Purpose To investigate the effect of sensitivity on image quality and radiation dosage of digital chest radiography. Materials and Methods A total of 300 healthy people undergoing chest X-ray examination were randomly enrolled and divided into two groups according to body weight (150 people with normal weight and 150 overweight), which were further randomly divided into three subgroups (S200 subgroup with low-sensitivity, S400 subgroup with mid-sensitivity, S800 subgroup with high sensitivity, each subgroup contained 50 people). With other parameters unchanged, digital chest photography with different sensitivities was performed to each subgroup (S200, S400 and S800, respectively), and then uploaded the data to PACS and recorded mAs value and dose area product (DAP) value for each time. Then the image quality was assessed by three doctors in terms of mAs value, DAP, image quality score and noise score. Results In all subgroups of normal weight, differences on mAs and DAP were significant (F=1443.191-1829.895, P<0.05) whilst differences on image quality score and noise score were not significant (F=0.686-2.516, P>0.05). In all overweight subgroups, differences in mAs, DAP, image quality score and noise score were significant (F=163.358-290.656, P<0.05). According to one-factor analysis of variance, mAs value was S200>S400>S800 (F=0.626-3.210, P<0.05), DAP value was S200>S400>S800 (F=0.416-1.416, P<0.05), there was no difference in image quality score and noise score (F=0.001-0.100, P>0.05). In overweight group, there was no difference between subgroups of S200 and S400 (F=0.120-0.145, P>0.05); whilst differences between subgroups of S200 and S800 were significant, the same appeared in subgroups of S400 and S800 (F=1.655-2.360, P<0.05). Conclusion Radiation dose can be effectively controlled by regulating sensitivity with image quality unaffected. It is advisable to choose high-sensitivity photography for patients with normal weight and low or mid-sensitivity photography for overweight patients.

Objective To explore the differential diagnostic significance of clone analysis for multicentric occurrence (MO) and intrahepatic metastasis (IM) in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).Methods Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI) were analyzed by microsatellite polymorphism test and the integration sites of HBV were assessed by Southern blot in each nodule of the HCCs. The clonalities were then compared between each nodule of the same patient and the diagnosis of MO or IM was concluded. Finally, the results based on clonality analysis were compared with those according to clinicopathological and imaging data. Results According to the results of LOH and MSI in 79 nodules and nontumorous tissue from 35 cases of mutiple HCCs, 5 (14.3%)and 29 cases (82.9 %) were divided into MO and IM, respectively. Both MO and IM presented simultaneously in 1 patient (2.9%). The integration sites of HBV could be analyzed in 77 nodules from 34 multiple HCCs. Among them, 6 (17. 6%) and 27 cases (79.4%) were divided into MO and IM, respectively. Both MO and IM presented simultaneously in 1 patient (2.9%). The classification results of microsatellite polymorphism test and HBV integration sites analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation (rs = 0.909, P＜0.001). Nevertheless, neither the classification of microsatellite polymorphism test nor that of HBV integrate sites analysis was correlated with the discrimination according to clinicopathologic and imaging data (rs=0. 133, P=0. 468, rs =0. 262, P=0. 155, respectively). Recurrence in patients in the MO group occurred significantly later than that in IM cases who were diagnosed by clonality analyses (P=0. 001). Conclusion The clonality analysis based on the results of LOH and MSI or assessments of HBV integrate sites is useful for the differential diagnosis of MO and IM and their treatment and prognosis.

Objective To explore the expression of caspase-3 in skeletal muscle of the mice in the state of cancer, and to elucidate the relationship between Caspase-3 and apoptosis,consumption of skeletal muscle protein in cancer cachexia.Methods 48 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into cancer cachexia group and control group (n=24).The mice in cancer cachexia group were inoculated with mouse colon 26 adenocarcinoma cells.The body weights of the mice in two groups were detected daily.Eight mice in each group were executed to test the weight of left gastrocnemius, fiber crosscut area, the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6),Caspase-3 proteins and the apoptotic rate of gastrocnemius cells on day 8,14,and 20,respectively. Results The mice in cancer cachexia group appeared cachectic symptoms on day 14,the non-tumor body weight was decreased more than 20% of that in control group (P<0.05).Compared with control group at the same time, the mouse body weight,non-tumor body weight,the weight of left gastrocnemius and the fiber crosscut area of the mice in cancer cachexia group were obviously decreased with the prolongation of inoculation time (P<0.05 ), whereas the expression levels of TNF-α,IL-6,Caspase-3 proteins and the apoptotic rate of muscle cells were obviously increased after tumor inoculation (P<0.05).The level of Caspase-3 protein was negatively correlated with the weight of gastrocnemius and fiber crosscut area (r=-0.716,P<0.05;r=-0.694,P<0.05),and the level of Caspase-3 was positively correlated with the levels of TNF-αand IL-6 (r=0.742,P<0.05;r=0.675,P<0.05).Conclusion Caspase-3 may be a key factor in the protein comsumption of skeletal muscle in cancer cachexia.

Objective To investigate the apathy and neuropsychological characteristics of newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.Methods Eighty-two newly diagnosed PD patients and 30 matched healthy controls by age,sex and education level were recruited in the present study.Apathy was assessed using Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) and related factors,including age,sex,education level and disease duration were simultaneously evaluated.Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS),Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD),as well as Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were employed in order to respectively evaluate the motor function,depression and cognition.Results The AES scores in the PD patients were significantly higher when compared to the healthy controls.The prevalence of apathy and depression in the PD patients was 51.2％ (42/82) and 19.5％ (16/82),respectively.There were no statistically significant differences in age,sex,education level,UPDRS-Ⅱ/Ⅲ scores and MoCA scores between apathy (n =42) and no-apathy (n =40) PD patients (P ＞ 0.05),while the statistically significant difference in HAMD scores between apathy (n =42) and no-apathy (n =40) PD patients was shown (the HAMD scores of apathy PD patients were 10.61 ± 3.30,the HAMD scores of no-apathy PD patients were 5.96 ± 1.90,t =7.87,P ＜ 0.05).The correlation analysis indicated that there were no correlations between AES scores and the related factors,including age,education level,disease duration and UPDRS-Ⅱ / Ⅲ scores,but AES scores were positively correlated with HAMD scores.Conclusion In newly diagnosed PD patients,the apathy is independent of depression,motor dysfunction,as well as cognitive impairment,which may be an early signal for PD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fracture Healing ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Tibial Fractures ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between TCM syndrome type and HBV-DNA in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSThe serum HBV markers,HBV-DNA levels in serum and PBMCs, were quantitatively detected in 220 CHB patients by PCR method, and TCM syndrome type of 205 patients were differentiated.

RESULTSArranged from low to high, the percentages of CHB patients with the serum HBV-DNA > or = 1.0 x l0(5) copy/mL (high viral loading) in the five syndrome types were as follows: damp-heat retention in middle-jiao syndrome (DHRS, 55.2%), blood stasis blocking collateral syndrome (BSBC), Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome (GSYS), Pi-Shen yang deficiency syndrome (PSDS) and Gan stagnation with Pi deficiency syndrome (GSPS, 82.5%), the difference was significant between DHRS and GSPS; those with HBV-DNA in PBMCs infection were: GSYS (27.3%), DHRS (34.3%), BSBC (53.1%) and GSPS (77.2%). The percentage in GSPS was the highest, which was significantly different to that in other syndromes.

CONCLUSIONAmount of serum HBV-DNA and PBMCs HBV-DNA infection has certain correlation with the TCM syndrome type of CHB. The highest percentage of patients with HBV-DNA > or = 1.0 x l0(5) copy/mL and PBMCs HBV-DNA infection presented in CHB patients of GSPS type. We should pay more attention to strengthen genuine qi to eliminate pathogenic factors in treatment of CHB.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; pathology ; therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; virology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Syndrome ; Young Adult

AIM: To investigate the incidence of trachoma in children aged 1 to 9y in Hainan Province and determine high-risk trachoma endemic and non-endemic areas in Hainan, and thus provide evidence for developing trachoma control and prevention therapy.METHODS:The areas of investigation were chosen on the basis of past literatures, expert interviews and survey on the spot.In 2013, Hainan Provincial Office of Blindness Prevention carried out the survey in 7 counties including Dongfang City, Wuzhishan City, Ledong County, Baisha County, Baoting County, Lingao County and Changjiang County.In these districts, 356 pupils including 192 boys and 164 girls were examined, their age ranging from 1 to 9 and their average age being 7 years old.The targeted students received the trachoma rapid assessment by the adoption of simplified trachoma classification system which was recommended by the World Health Organization.RESULTS: No case of active trachoma was found among the 356 students.CONCLUSION:The prevalence rate of trachoma in children under 9 years is less than 5% in Hainan Province.Active trachoma is not a public health issue in Hainan Province.

Objective To observe the therapeutic response of liver tumors by arterial embolization hyperthermia with Nano Superparamagnetic Iodized Oil(NSIO)using rabbit VX2 liver tumor model.Methods A total 24 rabbits containing experimental hepatic tumors were randomly assigned to one of four groups as follows:NSIO embolization hyperthermia group(group A),Lipidol embolization group(group B),NSIO embolization group(group C),and contronl group(group D),each groups contain 6 VX2 rabbits.Fourteen days after implantation of the experimental hepatic tumor,VX2 rabbits were treated.In group A group B and group C,the rabbits hepatic proper artery were selectively catheterized by 3 Fr microcatheters via right femoral artery under fluoroscopic guidance.10% NSIO 0.5 ml(group A and group C)or Lipidol 0.5 ml(group B)infused into proper hepatic artery.Three days after embolization,the rabbits in group A and group B were exposed to gap-type alternating magnetic field for 30 minutes,while rabbits in group C and group D have not been exposed to alternating magnetic field.The liver tumor size were measured by CT scanning before and 14 days after treatment then the animals were sacrificed,the liver,lung,heart spleen and kidney were harvested for histopathology examination,the liver tumor size were detected directly. Results All subjects experienced uneventful 14 days surivials,on the biochemical examination,there were no changes about the function of liver and renal in each group 14 days after treatment compare to pre- treatment.Fourteen days after treatment,the tumor size decreased by 8.09% in group A,but increased by 9.72% and 13.00%(P＜0.05)in group B and group C respectively,in group D,the tumor size increased by 57.50%(P＜0.01).In histopathology examination,the tumor necrosis in three treatment groups were manifest,particular in group A.Conclusion Arterial embolization hyperthermia with NSIO has obvious therapeutic response to experimental hepatic tumors,it encourages further development of this technology for the treatment of liver cancer in humans.

Objective To investigate the intranasal anatomic abnormalities and clinical features of mucosal contact point headache, as well as the outcomes of endoscopic surgery. Methods The clinical data of 29 patients with mucosal contact point headache, received treatment in our hospital from October 2008 and May 2010, were reviewed retrospectively. All cases received CT scans, endoscope examinations and local anesthesia tests. Endoscopic surgery was performed to correct the contact points for these cases. They were followed-up for at least 1 year; and the changes of intensity, duration and frequency of headache of these patients were observed. Results Most common anatomic abnormalities included septal spurs in contact with the turbinates, uncinate process hypertrophy,pneumatized middle turbinates, abnormal curve of middle turbinate and large ethmoid bulla. The intensity, duration and frequency of headache after surgery decreased significantly as compared with those before the surgery (P<0.05). Nineteen of the 29 patients (65.52%) got benefits from surgical intervention, and 8 patients (27.59%) had complete relief of headache. Pain was the same as before the surgery in 10 cases (34.48%) in the follow-up period. Conclusion Intranasal contact points must be considered in patients who have no other obvious cause of headache. Significant relief of headache can be obtained by endoscopic surgery in selected cases.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of nucleoside analogues on hepatitis B virus (HBV) in hepatic lymph nodes of hepatitis B related liver transplantation recipients who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive but negative for serum HBV DNA.

METHODSFrom June 2010 to March 2011, thirty-six cases of hepatitis B related liver transplantation recipients [32 males, 4 females, average age (54 ± 7) years] were divided into drug treatment group and non-drug treatment group according to the utility of nucleoside analogues. Drug treatment group was divided into two subgroups: drug treatment > 3 months group and drug treatment ≤ 3 months group. The hepatic lymph nodes in the hepatoduodenal ligament were taken during the operation of liver transplant. Using nested or semi-nested PCR, HBV DNA and the replicative form HBV cccDNA in hepatic lymph nodes were detected. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test.

RESULTSThe positive rate of HBV DNA: the difference was not statistically significant between drug treatment group (72.7%, 16/22) and non-drug treatment group (14/14) (P = 0.062), the difference was not statistically significant between drug treatment > 3 months group (10/14) and drug treatment ≤ 3 months group (6/8) in the subgroups of drug treatment group (P = 1.000). The positive rate of HBV cccDNA: drug treatment group (22.7%, 5/22) was significantly lower than the non-drug treatment (12/14) (P = 0.000), drug treatment > 3 months group (1/14) was significantly lower than drug treatment ≤ 3 months group (4/8) in the subgroups of drug treatment group (P = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONSHepatic lymph nodes maybe one of the extrahepatic HBV reservoirs. Treating with nucleoside analogues more than 3 months can significantly decrease the replication of HBV in hepatic lymph nodes of HBV associated liver transplantation recipients.

Adult ; Aged ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; drug therapy ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Lymph Nodes ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nucleosides ; therapeutic use ; Preoperative Care ; Virus Replication