A Bayesian iterative transmission gradient reconstruction algorithm for cardiac SPECT attenuation correction

Background  High-quality attenuation maps are critical for attenuation correction of myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography studies. The filtered backprojection (FBP) approach can introduce errors, especially with low-count transmission data. We present a new method for attenuation map reconstruction and examine its performance in phantom and patient data. Methods and Results  The Bayesian iterative transmission gradient algorithm incorporates a spatially varying gamma prior function that preferentially weights estimated attenuation coefficients toward the soft-tissue value while allowing data-driven solutions for lung and bone regions. The performance with attenuation-corrected technetium 99m sestamibi clinical images was evaluated in phantom studies and in 50 low-likelihood patients grouped by body mass index (BMI). The algorithm converged in 15 iterations in the phantom studies. For the clinical studies, soft-tissue estimates had significantly greater uniformity of mediastinal coefficients (mean SD, 0.005 cm⁻¹ vs 0.011 cm⁻¹; P<.0001). The accuracy and uniformity of the Bayesian iterative transmission gradient algorithm were independent of BMI, whereas both declined at higher BMI values with FBP. Attenuation-corrected perfusion images showed improvement in myocardial wall variability (4.8% to 4.1%, P=.02) for all BMI groups with the new method compared with FBP. Conclusion  This new method for attenuation map reconstruction provides rapidly converging and accurate attenuation maps over a wide spectrum of patient BMI values and significantly improves attenuation-corrected perfusion images.     

Extended donor criteria for lung transplantation--a clinical reality.

OBJECTIVE: Standard lung donor criteria have been established on opinions and individual experiences rather than on existing evidence. Since the scarcity of donor organs is one of the major limitations to lung transplantation, extension of donor lung criteria might considerably increase the donor pool. This study therefore evaluates the outcome, achieved with the use of extended donors versus standard donors and aims to redefine lung donor criteria. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 98 consecutive primary lung transplantations from 94 donors from 1/2001 to 12/2002. Donors were classified as extended if they fulfilled at least one criteria: age >55 years, PaO(2) at FiO(2)/PEEP 5 <300mmHg, tobacco history >20 pack years, inhalative drug abuse, presence of infiltration on chest X-ray or purulent secretions at bronchoscopy. Recipients were stratified in two groups according to whether they received a 'standard' or 'extended' organ. Postoperative complications, extubation time, ICU and hospital stay and survival were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-three (24.5%) donors were extended. Twenty-six recipients (26.55%) received organs from extended donors. Differences in intubation times (12+/-2 days standard vs. 14+/-5 days extended, P=0.70), ICU stay (16+/-2 days standard vs. 18+/-5 days extended, P=0.74) and hospital stay (38+/-4 days standard vs. 40+/-6 days extended, P=0.71) were not statistically significant. Postoperative bleeding rates were comparable (n=14 standard vs. n=3 extended) as well as bronchial anastomotic complications (n=7 standard vs. n=3 extended). Three months survival was 88.89% in the standard group vs. 92.31% in the extended group. One year survival is comparable as well with 81.94 vs. 84.62%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of lung donors who fail to meet standard criteria does not impair short and medium term results compared to standard lung donors. The impact on long term development of BOS has yet to be evaluated. The strict application of standard lung donor criteria excludes a considerable number of lungs potentially suitable for transplantation, thus liberalisation of donor criteria might help to overcome donor shortage.     

Sentinel Bleeding After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Disregarded Sign

Introduction Delayed massive hemorrhage induced by pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy is a rare but life-threatening complication. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical course of patients with late hemorrhage, with or without sentinel bleeding, to better define treatment options in the future. Material and Methods From April 1998 to December 2006, 189 pancreaticoduodenectomies were performed. Eleven patients, including two patients referred from other hospitals, were treated with delayed massive hemorrhage occurring 5 days or more after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Sentinel bleeding was defined as minor blood loss via surgical drains or the gastrointestinal tract with an asymptomatic interval until development of hemorrhagic shock. The clinical data of patients with bleeding episodes were analyzed retrospectively. Results Eight of the 11 patients had sentinel bleeding, and seven of them had it at least 6 h before acute deterioration. Seven out of 11 patients died, five out of eight with sentinel bleeding. No differences could be detected between patients with or without sentinel bleeding before delayed massive hemorrhage. The only difference found was that non-surviving patients were significantly older than surviving patients. Delayed massive hemorrhage is a common cause of death after pancreaticoduodenostomy complicated by pancreatic fistula formation. The observation of sentinel bleeding should lead to emergency angiography and dependent from the result to emergency relaparotomy to increase the likelihood of survival.     

Atypical absences and recurrent absence status in an adult with Angelman syndrome due to the UBE3A mutation.

Angelman syndrome is a neurogenetic disorder resulting in refractory epilepsy and profound psychomotor retardation in its most prevalent form, caused by deletion of maternal chromosome 15q11-13. We report the case of a 29-year-old, mentally retarded man with unusual electroencephalographic changes during periods of atypical absence status epilepticus, a previously unreported manifestation of the usually milder, drug-responsive epilepsy associated with Angelman syndrome due to the UBE3A mutation.[Published with video sequences].     

4-1BB(CD137)配体在几种肿瘤细胞株上的表达

目的：研究4—1BBL在几种人肿瘤细胞株上的表达。方法：用RT—PCR及法检测肿瘤细胞内4—lBBL mRNA水平的表达；用流式细胞仪检测肿瘤细胞膜表面4—1BBL的表达。结果：4—1BBL在Jurkat细胞株上高表达(98．97％)，在HL-60和K562上表达较低(分别为24．77％和19．23％)，而在HL-29细胞株上基本不表达(2．13％)。结论：4—1BBL在不同肿瘤细胞株表达水平不同。     

血清铁和铁蛋白与肝病患者肝纤维化指标的关系

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship of serum iron and ferritin with the indicators for hepatic fibrosis and hepatic iron overload. METHODS: Liver tissue specimens were obtained from 41 patients with benign (16) or malignant (25) liver diseases by 1 second liver biopsy, and routine microscopic examination was performed after haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Perl's Prussian staining. Atomic absorption spectrum, radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were respectively employed to examine the serum levels of iron, ferritin, hyaluronic acid, laminin, human procollagen type , and collagen type . RESULTS: Between patients with benign and malignant liver diseases, significant differences were found in the serum ferritin levels (P < 0.05), but not in serum iron levels (P > 0.05). It was also noted that the levels of the indicators for hepatic fibrosis in patients with benign and early-stage malignant diseases varied significantly from the levels in normal subjects, but these differences were not observed between normal subjects and patients with end-stage hepatic malignancies. Serum iron and ferritin were found to be associated with serum laminin levels (serum iron: r=0.439, P=0.031; serum ferritin: r=0.476, P=0.016), and no iron granules detected in the tissue specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have elevated serum ferritin levels. The serum levels of iron and ferritin are statistically correlated with serum laminin level. Obvious reduction of iron content is typical of hepatic malignant tissues in comparison with the benign tissues, and the reduction in the levels of the indicators for hepatic fibrosis might involve the inhibition of collagen synthesis in the tumor tissues from patients with end-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Most of the cases of alcoholic fatty liver are complicated by liver iron overload, often marked by serum iron and ferritin levels.     

膀胱出口梗阻后逼尿肌收缩蛋白表达和膀胱重量的改变

目的探讨膀胱出口梗阻(BOO)后逼尿肌收缩蛋白表达和膀胱重量的改变及意义。方法BOO组病人16例,筛选条件为入院诊断良性前列腺增生症(BPH)并经尿动力学压力-流率检查证实为高压低流型;对照组5例,为外伤等情况入院并排除有下尿路梗阻病史者。BOO组所有病例均行耻骨上经膀胱前列腺摘除术,术前B超检查测定膀胱重量和前列腺内外径比值,术中切取膀胱上壁组织2cm×1cm×1cm大小,标本行RT-PCR反应,检测膀胱逼尿肌中肌动蛋白和肌球蛋白mRNA的表达,并比较其与膀胱重量间的线性相关性。结果BOO组与对照组膀胱重量分别为(92.15±34.89)g和(56.08±20.35)g,(P<0.05);前列腺内外径比值分别为(0.57±0.16)和(0.18±0.06),(P<0.01);与对照组相比,BOO组肌动蛋白和肌球蛋白mRNA的表达量均有显著增加,分别为(40.32±59.67)×106和(6.59±5.62)×106,(P值均<0.01);且两者表达量与膀胱重量之间均有明显线性正相关性(P<0.05)。结论逼尿肌中肌动蛋白和肌球蛋白的表达与膀胱逼尿肌的功能状态密切相关。     

对侧网状巨细胞核对大鼠脊髓背表面电位的影响

以浅麻醉和麻痹大鼠为对象,利用计算机平均技术记录强电流刺激腓肠神经诱发的脊髓背表面电位(CDP),观察对侧网状三细胞核(NGC)微量注射L一谷氨酸钠,使神经细胞兴奋后对CDP的影响.实验发现,对侧NGC神经细胞兴奋后,Aβ和Aσ纤维引起的P_1波及Aσ和C类纤维引起的N_3波减小,C类纤维引起的P_2波明显减小,N_4 波消失.以上结果提示:对侧NGC对细纤维诱发的CDP成分有抑制作用.