There was statically significant difference of the calculated T2RT for each lesion type. Conclusion The 2DRTSE sequence can be performed and provides good T2W image quality and a quantitative T2RT map of the entire abdomen. The liver lesions can be distinguished based on the calculated T2RT using this technique. 2DRTSE could potentially supplant the current T2-weighted imaging sequence with the benefit of quantitative T2RTs.Objective Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) is a clinically heterogenous disease. Patterns of clinical presentation in TAK at diagnosis have not been well described, and a "triphasic pattern" of constitutional symptoms evolving into vascular inflammation and fibrosis has been reported but never systematically evaluated. Methods Patients with TAK were prospectively recruited from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC). Based on clinical presentation at diagnosis, patients were divided into five categories (1) constitutional symptoms alone, (2) carotidynia, (3) other vascular-associated symptoms, (4) major ischemic event, or (5) asymptomatic. Associated clinical characteristics were evaluated in each category. Preceding symptoms were also assessed to determine the presence of a triphasic disease pattern. Results A total of 275 patients with TAK were included (VCRC=208; NIH=67). Similar heterogeneity of clinical presentation was identified in each cohort constitutional symptoms (8%), carotidynia (13-15%), other vascular symptoms (43-47%), major ischemic event (28-30%), and asymptomatic (2-6%). An increased relative proportion of males was seen in patients who presented with constitutional symptoms or were asymptomatic at diagnosis (p less then 0.01). Patients who presented with constitutional symptoms and major ischemic events were youngest at diagnosis. Patients in the asymptomatic group were oldest at diagnosis and often were not treated (p less then 0.01). Relapse was most frequent in patients who presented with carotidynia (p less then 0.01). A minority of patients (19%) who presented with a major ischemic event reported a triphasic pattern of disease. Conclusion There are diverse clinical presentations at diagnosis in TAK. Patients do not necessarily progress sequentially through phases of disease.Objectives Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), three-dimensional computed tomography angiography, and cerebral angiography may be used to assess intracranial vertebrobasilar stenosis. However, these examinations cannot be performed at patients' bedsides. Our purpose was to develop a new bedside method to assess intracranial vertebrobasilar arterial stenosis. Methods We developed the new method using carotid duplex ultrasonography combined with the head-up test. A total of 141 subjects admitted between June 1, 2017 and March 31, 2019 were enrolled in this study. We calculated vertebral arterial peak systolic velocities (PSVs), end-diastolic velocities (EDVs), and mean velocities (MVs) at 0°, 16°, and 30° head-up angles. Vertebrobasilar arterial stenosis was confirmed using MRA. Results We excluded 28 subjects and included data for 113 subjects and 226 vessels in the final analysis. read more Cervical vertebral arterial PSV, EDV, and MV gradually decreased from 0° to 30° only in stenotic intracranial vertebral arteries. Sensitivity (probability of detection) was 75.5% and specificity (true negative rate) was 79.7% when EDV at the 30° head-up angle decreased ≥19.5% from the initial 0° head-up angle. Specificity was better (86.4%; sensitivity 69.4%) when EDV was less then 9.1 cm/s at the 30° head-up angle. Conclusion This new method easily detects intracranial vertebrobasilar arterial stenosis.Background Specific cognitive rehabilitation (SCR) has been suggested for multiple sclerosis (MS). A randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the therapeutic effects of SCR is necessary. Objective To demonstrate the superiority of a SCR program (REACTIV) over nonspecific intervention (NSI) for neuropsychological (NP) assessment, virtual reality (VR) cognitive testing and daily cognitive functioning. Methods A single-blind RCT compared SCR and NSI in patients with MS with cognitive complaint. Both programs included 50 individual sessions, 3 times a week for 17 weeks in a real-world setting. The primary end-point was NP assessment. Secondary end-points included semiecological VR tasks (Urban Daily Cog®) and daily cognitive functioning assessment. Maintenance of the effects at 8 months was studied. Results Of the 35 patients, 18 completed the SCR, and 17 completed the NSI. Several NP and semiecological scores improved significantly more after SCR than after NSI. More NP scores improved significantly after SCR than after NSI. SCR improved daily cognitive functioning. Most improvements were maintained at 8 months. Conclusion SCR performed in a real-world setting is superior to NSI for improving performance in specific cognitive domains and information processing speed, and for improving cognitive functioning, as evaluated by ecological tools close to daily life and a daily cognitive functioning questionnaire.The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic in early 2020. The infection has been associated with a wide range of clinical symptoms. In the severely affected patients, it has caused dysregulation of immune responses including over-secretion of inflammatory cytokines and imbalances in the proportion of naïve helper T cells, memory helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Identification of the underlying mechanism of such aberrant function of immune system would help in the prediction of disease course and selection of susceptible patients for more intensive cares. In the current review, we summarize the results of studies which reported alterations in cytokine levels and immune cell functions in patients affected with SARS-CoV-2 and related viruses.The objective of this study was to determine the effect of an education short course on professional' self-efficacy in the area of breastfeeding care. The intervention had a pre-post design. A total of 43 healthcare professionals attended the course. The Kirkpatrick model for the development, implementation and evaluation of education actions was used for a 4.5-h course. The aspects evaluated included professionals' satisfaction and learning regarding confidence to support lactating mothers, perceived transfer of knowledge to the workplace and organizational changes. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires (participants, unit managers, and education planners), before and after the intervention. Participants' satisfaction with the education action was high in all of the aspects measured (greater than 3.9 in scores of 0-5). Professionals showed a significant increase in self-efficacy levels for supporting breastfeeding (Wilcoxon test p-value = less then 0.05, before intervention median = 55, [IQR] = 11; after intervention median = 60, [IQR] = 14).