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OBJECTIVE@#To explore the improvement effect of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (Cxcr4) gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived exosomes on aplastic anemia (AA), and make a preliminary exploration of the mechanism.@*METHODS@#Mouse BMSCs were isolated and cultured, then infected by recombinant lentivirus carrying Cxcr4 gene. The expression of green fluorescence was observed through fluorescence microscope, the expression of Cxcr4 mRNA was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the BMSC-derived exosomes modified with Cxcr4 gene were extracted. Mouse models of AA were constructed, and control group, model group (AA), AA+BMSC group, AA+NC-BMSC group, AA+Cxcr4-BMSC group were set up. Except control group and model group, the other three groups of mice were injected 400 μl exosomes from different sources via the tail vein, after 2 weeks, the routine blood indices and the number of bone marrow nucleated cells were detected, the pathological changes of bone marrow were observed by HE staining, and the expression level of Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry.@*RESULTS@#Mouse BMSCs were successfully isolated, and BMSCs with high expression of Cxcr4 and their exosomes were obtained. Compared with the control group, the number of red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), and platelet (PLT), the hemoglobin (Hb) content and proportion of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of mice in the model group significantly decreased (P<0.01), as well as the number of bone marrow nucleated cells (P<0.01). The proliferation level of nucleated cells was low, and the medullary cavity was filled with a large number of fat cells. Compared with the model group, the number of RBC, WBC, PLT, the Hb content and proportion of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of mice in the AA+BMSC group, AA+NC-BMSC group, and AA+Cxcr4-BMSC group significantly increased (P<0.01), as well as the number of bone marrow nucleated cells (P<0.01), and pathological changes of bone marrow were improved. In addition, the number of RBC, WBC, PLT, the Hb content and proportion of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of mice in the AA+Cxcr4-BMSC group were significantly higher than those in the AA+BMSC group (P<0.01), as well as the number of bone marrow nucleated cells (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Injection of Cxcr4 gene-modified BMSC-derived exosomes has a certain improvement effect on AA mice, and the mechanism may be related to an increase of the proportion of Treg cells.
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Animals , Humans , Mice , Anemia, Aplastic/metabolism , Bone Marrow Cells , Exosomes/metabolism , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Receptors, CXCR4ABSTRACT
Artificial intelligence (AI) represents the latest wave of computer revolution and is considered revolutionary technology in many industries including healthcare. AI has been applied in medical imaging mainly due to the improvement of computational learning,big data mining,and innovations of neural network architecture. AI can improve the efficiency and accuracy of imaging diagnosis and reduce medical cost;also,it can be used to predict the disease risk. In this article we summarize and analyze the application of AI in musculoskeletal imaging.
Subject(s)
Humans , Artificial Intelligence , Musculoskeletal System , Diagnostic Imaging , Neural Networks, ComputerABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the value of CT spectral curve in differentiating spinal tumor metastasis (STM) from spinal infections (SI).@*METHODS@#In the study, 29 STM and 18 SI patients proved pathologically and clinically were examined by dual energy spectral CT (DESCT). The monochromatic images and CT spectral curves were generated automatically by GSI Viewer software. The attenuation values at different energy levels (40-140 keV, every 10 keV), the attenuation values of the lesions on the conventional polychromatic CT images and the gradients of the curve were calculated and compared between STM and SI.@*RESULTS@#The median age of STM and SI (58 years vs. 64 years) were not significantly different (U=171, P=0.4). The attenuation values of STM at 40-100 keV were 281.79 (143.67, 446.19) HU, 199.68 (100.04, 321.49) HU, 151.54 (81.47, 243.49) HU, (122.64±27.72) HU, (99.90±23.88) HU, (85.82±21.61) HU, and (75.94±20.27) HU, respectively, which were significantly higher than SI: 185.29 (164.19, 277.03) HU, 138.44 (124.98, 238.56) HU, 105.46 (92.94, 169.53) HU, (93.77±15.55) HU, (79.15±12.84) HU, (68.99±11.75) HU, and (62.22±11.71) HU (all P < 0.05). The attenuation values at 110-140 keV and the attenuation value on the conventional CT images were not significantly different between STM and SI. The gradient of CT spectral curve of STM was 2.43±0.58, which was higher than the value of 1.50±0.40 for SI (P < 0.001). Using 1.72 and 248.80 HU as the threshold value for CT spectral curve slope and the attenuation value at 40 keV, could obtain the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.905 and 0.892, sensitivity of 88.0% and 80.0%, and specificity of 76.9% and 92.3%.@*CONCLUSION@#CT spectral curve provides valuable semi-quantitative information for the differential diagnosis of STM and SI, which can be used as a supplement to traditional CT imaging.
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Humans , Middle Aged , Diagnosis, Differential , ROC Curve , Sensitivity and Specificity , Spinal Cord Neoplasms , Spinal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
The category Ⅱ fetal heart rate(FHR)tracings,which have various forms,are the common patterns of electronic fetal monitoring(EFM)during labor.The correct identification and assessment of categoryⅡ FHR tracings,as well as the targeted intervention according to specific clinical conditions,can reduce the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.This article introduces the intrapartum management process of categoryⅡFHR tracings according to the three-tier system for the categorization of intrapartum EFM,and expounds the causes and intervention measures of different types of categoryⅡFHR tracings,so as to guide clinical practice.
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Objective:To investigate the compatible stability of Xingnaojing injection in combination with 9 common medicines, and to provide a reference for clinical application of this injection. Method:According to the clinical application, Xingnaojing injection was mixed with 9 common medicines and placed in the room under dark and light conditions for 6 h. The appearance of compatible solutions was observed, and the HPLC fingerprint was analyzed by similarity evaluation and principal component analysis(PCA). Result:There were no significant changes in the appearance of compatibility of Xingnaojing injection and 9 common medicines, including piracetam and sodium chloride injection, sodium chloride injection and others. The similarities of fingerprint among compatibility of Xingnaojing injection and 9 common medicines were >0.98 at 0 h of compatibility, 6 h of placement and 6 h of illumination. The results of PCA showed that 9 groups of compatible solutions were clustered into 2 categories, the compatibility of Xingnaojing injection and 8 groups including piracetam and sodium chloride injection clustered into one category, and the relative peak areas of the characteristic components of Xingnaojing injection did not change significantly after compatibility, the compatibility of Xingnaojing injection and Danshen Chuanxiongqin injection clustered into another category, the relative peak areas of some characteristic components of Xingnaojing injection increased after compatibility of 0 h and 6 h,and it was more obvious after 6 h of illumination. Conclusion:The compatibility of Xingnaojing injection and 8 common medicines including piracetam and sodium chloride injection has good stability, while the compatibility has stability problems after Xingnaojing injection mixed with Danshen Chuanxiongqin injection. It is suggested that clinical attention should be paid to their compatibility and rational combination of medicines.
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Objective:To carry out the risk assessment on the factors in the process of granulation fluidized bed of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) by using failure model and effect analysis(FMEA) and Bayesian network(BN), in order to effectively control risk factors and improve product quality. Method:The risk analysis of the fluidized bed granulation process was carried out by FMEA and the selected medium risk and high risk factors were taken as the main control points, the corresponding BN was established. The sensitivity analysis was used to screen out the main risk factors affecting particle fluidity, particle size uniformity, solubility and product cleanliness, the occurrence probability of each risk factor was determined by the evidence of unqualified particle quality, finally, taking fluidized bed granulation process of Sanye tablets as an example, the FMEA and BN were combined into the risk assessment process to verify the effectiveness and reliability of the method. Result:Based on the middle and high risk points of fluidized bed process, particle size of raw materials, moisture content and hygroscopicity of raw materials, dosage, concentration and addition amount of binder, cleaning degree and integrity of collection bag, and nozzle position, which were selected by FMEA, a fluidized bed granulation risk network with causality was constructed. Among them, hygroscopicity of raw materials, concentration and addition amount of binder, inlet temperature and atomization pressure were high probability risk factors, and the probability of occurrence were 55%, 63%, 59%and 58%, respectively. According to the Bayesian risk relationship network which controlled Sanye tablets fluidized bed granulation analysis results showed that the P values of inlet temperature, atomization pressure and concentration of binder were 0.003 4, 0.032 6 and 0.041 8, respectively in the regression model of influencing factors and particle size uniformity, indicating that there was a significant correlation between the three factors and the particle quality, which was basically consistent with the conclusion obtained by FMEA-BN method. Conclusion:The combination of FMEA and BN for visualized risk assessment of fluidized bed granulation helps to effectively control the risk factors in the granulation process, reduce product quality risks and provide strong support for the improvement of granulation process of TCM.
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OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy and safety of salvianolate in elderly patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP).@*METHODS@#A prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled multicenter trial in elderly patients with UAP from 13 third-grade class-A hospitals in China was performed. A total of 318 patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to an experimental group (160 patients) and a control group (158 patients). The experimental group was treated with salvianolate for 14 days on the basis of conventional medicine, and the control group was given a placebo for 14 days with the same criteria. Follow-up was lasted 28 days in both groups. The primary endpoint was biweekly frequency of angina pectoris attacks. The secondary endpoints included biweekly dosage of nitroglycerin, the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, angina pectoris severity and duration, myocardial injury markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), as well as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Safety was assessed according to adverse events and serious adverse events.@*RESULTS@#Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. Compared with those in the control group, the frequency of biweekly angina attacks (2.92 vs . 4.08, P=0.025), the biweekly dosage of nitroglycerin, as well as the severity and duration of angina attacks (P<0.01) were reduced by salvianolate. The Seattle Angina Questionnaire score was also significantly improved in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to the incidence of MACEs. Salvianolate was well tolerated.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Salvianolate appear to have efficacy and well tolerated for elderly patients with UAP. [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03037047].
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OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with comorbid hypertension in depression using 3D pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (3D pcASL) and to compare the differences of CBF values in depression, hypertension, and comorbid hypertension between depression and healthy control groups. To investigate the correlation between CBF values and degrees of depression.@*METHODS@#Sixteen patients with depression (depression group, 3 males and 13 females, age range of 42-72 years old), sixteen patients with hypertension (hypertension group, 3 males and 13 females, age range of 41-68 years old), sixteen patients with comorbid hypertension in depression (comorbidity group, 3 males and 13 females, age range of 45-74 years old), and sixteen healthy controls (control group, 3 males and 13 females, age range of 43-68 years old) were recruited. 3D pcASL sequence was performed by GE 3.0T magnetic resonance scanner and CBF map was generated automatically. Statistical parametric mapping (SPM8) was performed to preprocess the CBF map, which was spatially normalized and smoothed. Comparison of the CBF values among the four groups was conducted by ANOVA. Correlation between the average CBF values in areas of decreased CBF and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) was investigated.@*RESULTS@#The patients with comorbid hypertension in depression demonstrated lower CBF in bilateral superior frontal gyri, middle frontal gyri, inferior frontal gyri, right superior parietal gyrus, right inferior parietal gyrus, right supramarginal gyrus, left caudate nucleus and left insula lobe in comparison with the controls. Compared with control group, CBF values decreased in bilateral frontal lobes, but did not reach statistical significance. There were no significant differences of CBF values between the patients with hypertension and control subjects. Compared with depression, the patients with comorbid hypertension in depression showed lower CBF values in bilateral frontal lobes and right supramarginal gyrus. Compared with hypertension, lower CBF values in left middle frontal gyrus in the patients with comorbid hypertension in depression were shown. Correlation analysis indicated that no correlation between CBF values and scores of HAMD-17 was shown.@*CONCLUSION@#Although there were no significant decreases of CBF values in patients with depression and hypertension, regional hypoperfusions were observed in patients with comorbid hypertension in depression. Hypertension might play a synergistic action on cerebral hypoperfusion in patients with comorbid hypertension in depression.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Brain , Cerebrovascular Circulation , Comorbidity , Depression , Hypertension , Magnetic Resonance ImagingABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for evaluating the activity of sacroiliitis in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Methods Totally 73 AS patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into active group (n=43) and chronic group (n=30) according to Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) scores and laboratory findings. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DWI were performed in all subjects. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of subchondral lesions in sacroiliac joint were independently measured by two radiologists,and the relative ADC (rADC) values were calculated. ADC and rADC values were compared between active and chronic groups. The efficiencies of ADC and rADC values for differentiating the activity of sacroiliitis were analyzed. In addition,the correlation coefficients of ADC values,rADC values,and BASDAI scores were calculated.Results The ADC and rADC values in the active group were (0.667±0.122)×10 mm /s and (1.715±0.343)×10 mm /s,respectively,which were significantly higher than those of the chronic group [(0.492±0.0651)×10 mm /s and (1.289±0.209)×10 mm /s,respectively)] (P0.81. The correlation coefficients of ADC value and rADC value with BASDAI scores were 0.82 and 0.80,respectively (P<0.0001). The optimal cutoff values of ADC value and rADC value for differentiating AS activity were 0.545×10 mm /s and 1.467×10 mm /s,respectively,The specificity was 81.8% for both indicators,and the sensitivity was 92.0% and 88.0%,respectively.Conclusion DWI is helpful in the quantitative assessment of the activity of sacroiliitis in AS patients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Sacroiliitis , Diagnostic Imaging , Sensitivity and Specificity , Spondylitis, Ankylosing , Diagnostic ImagingABSTRACT
AIM:To investigate the changes of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase(SCAD)in hypertensive vascular remodeling and to explore the relationship between SCAD and vascular remodeling in hypertension.METHODS:The spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR;24 weeks old)and Wistar rats(24 weeks old)were used as experimental con-trol groups.The SHR and Wistar rats of 16 weeks old were trained by swimming as experimental groups.The systolic pres-sure was measured periodically.The thickness of vascular wall and the diameter of the vascular lumen were measured.The contents of ROS and ATP,the enzyme activity of SCAD, and the expression of SCAD at mRNA and protein levels in the aorta were determined.The free fatty acid in the serum and aorta was also measured.RESULTS:Compared with Wistar group,the diameter of vascular lumen decreased in SHR group.The thickness of vascular wall,the ratio of vascular wall and the diameter of vascular lumen,and the blood pressure in SHR group were increased significantly(P<0.05).Com-pared with SHR group,the diameter of vascular lumen increased in SHR +swim group.The thickness of vascular wall,the ratio of vascular wall and the diameter of vascular lumen,and the blood pressure in SHR +swim group were decreased sig-nificantly.Compared with control group, the expression of SCAD at mRNA and protein levels, the enzyme activity of SCAD,and the content of ATP were decreased in SHR group.However,the free fatty acid in the serum and aorta,and the content of ROS in the aorta were increased in SHR group.The expression of SCAD at mRNA and protein levels,the en-zyme activity of SCAD,the content of ATP were increased in Wistar +swim group and SHR +swim group.However, the free fatty acid in serum and aorta,and the content of ROS in the aorta were decreased in Wistar +swim group and SHR+swim group.CONCLUSION: Decrease in SCAD expression may be associated with hypertensive vascular remodeling. Swimming training can reverse hypertensive vascular remodeling by increasing the expression of SCAD in the aorta.
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<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Numerous studies have investigated the influence of osseous factors on patellofemoral joint instability, but research on the influence of dynamic muscle factors in vivo is still in the exploratory stage. This study aimed to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate vastus medialis oblique (VMO) fiber bundles in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation to explore the changes in muscle morphology and function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This prospective study involved 30 patients (7 males and 23 females; average age, 21.4 ± 3.8 years) clinically diagnosed with recurrent patellar dislocation in Peking University Third Hospital and 30 healthy volunteers matched for age, sex, and body mass index in our medical school between January 2014 and October 2014. None of the patients had a recent history of traumatic patellar dislocation or transient patellar dislocation. All patients underwent conventional MRI and DTI of the knee. The cross-sectional area of the VMO on MRI and the fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and primary (λ1), secondary (λ2), and three-level characteristic (λ3) values on DTI were measured. The independent-samples t-test was used to compare these parameters between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the patient group showed significantly higher FA values (0.39 ± 0.05 vs. 0.33 ± 0.03) and significantly lower ADC (1.51 ± 0.13 vs. 1.58 ± 0.07), λ2 (4.96 ± 0.13 vs. 5.04 ± 0.07), and λ3 values (4.44 ± 0.14 vs. 4.58 ± 0.07; t = 5.99, t = -2.58, t = -3.02, and t = -4.88, respectively; all P < 0.05). Cross-sectional VMO area and λ1 values did not differ between the two groups (t = -1.82 and t = 0.22, respectively; both P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The functional status of the VMO is closely associated with recurrent patellar dislocation. MRI, especially DTI (FA, ADC, λ2, and λ3), can detect early changes in VMO function and might facilitate the noninvasive monitoring of the functional status of the VMO in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Diffusion Tensor Imaging , Methods , Knee Joint , Pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Patella , Pathology , Patellar Dislocation , Diagnosis , Prospective Studies , Quadriceps Muscle , Pathology , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
The inclusion complex of cordycepin ( COR ) with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin ( HPβCD ) was prepared by the method of saturated solution. The inclusion of HPβCD with COR in aqueous solution was studied by UV-vis spectroscopy, and the inclusion ratio of COR/HPβCD complex was determined with the Job plots. The COR/HPβCD complex was characterized and determined by means of 1 H NMR and 2D NMR, differential scanning calorimetry ( DSC ) , thermogravimetric analysis ( TG ) , X-ray diffraction ( XRD ) , Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ( FTIR) and scanning electron microscope ( SEM) . The results showed that the COR/HPβCD complex ratio was 1:1 and the water solubility and stability of COR were obviously increased in the inclusion complex with HPβCD. The COR/HPβCD complex will be potentially useful for its medical application.
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Objective To assess the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the grading of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee.Methods Totally 47 patients with OCD of the knee confirmed by arthroscopy were retrospectively enrolled in this study.The OCD lesions were classified into four stages according to classification system of the International Cartilage Repair Society.Two radiologists analyzed all MRI findings independently,and the results were compared with those of arthroscopy.Sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy were calculated.Kappa value were calculated to quantify inter-observer agreement of the diagnostic OCD grade between two doctors by MRI.Specificity,sensitivity,and accuracy of MRI criteria indicating instability for detection of OCD instability were calculated.Results Of these 47 patients with 48 OCD lesions,stages Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅲ lesions were detected in 4,8,16,and 20 patients,respectively.The specificity,sensitivity,and accuracy for the diagnosis of OCD stability were 75.0% (83.3%),88.9% (86.1%),and 85.4% (85.4%) for observer l (2),and the agreement of OCD grade between these two readers was substantial with a Kappa value of 0.82.The specificity,sensitivity,and accuracy of MRI criteria for the detection of OCD instability including high T2 signal intensity at the interface between the OCD and the underlying bone,multiple cysts or a single cyst of>5 mm in diameter surrounding OCD lesions,high T2 signal intensity cartilage fracture line traversing the articular cartilage,and osteochondral defect were 83.3%,80.6%,and 81.3%;75.0%,72.2%,and 72.9%;66.7%,69.4%,and 68.8%;100%,86.1%,and 89.6%,respectively. Conclusions Osteochondral defect is the most specific MRI sign for diagnosing instable OCD of the knee,whereas osteochondral fracture line has the lowest accuracy.MRI is a useful method to evaluate the grade and stability of OCD of the knee.
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Objective:for the full implementation of the "national price of medical services specification (hereinafter referred to as the 2012 edition of "standard".Method:through the Excel table of survey data analysis and summary,experts and industry representatives to demonstrate.Results:2012 edition of" standard "in the laboratory diagnosis of a total of 1 104,the city of Tianjin City 646 docking;laboratory diagnosis fees 1465,after consulting the various medical institutions in Tianjin city and to test the use of 1 121 experts to discuss docking,natural selection 274,not 70 docking docking;646 TCM Paul 606.Conclusion:Tianjin laboratory diagnosis project and the 2012 edition of" standard "docking pricing to take full account of health care and patients bearing avoid leading ability,and the current project pricing method,the operation conditions of big data investigation preliminary.
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Objective· To evaluate the efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)patients with uncommon EGFR 21L861Q mutation. Methods·Between June 2011 and Marth 2015,clinical data of 21 stageⅢB/ⅣNSCLC patients who received EGFR-TKI harboring uncommon 21L861Q mutation in EGFR at the Shanghai Chest Hospital were collected.Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS ) and overall survival (OS ) of the patients under TKI therapy were retrospectively analyzed. Results · ORR and DCR of the patients under TKIs therapy (first-line+second-line+third-line) were 42.9% and 66.7% respectively. PFS and OS of patients who received therapy that consisted of EGFR-TKIs(first-line+second-line+third-line)were 7.03 months(95% CI,5.50-8.69)and 22.80 months(95% CI,16.22-25.65). Conclusion·Our post-hoc analyses demonstrated that EGFR-TKIs showed activity in patients with uncommon EGFR 21L861Q-mutant NSCLC, less effective than in those with common mutations.
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The inclusion complex of cordycepin ( COR ) with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin ( HPβCD ) was prepared by the method of saturated solution. The inclusion of HPβCD with COR in aqueous solution was studied by UV-vis spectroscopy, and the inclusion ratio of COR/HPβCD complex was determined with the Job plots. The COR/HPβCD complex was characterized and determined by means of 1 H NMR and 2D NMR, differential scanning calorimetry ( DSC ) , thermogravimetric analysis ( TG ) , X-ray diffraction ( XRD ) , Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ( FTIR) and scanning electron microscope ( SEM) . The results showed that the COR/HPβCD complex ratio was 1:1 and the water solubility and stability of COR were obviously increased in the inclusion complex with HPβCD. The COR/HPβCD complex will be potentially useful for its medical application.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility and clinical application value of selecting viable spermatozoa by noncontact diode laser.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We obtained immotile spermatozoa from 2 infertile men with obstructive azoospermia or severe asthenospermia and selected viable spermatozoa using a single laser shot at the sperm tail. Those that responded to the laser shot by a curling reaction of the tail were regarded as presumably viable and used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean fertilization rate was 88.89% after ICSI with the laser-selected viable spermatozoa. Both of the embryo transfers resulted in a single pregnancy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Noncontact diode laser is a useful alternative for the assessment of sperm viability, which may help to achieve successful pregnancy.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Pregnancy , Embryo Transfer , Fertilization , Infertility, Male , Therapeutics , Pregnancy Outcome , Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic , Sperm Motility , Sperm Tail , PhysiologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of different fertilization methods on the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of elective blastocyst culture for 1 153 cycles of IVF and 205 cycles of ICSI performed between january 2009 and December 2012.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total number of 14 748 embryos in the IVF group and 2 655 embryos in the ICSI group underwent sequential blastocyst culture, with 7 871 blastocysts formed in the former and 1 210 in the latter. No cycles were canceled for no blastocyst formation in either of the two groups. The rates of quality embryos, blastocyst formation and embryo utilization were significantly higher in the IVF than in the ICSI group (64.77 vs 58.72%, 53.37 vs 45.57%, and 60.06 vs 52.17%, all P < 0.05), but the rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy and abortion showed no significant differences between the two groups (48.94 vs 51.43%, 49.03 vs 52.02%, and 11.69% vs 15.56, all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>With the same inclusion criteria of selective blastocyst culture, IVF has a lower risk of cycle cancellation due to no blastocyst formation and therefore may effect higher rates of blastocyst formation and embryo utilization than ICSI. Our study suggested that appropriate inclusion criteria of selective blastocyst culture should be laid down according to different fertilization methods.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Blastocyst , Embryo Transfer , Fertilization in Vitro , Methods , Retrospective Studies , Sperm Injections, IntracytoplasmicABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the value of multiple b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for differentiation of benign and malignant pulmonary masses.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-eight patients were examined by routine sequences and DWI pulse sequence. DWI was acquired through a single-shot echo-planar imaging combined with a respiratory-triggered mode and parallel acquisition. Nine b values ranging from 0 to 1500 s/mm(2) (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 400, 600, 1000, 1500 s/mm(2)) were used. The intravoxel incoherent motion model was applied to estimate pure diffusion coefficient D, perfusion-related diffusion coefficient D(*), and perfusion fraction f. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare all measured parameters between benign and malignant groups. The diagnostic performance of the related parameters was evaluated with receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of these 38 patients, 30 were pathologically confirmed and 8 were diagnosed based on clinical data. There were 23 lung malignant masses and 15 benign lesions. A significant reduction of D was found in malignant group than in benign group (Z=3.308, P=0.001), while no significant differences in D(*)(Z=1.646, P=0.100) and f(Z=1.254, P=0.210) were observed between the two groups. The area under the ROC curve for D value (0.839) was largest. When the cutoff value was selected as 0.90×10(-3) mm(2)/s, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of diagnosing malignant masses were 95.7%, 80.0%, 90.9%, 91.7%, and 88.9%,respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The D value in multiple b-value DWI has certain significance in differentiating the benign and malignant pulmonary masses and has the best diagnostic efficiency.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Methods , Lung Diseases , Diagnosis , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of different processing parameters of digital radiography (DR) on the image quality of digital chest radiograph in dust-exposed workers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and five dust-exposed workers underwent both high-KV radiography and DR to obtain chest radiographs; the image processing parameters were set by the conventional processing method for digital chest radiograph (method A) and the processing method based on the special requirements of occupational diseases (method B). With the high-KV chest radiograph as the reference, the image qualities at 10 anatomic sites of DR image were graded. The images acquired by DR and high-KV radiography were compared, and the DR images acquired by methods A and B were also compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For method A, the scores at the 10 anatomic sites of DR image were mostly 0 and +1, accounting for over 88%, and the mean score was 0.23 ∼ 0.65, there was a significant difference between the mean score of DR image and the score of high-KV image (P < 0.001). For method B, the scores at the 10 anatomic sites of DR image were mostly 0, accounting for over 65%, and the mean score was -0.01∼ +0.02 except at the pleura and chest wall; there was no significant difference between the mean score of DR image and the score of high-KV image (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in the scores at the 10 anatomic sites between the DR images acquired by methods A and B (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The DR images acquired based on different processing parameters are different. The quality of DR image acquired by the processing method based on the special requirements of occupational diseases is similar to that of high-KV image at the anatomic sites.</p>