This article describes a phantom holder in CT couch which adjusted easily and accurately, installed easily. The holder mainly include removing and locking equipment between phantom holder and table top, move horizontally equipment between left and right, rotating equipment between left and right. After holder and table top fixed one part, holder with phantom can move horizontally, front and back, rotate between left and right in a small angle, in order to make operator test phantoms accurately and easily. At the same time, this phantom holder realized free adjustment after first adjustments, which shortened operator work time.
Equipment Design ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of iron metabolism index in patients with occupational pulmonary thesaurosis induced by dust of iron or iron compounds after ending iron dust exposure for 10 years. METHODS: A total of 22 patients with occupational pulmonary thesaurosis induced by dust of iron or iron compounds were selected as study subjects.They were misdiagnosed as electric welder's pneumoconiosis in 2004-2006. After ending exposure to iron dust for 10 years,high k V X-ray photography and computed tomography of chest were conducted. Indicators of serum iron metabolism,blood routine and blood biochemical were examined. Six patients were randomly selected to detect genes of hereditary hemochromatosis. The study subjects were divided into observation group( 13 patients) and control group( 9 patients)according to the lung examination. RESULTS: The median of serum ferritin( SF) was 858. 2 μg/L. The over standard rate of SF was 77. 3%( 17/22),and the iron overload was seen in 40. 9%( 9/22) of patients. The over standard rate of serum total iron binding capacity( TIBC) was 22. 7%( 5/22). The over standard rate of serum iron was 4. 5%( 1/22).The SF level of observation group was higher than that of the control group( P < 0. 05). The SF was positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase( ALT)( P < 0. 05). The serum TIBC was positively correlated with prealbumin( P <0. 05). The serum iron were positively correlated with ALT and aspartate aminotansferase respectively( P < 0. 05). But the above 3 iron metabolism indices were not correlated with the blood routine indices,blood glucose and C-reactive protein( P > 0. 05). The six patients tested for genes of hereditary hemochromatosis were excluded from disease. CONCLUSION: There were iron metabolism abnormalities in patients with occupational pulmonary thesaurosis induced by dust of iron and iron compounds,which is related to the iron deposition in lung.

Objective To observe the influences on prognoses and airway acid and base levels while using anti-inflammatory and anti-reflux therapies combined with "Hezhong Fuzheng massage" for treatment of infants with gastric volvulus (GV) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER)-induced pneumonia in order to provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment of such infant disease. Methods Sixty infants 1-6 months old admitted to the Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Wuhan Children's Hospital from January 2013 to December 2015 were diagnosed as pneumonia combined with GV and GER by the chest radiograph and radiography of upper gastrointestinal tract (UGT) with iodine, and according to difference in diagnostic methods, they were divided into an observation 1 group (30 cases) and an observation 2 group (30 cases). In observation 1 group, 24-hour pH value in upper digestive tract especially the distal esophagus was dynamically monitored, while in observation 2 group, 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) combined with pH monitoring of esophagus was carried out. Furthermore, two control groups were set up, each 30 cases; after radiography of the UGT with iodine, the control 1 group was diagnosed as GV and GER without pneumonia and control 2 group was diagnosed as only simple GV. Treatment of infant pneumonia was carried out in accordance with the guidelines for the management of community-acquired pneumonia in children; the treatment of GV and GER included postural, dietary, prokinetic and Hezhong Fuzheng massage [acupoint selection and massage was undertaken in 5 steps: push from the palmar crease to Banmen (rectilinear pushing manipulation) 300 times, push abdominal Yin and Yang (finger-pushing massage) 200 times, palpate the abdomen (clockwise) 100 times, poking of Tianshu 100 times, poke alternately bilateral Zusanli 100 times. Once-daily massage, (15±2) minutes each time, for consecutive 7 days]. The results of pH monitoring of the distal esophagus in observation 1 group was recorded; All GER data concerning pH monitoring of observation 2 group and the results of esophagus multi-channel intra-luminal impedance combined with pH monitoring in control group were compared. After 7 days of continuous treatment, the clinical efficacy of pneumonia and GV, hospitalization time, prognosis and the changes of sputum pH before and after treatment in the two observation groups were compared. Results In two observation groups, the main type of 60 cases with GV was organoaxial volvulus, accounting for 91.67% (55 cases), and more than 60% patients exhibited sputum pH <7.0. The distal esophagus 24-hour pH dynamic monitoring in observation 1 group showed that there were 26 cases with acid reflux (86.67%), 4 cases with GER negative (13.33%), the proportion of pH < 4 in GER negative patients was significantly lower than that in moderate acid reflux patients [3.35% (0.77% - 8.08%) vs. 26.23% (15.19% - 42.87%), P < 0.05], the number of long reflux (> 5 minutes) in GER negative patients was significantly reduced than that in mild acid reflux patients [times: 2 (0-5) vs. 7 (2-15), P < 0.05], the longest time of reflux in GER negative patients was significantly shorter than that in either mild or moderate acid reflux patients [minutes: 5.9 (2.5-10.0) vs. 19.2 (5.9-51.0), 41.6 (16.9-121.0), both P < 0.05]. The 24-hour MII-pH monitoring of esophagus in observation 2 group showed that there were 30 cases with pathological reflux, mainly mild acid reflux accounting for 90%, in which the percentage of proximal reflux events was 46.07% in the total reflux events. The numbers of acid reflux and proximal reflux in the observation 2 group were significantly higher than those in the control 1 and 2 groups [1 305 (37.72%) vs. 795 (25.69%) and 136 (18.89%), 1 594 (46.07%) vs. 687 (22.20%) and 154 (21.39%), both P < 0.05]; there were no significant differences in total effective rate (100% vs. 100%, P > 0.05) and hospitalization time (days: 7.58±1.09 vs. 7.67±1.12, P > 0.05) between the two observation groups. Conclusions For the diagnosis of infant pneumonia combined with GV and GER, the first selection of chest radiograph and radiography of the UGT with iodine can identify the severity of pneumonia, whether it is complicated with GV and its classification, and whether GER exists at the same time. The estimation of 24-hour pH dynamic monitoring of the acid reflux in the upper digestive tract especially the distal esophagus is consistent with that of the 24-hour MII-PH monitoring of esophagus. Moreover, 24-hour MII-PH monitoring of esophagus can also identify non-acid reflux, resulting in the GER diagnosis more accurate. Since the proximal reflux ratio of infants with GV combined with GER and pneumonia is relatively high and easy to cause cough and aspiration. attention should be paid on early diagnosis and timely intervention to such patients. The sputum acidity test can reflect the airway acid-base level and its manipulation is simple, so by that the real time disease situation can be estimated, and aspiration of sputum also can help the treatment. The therapeutic schedule formulated by our group can elevate the therapeutic effect, improve the airway acid-base environment and benefit prognosis.

PURPOSE: Rituximab with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone administered every 3 weeks (R-CHOP-21) is the standard care for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It is unknown whether the dose-dense R-CHOP (R-CHOP-14) could improve the outcome of the disease in Asian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Newly diagnosed DLBCL patients were centrally, randomly assigned (1:1) to receive R-CHOP-14 or R-CHOP-21. R-CHOP-14 was administered every 2 weeks, and R-CHOP-21 was administered every 3 weeks. Primary end point was disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary end points included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), response rate and toxicities. RESULTS: Seven hundred and two patients were randomly assigned to receive R-CHOP-14 (n=349) or R-CHOP-21 (n=353). With a median follow-up of 45.6 months, the two groups did not differ significantly in 3-year DFS (79.6% for R-CHOP-14 vs. 83.2% for R-CHOP-21, p=0.311), 3-year OS (77.5% for R-CHOP-14 vs. 77.6% for R-CHOP-21, p=0.903), or 3-year PFS (63.2% for R-CHOP-14 vs. 66.1% for R-CHOP-21, p=0.447). Patients with an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score ≥ 2 had a poorer prognosis compared to those with an IPI score < 2. Grade 3/4 hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities were manageable and similar between R-CHOP-14 and R-CHOP-21. CONCLUSION: R-CHOP-14 did not improve the outcome of DLBCL compared to R-CHOP-21 in Asian population. With manageable and similar toxicities, both of the two regimens were suitable for Asian DLBCL patients. For high-risk patients with IPI ≥ 2, new combination regimens based on R-CHOP deserve further investigation to improve efficacy.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; B-Lymphocytes ; Cyclophosphamide ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Prednisone ; Prognosis ; Rituximab ; Vincristine

Objective     To investigate activated toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) signaling pathway involved in pathophysiological mechanisms of type A aortic dissection (TAAD). Methods     Specimens of full-thickness ascending aorta wall from the TAAD patients (n=12) and the controlled donors (n=12) were collected. Western blotting was used to examine the associated proteins' expression of TLR4 signaling pathway. Blood samples from TAAD (n=43) and controlled patients (n=50) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the circulating plasma cytokines levels of interleukin-1β (L-1β). Results     In the aortic wall of TAAD, expression levels of TLR4 and protein expression of major molecule significantly elevated, and activated macrophages increased. Furthermore, elevated IL-1β levels were observed in the TAAD patients’ plasma compared with the control plasma. Multiple logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that elevated IL-1β could be a novel and promising biomarker with important diagnostic and predictive value in the identification of TAAD. Conclusion     Activated TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway regulates inflammatory response to involve in pathophysiological mechanisms of type A aortic dissection and its regulated inflammatory products have important predictive value for patients with TAAD.

BACKGROUND: : Breast cancer with low-positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression has triggered further refinement of evaluation criteria for HER2 expression. We studied the clinicopathological features of early-stage breast cancer with low-positive HER2 expression in China and analyzed prognostic factors. METHODS: : Clinical and pathological data and prognostic information of patients with early-stage breast cancer with low-positive HER2 expression treated by the member units of the Chinese Society of Breast Surgery and Chinese Society of Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, from January 2015 to December 2016 were collected. The prognostic factors of these patients were analyzed. RESULTS: : Twenty-nine hospitals provided valid cases. From 2015 to 2016, a total of 25,096 cases of early-stage breast cancer were treated, 7642 (30.5%) of which had low-positive HER2 expression and were included in the study. After ineligible cases were excluded, 6486 patients were included in the study. The median follow-up time was 57 months (4-76 months). The disease-free survival rate was 92.1% at 5 years, and the overall survival rate was 97.4% at 5 years. At the follow-up, 506 (7.8%) cases of metastasis and 167 (2.6%) deaths were noted. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that tumor stage, lymphvascular invasion, and the Ki67 index were related to recurrence and metastasis (P < 0.05). The recurrence risk prediction model was established using a machine learning model and showed that the area under the receiving operator characteristic curve was 0.815 (95% confidence interval: 0.750-0.880). CONCLUSIONS: : Early-stage breast cancer patients with low-positive HER2 expression account for 30.5% of all patients. Tumor stage, lymphvascular invasion, and the Ki67 index are factors affecting prognosis. The recurrence prediction model for breast cancer with low-positive HER2 expression based on a machine learning model had a good clinical reference value for predicting the recurrence risk at 5 years. TRIAL REGISTRATION : ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR2100046766.
Breast Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Female ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Mastectomy ; Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: In light of the significant clinical benefits of antibody-drug conjugates in clinical trials, the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low category in breast cancers has gained increasing attention. Therefore, we studied the clinicopathological characteristics of Chinese patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive/HER2-low early-stage breast cancer and developed a recurrence risk prediction model. METHODS: Female patients with HR-positive/HER2-low early-stage breast cancer treated in 29 hospitals of the Chinese Society of Breast Surgery (CSBrS) from Jan 2015 to Dec 2016 were enrolled. Their clinicopathological data and prognostic information were collected, and machine learning methods were used to analyze the prognostic factors. RESULTS: In total, 25,096 patients were diagnosed with breast cancer in 29 hospitals of CSBrS from Jan 2015 to Dec 2016, and clinicopathological data for 6486 patients with HER2-low early-stage breast cancer were collected. Among them, 5629 patients (86.79%) were HR-positive. The median follow-up time was 57 months (4, 76 months); the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 92.7%, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 97.7%. In total, 412 cases (7.31%) of metastasis were observed, and 124 (2.20%) patients died. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that T stage, N stage, lymphovascular thrombosis, Ki-67 index, and prognostic stage were associated with recurrence and metastasis ( P <0.05). A recurrence risk prediction model was established using the random forest method and exhibited a sensitivity of 81.1%, specificity of 71.7%, positive predictive value of 74.1%, and negative predictive value of 79.2%. CONCLUSION: Most of patients with HER2-low early-stage breast cancer were HR-positive, and patients had favorable outcome; tumor N stage, lymphovascular thrombosis, Ki-67 index, and tumor prognostic stage were prognostic factors. The HR-positive/HER2-low early-stage breast cancer recurrence prediction model established based on the random forest method has a good reference value for predicting 5-year recurrence events. REGISTRITATION ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR2100046766.
Humans ; Female ; Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; Prognosis ; Thrombosis ; Receptors, Progesterone