Mammography imaging is one of the most demanding imaging modalities from the point of view of the bal- ance between image quality (the visibility of small size and/or low contrast structures) and dose (screening of many asymptomatic people). Therefore, since the introduction of the first dedicated mammographic units, many efforts have been directed to seek the best possible image quality while minimizing patient dose. The performance of auto- matic exposure control (AEC) is the manifestation of this demand. The theory of AEC includes exposure detection and optimization and also involves some accomplished methodology. This review presents the development and present situa- tion of spectrum optimization, detector evolution, and the way how to accomplish and evaluate AEC methods.
Humans ; Mammography ; methods ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted

Objective To investigate the value of Q-analysis real-time elasticity in differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Methods Eighty-six thyroid nodules in 62 patients with pathologic diagnosis were included in this study and were examined using Q-analysis real-time elasticity. The real-time elasticity features were observed and the quantitative index including the whole elasticity rate and the local elasticity rate were compared between benign and malignant nodules. Results There were 51 benign and 35 malignant nodules according to histopathological examination. The Q-analysis curve of real-time elasticity of benign nodules was smoother and with lower peak, compared with that of malignant nodules. The whole elasticity rate of malignant nodules were significantly higher than that of benign nodules (3.59±0.84 vs 2.32±0.56, P=0.000). And the local elasticity rate of malignant nodules were significantly higher than that of benign nodules (3.96±1.32 vs 2.39±0.58, P=0.000). The cutoff point of whole elasticity rate for the differential diagnosis was 3.25 with sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy as 71.4%, 96.1% and 86.0% respectively. The cutoff point of local elasticity rate for the differential diagnosis was 3.45 with sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy as 68.6%, 96.1% and 84.9% respectively. The diagnostic efficiency of whole elasticity rate and local elasticity rate had no significant difference (P=0.591).Conclusions Q-analysis real-time elasticity could provide the real-time elasticity features of thyroid nodules. The whole and local elasticity rate as the quantitative index contributed to the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Objective To investigate the morbidity and related factors for osteoporosis in postmenopausal patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods The bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar vertebrae(L1-4), left femoral neck, femoral trochanter and total hip were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in 79 postmenopansal patients with T2DM.The patients were divided into two groups: osteoporosis group and non-osteoporosis group.The correlations between BMD and age, course of disease, menopausal age, menopausal duration and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed by multivariate regression analysis.Results There were significantly statistical differences in age, BMI, interleukin 6 (IL-6), osteocalcin and menopause duration between two groups.Linear correlation analysis showed IL-6 was positively correlated with osteoporosis (r=0.260, P=0.020) and glycosylated hemoglobin (GHbAlc) (r=0.259, P=0.023) Logistic regression analysis showed that the morbidity of osteoporosis had an independent positive correlation with age, but an independent negative correlation with BMI.Conclusions In postmenopausal patients with T2DM, age and low BMI are independent risk factors for osteoporosis.

Objective: To discuss the application of failure mode and effect analysis to improve the hand hygiene compliance of medical staff in eye hospital. Methods: To form failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) quality control team. By using FMEA method of risk management, to analyze the risk factors of hand hygiene compliance of medical staff in eye hospital. By performing analysis, to determine the high risk factors, develop and implement the improvement measures to reduce the risk of these factors. Results: the awareness rate of hand hygiene knowledge was increased significantly after the implementation of failure mode and effect analysis (P<0.01) , the correct rate of hand-washing method, and the implementing rate of 5 hand hygiene were increased significantly (P<0.05) . After the implementation of FMEA, the usage amount of hand washing liquid and quick hand disinfectant was increased from 13 292 ml to 28 390 ml, and difference of the hand hygiene qualification rate was statistically significant (P<0.05) . Conclusion The application of FMEA contributes to analyze the causes of hand hygiene failure, and guide the development of improvement measures, which can effectively improve the hand hygiene compliance of medical staff, thereby reducing nosocomial infection.

Objective To understand the prevalence,treatment and influence factors of hypertension in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients in Anhui Province.Methods A total of 2724 adult patients on MHD from January 1st 2014 to March 31st 2014 in 26 hospitals of southern,northern and central Anhui Province were investigated.Their demographic characteristics,primary disease,complications,medications,dialysis and laboratory examination were explored.The prevalence treatment rate and control rate of hypertension were analyzed.Associated factors for controlling hypertension [systolic blood pressure (SBP) ＜ 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ＜ 90 mmHg] were assessed by logistic regression analysis.Results (1) The prevalence of hypertension in the hemodialysis patients was 87.0％.Their treatment rate and control rate were 93.2％ and 23.9％ respectively.The average of SBP was (145.90±21.18) mmHg,and the DBP on average was (83.60± 12.21) mmHg.The most commonly used anti-hypertensive drug is calcium channel blocker (88.2％).Over one third (45.7％) of patients were treated with two kinds of anti-hypertensive drug,26.2％ with 1 kind,21.7％ with 3 kinds,and 6.4％ with 4 kinds or more.(2) Compared with non-hypertension patients,patients with hypertension have older age,higher body mass index (BMI),phosphorus,SBP and DBP,as well as lower hemoglobin and Kt/V (all P ＜ 0.05).(3) The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Ca ＞ 2.50 mmol/L (OR=2.084,95％CI 1.008-4.307,P=0.047) positively correlated with controlling hypertension,while smoke (OR=0.594,95％CI 0.356-0.911,P=0.046) and BMI 18.5 ～ 23.9 kg/m2 (OR=0.516,95％CI 0.293-0.907,P=0.022) negatively correlated with it.Conclusions High prevalence yet low control rate of hypertension in MHD patients in Anhui Province were observed.Hypocalcemia may be a protective factor for hypertension control,while smoke and BMI may be risk factors for it.