Measurement of arterial input functions for dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging using echoplanar images: comparison of physical simulations with in vivo results.

Measurement of the arterial input bolus shape is essential to the quantification of mean transit time and blood flow with dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI. Input functions derived from the echoplanar signal intensity within or near arteries are highly nonlinear, yet such input functions are widely used. We employed a physical model for the echoplanar signal intensity from an artery as a function of contrast agent concentration, artery size, and angle to the magnetic field to test approaches for the measurement of the arterial input function. The simulated results confirmed the strong nonlinearity of signal in the neighborhood of vessels. Of the input function measurement methods considered, the simulations suggested that measurement of signal near but not within a large vessel is most accurate, but mean transit times (MTT) calculated with these input functions are highly sensitive to peak bolus concentration. Input functions determined from voxels demonstrating the shortest first moment overestimated the MTT but the measured MTTs were more robust to changes in peak concentration. Characteristics of the measured in vivo input functions were consistent with the simulations. Our results emphasize the important contribution of input function errors to the uncertainty in MTT and blood flow imaging with DSC MRI.     

Therapeutic effects of liposomal adriamycin in combination with tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Liposomes as drug carriers in cancer chemotherapy have attracted considerable interest. To enhance the therapeutic effect of Adriamycin entrapped in liposomes (Lip-ADM) on human solid tumors, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Lip-ADM in combination with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rTNF-alpha), which is known to have specific effects on tumor vasculature. rTNF-alpha or saline solution was injected intravenously into nude mice bearing a human colon cancer strain, HC-1, at 1 hour before intravenous administration of Lip-ADM. The significant therapeutic effect of Lip-ADM in combination with rTNF-alpha was demonstrated by the evaluation with tumor growth curve and the actual tumor weights, in comparison with groups of mice treated with saline solution, rTNF-alpha alone, or with a Lip-ADM after saline. Levels of Adriamycin in tumor tissue in the Lip-ADM in combination with rTNF-alpha-treated group were higher than those in Lip-ADM with saline solution-treated group.     

Magnetic resonance relaxation times of normal tissue in the course of chemotherapy: a study in patients with bone sarcoma

To study the effect of chemotherapy on normal fat, skeletal muscle, and bone marrow, T1 and T2 relaxation times were measured in 15 patients with bone sarcoma before and after each cycle of preoperative chemotherapy. A section plane containing the tumor and if possible the nonaffected extremity was imaged with combined multiecho spin echo and inversion recovery pulse sequences. T1 and T2 relaxation times were calculated in the normal-appearing tissues. Although some variation was found in the values in the individual patient and between patients, no systematic changes of relaxation times of fat, muscle, or bone marrow occurred in the course of treatment. We conclude that the chemotherapy used in bone sarcoma has no effect on relaxation times of normal fat, muscle, and bone marrow, and that therefore these tissues may serve as a reference for the signal intensity of tumor.     

低角度青少年特发性脊柱侧凸女性患者的骨密度分析

目的分析低角度青少年特发性脊柱侧凸(adolescent idiopathic scoliosis,AIS)女性患者的骨密度(BMD)和骨矿含量(BMC),探讨其与年龄、生长发育、人体测量学和侧凸角度等的相关性。方法研究对象为218例Cobb角15～40°的女性AIS患者。运用双能X线骨密度吸收仪测定非优势侧股骨颈和腰椎的BMC/BMD。探讨这两个部位的BMC/BMD与患者的年龄、生长发育、人体测量学和侧凸角度等的相关性。结果所有患者的年龄平均为(13.4±1.4)岁,Cobb角平均为(28.3±6.2)°。股骨颈BMD平均为(0.827±0.103)g/cm2,腰椎BMD平均为(0.887±0.124)g/cm2,显著低于同龄健康女性儿童;股骨颈BMC平均为(3.49±0.56)g,腰椎BMC平均为(29.78±7.37)g。患者的BMC/BMD与Cobb角无显著相关,而与体重、身高、Risser征、月经状况、BMI和年龄显著相关。逐步回归分析显示,体重和年龄是影响患者BMD的主要因素。结论低角度女性AIS患者存在全身性的骨量减低,且与Cobb角无显著相关,而与生长发育和人体测量学相关指标显著相关。这提示AIS患者的骨量减低与生长发育和低体重有关。     

32例腹部开放性损伤的救治体会

目的:探讨开放性腹部损伤的治疗方法。方法:回顾性分析1991年-1994年32例开放性腹部损伤患者的临床资料。结果:开腹探查26例,单纯缝合6例,阴性探查3例,二次手术2例,术后切口感染2例,感染性休克死亡1例,治愈31例,病死率为3.12%。结论:开放性腹部外伤,首先要根据临床表现及辅助检查判定内脏是否损伤,手术时机的掌握是治疗的关键。     

不同时辰刺激大鼠的交叉上核对血浆中皮质酮含量的影响

应用拉丁方设计，在不同体重组的大鼠，于不同时辰，对交叉上核采取不同强度的刺激，用放射免疫法测定外周血中皮质酮的含量。其结果显示：各体重组间无显著性差异，不同时辰血浆皮质酮的平均含量各组呈现基本相同的节律性变化，无论何时辰刺激交叉上核使之兴奋，均可显著提高血浆皮质酮的含量。完全损毁交叉上核后７２小时血浆皮质酮含量和正常对照组无显著性差异，且其节律性也没有出现明显变化。     

Contact dermatitis in patients with leg ulcers

100 patients with leg ulcers were patch tested against a standard battery of allergens. The readings were carried out daily from the 2nd to the 7th days. 55 patients showed positive reactions to one or more allergens. 32% of positive reactions developed for the first time after 48 h and 11% after 72 h. No single day or combination of two days gave 100% positive results. A single reading on the 4th day gave the highest number of positive reactions at 92%. The prevalence of positive patch tests was significantly higher in patients with surrounding eczema, and in patients with positive patch tests the ulcer duration was significantly longer than in those with negative patch tests. The total number of positive results in individuals increased linearly with the duration of the ulcer. Of allergens to which the ulcer was exposed, the occurrence of multiple sensitivity was significantly greater than predicted from the prevalence of individual sensitivities. However, there was no association between medicaments and metal sensitivity. This, together with the absence of an exponential rise in the number of allergens with the duration of ulcer, does not support the theory of systemic ampliative allergy.     

采用修正正交分段线性函数求解时滞系统和卷积的方法

应用修正正交分段线性函数的时滞和反向特性，推导出求解时滞系统和卷积的公式。数字仿真表明，它具有计算简单，精度高的优点。     

Simultaneous noninvasive evaluation of gastric emptying and orocaecal transit times

Summary The aim of the study was to use a novel combination of two methods for the simultaneous evaluation of two effects of oral cisapride in 10 diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy; gastric emptying time was measured by following radio-opaque markers and orocaecal transit time by the sulphasalazine-sulphapridine method. The study was of double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over design.It was possible to evaluate the effect of a prokinetic drug on gastric emptying and orocaecal transit times using these two noninvasive techniques at the same time. Cisapride significantly reduced both the gastric emptying (1.2 h versus 2.1 h) and orocaecal tansit (5.9 h versus 7.7 h) times.     

Evidence for a reflex provoking contraction of the renal pelvis (with some comments on its clinical implications)

The effect of swallowing a small quantity of water or of solid food (biscuit) on the renogram curve was observed in 177 patients. Swallowing provoked contraction of the renal pelvis in 63% of the kidneys with a pelvicalyceal system which was neither obstructed nor dilated, with expulsion of a substantial fraction of the contents within 30 s. This did not occur in obstructed or denervated kidneys, nor in patients with a high transection of the spinal cord. Evidence is adduced that this contraction is mediated reflexly. This effect may be used diagnostically to distinguish physiological dilatation from obstruction. The implications when performing and interpreting renography are discussed. Correspondence to: M.V. Merrick