The Vidian Canal: Radiological Features in Japanese Population and Clinical Implications

The vidian canal (VC), a bony tunnel in which the vidian artery and nerve pass, has been widely known as an important landmark to identify the anterior genu of the petrous carotid artery (AGPCA) especially during lateral extended endoscopic endonasal approachs (LEEEAs). The objectives of this study in the Japanese population are to describe the radiological anatomic features and relationships between VC and its surrounding structures, and discuss the clinical implications. We studied 231 high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans with a slice thickness of 0.5 mm. All the patients had known sellar or parasellar pathologies but without any involvement of VC. The following VC-related parameters were examined: its length, relationship to AGPCA, course from the pterygopalatine fossa to the carotid canal, its position relative to the medial pterygoid plate and pneumatization pattern of the sphenoid sinus. Mean length of VC is 14.6 mm. There is more tendency of straight-running VC compared to other populations. VC locates infero-lateral to AGPCA in all the cases. The protrusion of VC and the paraclival carotid artery to the sphenoid sinus, as well as well-pneumatization of the sinus is also observed more frequently in almost a half of the population. Surgeons who perform LEEEAs in Japanese patients must know these anatomical features. The characteristics particular to Japanese populations may facilitate better identification of VC and exposure to AGPCA intraoperatively.     

Impact of intensified chemotherapy in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in clinical routine in Europe

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with poor prognosis. Gemcitabine is the standard chemotherapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (MPA). Randomized clinical trials evaluating intensified chemotherapies including FOLFIRINOX and nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (NAB+GEM) have shown improvement in survival. Here, we have evaluated the efficacy of intensified chemotherapy versus gemcitabine monotherapy in real-life settings across Europe.

肺癌中Ets1 mRNA和c-Met蛋白表达细胞芯片的研究

目的 进行细胞芯片的研制,为快速、规范、简便、经济地进行各种细胞学检查提供一种新方法.方法 应用自制的细胞芯片检测装置(专利申请号:2005200278140),制成7×16点阵细胞芯片.对切片进行HE染色、免疫组织化学染色和荧光原位杂交技术检测.结果 制成的细胞芯片为112点阵,HE染色检测结果与相应涂片结果完全一致;应用细胞芯片进行了Ets1 mRNA荧光原位杂交和c-Met免疫组化染色,所得阳性结果与各例相应涂片检测结果均一致;将细胞芯片检测结果与进行Ets1 mRNA荧光原位杂交和c-Met免疫组化染色的Ⅲ+Ⅳ期肺癌的组织芯片阳性率进行比较,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 细胞芯片操作简单,节约试剂,减少实验误差,具有诊断快速准确、特异性高、信息量大的特点,在临床诊断、科研和流行病学筛查中将有广泛的应用前景.     

Sedentary behaviour and obesity development in children and adolescents

Sedentary lifestyle patterns in children and adolescents, i.e. playing digital games, using computers and especially watching television, have been associated with obesity. However, not all sedentary behaviour has shown the same relevance to, and relationship with, obesity. Therefore, we conducted a review including published studies found in PubMed and other medical journals, dated between January 1990 and April 2007. The ages of the children and adolescents who were the object of the study ranged between 2 and 18 years. For the purpose of this paper, we selected cross-sectional, longitudinal and intervention studies. Sufficient evidence exists to recommend setting a limit to the time spent watching TV, especially for younger children. However, video games and computers do not represent such a high risk compared to watching TV, when they do not replace physical activity too much. In fact, there is no evidence to suggest that sedentary behaviour displaces physical activity levels. Mechanisms that explain the link between sedentariness and obesity are also discussed. Finally, future studies should take into account important mediators such as socioeconomic status and family structure.     

Mechanical assessment of bovine pericardium using Müeller matrix imaging,enhanced backscattering and digital image correlation analysis

Mechanical characterization of tissue is an important but complex task. We demonstrate the simultaneous use of Mueller matrix imaging (MMI), enhanced backscattering (EBS) and digital image correlation (DIC) in a bovine pericardium (BP) tensile test. The interest in BP relies on its wide use as valve replacement and biological patch. We show that the mean free path (MFP), obtained through EBS measurements, can be used as an indicator of the anisotropy of the fiber ensemble. Our results further show a good correlation between retardance images and displacement vector fields, which are intrinsically related with the fiber interaction within the tissue.OCIS codes: (170.0170) Medical optics and biotechnology, (170.0110) Imaging systems, (170.6935) Tissue characterization     

Impact of scatter on double-pass image quality and contrast sensitivity measured with a single instrument

We compared objective Double-Pass (DP) image quality data with subjective visual parameters measured within the same modified instrument for different amounts of scatter. The original DP imaging channel of a clinical instrument was maintained intact and two additional channels were included, one for visual testing and another for tear film (TF) imaging by using a retro-illumination technique. Contrast sensitivity (CS) was compared with measurements of the Objective Scattering Index (OSI) obtained from DP retinal images corresponding to different scatter levels induced by pre-defined filters. OSI values were correlated with the change in CS for different spatial frequencies measured with the same instrument. Since TF and DP images were recorded at the same rate, this provided additional information about the dynamic spatial stability of the tear film. This new DP instrument has been proven to provide accuracy and repeatability, and to be suitable for clinical diagnosis, with a complete evaluation of the eye’s performance by a simultaneous objective and subjective assessment under the same experimental conditions.OCIS codes: (330.4460) Ophthalmic optics and devices, (330.7327) Visual optics, ophthalmic instrumentation