Longitudinal strain (LS) acquired by speckle tracking echocardiography can detect subtle changes of myocardial systolic function prior to left ventricular ejection fraction, which is clinically useful in predicting mortality and symptom development in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) after aortic valve replacement (AVR). The status of LS in assessing myocardial mechanics in severe AS patients undergoing AVR were reviewed in this article.

The early diagnosis, efficacy and prognosis evaluation of digestive malignant neoplasms are still difficult problems in the medical field. CT texture analysis (CTTA) is a new imaging post-processing technique, also an emerging area of radiomics. In recent years, CTTA has been widely used in digestive system neoplasms' classification, treatment efficacy evaluation, survival assessment and so on, having more advantages than conventional morphological evaluation. The application progresses of CTTA in diagnosis of digestive malignant neoplasms were reviewed in this article.

In recent years, pulmonary drug delivery as an attractive non-invasive administration way has been gaining intensive attention. The market for inhalable therapy has constantly grown over past years. Various particle engineering techniques have been employed to exploit the drug particles or drug-loaded particles used for pulmonary delivery with suitable physical properties. Those tailor-made inhalable particles offer the possibility of efficient delivering to lungs and the most optimal therapeutic outcomes. This review highlights the deposition mechanism of particles in lungs and several particle engineering techniques for pulmonary drug delivery, in particular two novel techniques PulmoSphere™ and TechnoSphere™, which have been used in the marketed products.

BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of ITP (ifosfamide + perarubicin + cisplatin) and NP (vinorelbine + cisplatin) regimens in the treatment of advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSOne hundred inoperatable or recurrent patients with stage III and IV NSCLC were randomized into ITP group and NP group treated by the two regimens responsively for 2 or 3 cycles.

RESULTSThe overall response rate was 51.5% for ITP group and 50.9% for the NP group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference of the overall response rate between the two groups ( P > 0.05). The major side effects were leukopenia and gastrointestinal reaction. The leukopenia incidence was higher in ITP group than that in NC group ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth ITP and NP regimens are effective for the advanced NSCLC. Compared with ITP regimen, NP regimen has less bone marrow toxicity than ITP regimen.

Animals ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Energy Metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism

In clinical practice, incubators can contribute to better diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Currently, insulation medical equipment used for the newborn are mainly warm-boxes. With the use popularity of warm-boxes in the country, medical accidents caused by improper use are on the increase. According to neonatal insulation technology and standardized management of practice, this article puts forward technical requirements of infant incubators with constant temperature and humidity, operation regulations and management specifications to better regulate the use of such devices. Meanwhile, it also suggests national related departments to formulate "incubator technology management norms" and "warm-box technology and practice", intending to standardize industry behaviors and ensure medical safety.
Humans ; Incubators, Infant ; standards ; Infant, Newborn ; Materials Management, Hospital ; organization & administration ; Safety Management ; Temperature

Adult ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree ; Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary ; diagnosis ; genetics ; physiopathology

A 39-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease, which was maintained on haemodialysis, developed secondary haemochromatosis after receiving blood transfusions and intravenous iron supplementation without sufficient serum ferritin concentration monitoring. The patient received intravenous deferoxamine three times a week, combined with high-dose recombinant human erythropoietin therapy and haemodialysis. After three months, improvements in biochemical indicators and iron overload were noted.
Adult ; Chelating Agents ; chemistry ; Erythropoietin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Ferritins ; blood ; Hemochromatosis ; complications ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; complications ; therapy ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Renal Dialysis ; adverse effects ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Transferrin ; chemistry ; Transfusion Reaction ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVESkeletal and dental changes during treatment and six months post-treatment with the headgear-Herbst appliance were evaluated quantitatively.

METHODSThe sample comprised of 22 treated patients and 31 controls. Lateral cephalograms were obtained at start, after 6 months and end of active treatment, and after 6 months of retention.

RESULTSThe restraint effect on the maxilla was significant in both initial and late phases, the enhanced growth of the mandible was significant during the initial phase only, while there was effect of reduced increase in lower facial height during the late phase only. During retention period the jaw base relationship was maintained and the effect on the lower facial height was reinforced.

CONCLUSIONThe Headgear Herbst was effective orthopedic devise.

Adolescent ; Child ; Extraoral Traction Appliances ; Humans ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; therapy ; Mandibular Advancement ; methods ; Orthodontic Appliances, Functional ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

According to the clinical needs of treatment for the carpal tunnel syndrome, a transparent combined dilation conductor was developed for the endoscopic carpal tunnel release. There are kinds of characters for this conductor: good photo permeability, facility to operation, easy to use, no toxic effect, low system cost etc.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; surgery ; Humans ; Tissue Expansion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Tissue Expansion Devices ; Treatment Outcome