Objective To reconstruct the three-dimensional images of normal liver using 256-slice intelligent CT (iCT)and to measure the volume of liver and its segments.Methods 48 healthy adults underwent abdominal contrast enhancement iCT,and the images in portal venous phase were transmitted to a workstation (EBW4.5)to obtain the three-dimensional images of the liver.The total liver volume was measured,and a scatter plot was gotten between body surface area and liver volume.According to the Couinaud classification of hepatic segment ofⅠ-Ⅷ,the volume of each segment was also measured.Results The mean total liver volume in 48 adults was (1 343.2±238.3)mL,which was positively correlated with body surface area with a correlation coefficient of 0.87 and a regression equation of LV(mL)=763.0×BSA-28.6.The volume of SegmentⅠ-Ⅷ was(24.5±4.3)mL,(148.6±31.6)mL,(110.4±24.9)mL, (222.3±43.0)mL,(212.8±36.5)mL,(186.7±34.7)mL,(164.3±30.8)mL and (273.4±56.1)mL,and their percentage was (1.8±0.2)%,(11.0±1.1)%,(8.2±1.1)%,(16.6±1.4)%,(15.9±1.0)%,(13.0±1.0)%,(12.2±0.7)% and (20.3±1.5)% respec-tively.Conclusion The three-dimensional images of liver and hepatic segments can be well reconstructed by 256 slice iCT.

Objective To improve the quality of the clinical hematologic examination laboratories in national free preconception health examination project by using randomized blind sample test in the external quality assessment (EQA ) schemes .Methods Blind samples for clinical hematologic examination were prepared as higher ,middle ,lower three levels .Samples were dispensed in u‐nified way which included 4 times conventional EQA and in random way which included 1 time blind sample test .Samples will be tested by Clinical hematologic examination laboratories in national free preconception health examination project .The feedback re‐sults were summarized and analyzed by EQA organizer .Results In 4 times of conventional EQA ,the rates of accepted score of 134 laboratories were 72 .4% ,97 .8% ,97 .0% and 98 .5% respectively .The rates of accepted score in last three times were statistically significant higher than that in the first time(P<0 .05) .However ,the rates of accepted score (84 .3% ) in randomized blind sample test were significant lower than that(97 .0% ) in conventional EQA which was conducted at the same time(P<0 .05) .Conclusion The use of randomized blind sample test may help the EQA organizer to find the problems in laboratories participated EQA and find effective way to improve the quality of the laboratories .

_ Objective_ To analyze the relationship between the fasting plasma glucose ( FPG ) of pre-pregnancy women and occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus( GDM) , and to explore the value of risk evaluation of GDM by lowerling cut-point for impaired fasting glucose ( IFG ) . Methods The general clinic check information before pregnancy, the plasma glucose levels during 24-28 weeks of pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes were collected prospectively in Weifang and Zhucheng Maternal and Child Health Hospital between February 2014 and November 2014. The FPG levels of the recruited women were lower than 6. 1 mmol/L. According to the criteria for GDM of Ministry of Health (MOH)of China in 2011, and based on the results of 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, pregnant women who underwent screening for GDM were recruited and separated into normal group and GDM group. Based on the FPG levels before pregnancy and according to the recommendation as American Diabetes Association ( ADA ) suggested in 2003, recruited women with normal FPG level according to World Health Organization ( WHO) criteria (1999)were divided into 5. 6-6. 1 mmol/L and<5. 6 mmol/L groups. Results Among the child-bearing age women with FPG<6. 1 mmol/L, the incidences of GDM and macrosomia were 19. 2% and 8. 2% respectively. In the group with FPG between 5. 6 and 6. 1 mmol/L, incidences of GDM and macrosomia were 34. 2% and 4. 7%respectively. While in the group with FPG<5. 6 mmol/L, incidences of GDM and macrosomia were 13. 2% and 15. 3% respectively. The risks of GDM and macrosomia were increased by 2. 6 times and 3. 3 times respectively in group with FPG between 5. 6 and 6. 1 mmol/L (34. 5%), compared with that in group with FPG<5. 6 mmol/L(P<0. 01). Age, FPG, and body mass index before pregnancy in GDM group were significantly higher than those in normal group. The receiver operating characteristic curves in predicting GDM showed that the optimum cut-points for age, FPG, and body mass index were 30 years old, 5. 55 mmol/L, and 23. 7 kg/m2 respectively. Conclusions The risk of GDM in childbearing aged women with FPG from 5. 55 to 6. 10 mmol/L was markedly increased. The optimum cut-point for FPG (5. 55 mmol/L) in predicting GDM was close to the low limit for IFG (5. 6 mmol/L) suggested by ADA in 2003. Decreasing the lower limit of IFG to 5. 6 mmol/L among women who checked before pregnancy and paying attention to those women with FPG from 5. 6 to 6. 1 mmol/L would have advantage to the evaluation and prevention of GDM.

Objective To explore the value of intravoxel incoherent motion DWI (IVIM-DWI) combined with single-voxel MRS in distinguishing osteoporotic fractures from metastatic vertebral compression fractures.Methods Totally 70 patients with vertebral compression fractures,who underwent CT scanner were enrolled.The patients were divided into osteoporotic group or metastatic group based on pathological results or clinical follow-up.All patients underwent conventional sagittal T1W,T2W,STIR,IVIM-DWI and single-voxel MRS scanning.Relative peak areas of the signal of water at 4.7 ppm and lipid at 1.3 ppm were determined.IVIM-DWI parameters (diffusion coefficient [D],pseudo diffusion [D*],perfusion fraction [f]) and MRS parameters (lipid water ratio [LWR],fat fraction [FF]) were also recorded.The diagnostic performance of MRS,IVIM-DWI,as well as MRS combined with IVIM-DWI in distinguishing osteoporotic fractures from metastatic vertebral compression fractures were evaluated by using ROC curve,and the area under curve (AUC) was calculated.Results The f,D and FF in metastatic group were significantly lower than those in osteoporotic group,while D* in metastatic group was significantly higher than that in osteoporotic group (all P＜0.05).The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy in differentiating osteoporotic fractures from metastatic vertebral compression fractures was 87.50％ (28/32),57.89 (22/38) and 71.43％ (50/70) of MRS,78.13％ (25/32),89.47％ (34/38) and 84.28％ (59/70) of IVIM-DWI,90.63％ (29/32),97.37％ (37/38) and 94.29％ (66/70) of MRS combining with IVIM-DWI,respectively.AUC of MRS,IVIM-DWI,as well as MRS combined with IVIM-DWI was 0.73,0.88 and 0.94 (all P ＜0.05),respectively.Conclusion Combination of IVIM-DWI and MRS can improve the diagnostic efficiency of differentiating osteoporotic fractures from metastatic vertebral compression fractures.

Objective: To explore the difference of liver inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and to investigate the relationship between hepatic pathology and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Methods: 57 patients with chronic HCV infection and 346 patients with chronic HBV infection who were hospitalized at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2012 to September 2016 were enrolled. In chronic HBV infection, including 88 cases whose ALT were more than two times of upper limited of normal (ALT≥2×ULN) and 258 cases whose ALT were less than two times of upper limited of normal (ALT < 2×ULN).All the patients were underwent liver biopsy. Chronic HBV infection (ALT≥2×ULN and ALT < 2×ULN) and chronic HCV infection were compared respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using a Univariate χ²-test and Mann–Whitney U test for comparison. Correlations between variables were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation. Results: In chronic HBV infection group, 169 cases (48.8%) had inflammation grade≥2 (G≥2), 98 cases (28.3%) had fibrosis stage≥2 (S≥2), 81 cases (23.4%) with G≥2 and S≥2.In the ALT < 2×ULN group, there were 109 cases (42.2%) with G≥2, 62 cases (24%) with S≥2, 49 cases (19%) with G≥2 and S≥2. In the ALT≥2×ULN group, 60 cases (68.2%) with G≥2, 35 cases (39.8%) with S≥2, 31 cases (35.2%) with G≥2 and S≥2. The grade of inflammation and fibrosis have significantly different between ALT≥2×ULN group and ALT < 2×ULN group (χ² = 17.66, χ² = 8.06, P < 0.01). In chronic HCV infection group, 47 cases (82.5%) with G≥2, 20 cases (35.1%) with S≥2, 20 cases (35.1%) with G≥2 and S≥2. ALT had no correlation with inflammation and fibrosis (P > 0.05). The grade of inflammation was significantly different between chronic HCV infection and chronic HBV infection whose ALT < 2×ULN (χ² = 30.19, P < 0.01) but the fibrosis have no difference (χ² = 2.96, P > 0.05). Compared with chronic HBV infection whose ALT≥2×ULN, both inflammation and fibrosis had no significantly different (χ² = 3.65, χ² = 0.32, P > 0.05 respectively). Conclusion In chronic HBV infection whose ALT < 2×ULN, about 30%-40% liver tissue with significant necroinflammation and /or fibrosis. About 80% chronic HCV infection with significant necroinflammation, and the grade of inflammation has no correlation with ALT. The grade of inflammation has significantly different between chronic HCV infection group and chronic HBV infection group whose ALT < 2×ULN.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of pathogenic bacteria of bloodstream infection after chemotherapy in patients with acute leukemia (AL), to analyze the risk factors for the occurrence of adverse events and to construct a nomogram model to predict the occurrence of adverse events.Methods:The clinical data of 313 AL patients with bloodstream infection who were admitted to the First Hospital of Jilin University from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the incidence, fatality and distribution characteristics of pathogenic bacteria after chemotherapy in AL patients were analyzed; the occurrence of adverse events (death or infectious shock) in patients with different clinicopathological characteristics were compared. Unconditional logistic binary regression model multifactor analysis was used to screen independent risk factors for the occurrence of adverse events in AL patients with bloodstream infection after chemotherapy; the nomogram model for predicting the occurrence of adverse events was developed by using R software; the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to verify the predictive effect of the model.Results:Of the 313 AL patients, the overall fatality rate was 4.2% (13/313), the all-cause fatality rate of bloodstream infection was 3.5% (11/313). Of the 313 cases, 254 cases (81.1%) were Gram-negative bacteria infection, mainly including 115 cases (45.3%) of Escherichia coli, 80 cases (31.5%) of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 29 cases (11.4%) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 10 cases (3.9%) died; 51 cases (16.3%) were Gram-positive cocci infection, mainly including 22 cases (43.1%) of Streptococcus spp., 20 cases (39.2%) of Staphylococcus spp., 7 cases (13.7%) of Enterococcus faecalis, and 0 case died; 8 cases (2.6%) were fungal infection, including 4 cases (1.3%) of Candida tropicalis, 2 cases (0.6%) of Candida subsmoothis, 1 case (0.3%) of Candida smooth, 1 case (0.3%) of new Cryptococcus, and 3 cases (37.5%) died. The differences in the occurrence rates of adverse events were statistically significant when comparing different treatment stage, risk stratification, timing of sensitive antibiotic use, total duration of fever, and glucocorticoid use in chemotherapy regimen, infecting bacteria carbapenem resistance, and leukemia remission (all P < 0.05). The results of logistic binary regression analysis showed that the use of glucocorticoid in chemotherapy regimen, the total duration of fever ≥7 d, the timing of sensitive antibiotic use ≥24 h, and carbapenem resistance of the infecting bacteria were independent risk factors for the occurrence of adverse events in AL patients with bloodstream infection after chemotherapy (all P < 0.05). A nomogram prediction model for the occurrence of adverse events in AL patients with bloodstream infection was established, and the nomogram model was calibrated and validated with good calibration and discrimination. Conclusions:The pathogenic bacteria of bloodstream infection after chemotherapy in AL patients is mainly Gram-negative bacteria, and the presence of glucocorticoid in chemotherapy regimen, long total duration of fever, poor timing of sensitive antibiotics, and infecting bacteria carbapenem resistance are risk factors for the occurrence of adverse events in AL patients with bloodstream infection after chemotherapy, and the nomogram prediction model based on these factors has a reliable predictive ability for the occurrence of adverse events.

OBJECTIVEThrough a prospective cohort study, to assess the clinical efficacy of methylprednisolone (MP) and dexamethasone (DXM) in treatment of all-frequency sudden hearing loss.

METHODSA total of 76 cases of all-frequency sudden hearing loss were included in this study and divided into two groups. The MP group (n = 40) was treated with MP 40 mg qd, for 5 days, combined with conventional treatment. The DXM group (n = 36) was treated with DXM 10 mg qd, for 5 days, combined with conventional treatment. The total period of treatment was 14 days.

RESULTSAfter the treatment for 14 days, in the MP group,17 cases were cured (42.5%), 7 cases were markedly improved (17.5%), 9 cases were effective (22.5%), and 7 cases were invalid (17.5%), the total effective rate was 82.5%. As for the patients in the DXM group, 13 cases were cured (36.1%), 6 cases were markedly improved (16.7%), 8 cases were effective (24.2%), and 9 cases were invalid (25%), the total effective rate was 75.0%. The pure tone audiometry in all-frequency was improved (31.5 ± 17.8) dB in the MP group, and (33.1 ± 24.2) dB in the DXM group. The speech recognition rate was improved (41.7 ± 29.8) %, and (42.0 ± 39.1) % in the DXM group. There were no significant differences between two groups.

CONCLUSIONThere is no significant difference of therapeutic efficacy between the low-dose MP group and High-dose DXM group.

Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Dexamethasone ; therapeutic use ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Speech Perception

Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) represents a variety of sensorineural deafness conditions characterized by abnormal inner hair cells and/or auditory nerve function, but with the preservation of outer hair cell function. ANSD represents up to 15% of individuals with hearing impairments. Through mutation screening, bioinformatic analysis and expression studies, we have previously identified several apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) mitochondria-associated 1 (AIFM1) variants in ANSD families and in some other sporadic cases. Here, to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms underlying each AIFM1 variant, we generated AIF-null cells using the clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system and constructed AIF-wild type (WT) and AIF-mutant (mut) (p.‍T260A, p.‍R422W, and p.‍R451Q) stable transfection cell lines. We then analyzed AIF structure, coenzyme-binding affinity, apoptosis, and other aspects. Results revealed that these variants resulted in impaired dimerization, compromising AIF function. The reduction reaction of AIF variants had proceeded slower than that of AIF-WT. The average levels of AIF dimerization in AIF variant cells were only 34.5%‍‒‍49.7% of that of AIF-WT cells, resulting in caspase-independent apoptosis. The average percentage of apoptotic cells in the variants was 12.3%‍‒‍17.9%, which was significantly higher than that (6.9%‍‒‍7.4%) in controls. However, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) treatment promoted the reduction of apoptosis by rescuing AIF dimerization in AIF variant cells. Our findings show that the impairment of AIF dimerization by AIFM1 variants causes apoptosis contributing to ANSD, and introduce NADH as a potential drug for ANSD treatment. Our results help elucidate the mechanisms of ANSD and may lead to the provision of novel therapies.
Humans ; Apoptosis Inducing Factor/metabolism* ; NAD/metabolism* ; Dimerization ; Apoptosis