Bone susceptibility mapping with MRI is an alternative and reliable biomarker of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Objectives

To investigate the efficacy of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in the assessment of osteoporosis for postmenopausal women.

Methods

Between May and September 2017, a total of 70 postmenopausal women who underwent MRI-based QSM and quantitative computed tomography (QCT) were consecutively enrolled in this prospective study. The measurement of QSM and QCT values was performed on the L3 vertebrae body. On the basis of QCT value, all individuals were divided into three groups (normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis).

Results

On the basis of QCT, 18 individuals were normal (25.7%), 26 osteopenic (37.1%) and 26 osteoporotic (37.1%). The QSM value was age-related (p = 0.04) and significantly higher in the osteoporosis group than in either the normal or osteopenia group (for all, p < 0.001). In addition, the QSM value was highly correlated with QCT value (r = ? 0.720, p < 0.001). For QSM, the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity for differentiating osteopenia from non-osteopenia were 0.88, 86.5% and 77.8%, respectively, and for differentiating osteoporosis from non-osteoporosis they were 0.86, 80.8% and 77.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

MRI-based QSM could be used for quantifying susceptibility in vertebrae and has the potential to be a new biomarker in the assessment of osteoporosis for postmenopausal women.

Key Points

? Osteoporosis significantly increases risk of fracture for postmenopausal women. ? QSM value was correlated with QCT value (r = ? 0.72, p < 0.001). ? QSM is feasible in the assessment of osteoporosis for postmenopausal women. ? QSM offers the quantification of susceptibility within bone.

     

新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情下医疗防护用品保障机制探讨

2020年1月,新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情暴发以来,各地医疗机构处于应急状态。深圳市第三人民医院作为深圳市唯一定点救治医院,承担全市新冠肺炎患者的救治任务,截至2020年3月7日,全院累计收治确诊患者419人。在疫情防控中,医疗防护用品的储备和使用关系到一线医护人员的生命安全。通过分享新冠肺炎疫情期间深圳市第三人民医院多渠道储备防护用品、监测防护用品每日用量、设置防护用品预警、建立突发疫情防护用品保障机制等工作开展情况,供大家一起探讨。     

Epidemiological distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in 1–29-year-olds in the mainland of China

BackgroundTo analyze the epidemiological distribution of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype in the mainland of China following the implementation of effective preventive measures.MethodsFive hundred and seventeen HBsAg-positive subjects aged 1–29 years surveyed in the 2014 national HBV sero-survey in the mainland of China were enrolled in the study. The full-length HBV genome was obtained by PCR amplification and sequencing. The HBV genotype was determined by phylogenetic analysis. Combined with questionnaire information, HBV genotype distribution was analyzed.ResultsOf the 517 HBsAg-positive subjects, 369 (71.4%) were included in the analysis. HBV genotypes found were B (45.0%), C (36.6%), D (6.0%), C/D (9.8%), B/C (2.2%), and I (0.5%). Geographic differences in HBV genotype were significant for seven regions. Three serotypes were found: adw (47.2%), adr (35.5%), and ayw (17.3%). B2 (43.9%) and C2 (25.2%) were the two major subgenotypes. The predominant genotypes differed between the Han group and the other ethnic groups. No statistical differences in genotype distribution were found by gender, age group, or hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination history.ConclusionThe prevalence of HBV genotype B was higher than that of genotype C with subgenotypes B2 and C2 endemic in 1–29-year-olds in the mainland of China, after HBV prevalence has reduced significantly due to the implementation of preventive measures. HepB vaccination or other factors did not interfere with HBV genotype distribution. The surveillance of HBV genotype was essential for responding to the potential changes and impact on the preventive policies in the future.