AIM： To compare the sensitivity and specificity of two imaging techniques, endoscopic ultrasound （EUS） and magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）, in patients with rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy...AIM： To compare the sensitivity and specificity of two imaging techniques, endoscopic ultrasound （EUS） and magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）, in patients with rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. And we compared EUS and MRI data with histological findings from surgical specimens. METHODS： Thirty-nine consecutive patients （51.3% Male; mean age： 68.2 ＋ 8.9 years） with histologically confirmed distal rectal cancer were examined for staging. All patients underwent EUS and MRI imaging before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. RESULTS： After neoadjuvant chemoradiation, EUS and MRI correctly classified 46% （18/39） and 44% （17/39） of patients, respectively, in line with their histological T stage （P 〉 0.05）. These proportions were higher for both techniques when nodal involvement was considered： 69% （27/39） and 62% （24/39）. When patients were sorted into T and N subgroups, the diagnostic accuracy of EUS was better than MRI for patients with T0-T2 （44% vs 33%, P 〉 0.05） and NO disease （87% vs 52%, P = 0.013）. However, MRI was more accurate than EUS in T and N staging for patients with more advanced disease after radiotherapy, though these differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION： EUS and MRI are accurate imaging techniques for staging rectal cancer, However, after neoadjuvant RT-CT, the role of both methods in the assessment of residual rectal tumors remains uncertain.展开更多
Visual prostheses are now entering the clinical marketplace. Such prostheses were originally targeted for patients suff ering from blindness through retinitis pigmentosa(RP). However, in late July of this year, for th...Visual prostheses are now entering the clinical marketplace. Such prostheses were originally targeted for patients suff ering from blindness through retinitis pigmentosa(RP). However, in late July of this year, for the first time a patient was given a retinal implant in order to treat dry agerelated macular degeneration. Retinal implants are suitable solutions for diseases that attack photoreceptors but spare most of the remaining retinal neurons. For eye diseases that result in loss of retinal output, implants that interface with more central structures in the visual system are needed. The standard site for central visual prostheses under development is the visual cortex. This perspective discusses the technical and socioeconomic challenges faced by visual prostheses.展开更多
Issues specific to older migrants moving country are not yet fully understood as there are few studies on this age group. These migrants are most likely to be caught in attending to the needs of their children or thei...Issues specific to older migrants moving country are not yet fully understood as there are few studies on this age group. These migrants are most likely to be caught in attending to the needs of their children or their elderly parents, both requiring support. Over a period of two years, 35 older Polish migrants were interviewed and they told their stories of the migration experience. It was found that they had to make choices and were faced with quite difficult decisions on whether they were going to leave children or parents in Poland while they were forced into a position where they had to find work outside their own country due to age discrimination. Both men and women expressed feelings of guilt at leaving sick parents, and at not being able to afford to travel back to Poland more regularly to be with their families. Without effective cost or free digital technology, these families would not be able to sustain communication channels and relationships would break down. Consequently both the economic and emotional costs to these families and the communities in which they live could be very high.展开更多
This study analyzed the determinants of adoption of agricultural extension of Green River Project among rural households of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Questionnaire, which was randomly distributed, was used for data collec...This study analyzed the determinants of adoption of agricultural extension of Green River Project among rural households of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Questionnaire, which was randomly distributed, was used for data collection from 270 direct beneficiaries of the project. Frequency, percentage and multiple regression were used for data analyses. For the beneficiaries, the results indicated a mean age of 48 years, 9 years of formal education, annual net farm income of N115, 681.48 and 2.8 times of monthly contact with Project Extension Officers. The mean adoption status of the project was 56.6%. The relationship between socio-economic characteristics of beneficiaries and adoption status gave an R2 of 0.668. Age, education, farming, experience, farm income and extension contact were significant determinants of adoption. The study recommends improvement in formal education, farm income, extension contact and inclusion of younger farmers as beneficiaries to enhance adoption status.展开更多
In this paper, the author uses the listed company＇s annual report and financial statements to do the empirical research, the selected areas are information technology industries. The results show that the average age...In this paper, the author uses the listed company＇s annual report and financial statements to do the empirical research, the selected areas are information technology industries. The results show that the average age of employees, professional proportion, and the average assesses and executives＇ shareholdings have no significant impact with P/B. The industry statistics revealed no significant impact between average age and P/B because each group of age has its own advantages. By using these indicators, the author can improve the human resources information voluntary disclosure, make the disclosure of information comparable, and provide the empirical reference to the listed companies.展开更多
Indoor CO2 concentration depends on the number of persons, their metabolic rates, other sources of indoor pollution, ventilation rate and ventilation efficiency. These factors are not considered by the Spanish technic...Indoor CO2 concentration depends on the number of persons, their metabolic rates, other sources of indoor pollution, ventilation rate and ventilation efficiency. These factors are not considered by the Spanish technical building code since ventilation is set only by a fixed air change rate. This paper aims to explore the possibilities of DCVS （demand controlled ventilation systems） to ensure adequate and sustainable ventilation. It is based on a research project carried out by the University of the Basque Country （EHU-UPV） and Euskadi Public Housing and Soil Join-Stock Company （VISESA）： the living rooms of 90 dwellings were provided with DCVS, where CO2 sensors were used to dynamically control the ventilation rate. Tests were carried out using tracer gas techniques, with results showing the air age to be adequate at every point of the occupied zones and free of stagnant areas, therefore proving the system＇s effectiveness and rapid response, and its energy savings.展开更多
Objective：To study the surgical treatment for distal humeral fractures in adults according to the follow-up results.Methods： Twenty-one cases （16 males and 5 females）of distal humeral fracture were included in thi...Objective：To study the surgical treatment for distal humeral fractures in adults according to the follow-up results.Methods： Twenty-one cases （16 males and 5 females）of distal humeral fracture were included in this study. The average age was 42.5 years （range： 37-52 years）. Fractures were classified according to the AO classification system.Nine cases of C1,8 C2 and 4 C3-type fractures were identified.Open reduction and internal fixation were performed in all cases. A tricep-reflecting approach was adopted, and either the AO orthogonal plating or parallel plating technique was chosen,based on the fracture type. The plaster cast was removed 3 weeks after operation. Rehabilitation was encouraged during this period and afterwards. The average follow-up time was 12.2 months （range： 8-28 months）. The outcome was scored according to Aitken and Rorabeek system.Results：No nerve injury,nonunion or failure of fixation was encountered during the operation and follow-up.However, ossifying myosifis occurred in one case.Conclusions：A triceps-reflecting approach can provide adequate exposure to the joint. The use of AO orthogohal plating or parallel plating techniques based on the type of fractures can provide rigid fixation for the fracture.展开更多
Objective： To evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic effect of treating sternoclavicular joint dislocation by K-wire and tension band wire fixation, and to improve the safety and stability of this technique.Methods...Objective： To evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic effect of treating sternoclavicular joint dislocation by K-wire and tension band wire fixation, and to improve the safety and stability of this technique.Methods： This study consisted of 9 cases, 6 males and 3 females with the mean age of 25 years （range, 9-62 years）.The causes were traffic accident in 7 cases, falling in 1 case and fight in 1 case. The duration from injury to operation was 2 hours to 7 days. There were 5 left dislocations and 4right dislocations; 8 anterior dislocations and 1 posterior dislocation, including one combined with left scapular fracture and one with left olecranon fracture. Open reduction and internal fixation using K-wires and tension band wires were performed to treat dislocations.Results： All patients were followed up for 6 to 24months, 10 months on average. According to Rockwood＇s rating scale on postoperative sternoclavicular joint, 8 cases achieved excellent outcomes with an average score of 13.88,and the rest case achieved a good outcome with the score of 12. Anatomical reduction was obtained in all cases. There were no such postoperative complications as severe infection, injury to blood vessel and nerve, failure of fixation,etc. Patients were all satisfied with the anatomical reduction and functional recovery.Conclusions： The technique of K-wire and tension band wire fixation is safe, simple, effective, less invasive and has been successfully used in orthopedic surgery. It is effective in treating sternoclavicular joint dislocation though it has some disadvantages.展开更多
：Objective：To introduce the posterolateral surgical approach to the posterior malleolar fracture and report its clinical outcomes in 32 cases.Methods：This study consisted of 32 cases,22 males and 10 females with th...：Objective：To introduce the posterolateral surgical approach to the posterior malleolar fracture and report its clinical outcomes in 32 cases.Methods：This study consisted of 32 cases,22 males and 10 females with the mean age of 48 years（range,21-63years）,suffering from posterior malleolar fracture.All cases were treated with the posterolateral surgical approach to the ankle.The average follow-up period was 28 months （range,24-35 months）.The clinical outcomes of these cases were evaluated on the basis of the Olerud-Molander Ankle （OMA）score and plain radiographs.Results：All cases showed radiological evidence of bony union at follow-up.The average OMA score was 82 points; 21 cases had excellent scores（90-100 points）,9 good （61-90 points）,and 2 fair（31-60 points）.The excellent-togood rate was 93.8%.Although most cases did not show any wound dehiscence or necrosis,one patient had a superficial infection which healed after using antibiotic dressing and one had sural cutaneous nerve injury that underwent spontaneous remission without any treatment after three months.In addition,one presented with mild symptoms of peroneal tendonitis that disappeared after plateremoval.Conclusion：The posterolateral approach offers an effective technique for fracture reduction and fixation of large posterior malleolar fragments.展开更多
文摘AIM： To compare the sensitivity and specificity of two imaging techniques, endoscopic ultrasound （EUS） and magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）, in patients with rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. And we compared EUS and MRI data with histological findings from surgical specimens. METHODS： Thirty-nine consecutive patients （51.3% Male; mean age： 68.2 ＋ 8.9 years） with histologically confirmed distal rectal cancer were examined for staging. All patients underwent EUS and MRI imaging before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. RESULTS： After neoadjuvant chemoradiation, EUS and MRI correctly classified 46% （18/39） and 44% （17/39） of patients, respectively, in line with their histological T stage （P 〉 0.05）. These proportions were higher for both techniques when nodal involvement was considered： 69% （27/39） and 62% （24/39）. When patients were sorted into T and N subgroups, the diagnostic accuracy of EUS was better than MRI for patients with T0-T2 （44% vs 33%, P 〉 0.05） and NO disease （87% vs 52%, P = 0.013）. However, MRI was more accurate than EUS in T and N staging for patients with more advanced disease after radiotherapy, though these differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION： EUS and MRI are accurate imaging techniques for staging rectal cancer, However, after neoadjuvant RT-CT, the role of both methods in the assessment of residual rectal tumors remains uncertain.
基金the National Priorities Research Program (NPRP) (NPRP 5-457-2-181) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation)
文摘Visual prostheses are now entering the clinical marketplace. Such prostheses were originally targeted for patients suff ering from blindness through retinitis pigmentosa(RP). However, in late July of this year, for the first time a patient was given a retinal implant in order to treat dry agerelated macular degeneration. Retinal implants are suitable solutions for diseases that attack photoreceptors but spare most of the remaining retinal neurons. For eye diseases that result in loss of retinal output, implants that interface with more central structures in the visual system are needed. The standard site for central visual prostheses under development is the visual cortex. This perspective discusses the technical and socioeconomic challenges faced by visual prostheses.
文摘Issues specific to older migrants moving country are not yet fully understood as there are few studies on this age group. These migrants are most likely to be caught in attending to the needs of their children or their elderly parents, both requiring support. Over a period of two years, 35 older Polish migrants were interviewed and they told their stories of the migration experience. It was found that they had to make choices and were faced with quite difficult decisions on whether they were going to leave children or parents in Poland while they were forced into a position where they had to find work outside their own country due to age discrimination. Both men and women expressed feelings of guilt at leaving sick parents, and at not being able to afford to travel back to Poland more regularly to be with their families. Without effective cost or free digital technology, these families would not be able to sustain communication channels and relationships would break down. Consequently both the economic and emotional costs to these families and the communities in which they live could be very high.
文摘This study analyzed the determinants of adoption of agricultural extension of Green River Project among rural households of Niger Delta, Nigeria. Questionnaire, which was randomly distributed, was used for data collection from 270 direct beneficiaries of the project. Frequency, percentage and multiple regression were used for data analyses. For the beneficiaries, the results indicated a mean age of 48 years, 9 years of formal education, annual net farm income of N115, 681.48 and 2.8 times of monthly contact with Project Extension Officers. The mean adoption status of the project was 56.6%. The relationship between socio-economic characteristics of beneficiaries and adoption status gave an R2 of 0.668. Age, education, farming, experience, farm income and extension contact were significant determinants of adoption. The study recommends improvement in formal education, farm income, extension contact and inclusion of younger farmers as beneficiaries to enhance adoption status.
文摘In this paper, the author uses the listed company＇s annual report and financial statements to do the empirical research, the selected areas are information technology industries. The results show that the average age of employees, professional proportion, and the average assesses and executives＇ shareholdings have no significant impact with P/B. The industry statistics revealed no significant impact between average age and P/B because each group of age has its own advantages. By using these indicators, the author can improve the human resources information voluntary disclosure, make the disclosure of information comparable, and provide the empirical reference to the listed companies.
文摘Indoor CO2 concentration depends on the number of persons, their metabolic rates, other sources of indoor pollution, ventilation rate and ventilation efficiency. These factors are not considered by the Spanish technical building code since ventilation is set only by a fixed air change rate. This paper aims to explore the possibilities of DCVS （demand controlled ventilation systems） to ensure adequate and sustainable ventilation. It is based on a research project carried out by the University of the Basque Country （EHU-UPV） and Euskadi Public Housing and Soil Join-Stock Company （VISESA）： the living rooms of 90 dwellings were provided with DCVS, where CO2 sensors were used to dynamically control the ventilation rate. Tests were carried out using tracer gas techniques, with results showing the air age to be adequate at every point of the occupied zones and free of stagnant areas, therefore proving the system＇s effectiveness and rapid response, and its energy savings.
文摘Objective：To study the surgical treatment for distal humeral fractures in adults according to the follow-up results.Methods： Twenty-one cases （16 males and 5 females）of distal humeral fracture were included in this study. The average age was 42.5 years （range： 37-52 years）. Fractures were classified according to the AO classification system.Nine cases of C1,8 C2 and 4 C3-type fractures were identified.Open reduction and internal fixation were performed in all cases. A tricep-reflecting approach was adopted, and either the AO orthogonal plating or parallel plating technique was chosen,based on the fracture type. The plaster cast was removed 3 weeks after operation. Rehabilitation was encouraged during this period and afterwards. The average follow-up time was 12.2 months （range： 8-28 months）. The outcome was scored according to Aitken and Rorabeek system.Results：No nerve injury,nonunion or failure of fixation was encountered during the operation and follow-up.However, ossifying myosifis occurred in one case.Conclusions：A triceps-reflecting approach can provide adequate exposure to the joint. The use of AO orthogohal plating or parallel plating techniques based on the type of fractures can provide rigid fixation for the fracture.
文摘Objective： To evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic effect of treating sternoclavicular joint dislocation by K-wire and tension band wire fixation, and to improve the safety and stability of this technique.Methods： This study consisted of 9 cases, 6 males and 3 females with the mean age of 25 years （range, 9-62 years）.The causes were traffic accident in 7 cases, falling in 1 case and fight in 1 case. The duration from injury to operation was 2 hours to 7 days. There were 5 left dislocations and 4right dislocations; 8 anterior dislocations and 1 posterior dislocation, including one combined with left scapular fracture and one with left olecranon fracture. Open reduction and internal fixation using K-wires and tension band wires were performed to treat dislocations.Results： All patients were followed up for 6 to 24months, 10 months on average. According to Rockwood＇s rating scale on postoperative sternoclavicular joint, 8 cases achieved excellent outcomes with an average score of 13.88,and the rest case achieved a good outcome with the score of 12. Anatomical reduction was obtained in all cases. There were no such postoperative complications as severe infection, injury to blood vessel and nerve, failure of fixation,etc. Patients were all satisfied with the anatomical reduction and functional recovery.Conclusions： The technique of K-wire and tension band wire fixation is safe, simple, effective, less invasive and has been successfully used in orthopedic surgery. It is effective in treating sternoclavicular joint dislocation though it has some disadvantages.
文摘：Objective：To introduce the posterolateral surgical approach to the posterior malleolar fracture and report its clinical outcomes in 32 cases.Methods：This study consisted of 32 cases,22 males and 10 females with the mean age of 48 years（range,21-63years）,suffering from posterior malleolar fracture.All cases were treated with the posterolateral surgical approach to the ankle.The average follow-up period was 28 months （range,24-35 months）.The clinical outcomes of these cases were evaluated on the basis of the Olerud-Molander Ankle （OMA）score and plain radiographs.Results：All cases showed radiological evidence of bony union at follow-up.The average OMA score was 82 points; 21 cases had excellent scores（90-100 points）,9 good （61-90 points）,and 2 fair（31-60 points）.The excellent-togood rate was 93.8%.Although most cases did not show any wound dehiscence or necrosis,one patient had a superficial infection which healed after using antibiotic dressing and one had sural cutaneous nerve injury that underwent spontaneous remission without any treatment after three months.In addition,one presented with mild symptoms of peroneal tendonitis that disappeared after plateremoval.Conclusion：The posterolateral approach offers an effective technique for fracture reduction and fixation of large posterior malleolar fragments.
