HERMITIAN-EINSTEIN METRICS FOR HIGGS BUNDLES OVER COMPLETE HERMITIAN MANIFOLDS

In this paper,we solve the Dirichlet problem for the Hermitian-Einstein equations on Higgs bundles over compact Hermitian manifolds.Then we prove the existence of the Hermitian-Einstein metrics on Higgs bundles over a class of complete Hermitian manifolds.

Dynamic and adaptive membrane lipid remodeling in leaves of sorghum under salt stress

Salt stress limits plant growth and development.In this study,changes in membrane lipids were investigated in leaves of sorghum seedlings subjected to salt stress(150 mmol L^(-1)NaCl).Galactolipids(DGDG and MGDG)accounted for more than 65%of the total glycerolipids in sorghum leaves.The predominance of C36 molecular species in MGDG suggested that sorghum is an 18:3 plant.Under Na Cl treatment,the content of major phospholipids(PC and PE)increased,accompanied by the activation of their metabolism pathways at the transcriptional level.In contrast,the proportion of MGDG and PG dropped drastically,leading to a decreased ratio of plastidic to non-plastidic lipids.An adjustment of glycerolipid pathway between the cytosolic and plastidic compartments was triggered by salt stress,as reflected by the increased conversion of PC to PA,providing precursors for galactolipid synthesis.The elevated DGDG resulted in increased DGDG/MGDG and bilayer/non-bilayer lipid ratios.The double-bond index of PC,PE,and DGDG increased markedly,evidently owing to the increased expression of FAD3 and FAD8.These findings will be helpful for understanding dynamic membrane lipid changes and adaptive lipid remodeling in sorghum response to salt stress.

Malignant solitary pulmonary nodules: size and attenuation measured on a PACS and CT workstation

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of picture archiving and communication system(PACS) workstation in detecting the sizes and attenuation of malignant solitary pulmonary nodules(SPNs). Methods: Forty patients with malignant SPNs(diameter ≤ 3 cm) underwent multidetector-row computed tomography(CT) of the chest in a single-breath-hold technique. The raw data were acquired with a collimation of 0.625 mm. The diameters and attenuation of malignant SPNs were measured on PACS and CT workstation respectively. The diameter was defined as the average value of the anteroposterior, lateral and superoinferior diameters on CT scans obtained with a mediastinal window setting. The superoinferior diameters were measured on MPR image. The diameters and attenuation of malignant SPNs and spending time in measuring were recorded. Results: The diameters of malignant SPNs measured on a PACS and CT workstation were 2.09 cm ± 0.87 cm, 2.07 cm ± 0.79 cm, respectively. There was not statistically significant difference in the diameters of malignant SPNs between that measured on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 1.580, P = 0.210 > 0.05). The attenuation of malignant SPNs measured on a PACS and CT workstation were 40.15 HU ± 7.53 HU, 39.99 HU ± 8.13 HU, respectively. There was not statistically significant difference in the attenuation of malignant SPNs between that measured on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 1.008, P = 0.298 > 0.05). The spending time in measuring on a PACS and CT workstation were 55 s ± 4.03 s, 56 s ± 3.95 s, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in spending time in measuring between that on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation(t = 0.958, P = 0.315 > 0.05). Conclusion: The efficiency and effectiveness of PACS workstation is as same as those of CT workstation in detecting the sizes and attenuation of malignant SPNs. It is suggested that the size and attenuation of malignant SPNs are measured on a PACS and CT workstation.

Progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed during follow-up CT scan of digestive system neoplasm

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed during follow-up contrast material-enhanced multi-slice spiral computed tomography （MSCT） scan of digestive system neoplasm. Methods： Three-phase contrast material-enhanced MSCT were performed during the follow-up in patients with digestive system malignant tumor confirmed histologically. The progression of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed on contrast material-enhanced CT image were investigated at the 2 years follow-up with approximately 6 months interval. Results： The hepatic hyperperfusion disorders were showed in 39 patients on follow-up contrast material-enhanced MSCT scans. Among the 39 patients, initial hyperperfusion disorders were revealed in 6 （15.38%）, 26 （66.67%）, and 7 （17.95%） patients in 6, 12, and 18 months during follow-up respectively. The initial hyperperfusion disorders revealed in 12 months were more frequent than those revealed in 6 months （X2 = 14.82, P 〈 0.05） and 18 months （X2 = 15.02, P 〈 0.05）. Among the 39 patients, the hyperperfusion disorders progressed into liver metastasis based on typical CT findings in 37 （94.87%） patients, and were not obvious changes in 2 （5.13%） patients. Among the 37 patients, the hyperperfusion disorders progressed into metastasis in 10 （25.64%） patients in 6 months after the hyperperfusion disorders were revealed, and in 27（69.23%） patients in 12 months. The hyperperfusion disorders developing into metastasis were more in 12 months than those in 6 months （X2= 14.98, P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Most hepatic hyperperfusion disorders revealed at the follow-up of digestive system neoplasm may be early manifestations of liver metastasis. The careful follow-up of hepatic hyperperfusion disorders is necessary.

Peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma: Enhancement pattern evaluation on PACS and CT workstations

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of picture archiving and communication system(PACS) workstation in detecting enhancement pattern of peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma. Methods: The 62 patients with peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma underwent two-phase contrast material-enhanced multislices computed tomography(MSCT) of the chest in a single-breath-hold technique. Two spiral CT scans were obtained at 25 s and 90 s respectively after nonionic contrast material was administrated via the antecubital vein at a rate of 4 m L/s by using an autoinjector. Precontrast and postcontrast attenuation on every scan were measured on PACS and CT workstations respectively and peak height was calculated. Enhancement pattern was evaluated on the image obtained at 90 s after injection of contrast medium on PACS and CT workstations respectively. Results: No statistically significant difference in precontrast attenuation, postcontrast attenuation at 25 s and 90 s was found between these measured on a PACS workstation [(40.21 ± 7.03) HU;(55.53 ± 11.09) HU;(75.95 ± 13.45) HU] and those [(39.01 ± 8.95) HU;(56.01 ± 10.91) HU;(76.03 ± 11.95) HU] on a CT workstation(t = 1.140, P = 0.256 > 0.05; t = 1.580, P = 0.149 > 0.05; t = 1.505, P = 0.150﹥0.05). The peak height that calculated on a PACS workstation was 35.74 HU(20 HU). There was not statistically significant difference in peak height between that calculated on a PACS workstation and that on a CT workstation [(37.02 ± 12.05) HU; t = 2.001, P = 0.099 > 0.05]. The tumors showed same enhancement pattern on PACS workstation and CT workstation. Of the 62 cases, 38 showed homogeneous enhancement, 17 showed heterogeneous enhancement, five showed peripheral enhancement, two showed central enhancement, at 90 s. The enhancement pattern revealed on PACS workstation was consistent with feature of peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma. Conclusion: The efficiency and effectiveness of PACS workstation is as same as those of CT workstation in detecting enhancement pattern of peripheral bronchogenic carcinoma.