Background Mendelian randomisation (MR) studies have been used to investigate whether higher body mass index causally influences blood pressure outcomes. However, conclusions vary across studies, potentially reflecting differences in risk of bias, populations and analytical methods. This systematic review aims to synthesise MR evidence on the effect of variation in adulthood body mass index (BMI) on blood pressure outcomes. Methods We will search three databases (Embase, MEDLINE and Science Citation Index). Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts and full texts for inclusion according to eligibility criteria. Data will be extracted into predefined tables using Microsoft Excel. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence will be assessed using modified risk-of-bias tools and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach (GRADE), respectively. The evidence will then be synthesised and presented in figures and tables, as appropriate. The reporting of this systematic review will follow the PRISMA-2020 guidelines. Anticipated findings By comparing methods and results and potentially meta-analysing results, we will be able to precisely estimate the magnitude and likelihood of the causal effect of adulthood BMI on blood pressure. As well as examining whether the findings are consistent across studies, we will also determine risk of bias for each exposure-outcome pair. We will establish sources of between study heterogeneity. In subsequent work, this systematic review will be triangulated with evidence from randomised controlled trials.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been employed to obtain high-resolution images of dental structures using intraoral and dedicated coils; however, reports on microscopy coils are limited. Furthermore, no reports have detailed the imaging conditions for the clinical application of T1-weighted (T1W), T2-weighted (T2W), and proton density-weighted (PDW) sequences in dental MRI. This study investigated the optimal imaging conditions for clinical dental MRI. Phantoms simulating the dental pulp and bone marrow were constructed, and imaging was performed using a 3T-MRI system and a microscopy coil with varying T1W, T2W, and PDW parameters to determine the trends in change. Subsequently, we imaged the left mandibular first molar region of 21 healthy volunteers using clinically feasible parameters. Tooth visibility was assessed for the T1W, T2W, and PDW images, while contrast ratio (CR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were calculated and statistically analyzed. Results showed that PDW significantly outperformed T1W and T2W in terms of tooth visibility, CR, and SNR. Under the specified imaging conditions, PDW was optimal for tooth and periodontal tissue morphology evaluation. A statistically significant difference in CR and tooth visibility evaluation was observed between T1W and T2W in the dental pulp. This statistically significant difference suggested that T2W can be used to evaluate the dental pulp, and T1W can be used to evaluate the inferior alveolar nerve and bone marrow properties.
Kamila Masiak discusses the benefits of incorporating face yoga into your life and role.
