Objective:To explore the clinical application value of 3D printing technology in percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PCNL) to complex renal calculi.Methods:The clinical data of 41 patients with complex renal calculi from May 2018 to October 2019, in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and Xiang'an District of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 19 cases underwent PCNL after 3D printing (3D printing group), and 22 cases during the same period did not undergo 3D printing before operation (control group). Before operation, the two groups underwent CT plain scan enhanced examination. In 3D printing group, 3D printing technology was used to obtain 3D renal models, then 3D renal models were used for preoperative design and simulation of surgical puncture and preoperative conversation.The control group only underwent PCNL after routine examination.The ages of the patients in 3D printing group and control group were (42.9±2.5) vs. (41.3±2.9) years old, male/female ratio 11/8 vs. 12/10, body mass index (22.4±1.1) vs. (23.2±1.4) kg/m 2, serum creatinine (42.9±2.5) vs. (78.2±4.5) μmol/L, stone size (5.0±1.2) vs. (5.2±1.3) cm, the CT values of the stones was (930±210) vs.(950±200) HU. The difference of above parameters was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The following indexes were compared between the two groups: score of questionnaire on satisfaction of preoperative conversation, and datas about operation and postopetation. Results:All the operations were successfully completed. The time of locating the target calyces in 3D printing group and control group was (3.3±1.3) vs. (5.3±3.1) min, and the coincidence of puncture calices was 94.7% (18/19) vs. 54.5%(12/22), and the stone removal rate of the 3D printing group was 78.9% (17/19) vs. 36.4% (8/22), 3D printing group was better than the control group in these respects( P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in postoperative complications [21.0% (4/19) vs. 13.6% (3/22)], multi-channel[89.4% (17/19) vs. 86.4% (19/22)], operation time [(121.8±20.2) vs. (132.1±18.5) min], time of hospitalization [(7.6±1.3) vs. (8.0±1.8)d] and time of extubation for renal fistula [(3.8±1.7)vs. (4.5±2.0 )d] (all P > 0.05). During preoperative conversation between the 3D printing group and the control group , the time spent on signing the consent [(17.0±3.9) vs.(21.0±3.3) min], the degree of understanding of the stone condition [(2.5±0.6)vs.(2.0±1.2) points], the degree of understanding of the PCNL surgical process and complications [(2.6±0.6) vs.(1.8±1.3) points] and the degree of satisfaction with the doctor’s preoperative conversation effects [(2.4±0.9) vs.(1.7±1.6) points]were significantly different in comparisons ( P<0.05). Conclusions:3D printing technology can be used in PCNL to directly display the internal anatomical relationship of renal calculi, guide accurate preoperative designing, help improve the operation efficiency and stone clearance rate, and can also be used as a mold in preoperative conversation to improve communication efficiency.

Objective The Augmentation index(AI)is an indicator of pulse wave reflections.To under- stand the validity of AI in the elderly,we studied the determinants of AI in an elderly population.Methods All subjects older than 70 years living in Zhaoxiang Town,Qingpu District,Shanghai were recruited.Pulse wave a- nalysis at the left radial artery was performed by using Omron HEMg000AI device.The augmentation index (AI)adjusting for a heart rate of 75 beats/min was used for statistical analysis.Results One thousand two hun- dred eighty-six participants included 761(59 %)women,and 815(63 %)hypertensive patients with average age 76.3 years participate the study.Women had a significant higher AI than men(90.3% versus 85.8%,P

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT in evaluating bronchial mucosa involvement in patients with saroidosis.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted among 6 sarcoidosis patients with and 14 patients without bronchial mucosa involvement to collect the data including the standard uptake value (SUVMax/Mean) of ¹⁸F-FDG, serum angiotensin converting enzyme (sACE), and proportion of lymphocytes and CD4⁺/CD8 ⁺ T lymphocyte ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

RESULTSThe lung focal SUV(Max/Mean) was higher in patients with bronchial mucosa involvement than those without (7.04 ± 5.83/5.00 ± 4.69 vs 5.68 ± 3.66/3.82 ± 2.39), but such differences were not statistically significant (P=0.565/0.495). The SUV(Max/Mean) of the hilum of the lung and the mediastina lymph nodes were significantly higher in patients with bronchial mucosa involvement (13.28 ± 5.57/10.48 ± 4.43 vs 6.20 ± 1.77/4.52 ± 1.43, P=0.0003/0.0002; 13.84 ± 4.35/9.69 ± 2.74 vs 7.16 ± 2.52/5.28 ± 1.77, P=0.0004/0.0004). The level of sACE and CD4⁺/CD8 ⁺ T lymphocyte ratio in BALF were also significantly higher in patients with bronchial mucosa involvement (60.58 ± 16.3 vs 49.16 ± 13.3 IU/L, P=0.045; 7.30 ± 5.0 vs 2.90 ± 3.1, P=0.026). The proportion of lymphocytes in BALF was comparable between the patients with and without bronchial mucosa involvement (44.10 ± 10.3% vs 35.30 ± 12.5%, P=0.148).

CONCLUSIONSFor patients with saroidosis, ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT is useful in evaluating bronchial mucosa involvement, which is one of the key features of active sarcoidosis.

Bronchi ; pathology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; blood ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Respiratory Mucosa ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sarcoidosis ; diagnosis