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Currently, there is no effective therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and although calorie restriction is recommended in guidelines, but adherence is an issue. The current study aimed to determine the effectiveness of eight weeks intermittent fasting (IF) strategy in the control of NAFLD activity and the adherence rate of such strategy. This was a randomized controlled trial with modified alternate-day calorie restriction (MACR), a form of IF, as the active intervention and usual habitual diet as control. The outcome measures included changes in body mass index (BMI), blood lipids (cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride), fasting blood sugar (FBS), liver enzymes (ALT and AST), and ultrasound measurements of liver steatosis and 2-dimensional shear wave elastography (SWE). Per-protocol (PP) analysis was performed with comparison within (post vs. pre-intervention) and between (MACR vs. control) groups and P 0.22). Both liver steatosis and fibrosis (SWE) scores were significantly reduced in MACR vs. controls (both P

Current methods of joint diagnosis depend on invasive, radiative methods, large set ups and requiring skilled operators, which are still not able to assess the joint during motion. Replacing these methods are acoustic methods, which are only able to diagnose joint health based on the characteristics sound emitted by a moving joint. This paper looks into informing the medical practitioner of the locations of joint damage instead, hence the feasibility of localizing upon the damaged part of the joint, which is represented by a playback of a recording of crepitus sounds emitted from a human joint in 2 dimensional settings. Three microphones, an earphone and a data acquisition device were used to implement the testing. Using the time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) between the 3 sensors, the Angle-of-Arrival (AOA) method was used to attain the initial localization coordinates. These coordinates were then fed into a gradient descent algorithm to reduce the positioning error of the AOA method, yielding the final position results. Results show that the developed system is able to achieve localization errors of less than 1.0 cm.

Background/aim Even though advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can effectively differentiate between medulloblastoma and ependymoma, it is not readily available throughout the world. This study aimed to investigate the role of simple quantified basic MRI sequences in the differentiation between medulloblastoma and ependymoma in children. Patients and methods The institutional review board approved this prospective study. The brain MRI protocol, including sagittal T1-weighted, axial T2-weighted, coronal fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and axial T1-weighted with contrast enhancement (T1WCE) sequences, was assessed in 26 patients divided into two groups: Medulloblastoma (n=22) and ependymoma (n=4). The quantified region of interest (ROI) values of tumors and their ratios to parenchyma were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to find significant factors influencing the differential diagnosis between the two groups. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to create the predictive model for the discrimination of medulloblastoma from ependymoma. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the T2- and T1WCE-ROI values of tumors and the ratios of T1WCE-ROI values to parenchyma were the most significant factors influencing the diagnosis between these two groups. GEE produced the model: y=exn/(1+exn) with predictor xn=-8.773+0.012x1 - 0.032x2 - 13.228x3, where x1 was the T2-weighted signal intensity (SI) of tumor, x2 the T1WCE SI of tumor, and x3 the T1WCE SI ratio of tumor to parenchyma. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of the GEE model were 77.3%, 100%, and 92%, respectively. Conclusion The GEE predictive model can discriminate between medulloblastoma and ependymoma clinically. Further research should be performed to validate these findings.

Purpose We sought to present our preliminary experience on the effectiveness and safety of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy using a volumetric ablation technique in the treatment of Association of Asian Nations (ASEAN) patients with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas. Methods This study included 33 women who underwent HIFU treatment. Tissue characteristics of leiomyomas were assessed based on T2- and T1-weighted MRI. The immediate nonperfused volume (NPV) ratio and the treatment effectiveness of MRI-guided HIFU on the basis of the degrees of volume reduction and improvement in transformed symptom severity score (SSS) were assessed. Results The median immediate NPV ratio was 89.8%. Additionally, the median acoustic sonication power and HIFU treatment durations were 150 W and 125 min, respectively. At six-month follow-up, the median leiomyoma volume had decreased from 139 mL at baseline to 84 mL and the median transformed SSS had decreased from 56.2 at baseline to 18.8. No major adverse events were observed. Conclusion The preliminary results demonstrated that volumetric MRI-guided HIFU therapy for the treatment of symptomatic leiomyomas in ASEAN patients appears to be clinically acceptable with regard to treatment effectiveness and safety.

Non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding is the significant emergency problem to manage in the hospital. Transcatheter arterial embolization is minimally invasive treatment, which becomes an essential role in controlling bleeding, leading to lifesaving. To reach the goal, the interventional radiologist should have fundamental of vascular anatomy and choice of embolic material, which is the key to success.

Introduction: Bronchoscopy is a commonly used procedure in the context of aspiration in the Intensive Care Unit setting. Despite its ability to remove mucus plug and undigested gastric contents, aspiration of gastric content into the trachea is one of the most feared complications among anesthesiologist. Discussion: The scenario is made worst if the aspiration causes acute hypoxemic respiratory failure immediately post intubation. However, in the event of desaturation, the quick decision to proceed with bronchoscopy is a challenging task to the anesthesiologist without knowing the causes. Case presentation: We present a case of a 12-year-old boy who had a difficult-to-ventilate scenario post transferring and immediately connected to ventilator in operation theatre (OT) from portable ventilator from the emergency department. She was successfully managed by bronchoscopy. Conclusion: Special attention should be given to the difficult-to-ventilate scenario post intubation of traumatic brain injury patient prior to operation. Prompt diagnosis and bronchoscope-assisted removal of foreign body was found to be a successful to reduce morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Foreign body, Aspiration, Chicken meat, Difficult ventilation

Introduction Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is not proven to be effective in treating respiratory failure in severe pneumonia. However, some clinicians nevertheless attempt NIV to indirectly deliver adequate oxygenation and avoid unnecessary endotracheal intubation. Case presentation In this article, we report the case of a 24-year-old woman at 32 weeks' gestation who presented with hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. She was successfully managed by NIV. Discussion However, NIV must be managed by providers who are trained in mechanical ventilation. This is of the utmost importance in avoiding any delay should the patient's condition worsen and require endotracheal intubation. Moreover, in pregnant women, the severity of illness may progress quickly due to the immunosuppression inherent in these patients. Conclusion Special attention should be given to the choices of invasive ventilation and NIV to manage community acquired pneumonia patients in third trimester.

Highlights • Patients who are diagnosed with melioidosis pose significant challenges to the medical team involved because it involves a high rate of morbidity and mortality. • Managing cases of melioidosis is multidisciplinary as it may manifest under various clinical situations. • In endemic area, melioidosis can occur in immunocompetent youths with no recognisable risk factors., In Malaysia, melioidosis is commonly encountered as this infection is known as part of the endemic area for the disease. Managing cases of positive Burkholderia pseudomallei infection can involve multidisciplinary unit mainly, microbiologist, infectious disease team and intensive care as it may be quite difficult to distinguish melioidosis from a number of other diseases on the clinical setting alone. Laboratory diagnosis plays a vital role in determining the direction of management. Investigations such as culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serology should be evaluated once the disease is suspected. In this particular case, the patient is a young adult involved in a road traffic accident. Unlike any other cases with melioidosis, he had no potential risk factors which may have contributed to the severity of the disease and it is likely that the site of the accident was the source of acquisition of this gram negative bacterium.

Malignant melanoma is cancer of the skin which commonly metastasises to the stomach. There have been no reported cases of emphysematous gastritis secondary to metastasis of malignant melanomas, to date. However, a 61-year-old woman with metastatic malignant melanoma of the left great toe presented to us with symptoms of severe left hypochondrium pain associated with high-grade fever, gross abdominal distension and recurrent vomiting. Two months earlier, metastasis was observed to have spread to the stomach and inguinal lymph nodes. At this stage, the patient opted for traditional medication instead of definitive surgery and chemotherapy. Radiological imaging revealed an emphysematous change to the stomach which was radiologically consistent with gastric malignant melanoma. Unfortunately, the patient succumbed to this rare condition.

Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon cause of secondary postpartum hemorrhage, although it carries a high mortality rate. The etiology includes vascular trauma during cesarean section, vaginal delivery, curettage or hysterotomy. We present a post-cesarean female who developed delayed hemorrhage and was diagnosed with left uterine artery pseudoaneurysm. Selective transcatheter arterial embolization was performed and the pseudoaneurysm was successfully obliterated. Angiographic embolization is a safe and efficient method of treatment of postpartum hemorrhage due to pseudoaneurysm in hemodynamically stable patients. Thus, it should be considered as a treatment option before opting for surgery in favorable cases.

Accidental endobronchial intubation is a frequent complication in critically ill patients requiring tracheal intubation (TI). If such complication occurs, it is more often the right main bronchus that is intubated due to anatomical reasons. Left main bronchus (LMB) intubation is rare. Here, we report a case with auscultatory, bronchoscopic, and radiographic evidence of accidental LMB intubation in a pregnant woman with dengue shock syndrome. We highlight this case to increase awareness about this possible-but-rare complication of TI.

Highlights • Orbital abscess in infant requires prompt treatment. • MRSA is an increasingly common organism causing orbital abscess in infants. • Surgical drainage of orbital abscess is indicated when presence of persistent infection clinically or radiologically despite systemic antimicrobial therapy. • Image-guided endoscopic drainage of orbital abscess in infant provides a safer surgical technique., Introduction The management of orbital abscesses in neonates and infants is very challenging. Surgical drainage of the abscess is aimed at removing the pus and preventing blindness. We describe a case of orbital abscess in an infant that was caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and that was successfully drained with image-guided endoscopic surgery. Presentation of case A 39-day-old infant presented with progressive right maxillary swelling complicated by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus orbital abscess. Tooth bud abscess was the most likely primary cause and a combination of intravenous antibiotics was initially prescribed. The collection of intra-orbital pus was removed using image-guided system-aided endoscopic surgical drainage. Discussion Prompt diagnosis and management are very crucial. Endoscopic drainage of these abscesses in children has been described. Image-guided drainage of the orbital abscess is a newer technique that has been reported in a teenager and in adult patients. This is the first reported case of endoscopic orbital drainage surgery in an infant. The procedure was performed successfully. This approach provides for better identification of the anatomical structures in a very young patient. Injuries to the medial rectus, globe and optic nerve can be avoided with this technique. Conclusion Aggressive management of orbital abscesses in infants is mandatory. Image-guided endoscopic orbital drainage offers precise visualization and a safer technique in a relatively smaller orbit.