Objective To assess the enhancement characteristic of breast lesions of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in comparison with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods Between August 2011 and March 2013,72 women with 72 lesions were enrolled.All patients underwent ultrasound,CEUS and MRI.The histopathologic results obtained from ultrasound-guided core biopsy or operation excisions were used as the reference standard.CEUS section evaluations were made similar with MRI regarding the size and shape of lesions.Different contrast enhancement patterns including homogeneous/heterogeneous,the tumor areas,the perfusion defect areas,and modality of time-intensity curve were evaluated.Pearson's correlation coefficient,Student's t-tests,and the concordance test were used for evaluation.Results Of the 72 lesions,pathologic examination revealed 56 (77.8％) malignant lesions and 16 (22.2％) benign lesions.The tumor areas measured by CEUS and MRI agreed well,with a correlation of r =0.894,P =0.000.The difference between the two measurements was not significant according to a paired t test (P =0.886).The concordance tests gave a value of the coefficient Kappa =-0.153 (P =0.061),indicating a low concordance between the results obtained with CEUS and those obtained with MRI regarding the enhanced uniformity.There were statistically significant differences in the perfusion defect areas as measured by CEUS and MRI (P =0.01).The CEUS estimates [(0.837 ± 0.827)cm2] were consistently higher than the MRI estimates [(0.576 ± 0.524)cm2].The time-intensity curve patterns between the two groups showed no correlation.Conclusions The enhancement patterns evaluated by CEUS and MRI partly agreed well.There was no direct association between the two methods regarding the enhancement patterns because of the different contrast agent.

BACKGROUND:Sleep deprivation, resulting in a series of physiological and psychological reactions, is a common phenomenon in our modem society. Recently, many physical and medical therapies are on their way to eliminate the negative influence the sleep deprivation exerted on our human beings, and a large number of cigarette smokers believe that cigarette smoke can obviously improve their abnormal behavioral performance and negative emotional fluctuation caused by sleep deprivation in short terms.However, there are few researches but many disputes when it comes to effect of passive smoking on the behavior and emotion of rats on the occasion of acute sleep deprivation.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of passive smoking (PS) on the behavior and emotion of rats with acute sleep deprivation (SD).DESIGN: Completed randomized and controlled study.SETTING: Basic Medicine Experiment Center, School of Basic Medicine;Department of Radiation Medicine, School of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out at Experiment Center of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from April to June 2004. Totally 49 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,being 3 months old, weighting (180±15) g, were randomly divided into 5groups: sleep deprivation + 24-hour passive smoking group (n=8), 24-hour sleep deprivation group (n=8), sleep deprivation + 54-hour passive smoking group (n=8), 54-hour sleep deprivation group (n=8), and blank control group (n=7).METHODS: ① Rats in sleep deprivation + 24-hour passive smoking group, 24-hour sleep deprivation group, sleep deprivation + 54-hour passive smoking group and 54-hour sleep deprivation group were performed with sleep deprivation with flower pot method for 24 and 54 hours, and rats in sleep deprivation + 24-hour passive smoking group and sleep deprivation + 54-hour passive smoking group were treated with passive smoking at the same time at a frequency of 12 times/day, 120 minute/time, 3cigarettes were lighted at the same time and kept into ashes. ② Broad field test was conducted to determine the behavioral and emotional changes of the rats. We trailed their activities by video recorder for 5 minutes each time. Then we presented the image information to computer process and finally got the total distance and the average distance from the center of the broad field for each rat during the 5-minite test. Meanwhile, we also observed the emotional variety and excitability of the rats. The nearer the average distance from center was, the more the emotional behavior and the greater excitability were; and the longer the total distance was, the greater the excitability was. ③ All the data were expressed with Mean ± SD, the method of non-parametric rank sum test was adopte d for comparing among groups, P ＜ 0.05 was regarded as statistical significance.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparisons between DC and TD of rats in each group, and changes of behavior and emotion of rats in each group.RESULTS: Data of all the 49 rats was entered the final data analysis without any loss. ① Observation of emotional stage: Compared with sleep deprivation + 54-hour passive smoking group, rats in sleep deprivation+24-hour passive smoking group appeared more quiet and indifferent, and presented lower excitability, less sensitivity to outside stimulus and less aggressive behaviors towards other rats, and the same as 24-hour sleep deprivation group, compared with 54-hour sleep deprivation group. ② Results from the open field test: DC of 24-hour sleep deprivation group was significantly smaller than that of blank control group and sleep deprivation + 24-hour passive smoking group [(53.93±1.83, 58.21±4.45, 58.11±1.62) cm, (P＜ 0.01-0.05)]. DC of 54-hour sleep deprivation group was significantly bigger than that of 24-hour sleep deprivation group [(61.53±3.02, 58.11±1.62) cm, (P＜ 0.01)]; TD of 24-hour sleep deprivation group was significantly bigger than that of sleep deprivation + 24-hour passive smoking group [(3310.45±1 445.97, 1 818.20±733.25, 2 338.15±694.70) cm, (P ＜ 0.01-0.05)], and that of 54-hour sleep deprivation group was bigger than that of sleep deprivation + 54-hour passive smoking group andsmaller than that of 24-hour sleep deprivation group [(2 410.70t548.64, 1 473.50±945.89, 3 310.45±1 445.97) cm, (P＜0.05)].CONCLUSION: With the prolongation of sleep deprivation time, behavior and emotional reaction of rats are shown from exciting to inhibiting, however, passive smoking can inhibit behavior and emotional state of rats during the whole sleep deprivation.

Objective To explore the effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on serum cytokines and cardiac function in patients with sepsis myocardial injury.Methods Fifty patients with sepsis myocardial injury were admitted in Hangzhou First People's Hospital from June 2015 to September 2016,and according to the computer generated random number,they were divided into conventional treatment group and TMP treatment group,25 cases in each group.The patients in the conventional treatment group were treated with antimicrobial agents,vasoactive drugs,fluid resuscitation and organ function support,etc.;TMP treatment group was treated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) TMP on the basis of routine treatment.TMP 120 mg was added to 250 mL normal saline (NS) for intravenous drip once a day for a therapeutic course of 10 days.Plasma N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptidec (NT-proBNP) and serum tmnor necrosis factor-oα (TNF-α) levels were measured before treatment and on 1,5 and 10 days after treatment.Left ventricular internal systolic dimension (LVIDs),fractional shortening (FS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured by cardiac ultrasound,3 cardiac cycles were measured and the average results were taken.The intensive care unit (ICU) hospital stay and mortality were calculated in the two groups.Results The levels of NT-proBNP and TNF-α in the two groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment,the differences in the levels were statistically significant between those before treatment and 5 days after treatment in the conventional treatment group [NT-proBNP (ng/L):334.25 ± 36.46 vs.577.72 ± 60.34,TNF-α (ng/L):388.48 ± 43.38 vs.507.74-± 31.63,both P ＜ 0.05],and in TMP treatment group,the levels from 1 day after treatment compared with those before treatment,there were statistical significant differences [NT-proBNP (ng/L):387.44 ± 36.39 vs.571.67-± 56.34,TNF-α(ng/L):403.79 ± 23.20 vs.505.82 ± 31.31,both P ＜ 0.05];the degrees of decrease in TMP treatment group were more obvious than those in conventional treatment group (all P ＜ 0.01).After treatment in the two groups,the LVIDs was decreased gradually,FS and LVEF were increased gradually,reaching the lowest or highest level on 10 days after treatment,and the changes of TMP treatment group were more significant than those in the conventional treatment group,LVIDs and LVEF of the two groups showed statistically significant differences on 5 days after treatment [LVIDs (mm):43.23 ± 5.57vs.48.21 ± 2.29,LVEF:0.47 ± 0.02 vs.0.41 ± 0.02,both P ＜ 0.05],FS on 1 day after treatment showed a statistically significant difference [FS:(23.92 ± 1.81)％ vs.(22.84 ± 1.79)％,P ＜ 0.05].The ICU stay in the TMP group was shorter than that in the conventional treatment group (days:13.16 ± 2.67 vs.16.48-± 3.08,P ＜ 0.05),and the mortality was lower than that of conventional treatment group [20％ (5/25) vs.36％ (9/25)],the difference being not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions In septic myocardial injury,TNF-α plays an important role;after TMP treatment in patients with myocardial injury caused by viral myocarditis,the serum TNF-α level is decreased showing it has antagonizing TNF-α activity,thus it has protective effect on sepsis myocarditis,improves heart function and the disease prognosis.

Objective:This study aims to evaluate the sonographic features of phyllodes tumors of the breast (PTBs) and the cor-relation between sonographic and pathologic findings to improve the understanding of the disease. Methods:Sonographic findings of 85 PTBs from 83 patients were reviewed. The sonographic findings included the results of two-dimensional ultrasound and color Dop-pler flow imaging, elastographic features, and pathologic data. Results:Of the 85 lesions, 33 were the benign tumors, 28 were border-line, and 24 were malignant according to the pathologic diagnosis. Tumor morphology revealed that most masses were lobulated, with a clear-cut boundary, smooth verge, and inhomogeneous internal echo. Clear boundary was more common in the benign phyllodes tumors (χ2=12.721, P=0.002), and a cystic echo-free area was more commonly observed in these malignant tumors (χ2=9.677, P=0.046). LevelⅡandⅢsignals of the blood flow were observed in 75.3%of PTB cases. Of all lesions, only 26 were subjected to elasticity imaging, and the elastographic scores ranged from 2 to 3 in 88.5%of the cases (23/26). Conclusion:Conventional ultrasound and elastographic findings on PTBs exhibited definite characteristics. The border and cystic areas in the tumors can be used to differentiate between be-nign and malignant PTBs.

To investigate the health impacts of crystalline silica mixed dust and other potential occupational hazards on workers in ceramic factories, a cohort study of 4851 workers registered in the employment records in 3 ceramic factories in Jingdezhen city of China between 1972 and 1974 was identified. The cohort mortality was traced throughout 2003 with an accumulation of 128970.2 person-years, revealed 1542 deaths. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for the main causes of death by using Chinese national mortality rates as reference. The mortality from all causes in three ceramic factories was 12.0 per thousand and the cumulative mortality was 31.8%. Malignant neoplasm, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, infectious diseases were the first four illnesses that threaten workers' life, and they accounted for 73.2% of all deaths. The results of this study showed that the standardized mortality ratio for all subjects was 1.02, which is very close to that expected on the basis of the China national mortality rates. Statistically significant mortality excesses for respiratory disease (SMR=1.36), pneumoconiosis (SMR=37.34), infectious disease (SMR=5.70) and pulmonary tuberculosis (SMR=3.88) were observed. The mortality of 2938 dust-exposed workers was higher than that of 1913 non dust-exposed workers. Except for pneumoconiosis, the mortality from lung cancer, non-malignant respiratory diseases and pulmonary tuberculosis in dust-exposed workers were significantly increased as compared with that in non-exposed workers, and the relative risks (RRs) were 1.86 (1.16-2.99), 2.50 (1.84-3.40), 1.81 (1.34-2.45). The exposure-response relationships between cumulative dust exposure level and mortality from all causes, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, respiratory diseases, and pulmonary tuberculosis were also identified. The findings indicated that silica mixed dust in ceramic factories has harmful impact on the workers' health and life span in ceramic factory.

Objective:To observe different efficacies of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on pancreatic endocrine system in male and female patients with simple obesity due to spleen deficiency-related dampness.Methods:A total of 80 simple obesity patients were assigned to a male group (n=37) and a female group (n=43). Both groups received a 30-minute low-frequency EA at Yinlingquan (SP 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40), Quchi (LI 11), Tianshu (ST 25), Zhongwan (CV 12), Shuifen (CV 9), Qihai (CV 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4). The treatment was done once a day, and 10 times made up a course of treatment. Patients in both groups were treated for 2 courses. Then the changes in body mass index (BMI), serum insulin, insulin antibodies and leptin level in the two groups were observed and analyzed.Results:After treatment, the BMI, serum insulin, insulin antibodies and leptin levels were significantly reduced in both groups (P<0.01 orP<0.05); the BMI and serum insulin concentration were more significantly reduced in the male group than those in the female group (bothP<0.01); and the leptin level was more significantly reduced in the female group than that in the male group (P<0.01).Conclusion: EA can significantly regulate BMI and pancreatic endocrine system in both men and women with simple obesity; however, there is a gender difference: better effect for men in reducing BMI and serum insulin and better effect for women in reducing serum leptin level.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the risk factors for level Ib lymph node enlargement on CT in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and provide clinical evidence for defining the indications of prophylactic level Ib irradiation.

METHODSA total of 435 newly diagnosed NPC patients receiving radiotherapy in Nanfang Hospital in the past 2 years were enrolled in this analysis. The correlations were analyzed with Logistic regression between level Ib lymphadenopathy and the clinical risk factors including T stage, N stage, diameter of level II lymph nodes, submandibular gland involvement, nasal cavity involvement, oropharyngeal involvement, and involvement of 4 or more lymphatic drainage regions.

RESULTSUnivariate analysis showed that level Ib lymphadenopathy were positively correlated with N stage (P=0.023), submandibular gland involvement (P=0.045), and level II lymph node diameter (P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis suggested a significant correlation only between the diameter of the level II lymph nodes and level Ib lymphadenopathy (P=0.013).

CONCLUSIONLevel Ib lymphadenopathy is positively correlated with the size of ipsilateral level II lymph nodes in NPC patients.

Carcinoma ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Diseases ; epidemiology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; Neck ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Risk Factors ; Submandibular Gland

Objective To explore the clinical effect of training assisted by a lower limb rehabilitation robot on the bladder and intestinal function of paraplegic spinal cord injury survivors. Methods Thirty-eight paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury were divided according to their admission order into an experimental group ( n=19) and a control group (n=19). Both groups were given conventional rehabilitation training, while the experimental group was additionally provided with robot-assisted lower limb training in three stages:adaptation, training and con-solidation. It lasted 30 minutes daily, 5 days per week for 12 weeks. Before and after the training, an urodynamics examination system was used to evaluate the maximum urine flow, bladder capacity, residual urine volume, bladder pressure and detrusor pressure. Colon transit time, mean rectal pressure and intestinal function were measured using the colon transit test, a mean rectal pressure test, and the Functional Independence Measure ( FIM) scale respective-ly. Results The average bladder volume, maximum urine flow rate, average urine flow rate, detrusor pressure, bladder compliance, average rectal pressure and intestinal FIM score of the robot training group after training were all significantly better than before the training, as were the average residual urine volume and colon transit time. After the training, the average bladder volume, maximum urine flow rate, average urine flow rate, detrusor pressure, bladder compliance and average rectal pressure of the robot training group were all significantly higher than those of the control group, while the average residual urine volume and colon transit time were significantly smaller. Then, 32％ of the patients in the experimental group achieved no less than 6 points for their average FIM score, significantly higher than in the control group. Conclusion Robot-assisted lower limb training combined with comprehensive rehabilitation training can effectively improve the bladder and intestinal function of paraplegic patients after a spinal cord injury.

Objective:To investigate the effect of smart air cell mattresses on sleep quality.Methods:Twenty healthy young people were enrolled as subjects, and each subject underwent a four-night polysomnographic monitoring experiment, including two nights each on a smart air cell mattress and a general mattress. The differences in sleep quality were compared by self-assessment of sleep quality, objective sleep indicators, and electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral analysis.Results:In the comparison between the smart air cell mattress and the general mattress, the differences in self-assessment of sleep quality and objective sleep indicators were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05), but the smart air cell mattress had a slight overall advantage. The relative power of EEG in the low-frequency band and the relative power of EEG in the high-frequency band were higher in the subjects with the smart air cell mattress. Conclusions:For the healthy young population, the smart air cell mattress can positively influence sleep quality to some extent, and the change in EEG relative power indicates an increase in sleep depth.

To investigate the health impacts of crystalline silica mixed dust and other potential occupational hazards on workers in ceramic factories, a cohort study of 4851 workers registered in the employment records in 3 ceramic factories in Jingdezhen city of China between 1972 and 1974 was identified2 The cohort mortality was traced throughout 2003 with an accumulation of 128970.2 person-years, revealed 1542 deaths. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for the main causes of death by using Chinese national mortality rates as reference. The mortality from all causesin three ceramic factories was 12.0‰ and the cumulative mortality was 31.8%. Malignant neoplasm,cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, infectious diseases were the first four illnesses that threaten workers' life, and they accounted for 73.2% of all deaths. The resultsof this study showed that the standardized mortality ratio for all subjects was 1.02, which is very close to that expected on the basis of the China national mortality rates. Statistically significant mortality excesses for respiratory disease (SMR=1.36), pneumoconiosis (SMR=37.34), infectious disease (SMR=5.70) and pulmonary tuberculosis (SMR=3.88) were observed. The mortality of 2938 dust-exposed workers was higher than that of 1913 non dust-exposed workers. Except for pneumoconiosis, the mortality from lung cancer, non-malignant respiratory diseases and pulmonary tuberculosis in dust-exposed workerswere significantly increased as compared with that in non-exposed workers, and the relative risks(RRs) were 1.86 (1.16-2.99), 2.50 (1.84-3.40), 1.81 (1.34-2.45). The exposure-response relationships between cumulative dust exposure level and mortality from all causes, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, respiratory diseases, and pulmonary tuberculosis were also identified. The findings indicatedthat silica mixed dust in ceramic factories has harmful impact on the workers' health and life span in ceramic factory.