Relationship between diffusion parameters derived from intravoxel incoherent motion MRI and perfusion measured by dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI of soft tissue tumors

Our aim was to evaluate the link between diffusion parameters measured by intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and the perfusion metrics obtained with dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) MRI in soft tissue tumors (STTs). Twenty‐eight patients affected by histopathologically confirmed STT were included in a prospective study. All patients underwent both DCE MRI and IVIM DWI. The perfusion fraction f, diffusion coefficient D and perfusion‐related diffusion coefficient D* were estimated using a bi‐exponential function to fit the DWI data. DCE MRI was acquired with a temporal resolution of 3–5 s. Maps of the initial area under the gadolinium concentration curve (IAUGC), time to peak (TTP) and maximum slope of increase (MSI) were derived using commercial software. The relationships between the DCE MRI and IVIM DWI measurements were assessed by Spearman's test. To exclude false positive results under multiple testing, the false discovery rate (FDR) procedure was applied. The Mann–Whitney test was used to evaluate the differences between all variables in patients with non‐myxoid and myxoid STT. No significant relationship was found between IVIM parameters and any DCE MRI parameters. Higher f and D*f values were found in non‐myxoid tumors compared with myxoid tumors (p = 0.004 and p = 0.003, respectively). MSI was significantly higher in non‐myxoid tumors than in myxoid tumors (p = 0.029). From the visual assessments of single clinical cases, both f and D*f maps were in satisfactory agreement with DCE maps in the extreme cases of an avascular mass and a highly vascularized mass, whereas, for tumors with slight vascularity or with a highly heterogeneous perfusion pattern, this association was not straightforward. Although IVIM DWI was demonstrated to be feasible in STT, our data did not support evident relationships between perfusion‐related IVIM parameters and perfusion measured by DCE MRI. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Herd immunity effect of the HPV vaccination program in Australia under different assumptions regarding natural immunity against re-infection

Deterministic dynamic compartmental transmission models (DDCTMs) of human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission have been used in a number of studies to estimate the potential impact of HPV vaccination programs. In most cases, the models were built under the assumption that an individual who cleared HPV infection develops (life-long) natural immunity against re-infection with the same HPV type (this is known as SIR scenario). This assumption was also made by two Australian modelling studies evaluating the impact of the National HPV Vaccination Program to assist in the health-economic assessment of male vaccination. An alternative view denying natural immunity after clearance (SIS scenario) was only presented in one study, although neither scenario has been supported by strong evidence. Some recent findings, however, provide arguments in favour of SIS.     

三维超声评估胆囊动力功能时相

目的探讨三维超声评估胆囊功能及胆囊胆汁动力时相的临床意义。方法利用三维超声对50例正常体检者(正常组)和50例胆囊结石患者(胆石组)进行脂餐试验,记录餐前、餐后每隔10 min的胆囊容积,共计380 min,计算胆囊最大收缩率(GBEF_(max))和最大收缩时间(Tmax),并绘制胆囊容积变化曲线图。结果正常组餐前胆囊容积为(16.75±7.14)mL,餐后90 min胆囊容积最小为(1.90±0.98)mL,GBEF_(max)为(88.61±10.39)%,Tmax为(90.34±12.36)min,360 min胆囊容积恢复到餐前水平。与正常组比较,胆石组餐前胆囊体积(19.06±6.93)mL明显增大(P0.05),GBEF_(max)(67.27±7.26)%明显降低(P0.05),Tmax(110.85±10.33)min明显延长,餐后约360 min胆囊容积恢复到餐前水平。依据胆囊胆汁动力相变化,胆囊胆汁排出相为餐后0~90 min,胆囊胆汁充盈相为餐后90~360 min,胆囊胆汁浓缩相为餐后360 min。结论三维超声等影像学只需检测餐前和餐后90 min胆囊容积即可达到评估胆囊功能,胆囊胆汁动力时相的变化可能更全面体现胆囊功能,对临床手术方式及时机的选择有较高实用价值。     

Intensive Short‐Term Dynamic Psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder: A pilot effectiveness and process‐outcome study

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical‐ and cost‐effectiveness of Intensive Short‐Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). We further aimed to examine if a key clinical process within the ISTDP framework, termed the level of mobilization of unprocessed complex emotions (MUCE), was related to outcome. The sample consisted of 215 adult patients (60.9% female) with GAD and comorbid conditions treated in a tertiary mental health outpatient setting. The patients were provided an average of 8.3 sessions of ISTDP delivered by 38 therapists. The level of MUCE in treatment was assessed from videotaped sessions by a rater blind to treatment outcome. Year‐by‐year healthcare costs were derived independently from government databases. Multilevel growth models indicated significant decreases in psychiatric symptoms and interpersonal problems during treatment. These gains were corroborated by reductions in healthcare costs that continued for 4 years post‐treatment reaching normal population means. Further, we found that the in‐treatment level of MUCE was associated with larger treatment effects, underlining the significance of emotional experiencing and processing in the treatment of GAD. We conclude that ISTDP appears to reduce symptoms and costs associated with GAD and that the ISTDP framework may be useful for understanding key therapeutic processes in this challenging clinical population. Controlled studies of ISTDP for GAD are warranted.     

Age-based normative data for a computerized dynamic posturography system that uses a virtual visual surround environment

Background: Computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) is the gold standard to differentiate between sensory, motor, and central adaptive impairments to postural control.

Objective: To obtain normative values in healthy adults age 20–69 for a CDP system that uses a full-field dynamic visual surround. This is in contrast to the mechanically movable visual surround used in traditional CDP systems.

Methods: Fifty healthy adults divided into five age groups were tested during the three test protocols for CDP: sensory organization test (SOT), motor control test (MCT), and adaptation test (ADT). Outcomes were compared across age groups and to published normative CDP values. Repeatability was assessed in five different subjects (23–30 years old) on 2 days, 1 week apart.

Results: Most outcomes were comparable to published norms with notable differences in SOT condition 4 and ADT. SOT composite and conditions 4–6, all MCT translations, and ADT toes up showed moderate to good repeatability (r?=?0.60 to 0.99). Age group and gender differences were not substantial.

Conclusions: Some but not all CDP outcomes with a virtual visual environment were comparable to published norms. The differences are likely related to the virtual surround having a more compelling effect on balance even in conditions with a stationary surround.     

Sonography as a Tool for Identifying Engaging Hill‐Sachs Lesions

Engaging Hill‐Sachs lesions can be a factor predictive of recurrent anterior shoulder instability, yet no method has been recognized as an effective means to predict engagement. We evaluated the ability of sonography to identify engaging Hill‐Sachs lesions by using a transaxillary approach and dynamic scanning. In patients with engaging lesions, there was an abrupt change in the contour of the humeral head when the shoulder was in 90° of abduction and 90° of external rotation. Sonography therefore has the potential to be a useful preoperative tool in determining which patients may benefit from a surgical repair that also addresses Hill‐Sachs lesions.     

股骨粗隆间骨折DHS术后髋内翻原因分析

目的分析股骨粗隆间骨折患者通过采用动力髋螺钉（DHS）内固定，术后部分患者出现髋内翻的原因，找到预防方法。方法对本院2004年6月-2012年12月收治的164例股骨粗隆间骨折患者行DHS术式病例术后恢复情况进行比较。结果出现髋内翻的患者共14例，对于出现髋内翻的原因进行分析。结论出现髋内翻的患者多为老年患者，常见原因为：①老年不稳定的骨折；②骨质疏松；③术中骨折复住情况欠佳；④行DHS内固定时的操作方法不当。     

Posturographic limits of stability can predict the increased risk of falls in elderly patients with instability?

Conclusions: There was a difference in average score of the sensory organization test (SOT) of the case group (elderly instability) compared to the control group (healthy subjects). Cases had worse scores on the limits of stability (LOS) than controls, but were only able to confirm statistically significant differences in the movement velocity.

Objective: To study the LOS of elderly patients with instability vs healthy subjects of the same age to try to explain the increased risk of falls in elderly patients with instability.

Methods: Fifty individuals ≥65 years, 30 cases (at least one of the next inclusion criteria: ≥1 fall in the last 12 months, >15?s or some support in the timed up and go test, composite <68 in SOT, ≥1 fall during production of the SOT) compared to 20 controls. Postural study: SOT and LOS, Smart Equitest Neurocom^® platform. Statistical analysis: t-Student test (p?Result: Mean value of overall balance: patients with instability =56% vs controls =77.1% (p p?=?0.029). The reaction time (cases =1217?s vs controls =1.077?s), excursion (56.95% vs 59.35%) and directional control (56.95% vs 59.35%) differences were not statistically significant.     

商河县生活垃圾无害化处理场库区杂填土地基处理

针对山东省商河县生活垃圾无害化处理场工程地质条件及垃圾堆载特点，介绍了地基处理方法的选用原则，根据地勘建议做水泥深层搅拌桩处理，与建筑常用的强夯法、换填法等处理方法进行综合分析比选，确定采用强夯法处理最为适合，并提出了具体的施工方法，对强夯后地基进行载荷试验检测，结果符合设计要求。