Objective To study the role of monochromatic energy images from spectral CT in diagnosing X-ray negative biliary stones.Methods 32 patients who were diagnosed to have X-ray negative biliary stones were retrospectively studied.They were examined by spectral CT scanning and the spectral CT data were loaded into a spectrum analysis software.The optimal contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the monochromatic energy images were exposed and the contrast ratio between the X-ray negative stones and bile on the optimal monochromatic and hybrid energy CT images were compared,respectively.The monochromatic and hybrid energy CT images for diagnosing X-ray negative biliary stones were validated by two senior radiologists based on postoperative histology.Results The corresponding KeV of optimal CNR for X-ray negative stones were not quite consistent.They were 140KeV in 19 patients,40KeV in 8 patients,53KeV,57KeV,62KeV,64KeV and 73KeV in one patient each.The contrast between the negative stones and the adjacent bile were (6.4 ±5.6) HU on hybrid energy CT images and (50.4 ±24.4) HU on optimal monochromatic energy CT images.The Eff-Z of negative stones and bile were 6.6 ± 0.6 and 7.9 ± 0.2,respectively.In our study,the diagnostic accuracy of hybrid energy CT images was 34.38％ and that of optimal monochromatic energy CT images was 78.13％.Conclusion The optimal monochromatic energy CT images were more valuable in diagnosing X-ray negative bile duct stones,which were obviously better than the hybrid energy images from traditional CT.

Objective To prepare 188 Re-c ( CGRRAGGSC) by different labeling methods, and compare the stability and targeting ability for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods 188 Re la-beled c( CGRRAGGSC) was prepared by direct method ( pre-tinning method) and indirect method (the hydrazinonicotinamide (HYNIC) conjugated c(CGRRAGGSC) peptide) respectively. Quality control and sta-bilities of radiolabeled probes were measured. Nude mice bearing TNBC cells (MDA-MB-468) were estab-lished and used for detecting the distribution in vivo. Tumor/ non-tumor (T/ NT) ratios of radiolabeled probes prepared by direct method and indirect method were compared to certify the targeting ability and biological activi-ty. Two-sample t test was used to analyze the data. Results The labeling rate of 188Re-c(CGRRAGGSC) by di-rect method was >87％, but the serum stability was poor (the degradation rate was about 40％ at 2 h), and the T/ NT ratio was 2.82±0.23 (n=3) at 2 h. On the other hand, the labeling rate of 188Re-HYNIC-c(CGRRAGGSC) by indirect method was 61％, while the serum stability was about 10％ at 2 h, and T/ NT ratio was about 6. 27±0.51 (n= 3) at 2 h, which was significantly higher (t = 2.13, P<0.05). Conclusions The direct method may have higher labeling rate than the indirect method, but the radiolabeled compound by the direct method has poor stability and tumor targeting ability. 188 Re-HYNIC-c(CGRRAGGSC) prepared by indirect method may have remarkable advantages on stability and biological activity.

BACKGROUND: Over the last 10-20 years, international guidelines and consensus statements for the management of common allergic diseases (e.g. allergic rhinitis and asthma) have been developed and disseminated worldwide. However, their impact on knowledge and standard of clinical practice among primary care physicians and specialists is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate need for an improvement in the dissemination of international guidelines for the diagnosis and management of allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Seven medical students who attended 3-day 1st International Basic Allergy Course (2010) took down all questions raised during the entire course. A systemic analysis of these questions was performed to identify areas for improvement in diagnosis and management of allergic diseases mainly in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. RESULTS: 268 participants, 143 males and 125 females, comprising Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists (n = 106) and trainees (n = 34), general practitioners (n = 87), and other healthcare professionals (n = 41) attended the course. Of the 103 questions recorded, 59 were regarding treatment modalities in allergy practice such as immunotherapy (n = 38), pharmacologics (n = 15), nasal surgery (n = 2), and others (n = 4). 41 questions (39.8%) have answers based in the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma guidelines (2001 and 2008). Certain questions were selected for further analysis because they appeared to be (a) more commonly asked (e.g. immunotherapy) or (b) were deemed to be challenging or, even controversial (e.g. food allergy and differential diagnosis between vasovagal and anaphylaxis reaction), as the recommendations in current international guidelines were less well-defined. CONCLUSION: Our study identified several problems that, if tackled, could help minimize confusion and provide better care for patients suffering from allergic diseases especially in the ASEAN region.
Anaphylaxis ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Asthma ; Consensus ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Ear ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; General Practitioners ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunotherapy ; Male ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; Nose ; Pharynx ; Physicians, Primary Care ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Specialization ; Students, Medical

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed by nucleic acid test in 15 juvenile patients aged 4-17 years in Hangzhou Xixi Hospital from January 24 to February 10, 2020. The clinical data and the initial chest high resolution CT (HRCT) findings were retrospectively analyzed.Among 15 cases, 8 patients with a mean age of (6.5±2.3) years (4-11 year) had normal HRCT manifestations (mild disease), while 7 patients with a mean age of (11.9±3.0) years (7-17 years) showed abnormal manifestations (moderate disease). In the 7 moderate cases the CT findings included local thickening of bronchial wall in 2 cases, single lesion in 1 case, bilateral pulmonary lesions in 4 cases. There were total 11 lesions, 6 of which were ground glass and slightly high-density nodules, 5 of which were speckled ground glass and 2 with a little consolidation. There were 10 subpleural lesions, including 7 in the lower lobe of the two lungs, and 1 non-subpleural lesion; the thickened local bronchioles were observed in 3 cases. None of them had hilum and mediastinal lymph node enlargement or pleural effusion.