Prediction and critical transition mechanism for granite fracture:Insights from critical slowing down theory

Rock fracture warning is one of the significant challenges in rock mechanics.Many true triaxial and synchronous acoustic emission(AE)tests were conducted on granite samples.The investigation focused on the characteristics of AE signals preceding granite fracture,based on the critical slowing down(CSD)theory.The granite undergoes a transition from the stable phase to the fracture phase and exhibits a clear CSD phenomenon,characterized by a pronounced increase in variance and autocorrelation coefficient.The variance mutation points were found to be more identifiable and suitable as the primary criterion for predicting precursor information related to granite fracture,compared to the autocorrelation coefficient.It is noteworthy to emphasize that the CSD factor holds greater potential in elucidating the underlying mechanisms responsible for the critical transition of granite fracture,in comparison to the AE timing parameters.Furthermore,a novel multi-parameter collaborative prediction method for rock fracture was developed by comprehensively analyzing predictive information,including abnormal variation modes and the CSD factor of AE characteristic parameters.This method enhances the understanding and prediction of rock fracture-related geohazards.

早期肾损伤指标检测对急性百草枯中毒患者预后的预测价值分析

目的 探讨早期肾损伤指标检测对急性百草枯中毒(APP)患者预后的预测价值。方法 回顾性分析2019年6月—2021年6月广州市第十二人民医院收治的90例APP患者的临床资料,根据患者预后情况将经治疗后死亡的APP患者纳入死亡组(52例),存活的APP患者纳入存活组(38例);对比两组患者入院时与入院后3 d的胱抑素C(Cys-C)、血清肌酐(Scr)、视黄醇结合蛋白(RBP)、血乳酸(Lac)、β2微球蛋白(β2-MG)水平,分析患者入院时的β2-MG、Cys-C、RBP、Scr水平与APACHEⅡ评分、服毒量、Lac间的相关性。结果 入院时与入院后3 d死亡组患者的β2-MG、Cys-C、RBP、Scr、Lac水平均高于存活组(P<0.05);相关分析结果显示,早期APP患者的APACHEⅡ评分与β2-MG水平无显著相关性(r=0.143,P>0.05),与Cys-C、RBP、Scr水平呈正相关(r=0.282、0.386、0.179,P<0.05);早期APP患者的Lac水平与β2-MG、Cys-C、RBP、Scr水平呈正相关(r=0.158、0.179、0.288、0.199,P<0.05);早期APP患者的β2-MG、Cys-C、RBP、Scr水平与患者服毒量呈正相关(r=0.177、0.256、0.373、0.202,P<0.05)。结论β2-MG、Cys-C、RBP、Scr指标检测对APP患者病情及预后的预测价值较高,APP患者病情危重程度与β2-MG、Cys-C、RBP、Scr等指标表达水平均呈正相关。

急性脑梗死患者血清BDNF及IGF-1水平与进展性运动功能缺损的关系

目的 研究血清脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)及胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)与急性脑梗死患者进展性运动功能缺损(PMD)的关系。方法 选择2017年7月—2019年12月期间成都中医药大学附属医院收治的急性大脑中动脉闭塞(MCAO)患者作为MCAO组,同期体检的健康者作为对照组。MCAO组患者入院后连续5 d留取血清并检测BDNF、IGF-1水平,对照组体检时留取血清并检测BDNF、IGF-1水平。MCAO组患者发病5 d内美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)中运动项目评分增加≥2分且持续24 h以上判断为PMD。采用Pearson检验分析BDNF、IGF-1与NIHSS评分的相关性,采用Logistic回归模型分析BDNF、IGF-1与PMD的关系。结果 MCAO组患者入院第1天血清BDNF、IGF-1水平低于对照组(P<0.05);入院后第1~5天,MCAO组中PMD患者的血清BDNF、IGF-1水平无明显变化,非PMD患者的血清BDNF、IGF-1水平呈逐渐升高趋势,且高于PMD患者(P<0.05);MCAO组患者血清BDNF、IGF-1水平与NIHSS总评分、NIHSS运动评分呈负相关;入院后第1天的BDNF是发生PMD的影响因素。结论 血清BDNF、IGF-1水平降低与急性脑梗死病情加重及PMD发生有关,其中入院第1天的BDNF水平是发生PMD的相关因素。

高压氧联合糖皮质激素治疗急性一氧化碳中毒迟发性脑病的Meta分析

目的 通过荟萃分析系统评价高压氧(HBO)联合糖皮质激素治疗一氧化碳中毒迟发性脑病(DEACMP)的有效性和安全性。方法 计算机检索PubMed、Web of Science、EMBASE、the Cochrane Library、维普网、万方数据库及中国知网,并辅以查找公开发表和尚未发表的文献,检索时间范围均为建库开始至2022年4月,使用Revman 5.1统计分析程序进行Meta分析。结果 共纳入15个随机对照研究,共计924名患者。Meta分析显示高压氧联合糖皮质激素治疗组的痊愈率,有效率,无效率,治疗后蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MOCA)、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)、简易智力状态评分量表(MMSE)和日常生活能力Barthel量表(BI)评分等方面均优于单用高压氧组(P<0.01)。结论 高压氧联合糖皮质激素治疗DEACMP的临床疗效优于单用高压氧。

血清CXCL12、CCCK-18水平检测在急性脑出血患者预后评估中的价值

目的 探讨血清CXC趋化因子配体12(CXCL12)、细胞角蛋白18裂解片段(CCCK-18)水平检测在急性脑出血(ACH)患者预后评估中的价值。方法 选取2017年9月—2021年9月收治的168例ACH患者为研究对象,治疗后随访6个月。统计患者预后情况,分析影响ACH患者预后的因素,分析CXCL12、CCCK-18水平预测ACH患者预后的价值。结果 168例ACH患者中有41例出现预后不良情况,剩余127例患者预后良好。Logistic多因素回归分析显示CXCL12、CCCK-18、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分是影响ACH患者预后的独立因素(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析显示,CXCL12、CCCK-18及二者联合预测ACH患者预后不良AUC分别为0.759、0.733、0.892。结论 ACH患者预后不良风险高,CXCL12、CCCK-18与ACH患者病预后有关,二者联合预测ACH患者预后效能良好,具有临床推广价值。

Three-dimensional Imaging of Multi-slice Spiral CT in Bronchial Artery Correlative Study on Blood Supply of Central Lung Cancer and Its Clinical Significance

Objective: To evaluate three-dimensional bronchial artery imaging charactersin central lung cancer and applied values with multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) to provide theoreticalevidence on blood supply and intervention therapy. Methods: Eighteen patients with central lungcancer underwent MSCT with real time helical thin-slice CT scanning. Three-dimensional bronchialartery reconstruction was done at the console work-station. The space anatomical characters ofbronchial artery were observed through different rotations. Results: For 6 cases, thethree-dimensional images of bronchial artery (33.33%) could exactly show the origins, the routes(lung inner segment and mediatism segment) and the diameters of bronchial arteries. Vision rate ofbronchial arteries was the highest in pulmonary artery stricture and truncation groups, and thevessels' diameter became larger apparently. These characters demonstrated blood supply of this kindof central lung cancer come from bronchial artery. Volume rendering images were the best ones amongthree-dimensional images. Conclusion: Three-dimensional imaging with MSCT in bronchial artery canreveal the anatomical characters of bronchial artery and provide theoretical evidence on bloodsupply and intervention therapy of central lung cancer.

3种添加配方奶的喂养方式对促进母乳喂养的影响

目的:探讨3种添加配方奶的喂养方式对促进母乳喂养的影响。方法:将出生3天内的300例剖宫产术后有添加配方奶指征的新生儿随机分为3组,观察(100例)新生儿用母乳喂养促进器喂养,对照组1(100例)新生儿用奶瓶喂养,对照组2(100例)新生儿用小勺喂养;比较新生儿产生乳头错觉的情况、产妇母乳充盈的时间、发生产妇奶胀的情况。结果:观察组新生儿产生乳头错觉3例、产妇母乳充盈的时间术后42小时、产妇奶胀4例;对照组1新生儿产生乳头错觉32例、产妇母乳充盈的时间术后66小时,产妇奶胀38例;对照组2新生儿产生乳头错觉84例、产妇母乳充盈的时间术后72小时,产妇奶胀78例。结论:用母乳喂养促进器喂养明显优于用奶瓶喂养及小勺喂养,新生儿产生乳头错觉极低,母乳充盈的时间较短,产奶较快,产妇奶胀的发生率低(P<0.01),可增强产妇母乳喂养的信心,有效地促进母乳喂养的成功。

Clinical Features of Renal Insufficiency due to Multiple Myeloma and Related Risk Factors

Objective: To study clinical features of the patients with multiple myeloma(MM) accompanied by renal insufficiency and investigate the related risk factors of renalimpairment. Methods: A control study of clinical characteristics was performed between 91 patientswith renal insufficiency due to MM and 165 patients with normal renal function in MM during the sameperiod. The data were statistically analyzed by chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.Results: Renal insufficiency was the initial presentation in 48 (52.7%) of the 91 patients, and 30(62.5%) of the 48 patients were misdiagnosed. The prognosis of group with renal insufficiency wassignificantly poorer than that of group with normal renal function: mortality in 3 months, 3months-1 year was 26/91 vs 14/165 (P 【 0.0001), 14/91 vs 12/165 (P 【 0.05) respectively, andpatients survived 】 1 year was 18/91 vs 95/165 (P 【 0.0001). The incidence of hypercalcemia,hyperuricemic, severe anemia, high serum M-protein concentration and lytic bone lesions weresignificantly higher in renal insufficiency group than those in control group (P 【 0.05). Logisticregression analysis identified 5 risk factors of renal impairment, including, severe anemia(Exp(β)=13.819, P 【 0.0001), use of nephrotoxic drugs (Exp(β)=6.217, P = 0.001), high serumM-protein concentration (Exp(β) = 5.026, P = 0.001), male (Exp(β)=3.745, P=0.006), andhypercalcemia (Exp(β)=3A72, P=0.006), but age, serum density of uric acid, type of serum M-protein,and Bence Jones proteinuria were not significantly associated with renal insufficiency. Conclusion:Renal insufficiency was a common early complication of MM, which often resulted in misdiagnosis.The status of these patients tended to be very bad, with many other complications, when MM wasdiagnosed, so their prognosis was poor. The occurrence of renal insufficiency in patients with MMand hypercalcemia, severe anemia, high serum M-protein concentration, especially use of nephrotoxicdrugs should be alert.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Biological Markers in Pituitary Adenomas with Invasion of the Cavernous Sinus Space

Objective: To investigate the predictability of MRI and the possiblebiological markers of cavernous sinus invasion of pituitary adenomas associated with fourphenomenas: angiogenesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis and matrix metalloproteinase. Methods: Weevaluated 45 patients with pituitary adenoma according to the MRI, surgical findings and theimmunohistochemistry staining of tumor tissues. Results: The results have shown that the sensitivityof MRI for predicting cavernous sinus invasion in this prospective study was 60%, its specificity85%, its positive predictive value 83.33%, negative predictive value 62.96%. 45 specimens ofpituitary adenomas were analyzed for expression of F8, VEGF, Ki-67, c-myc, Bcl-2, nm23 and MMP-9immunoreactivity using immunoperoxidase staining. MVD was assessed using F8-related antigen. Theresults have shown that MVD of invasive pituitary adenomas was significantly higher than that ofnoninvasive (P 【 0.001). There was an association between the invasion of pituitary adenomas andKi-67 LI (P = 0.039) or the expression of VEGF (P 【 0.001) and MMP-9 (P 【 0.001). But c-myc LI andBcl-2 expression have no association with invasiveness of pituitary adenomas (P = 0.061 versus P =0.201). On the other hand, there is an inverse relationship between nm23 expression and tumorinvasion (P 【 0.001). Conclusion: Parasellar extension of pituitary adenomas through the medial wallof the cavernous sinus is diagnosed at surgery, and with sensitive gadolinium-enhanced MRI, itsextent can be partly determined by radiology. Although our study has shown that MVD and theexpression of VEGF, Ki-67, nm23 and MMP-9 have associations with invasiveness of pituitary adenomas,they are lack of specificity. These markers can only provide some useful information.

Pancreatic cancer: A review of clinical diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment and outcomes

This review aims to outline the most up-to-date knowledge of pancreatic adenocarcinoma risk, diagnostics, treatment and outcomes, while identifying gaps that aim to stimulate further research in this understudied malignancy. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a lethal condition with a rising incidence, predicted to become the second leading cause of cancer death in some regions. It often presents at an advanced stage, which contributes to poor five-year survival rates of 2%-9%, ranking firmly last amongst all cancer sites in terms of prognostic outcomes for patients. Better understanding of the risk factors and symptoms associated with this disease is essential to inform both health professionals and the general population of potential preventive and/or early detection measures. The identification of high-risk patients who could benefit from screening to detect pre-malignant conditions such as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and mucinous cystic neoplasms is urgently required, however an acceptable screening test has yet to be identified. The management of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is evolving, with the introduction of new surgical techniques and medical therapies such as laparoscopic techniques and neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, however this has only led to modest improvements in outcomes. The identification of novel biomarkers is desirable to move towards a precision medicine era, where pancreatic cancer therapy can be tailored to the individual patient, while unnecessary treatments that have negative consequences on quality of life could be prevented for others. Research efforts must also focus on the development of new agents and delivery systems. Overall, considerable progress is required to reduce the burden associated with pancreatic cancer. Recent, renewed efforts to fund large consortia and research into pancreatic adenocarcinoma are welcomed, but further streams will be necessary to facilitate the momentum needed to bring breakthroughs seen for other cancer sites.

Catastrophic model for stability analysis of high pile-column bridge pier

According to the engineering features of higher pile-column bridge pier in mountainous area, a clamped beam mechanical model was set up by synthetically analyzing the higher pile-column bridge pier buckling mechanism. Based on the catastrophe theory, the cusp catastrophe model of higher pile-column bridge pier was established by the determination of its potential fimction and bifurcation set equation, the necessary instability conditions of high pile-column bridge pier were deduced, and the determination method for column-buckling and lateral displacement of high pile-column bridge pier was derived. The comparison between the experimental and calculated results show that the calculated curves agree with testing curves and the method is reasonable and effective.

Intravoxel incoherent motion magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of cervical cancer and evaluation of response of uterine cervical cancer to radiochemotherapy: A pilot study

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of intravoxel incoherent motion(IVIM) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) to diagnose cervical cancer and to evaluate the response of uterine cervical cancer to radiochemotherapy(CRT).Methods This prospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. A total of 23 patients with primary cervical cancer who were undergoing CRT and 16 age-matched healthy subjects were prospectively recruited for IVIM(b = 0–800 s/mm2) and standard pelvic MRI. Bi-exponential analysis was performed to derive f(perfusion fraction), D*(pseudo-diffusion coefficient), and D(true molecular diffusion coefficient) in cervical cancer(n = 23) and the normal cervix(n = 16). The apparent diffusion coefficient(standard ADC) was calculated. The independent-samples t-test and paired-samples t-test were used for comparisons.Results Pre-treatment cervical cancer had the lowest standard ADC(1.15 ± 0.13 × 10-3 mm2/s) and D(0.89 ± 0.10 × 10-3 mm2/s) values, and these were significantly different from the normal cervix and posttreatment cervical cancer(P = 0.00). The f(16.67 ± 5.85%) was lowest in pre-treatment cervical cancer and was significantly different from the normal cervix and post-treatment cervical cancer(p = 0.012 and 0.00, respectively). No difference was observed in D*.Conclusion IVIM is potentially promising for differentiating between the normal cervix and cervical cancer because pre-treated cervical cancer has low perfusion and diffusion IVIM characteristics. Further, the standard ADC, D, and f of cervical cancer showed a tendency to normalize after CRT; thus, IVIM may be useful for monitoring the response to CRT in cervical cancer.

Research progress of the role of HGF/c-Met in the proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis of cancer

The HGF/c-Met pathway plays an important role in the proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of tumors. With the successful development of small molecule c-Met kinase inhibitors, this signal pathway has become the focus of oncology research. In this review, we discuss the basic mechanism, targeted therapy, and early results of clinical trials of the HGF/c-Met pathway.

Preliminary clinical application of an adaptive iterative statistical reconstruction algorithm inhead and neck computed tomography angiography with low tube voltage and a low concentration of contrast medium

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of using a low concentration of contrast medium （Visipaque 270 mgl/mL）, low tube voltage, and an advanced image reconstruction algorithm in head and neck computed tomography angiography （CTA）. Methods Forty patients （22 men and 18 women; average age 48.7 ± 14.25 years; average body mass index 23.9 ± 3.7 kg/m^2） undergoing CTA for suspected vascular diseases were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A （n = 20） was administered 370 mgl/mL contrast medium, and group B （n = 20） was administered 270 mgl/mL contrast medium. Both groups were administered at a rate of 4.8 mL/s and an injection volume of 0.8 mL/kg. Images of group A were obtained with 120 kVp and filtered back projection （FBP） reconstruction, whereas images of group B were obtained with 80 kVp and 80% adaptive iterative statistical reconstruction algorithm （ASiR）. The CT values and standard deviations of intracranial arteries and image noise on the corona radiata were measured to calculate the contrast-to-noise ratio （CNR） and signal-to-noise ratio （SNR）. The beam-hardening artifacts （BHAs） around the skull base were calculated. Two readers evaluated the image quality with volume rendered images using scores from 1 to 5. The values between the two groups were statistically compared. Results The mean CT value of the intracranial arteries in group B was significantly higher than that in group A （P 〈 0.001）. The CNR and SNR values in group B were also statistically higher than those in group A （P 〈 0.001）. Image noise and BHAs were not significantly different between the two groups. The image quality score of VR images of in group B was significantly higher than that in group A （P = 0.001）. However, the quality scores of axial enhancement images in group B became significantly smaller than those in group A （P〈 0.001）. The CT dose index volume and dose-length product were decreased by 63.8% and 64%, respectively, in group B （P 〈 0.001 for both）. Conclusion Visipaque combined with 80 kVp and 80% ASiR provided similar image quality in intracranial CTA with 64% radiation dose reduction compared with the use of lopamidol, 120 kVp, and FBP reconstruc-tion.

Cine magnetic resonance imaging for quantitative assessment of healthy volunteers and patients with organic small bowel disease

Objective The aim of the study was to use dynamic magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） to compare quantitative parameters of small bowel motility between healthy volunteers and patients with small bowel diseases in order to investigate the characteristics of normal and impaired bowel peristalsis. Methods A total of 44 healthy volunteers （20 men, 24 women; mean age： 36 years; range： 20-61 years） and 42 patients （28 men, 14 women; mean age： 44 years; range： 15-72 years） with organic small bowel disease were recruited in our hospital （Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Sci- ence and Technology, Wuhan, China） in this prospective study approved by the hospital institutional review board. Imaging was performed using a 3.0-T scanner 45 minutes after standardized oral administration of 1500 mL non-absorbable fluid （2.5% mannitol）. A serial coronal scan was performed at selected planes for two minutes without breath-hold. Time-caliber curves were plotted at two well-distended small bowel loops in both healthy and patient groups regardless of location. Luminal diameter （LD）, contraction period （CP）, frequency of contraction （FC）, and amplitude-diameter ratio （ADR） were measured based on the graph. Results The characteristics of abnormal peristaltic parameters were assessed in different patients and compared to normal curves from healthy volunteers. A total of 37 segments with abnormal motility were confirmed by two readers in consensus, based on curve patterns and the presence of a stationary phase. Compared to normal peristalsis in healthy volunteers, five different patterns of impaired peristalsis were identified： Ⅰ, consecutive; Ⅱ, slow; Ⅲ, giant type; Ⅳ, uncoordinated; and V, akinetic. Dilated LDs were de- tected in all instances of abnormal peristalsis （P 〈 0.05）. Increased frequency was found in type Ⅰ [（8.73 ± 1.15）/min], while decreased frequency was detected in type Ⅲ peristalsis [（0.67 ± 0.29）/min]. There were no significant differences in frequency between type Ⅱ [（3.19 ±0.43）/min] and normal peristalsis [（3.45± 0.57）/min]. Apart from typeⅠ [（8.70± 0.75）/min], increased FCs were found in all other abnormal patterns. In type Ⅱ peristalsis, the average ADR value was 0.82 ± 0.08, comparable to the ADR value in the healthy group （0.83 ± 0.13）. Conclusion MR cine is an effective method for differentiating normal and abnormal small bowel peristal- sis. Plotting time-caliber curves and measuring quantitative MR cine parameters such as LD, CP, FC, and ADR offers more precise information about small bowel motility.

Imaging features of alveolar soft part sarcoma

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the imaging features of alveolar soft part sarcoma （ASPS）. Methods The imaging features of 11 cases with ASPS were retrospectively analyzed. Results ASPS mainly exhibited an isointense or slightly high signal intensity on Tl-weighted imaging （TlWl）, and a mixed high signal on T2-weighted imaging （T2Wl）. ASPS was partial, with rich tortuous flow voids, or ＂line-like＂ low signal septa. The essence of the mass was heterogeneous enhancement. The 1 H- MRS showed a slight choline peak at 3.2 ppm. Conclusion The well-circumscribed mass and blood voids, combined with ＂line-like＂ low signals play a significant role in diagnosis. The choline peak and the other signs may be auxiliary diagnoses.

Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy plus concurrent DICE chemotherapy for early-stage nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma of Waldeyer's ring: A single-institution study

Objective Nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma of Waldeyer＇s ring （WR-NK/TL） has different clinico- pathological characteristics from those of other subtypes of NK/T lymphoma; thus, the optimal treatment remains unclear. To find a more effective treatment model for WR-NK/TL, we conducted a single-center study of concurrent radiochemotherapy. Methods Forty-five patients with newly diagnosed stage IE to liE WR-NKTL were randomly divided into two groups. The 23 cases in the concurrent radiochemotherapy group were treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy （48-52 Gy） and 2 courses of DICE （dexamethasone, ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide） synchronous chemotherapy. The 22 cases in the radiotherapy group only received three-dimen- sional conformal radiotherapy （50-54 Gy）. The primary end points were overall survival （OS）, progression- free survival （PFS）, and toxicity. Results The 1-, 3-, and 4-year OS and PFS rates were 95.5%, 65.6%, and 45.9%, and 86.4%, 56.0%, and 46.7% in the radiotherapy group, and 100%, 88.5%, and 88.5%, and 100%, 82.0%, and 73.8% in the concurrent radiochemotherapy group, respectively. The OS （P = 0.0477） and PFS rates （P = 0.0488） were higher in the concurrent radiochemotherapy group than in the radiotherapy group. The overall re- sponse rate was 100% in both the radiotherapy group [complete response （CR）, 18 cases] and concurrent radiochemotherapy group （CR, 22 cases）. The concurrent radiochemotherapy group had more severe side effects, especially grade 3 ＋ 4 events, such as leukopenia, anorexia, and stomatitis. However, side effects benefiting from excellent oral care were endurable. Conclusion Radiotherapy plus concurrent DICE chemotherapy may be an effective and safe compre- hensive treatment for patients with WR-NKTL.

Intestinal lymphangiectasia associated with chylothorax and multiple lower extremity arteriovenous malformation: A case report and literature review

Intestinal lymphangiectasia （IL） is an uncommon protein losing enteropathy, characterized by small intes- tinal mucosa or serosa lymphangiectasia and intestine lymph loss. Currently, IL is a very rare disease in children or adults, with typical clinical symptoms including hypoalbuminemia, absolute lymphocyte reduc- tion, ascites, edema, etc. We report a case of an adult with intestinal lymphatic ectasia accompanied by chylothorax and multiply arteriovenous malformations of the hip and lower extremity. CT and MRI revealed diffuse edema and thickening of the small intestine, accompanied by splenomegaly and pleural effusion. Extensive nodularity of lower ileum and the ileocecal region could be seen during intestinal endoscopy. Finally, small intestinal lamina propria lymphangiectasis was confirmed by pathological examination. To raise awareness of the disease, here we compare our case and those previously reported, and discuss the diaqnosis and manaqement of IL.

Acquired renal arteriovenous malformation:the diagnostic value of three-dimensional multidetector-row computed tomography

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of three-dimensional multidetector-row computed tomogra- phy （MDCT） in detecting acquired renal arteriovenous malformation （RAVM） and to compare its perfor- mance with that of ultrasonography and digital subtraction angiography （DSA）. Methods The institutional review board approved this retrospective study and written informed consent was obtained from all patients before examination. All 14 patients with acquired RAVM underwent MDCT, including cortical and medullary phase enhancement angiography and three-dimensional （3D） reconstruc- tion. Five and nine patients were further examined and their diagnoses confirmed by DSA and surgery, respectively. The MDCT images, including 3D reconstructions, were analyzed for RAVM independently and in consensus by two observers using a workstation. Results Among the 14 patients with acquired RAVM, 12 with maximum lesion diameter 〉 10 mm, and one with a maximum lesion diameter between 5 and 10 ram, were correctly diagnosed with MDCT angiog- raphy. Among these patients, four diagnoses were confirmed by DSA. One patient with a lesion 5-10 mm in diameter was misdiagnosed with a renal aneurysm by MDCT angiography. The other one with the maxi- mum diameter of the lesion between 5 mm and 10 mm was misdiagnosed as renal aneurysm with MDCT angiography, which was diagnosed as renal arteriovenous malformation with DSA. Among 14 lesions in 14 patients, eight and six originated in the left and right kidney, respectively. Conclusion MDCT angiography can accurately diagnose RAVM and improve our understanding of the disease, which will allow clinicians to provide better care.

Dosimetric comparison of different multileaf collimators in volumetric modulated arc therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma

Objective The aiom of the study was to compare the impacts of two types of multileaf collimators （MLC） [standard MLC with a width of 10 mm （sMLC） and micro-MLC with a width of 5 mm （mMLC）] on volumetric modulated arc therapy （VMAT） planning for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Methods VMAT for ten patients with inoperable malignant pleural mesotheliomas was retrospectively planned with the sMLC and mMLC. Histogram-based dose-volume parameters of the planning target vol- ume （PTV） [conformity index （CI） and homogeneous index （HI）] and organs-at-risk were compared for VMAT plans with sMLC （sMLC-VMAT） and mMLC （mMLC-VMAT）. Results The mMLC-VMAT plans were more efficient （average delivery time： 2.67±1.49 min） than the sMLC-VMAT plans （average delivery time： 4.21 ± 2.03 min; P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, compared to the sMLC plans, the mMLC plans demonstrated advantages in the dose coverage of the PTV （CI 0.75 ± 0.08 vs 0.73± 0.09; HI 1.09 ±0.02 vs 1.10± 0.02）, although the difference was not statistically significant （P 〉 0.05）. In addition, significant dose sparing in the fraction of the ipsilateral lung volume receiving 〉 20 Gy （V20; 54.72± 27.08 vs 58.52 ± 29.30） and 〉 30 Gy （V30; 42.74 ± 27.86 vs 46.86± 31.49） radiation, respectively, was observed for the mMLC plans （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion Comparing sMLC-VMAT and mMLC-VMAT not only demonstrated the higher efficiency and better optimal target coverage of mMLC-VMAT, but also considerably improved the dose sparing of the ipsilateral lung in the VMAT plans for mali qnant pleural mesothelioma.