Putting a face in its place: in- and out-group membership alters the N170 response

Two mechanisms have been proposed to account for the difficulty in recognizing faces of other racial groups (the other-race effect; ORE): perceptual expertise and social cognitive factors. Focusing on the social cognitive factors alone, we manipulated in-group and out-group memberships based on two social categories (nationality and university affiliation), and controlled for perceptual expertise by testing Caucasian participants with Caucasian faces only. Using event-related potentials (ERPs) and focusing on the N170, a brain electrical component sensitive to faces, we provide for the first time strong support for the social cognitive influence on face processing within 200 ms. After participants learned the social categories, the N170 latency differentiated between double in-group and double out-group faces, taking longer to process the latter. In comparison, without group memberships, there was no difference in N170 latency among the faces. These results are consistent with recent findings of behavioral and imaging research, providing further support for the social cognitive model and its potential for understanding ORE.     

医院大型医用设备的科学管理与合理配置

目的：针对大型医用设备配置现状,探讨、分析医院设备管理中存在的问题及其原因,提出科学的管理办法。方法：购置大型医用设备前开展考察论证、可行性分析,购置后实施科学的绩效评估。结果：根据绩效评估报告,调整采购计划,使大型设备的配置得到优化。结论：使用大型医用设备绩效评估的新方法,实现大型设备配置规范化、合理化,更好地为大型医用设备的综合管理和购置决策提供参考依据。     

Comparison of double inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (DIR-MRI) and dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in detection of prostate cancer: A pilot study

IntroductionDCE-MRI is established for detecting prostate cancer (PCa). However, it requires a gadolinium contrast agent, with potential risks for patients. The application of DIR-MRI is simple and may allow cancer detection without the use of an intravenous contrast agent by differentially nullifying signal from normal and abnormal prostate tissue, creating contrast between the cancer and background normal prostate. In this pilot study we gathered data from DIR-MRI and DCE-MRI of the prostate for an equivalence trial. We also looked at how the DIR-MRI appearance varies with the aggressiveness of PCa.MethodDIR-MRI and DCE-MRI were acquired. The images were assessed by an experienced Consultant Radiologist and a novice reporter (Radiographer). The potential PCa lesions were quantified using a lesion to normal ratio (LNR). Radiological pathological correlation was made to identify the MRI lesions that represented significant PCa. A Wilcoxon sign rank was used to compare DCE-LNR and DIR-LNR for PCa containing lesions. Pearson's correlation was used to look at the relationship between DIR-LNR and PCa grade group (aggressiveness).ResultsDCE-LNR and DIR-LNR were found to be significantly different (Z = −5.910, p < 0.001). However, a significant correlation was found between PCa grade group and DIR-LNR.ConclusionDIR and DCE sequences are not equivalent and significant cancer is more conspicuous on the DCE sequence. However, DIR-LNR does correlate with PCa aggressiveness.Implications for practiceWith the correlation of PCa grade group with DIR-LNR this may be a useful sequence in evaluation of the prostate; stratifying the risk of there being clinically significant PCa before biopsy is performed. Furthermore, given that DIR-LNR appears to predict PCa aggressiveness DIR might be used as part of a multiparametric MRI protocol designed to avoid biopsy.     

Subclinical albuminuria is linked to gray matter atrophy in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective

Microalbuminuria (MA), a marker of renal microvascular disease, is associated with brain atrophy and neurovascular changes in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We evaluated the relationship between urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and regional brain volumes to determine whether subclinical albuminuria may indicate early structural brain changes in type 2 DM.

Materials/Methods

We studied UACR and brain volumes in 85 type 2 DM patients (64.8 ± 8.3 years) and 40 age-matched controls using 3D magnetization prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo (MP-RAGE) MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) at 3 Tesla. The relationship between UACR and brain volumes was analyzed using the least square models.

Results

In DM patients, UACR ≥ 5 mg/g, UACR ≥ 10 mg/g and clinically significant MA (UACR ≥ 17 mg/g [males] and 25 mg/g [females]) were associated with lower gray matter (GM) volume in the frontal lobe (r²_adj = 0.2–0.4, P = 0.01–0.05) and UACR ≥ 5 mg/g was also related to global GM atrophy (r²_adj = 0.1, P = 0.04), independent of DM duration, glucose levels, HbA_1c and hypertension. For UACR ≥ 5 mg/g, a lower global GM volume was related to worse executive function (P = 0.04) in the DM group. No associations were found for UACR (< 5 mg/g) and controls.

Conclusions

Subclinical albuminuria (UACR ≥ 5 mg/g) is associated with lower GM volume that has clinical impact on cognitive function in older diabetic patients, and these relationships are independent of DM control and hypertension. Therefore, UACR levels may serve as an additional marker of DM-related brain structural changes.     

Electronic circular dichroism behavior of chiral Phthiobuzone

Phthiobuzone is a bis(thiosemicarbazone) derivative with a single chiral center which has been used as a racemate in the clinical treatment of herpes and trachoma diseases. In this study, its two enantiomers were prepared from chiral amino acids and their absolute configurations were investigated by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) combined with modern quantum-chemical calculations using time-dependent density functional theory. It was found that solvation changed both the conformational distribution and the ECD spectrum of each conformer. The theoretical ECD spectra of the two enantiomers were in good agreement with the experimentally determined spectra of the corresponding isomers in dimethyl sulfoxide. The ECD behavior of the bis(thiosemicarbazone) chromophore in a chiral environment is also discussed. Our results indicate that ECD spectroscopy may be a useful tool for the stereochemical evaluation of chiral drugs.Key words: Electronic circular dichroism, Chiral drugs, Absolute configuration, Time-dependent density functional theory     

股骨颈内固定螺钉构型的解剖影像分析

目的 根据影像解剖图像分析探讨股骨颈骨折3枚螺钉内固定的最优螺钉构型。方法 自2017年1月至2月,在安吉县人民医院医学影像信息系统（PACS）中回顾性选择15例正常成人双侧(30根)股骨行三维CT重建,其中男8例,女7例;年龄28～63岁,平均(43±8.5)岁。于股骨颈中心轴线垂直方向在颈中部显示股骨颈截面（FNS),经图像重叠获得其在股骨转子外侧壁的投影。在股骨颈截面内模拟3种螺钉构型：以股骨颈截面长轴为中线的等边三角形构型（IET-FNS组）、股骨冠状轴为中线的等边三角形构型（IET-PF组）和股骨颈截面内的钝角三角形螺钉构型（OT组）。观察螺钉间距离、螺钉距股骨颈截面中心距离、螺钉工作面积与股骨颈截面积比。结果 螺钉间的距离：OT组（5.96±0.37）cm;IET-FNS组（4.74±0.39）cm。IET-PF组（4.58±0.39）cm;螺钉与股骨颈截面中心点距离：OT组（3.43±0.18）cm;IET-FNS组（2.81±0.17）cm;IET-PF组（2.72±0.14）cm。螺钉面积与股骨颈截面积比：OT组（0.31±0.01）;IET-FNS组（0.21±0.02）;IET-PF组（0.16±0.01）。OT组3项测量指标值均较大于其他两组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 从影像解剖学分析,钝角三角形螺钉构型在观察指标螺钉间距离,螺钉距股骨颈截面中心距离、螺钉工作面积与股骨颈截面积比有优势,可能是股骨颈骨折3枚螺钉内固定的理想构型,但需要进一步的生物力学测试证实。     

Outcomes of trans-tibial posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a fovea landmark technique in relation to tunnel position and serial tunnel configuration

PurposeTo evaluate (1) the outcome of PCL reconstruction with tibial suspensory fixation using a fovea landmark technique based on the tunnel position and serial change of the tunnel configuration after trans-tibial PCL reconstruction, and (2) whether suspensory fixation has any harmful effect on the outcome.MethodsA total of 48 knees that underwent PCL reconstruction were included. The tunnel position was analyzed using CT. To analyze the tunnel configuration, the tunnel diameter, area, and volume were measured. To evaluate the outcome, pre- and postoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores were analyzed. To evaluate stability, a side-to-side difference was evaluated using Telos stress radiographs.ResultsThe greatest configurational change occurred at the mid-portion of tibial tunnel. There was a correlation between stability and tibial tunnel mid-portion configurational change (p < 0.01). Important correlations were found between the tunnel position and serial tunnel configuration between high femoral tunnel and widest site of femoral tunnel and tibia aperture (p < 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). The diameter of widest site of tibia tunnel increased when the tibia tunnel center moved toward the posterior margin of the tibia (p = 0.02) and the percentage of femoral tunnel volume enlargement increased when the tibia tunnel center moved toward the medial edge of the PCL fovea (p = 0.02).ConclusionsA high femoral tunnel, medial tibial tunnel, and posterior tibial tunnel were related to the serial configurational change. A suspensory tibial fixation produced significant configurational change around the mid-portion of the tibial tunnel, and it induced a negative effect on stability.Level of Evidence: Level IV.     

Sequencing‐based microsatellite instability testing using as few as six markers for high‐throughput clinical diagnostics

Microsatellite instability (MSI) testing of colorectal cancers (CRCs) is used to screen for Lynch syndrome (LS), a hereditary cancer‐predisposition, and can be used to predict response to immunotherapy. Here, we present a single‐molecule molecular inversion probe and sequencing‐based MSI assay and demonstrate its clinical validity according to existing guidelines. We amplified 24 microsatellites in multiplex and trained a classifier using 98 CRCs, which accommodates marker specific sensitivities to MSI. Sample classification achieved 100% concordance with the MSI Analysis System v1.2 (Promega) in three independent cohorts, totaling 220 CRCs. Backward–forward stepwise selection was used to identify a 6‐marker subset of equal accuracy to the 24‐marker panel. Assessment of assay detection limits showed that the 24‐marker panel is marginally more robust to sample variables than the 6‐marker subset, detecting as little as 3% high levels of MSI DNA in sample mixtures, and requiring a minimum of 10 template molecules to be sequenced per marker for >95% accuracy. BRAF c.1799 mutation analysis was also included to streamline LS testing, with all c.1799T>A variants being correctly identified. The assay, therefore, provides a cheap, robust, automatable, and scalable MSI test with internal quality controls, suitable for clinical cancer diagnostics.