The Mechanism for sorting out the covariance effect is known as the covariance analysis. The sorting out of regression and correlation effect is an obvious application of the covariance analysis. The result of Do population by age groups (15 age interval) from 1966 census and from, 1970 Census has been applied to analyzing covariabiltiy by the analysis of covariance. The results are as follows. The significance of the regression of 1970 population on 1966 population is assured as F=116.5. There is a significant difference between mean of each age groups(F=88.1). There is very little evidence of significant heterogeneity of regression between age group. (F=0.72).
Censuses ; Humans ; Population Characteristics

Newborn hearing screening program (NHSP) is a standard of care in many countries around the world. Its success to a great extent depends on professionals understanding of the program’s goals and the screening procedures. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of Malaysian healthcare professionals involved in NHSP. A cross-sectional survey study using a 25 items questionnaire was conducted on a purposive sample of healthcare professionals who worked in 30 Malaysian government hospitals that run NHSP. Four hundred and three questionnaires were distributed, only 138 completed questionnaires were analysed, yielding a response rate of 34.2%. Of the 138 healthcare professionals, 35 (25.4%) were paediatricians, 43 (31.2%) were ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, and 60 (43.5%) were nurses. In general, the study revealed that the ENT specialists scored significantly higher that the paediatricians and nurses on both knowledge and attitude. Although the majority of all three healthcare professionals (>75%) viewed NHSP as very important, yet many nurses and paediatricians (>70%) reported received limited information during their training in this area and felt uncomfortable in explaining about the whole hearing screening process to the parents. Despite the positive attitude towards NHSP, 22.5% of the healthcare professionals were not aware of the existence of the program. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated knowledge gap in NHSP among the healthcare professionals, but their positive attitudes could be an indication of a strong interest to learn more about NHSP. Therefore, there is a need to take urgent efforts to improve the knowledge of healthcare professionals on NHSP.
knowledge ; attitude ; healthcare professionals ; newborn hearing screening

Objective:To investigate the alteration of retinal perfusion in aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab) positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) patients by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).Methods:A case-control study. Forty-eight AQP4-ab positive NMOSD patients (96 eyes) and 20 age and gender matched healthy controls (40 eyes) were recruited from September 2015 to August 2017 at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University. Patients of both eyes were included in the groups. The patients were further divided into 4 subgroups (0 ON, 1 ON, 2 ON, 3+ ON group) according to the number of episodes of ON (0, 1, 2, or 3+) with respect to 30、22、31、13 eyes. 0 ON group had no history of ON episodes; 1 ON group, 2 ON group, and 3+ ON group had ON episodes 1, 2, ≥3 times, respectively. All patients underwent complete ophthalmological examinations including BCVA, visual field and OCTA examination. The BCVA was recorded for each eye using metric notation from the Snellen chart, and then converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. The central visual field was assessed using a Humphrey Field Analyzer 750 and the mean deviation (MD) was determined. OCTA scans of the optic disc (4.5 mm × 4.5 mm) and macula (6 mm × 6 mm) were acquired. Radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel density, superficial capillary plexus vessel density (SVD), the thickness of ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) were determined. The generalized estimating equations was performed to compare the difference of BCVA, MD, pRNFL thickness, GCIPL thickness, RPC vessel density and SVD among the groups and the correlations between retinal perfusion and retinal structure, visual function were analyzed.Results:The RPC vessel density and SVD were significant lower in the 0 ON group compared with healthy group (Wald χ2=7.190, 10.134; P<0.01), however, the BCVA, pRNFL and GCIPL thickness were not significant difference between the two groups (Wald χ2=2.308, 1.020, 2.558; P>0.05). The BCVA, visual field MD, RPC vessel density, SVD, pRNFL and GCIPL were significant lower in 1 ON, 2 ON and 3+ ON groups compared with healthy group and 0 ON group (Wald χ2=12.390, 11.346, 38.860, 18.040, 45.418, 26.608; P<0.001 ), but the parameters had no significant difference among the three groups ( P>0.05). The RPC vessel density was significantly correlated with pRNFL thickness ( β=0.372, standard error=0.018, P<0.001), and the SVD was significantly correlated with GCIPL thickness ( β=0.115, standard error=0.204, P<0.001). The MD and BCVA was significantly correlated with peripapillary vessel density after adjustment for other variables (BCVA: β=0.025, standard error=0.005, P=0.000; visual field MD: β=0.737, standard error=0.185, P=0.000). Conclusions:Subclinical primary retinal vasculopathy may occur in NMOSD prior to ON attack, the ON attack may further impair visual function, retinal structure and perfusion, however, the extent of injure is not relevant with the increase of ON attack. The peripapillary vessel density might be a sensitive predictor of visual outcomes in NMOSD patients.

We report a case of metastatic thymic carcinoma which presented as an enhancing mass located in the neural foramen of the thoracic spine. More common tumours which arise in the neural foramen would include a neurogenic tumour or developmental anomalies such as a foregut duplication cyst. This case is singular firstly because the lesion present as radiculopathy which mimics a neurogenic tumour. Secondly, the presentation was unusually delayed as the patient presented to our centre more than a decade after the resection of the primary tumour in another institution.

Authors have experienced a case of retinal occlusion in patient with mitral valve prolapse. The patient was 10-year-old male who had visited our hospital due to the sudden onset of painless diminished vision and visual field defect of right eye since 2 days ago. The funduscopic finding of right eye showed typical appearance of retinal arterial occlusion with ischemic retinal whitening which app3ared as opacification. And, we also found mitral valve prolapse in this patient. One of the recently reported complications of mitral valve prolapse is thromboemboli resulting in cerebral ischemic events and visual complications. Such emboli can explain some cases of branch and central retinal arterial occlusion.
Child ; Humans ; Male ; Mitral Valve Prolapse* ; Mitral Valve* ; Retinal Artery* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Vision, Low ; Visual Fields

Objective To investigate short-term hemodynamic changes in selected patients with middle cerebral artery(MCA) stenting by transcranial Doppler sonography(TCD).Methods Stenting was given to 29 cases (31 MCAs) of patients with moderate and severe MCA stenosis if they had recurred symptoms during the standard antiplatelet therapy.TCD was applied to assess the hemodynamic changes in the stenosis segment and stenotic distal segment before stenting, 1 h and 3 d after stenting. Results Angiography showed that the rate of post-procedure residual stenoses of MCA were less than 20%.Compared with the pre-stentinng peak systolic velocity [PSV, (273±77)cm/s], the post-stenting PSV significantly decreased,which was (162±38) cm/s (P＜0.01) at 1 hour and (168±45)cm/s ( P＜0.01)at 3 days, respectively.Three cases (3 MCA) experienced recurrent stenosis-like spectra at stenosis segments 3 d after stenting and brain CT showed that 2 out of 3 cases suffered intracranial hemorrhage,which was potentially induced by hyperperfusion; PSV doubled in the stenotic distal segment in at least 28.6% patients.There was no statistic difference between pre- and post-stenting in the contralateral MCA (P＞0.05).Conclusions Stenting can dramatically improve the hemodynamic compromise of stenosis segments and their distal segments in selected patients with symptomatic MCA stenosis, however, potential hyperperfusion risk might he taken into consideration after MCA stenting.

INTRODUCTIONCone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a relatively new technological innovation that utilises fl at-panel detector technology to obtain CT-like images. The key strength of a CBCT system is that cross-sectional imaging can be obtained using the angiographic fl at panel unit without having to move the patient, allowing the radiologist to obtain soft tissue imaging during the procedure. This allows treatment planning, guidance, and assessment of outcome to be performed in one interventional suite.

MATERIALS AND METHODSFrom December 2008 to June 2009, 24 CBCT scans were performed during vascular interventional procedures on our department's newly installed multi-axis fl at panel angiographic unit.

RESULTSTen cases were performed for hepatic trans-arterial chemoembolisation, 9 cases for hepatic arterial Yttrium-90 infusion, while 5 cases were for other indications. CBCT was found to be useful in 20 of the 24 cases.

CONCLUSIONOur early experience showed that CBCT was useful in impacting decisions during selected vascular interventional procedures. As CBCT technology improves, we can foresee wider applications of this technology.

Aged ; Angiography ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; standards ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Audit ; Middle Aged ; Radiology, Interventional ; methods ; Retrospective Studies

INTRODUCTIONMost international clinical practice guidelines for prostate cancer (PCa) are driven by data derived in a Western setting. However, tumour biology and clinical disease progression are likely to differ in the Asian population. We compare the performance of the revised American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) prognostic groups with the commonly used D'Amico Risk Classification and conventional predictors for PCa, in a large cohort of Asian patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed data for 404 consecutive Singaporean patients receiving definitive radiotherapy at our centre between December 1996 and October 2006. The primary outcome was biochemical relapse-free survival (BRFS), defined using the Phoenix definition. The secondary outcome was overall survival (OS). Prognostic risk groups were defined using AJCC 7th edition (AJCC7) and 6th edition (AJCC6). Univariate analysis (UVA) and multivariate analysis (MVA) were performed for the following putative risk factors: age, Gleason score, prognostic grouping, tumour classification, radiation delivery technique, radiotherapy dose, hormonal therapy and initial PSA value.

RESULTSFor the cohort, median age was 69 years. Median follow-up was 66.3 months. Five-year BRFS rate was 84.3% with 71 biochemical relapses and 5-year OS rate was 89.1% with 54 deaths. The concordance-indices for BRFS prediction were 0.588, 0.550 and 0.567 for AJCC7, AJCC6 and D'Amico respectively. Initial PSA, T-stage and AJCC7 were prognostic for BRFS on UVA. Comparison of AJCC7 vs. D'Amico showed no statistical additional value of either classification system although D'Amico was superior when compared to AJCC6 in predicting BRFS. T-stage ≥3 and D'Amico were significant prognostic factors for BRFS on MVA.

CONCLUSIONIn our local, predominantly Chinese population, neither AJCC6 nor AJCC7 demonstrated a high predictive accuracy for BRFS although AJCC7 has a slightly better predictive ability than AJCC6.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asia ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Prognosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; United States

Purpose: Higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLRs) indicate a pro-inflammatory state and are associated with poor survival. Conversely, higher albumin-globulin ratio (AGRs) may be associated with improved prognosis. We aimed to investigate the association between NLR and AGR and prognosis and survival in patients with breast cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with stage I–III breast cancer between 2011 and 2017 in Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Center Singapore.Multivariate logistic regression analysis of NLR, AGR, age, stage, grade, and subtype was performed. Survival data between groups were compared using Cox regression analysis and log-rank tests. Results: A total of 1,188 patients were included, of whom 323 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and 865 underwent upfront surgery. In patients who underwent NACT, a higher AGR was significantly associated with a higher pCR rate (cut-off > 1.28; odds ratio [OR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–3.74; p = 0.020), better DFS (cut off > 1.55; hazard ratio [HR], 0.37; 95% CI, 0.16–0.85; p = 0.019), and better CSS (cut off > 1.46; HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.17–0.92; p = 0.031). Higher NLR was significantly associated with worse DFS (cut off > 4.09; HR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.07–2.91; p = 0.026) and worse CSS (cut off > 4.09; HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.11–3.53; p = 0.021). In patients who underwent upfront surgery, higher AGR correlated with significantly better OS (cut off > 1.17; HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.36–0.82; p = 0.004) and higher NLR correlated with worse OS (cut off > 2.38; HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.09–2.44; p = 0.018). Conclusion NLR and AGR are useful in predicting the response to NACT as well as prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Further studies are needed to explore their value in clinical decision making.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is an unusual disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of gastrointestinal tract, peripheral eosinophilia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. There are mucosal, muscular, and subserosal types, of which the subserosal type is the rarest. We experienced a 32-year old male patient with the subserosal type of eosinophilic gastroe-nteritis, who was presented with abdominal distension. The ascitic fluid revealed increased eosinophil count. With oral prednisolone, diarrhea and ascites rapidly disappeared and eosinophils in peripheral blood returned to normal. We report this case with a review of relevant literature.
Adult ; Ascites* ; Ascitic Fluid ; Diarrhea ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Gastroenteritis* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Male ; Prednisolone