Objective To investigate the optimum scanning parameters for multi-slice spiral CT aorta imaging so as to emphasize the contrast delay time and the method of image reconstruction.Methods 21 cases of patients were scanned with contrast enhancement by the method of bolus tracking.The contrast medicine was injected through elbow vein.Flow speed was 3.0ml/s,and contrast usage was 1.5 to 2ml/ kg.Scanning was triggered when the density of the enhancement at ROI arose to a prescribed value.After data acquisition and reconstruction,the aorta was displayed.Results The average time for the influx of contrast in aorta was 20 seconds.Data was reformatted with the thickness of 2.5mm and 50% overlapping.VR,CPR,MIP and SSD images were reconstructed.Conclusion With constant tracking of density by Smartprep software,the optimized scanning parameters and the proper image post-processing techniques,aorta can be clearly displayed.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2008,29(2):88-89]

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of speckle-tracking echocardiography in detecting left atrial (LA) function impairment in early hypertensive (HT) patients.Methods Echocardiography was performed in 154 HT patients with LA volume index ＜28 ml/m2 and 64 age/gender-matched control subjects.LA global longitudinal strain in late diastole (Sa),systole (Ss),and total strain (Stot =Sa + Ss),strain rate in late diastole (SRa),systole (SRs),and early diastole (SRe) were measured using off-line speckle-tracking analyzing software in apical 4 chamber view.Results Both parameters reflecting LA reservoir function [Stot (23.7 ± 6.0) ％ vs (25.7 ± 5.9) ％,p =0.03 and SRs ( 1.2 ± 0.3) s- 1 vs ( 1.3 ±0.3) s-1,P =0.03]and conduit function [Ss (12.0 ± 5.1)％ vs (14.0±5.7)％,P =0.02 and SRe (1.0 ± 0.4)s- 1 vs ( 1.2 ± 0.4)s- 1,p ＜0.001 ]decreased significantly in HT group than control,while LA pump function parameters (Sa and SRa) had no differences.Ss,Stot and SRe correlated significantly with HT and HT duration.Conclusions LA phasic function are impaired in HT patients with normal LA size.Speckle tracking echocardiography is a promising tool for the early detection of LA dysfunction.

Background To report quality control methods and baseline reproducibility data of the ultrasound measurements of carotid artery intima-media thickness in the project of Establishment of an Integrated System for Coronary Heart Disease Prevention and Treatment.Methods Standard ultrasound scanning and measuring protocols were established by the study group.All sonographers and readers were trained by the carotid ultrasound core lab and all digital ultrasound images were centrally read.Ten subjects were scanned twice (with 1 week interval) by 2 sonographers independently and images were read by a single reader to evaluate the sonographer variability.Twenty subjects' images were read twice (with 1 week interval) by a single reader to assess the reader variability and the reproducibility of IMT measured at different carotid segments.Results The intraclass correlation (ICC) of intra-and inter-sonographer and intrareader for mean IMT measurements was 0.99,0.98 and 0.97 respectively; while for max IMT,it was 0.97,0.99 and 0.95 respectively.Among different carotid segments and sites,ICC for mean IMT measurements of common carotid (CCA),carotid artery bulb (Bulb),internal carotid artery (ICA),overall near wall and overall far wall was 0.97,0.99,0.89,0.93 and 0.98 respectively.Conclusion The reproducibility of IMT measurements according to our protocol is acceptable,although better reproducibility is found when measuring the mean IMT than max IMT,CCA and Bulb IMT than ICA IMT,and far wall IMT than near wall IMT.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Organic Chemicals ; adverse effects ; Paint ; adverse effects ; Solvents ; adverse effects

The purpose of the present study was to investigate Norovirus infection status among patients with virus diarrhea in Xiamen city and provide evidence for exploring the prevalence characteristics and constituting appropriate control strategy.From April 2007 to July 2008,323 fecal samples of virus diarrhea cases collected from 3 surveillance hospitals in Xiamen were detected for antigen and RNA by ELISA and Real-Time RT-PCR respectively.The RdPd genes from some samples were furtherly amplified and sequenced for genogroup identification when the Real-Time RT-PCR detection results were positive.In the 323 fecal specimens,68 (21.05%) were positive for Norovirus antigen by ELISA and 107 (31.13%) were positive for Norovirus RNA by Real-Time RT-PCR.The overall positive prevalence rate of Norovirus in Xiamen was 38.08%.107 positive specimens were detected by Real-Time RT-PCR and results showed that 80 strains were Norovirus GGⅡ(74.77%),2 strains were GGⅠ(1.87%) and 25 strains (23.36%)were unidentified.It's indicated that Norovirus infection in Xiamen district was mainly caused by Norovirus GGⅡ,and Norovirus was also the main cause for virus diarrhea.

Nighteen people at a restaurant experienced dizziness headaches and other discomforts in six days. According to the description method, the time and location distribution were found to be concentrated. A second Investigation was conducted at the same time as the onset of the case, the test found that the carbon monoxide concentration of second floor up to 539 mg/m 3. The on-site testing found that when 2 steam generator in snack room on the first floor turned on, the carbon monoxide concentration on the top of elevator on the second floor was 1225.0 mg/m 3. After the accident, the restaurant replaced a steam generator, the carbon monoxide concentration on the top of the new and old steam generator were 350 mg/m 3 and >1 000 mg/m 3, respectively. After the steam generators were fitted with exhaust smoke pipe and exhasust hood, the carbon monoxide concentrations of on the top of the vegetable transfer elevator and the room on the second floor were both 0.4 mg/m 3, and there were no cases of recurrence. It was determined that this was a carbon monoxide poisoning incident caused by a high concentration of carbon monoxide emitted by the steam generators, which spread to the second floor of the private room through the vegetable transfer elevator.

Nighteen people at a restaurant experienced dizziness headaches and other discomforts in six days. According to the description method, the time and location distribution were found to be concentrated. A second Investigation was conducted at the same time as the onset of the case, the test found that the carbon monoxide concentration of second floor up to 539 mg/m 3. The on-site testing found that when 2 steam generator in snack room on the first floor turned on, the carbon monoxide concentration on the top of elevator on the second floor was 1225.0 mg/m 3. After the accident, the restaurant replaced a steam generator, the carbon monoxide concentration on the top of the new and old steam generator were 350 mg/m 3 and >1 000 mg/m 3, respectively. After the steam generators were fitted with exhaust smoke pipe and exhasust hood, the carbon monoxide concentrations of on the top of the vegetable transfer elevator and the room on the second floor were both 0.4 mg/m 3, and there were no cases of recurrence. It was determined that this was a carbon monoxide poisoning incident caused by a high concentration of carbon monoxide emitted by the steam generators, which spread to the second floor of the private room through the vegetable transfer elevator.

Objective:To describe the distribution of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels in non-arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) population in China and explore its influencing factors.Methods:This study was based on a nested case-control study in the CKB study measured plasma biomarkers. Lp(a) levels was measured using a polyclonal antibody-based turbidimetric assay certified by the reference laboratory and ≥75.0 nmol/L defined as high Lp(a). Multiple logistic regression model was used to examine the factors related to Lp(a) levels.Results:Among the 5 870 non-ASCVD population included in the analysis, Lp(a) levels showed a right-skewed distribution, with a M ( Q1, Q3) of 17.5 (8.8, 43.5) nmol/L. The multiple logistic regression analysis found that female was associated with high Lp(a) ( OR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.05-1.43). The risk of increased Lp(a) levels in subjects with abdominal obesity was significantly reduced ( OR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.52-0.89). As TC, LDL-C, apolipoprotein A1(Apo A1), and apolipoprotein B(Apo B) levels increased, the risk of high Lp(a) increased, with OR (95% CI) for each elevated group was 2.40 (1.76-3.24), 2.68 (1.36-4.93), 1.29 (1.03-1.61), and 1.65 (1.27-2.13), respectively. The risk of high Lp(a) was reduced in the HDL-C lowering group with an OR (95% CI) of 0.76 (0.61-0.94). In contrast, an increase in TG levels and the ratio of Apo A1/Apo B(Apo A1/B) was negatively correlated with the risk of high Lp(a), with OR (95% CI) of 0.73 (0.60-0.89) for elevated triglyceride group, and OR (95% CI) of 0.60 (0.50-0.72) for the Apo A1/B ratio increase group (linear trend test P≤0.001 except for Apo A1). However, no correlation was found between Lp(a) levels and lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and physical activity. Conclusions:Lp(a) levels were associated with sex and abdominal obesity, but less with lifestyle behaviors.

Objective:To analysis effectiveness of the "14 plus 7 day quarantine" and "nucleic acid plus total antibody testing" strategy (combined screening strategy) for screenin the imported patients with COVID-19 in Xiamen.Methods:The study populations were overseas travelers arriving in Xiamen from March 17 to December 31, 2020, and overseas travelers who had quarantine outside Xiamen for less than 21 days from July 18 to December 31, 2020. Data were collected and analyzed on the timing of detection, pathways, and test results of the imported patients with COVID-19 after implementing combined screening strategy.Results:A total of 304 imported patients with COVID-19 were found from 174 628 overseas travelers and 943 overseas travelers from other cities. A total of 163 cases (53.6%) were diagnosed by multitime, multisite intensive nucleic acid testing after positive finding in total antibody testing. Among them, 27 (8.9%) were first positive for nucleic acid in 14 plus 7 day quarantine and 136 were first positive for nucleic acid in 14-day quarantine. Only 8 of these individuals were tested positive for nucleic acid after positive total antibody testing. The other 128 individuals were tested positive for nucleic acid after being negative for average 2.3 times (maximum of 6 times). Aditional 155 cases might be detected by using the combined "14 plus 7 day quarantine" and " nucleic acid plus total antibody testing" strategy compared with "14-day quarantine and nucleic acid testing" strategy, accounting for 51.0% of the total inbound infections. So the combined screening strategy doubled the detection rate for imported patients with COVID-19. No second-generation case caused by overseas travelers had been reported in Xiamen as of February 26, 2021.Conclusions:Xiamen's combined screening strategy can effectively screen the imported patients with COVID-19 who were first positive for nucleic acid after 14 day quarantine. Compared with "14 day quarantine and nucleic acid testing", the combined screening strategy improved detection rate and further reduced the risk of the secondary transmission caused by the imported patients with COVID-19.

Objective: To investigate the impact of intensified maintenance therapy on the prognosis of children and adolescents with advanced lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) . Methods: Retrospective analysis on the treatment results of children and adolescents with stage Ⅲ and stage Ⅳ LBL who underwent BFM-NHL-90/-95 regimen without prophylactic radiotherapy. The intensified therapy group included the patients admitted from 1998 to 2005, while others were classified as the non-intensified therapy group. Patients in the intensified therapy group were intravenously treated with "etoposide phosphate plus cytrarabine" and high-dose methotrexate alternately per 2.5-3 months in addition to the oral chemotherapy with 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate during the maintenance phase. Results: A total of 187 LBL patients were enrolled. The rates of 5-year event free survival were (76.9 ± 5.8) % and (77.9 ± 4.3) % (χ²=0.249, P=0.617) respectively, in the intensified therapy (n=52) and the non-intensified therapy groups (n=135) , while the rates of 5-year overall survival of them were (78.8 ± 5.7) % and (79.8±4.1) % (χ²=0.353, P=0.552) , respectively. Stratified by stage, immunological type as well as risk stratification, the rates of long-term survival were similar between the two groups. During the maintenance phase, the rates of grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ myelosuppression in the intensified therapy and the non-intensified maintenance groups were 55.8% and 18.5%, respectively (χ²=25.363, P<0.05) . Conclusion Intensified maintenance therapy failed to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced LBL.