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Objective:To explore the application effect of case-based learning (CBL) and lecture-based learning (LBL) in the teaching of image post-processing course in the standardized training system of medical imaging technology.Methods:A total of 34 trainees in the standardized training of imaging technology of Batch 2018 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were divided into the experimental group and the control group according to their student numbers, with 17 students in each group. CBL teaching was carried out in the experimental group, and LBL teaching was carried out in the control group. According to the standardized training course design, after one year of image post-processing course teaching, the teaching effect was evaluated through closed-book examination, questionnaire survey and post-processing test. SPSS 20.0 was used for t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results:The scores of closed-book examinations (74.42±6.10) and post-processing test (73.47±6.03) in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group [(69.11±3.70) and (69.08±6.51)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The questionnaire survey showed that the students in the experimental group recognized CBL teaching in terms of learning interests stimulation, classroom atmosphere mobilization, clinical thinking cultivation, self-study ability training, and analysis of difficult and rare cases, etc. Conclusion:In the image post-processing course of standardized training of medical imaging technology, the rational application of CBL teaching mode is helpful to improve students' learning enthusiasm, self-learning ability, comprehensive analysis of clinical ability, practical ability, innovation consciousness and so on.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effectiveness of distal radius core decompression in the treatment of chronic wrist pain caused by various etiologies.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 10 patients with chronic wrist pain treated with distal radial core decompression between January 2018 and December 2021. There were 6 males and 4 females with an average age of 37.4 years (range, 21-55 years). The disease duration ranged from 7 to 72 months, with an average of 26.5 months. Preoperative MRI examination showed that 10 cases had bone marrow edema at the distal radius on the affected side, and 8 cases had bone marrow edema in the carpal bones such as scaphoid and lunate bone. Among them, 3 patients had a history of wrist fracture, and 2 patients had Kienböck diseases (1 case each in stage ⅡB and stage ⅢA). Three cases were combined with triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) type 1A injury. Two cases were combined with osteoarthritis, 1 of them was complicated with severe traumatic arthritis, the wrist arthroscopy showed that the TFCC was completely lost and could not be repaired, and the cartilage of the lunate bone and the ulnar head were severely worn.Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the relief of wrist pain before operation, at 6 months after operation, and at last follow-up, and the range of motion of the affected wrist in dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, ulnar deviation, and radial deviation was measured. The degree of bone marrow edema was evaluated according to T1WI, T2WI, and STIR sequences of MRI.@*RESULTS@#All the patients were followed up 12-22 months, with an average of 16.4 months. Except for 1 patient who experienced persistent wrist joint pain and limited mobility after operation, the remaining 9 patients showed significant improvement in pain symptoms and wrist joint mobility. The VAS score and range of motion of wrist dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, ulnar deviation, and radial deviation at 6 months after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with those before operation, the VAS score and the range of motion of wrist ulnar deviation and radial deviation at last follow-up were further improved when compared with those at 6 months after operation, all showing significant differences ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in wrist dorsiflexion and palmar flexion between at 6 months after operation and at last follow-up ( P>0.05). Bone marrow edema was improved in 6 patients on MRI at 6 months after operation, and was also improved in other patients at last follow-up.@*CONCLUSION@#For chronic wrist pain caused by a variety of causes, distal radius core decompression can directly reduce the pressure of the medullary cavity of the distal radius, improve the blood supply of the corresponding distal structure, significantly alleviate chronic wrist pain, and provide an option for clinical treatment.
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Male , Female , Humans , Adult , Radius/surgery , Wrist , Retrospective Studies , Radius Fractures/surgery , Wrist Joint/surgery , Scaphoid Bone/surgery , Pain , Arthralgia/complications , Arthroscopy , Decompression , Range of Motion, Articular , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Objective To establish a snail control approach for spraying chemicals with drones against Oncomelania hupensis in complex snail habitats in hilly regions, and to evaluate its molluscicidal effect. Methods The protocol for evaluating the activity of spraying chemical molluscicides with drones against O. hupensis snails was formulated based on expert consultation and literature review. In August 2022, a pretest was conducted in a hillside field environment (12 000 m2) north of Dafengji Village, Dacang Township, Weishan County, Yunnan Province, which was assigned into four groups, of no less than 3 000 m2 in each group. In Group A, environmental cleaning was not conducted and 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules were sprayed with drones at a dose of 40 g/m2, and in Group B, environmental cleaning was performed, followed by 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules sprayed with drones at a dose of 40 g/m2, while in Group C, environmental cleaning was not conducted and 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules were sprayed with knapsack sprayers at a dose of 40 g/m2, and in Group D, environmental cleaning was performed, followed by 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules sprayed with knapsack sprayers at a dose of 40 g/m2. Then, each group was equally divided into six sections according to land area, with Section 1 for baseline surveys and sections 2 to 6 for snail surveys after chemical treatment. Snail surveys were conducted prior to chemical treatment and 1, 3, 5, 7 days post-treatment, and the mortality and corrected mortality of snails, density of living snails and costs of molluscicidal treatment were calculated in each group. Results The mortality and corrected mortality of snails were 69.49%, 69.09%, 53.57% and 83.48%, and 68.58%, 68.17%, 52.19% and 82.99% in groups A, B, C and D 14 days post-treatment, and the density of living snails reduced by 58.40%, 63.94%, 68.91% and 83.25% 14 days post-treatment relative to pre-treatment in four groups, respectively. The median concentrations of chemical molluscicides were 37.08, 35.42, 42.50 g/m2 and 56.25 g/m2 in groups A, B, C and D, and the gross costs of chemical treatment were 0.93, 1.50, 0.46 Yuan per m2 and 1.03 Yuan per m2 in groups A, B, C and D, respectively. Conclusions The molluscicidal effect of spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones against O. hupensis snails is superior to manual chemical treatment without environmental cleaning, and chemical treatment with drones and manual chemical treatment show comparable molluscicidal effects following environmental cleaning in hilly regions. The cost of chemical treatment with drones is slightly higher than manual chemical treatment regardless of environmental cleaning. Spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones is recommended in complex settings with difficulty in environmental cleaning to improve the molluscicidal activity and efficiency against O. hupensis snails.
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Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of long-pulsed 1 064-nm Nd:YAG laser combined with a topical emulsion containing Camellia reticulata and Radix Notoginseng in the treatment of melasma. Methods:A total of 80 patients with melasma were enrolled from Department of Dermatology, People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from June 2019 to June 2020, and randomly and equally divided into control group and observation group by using a random number table: 40 patients in the control group were treated with long-pulsed 1 064-nm Nd:YAG laser once every 2 weeks for 6 sessions as a course of treatment; another 40 in the observation group were treated with the same laser therapy as the control group and a topical emulsion containing Camellia reticulata and Radix Notoginseng twice a day for 3 months as a course of treatment. Melasma area and severity index (MASI), clinical efficacy, patient satisfaction rate and safety were compared between the 2 groups before and/or after treatment. Results:After 4- and 8-week treatment, there was no significant difference in the MASI score between the observation group (14.57 ± 3.22 points, 10.00 ± 2.94 points, respectively) and control group (14.74 ± 3.11 points, 11.31 ± 3.00 points, respectively; both P>0.05). After 12-week treatment, the MASI score was significantly lower in the observation group (4.80 ± 2.78 points) than in the control group (7.07 ± 3.22 points, t = -3.38, P<0.01). After 3-month treatment, the response rate was significantly higher in the observation group (36 cases, 90%) than in the control group (31 cases, 77.5%; χ2 = 4.58, P < 0.001) ; however, there was no significant difference in the patient satisfaction rate between the observation group (87.5%) and control group (72.5%, χ2 = 7.26, P = 0.06). In addition, no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse reactions was observed between the observation group (5 cases, 12.5%) and control group (7 cases, 17.5%; P > 0.05) . Conclusion:Compared with the long-pulsed 1 064-nm Nd:YAG laser alone, the topical emulsion containing Camellia reticulata and Radix Notoginseng in combination with the long-pulsed 1 064-nm Nd:YAG laser is more effective for the treatment of melasma, with higher patient satisfaction and less adverse reactions.
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Background@#/Aim: It is known that an imbalance in the intestinal f lora plays a crucial role in colorectal cancer (CRC), but the effect of food consumption patterns on the types of intestinal flora remains to be clarified. We aimed to analyze the associations between food intake and intestinal flora in healthy and CRC individuals. @*Methods@#Food intake data were recorded using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The composition and diversity of the intestinal flora detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the data were analyzed by R version 3.1.1 software. @*Results@#Higher intake of red meat or pickled foods, and lower intake of white meat, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts were found in the CRC group compared with the healthy group. Higher levels of Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria, and lower levels of Firmicutes were observed in the CRC group. Partial correlation analysis revealed that the intake of fruits, beans, and nuts was negatively correlated with Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria, but pickled food was positively correlated with Fusobacteria (p < 0.05). Fish, beans, and nuts intake was negatively correlated with Escherichia (p = 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that vegetable oil (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13 to 0.82), vegetables (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.64), eggs (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.69), pickled foods (OR, 21.02; 95% CI, 6.02 to 73.45), and red meat (OR, 4.23; 95% CI, 1.68 to 10.60) had an impact on CRC risk. @*Conclusions@#The species and abundance of intestinal flora varies between CRC and healthy individuals and may be affected by their food preference.
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Objective@#This study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) with those of patients with essential hypertension (EH) and healthy controls (HCs). @*Materials and Methods@#This prospective study enrolled 35 patients with PA, in addition to 35 age- and sex-matched patients with EH, and 35 age- and sex-matched HCs, all of whom underwent comprehensive clinical and cardiac MRI examinations. The analysis of variance was used to detect the differences in the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling among the three groups. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between left ventricular remodeling and the physiological variables. @*Results@#The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (EDVi) (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 85.1 ± 13.0 mL/m2 for PA, 75.9 ± 14.3 mL/m2 for EH, and 77.3 ± 12.8 mL/m2 for HC; p = 0.010), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (ESVi) (mean ± SD: 35.2 ± 9.8 mL/m2 for PA, 30.7 ± 8.1 mL/m2 for EH, and 29.5 ± 7.0 mL/m2 for HC; p = 0.013), left ventricular mass index (mean ± SD: 65.8 ± 16.5 g/m2 for PA, 56.9 ± 12.1 g/m2 for EH, and 44.1 ± 8.9 g/m2 for HC; p < 0.001), and native T1 (mean ± SD: 1224 ± 39 ms for PA, 1201 ± 47 ms for EH, and 1200 ± 44 ms for HC; p = 0.041) values were higher in the PA group compared to the EH and HC groups. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that log (plasma aldosteroneto-renin ratio) was independently correlated with EDVi and ESVi. Plasma aldosterone was independently correlated with native T1. @*Conclusion@#Patients with PA showed a greater degree of ventricular hypertrophy and enlargement, as well as myocardial fibrosis, compared to those with EH. Cardiac MRI T1 mapping can detect left ventricular myocardial fibrosis in patients with PA.
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Background@#/Aim: It is known that an imbalance in the intestinal f lora plays a crucial role in colorectal cancer (CRC), but the effect of food consumption patterns on the types of intestinal flora remains to be clarified. We aimed to analyze the associations between food intake and intestinal flora in healthy and CRC individuals. @*Methods@#Food intake data were recorded using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The composition and diversity of the intestinal flora detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and the data were analyzed by R version 3.1.1 software. @*Results@#Higher intake of red meat or pickled foods, and lower intake of white meat, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts were found in the CRC group compared with the healthy group. Higher levels of Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria, and lower levels of Firmicutes were observed in the CRC group. Partial correlation analysis revealed that the intake of fruits, beans, and nuts was negatively correlated with Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria, but pickled food was positively correlated with Fusobacteria (p < 0.05). Fish, beans, and nuts intake was negatively correlated with Escherichia (p = 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that vegetable oil (odds ratio [OR], 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13 to 0.82), vegetables (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.64), eggs (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.69), pickled foods (OR, 21.02; 95% CI, 6.02 to 73.45), and red meat (OR, 4.23; 95% CI, 1.68 to 10.60) had an impact on CRC risk. @*Conclusions@#The species and abundance of intestinal flora varies between CRC and healthy individuals and may be affected by their food preference.
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Objective@#This study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) with those of patients with essential hypertension (EH) and healthy controls (HCs). @*Materials and Methods@#This prospective study enrolled 35 patients with PA, in addition to 35 age- and sex-matched patients with EH, and 35 age- and sex-matched HCs, all of whom underwent comprehensive clinical and cardiac MRI examinations. The analysis of variance was used to detect the differences in the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling among the three groups. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between left ventricular remodeling and the physiological variables. @*Results@#The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (EDVi) (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 85.1 ± 13.0 mL/m2 for PA, 75.9 ± 14.3 mL/m2 for EH, and 77.3 ± 12.8 mL/m2 for HC; p = 0.010), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (ESVi) (mean ± SD: 35.2 ± 9.8 mL/m2 for PA, 30.7 ± 8.1 mL/m2 for EH, and 29.5 ± 7.0 mL/m2 for HC; p = 0.013), left ventricular mass index (mean ± SD: 65.8 ± 16.5 g/m2 for PA, 56.9 ± 12.1 g/m2 for EH, and 44.1 ± 8.9 g/m2 for HC; p < 0.001), and native T1 (mean ± SD: 1224 ± 39 ms for PA, 1201 ± 47 ms for EH, and 1200 ± 44 ms for HC; p = 0.041) values were higher in the PA group compared to the EH and HC groups. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that log (plasma aldosteroneto-renin ratio) was independently correlated with EDVi and ESVi. Plasma aldosterone was independently correlated with native T1. @*Conclusion@#Patients with PA showed a greater degree of ventricular hypertrophy and enlargement, as well as myocardial fibrosis, compared to those with EH. Cardiac MRI T1 mapping can detect left ventricular myocardial fibrosis in patients with PA.
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Objective:To provide epidemiological data and clinical evidence for cosmetic adverse reactions.Methods:A retrospective clinical analysis was carried out on a total 820 outpatients (23 males and 797 females) suspected to be with cosmetic adverse reactions from January 2014 - October 2017, and average age of these patients was 7~75 (32.66±8.09) years. Suspicious cosmetics patch tests were performed in some patients. Suspicious cosmetics patch tests were performed in 687 patients.Results:Among 820 patients with cosmetic adverse reactions, women accounted for 97.20% and men accounted for 2.80%. Age distribution was most common among young people aged 21-40 years, accounting for 71.34%. The highest level of education was higher education, accounting for 59.69%. Occupational distribution was most commonly concentrated in employees and unemployed persons, accounting for 28.54% and 18.66%, respectively. A history of cosmetics allergies accounted for 17.28%. Cosmetic contact dermatitis was the most common clinical type of cosmetic adverse reactions, accounting for 92.70%. A total of 1682 suspected pathogenic cosmetics were involved. The positive rate of the cosmetic original patch test was 42.39%. Among the cosmetics with a positive patch test, moisturizing, anti-wrinkle and whitening freckle cosmetics accounted for the highest proportion, 31.59%, 15.09%, and 12.68%, respectively.Conclusions:Cosmetic contact dermatitis is the most common type of cosmetic adverse reaction. Patch testing is helpful in identifying the contact allergens in cosmetic adverse reaction.
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OBJECTIVE: To compare the image quality of three-dimensional time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with sparse undersampling and iterative reconstruction (sparse TOF) with that of conventional TOF MRA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 56 patients who had undergone sparse TOF MRA for intracranial artery evaluation on a 3T MR scanner. Conventional TOF MRA scans were also acquired from 29 patients with matched acquisition times and another 27 patients with matched scanning parameters. The image quality was scored using a five-point scale based on the delineation of arterial vessel segments, artifacts, overall vessel visualization, and overall image quality by two radiologists independently, and the data were analyzed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Contrast ratios (CRs) of vessels were compared using the paired t test. Interobserver agreement was calculated using the kappa test. RESULTS: Compared with conventional TOF at the same spatial resolution, sparse TOF with an acceleration factor of 3.5 could reduce acquisition time by 40% and showed comparable image quality. In addition, when compared with conventional TOF with the same acquisition time, sparse TOF with an acceleration factor of 5 could also achieve higher spatial resolution, better delineation of vessel segments, fewer artifacts, higher image quality, and a higher CR (p < 0.05). Good-to-excellent interobserver agreement (κ: 0.65–1.00) was obtained between the two radiologists. CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional TOF, sparse TOF can achieve equivalent image quality in a reduced duration. Furthermore, using the same acquisition time, sparse TOF could improve the delineation of vessels and decrease image artifacts.
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Humans , Acceleration , Arteries , Artifacts , Magnetic Resonance AngiographyABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate and compare the short-term effects of two kinds of plastic mulch on Oncomelania hupensis snail control in irrigation and drainage ditches with snails in Yunnan Province. Methods The irrigation and drainage ditches with high density of Oncomelania hupensis snails were chosen as the investigation sites,and then 4 groups were set,namely a colorless plastic mulch group,black plastic mulch group,colorless plastic mulch with molluscicide group and black plastic mulch with molluscicide group. The snail situation of the 4 groups was surveyed before the experiment and 7,14,21,30 days after covering plastic mulch,and the snail death rates were compared among the 4 groups. Meanwhile,the hourly temperatures of soil surface,soil surface under plastic mulch and soil layer 5,15 cm under the surface as well as the weather situation during the study period were measured and recorded. Results The average snail mortality rate of the colorless plastic mulch group was only 15.29% that was higher than that of the black plastic mulch group(6.56%)(P 0.05). Both kinds of plastic mulches could raise the temperature of the soil surface under plas-tic mulch and the soil layer below it,and the temperature of soil under the mulches increased over the cover time,and the aver-age temperature of the soil surface under the black mulch in 30 days was higher than that under the colorless mulch. Conclu-sion It is not suitable to use plastic mulch only in irrigation and drainage ditches with snails widely in Yunnan Province be-cause of its low effect,and if necessary,the molluscicide should be added.
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Objective To evaluate the feasibility and its clinical application of 3.0 T MRI in the assessment of the late gadolinium enhancement in patients with cardiac arrhythmias with phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) single-shot true fast imaging with steady-state precession (True FISP) sequence.Methods Fifty-six patients with arrhythmia confirmed by electrocardiogram underwent MRI in this prospective study.Late gadolinium enhancement were performed with both PSIR single-shot True FISP (sequence 1) and conventional segmented PSIR Turbo FLASH sequences (sequence 2).The overall image quality (4 scales) was assessed and recorded independently by two experienced radiologists.Statistical analysis was performed with Chi-square test and weighted Kappa test.Results Late gadolinium enhancement of all the 56 patients were successfully examined with the sequence 1 and 2.All the image qualities of sequence 1 reached 3 scales or more and met the requirements of clinical diagnosis,and late gadolinium enhancement lesions were detection in 19 patients.All the sequence 2 images were improperly used for clinical diagnosis of the different degrees of artifacts,especially in patients with severe arrhythmia and those who breath-hold with difficulty.Sequence 1 images were classified as scale 4 in 50 cases and scale 3 in 6 cases by Doctor 1,while scale 4 in 48 cases and scale 3 in 8 cases by Doctor 2,respectively.However,sequence 2 images were classified as scale 2 in 15 cases and scale 1 in 41 cases by Doctor 1,as well as scale 2 in 13 cases and scale 1 in 43 cases by Doctor 2,respectively.Sequence 1 image qualities were significantly higher than those of the segmented sequence 2 (x2 values were 141.329 and 141.177,P＜0.01).Excellent agreements between two observers of the 2 sequences (Kappa values were 0.837 and 0.905,P＜ 0.01) were found.Conclusion PSIR single-shot True FISP sequence provides higher reliability for image quality of late gadolinium enhancement in patients with cardiac arrhythmia,which may be useful for clinical application.
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Objectives To understand the status of wild feces distribution and pollution in schistosomiasis endemic areas in Yunnan Province. Methods According to the distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails and characteristics of human and ani-mal activities in recent five years 6 schistosomiasis endemic villages in Weishan Nanjian and Midu counties 2 villages each county were selected as the investigated areas and more than 4 hm2 area with snails around each village were investigated for the types and densities of wild feces. The schistosome infested feces was detected with the hatching method. Results Totally 63 hm2 were investigated and 420 wild feces were found in all kinds of environments. The densities of wild feces were 0.066 7 piles/100 m2 and the densities of wild feces of the road and the hillside were the highest 0.098 7 piles/100 m2 and 0.088 0 piles/100 m2 respectively . Totally 260 fresh wild feces were collected including the feces of human being cattle horse dog sheep and pig and the feces of cattle and dog was the most 37.38%and 30.71% respectively . No schistosome positive feces was found. Conclusions There are a lot of wild feces in snail areas in Yunnan Province and the risk of schistosomiasis transmission is still high. Therefore we should strengthen the banning grazing measures and the investigation of dogs.
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Objective To evaluate the effect of schistosomiasis control in Yunnan Province since achieving the transmission control standards,so as to provide the evidence for formulating the next prevention and control strategy. Methods The schistoso-miasis epidemic monitoring reports,annual reports,relevant information about Oncomelania hupensis snails,and schistosomiasis patient conditions were collected and analyzed for epidemic condition and characteristics of schistosomiasis in Yunnan Province from 2009 to 2012. Results The various epidemic monitoring indicators all decreased. In 2012,compared with 2009,the preva-lence reduced by 33.33%after correction;the number of villages with schistosomiasis patients reduced by 55.56%;the adjusted positive rate of livestock stool tests reduced by 45.45%;the number of villages with infected cow reduced by 42.25%;the actual area with snails reduced by 13.58%;the density of living snails reduced by 25.66%,and no schistosome infected snails were found in 2012. Conclusion There still exist schistosome infections in human and animals in some local areas of Yunnan Prov-ince,and it is difficult to achieve the standard of schistosomiasis transmission interrupted in a short period.
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The purpose of this study was to find whether Cardiac Magnetic Resonance [CMR] could assess the myocardial interstitium in patients suffering from systemic amyloidosis with normal left ventricular ejection fraction. Twenty Six patients in whom systemic amyloidosis was confirmed by kidney biopsy were investigated. Five patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction were selected. The heart function of the patients was diagnosed by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. The main MR sequences include an inversion recovery prepared echo planar imaging perfusion sequence, inversion recovery TrueFISP sequence [delayed enhancement] and TrueFISP cine sequence for heart function measurement [including ejection fraction [EF]], end diastolic volume [EDV], end systolic volume [ESV], stroke volume [SV] and cardiac output [CO]]. Perfusion defects were seen in three patients. In these patients, myocardial enhancement was visible on late gadolinium enhancement images. The enhancement pattern was diffuse in three patients and focal in two patients. Heart dysfunction was mild, as follows: EF normal [range, 56-75%; mean, 69.4%], ESV normal [range, 15.7-30.0; mean, 23.0], EDV decreased [range, 42.1-96.6; mean, 72.7], SV decreased [range, 23.7-68.6; mean, 49.6] and CO normal [range, 2.6-5.9; mean, 3.9]. Hematoxylin and eosin stain and Congo red stain demonstrated typical amyloid deposits. Amyloidosis was classified as amyloid light chain by kappa and lambda stain. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance could detect abnormal myocardial interstitium in systemic amyloidosis patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction
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This study was aimed to compare and evaluate the diagnostic performance of non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography (NCE-MRA) with contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) in the anatomic assessment of hepatic portal vein. Thirty people, ten patients with hepatic cirrhosis without ascites and twenty normal physical examination donors as control group were included in the NCE-MRA and CE-MRA with the same 1.5T MR scanner. Anatomic angiographic images were reconstructed and their datasets available for analysis independently performed by two radiologists. Assessment of data quality of hepatic portal vein vessels was rated with a four-point scale. After consensus reading, a total 27 images (90%) scored more than 3 point were observed in NCE-MRA and 28 (93.3%) in CE-MRA, respectively. Segmental branch vessels were visualized on MR angiography in the majority of cases. Both NCE-MRA and CE-MRA correctly characterized the hepatic portal veins with grade 5 and without false positive cases. Only 4 false negatives with grade 6 were missed in NCE-MRA group. There were no statistically significant differences between NCE-MRA and CE-MRA for characterization of hepatic vasculature (P < 0.05). Kappa value was larger than 0.75 for both reviewers. A conclusion could be drawn that NCE-MRA is a non-invasive and effective method that provides a comprehensive assessment of the hepatic portal vein.
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Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Contrast Media , Liver Cirrhosis , Pathology , Magnetic Resonance Angiography , Methods , Portal Vein , PathologyABSTRACT
This is a prospective study using first-pass perfusion CT with volume-based technique to investigate perfusion features of gastric cancer. Perfusion CT was performed with 64-section MDCT on 35 patients with gastric cancer; these patients were subdivided into three subgroups according to the location of the tumor; besides, 24 patients with normal stomach served as controls. Four perfusion parameters, including perfusion (PF), peak enhancement (PE), time to peak (TTP), and blood volume (BV), were obtained and compared between the test and control groups, and between the groups with and without lymph-node metastases. ROC analysis was performed to determine the cutoff value for discriminating the microcirculation of gastric cancer from that of the normal stomach. The results showed that blood volume was significantly increased in the test group, compared with the control group. The threshold of 8.6 ml x 100 g(-1) of blood volume was noted to be corresponding to a sensitivity of 88.6% and a specificity of 62.9%. In conclusion, the first-pass perfusion CT with whole tumor acquisition technique could assess tumor vascularity and be useful for the diagnosis of gastric cancer.
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Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Lymphatic Metastasis , Perfusion , Methods , Prospective Studies , Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted , Methods , Regional Blood Flow , Sensitivity and Specificity , Stomach Neoplasms , Diagnostic Imaging , Tomography, Spiral Computed , MethodsABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical applications of 64-MSCTA for the follow-up of endovascular stent-graft exclusion (EVE). Methods Between Oct 2006 and Feb 2008, forty-four 64-MSCTA examinations were performed in 30 patients with aortic dissection (AD) and 5 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) who underwent EVE. Imaging reconstruction including MPR, MIP and VR were finished on workstation. The outcomes and complications after EVE of aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm were evaluated. Results (1) Of 30 patients with aortic dissection, large thrombosis in false lumen was observed in 28 cases and small thrombosis in 2 cases. The cavity of aortic aneurysm outside the stent was thrombosed completely in 5 patients with AAA. (2) Thrombosis in the innominate artery on follow-up CTA after EVE was found in 1 AD patient with the innominate artery involved, Thrombosis in the superior mesenteric artery was observed on 15 days follow-up CTA but thrombolysis on 3 months after EVE in 1 case, lntimal tear in right common iliac artery was found in 1 case. Of 5 patients with AAA, occlusion of right inner iliac artery was observed in 1 case, and instent thrombosis in distal right common iliac artery was found in 1 case. (3) Endoleak was found in 14 patients with AD, including 8 with type Ⅰ and 6 with type Ⅲ endoleaks, one type Ⅲ endoleak was disappeared on follow-up CTA after 3 months. Conclusions 64-MSCTA with fast, non-invasive and effective merits, combining multiple reconstructive methods, has become one of preferred imaging methods in post-operative evaluation of EVE.
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Objective Rhabdomyolysis (RM) is a common disorder resulting from a large variety of causes. Acute injury is one of the main reasons. The purpose is to describe the MRI manifestations of rhabdomyolysis caused by 5.12 Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan province and to discuss their importance in diagnosis and treatment of rhabdomyolysison in clinic practice. Methods Three patients with rhebdomyolysis caused by earthquake were studied via 1.5 T MRI. In all the patients, T, and T2 weighted sequences with and without fat suppression, and short time inversion recovery (STIR) of both lower extremities were obtained in axial, coronal and sagittal planes. All patients were given contrast material during imaging, and MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) of both lower extremity vessels were performed. The MRI characteristics of damaged extremities in 3 cases were studied. Results MRI showed swelling of the affected muscles and subcutaneous fat tissue on both T1 and T2 weighted images. The margins of involved muscles were blurred. On T1 weighted images, swollen muscles showed equal or slightly decreased intensity with small patterns of increased intensity in some local areas. On T2 weighted and STIR sequences, the affected muscles showed inhomogeneons increased signal intensity with clearer margin. Slight fluid collection in spatium intermusculare was observed. Contrast-enhanced scanning showed nonhomologous intensification of damaged muscles, the enhancement inside the muscles was decreased when compared with normal muscles. The locations of all these abnormal intensity were correlated with the injury history and clinic physical examinations. MRA showed no lower extremity vessels were affected. Conclusion MRI has very high sensitivity in detecting the injury of muscles. It's very useful in evaluating the extent and severity of muscles affected in rhabdomyolysis caused by trauma. Also it's very valuable to evaluate the condition of blood vessels in involved extremity for predicting the prognosis of the disease. Therefore MRI possesses a very important role in the diagnosis and treatment of RM.
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This study was conducted in pursuit of the optimal imaging technique and for a primary clinical application of 16-slice multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) for coronary artery. Unenhanced and contrast-enhanced 16-slice SCT imaging was performed in 38 cases with retrospective electrocardiographic gating. MPR, MIP and VRT reconstruction of enhanced scan images were made in all cases, and CPR, VE reconstruction images were made in some cases. The demonstration of coronary artery was evaluated. The influencing factors of the image quality were analyzed. The results showed that the detection rates of RCA, PDA, LMA, LAD, DB, LCX and LMB were 36 (94.7%), 34 (89.5%), 37 (97.4%), 36 (94.7%), 34 (94.4%), 36 (94.7%), 34 (89.5%) on axial images, respectively, which were higher than those of the arteries on 3D images (P < 0.01). Therefore, 16-slice spiral CT is a reliable and accurate technique to demonstrate coronary artery and its branches, and is a noninvasive method to screen, diagnose and postoperatively evaluate coronary artery diseases. The factors influencing the image quality include the heart rate, the cardiac rhythm, the respiratory movement of patients and the trigger delays of imaging processing.