clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01137188.

3D echocardiographic estimates of RV size and RVEF show only moderate correlation to MRI measures of these parameters, and simple 2D echocardiographic estimates of RV size and function show similar correlations. For routine clinical purposes the simple TAPSE may be preferred over 3D and SPECT techniques for RVEF estimation.

Background: Weight reduction may reduce the severity of psoriasis, but little is known about the long-term effects. Objective: We aimed to investigate long-term effects of weight reduction in psoriasis. Design: We previously conducted a randomized trial (n = 60) involving patients with psoriasis who were allocated to a control group or a low-energy diet (LED) group. Here we followed the participants for an additional 48-wk period. In total, 56 patients with psoriasis [mean 6 SD body mass index (in kg/m 2 ): 34.4 6 5.3] underwent a 64-wk weight-loss program consisting of an initial 16-wk randomized phase with an LED for 8 wk and 8 wk of normal food intake combined with 2 LED products/d, followed by a 48-wk period of weight maintenance with the latter diet. After the randomization phase, the control group received the same 8 + 8-wk LED intervention, and all patients were then followed for 48 wk while on the weight-loss maintenance diet. The main outcome was the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and secondary outcome was the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results: For the present study, 56 patients were eligible, 38 agreed to participate, and 32 completed. After the 16-wk LED-only period, the mean weight loss was 215.0 kg (95% CI: 216.6, 213.4 kg), and PASI and DLQI were reduced by 22.3 (95% CI: 23.1, 21.5) and 22.3 (95% CI: 23.2, 21.4), respectively. At week 64, the mean weight loss compared with baseline was 210.1 kg (95% CI: 212.0, 28.1 kg), and PASI and DLQI were maintained at 22.9 (95% CI: 23.9, 21.9) and 21.9 (95% CI: 23.0, 20.9), respectively. Conclusion: Long-term weight loss in patients with psoriasis has long-lasting positive effects on the severity of psoriasis. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01137188.Am J Clin Nutr 2016;104:259-65.

Mid ventricular longitudinal dysfunction consistent with the 'McConnell-sign' is found in patients with moderate degrees of perfusion defects, whereas the acceleration time of the PA flow is reduced even in patients with small pulmonary emboli.

The purpose of the study was to examine the value of a commercial immunoradiometric (IRMA) method for measuring serum thyroglobulin as a tumor marker after treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma. A prospective analysis of consecutive serum samples from 53 patients was performed using the IRMA method and a traditional double antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA). The results were compared with those of 100 healthy control subjects and furthermore the method was validated by investigating sera from 24 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis positive for thyroglobulin autoantibodies. Finally, in vitro studies of the influence of thyroglobulin autoantibodies on the method were done. The IRMA method had an acceptable analytical precision and was more sensitive than the RIA. It was furthermore less sensitive to the presence of thyroglobulin autoantibodies but it was affected by them, and it showed less unspecific serum effect. Both methods had limitations as tumor marker when the patients had a thyroid remnant, when serum thyrotropin was not suppressed, and in cases of local recurrence. The highest predictive value was found in patients with distant metastases. Thus, in cases of only slightly elevated serum thyroglobulin, the strongest indication for recurrence is still an increasing serum thyroglobulin level within the same patient rather than a single value.