Computerized tomography based on DEI refraction information.

Conventional computerized tomography (CT) technique is based on the absorption contrast. In recent years, X-ray phase-contrast CT (PCCT) has been developing rapidly. It uses the phase information to reconstruct the object and provide high contrast and spatial resolution. Diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) method is one of the three phase-sensitive X-ray imaging techniques. DEI method employs an analyzer crystal to extract the object's refraction information which can be used for CT. However, when DEI refraction CT is combined with the conventional CT algorithm, it should be satisfied that the refraction information of an arbitrary point in the object is invariable at every projection view. In this paper, the invariance condition of refraction information is analyzed and two feasible methods are provided for reconstruction. Using these two methods, two samples of weak absorption are reconstructed with the experimental data obtained at Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility (BSRF).     

Odontoma: a clinicopathologic study of 81 cases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Odontoma is the most common odontogenic tumor. It includes 2 types, the compound and complex odontomas. There has not been a series study of the clinical and histologic features of odontomas from Taiwan. This study evaluated the clinicopathologic features of odontoma in Taiwanese. METHODS: Cases of odontoma treated from 1998 to 2002 identified from medical records were included. The microscopic features, radiographic features, and clinical history of the patients were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 81 odontomas in 81 patients (36 males and 45 females) were included. There were 62 compound and 19 complex odontomas. The mean age of the patients was 18 years with the majority of odontomas occurring in the first (32%) and second decade (38%) of life. Odontomas had a marked predilection for the maxilla (70%) and for the anterior region of the jaw (83%), particularly for the anterior maxilla (62%). Sixty four (79%) of the 81 odontomas were associated with 80 impacted teeth, including 71 permanent teeth, 2 deciduous teeth, and 7 supernumerary teeth. Of the 71 impacted permanent teeth, the maxillary central incisor (27%) was most commonly affected, followed by the maxillary canine (26%) and mandibular canine (24%). Histologic examination revealed enamel matrix in 90%, dentin in 100%, cementum in 88%, pulp tissue in 96%, fibrous capsule in 93%, ghost cells in 83%, reduced enamel epithelium in 86%, and nests of odontogenic epithelium in 58% of odontomas. Dentigerous cyst was associated with 9% of odontomas. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, odontomas occurred most often in the first and second decade of life. Although complex odontomas are usually found in the posterior jaw, in this Taiwanese series they were most commonly found in the anterior maxilla. Odontoma is frequently associated with an impacted tooth and occasionally with a dentigerous cyst. No recurrence of odontomas was found after surgical excision with follow-up of 1 to 15 years.     

1.5T超导磁共振制冷系统的工作原理及日常维护

介绍GE 1.5T超导磁共振制冷系统的组成和工作原理,讨论日常维护的要点及其必要性。     

Managing the premenstrual syndrome

The definition, classification, proposed etiologies, diagnosis, and treatment of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are discussed, and guidelines for the clinical management of PMS are presented. PMS encompasses a cluster of physical and psychosocial symptoms that recur during each menstrual cycle. Proposed etiologies for the syndrome include a hormonal imbalance between estrogen and progesterone, pyridoxine hydrochloride deficiency, hypoglycemia, excess prostaglandin production, and increased aldosterone concentrations in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Diagnosis of PMS is usually based on a patient's history of recurrent symptoms accompanied by a seven-day, symptom-free period in the first half of the menstrual cycle. Management of PMS is complicated by the difficulty in diagnosing the syndrome and its unclear etiology. If possible, conservative nonpharmacologic treatment should be tried initially; suggested measures include modifications in diet, exercise, substance use, stress factors, rest patterns, and social support. Pharmacologic treatment should be considered when conservative therapies are ineffective or when PMS symptoms are more severe. Although most therapies are empirical, treatment with progesterone, pyridoxine, bromocriptine, or diuretics might prove beneficial. Once the decision is made to initiate drug therapy, the treatment regimen should be individualized and based on the patient's PMS symptom complex. The clinical management of PMS is complicated by the lack of well-designed clinical investigations of proposed treatments. Future research should be directed toward evaluating the efficacy of proposed therapeutic regimens.     

Modulation of high-dose methotrexate toxicity by a non-toxic level of 5-fluorouracil

High-dose methotrexate (MTX) toxicity is reduced by a non-toxic dose of 5-fluorouracil (FU) when these agents are used in combination. Changes in the hematopoietic system (platelets, erythrocytes, leukocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit), ileal tissue, body weight, and mean survival were used as parameters to assess toxicity. For all parameters studied, there were no significant differences between the scheduling of MTX (245 mg/kg) after a priming dose of FU (25 mg/kg), simultaneous MTX and FU, FU alone, and control. However, sequential treatment with MTX followed by FU, and MTX alone resulted in: a marked decrease in the hematopoietic parameters; significant morphological changes in ileal tissue; a reduction of body weight; and increased mortality of animals. Hence, this study suggests that FU, a cytotoxic agent, may protect against MTX toxicity and improve its therapeutic index when FU administration precedes MTX or when these agents are given simultaneously.