The effect of different statistical approaches on image quality data obtained from radiological examinations

IntroductionSelection of optimal image acquisition protocols in medical imaging remains a grey area, the superimposed use of the Likert scale in radiological image quality evaluations creates an additional challenge for the statistical analysis of image quality data.Using a simulation study, we have trialled a novel approach to analysing radiological image quality Likert scale data.MethodsA simulation study was undertaken where simulated datasets were generated based on the distribution of Likert scale values according to varying image acquisition protocols from a real dataset. Simulated Likert scale values were pooled in four different ways; the mean, median, mode and the summation of patient Likert scale values of which the total was assigned a categorical Likert scale value. Estimates of bias, MAPE and RMSPE were then calculated for all four pooling approaches to determine which method most accurately represented an expert's opinion.ResultsWhen compared to an expert's opinion, the method of summation and categorisation of Likert scale values was most accurate 49 times out of the 114 (43.0%) tests. The mean 28 times out of 114 (24.6%), the median 23 times out of 114 (20.2%) and the mode 17 times out of 114 (14.9%).ConclusionWe conclude that our method of summation and categorisation of Likert scale values is most often the best representation of the simulated data compared to the expert's opinion.Implications for practiceThere is scope to reproduce this simulation study with multiple observers to reflect clinical reality more accurately with the dynamic nature of multiple observers. This also prompts future investigation into other anatomical areas, to see if the same methods produce similar results.     

Buffering the stomach content enhances the absorption of diflunisal in man

Diflunisal, a lipophilic salicylate, is absorbed more slowly in healthy volunteers than aspirin. In this paper we report on attempts to influence diflunisal absorption by buffering the gastric milieu. Sodium bicarbonate given together and 30 min after diflunisal tablets significantly (p less than 0.05) shortened the time to reach peak plasma concentration (tmax greater than 15 per cent), raised maximum plasma concentration slightly (Cmax 6 per cent) and increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC greater than 8 per cent). Other pharmacokinetic parameters, including terminal half-life and renal elimination of the compound, were not considerably influenced. These findings indicate that the absorption of diflunisal was enhanced by increased gastric pH, presumably a result of an increased solubility of diflunisal in the stomach together with faster transport into the small intestine. In one volunteer, after intravenous administration diflunisal plasma concentrations declined in a triphasic manner with a terminal half-life of 12.8 h. The volume of distribution was approximately 10 per cent of body weight. Based on the ratio of AUC after equivalent i.v. and oral diflunisal doses, the absolute bioavailability was 89.5 per cent.     

PHA RMA COKINETICS OF CUPRIC－BIS（SALICYLALDEHYDE－2－FURA NTHIOCA RBOXY－HYDRAZONATE） DICHLORIDE（CSFTCH） IN RABBITS

ＰＨＡＲＭＡＣＯＫＩＮＥＴＩＣＳＯＦＣＵＰＲＩＣ－ＢＩＳ（ＳＡＬＩＣＹＬＡＬＤＥＨＹＤＥ－２－ＦＵＲＡＮＴＨＩＯＣＡＲＢＯＸＹ－ＨＹＤＲＡＺＯＮＡＴＥ）ＤＩＣＨＬＯＲＩＤＥ（ＣＳＦＴＣＨ）ＩＮＲＡＢＢＩＴＳ￥ＧａｏＹｕｎｓｈｅｎｇ；ＺｈｕＹｕｙｕｎ（...     

Digital sonomicrometer system for measuring small vascular diametersin situ

Although present sonomicrometer techniques for measuring continuous changes in vascular diameter are very useful, two problems with available methods are difficulty in maintaining crystal alignment throughout an acute experiment and inability to measure absolute dimensions less than 1 mm. We have designed and ultrasonic dimension gauge system to over come these problems. The design uses a gate to pass a 20 MHz signal to a counter during the sonic travel time between crystals, and then converts the digital count to an analogue voltage. Interference from the transmitting impulse in the received signal was minimised using MOSFET transistors allowing measurements of absolute dimensions from 0.00 mm to 99.9 mm. An averaging effect which depends upon the asynchrony between the basic timer and the counter clock results in a resolution of at least 10 μm. Repeated calibration curves showed an accuracy of 2.5 μm without significant bias. Piezoelectric crystals were mounted to a lighweight stainless-steel clip to facilitate attachment to the vessel and to maintain the crystals in focus during changes in diameter. Mean and phasic diameters measured in the femoral artery with the clip device correlated well with measurements obtained with crystals sewn to the adventitia of the femoral artery of the dog (slope =0.97, r=0.99).     

个体患者适形调强放疗计划模体内剂量实测验证技术的建立

目的建立个体患者适形调强放疗（IMRT）计划的模体内剂量实测验证技术。方法选择1例鼻咽癌患者，设计IMRT计划。将患者计划转移到模体上设计杂交计划。执行杂交计划时，用针点电离室测量感兴趣点的剂量，并与该点的计算剂量比较。用胶片剂量测量系统测量杂交计划中感兴趣平面的剂量，胶片与计划剂量矩阵登记后，依次进行计划，胶片分析、计划，胶片剖面分析和计划／胶片等剂量线分析。采用复合判断标准评价验证结果。结果针点电离室测量得到杂交计划单次照射的总剂量为121．5cGy，比计算值低约4％。计划，胶片分析得到高剂量、高梯度区域的距离差别均在4mm以内；计划／胶片剖面分析显示，计划与胶片在通过靶区的剖面具有较好的一致性；计划，胶片等剂量线分析显示，计划与胶片对应值的等剂量线重合良好。按照复合判断标准，该计划验证通过。结论初步建立了个体患者IMRT计划的模体内剂量实测验证技术，建立并优化了剂量登记技术、剂量归一方法和评价方法。     

Concomitant intrusive luxation and root fracture of a central incisor - report of a case

Abstract A case of a 9-year-old boy who presented with intruded maxillary central incisors, one of which had also sustained a middle third root fracture, is reported. The root fracture was diagnosed after orthodontic extrusion was started, which resulted in separation of the apical and coronal fragments. The hypermobile coronal fragment was stabilised by passing a K file through a palatal access cavity into the root canal of the apical fragment. Orthodontic alignment was completed and the fractured incisors were restored with the file left in situ. At a 10-year follow-up, the incisors were clinically healthy and continued to satisfy aesthetic and functional demands.     

Visual evoked potentials relating to imagery: Words for concrete objects versus absolute concepts

Summary We recorded visual evoked potentials (VEPs) elicited with high or low imaginable Chinese characters (HIC or LIC), representing concrete objects or absolute concepts, respectively. A closed circle (CC) acts as control stimulus. These were displayed (at 1.6° visual angle) for 35 ms on a TV monitor. Twenty-one channel VEPs (band-pas filter: 0.05–60 Hz), using balanced non-cephalic electrodes, were recorded from –100 to 924 ms for 11 right-handed male volunteers. The VEPs were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and comparison of topographies at four remarkable peaks (P110, N160, P230 and N320). MANOVA showed significant differences (p< 0.001) for both conditions of channel and stimuli (HIC, LIC or CC). P100 for the CC-VEPs, N160 for the HIC-and LIC-VEPs, P230 for the CC-VEPs, and N320 for the HIC-VEPs were remarkable in the posterior scalp regions. Topographies at P100 and N160 showed no difference between the HIC-and LIC-stimuli. However, those at N320 showed difference between the HIC-and LIC-stimuli over the occipital and posterior temporal areas. Those results suggest that the responses at P100 and N160 might segregate Chinese characters from non Chinese characters. N320 suggested certain processes in imagery on recognizing Chinese characters over the occipital and posterior temporal areas.We are grateful to Dr. Yoshiji Kojima of Hamamatsu University for helpful comments.     

Absolute pitch and pupillary response: effects of timbre and key color

The pitch identification performance of absolute pitch possessors has previously been shown to depend on pitch range, key color, and timbre of presented tones. In the present study, the dependence of pitch identification performance on key color and timbre of musical tones was examined by analyzing hit rates, reaction times, and pupillary responses of absolute pitch possessors (n = 9) and nonpossessors (n = 12) during a pitch identification task. Results revealed a significant dependence of pitch identification hit rate but not reaction time on timbre and key color in both groups. Among absolute pitch possessors, peak dilation of the pupil was significantly dependent on key color whereas the effect of timbre was marginally significant. Peak dilation of the pupil differed significantly between absolute pitch possessors and nonpossessors. The observed effects point to the importance of learning factors in the acquisition of absolute pitch.     

多基因遗传风险评分指导肺癌个体化筛查的前瞻性队列研究

目的探索如何利用遗传风险评分,制订个体化的肺癌筛查方案。方法利用中国慢性病前瞻性研究(CKB)队列10个地区100615例具有全基因组基因分型信息的样本,根据前期课题组发表的19个遗传变异构建肺癌多基因遗传风险评分PRS-19。以55岁且吸烟剂量30包/年人群的5年绝对发病风险为参考届值,在吸烟者和非吸烟者中分别计算不同遗传风险人群5年肺癌绝对发病风险随年龄和吸烟剂量的变化趋势,并绘制5年绝对发病风险分布图,从而判断不同遗传风险人群达到参考界值时的理论年龄或吸烟剂量。根据上述结果给出不同遗传风险人群参加肺癌筛查起始年龄的具体建议。结果CKB队列中55岁吸烟者,当吸烟量为30包/年时,5年内发生肺癌的绝对风险为0.67%。在吸烟者中,随着遗传风险增加,其5年绝对发病风险呈不断上升趋势,对于高遗传风险人群应降低筛查起始年龄,遗传风险最高的1%人群建议从50岁开始进行筛查;若保持筛查起始年龄55岁不变,则应在高遗传风险人群中降低吸烟剂量标准;不管累积吸烟剂量为多少,遗传风险最高的1%人群都应纳入肺癌筛查。在非吸烟者中,高遗传风险人群同样具备筛查价值,建议遗传风险最高的1%人群从62岁起进行肺癌筛查,而对于遗传风险最低的5%人群,当年龄达到74岁时才可达到参考届值。结论对于不同遗传风险的个体,可采用个体化的肺癌筛查方案,对于高遗传风险的吸烟者可减小肺癌筛查起始年龄或吸烟剂量,而我国高遗传风险的非吸烟者同样具备筛查价值。