All patients underwent pre- and post-CRT 1.5-T rectal MR imaging and post-CRT DW MR imaging. For qualitative analysis, two radiologists who were blinded to pathologic staging and prior imaging data retrospectively and independently reviewed conventional MR images and the combined set of MR images and DW MR images over a 2-week interval and recorded their confidence level with respect to the CR to neoadjuvant CRT. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated

for each reviewer with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. For quantitative analysis, a third radiologist measured the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the region of interest three times. Mean ADCs in the CR group were compared AZD1208 with those in the non-CR group. Pathology reports served as the reference standard.

Results: Diagnostic accuracy (area under the ROC curve [Az]) in the evaluation of CR was significantly improved after additional review of DW MR images for both reviewers: For reviewer 1, Az improved from 0.676 to 0.876 (P = .005), whereas for reviewer 2, Az improved from 0.658 to 0.815 (P = .036). Mean ADC ([1.62 +/- 0.36] PF-2341066 x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec) (standard deviation) of the CR group (n = 11) was significantly higher than that

([1.04 +/- 0.24] x 10(-3) mm(2)/sec) of the non-CR group (n = 29) ( P < .0001).

Conclusion: Adding DW MR imaging to conventional MR imaging yields better diagnostic accuracy than use of conventional MR imaging alone in the evaluation of CR to neoadjuvant CRT in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. (C) RSNA, 2009″
“The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the electrical behavior of quartz crystal resonators vibrating in the GW786034 megahertz range is investigated by impedance analysis. The responses in frequency and dissipation of five AT-cut polished quartz crystals

immersed in helium gas are analyzed and compared from conductance spectra around the resonance on several overtones. A model is then proposed to correlate the variations in frequency and dissipation with pressure and to explain the particular behavior observed on the fundamental harmonic mode. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3460805]“
“OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with oral anti-diabetic agents (OADs) in Switzerland.

METHODS: A validated computer model of diabetes was used to project outcomes reported from a published longitudinal study of SMBG in type 2 diabetes patients, treated with OADs and with no history of SMBG, over a 30-year time horizon and cost-effectiveness was assessed from the perspective of a third party healthcare payer. Costs and clinical outcomes were discounted at 3% annually in line with recommended practice. Sensitivity analyses were performed.