BackgroundA large-scale Japanese study showed that low skeletal muscle index (SMI) and intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival. Here, we evaluated the effects of SMI and IMF on the survival of Indonesian HCC patients, whose characteristics differ from those of Japanese patients.MethodsSMI and mean muscle attenuation (MA) were evaluated using computed tomography images of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) in a prospective cohort of 100 Indonesian HCC patients. Clinical, laboratory and body composition data were analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression model to investigate which factors are associated with prognosis.ResultsOf 100 patients, 31 were diagnosed with sarcopenia (L3 SMI value ≤36.2 cm2/m2 for men and ≤ 29.6 cm2/m2 for women), and 65 had IMF deposition (MA value ≤44.4 HU for men and ≤ 39.3 HU for women). These groups had shorter median survival than the reference groups (both P < 0.0001). In multivariable analysis, sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR], 1.921; P = 0.016), IMF deposition (HR, 3.580; P < 0.001), Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages C and D (HR: 2.396, P < 0.01 and HR: 6.131, P < 0.01, respectively), Japan Integrated Staging (JIS) score 4 (HR: 2.067, P = 0.020), and male gender (HR: 3.211, P < 0.001) were independently associated with mortality.ConclusionSarcopenia and IMF deposition showed superior value in combination with BCLC stage and JIS score for predicting the survival of Indonesian HCC patients. Increased awareness and strategies to prevent or reverse these factors might improve patient outcomes. (Electric word counts: 249).

Background: A large-scale Japanese study showed that low skeletal muscle index (SMI) and intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival. Here, we evaluated the effects of SMI and IMF on the survival of Indonesian HCC patients, whose characteristics differ from those of Japanese patients. Methods: SMI and mean muscle attenuation (MA) were evaluated using computed tomography images of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) in a prospective cohort of 100 Indonesian HCC patients. Clinical, laboratory and body composition data were analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression model to investigate which factors are associated with prognosis. Results: Of 100 patients, 31 were diagnosed with sarcopenia (L3 SMI value ≤36.2 cm 2 /m 2 for men and ≤29.6 cm 2 /m 2 for women), and 65 had IMF deposition (MA value ≤44.4 HU for men and ≤39.3 HU for women). These groups had shorter median survival than the reference groups (both P <0.0001). In multivariable analysis, sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR], 1.921; P = 0.016), IMF deposition (HR, 3.580; P <0.001), Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages C and D (HR: 2.396, P <0.01 and HR: 6.131, P <0.01, respectively), Japan Integrated Staging (JIS) score 4 (HR: 2.067, P = 0.020), and male gender (HR: 3.211, P <0.001) were independently associated with mortality. Conclusion: Sarcopenia and IMF deposition showed superior value in combination with BCLC stage and JIS score for predicting the survival of Indonesian HCC patients. Increased awareness and strategies to prevent or reverse these factors might improve patient outcomes.

Background: Meningioma is the most common primary intracranial tumor. Previous studies have shown the possible association between hormonal contraceptive use and meningioma location. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the association between the history of hormonal contraceptive use and the location of meningioma in the Indonesian population. Methods: In total, 99 histologically confirmed female meningioma patients admitted to Dr. Sardjito General Hospital Yogyakarta, Indonesia, were included in this study. Data on hormonal contraception and other variables were collected from medical records. Meningioma locations were determined from brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computerized Tomography (CT) scan before surgery. Results: Seventy-two (72.7%) patients had a history of hormonal contraceptive use. The subjects consist of 83 (83.8%) WHO grade I and 16 (16.2%) WHO grade II and III tumors. A total of 57 (57.6%) tumors were located in the spheno-orbital region. We found a significant association between hormonal contraceptive use and meningioma location in the spheno-orbital region (Odds ratio (OR) 2.573, p=0.038). This resulted in the patients in the hormonal contraception group having more visual impairment (p=0.044). Conclusion: The use of hormonal contraception is associated with the location of meningioma in the spheno-orbital region.

Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) has an advantage than another imaging systems in the medical field, they are safe, fast, and simple. The role of EIT is promising, so that it is necessary to develop electrical impedance tomography devices, especially in the biomedical field. we have successfully constructed a multi-frequency EIT system for biomedicine consisting of an oscillator, buffer, VCCS (voltage controlled current source), mux-demux, differential amplifiers based on Arduino Mega. The system succesfully has been tested to produce an image of conductors, insulators, and animal organs so that suitable for biomedical field.

Craniosynostosis is a condition in which there is premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, causing neurological disorders, distinctive deformities of the face and skull, also accompanied by increased intracranial pressure, visual impairment, deafness and cognitive deficits.  Craniosynostosis may appear in primary or secondary secondary to other disorders. As many as 85% of primary craniosynostosis emerged as a single condition while the remaining 15% as part of the multisystem syndrome. Radiological examination is important for accurate diagnosis, surgical planning, therapeutic evaluation and identification of comorbid anomalies and complications related to craniosynostosis. Computed Tomography (CT) with 3-D reconstruction is a technique used to diagnose craniosynostosis because it can provide a better picture of bone. Nevertheless, the presence of radiation exposure from CT scan, especially in infants causes the authors to look for alternatives to other radiological examination techniques including the use of ultrasonography, plain cranial rontgen and MRI