Two-year changes of biochemical profiles and bone mineral density after percutaneous ultrasound-guided microwave ablation for primary hyperparathyroidism.

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes of the serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium level, as well as bone mineral density (BMD), after percutaneous ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) caused by single hyperfunctional nodule. METHODS: The study enrolled 20 patients with a total of 20 nodules of MWA treatment to pHPT in one session. The normalization rate of the serum PTH and calcium was evaluated at every 6 months during 2-year follow-up after MWA. The bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine and femoral neck were also compared before and after the procedure. RESULTS: The normalization rate of both PTH and serum calcium at 6-, 12-, 24-month follow-up was 66.6%, 80.0%, and 62.5%, respectively. Though the normalization rate of serum calcium level at 6-, 12-, and 24-month visit after MWA was 100%. The BMD increased 12, 24 months after MWA at lumbar spine (1.022 ± 0.155, 1.057 ± 0.151 vs 0.965 ± 0.145 g/cm2, p < 0.01) and femoral neck at 2-year assessment (0.819 ± 0.094 vs 0.771 ± 0.102 g/cm2, p = 0.015). Seven nodules disappeared in 20 nodules (35.0%), average ablation time was 122.29 ± 107.54 s (34-460 s). Six patients encountered voice change during the procedure, one participant was confirmed recurrent laryngeal injuries but recovered within 2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous ultrasound-guided microwave ablation results in improvement of biochemical profiles and bone mineral density in subjects with single hyperfunctional parathyroid nodule. However, the long-term efficacy of the MWA remains to be verified.

Organic Heterojunctions Formed by Interfacing Two Single Crystals from a Mixed Solution.

Organic heterojunctions are widely used in organic electronics and they are composed of semiconductors interfaced together. Good ordering in the molecular packing inside the heterojunctions is highly desired but it is still challenging to interface organic single crystals to form single-crystalline heterojunctions. Here, we describe how organic heterojunctions are formed by interfacing two single crystals from a droplet of a mixed solution containing two semiconductors. Based on crystallization of six organic semiconductors from a droplet on a substrate, two distinct crystallization mechanisms have been recognized in the sense that crystals form at either the top interface between the air and solution or the bottom interface between the substrate and solution. The preference for one interface rather than the other depends on the semiconductor-substrate pair and, for a given semiconductor, it can be switched by changing the substrate, suggesting that the preference is associated with the semiconductor-substrate molecular interaction. Furthermore, simultaneous crystallization of two semiconductors at two different interfaces to reduce their mutual disturbance results in the formation of bilayer single crystals interfaced together for organic heterojunctions. These single-crystalline heterojunctions exhibit ambipolar charge transport in field-effect transistors, with the highest electron mobility of 1.90 cm2 V-1 s-1 and the highest hole mobility of 1.02 cm2 V-1 s-1. Hence, by elucidating the interfacial crystallization events, this work should greatly harvest the solution-grown organic single-crystalline heterojunctions.

Early Out-of-Bed Functional Exercise Benefits Elderly Patients Following Hip Fracture: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Hip fracture is a worldwide medical problem with devastating consequences. Older adults are at higher risk for complications and have more mobility limitation. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of delay in out-of-bed functional exercise on one-year mortality and functional outcomes for elderly patients with hip fracture in China. 1,022 cases of patients with hip fracture who were older than 75 were involved in this retrospective cohort study between 2007 and 2017. One-year mortality, follow up Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score, and Harris hip score were collected. Patients with hip fracture experienced an average of 2.9 days of in-bed functional exercise, 41.4% (n = 423) taken out-of-bed functional exercise within 2 days. A Cox proportional regression model showed that after adjustment for age, sex, cardiovascular disease, and urinary disease, delayed out-of-bed functional exercise (> 2 days) associated with higher one-year mortality (OR = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09 to 1.69). Ordinary least squares regression showed that delayed out-of-bed functional exercise associated with worsen ADL scores at 1-month (difference of -3.9 points, 95% CI: -6.4 to -1.7), although the long term ADL scores did not have increased. In addition, there were no associations between out-of-bed functional exercise timing and the Harris hip score at 12 months. In conclusion, in elderly patients with hip fracture in China, delayed out-of-bed functional exercise was not associated with improved Harris hip score, but it was associated with worsen ADL capacities at 1-month postoperatively and higher one-year mortality. The present study emphasizes the benefit of early out-of-bed exercise on the majority of elderly patients with hip fracture.

Communicating Two States in Perovskite Revealed by Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Spectroscopy.

Organic-inorganic perovskite as a promising candidate for solar energy harvesting has attracted immense interest for its low-cost preparation and extremely high quantum efficiency. However, the fundamental understanding of the photophysics in perovskite remains elusive. In this work, we have revealed two distinct states in MAPbI3 thin films at low temperature through time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy (TRPL). In particular, we observed a photo-induced carrier injection from the high energy (HE) state to the low energy (LE) state which has a longer lifetime. The strong interaction between the two states, evidenced by the injection kinetics, can be sensitively controlled through the excitation power. Understanding of the interacting two-states not only sheds light on the long PL lifetime in perovskite but also helps to understand the different behavior of perovskite in response to different excitation power. Further efforts in modifying the low energy state could significantly improve the quantum efficiency and lead to novel application in optoelectronics based on perovskite.

Extended Ladder-Type Benzo[k]tetraphene-Derived Oligomers.

Well-defined, fused-ring aromatic oligomers represent promising candidates for the fundamental understanding and application of advanced carbon-rich materials, though bottom-up synthesis and structure-property correlation of these compounds remain challenging. In this work, an efficient synthetic route was employed to construct extended benzo[k]tetraphene-derived oligomers with up to 13 fused rings. The molecular and electronic structures of these compounds were clearly elucidated. Precise correlation of molecular sizes and crystallization dynamics was established, thus demonstrating the pivotal balance between intermolecular interaction and molecular mobility for optimized processing of highly ordered solids of these extended conjugated molecules.

Fabrication of triple-labeled polyelectrolyte microcapsules for localized ratiometric pH sensing.

Encapsulation of pH sensitive fluorophores as reporting molecules provides a powerful approach to visualize the transportation of multilayer capsules. In this study, two pH sensitive dyes (fluorescein and oregon green) and one pH insensitive dye (rhodamine B) were simultaneously labeled on the microcapsules to fabricate ratiometric pH sensors. The fluorescence of the triple-labeled microcapsule sensors was robust and nearly independent of other intracellular species. With a dynamic pH measurement range of 3.3-6.5, the microcapsules can report their localized pH at a real time. Cell culture experiments showed that the microcapsules could be internalized by RAW 246.7 cells naturally and finally accumulated in acidic organelles with a pH value of 5.08 ± 0.59 (mean ± s.d.; n=162).

Somatostatin receptor-based molecular imaging and therapy for neuroendocrine tumors.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are tumors originated from neuroendocrine cells in the body. The localization and the detection of the extent of NETs are important for diagnosis and treatment, which should be individualized according to the tumor type, burden, and symptoms. Molecular imaging of NETs with high sensitivity and specificity is achieved by nuclear medicine method using single photon-emitting and positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals. Somatostatin receptor imaging (SRI) using SPECT or PET as a whole-body imaging technique has become a crucial part of the management of NETs. The radiotherapy with somatostatin analogues labeled with therapeutic beta emitters, such as lutetium-177 or yttrium-90, has been proved to be an option of therapy for patients with unresectable and metastasized NETs. Molecular imaging can deliver an important message to improve the outcome for patients with NETs by earlier diagnosis, better choice of the therapeutic method, and evaluation of the therapeutic response.

SPECT molecular imaging in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common disorder, and the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is clinical and relies on the presence of characteristic motor symptoms. The accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of PD is still limited. Functional neuroimaging using SPECT technique is helpful in patients with first signs of parkinsonism. The changes detected may reflect the disease process itself and/or compensatory responses to the disease, or they may arise in association with disease- and/or treatment-related complications. This paper addresses the value of SPECT in early differential diagnosis of PD and its potential as a sensitive tool to assess the pathophysiology and progression, as well as the therapeutic efficacy of PD.

[The expression of the early growth responsive gene-1 in acute pulmonary embolism of rats].

AIM: To investigate the dynamic changes of Egr-1 expression in the lungs of acute pulmonary embolism of rats by infusion of autoblood thrombs. METHODS: The model of pulmonary embolism by infusion of autoblood thrombs in the pulmonary artery of rats was established and the mean pulmonary arterial pressure was continuously monitored by computer, and the results were evaluated by lung perfusion scan and pathological changes. Expression of Egr-1 proteinum and mRNA were measured by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The mPAP of rats was increased significantly after infusion of autoblood thrombs at the half hour, and reached high level at the second hour, then remained the high level to four hours compared with group control at the same time point (P < 0.01). ECT image was showed significantly filling defect after infusion of autoblood thrombs at the first hour. The infused thromb was witnessed by hematoxylin and eosin stain. In the tracheal epithelium cells, alveolar epithelium cells and vascular smooth muscle cells of embolism rats, Egr-1 protein expression was increased significantly after embolization at the second hour compared with group control at the same time point (P<0.01), and was decreased slowly at the fourth hour. Egr-1 mRNA expression was showed the similar changes. CONCLUSION: Expression of Egr-1 was low level in group control, but increased significantly after infusion of autoblood thromb at the second hour in the specificity of cells, suggesting that Egr-1 expression might be an important link of pathological changes in the acute pulmonary embolism.

[The relationship between the parotid glands function and the dose-volume effect in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with intensity-modulated radiation therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the preservation of parotid glands function and relationship between parotid glands function and dose-volume histogram (DVH) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated by intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). METHODS: From August 2002 to December 2004, the excretion index (EI) and uptake index (UI) of parotids in 48 NPC patients underwent radical IMRT was examined by ECT at the beginning, the end of and the 3 months after radiotherapy. The relationship between parotid function (EI and UI) and DVH were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean doses to the contralateral parotid and ipsilateral parotid were 22.8 +/- 4.5 Gy and 31.9 +/- 4.1 Gy, respectively. The symptom of xerostomia was mild at the end of radiotherapy. ECT showed EI of contralateral parotid were 0.35 +/- 0.25, 0.31 +/- 0.24 and 0.33 +/- 0.22 at the beginning, the end of and 3 months after radiotherapy (RT), respectively. UI were 7.12 +/- 3.56, 5.81 +/- 2.25 and 5.72 +/- 2.81 at the same intervals. This shows no statistical difference. The EI and UI of ipsilateral parotid at the completion of radiotherapy declined significantly (0.21 +/- 0.16 and 4.87 +/- 2.45, respectively) compared with those of pre-treatment (0.36 +/- 0.27 and 8.02 +/- 3.89, respectively) (P < 0.05). DVH showed: at the end of RT, the EI was significant difference between mean dose < 26 Gy and > or = 26 Gy group (P = 0.009) and decreased significantly in the group of V25 (the percentages of parotid volume irradiated with < 25 Gy) > or = 50% compared with the group of V25 < 50% (P < 0.01). The UIs were no significant difference in two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: 26 Gy is a threshold dose for the preservation of parotid glands function. There is also a threshold volume irradiated for the preservation of the parotid glands function. Based on the precondition of assuring significant dose to the target volume (PTV), we should reduce the irradiated volume and dose to parotid glands as possible as we can so as to preserve its function.