Objective To explore the quantitative characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC) in single-source dual energy spectral CT imaging. Methods From January 2013 to December 2014, 113 patients underwent dual phase contrast-enhanced gemstone spectral imaging(GSI) on Discovery CT 750 HD. All diagnoses were pathologically confirmed by surgery or biopsy. The spectral HU curves of PDAC were observed, the monochromatic CT values, the effective atomic number(Zef ), the iodine concentration(IC), water concentration(WC), and the corresponding normalized values(normalized monochromatic CT values, normalized Zef , normalized IC, normalized WC)of the lesion and the pancreatic parenchyma in late arterial phase(AP) and portal venous phase(PP) were recorded . The measurements were performed three times repeatedly. Paired t test (normal distribution) or Wilcoxon test (non-normal distribution) were used for analyzing the differences between the two phases and between PDAC and pancreatic parenchyma. Results The monochromatic CT values of PDAC in AP were lower than in PP at each energy level and the difference was more marked at lower energy. The normalized monochromatic CT values increased with the increase of energy level in both AP and PP and the difference was more distinct at lower energy. The Zef , IC and normalized IC of PDAC all had significant differences(P<0.05), while the WC, normalized Zef , and normalized WC had no difference between AP and PP. The Zef and IC of pancreatic parenchyma had significant differences(P<0.05), while the WC had no difference between AP and PP. The differences of Zef , IC, and WC between PDAC and pancreatic parenchyma were significant in both two phases (P<0.05). Conclusions Dual phase CT spectral imaging showed characteristic quantitative parameters of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The monochromatic CT values, Zef , and iodine concentration of PDAC were lower than those of pancreatic parenchyma in both AP and PP. The monochromatic CT values, Zef , and iodine concentration of PDAC in late arterial phase were lower than those in portal venous phase. The differences were all more distinct at lower energy.

Objective To explore the value of CT spectral imaging in the demonstration of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods 113 patients were scanned by CT spectral,and gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) was performed in late arterial phase (AP) and portal venous phase (PP).All diagnosis were pathologically confirmed.The ROIs were placed on the lesion and on the pancreatic parenchyma.The ROI files including the CTmono values and the normalized CTmono values (normalized to pancreatic parenchyma) were saved.The works were performed three times repeatedly.CNR values ranged from 40 keV to 140 keV and the optimal keV in AP and PP were calculated.The differences of CTmono values, normalized CTmono values,and CNR were compared between the optimal keV and 70 keV(equivalent to conventional 120 kVp energy level).Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were performed.P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results The optimal monochromatic energy of PDAC were 40 keV in both AP and PP.The optimal CNR values(mean±standard) were 2.31±1.02 and 2.38±1.02 in AP and PP,while the corresponding values of 70 keV were 2.08±0.98 and 2.12±0.96.The CNR of 40 keV was higher than that of 70 keV in both AP and PP.The CTmono values of PDAC were (58±13) HU and (71±19) HU at 70 keV and were (111±44) HU and (155±57) HU at 40 keV in AP and PP.The CTmono value in PP was higher than in AP.The median of normalized CTmono values of PDAC at 40 keV were 47.0% and 53.9% in AP and PP, and were lower than those of 70 keV,which were 57.7% and 61.8%.The differences of normalized CTmono values between 40 keV and 70 keV were significant.Conclusion CT spectral imaging manifests that PDAC is hypovascular both in AP and PP and is progressively enhanced form AP to PP.There is maximal conspicuity of tumor in AP, and the optimal monochromatic imaging can improve the conspicuity of PDAC lesion.

Objective To analyze psychological status of the donors and the recipients before and after the relative kidney transplantation.Method Symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90) were performed for 147 renal transplant recipients and donors preoperative and postoperative.Statistical analysis were performed to analyze the scores between the recipients,donors and normal standards.Results Over 90％ recipients were of obvious anxiety preoperative.The scores of most factors of recipients were significantly higher than those of donors.The scores of somatization,interpersonal sensitivity,depression,anxiety,hostility,phobia and paranoia between two groups has statistical significance(P＜0.05).Part of recipients retest SCL-90 3 month after operation,the data showed that the scores of somatization,interpersonal sensitivity,depression,anxiety,hostility were obviously declined after operation(P＜0.05).And the test also showed that most of the donors were willing to help preoperative.Conclusion Preoperative psychological test was useful in preoperational psychological intervention for transplantation recipients.It can increase the safety of the recipients during perioperative period.

Objective To assess the value of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNEN) and to analyze the factors influencing thepreoperative imaging diagnosis of PNEN.Methods From January 2016 to November 2016, patients with PNEN diagnosed by surgery and biopsy were collected. CT and MRI data of them were analyzed. The CT values or signal intensity of the lesions and the pancreatic parenchyma were measured and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the lesion was calculated. Detecting sensitivity and diagnosis accuracy of CT and MRI were compared. Detecting sensitivity of different MRI sequences was also analyzed. Diagnosis accuracy of non-functional PNEN and functional PNEN was compared and analyzed. Lesion CNR was compared between arterial phase and portal venous phase of the contrast enhanced CT. The sensitivity, accuracy and constituent ratio were compared by nonparametric analysis. Independent sample t test and one-way analysis of variancewere performed for the quantitative parameters comparison. Results A total of 54 patients with 56 lesions of PNEN were included for two of whom had two lesions each. CT and MRI were both performed in 44 patients (46 lesions).Detecting sensitivity and diagnosis accuracy of CT were 97.8% (45/46) and87.0% (40/46), respectively. Detecting sensitivity of MRI were 97.8% (45/46) and89.1% (41/46), respectively. There was no significant difference in detecting sensitivity and diagnosis accuracy between CT and MRI (both P>0.05). The CNR of lesion in arterial phase was higher than that of portal venous phase(4.7±3.8 vs 3.4±2.5), and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.949, P<0.05). Detecting rates of T1 weighted imaging with fat suppression (T1WI-FS) image, T2 weighted imaging with fat suppression (T2WI-FS) image, diffusion weighted imagingand dynamic contrast enhanced T1WI-FS image were 90.0% (45/50), 88.0%(44/50), 86.0%(43/50), and 91.7% (44/48), respectively. There was no significant difference in detecting rate among these images sequences (Q=2.526, P=0.510). Tumor diameter in non-functional PNEN was significantly larger than that in functional PNEN ((2.9±1.6) cm vs (1.7±0.7) cm)(t=3.479,P<0.05). The overall diagnosis rate of non-functional PNEN with CT and MRI before operation was 70.8% (17/24), which was significantly lower than that of functional PNEN (100.0%, 31/31) (χ2=10.360，P=0.002).Conclusions CT and MRI are both sensitive in detectingPNEN, and they were two complementary modalities. CT image in arterial phase delineated the lesion better than that in portal venous phase. MRI images with different sequences can becomplementary and there is no significant difference in detecting sensitivity for PNEN among different sequences. CT and MRI play an equal rolein the diagnosis of PNEN before operation. Because of atypical CT and MRI findings, the diagnosis of non-functional PNEN is more difficult thanfunctional PNEN.

Objective To analyze the anatomical characteristics of the upper airway in Pierre Robin sequence pediatric patients with difficult laryngoscopy using the computed tomography-based three-dimensional reconstruction.Methods Fifty pediatric patients of both sexes with Pierre Robin sequence,aged 10-101 days,weighing 2.0-6.3 kg,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅲ,scheduled for elective mandibular distraction osteogenesis under general anesthesia,were enrolled in this study.Cone beam CT scan was performed to obtain upper airway anatomy information during the natural sleep before operation.Images were imported into medical engineering software MIMICS 17.0 to reconstruct the three-dimensional images of the oral and maxillofacial bones and airways.The related anatomical parameters were measured,including the distance between the alveolar ridge of the upper central incisor and root of the epiglottis (D1),distance between the root of the epiglottis and midpoint of glottis (D2),distance between the bilateral lower edge of the mandible and midpoint of glottis (D3),distance between the alveolar ridge of the lower central incisor and the lower edge of the mandible (D4),length of the mandibular ramus (D5),length of the mandible body (D6),and length of the total mandible (D7),angle between lines D1 and D2 (angle 1),the angle between line D2 and the alveolar ridge of the upper central incisor to the midpoint of glottis (angle 2),the angle between lines D3 and D4 (angle 3),the angle of the point of the upper central incisor alveolar ridge to the trailing edge of the hard palate and then to the root of epiglottis (angle 4),the angle of bilateral mandible (angle 5),the angle of the point of gnathion to the two gonions (angle 6),the airway cross-sectional area at the tip of epiglottis,volume of oral cavity,volume of velopharyngeal cavity,and volume of glossopharyngeal cavity.Fiberoptic bronchoscope-guided endotracheal intubation was performed under topical anesthesia with lidocaine.Propofol,sufentanil and cis-atracurium were intravenously injected to induce anesthesia after successful intubation,and then the pediatric patients were sent to the operating room.Anesthesia was maintained by inhalation of sevoflurane.The exposure of glottis was observed with a laryngoscope.Pediatric patients were divided into difficult laryngoscopy group (group A) and non-difficult laryngoscopy group (group B) according to whether they presented with difficult laryngoscopy (Cormack-Lehane classification Ⅲ or Ⅳ).Results Compared with group B,the airway cross-sectional area at the tip of epiglottis and in the volume of velopharyngeal cavity were decreased (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in D1,D2,D3,D4,D5,D6,D7,angle 1,angle 2,angle 3,angle 4,angle 5,angle 6,volume of oral cavity or volume of glossopharyngeal cavity in group A (P＞0.05).Conclusion The three-dimensional CT images of the upper airway show characteristic changes in Pierre Robin sequence pediatric patients with difficult laryngoscopy,and the main manifestations are the decrease in the airway section area and in the volume of the palatopharyngeal cavity at the tip of the epiglottis.

OBJECTIVETo develop a method for determination of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) in the air of workplace by high-performance liquid chromatography.

METHODS2, 4-D was collected by ultrafine glass filters, desorbed by methanol, separated by a C18 column, and detected by a UV detector. Identification and quantification of 2, 4-D were performed by retention time and peak areas, respectively.

RESULTSThe linear range of the test was 2∼200 µg/ml; the elution efficiency was 94.6%- 95.9%; the limit of detection (S/N = 3) was 0.034 µg/ml (injection volume of 20 µl eluant); the lower limit of quantification (S/N = 10) was 0.11 µg/ml; the minimum detectable concentration was 0.011 mg/m(3); the minimum quantifiable concentration was 0.037 mg/m(3) (with sampled air volume of 45 L).

CONCLUSIONThis method is convenient and simple in sample collection and preparation, and satisfies all methodological requirements. Therefore, this method is useful for the determination of 2, 4-D in the air of workplace.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the social and economic burden of Downs syndrome for patients and their families residing in Changsha, China. METHODS: An 160-item self-administered questionnaire was designed and distributed to the primary caregivers of the patients in March 2020. A total of 81 eligible participants had completed the questionnaire, among which 20 were excluded for incomplete data. A patient perspective was taken to estimate the economic burden of the disease. The social impact of the disease on the patient's family was evaluated through questions adapted from the Stanford Psychological Wellbeing (PWB) Scale. RESULTS: The estimated life-course cost of a Downs syndrome patient in Changsha is 4 985 659 RMB, with the patient and caregiver's loss of income taking the greater proportion. In addition, as the majority of the patients' primary caregivers, female caregivers experienced not only considerable financial hardship caused by the care provision, but also a significant amount of psychological pressure and social discrimination. CONCLUSION Increased level of social welfare for the patients and social support for their female caregivers are essential for reducing economic burden and improving their quality of life in the area. In addition, prenatal screening and diagnosis for Downs syndrome are important for reducing both the social and economic burden of the disease by preventing its occurrence.
Caregivers ; China ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Financial Stress ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Social Discrimination ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Microglia differ from macrophages with unique origin and role. In glioblastoma, microglia plays an important role in regulating tumor immune status, promoting tumor angiogenesis, destroying the blood-brain barrier, and reducing the sensitivity of treatment. Therefore, the combination of microglial therapy in the radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy of glioblastoma has also become a clinically promising treatment.

Objective: To present a new method for correction of prominent malar complex via intraoral approach by double support technique osteotomy which can provide a stable support. Methods: According to the anatomical characteristics of malar complex and relevant masseter muscle, we designed a malar reduction technique including anterior and posterior support. The reduction procedure entailed an L-shaped osteotomy ofthemalarbody and oblique osteotomy of malar arch. On the basis of prominence degree, bone fragment was moved inward and upward to form double support, which could reduce malar and zygomatic arch effectively. Results: A total of 76 patients subjected to double support technique for malar reduction between January 2015 and January 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.The follow-up period ranged from 10 to 12 months. All patients were satisfied with aesthetic outcomes without major complications, such as facial nerve damage or bone ununion. Conclusions Double support technique is an effective method to correct malar prominence andreduce the zygomatic complex which can prevent saggy cheek and bony malunion.

Objective To discuss the correlation between initial malar reduction procedures and the method of revision procedures and the personalized treatment strategies for the second deformity of postoperative prominent malar complex.Methods From January 2003 to December 2017,27 patients underwent personalized revision surgery of malar reduction according to the different second deformity of malar complex.The surgical technique included the double support malar reduction technique,orthotopic malar osteotomy technique,malar bone grinding surgery,and autogenous bone transplantation.Results A total of 27 patients subjected to revision surgery for malar reduction between November 2006 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.22 patients were satisfied with aesthetic outcomes after the first revision procedure,while 5 patients were satisfied after 2 or 3 procedures follow-up for 10 to 12 months.Conclusions The incidence of complications after malar reduction is related to the first surgical method.According to the unsatisfactory results,it can be repaired individually to obtain a better clinical repair effect.