Planification de la radiothérapie du cancer de la prostate par l’imagerie par résonance magnétique

PurposeMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an increasing role in radiotherapy dose planning. Indeed, MRI offers superior soft tissue contrast compared to computerized tomography (CT) and therefore could provide a better delineation of target volumes and organs at risk than CT for radiotherapy. Furthermore, an MRI-only radiotherapy workflow would suppress registration errors inherent to the registration of MRI with CT. However, the estimation of the electronic density of tissues using MRI images is still a challenging issue. The purpose of this work was to design and evaluate a pseudo-CT generation method for prostate cancer treatments.Materials and methodsA pseudo-CT was generated for ten prostate cancer patients using an elastic deformation based method. For each patient, dose delivered to the patient was calculated using both the planning CT and the pseudo-CT. Dose differences between CT and pseudo-CT were investigated.ResultsMean dose relative difference in the planning target volume is 0.9% on average and ranges from 0.1% to 1.7%. In organs at risks, this value is 1.8%, 0.8%, 0.8% and 1% on average in the rectum, the right and left femoral heads, and the bladder respectively.ConclusionThe dose calculated using the pseudo-CT is very close to the dose calculated using the CT for both organs at risk and PTV. These results confirm that pseudo-CT images generated using the proposed method could be used to calculate radiotherapy treatment doses on MRI images.     

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis in non-exposed skin

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis is an acquired elastic tissue disorder clinically similar to pseudoxanthoma elasticum in the absence of systemic involvement. Histopathologically, special staining of elastic fibers demonstrates a total or partial band-like loss of elastic fibers in the papillary dermis. Although ultraviolet radiation seems to be one of the main etiological factors in this entity, we report a case of pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like papillary dermal elastolysis on the neck of a woman who wore hijab.     

Elastic Characteristics of Digital Cores from Longmaxi Shale Using Lattice Spring Models

Effective medium methods for the attribution of micro-structures to macro elastic properties of shales are important for the prediction of sweet spots in the shale-gas production. With X-ray micro-computed tomography (XMCT), the micro-structures of shale core samples from Longmaxi Formation are visualized and characterized by 3D digital images. As an efficient alternative to conventional effective medium methods for estimating elastic properties, we propose a consistent workflow of lattice spring modeling (LSM) to emulate the digital cores using three types of lattices. Particular attention is paid to investigate the effective Young's moduli, Poisson's ratios, and preferred orientations, by uniaxial compression tests along two directions. Within elastic deformation, the impact of lattice arrangements on the anisotropy is even more than those of stress disturbances and micro-structural features. Compared with analytical approximations and theoretical predictions, the LSM numerical scheme shows general applicability for heterogeneous porous rocks.     

弹力绷带与医用棉两种衬垫在电动气压止血带中的应用比较

目的通过比较医用棉纸与弹力绷带作为电动气压止血带衬垫的方法,观察不同衬垫材料在电动气压止血带中的应用效果。方法将2018年1月至12月镇江市中西医结合医院骨科收治的100例患者采用随机数字表分为弹力绷带组(50例)和棉纸组(50例),分别采用弹力绷带和医用棉纸作为电动气压止血带衬垫材料,观察比较两组的止血效果、皮肤损伤发生率以及对电动气压止血带袖带的保护情况。结果弹力绷带组患者的皮肤压痕、瘀斑、水泡等皮肤损伤发生率低于棉纸组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组止血效果比较差异无统计学意义;弹力绷带组的袖带污染发生率(4%)明显少于棉纸组(16%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论弹力绷带作为止血带衬垫材料止血效果明显,而且能有效降低患者受压处皮肤的损伤率,同时减少了止血带袖带的污染,有利于袖带的清洁消毒。     

Transmission and scanning electron microscopy of cutis rhomboidalis

Cutis rhomboidalis nuchae was assessed in a 65-year-old patient. Optical microscopy showed basophilic agglomerations in the reticular dermis with decreased elastic fibers. Transmission electron microscopy showed elongated, curved and fragmented structures, and in their interior the presence of electron-dense lumps was reduced and irregular, similar to modified elastic fibers, whereas the collagen fibers had a normal aspect. Scanning electron microscopy showed deposits between the bundles of collagen, resembling pebbles or stones. These findings demonstrate that, at one stage of the disease, the collagen remains normal and the alterations are seen in the elastic tissue.     

Bending Strength of Wood Treated with Propolis Extract and Silicon Compounds

The modification of wood and its treatment with various preservatives may affect its mechanical properties, hence the knowledge of the character changes in wood caused by impregnation is of great importance. Therefore, the aim of the research was to determine the effect of impregnation, with the propolis-silane preparation (EEP-MPTMOS/TEOS) consisting of the propolis extract (EEP) and silicon compounds: 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPTMOS) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), on the bending strength of treated wood. Moreover, in the study wood treated with components of the propolis-silane formulation was used, namely 70% ethanol, the propolis extract, and silanes (MPTMOS/TEOS). In order to determine whether the impregnation of wood affects its long-term bending, creep tests were performed depending on the humidity. The impregnation of wood with the propolis extract and the propolis-silane preparation (EEP-MPTMOS/TEOS) contributed to the increase in modulus of rapture and work to maximum load values compared to the untreated wood. In dry wood condition, the wood treated with EEP and EEP-MPTMOS/TEOS was characterized by lower modulus of elasticity values than the control samples. In turn, in wet wood condition, wood treated with the propolis-silane preparation showed an increase in the MOE value. Moreover, the impregnation of wood had an influence on the wood creep process under bending loads. The treated wood was characterized by higher relative creep compliance than the untreated wood. The exception was the wood impregnated with EEP-MPTMOS/TEOS, which showed comparable relative creep compliance to the control samples. The presented results indicate that wood treated with a bio-friendly preparation based on propolis and silicon compounds can be used in various application and also in variable humidity conditions.     

双侧耳郭软骨骨化1例并文献复习

目的探讨耳郭软骨骨化的发病机制、临床表现、诊断依据、鉴别诊断、治疗方法。方法回顾性分析1例耳郭软骨骨化患者的临床资料并复习相关文献进行总结。结果耳郭软骨骨化的发病机制暂不明确,通常无明显不适症状,少数患者可伴有局部疼痛、听力下降等症状。颞骨CT可辅助诊断,最终确诊依赖于组织病理检查。症状不明显时可暂予观察,若症状严重影响了生活和工作,可予手术治疗。结论耳郭软骨骨化在临床上较为少见,目前尚无有效逆转耳郭骨化的办法。积极寻找病因,及早干预,有利于避免病情进一步发展。     

Prediction of structural failure of tibial bone models under physiological loads: Effect of CT density–modulus relationships

Although finite element (FE) models can provide distinct benefits in understanding knee biomechanics, in particular the response of the knee to implants, their usefulness is limited by the modelling assumptions and input parameters. This study highlights the uncertainty of material input parameters derived from the literature and its limitation on the accuracy and usefulness of FE models of the tibia. An FE model of the intact human knee and a database of knee forces (muscles, ligaments and medial and lateral tibio-femoral contacts) were developed for walking and stair-descent activities. Ten models were constructed from ten different combinations of apparent bone density to elastic modulus material property relationships, published in the literature. Some of the published material property relationships led to predictions of bone strains in the proximal tibia which exceeded published failure criteria under loads imposed by normal activities. These relationships appear not to be applicable for the human tibia. There is a large discrepancy in proposed relationships that cover the cancellous bone density range. For FE models of the human tibia, the material relationship proposed by Morgan et al., which assumed species and anatomic site dependence, produced the most believable results for cancellous bone. In addition to casting doubt on the use of some of the published density–modulus relationships for analysis of the human proximal tibia, this study highlights the need for further experimental work to characterise the behaviour of bone with intermediate densities.