OBJECTIVETo introduce a simple, fast and universal measuring method used in measurement of the surface area of scalp flap over the cranial defect after decompressive craniectomy.

METHODSThe first step: CT images of the patient with craniocerebral trauma after decompressive craniectomy were obtained and imported into Mimics. The second step: based on the defined threshold, the 3D geometric models of brain and skull were reconstructed after the original Dicom format pictures three-dimensional processed by Mimics. The third step: based on the two builded 3D models, utilizing the segmentation and measurement tools of Mimics to conduct cutting, splitting and measuring operations for the 3D model of brain. The forth step: estimating the surface area of scalp flap over the removed bone flap by using mathematical computation methods.

RESULTSThe application of the introduced method estimated the surface area of scalp flap over the cranial defect of different people with different position of craniocerebral trauma.

CONCLUSIONSThis paper introduces a simple, fast and universal new measuring method. We can conveniently estimate the surface area of scalp flap by using the introduced method.

Decompressive Craniectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Models, Anatomic ; Scalp ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To introduce a simple, fast and universal measuring method used in measurement of the surface area of scalp flap over the cranial defect after decompressive craniectomy. Methods The first step: CT images of the patient with craniocerebral trauma after decompressive craniectomy were obtained and imported into Mimics. The second step:based on the defined threshold, the 3D geometric models of brain and skul were reconstructed after the original Dicom format pictures three-dimensional processed by Mimics. The third step:based on the two builded 3D models, utilizing the segmentation and measurement tools of Mimics to conduct cutting, splitting and measuring operations for the 3D model of brain. The forth step: estimating the surface area of scalp flap over the removed bone flap by using mathematical computation methods. Results The application of the introduced method estimated the surface area of scalp flap over the cranial defect of different people with different position of craniocerebral trauma. Conclusions This paper introduces a simple, fast and universal new measuring method. We can conveniently estimate the surface area of scalp flap by using the introduced method.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the prognostic impact of preoperative (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT on postoperative recurrence in patients with completely resected stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSThe clinic data of 182 patients with stage I NSCLC who underwent (18)F-FDG PET-CT scan before surgical resection between June 2005 and June 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 121 male and 61 female patients, with an average age of 68 years (range from 34 to 85 years). The pathological stage was I A in 98 patients, I B in 84 patients; the histology were adenocarcinoma in 137 patients, squamous cell carcinoma in 35 patients, and others in 10 patients. Clinicopathological factors including gender, age, smoking history, SUV(max), surgical procedure, pathological features and adjuvant chemotherapy were evaluated to identify the independent factors predicting postoperative recurrences by univariate and multivariate analysis. The survivals were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and differences in variables were analyzed by the Log-rank test.

RESULTSThe postoperative recurrence rate was 15.9%. The univariate analysis identified that the SUV(max) (t=3.278, P<0.001), p-stage (χ² =5.204, P=0.026), blood vessel invasion (χ² =5.333, P=0.027) and visceral pleural invasion (χ² =7.697, P=0.009) are factors for predicting postoperative recurrence. Only SUV(max) was found to be a significant independent factor according to multivariate analysis (HR=1.068, 95%CI: 1.015 to 1.123, P=0.001). The study population was stratified into three groups by SUV(max), patients with SUV(max) > 5.0 had significantly higher risk of recurrence (23.9%) than those with 2.5 < SUV(max) ≤ 5.0 (15.0%) and SUV(max) ≤ 2.5 (7.3%) (P=0.043); patients with SUV(max) ≤ 2.5 had significantly better 5-year recurrence-free survival rate (90.9%) than those with 2.5 < SUV(max) ≤ 5.0 (82.7%) and SUV(max) ≤ 2.5 (71.0%) (P=0.030). There was a trend toward higher probability of blood vessel invasion (χ² =20.267, P < 0.001), visceral pleural invasion (χ² =6.185, P=0.045) and pathological stage I B (χ² =13.589, P=0.001) with increased SUV(max).

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative SUV(max) of primary tumor is a predictor of postoperative relapse for stage I NSCLC after surgical resection. Therefore, it can contribute to the risk stratification for patients with the same pathological stage and selecting the optimal postoperative follow-up and therapeutic strategy.

Adenocarcinoma ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; diagnosis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To explore the correlation between the transluminal attenuation gradient with corrected contrast opacification(TAG-CCO)and the severity of atherosclerotic stenosis in the anterior segment of myocrardial bridge(MB). The imaging data of 200 patients diagnosed with left anterior descending branch(LAD)single MB and coronary atherosclerosis in the anterior segment of MB were retrospectively analyzed.According to MB types,the patients were divided into two groups:incomplete and complete.There were some significant differences in TAG-CCO between patients with the same degree of coronary atherosclerosis(mild,moderate,and severe stenosis)in two groups.The relationships among groups with different degrees(mild,moderate,and severe stenosis)of the same type of MB were further compared. Among 84 patients with complete MB,36,30,and 18 patients had mild,moderate,or severe coronary atherosclerosis in the anterior segment of MB;among 116 patients with incomplete MB,45,42,and 29 patients had mild,moderate,or severe coronary atherosclerosis in the anterior segment of MB.In the complete MB group,the TAG-CCO in the anterior segment of MB subgroups were(-0.0086±0.0014)/10 mm,(-0.0170±0.0180)/10 mm,and(-0.0230±0.0026)/10 mm,respectively,in mild,moderate,and severe subgroups( = 404.728, <0.001).In the incomplete MB group,the TAG-CCO of patients with mild,moderate and severe coronary stenosis in the anterior segment of MB were(-0.0039±0.0011)/10 mm,(-0.0100±0.0140)/10 mm,and(-0.0160±0.0020)/10 mm,respectively,and the difference among the different stenosis groups was statistically significant( = 17.756, < 0.001);the TAG-CCO of patients with mild( = 16.519, < 0.001),moderate( = 2.570, = 0.012)and severe anterior segment coronary stenosis( = 10.714, < 0.001)were significantly lower in the complete MB group than in the incomplete MB group. TAG-CCO is correlated with the MB type and the degree of anterior coronary artery stenosis.Thus,TAG-CCO can be used as a predictive indicator for the degree of atheroscleratic stenosis in the anterior segment of MB.
Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

The theory of "linkage between spleen and small intestine" has been put forward by doctors as early as the Ming dynasty. In traditional Chinese medicine， the spleen and small intestine cooperate and work together physiologically， and they are also closely related and interact with each other pathologically. The spleen governs transportation and transformation， which involves the function of the small intestine in transforming water and grain. The small intestine， governing the receiving and transformation of substances， depends on the normal transportation of the spleen. At the same time， it provides guarantee for the spleen to transform Qi and generate blood as well as ascend lucidity and descend turbidity. The dysfunction of spleen in transportation is closely related to the dysfunction of small intestine. The stability of intestinal microecology necessitates the normal functioning of the spleen. When the original balance of intestinal flora is disturbed， the spleen functioning will be affected. This study explored the pathogenesis and treatment of diabetes based on the physiological functions of the spleen and small intestine and the Western medicine targets of "nutrients-intestinal flora". According to modern medicine， nutrients are essential to maintain the normal physiological activities of the human body. Proper intake of nutrients can affect the absorption and metabolism of the human body for nutrients by regulating the composition and function of intestinal flora， so as to prevent the occurrence of diabetes. The imbalance of intestinal flora which harbors rich microorganisms may lead to the disturbance of energy metabolism and the dysfunction of the immune system， eventually leading to diabetes. As a metabolic disease， diabetes is closely related to the imbalance of intestinal flora and nutrient intake. Based on the theory of "linkage between spleen and small intestine"， this paper discusses the relationship between spleen and small intestine. Furthermore， this paper discusses the correlation between "spleen-small intestine" and "nutrients-intestinal flora" by reviewing the latest progress in modern medicine and clinical research， aiming to provide a theoretical basis and new ideas for the clinical prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The occurrence of diabetes mellitus （DM） is closely related to insulin resistance and islet β cell dysfunction. Modern studies have found that macrophages are widely present in the liver，fat，skeletal muscle，islets， and other tissues and organs. Macrophage M1/M2 polarization plays an important role in the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus and its related complications by intervening in inflammatory response，improving insulin resistance，and promoting tissue repair. Most of the traditional Chinese medicines that regulate the activation and polarization of macrophages are Qi-replenishing and Yin-nourishing，heat-clearing， and detoxicating medicinal，which are consistent with the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes and its related complications. Therefore，by summarizing the mechanisms between macrophage activation，polarization， and insulin resistance in various tissues，this paper reviewed traditional Chinese medicine and its effective components and compounds in improving diabetes mellitus and its related complications through multi-channel regulation of macrophage polarization and regulation of M1/M2 ratio，providing references for the future treatment of DM and its related complications with traditional Chinese medicine.