperintense foci on T1-weighted images (T1WI). In the contrast study, nine of 12 nonbenign characters had welldemarcated unenhanced areas. On the other hand, only two of 12 benign characters showed such a signal intensity pattern, and none of them had a pocket-like unenhanced area. Conclusion:Although there were some exceptions, more than 50% of high signal on T2WI, and the presence of any small high-signal areas on T1WI with unenhanced pockets were considered MR-suggestive for SMTUMPs and leiomyosarcomas.

Decreased muscle mass coupled with increased visceral fat mass is closely associated with an increased risk for exacerbating NAFLD pathophysiology.

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The histological diagnosis of low-grade astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas (WHO grade II) is often challenging, particularly in cases that show both astrocytic and oligodendroglial differentiation. We carried out gene expression profiling on 17 oligodendrogliomas (93% with LOH 1p and/or 19q) and 15 low-grade astrocytomas (71% with a TP53 mutation), using a cDNA array containing 1176 cancer-related genes. In oligodendrogliomas, 40 genes showed on average higher expression (at least a two-fold increase) than in astrocytomas, including DES, TDGF1, TGF-b, GABA-BR1A, Histone H4, CDKN1A, PCDH43, Rho7 and Jun-D, while 39 genes were expressed at lower levels (at least a two-fold decrease), including JNK2, ITGB4, JNK3A2, RhoC, IFI-56K, AAD14 and EGFR. Immunohistochemistry revealed nuclear staining of Jun-D in oligodendrogliomas, in contrast to the immunoreactivity of cytoplasm and cell processes in low-grade astrocytomas. Partial leastsquares analysis of the 79 genes at least two-fold differentially expressed between oligodendrogliomas and low-grade astrocytomas demonstrated perfect separation of oligodendrogliomas from low-grade astrocytomas and normal cerebral white matter. Clustering analysis based on the entire gene set divided the 17 subjects with oligodendrogliomas into two subgroups with significantly different survival (log-rank test, P ¼ 0.0305; survival to 5-years, 80 vs 0%, P ¼ 0.048). These results demonstrate that oligodendrogliomas and low-grade astrocytomas differ in their gene expression profiles, and that there are subgroups of oligodendroglioma with distinct expression profiles related to clinical outcome.

Portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners can provide opportunities for mobile operation in many environments including disease screening and primary care suites.Here, we develop a new, compact transportable MRI system for imaging small joints of the extremities using a 0.2 T, 200 kg permanent magnet. The whole system, including the magnet, gradient coils, RF probes, and MRI consoles (80 kg in weight) was installed in a standard-size minivan-style vehicle. The use of the open-geometry magnet enables easy patient positioning within the limited space of the vehicle. We show that our portable MRI system provides clinically relevant images of screening for elbow injuries induced by overuse of overhand throwing. This transportable system is deployable during sport events or in environments with poor access to MRI systems, and could be applicable for mass screening, early diagnosis, and case finding.