A review of clinical and histological parameters associated with contralateral neck metastases in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a high incidence of cervical micrometastases and sometimes metastasizes contralaterally because of the rich lymphatic intercommunications relative to submucosal plexus of oral cavity that freely communicate across the midline, and it can facilitate the spread of neoplastic cells to any area of the neck consequently. Clinical and histopathologic factors continue to provide predictive information to contralateral neck metastases (CLNM) in OSCC, which determine prophylactic and adjuvant treatments for an individual patient. This review describes the predictive value of clinical-histopathologic factors, which relate to primary tumor and cervical lymph nodes, and surgical dissection and adjuvant treatments. In addition, the indications for elective contralateral neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy (aRT) and strategies for follow-up are offered, which is strongly focused by clinicians to prevent later CLNM and poor prognosis subsequently.

Non-enhanced Low-tube-voltage High-pitch Dual-source Computed Tomography with Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm of the Abdomen and Pelvis

Objective To investigate the image quality, radiation dose and diagnostic value of the low-tube-voltage high-pitch dual-source computed tomography(DSCT) with sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction(SAFIRE) for non-enhanced abdominal and pelvic scans. Methods This institutional review board-approved prospective study included 64 patients who gave written informed consent for additional abdominal and pelvic scan with DSCT in the period from November to December 2012. The patients underwent standard non-enhanced CT scans(protocol 1) [tube voltage of 120 k Vp/pitch of 0.9/filtered back-projection(FBP) reconstruction] followed by high-pitch non-enhanced CT scans(protocol 2)(100 k Vp/3.0/SAFIRE). The total scan time, mean CT number, signal-to-noise ratio(SNR), image quality, lesion detectability and radiation dose were compared between the two protocols. Results The total scan time of protocol 2 was significantly shorter than that of protocol 1(1.4±0.1 seconds vs. 7.6±0.6 seconds, P<0.001). There was no significant difference between protocol 1 and protocol 2 in mean CT number of all organs(liver, 55.4±6.3 HU vs. 56.1±6.8 HU, P=0.214; pancreas, 43.6±5.9 HU vs. 43.7±5.8 HU, P=0.785; spleen, 47.9±3.9 HU vs. 49.4±4.3 HU, P=0.128; kidney, 32.2±2.3 HU vs. 33.1±2.3 HU, P=0.367; abdominal aorta, 44.8±5.6 HU vs. 45.0±5.5 HU, P=0.499; psoas muscle, 50.7±4.1 HU vs. 50.3±4.5 HU, P=0.279). SNR on images of protocol 2 was higher than that of protocol 1(liver, 5.0±1.2 vs. 4.5±1.1, P<0.001; pancreas, 4.0±1.0 vs. 3.6±0.8, P<0.001; spleen, 4.7±1.0 vs. 4.1±0.9, P<0.001; kidney, 3.1±0.6 vs. 2.8±0.6, P<0.001; abdominal aorta, 4.1±1.0 vs. 3.8±1.0, P<0.001; psoas muscle, 4.5±1.1 vs. 4.3±1.2, P=0.012). The overall image noise of protocol 2 was lower than that of protocol1(9.8±3.1 HU vs. 11.1±3.0 HU, P<0.001). Image quality of protocol 2 was good but lower than that of protocol 1(4.1±0.7 vs. 4.6±0.5, P<0.001). Protocol 2 perceived 229 of 234 lesions(97.9%) that were detected in protocol 1 in the abdomen and pelvis. Radiation dose of protocol 2 was lower than that of protocol 1(4.4±0.4 m Sv vs. 7.3±2.4 m Sv, P<0.001) and the mean dose reduction was 41.4%. Conclusion The high-pitch DSCT with SAFIRE can shorten scan time and reduce radiation dose while preserving image quality in non-enhanced abdominal and pelvic scans.

Microsporogenesis and meiotic behavior in nine species of the genus Pinus

提炼 10 税的 meiotic 行为一(九个种和种变化) 类， Pinus 用花粉母亲细胞(PMC ) 被调查在 karyotypes 之中揭示区别。染色体传播被常规挤压准备。而离开正路(chromosomal 桥，碎片，或微原子核) 的频率更低， meiotic 索引和平均配置更高，在所有 10 税一 compared with 另外的裸子植物。不规则的 meiotic 索引，平均配置，和频率被发现在种类之中一致。调查的 Pinus 种的染色体是高度稳定的，这被显示出，证实在这个类的以前的有丝分裂的分析的结果。然而，在染色体之中的相应染色体的细微区别被 meiotic 配置的分析在 Pinus nigra var 揭示。poiretiana。Quadrivalents 在这种在 9.31% PMC 被观察。这是 quadrivalents 在裸子植物被观察了的第一次。

Clinical Value of Dual-energy CT in Detection of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Investigation of the Best Pancreatic Tumor Contrast to Noise Ratio

Objective To quantitatively compare and determine the best pancreatic tumor contrast to noise ratio (CNR) in different dual-energy derived datasets. Methods In this retrospective, single center study, 16 patients (9 male, 7 female, average age 59.4±13.2 years) with pathologically diagnosed pancreatic cancer were enrolled. All patients received an abdominal scan using a dual source CT scanner 7 to 31 days before biopsy or surgery. After injection of iodine contrast agent, arterial and pancreatic parenchyma phase were scanned consequently, using a dual-energy scan mode (100 kVp/230 mAs and Sn 140 kVp/178 mAs) in the pancreatic parenchyma phase. A series of derived dual-energy datasets were evaluated including non-liner blending (non-linear blending width 0-500 HU; blending center -500 to 500 HU), mono-energetic (40-190 keV), 100 kVp and 140 kVp. On each datasets, mean CT values of the pancreatic parenchyma and tumor, as well as standard deviation CT values of subcutaneous fat and psoas muscle were measured. Regions of interest of cutaneous fat and major psoas muscle of 100 kVp and 140 kVp images were calculated. Best CNR of subcutaneous fat (CNR F ) and CNR of the major psoas muscle (CNR M ) of non-liner blending and mono-energetic datasets were calculated with the optimal mono-energetic keV setting and the optimal blending center/width setting for the best CNR. One Way ANOVA test was used for comparison of best CNR between different dual-energy derived datasets. Results The best CNR F (4.48±1.29) was obtained from the non-liner blending datasets at blending center -16.6±103.9 HU and blending width 12.3±10.6 HU. The best CNR F (3.28±0.97) was obtained from the mono-energetic datasets at 73.3±4.3 keV. CNR F in the 100 kVp and 140 kVp were 3.02±0.91 and 1.56±0.56 respectively. Using fat as the noise background, all of these images series showed significant differences (P<0.01) except best CNR F of mono-energetic image sets vs. CNR F of 100 kVp image (P=0.460). Similar results were found using muscle as the noise background (mono-energetic image vs. 100 kVp image: P=0.246; mono-energetic image vs. non-liner blending image: P=0.044; others: P<0.01). Conclusion Compared with mono-energetic datasets and low kVp datasets, non-linear blending image at automatically chosen blending width/window provides better tumor to the pancreas CNR, which might be beneficial for better detection of pancreatic tumors.

Polymer/silica hybrid waveguide Y-branch power splitter with loss compensation based on NaYF4:Er3+, Yb3+ nanocrystals

A polymer waveguide Y-branch power splitter with loss compensation is proposed based on NaYF4:Er^3+, Yb^3+ nanocrystals prepared by a high temperature thermal decomposition method. The Y-branch power splitter is designed as a structure of embedded waveguide, and its core material is nanocrystals-doped SU-8. The insertion loss of the device is ~ 15 dB. For an input signal power of 0.05 mW and a pump power of 267.7 mW, the two branches with 5.81-dB and5.41-dB loss compensations at 1530 nm are achieved respectively. A polymer waveguide Y-branch power splitter with loss compensation has an important research significance.

Determinants of Detection of Stones and Calcifications in the Hepatobiliary System on Virtual Nonenhanced Dual-energy CT

Objective To retrospectively determine the features of stones and calcifications in hepatobiliary system on virtual nonenhanced(VNE) dual-energy computed tomography(CT), and to evaluate the possibility of VNE images in diagnosis for those lesions. Methods A total of 128 gall stones and calcifications of the liver found in 110 patients were examined with triple phase abdominal CT scan from July 2007 to December 2011, in which true nonenhanced(TNE) phase and arterial phase were performed with single-energy CT(120 kVp) and portal venous phase was performed with dual-energy CT(100 kVp and 140 kVp). VNE images were generated from the portal venous phase dual-energy CT data sets by using commercially VNC software. The mean CT values for the stone, liver, bile and paraspinal muscle, mean lesion density and size in area dimension, contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR) of lesion to the liver or bile, and image noise were assessed and compared between VNE and TNE images. The effective dose and size-specific dose estimate(SSDE) were also calculated. Results The mean CT values of the lesions measured on VNE images declined significantly compared with those measured on TNE images(164.51±102.13 vs. 290.72±197.80 HU, P<0.001), so did the lesion-to-liver CNR(10.80±11.82 vs.18.81±17.06, P<0.001) and the lesion-to-bile CNR(17.24±14.41 vs. 21.32±17.31, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in size of lesions area between VNE and TNE images(0.69±0.88 vs. 0.72±0.85 cm2, P=0.062). Compared to the 128 lesions found in TNE images, VNE images showed the same density in 30(23.4%) lesions, lighter density in 88(68.8%) lesions, while failed to show 10(7.8%) lesions, and showed the same size in 61(47.7%) lesions and smaller size in 57(44.5%)lesions. The CT cutoff values of lesion and size were 229.21 HU and 0.15 cm2, respectively. The total effective dose for triple phase scan protocol with TNE images was 19.51±7.03 mS v, and the SSDE was 39.84±11.10 mGy. The effective dose for dual phase scan protocol with VNE images instead of TNE images was 13.29±4.89 m Sv, and the SSDE was 27.83±9.99 mGy. Compared with TNE images, the effective dose and SSDE of VNE images were down by 32.05%±3.69 % and 30.63%±2.34 %, respectively. Conclusions Although the CT values and CNR of the lesions decreased in VNE images, the lesions of which attenuation greater than 229.21 HU and size larger than 0.15 cm^2 could be detected with good reliability and obvious dose reduction. There was good consistency in the size of stones and calcifications in hepatobiliary system between VNE images and TNE images, which ensured the possibility of the clinical application of VNE images.

Establishment and identification of induced pluripotent stem cells in liver cancer patients

Objective:To induce pluripotent stem(IPS)cells from fibrocytes that are separated from liver cancer patients.Methods:The fibrocytes were reprogrammed to IPS cells by lentiviral vector,stained and identified by immunohistochemistry.Results:The IPS cells were successfully established from fibrocytes after infection,and IPS cell clones formed in round shape under a microscopy.The induction rate was 0.013%±0.007%.No tumor formed at the back of nude mice within 8 weeks after the inoculation of cell clone.However,tetatoma appeared in nude mice within 1 week after IPS inoculation.A few tumors formed in nude mice within 4 weeks after the inoculation of cell clones.However,subcutaneous tumors formed within 1 week after IPS inoculation.The induced IPS cells showed three germ layers in tetatoma.Nanog and OCT4 in the induced IPS cells showed hypomethylation.SSEA-A,TRA-1-6-,TRA-1-81 and Nanog were highly expressed in the induced IPS cells,indicating the IPS cells possessed the similar ability as the stem cells.Conclusion:The IPS cells of liver cancer patients can be established effectively from fibrocytes and can be cultured stably in vitro,which provides an approach for the treatment of intermediate or advanced stage liver cancer.

Compact 2×2 parabolic multimode interference thermo–optic switches based on fluorinated photopolymer

In this work, a dual-side parabolic structural(DSPS) multimode interference(MMI) thermo–optic(TO) waveguide switch is designed and fabricated by using novel low-loss fluorinated photopolymer materials. Comparing with the traditional dual-side linear structural(DSLS) MMI device, the effective length of the MMI coupling region proposed can be effectively reduced by 40%. The thermal stability of the waveguide material is analyzed, and the optical characteristics of the switching chip are simulated. The actual performances of the entire MMI switch are measured with an insertion loss of7 dB, switching power of 15 m W and an extinction ratio of 28 dB. In contrast to the traditional MMI optical switch, the new type of parabolic structural MMI TO waveguide switch exhibits lower power consumption and larger extinction ratio. The compact fluorinated polymer MMI TO switches are suitable well for realizing miniaturization, high-properties, and lower cost of photonic integrated circuits.

A Small Solitary Pulmonary Nodule Discovered by ^(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography and CT: Rare Infection Instead of Rare Tumor

THE causes of Cushing’s syndrome are mainly divided into adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) dependent and independent. ACTH dependent hypercortisolism represents excess ACTH secreting by the pituitary or tumor outside the pituitary;

Copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of methyleneindolinones and N,N'-cyclic azomethine imines

A copper-catalyzed stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of methyleneindolinones and N,N0-cyclic azomethine imines has been developed under mild reaction conditions.The spiro[pyrazolidin-3,30-oxindoles] were obtained in moderate to high isolated yields(up to 82%) with good stereoselevtivities(up to 15:1) in the presence of 5 mol% of Cu(OAc)2at room temperature.

Behavior of Meiotic Chromosomes in Pinus wallichiana,P.strobus and Their Hybrid and nrDNA Localization in Pollen Mother Cells of the Hybrid by Using FISH

The complete process of meiosis was investigated in Pinus wallichiana, P. strobus and their artificial hybrid (F1) using microsporocytes. It is revealed that there were slightly lower chiasma frequency, lower ring bivalent frequency, lower meiotic index and distinctly higher frequency of aberrance (chromosomal bridges, fragments or micronuclei) in pollen mother cells (PMCs) of the hybrid (F1) than those of the parental species, which showed a certain degree of differentiation between homologous chromosomes of the two parents. However, relatively higher frequency of ring bivalents and higher meiotic index in all the three entities indicate the great stability of genomes of parental species, and the differentiation of genomes between the two parents must have been slight. Total nineteen signal loci of 18S rDNA were observed in nine bivalents of the hybrid (F1), among which one bivalent bears two loci, while the others have only one. It is suggested that distinct differentiation at genetic level existed in homologous chromosomes of the two parental species, whereas only slight differentiation at karyotypic and genomic levels take place between the parent species.

Octave-spanning frequency comb generation based on a dual-mode microcavity laser

Octave-spanning optical frequency comb(OFC)generation has achieved great breakthroughs and enabled significant applications in many fields,such as optical clocks and spectroscopy.Here,we demonstrate octavespanning OFC generation with a repetition rate of tens of GHz via a four-wave mixing(FWM)effect seeded by a dual-mode microcavity laser for the first time,to our knowledge.A 120-m Brillouin nonlinear fiber loop is first utilized to generate wideband OFCs using the FWM effect.Subsequently,a time-domain optical pulse is shaped by appropriate optical filtering via fiber Bragg gratings.The high-repetition-rate pulse train is further boosted to11 p J through optimal optical amplification and dispersion compensation.Finally,an octave optical comb spanning from 1100 to 2200 nm is successfully realized through the self-phase modulation effect and dispersion wave generation in a commercial nonlinear optical fiber.Using dual-mode microcavity lasers with different mode intervals,we achieve frequency combs with octave bandwidths and repetition rates of 29–65 GHz,and demonstrate the dual-mode lasing microcavity laser as an ideal seeding light source for octave-spanning OFC generation.