Computed tomography fluoroscopy guided percutaneous lung biopsy for ground-glass opacity pulmonary lesions:A meta-analysis

AIM： To obtain the diagnostic performance of percu-taneous transthoracic needle biopsy （PTNB） under Computed tomography （CT） fuoroscopy guidance for lung ground-glass opacity （GGO）.METHODS： We searched for English- and Chinese-language studies in PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, OVID, and CNKI （China National Knowledge Infrastructure） database. Data were calculated with Meta-Disc version 1.4 and Rev Man version 5.2 software. From the pooled data, we calculated sensitivity （Sen）, specificity （Spe）, positive likelihood ratio （＋LR）, negative likelihood ratio （-LR）, and diagnostic odds ratio （DOR）. Summary receiver operating characteristic （SROC） curves were constructed and incidence of complications was recorded.RESULTS： Four documents included in this present meta-analysis met the criteria for analysis. The pooled Sen, Spe, ＋LR, -LR and DOR with 95%CI were 0.91 （0.86-0.95）, 1.0 （0.91-1.0）, 18.64 （4.83-71.93）, 0.11 （0.05-0.26） and 153.17 （30.78-762.33）, respectively. The area under the SROC curve was 0.98. The incidence of pneumothorax and hemoptysis was 17.86%-51.80% and 10.50%-19.40%, respectively.CONCLUSION： CT fuoroscopy-guided PTNB, which has an acceptable incidence of complications, can be used as a primary examination method for lung GGO, with moderate sensitivity and specifcity.

Evaluating the Growth of Pulmonary Nodular Ground-glass Opacity on CT: Comparison of Volume Rendering and Thin Slice Images

This study examined the value of volume rendering （VR） interpretation in assessing the growth of pulmonary nodular ground-glass opacity （nGGO）. A total of 47 nGGOs （average size, 9.5 mm; range, 5.7-20.6 mm） were observed by CT scanning at different time under identical parameter settings. The growth of nGGO was analyzed by three radiologists by comparing the thin slice （TS） CT images of initial and repeat scans with side-by-side cine mode. One week later synchronized VR images of the two scans were compared by side-by-side cine mode to evaluate the nGGO growth. The nodule growth was rated on a 5-degree scale： notable growth, slight growth, dubious growth, stagnant growth, shrinkage. Growth standard was defined as： Density increase 〉 30 HU and （or） diameter increase （by 20% in nodules 〉_10 mm, 30% in nodules of 5-9 mm）. Receiver operating characteristic （ROC） was performed. The results showed that 32 nGGOs met the growth criteria （29 nGGOs showed an increase in density; 1 nGGO showed an increase in diameter; 2 nGGOs showed an increase in both diameter and density）. Area under ROC curve revealed that the performance with VR interpretation was better than that with TS interpretation （P〈0.01, P〈0.05 and P〈0.05 for observers A, B and C respectively）. Consistency between different observers was excellent with both VR interpretation （κ=0.89 for observers A＆C A＆B, B＆C） and TS interpretation （κ=0.71 for A＆B, κ=0.68 for A＆C, κ=0.74 for B＆C）, but time spending was less with VR interpretation than with TS interpretation （P〈0.0001, P〈0.0001 and P〈0.05 for observers A, B and C, respectively）. It was concluded that VR is a useful technique for evaluating the growth of nGGO.

Spectroscopy and molecule opacity investigation on excited states of SiS

The SiS molecule,which plays a significant role in space,has attracted a great deal of attention for many years.Due to complex interactions among its low-lying electronic states,precise information regarding the molecular structure of SiS is limited.To obtain accurate information about the structure of its excited states,the high-precision multireference configuration interaction(MRCI)method has been utilized.This method is used to calculate the potential energy curves(PECs)of the 18Λ–S states corresponding to the lowest dissociation limit of SiS.The core–valence correlation effect,Davidson’s correction and the scalar relativistic effect are also included to guarantee the precision of the MRCI calculation.Based on the calculated PECs,the spectroscopic constants of quasi-bound and bound electronic states are calculated and they are in accordance with previous experimental results.The transition dipole moments(TDMs)and dipole moments(DMs)are determined by the MRCI method.In addition,the abrupt variations of the DMs for the 1^(5)Σ^(+)and 2^(5)Σ^(+)states at the avoided crossing point are attributed to the variation of the electronic configuration.The opacity of SiS at a pressure of 100 atms is presented across a series of temperatures.With increasing temperature,the expanding population of excited states blurs the band boundaries.

Small incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis in patients with deep corneal opacity:case series

AIM:To report the safety,efficacy,and accuracy of small-incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)or femtosecondassisted laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)for the correction of myopia or myopic astigmatism in patients with deep corneal opacity denoted by anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT).METHODS:Four patients with monocular corneal opacity(3 due to mechanical injury,1 due to a firecracker wound)were recruited and treated with refractive surgery(3 for SMILE,1 for FS-LASIK combined with limbal relaxing incision(LRI).Preoperative ocular manifestations,surgical details,postoperative visual outcomes,corneal opacity parameters,and corneal topography were analyzed.RESULTS:Preoperatively,spherical diopter ranged from-3.0 D to-4.75 D with cylinder ranging from-0.75 to-5.0 D,and corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA)ranging from 20/25 to 20/20.One eye’s corneal opacity was located in the central zone and three were in the mid-peripheral optical zone.Three patients underwent uneventful SMILE in both eyes,whilst one patient underwent FS-LASIK for high astigmatism in both eyes and LRI in the right eye.CDVA of the eye with corneal opacity ranged from 20/22to 20/20 one to six weeks postoperatively.Two patients achieved better CDVA and no patients lost Snellen lines.The postoperative diopter was within±0.75 D for all eyes.Significant edema existed above the corneal opacity in one eye and dissipated soon.No eccentric corneal topography or morphological anomaly of the corneal cap or flap was observed.CONCLUSION:The cases demonstrate that SMILE or FS-LASIK is safe and effective to treat myopic astigmatism combined with deep corneal opacity lesions after comprehensive preoperative evaluation and appropriate candidate selection.FS-LASIK combined with LRI is also sufficient for correcting high astigmatism due to corneal scarring.

Image Analysis on Corneal Opacity:A Novel Method to Estimate Postmortem Interval in Rabbits

Corneal opacity is one of the most commonly used parameters for estimating postmortem interval （PMI）. This paper proposes a new method to study the relationship between changes of corneal opacity and PMI by processing and analyzing cornea images. Corneal regions were extracted from images of rabbits＇ eyes and described by color-based and texture-based features, which could represent the changes of cornea at different PMI. A KNN classifier was used to reveal the association of image features and PMI. The result of the classification showed that the new method was reliable and effective.

Acute lens opacity induced by different kinds of anesthetic drugs in mice

AIM: To study whether specific anesthetic drugs or tear layer evaporation was primarily responsible for the acute cataract and what the change of lens structure is in anesthetized mice.METHODS: Five groups were set up in the experiment: Group A(topicamide and phenylephrine mixed eye drop+ chloral hydrate), Group B(tropicamide and phenylephrine mixed eye drop+sevoflurane), Group C(tropicamide and phenylephrine mixed eye drop), Group D(topicamide and phenylephrine mixed eye drop+chloral hydrate, carbomer eye drop in the right eyes), and Group E(tropicamide and phenylephrine mixed eye drop+sevoflurane, carbomer eye drop in the right eyes). A simple classification system was used to assess the severity of lens opacity. And a numerical value from 0 to 3 to each grade was assigned for the cataract index calculation and data analysis. The gross appearance and time course of development of lens opacity were assessed. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the lens structure changes in the reversible cataract.RESULTS: Tropicamide did not induce lens opacification in mice. Lens opacity caused by inhaled sevoflurane was similar to injected cholral hydrate. Both inhaled-anestheticinduced lens opacity and injected-anesthetic-induced lens opacity could be prevented by carbomer eye drop. In the severe opacity lens, a wide range of lens fiber cell structure had disordered. The fiber cells became uneven thickness.CONCLUSION: The acute reversible lens opacity can unilaterally develop or be induced by a local cause. The structure of lens fiber cells changed in the lens opacity which may influence the permanent connection of the lens fiber cells. This study was not only of practical significance to help maintain lens transparency for eye research, but also of the deeper consideration about the reversible lens opacification phenomenon.

Clinicopathologic characteristics of pulmonary ground glass opacity located preoperatively using a Hook-wire guidewire

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the clinical and imaging features of ground glass opacity(GGO)localized using a preoperative Hook-wire guidewire and postoperative pathology.Method:Preoperative Hook-wire guidewire localization was performed in 83 patients with GGO less than 2 cm,and their clinical data,imaging data,and postoperative pathology findings were retrospectively analyzed.The images were classified as pure GGO(pGGO) or mixed GGO(mGGO).The relationship between clinical and imaging features and postoperative pathology was analyzed.Result:The 83 cases were colocalized,and the success rate of the guidewire positioning was 100%.Complications included pneumothorax(19.2% [16/83]) and the incidence of minor bleeding(30.2 [25/83]).Forty-seven patients had mGGO and 36 had pGGO.Among the 47 cases of mGGO,18(38.3%) were invasive adenocarcinoma(IAC),18(38.3%) were microinvasive adenocarcinoma(MIA),8(17.0%) were adenocarcinoma in situ(AIS),2(4.3%) were atypical adenomatous hyperplasia(AAH),and 1(2.1%) was benign.Among the 36 cases of pGGO,6(16.7%) were IAC,13(36.1%) were MIA,8(22.2%) were AIS,2(5.6%) were AAH,and 7(19.4%) cases were benign lesions.A significantly higher proportion of patients with IAC had mGGO than pGGO(21.7% vs.7.2%,respectively;p=0.004).Among patients with mGGO,a higher proportion of them had a nodule diameter of ≥1 cm than those with a diameter of <1 cm(25.5% vs.12.8%,respectively;p=0.003).There was no significant difference in age,location distribution,or pathological type.Conclusion: Preoperative CT-guided Hook-wire guidewire positioning was safe with minor complications.A significantly higher proportion of patients with IAC had mGGO than pGGO.Patients with mGGO and a nodule diameter ≥1 cm require active treatment.

The Non—local Thermodynamical Equilibrium Effects on Opacity

Based on the detailed configuration accounting (DCA) model, a method is developed to include the resonant photoionization and the excitation-autoionization in the non-local thermodynamical equilibrium (NLTE) average atom (AA) model. Using this new model, the mean charge states and the opacity are calculated for NLTE high- plasmas and compared with other results. The agreement with AA model is poor at low electron density. The present results agree well with those of DCA model within 10%. The calculations show that the NLTE effects on opacity are strong.

Opacity calculation based on average atom model

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Effects of MFC-modified GCC as Filler on the Opacity of Pulp Handsheets

Microfibrillated cellulose(MFC)was obtained by mechanical grinding of different pulps.MFC-modified ground calcium carbonate(GCC)was prepared in two different ways,designated MFC-GCC composite filler and MFC-GCC flocs filler.The opacity of pulp handsheets loaded with MFCmodified GCC was measured.The effects of MFC originated from different pulps,pretreatment method,and filler modification on the opacity of handsheets loaded with MFC-modified GCC were discussed.The results show that MFC originated from alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp(APMP)was optimal for improving the opacity of the handsheets and PFI grinding pretreatment for MFC provided a denser structure in the corresponding MFCAPMP-GCC floc filler while enzyme pretreatment was more effective in increasing the opacity of the filled paper.Under the experimental conditions,the opacity of handsheets increased from 81.0%to 82.7%when the unmodified GCC was replaced by an equivalent amount of MFCAPMP-GCC composite filler,while other properties were unchanged.

Calculation of the Effect of Opacity on the Solar Spectral Lines of CIV

In this paper, using the intensity ratio between two spectral lines arising from the common lower level, we determine the optical depth of the solar atmosphere of CIV emission lines. The optical depth at the line center of the （1/2-3/2） component is calculated to be 0.05 at the center of the solar disc. By introducing a measured abundance of carbon and the results of ionization balance calculations, we estimate the line-of-sight physical thickness of the regions emitting CIV lines as Heff = 27 km, and we estimate the population density of the lower level to be 1.8 × 106 cm-3 .

Calculation and Analysis of Mean Opacity of Gold Mixtures

A screened hydrogenic model for 1 splitting （SHML） is used to calculate the Rosseland mean opacities of high-Z Au, Ta, Yb, Ho, C-d, Sm, Nd, Sn, Ag plasmas and mixtures of gold and these elements at high temperature （ T = 200 - 400 eV） and dense （ρ= 1 g/cm^3）. From the calculated Rosseland mean opacities of the mixtures, Au-Nd seems to be a better choice than other mixtures. Simultaneously, the reason that the mean opacities of mixture of Au-Sn decrease slightly when T = 400 eV is analyzed.

Probing model-independent cosmic opacity and its spatial properties

Cosmic opacity and its spatial distribution have been constrained with a model independent method. The average opacity of the universe is not zero, but can be zero in the 1σ error range. The bestfit value of the spatial distribution of cosmic opacity is not a constant as the redshift varies, though a homogeneous and transparent universe is favored in the 2σ error range.

Opacity Proteins of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in Lipooligosaccharide Mutants Lost Ability to Interact with Neutrophil-restricted CEACAM3(CD66d)

Lipooligosacharide（LOS） of Neisseria gonorrhoeae（gonococci, GC） is involved in the interaction of GC with host cells. Deletion of the alpha-oligosaccharide（alpha-OS） moiety of LOS（lgt F mutant） significantly impairs invasion of GC into epithelial cell lines. GC opacity（Opa） proteins, such as Opa I, mediate phagocytosis and stimulate chemiluminescence responses in neutrophils in part through interaction with members of the carcinoembryonic antigen（CEA） family, which includes CEACAM3（CD66d）, a human neutrophil specific receptor for phagocytosis of bacteria. In the present work, we examined the effects of Opa I-expressing lgt F mutant on phagocytosis by He La-CEACAM3 cells and chemiluminescence responses in neutrophils. The results showed that lgt F mutant even expressing Opa I completely lost the ability to promote either phagocytosis mediated by CEACAM3 interaction in He La cells or chemiluminescence responses in neutrophils. These data indicated that Opa proteins in the lgt F mutant, which might result from the conformational change, cannot be functional.

Molecule opacity study on low-lying states of CS

CS molecule, which plays a key role in atmospheric and astrophysical circumstances, has drawn great attention for long time. Owing to its large state density, the detailed information of the electronic structure of CS is still lacking. In this work, the high-level MRCI+Q method is used to compute the potential energy curves, dipole moments and transition dipole moments of singlet and triplet states correlated with the lowest dissociation limit of CS, based on which high accurate vibration-rotation levels and spectroscopic constants of bound states are evaluated. The opacity of CS relevant to atmospheric circumstance is computed at a pressure of 100 atms for different temperatures. With the increase of temperature,band systems from different transitions mingle with each other, and band boundaries become blurred, which are originated from the increased population on vibrational excited states and electronic excited states at high temperature.

Prognostic value of ground glass opacity on computed tomography in pathological stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The clinical role of ground glass opacity(GGO)on computed tomography(CT)in stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients currently remains unclear.AIM To explore the prognostic value of GGO on CT in lung adenocarcinoma patients who were pathologically diagnosed with tumor-node-metastasis stage I.METHODS A comprehensive and systematic search was conducted through the PubMed,EMBASE and Web of Science databases up to April 3,2021.The hazard ratio(HR)and corresponding 95%confidence interval(CI)were combined to assess the association between the presence of GGO and prognosis,representing overall survival and disease-free survival.Subgroup analysis based on the ratio of GGO was also conducted.STATA 12.0 software was used for statistical analysis.RESULTS A total of 12 studies involving 4467 patients were included.The pooled results indicated that the GGO predicted favorable overall survival(HR=0.44,95%CI:0.34-0.59,P<0.001)and disease-free survival(HR=0.35,95%CI:0.18-0.70,P=0.003).Subgroup analysis based on the ratio of GGO further demonstrated that the proportion of GGO was a good prognostic indicator in pathological stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients,and patients with a higher ratio of GGO showed better prognosis than patients with a lower GGO ratio did.CONCLUSION This meta-analysis manifested that the presence of GGO on CT predicted favorable prognosis in tumor-node-metastasis stage I lung adenocarcinoma.Patients with a higher GGO ratio were more likely to have a better prognosis than patients with a lower GGO ratio.

Opacity calculations for Non-Local-Thermodynamic-Equilibrium plasmas

In this paper, we presented a method to calculate the spectral-resolved opacity for Non-Local-Thermodynamic-Equilibrium (non-LTE) plasmas. By solving the rate equations, we get the population. In the rate equations, configuration-averaged rate coefficients are used and the cross sections are calculated based on the first-perturbation theory. Using the detailed configuration accounting with the term structures treated by the unresolved transition array model, we calculated the spectral-resolved opacity of Al plasmas. The results are compared with those of other theoretical models. From the comparison, we can see that the present results fit well with other models for low-Z plasmas. For high-Z plasmas, we will give detailed discussion in the future.

Which surgery for ground glass opacity lung nodules?

Objective:Pulmonary ground glass opacity(GGO)nodules represent a significant dilemma in oncology since its diagnosis in clinical practice has increased because of growing application of low dose computed tomography and screening program.The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical and pathological features,the overall survival(OS)and disease-free interval(DFI)in surgically resected solitary ground glass nodules in order to assess the surgical treatment of choice.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 49 patients(M/F=25/24)with a mean age of 67.7(range,40-81)years who underwent lung resection for solitary GGO nodules among 570 reviewed CT of patients who were treated for lung neoplasms between 2010 and 2016.The cohort included 22 pure GGO nodules and 27 part solid GGOs(also called mixed GGOs).Results:Median maximum diameter of GGOs,defined as the largest axial diameter of the lesion on the lung-window setting,was 17(range,5-30)mm.GGO nodules were removed by wedge resection,segmentectomy,or lobectomy in 17(35%),9(18%),and 23(47%)cases,respectively.Pathologic diagnosis was atypical adenomatous hyperplasia(AAH),adenocarcinoma in situ(AIS),minimally invasive adenocarcinoma(MIA),invasive adenocarcinoma(IA)or multifocal adenocarcinoma(MAC)in 4(8.2%),9(18.4%),11(22.4%),22(44.9%)and 3(6.1%)cases,respectively.With a median follow up of 47 months the OS and DFI of the entire cohort was 46.3 and 43 months,respectively.The histotype(P=0.008),the dimension of GGO(P=0.014)and the PET-SUV max(P=0.001)were independent prognostic factors of worse survival.Sex,age,previous lung surgery,type of surgical resection and the mediastinal lymph-node evaluation did not impact on OS and DFI.Analyzing the 22 pure GGO nodules,we found a 3-year OS and DFI of 98%and 100%respectively,significantly different from 80%and 75%respectively of part-solid GGOs(log-rank P=0.043 and P=0.011).Conclusion:Our data suggest an indolent behaviour of tumour presenting as solitary GGO nodules,especially in case of pure GGOs.In our series wedge resections guarantee the same results in terms of OS and DFI when compared to lobectomies.Sublobar resections without mediastinal lymph-nodes evaluation represent the treatment of choice for pure-GGO.More studies are needed to assess its role for part-solid GGO nodules.

Opacity Evaluation for Passenger Diesel Vehicle Cars in Tirana

The study includes both the estimation and evaluation of the gas smoke opacity exhausted by a diesel vehicle engine and the opacity control. The evaluation and estimations were accomplished by MAHA sottware. This research work has been focused in the evaluation of the opacity coefficient and the sources that can influence in opacity value of the vehicles used in Albania.

From the Opacity of Internal Control to the Effectiveness of Legal Audit: Analysis of Issues and Determinants in Business in Cameroon

Legal audit is a statutory control of the accounts carried out based on internal control(IC).Meanwhile,paradoxically,IC is not always transparent to the legal auditor,but rather a compromise to his expectations.What are the determinants that allow the auditor to adapt to it?This paper proposes the analysis of issues and determinants of the effectiveness of legal audit in the context of an opaque IC.This study is carried out on a sample of 56 limited liability companies in Cameroon,carefully selected based on the existence of an IC service.The determinants explaining the auditor’s effectiveness in his mission are noted.