Objective To study the MRI findings in a series of intracranial hemangiopericytomas, and to compare these findings with those of intracranial meningiomas. Methods The MRI appearances and clinical features in 27 cases of intracranial hemangiopericytomas and 236 cases of intracranial meningiomas were retrospectively reviewed. All cases were proved by operation and pathology. The data were evaluated by using ? 2 test, rank sum test, and Logistic Regression. Results Sex (? 2=6 981), shape of tumor (? 2=39 949), signal voids of vessel in tumor (? 2=12 366), necrosis or cystic degeneration in tumor (? 2=37 432), the type of dural attachment ( broad based or narrow based ) (? 2=16 956), T 1WI signal intensity (? 2=14 880), T 2WI signal intensity (? 2=37 068), enhanced degree of tumor (? 2=10 081), homogeneous degree of tumor after contrast enhancement (? 2=17 014), and duration time were significant different ( P

Objective To study the MRI findings of spinal hemangioblastomas.Methods The MRI findings of spinal hemangioblastomas proved pathologically in 29 cases (20 males,9 females) were retrospectively reviewed.Results The lesions were single in 12 cases (41.4%) and multiple in 17 cases(58.6%).Seven patients combined with intracranial hemangioblastomas.On unenhanced MRI,36 tumors were isointense on T 1WI and T 2WI,16 were mixed iso-hypointense on T 1WI and mixed iso-hyperintense on T 2WI,one was hypointense on T 1WI and hyperintense on T 2WI.Small hemangioblastomas tended to be isointense on T 1WI and T 2WI.After contrast injection,all tumors enhanced markedly and homogenously with clear borders.21 tumors in 17 patients had associated vascular flow voids on T 2WI.40 tumors in 27 patients were associated with syringes or cysts.Conclusion Hemangioblastomas of the spinal cord are often multiple and in company with intracranial hemangioblastomas.The marked contrast enhancements with clear borders and associated vascular flow voids are the most important signs on MRI.

Objective To study the MRI findings of intracranial hemangiopericytomas. Methods The MRI in 27 pathologically proved cases of intracranial hemangiopericytomas were retrospectively reviewed.Results The MRI characteristics of intracranial hemangiopericytomas were as follows: (1) The tumors appeared mainly iso- and hypointense with cortical gray matter on T 1-Weighted images and iso- and hyperintense on T 2-Weighted images. The hyperintense on T 1-Weighted images and hypointense on T 2-Weighted images were unusual observed in tumors. After contrast injection,the lesions usually enhanced markedly and heterogeneously. (2) The tumors tended to be irregular multilobulated in shape. (3) More than half tumors were narrow-based dural attachment. (4) Multiple signal voids of vessel in tumors were often observed,but intratumoral calcification was not present. (5) Bone erosion was present,but hyperostosis was not present.Conclusion The MRI appearances of intracranial hemangiopericytomas are characteristic. It is helpful to get a correct diagnosis with clinical features.

Objective To investigate the presences of regulatory T cells (Treg) and natural killer T cell (NKT)-like T cells in the peripheral blood of healthy subjects and patients with newly diagnosed cancer. Methods Patients were enrolled into four groups: healthy subjects (Group A), patients without cancer (Group B), patients with newly diagnosed stage Ⅰ~Ⅱ cancer (Group C), and patients with newly diagnosed stage Ⅲ~Ⅳ cancer (Group D). Flow cytometry was performed to detect the percentage of CD4+ CD25high CD127low cells in CD4+ T lymphocytes (Treg) and the percentage of CD3+ CD56+ cells in CD3+ T lymphocytes (NKT-like). Results The percentage of Treg cells in CD4+T lymphocytes was(6.72 ± 3.16)%, (6.49 ± 2.83)%,(6.80 ± 3.07)%and (7.63 3.47)% in Group A, B, C and D, respectively, with no significant differences among these groups (P>0.05). However, the percentage of CD3+CD56+T cells in CD3+T lymphocytes was (3.13 ± 1.66)%, (2.56 ± 1.27)%,(7.22 ± 2.70)% and (7.72 ± 3.10)% in Group A, B, C and D, respectively, with marked increases in Group C and D compared to those in Group A and B (P < 0.05). Conclusion Patients with newly diagnosed cancer demonstrated increasing trends in the percentage of peripheral NKT-like cells.

INTRODUCTIONThe extent of lymph nodes (LNs) metastasis is a major determinant for the staging and the most reliable adverse prognostic factor. Primary tumours can induce lymphatics and vasculature reorganisations within sentinel LN before the arrival of cancer cells and these key blood vessels are identified as high endothelial venules (HEV). The alterations of HEV in the presence of cancer, coupled with the increased proliferation rate of the endothelial cells, results in a functional shift of HEV from immune response mediator to blood flow carrier. We aim to evaluate tumour-induced vascularisation in regional LN of cancer patients by studying the morphological and functional alterations of HEV and its correlation to clinico-pathological features.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis multi-centre study with a prospective database identified 65 consecutive patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) who underwent primary surgical treatment from 2001 to 2005. Immunohistochemical staining for HEV and image analysis were performed and analysed with correlation to the patients' clinico-pathological features.

RESULTSThe total number of HEV is significantly associated to disease-free interval when controlling for the group (P = 0.022) as well as combining both groups as one cohort (P = 0.023). There is also a similar association comparing the HEV parameters to overall survival.

CONCLUSIONOur results suggest that HEV possibly plays a key role in the pathogenesis of lymphatic and subsequent distant metastases and may provide the missing link in cancer metastasis. Confirmation of this hypothesis would offer a novel therapeutic approach to preventing metastasis by blocking the remodeling processes of HEV in LN.

Awards and Prizes ; Biomarkers ; Databases, Factual ; Endothelial Cells ; physiology ; General Surgery ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; blood supply ; pathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; diagnosis ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; Prospective Studies ; Venules ; pathology

Objective To investigate radiation resources in medical diagnosis and treatment and their use frequency in medical institutions in Hangzhou, China, and to provide a basis for relevant departments to rationally allocate and scientifically supervise the resources. Methods From April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, a survey was conducted on the basic information, radiation staff, equipment configuration, and frequency of radiation diagnosis and treatment of all medical institutions in Hangzhou using a questionnaire. Results There were 1001 institutions with radiation services in Hangzhou, with 6714 radiation staff members and 2742 pieces of radiation equipment. The frequency of conventional X-ray diagnosis was 788.43 per 1000 population. The frequency of computed tomography diagnosis was 531.93 per 1000 population. The frequency of mammography and dental photography diagnosis was 246.34 per 1000 population. The frequency of interventional diagnosis and treatment was 10.01 per 1000 population. The frequency of radiotherapy was 2.39 per 1000 population. The frequency of nuclear medicine diagnosis was 8.90 per 1000 population. The frequency of nuclear medicine treatment was 0.99 per 1000 population. Conclusion Medical institutions have developed rapidly in Hangzhou, but with an unbalanced situation. In order to better protect the health of examinees, we recommend relevant departments optimize resource allocation and strengthen supervision on radiation protection in medical institutions.

Background Noise is the most common occupational hazard in the automobile manufacturing industry with the most workers exposed. Automobile manufacturing industry is a high-risk industry for noise-induced hearing loss. Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss among workers in automobile manufacturing industry and explore related influencing factors. Methods A questionnaire survey, individual noise recording, and pure tone audiometry were conducted among workers (n=656) exposed to noise from five automobile manufacturing enterprises. The data on age, sex, exposure duration, noise intensity, kurtosis, and hearing loss were obtained. The positive rates of high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL) and speech-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (SFNIHL) were calculated, and each factor was compared between workers with and without HFNIHL. Chi-square test and analysis of trend were conducted among different groups of age, sex, exposure duration, A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level normalized to a nominal 8-hour working day (L_Aeq,8h), and kurtosis. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the factors influencing the positive rates of HFNIHL and SFNIHL. Results The exposure rates of non-Gaussian noise was 73.6%. The positive rates of HFNIHL and SFNIHL were 32.6% (214 workers) and 6.7% (44 workers), respectively. The HFNIHL workers showed older age, higher proportion of male, longer exposure duration, higher noise intensity (L_{Aeq,8 h}), and increased kurtosis than those without HFNIHL (P<0.05). The positive rates of HFNIHL increased with the increase of age, exposure duration, L_{Aeq,8 h}, and kurtosis (\begin{document}$ {\chi ^2} $\end{document}_trend-age=49.25, P<0.001; \begin{document}$ {\chi ^2} $\end{document}_{trend-duration}=22.19, P<0.001; \begin{document}$ {\chi ^2} $\end{document}_trend-LAeq=6.91, P=0.009; \begin{document}$ {\chi ^2} $\end{document}_{trend-kurtosis}=8.56, P=0.003). The results of logistic regression showed that age (OR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.67-2.71, P<0.001), sex (OR=2.29, 95%CI: 1.44-3.62, P<0.001), exposure duration (OR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.11-1.85, P=0.006), L_Aeq,8h (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.08~1.76, P=0.011), and kurtosis (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.14-1.63, P=0.001) were factors associated with the risk of HFNIHL, while only age was associated with the risk of SFNIHL (OR=2.15, 95%CI: 1.33-3.33, P=0.001). Conclusion Workers exposed to noise in automobile manufacturing industry are at a high risk of hearing loss. Age, sex, exposure duration, L_{Aeq,8 h}, and kurtosis are key influencing factors of hearing loss.

Background Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most prevalent occupational diseases in the world. With the development of industry, noise sources in the workplace have become increasingly complex. Objective To apply kurtosis-adjusted cumulative noise exposure (CNE) to assess the occupational hearing loss among furniture manufacturing workers, and to provide a basis for revising noise measurement methods and occupational exposure limits in China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted to select 694 manufacturing workers, including 542 furniture manufacturing workers exposed to non-Gaussian noise, and 152 textile manufacturing workers and paper manufacturing workers exposed to Gaussian noise. The job titles involving non-Gaussian noise were gunning and nailing, and woodworking, while those involving Gaussian noise were weaving, spinning, and pulping. High frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL) and noise exposure data were collected for each study subject. Noise energy metrics included eight-hour equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (L_{Aeq,8 h}) and CNE. Kurtosis was a noise temporal structure metric. Kurtosis-adjusted CNE was a combined indicator of noise energy and temporal structure. Results The age of the study subjects was (35.64±10.35) years, the exposure duration was (6.71±6.44) years, and the proportion of males was 75.50%. The L_{Aeq,8 h} was (89.43±6.01) dB(A). About 81.42% of the study subjects were exposed to noise levels above 85 dB(A), the CNE was (95.85±7.32) dB(A)·year, with a kurtosis of 99.34 ± 139.19, and the prevalence rate of HFNIHL was 35.59%. The mean kurtosis of the non-Gaussian noise group was higher than that of the Gaussian noise group (125.33±147.17 vs. 5.86±1.94, t=−21.04, P<0.05). The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that kurtosis was an influential factor of workers' HFNIHL after correcting for age, exposure duration, and L_{Aeq,8 h} (OR=1.49, P<0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the effects of age, exposure duration, L_{Aeq,8 h}, and kurtosis on noise-induced permanent threshold shift at frequencies of 3, 4, and 6 kHz of the poor hearing ear were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The results of chi-square trend analysis showed that when CNE ≥ 90 dB(A)·year, the HFNIHL prevalence rate elevated with increasing kurtosis (P<0.05). The mean HFNIHL prevalence rate was higher in the non-Gaussian noise group than in the Gaussian noise group (31.7% vs. 22.0%, P<0.05). After applying kurtosis-adjusted CNE, the linear equation between CNE and HFNIHL prevalence rate for the non-Gaussian noise group almost overlapped with that for the Gaussian noise group, and the mean difference in HFNIHL prevalence rate between the two groups decreased from 9.7% to 1.4% (P<0.05). Conclusion Noise kurtosis is an effective metric for NIHL evaluation. Kurtosis-adjusted CNE can effectively evaluate occupational hearing loss due to non-Gaussian noise exposure in furniture manufacturing workers, and is expected to be a new indicator of non-Gaussian noise measurement and assessment.