Myocardial perfusion SPECT reconstruction: Receiver operating characteristic comparison of CAD detection accuracy of filtered backprojection reconstruction with all of the clinical imaging information available to readers and solely stress slices iteratively reconstructed with combined compensation

BACKGROUND: Past receiver operating characteristic (ROC) studies have demonstrated that single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) perfusion imaging by use of iterative reconstruction with combined compensation for attenuation, scatter, and detector response leads to higher area under the ROC curve (A(z)) values for detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) in comparison to the use of filtered backprojection (FBP) with no compensations. A new ROC study was conducted to investigate whether this improvement still holds for iterative reconstruction when observers have available all of the imaging information normally presented to clinical interpreters when reading FBP SPECT perfusion slices. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 87 patient studies including 50 patients referred for angiography and 37 patients with a lower than 5% likelihood for CAD were included in the ROC study. The images from the two methods were read by 4 cardiology fellows and 3 attending nuclear cardiologists. Presented for the FBP readings were the short-axis, horizontal long-axis, and vertical long-axis slices for both the stress and rest images; cine images of both the stress and rest projection data; cine images of selected cardiac-gated slices; the CEQUAL-generated stress and rest polar maps; and an indication of patient gender. This was compared with reading solely the iterative reconstructed stress slices with combined compensation for attenuation, scatter, and resolution. With A(z) as the criterion, a 2-way analysis of variance showed a significant improvement in detection accuracy for CAD for the 7 observers (P = .018) for iterative reconstruction with combined compensation (A(z) of 0.895 +/- 0.016) over FBP even with the additional imaging information provided to the observers when scoring the FBP slices (A(z) of 0.869 +/- 0.030). When the groups of 3 attending physicians or 4 cardiology fellows were compared separately, the iterative technique was not statistically significantly better; however, the A(z) for each of the 7 observers individually was larger for iterative reconstruction than for FBP. Compared with results from our previous studies, the additional imaging information did increase the diagnostic accuracy of FBP for CAD but not enough to undo the statistically significantly higher diagnostic accuracy of iterative reconstruction with combined compensation. CONCLUSIONS: We have determined through an ROC investigation that included two classes of observers (experienced attending physicians and cardiology fellows in training) that iterative reconstruction with combined compensation provides statistically significantly better detection accuracy (larger A(z)) for CAD than FBP reconstructions even when the FBP studies were read with all of the extra clinical nuclear imaging information normally available.     

Multiple pilocytic astrocytomas of the cerebellum in a 17-year-old patient with neurofibromatosis type I

Objective Approximately 10% of patients with neurofibromatosis I (NFI) patients will have central nervous system (CNS) tumors. The most common of these are hypothalamic–optic gliomas, followed by brainstem and cerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas. While isolated pilocytic astrocytomas in NFI are well described, the appearance of multiple pilocytic astrocytomas in an individual patient is less common. The most frequent combination in NFI patients with more than one pilocytic astrocytoma is optic tract/hypothalamic and brainstem. Other combinations are exceedingly rare; multiple pilocytic astrocytomas have only been reported once in the cerebral hemispheres in a patient with NFI. This report presents the first documented case, to our knowledge, of multiple pilocytic astrocytomas in the cerebellum of a patient with NF1. Methods Case report. Conclusion The finding of multiple cerebellar pilocytic astrocytomas in a patient with NF1 is important because it expands the spectrum of presentations for patients with NF1 and also highlights specific diagnostic and therapeutic challenges faced by the treating physicians. The genetic and molecular basis of NF1 is reviewed. Strategies of diagnosis and treatment outlined here are relevant to both patients with NF1 and all patients with multiple posterior fossa tumors.     

骨胶原与骨质疏松骨密度及骨生物力学的相关性研究

目的探讨骨胶原含量在绝经后骨质疏松症的发生、发展及在骨质疏松性骨折中的作用。方法取7个月龄未交配雌性SD大鼠60只，随机分为四组，A组：对照组（sham组）；B组：切除卵巢组；C组：切除卵巢＋雌激素治疗组；D组：切除卵巢＋降钙素治疗组。除A组外，其他三组通过切除双侧卵巢法12周后制成骨质疏松模型，24周后分别行k的力学特性、右侧股骨三点弯曲试验、羟脯氨酸含量、k骨密度（BMD）测定，Masson三色染色法显示骨胶原形态。结果A、C、D组与B组在k羟脯氨酸含量、BMD、k压缩力学参数值、右侧股骨生物力学参数值、骨胶原染色含量及形态方面差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05），而A、C、D组之间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。统计学分析显示羟脯氨酸含量与BMD及骨生物力学参数值呈直线相关性。结论骨质疏松的发生与骨胶原含量下降有关。骨胶原含量的下降与BMD降低及骨生物力学改变呈相关性。应用雌激素和降钙素治疗去势后骨质疏松大鼠，不仅可以提高其BMD含量和骨生物力学性能，而且还可以提高骨胶原的含量。     

完全型房室间隔缺损合并法洛四联症心内矫正术

目的总结心内矫正术治疗完全型房室间隔缺损合并法洛四联症(CAVSD-TOF)的经验. 方法从1985年1月至2002年5月,共行CAVSD-TOF心内矫正术12例,年龄6～16岁(11.1±2.8岁),采用右心房、右心室纵切口,前7例采用三片法补片,后5例用二片法补片修补房室间隔缺损,左侧房室瓣裂隙采用间断缝合,右心室流出道用跨瓣补片加宽. 结果术后早期死亡4例,前7例死亡3例,后5例死亡1例,死亡原因为严重低心排血量3例,灌注肺1例.长期随访6例,随访时间3个月至13.5年,无任何症状,NYHA心功能Ⅰ级或Ⅱ级. 结论 CAVSD-TOF采用右心房、右心室纵切口,二片法补片修补房室间隔缺损,常规间断缝合左侧房室瓣裂隙,跨瓣补片加宽右心室流出道能取得较良好的效果.     

升主动脉成形术中期效果分析

Objective Reduction ascending aortoplasty is an alternative procdure to the replacement of the ascending aorts in case of ascending aorta dilation. However,its applicabikity is still under debate.This retrospective study was designed to evaluuate the midterm follow-up of unsupported ascending reduction aortoplasty for of the ascending aorta in petients with aortic valve dis- ease.Methods From October ,1996 to April,2007, a total of 54 patients with aortic valve disease and dilatation of the ascending aorta underwent unsupported reduction aortoplasty in combination with aortic valve replacement at our institution The diameter of the ascending aorta was measyred before and early after sugery and then later between 13 and 96 menths [mean (23 ±16)months] posto- perativeiy using echocardiography.Results Two patients were dead with thean overall perioperative mortality rate was of 3.7%. The reduction aortoplasty decreased the diameter of the aorta from (45.77±6.02) mm p～eope～afive]y to (34.67 ～4.81) mm early after surgery (P<0.01). During follow-up, the diameter d aorta increased from (34.67±4.81) mm early after surgery to (37.65± 6.35) mm after a mean follow-up of (23±16) months (P<0.01), including the diameters are greater than > 45 mm within 5 pa- tients. Aortic stenosis and an early postoperative diameter greater than 40 mm m'e independent risk factors for redilatation. Conchusion Because of the unsatisfied midterm follow-up redilation of unsupported reduction aortoplasty for dilation of the ascending aorta with aortic valve disease, this group of patients needs continued intimate fallow-up or even reoperation. The patients of stenosis is the surtable indication for RAA, and it is necessary to reduce the diameter of aorta to be lees than 40 mm to prevent redilation.     

Triterpenoid saponins, new metalloprotease snake venom inhibitors isolated from Pentaclethra macroloba.

We report here the antiproteolytic and antihemorrhagic properties of triterpenoid saponin inhibitors, named macrolobin-A and B, from Pentaclethra macroloba, against Bothrops snake venoms. The inhibitors were able to neutralize the hemorrhagic, fibrin(ogen)olytic, and proteolytic activities of class P-I and P-III metalloproteases isolated from B. neuwiedi and B. jararacussu venoms. Clotting and fibrinogenolytic activities induced by snake venoms and isolated thrombin-like enzymes were partially inhibited. Furthermore, the potential use of these inhibitors to complement antivenom therapy as an alternative treatment and/or used as molecular models for development of new therapeutical agents in the treatment of snake bite envenomations needs to be evaluated in future studies.     

Response rates,duration of response,and dose response effects in phase I studies of antineoplastics

Summary Over a period of 14 years, 7,960 patients were treated in 228 phase I trials. In these patients, there were 75 complete and 432 partial responses for an overall objective response rate of 6%. Complete responses lasted a median of six months (range 1–18), while partial responses lasted a median of three months (range 1–17). Of note is that no drug has made it to the market which has not had a response in phase I trials. Responses were noted in very diverse histologic types of tumors. Although there were responses at doses which were as low as 3–5% of the recommended dose for phase II trials, the majority of responses did occur at 80–120% of the dose recommended for phase II trials. Although the response rate in phase I trials is indeed low, responses do occur. This response rate information should help the clinician provide facts for the patient considering a phase I trial with new anticancer agents. These findings also emphasize that although phase I trials are characteristically dose-finding studies, if no responses are noted in phase I studies, it is unlikely the drug will be used routinely in the clinic.     

上颌骨Le Fort I型截骨进路切除巨大鼻咽纤维血管瘤

目的:探讨上颌骨LeFortI型截骨进路切除累及翼腭凹、颞下凹巨大鼻咽纤维血管肿瘤的可行性。方法:采用矫正上颌骨先天或后天畸形的LeFortI型截骨术式进路,切除位于鼻咽部、筛窦等深在部位的纤维血管瘤。结果:该进路术野显露充分,取得了理想的治疗效果。结论:上颌骨LeFortI型截骨进路是切除鼻咽、颅底部纤维血管瘤的理想进路。     

Predictors of oral health quality of life in older adults

There is limited information regarding oral health status and other predictors of oral health‐related quality of life. An association between oral health status and perceived oral health‐related quality of life (OHQOL) might help clinicians motivate patients to prevent oral diseases and improve the outcome of some dental public health programs. This study evaluated the relationship between older persons' OHQOL and their functional dentition, caries, periodontal status, chronic diseases, and some demographic characteristics. A group of 733 low‐income elders (mean age 72.7 ISD=4.71, 55.6% women, 55.1% members of ethnic minority groups in the U.S. and Canada) enrolled in the TEETH clinical trial were interviewed and examined as part of their fifth annual visit for the trial. OHQOL was measured by the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI); oral health and occlusal status by clinical exams and the Eichner Index; and demographics via interviews. Elders who completed the four‐year assessment had an average of 21.5 teeth (SD=6.9). with 8.5 occluding pairs (SD=4.6), and 32% with occlusal contacts in all four occluding zones. Stepwise multiple regressions were conducted to predict total GOHAI and its subscores (Physical, Social, and Worry). Functional dentition was a less significant predictor than ethnicity and being foreign‐bom. These variables, together with gender, years since immigrating, number of carious roots, and periodontal status, could predict 32% of the variance in total GOHAI, 24% in Physical, 27% in Social, and 21 % in the Worry subscales. These findings suggest that functional dentition and caries influence older adults' OHQOL, but that ethnicity and immigrant status play a larger role.     

Fluctuating PEEP (F–PEEP) versus conventional PEEP in dogs with asymmetrical lung injury

Fluctuating PEEP (F-PEEP) is a newly developed PEEP in which end-expiratory pressure (EEP) is periodically changed within a certain range. In a dog model with unilateral lung injury induced by the introduction of hydrochloric acid, F-PEEP in which the EEP was periodically changed from 0.5 to 1.5 kPa at periods of 6 min, and conventional PEEP (C-PEEP) with an optimized EEP of 1.0 kPa, were each applied for 30 min. F-PEEP produced a significantly greater improvement of PaO2 and intrapulmonary shunt (QS/QT) than C-PEEP, and at the low EEP phase, the greatest improvement accompanied by an increased dynamic compliance and a large cardiac output was obtained. These results suggest that F-PEEP provides a useful mode of artificial ventilation for the treatment of unilateral lung injury.