Abstract Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of two-phase multidetector-row spiral CT threedimensional reconstruction technique in TNM staging of gastric cancer. Methods: In 29 patients with gastric carcinom...Abstract Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of two-phase multidetector-row spiral CT threedimensional reconstruction technique in TNM staging of gastric cancer. Methods: In 29 patients with gastric carcinoma pathologically conformed, plan scans were done firstly. Two-phase spiral CT was performed within one breathhold each. Distension of the stomach was achieved by intravenous application of anisodamine and effervescent granules. After bolus injection of contrast medium, scanning was performed in the arterial and venous phase, and the source images were thin reconstructed. The stomach to three-dimension analysis was constructed by volume rendering (VR) multiplanaz volume reconstruction (MPVR), shaded surface display (SSD) and CT virtual gastroscopy (CTVG) technique. In combination with the sources images, gastric tumour invasion and lymph node metastasis was assessed, and TNM staging was performed. Results: In 29 cases of gastric carcinoma, the sensitivity and specificity of two-phase multidetector-row spiral CT three-dimensional reconstruction technique in T1, T2, T3 and Ta staging, the sensitivity and specificity was 50% and 50%, 87.5% and 77.8%, 83.3% and 76.9% and 100% and 80% respectively. For the N staging, the sensitivity and specificity in No, N1, and N2 N3 was 83.3% and 71.4%, 87.5% and 77.8% and 81.8% and 75% respectively. The sensitivity and the specificity for M1 staging was 100%. Conclusion: The reconstruction technique in combination with 16-slices spiral-CT can perform TNM staging well and effectively guide the choice of the surgical procedures for gastric cancer.展开更多
AIM: To determine the efficacy of multislice CT for gastroenteric and hepatic surgery.METHODS: Dual-phase helical computed tomography was performed in 50 of 51 patients who underwent gastroenteric and hepatic surgerie...AIM: To determine the efficacy of multislice CT for gastroenteric and hepatic surgery.METHODS: Dual-phase helical computed tomography was performed in 50 of 51 patients who underwent gastroenteric and hepatic surgeries. Twenty-eight, eighteen and four patients suffering from colorectal cancer, gastric cancer,and liver cancer respectively underwent colorectal surgery (laparoscopic surgery: 6 cases), gastrectomy, and hepatectomy. Three-dimensional computed tomography imaging of the inferior mesenteric artery, celiac artery and hepatic artery was performed. And in the follow-up examination of postoperative patients, multiplanar reconstruction image was made in case of need.RESULTS: Scans in 50 patients were technically satisfactory and included in the analysis. Depiction of major visceral arteries, which were important for surgery and other treatments, could be done in all patients.Preoperative visualization of the left colic artery and sigmoidal arteries, the celiac artery and its branches, and hepatic artery was very useful to lymph node dissection,the planning of a reservoir and hepatectomy. And multiplanar reconstruction image was helpful to diagnosis for the postoperative follow-up of patients.CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional volume rendering or multiplanar reconstruction imaging performed by multislice computed tomography was very useful for gastroenteric and hepatic surgeries.展开更多
The Counting Bloom Filter (CBF) is a kind of space-efficient data structure that extends a Bloom filter so as to allow approximate multiplicity queries on a dynamic multi-set. This paper evaluates the performance of...The Counting Bloom Filter (CBF) is a kind of space-efficient data structure that extends a Bloom filter so as to allow approximate multiplicity queries on a dynamic multi-set. This paper evaluates the performance of multiplicity queries of three simple CBF schemes-the Naive Counting Bloom Filter (NCBF), the Space-Code Bloom Filter (SCBF) and the d-left Counting Bloom Filter (dlCBF)-using metrics of space complexity and counting error under both uniform and zipfian multiplicity distributions. We compare their counting error under same space complexity, and their space complexity when similar counting errors are achieved respectively. Our results show that dICBF is the best while SCBF is the worst in terms of both space-efficiency and accuracy. Furthermore, the performance gap between dlCBF and the others has a trend of being enlarged with the increment of space occupation or counting accuracy.展开更多
AIM: To find the most reproducible quantitative parameter of a standard 13C-methacetin breath test (13C-MBT). METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (10 female, 10 male) underwent the 13C-MBT after intake of 75 mg 13C-met...AIM: To find the most reproducible quantitative parameter of a standard 13C-methacetin breath test (13C-MBT). METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (10 female, 10 male) underwent the 13C-MBT after intake of 75 mg 13C-methacetin p.o. on three occasions. Short-and medium-term reproducibility was assessed with paired examinations taken at an interval of 2 and 18 d (medians), respectively. RESULTS: The reproducibility of the 1-h cumulative 13C recovery (AUC0-60), characterized by a coefficient of variation of 10%, appeared to be considerably better than the reproducibility of the maximum momentary 13C recovery or the time of reaching it. Remarkably, as opposed to the short gap between consecutive examinations, the capacity of the liver to handle 13C-methacetin increased slightly but statistically significantly when a repeat dose was administered after two to three weeks.Regarding the AUC0-60, the magnitude of this fixed bias amounted to 7.5%. Neither the time gap between the repeat examinations nor the gender of the subjects affected the 13C-MBT reproducibility. CONCLUSION: 13C-MBT is most reproducibly quantified by the cumulative 13C recovery, but the exactitude thereof may be modestly affected by persistent stimulation of CYP1A2 on repeat examinations.展开更多
AIM: To study the techniques of MR diffusion-weighed imaging (DWI) for normal rabbit liver. METHODS: After 15 normal New Zealand white rabbits and one New Zealand white rabbit implanted with VX-2 tumor were anesth...AIM: To study the techniques of MR diffusion-weighed imaging (DWI) for normal rabbit liver. METHODS: After 15 normal New Zealand white rabbits and one New Zealand white rabbit implanted with VX-2 tumor were anesthetized with 30 soluble pentobarbitone, DWI was performed respectively for different b values, repetition times (TR) or thicknesses, when other parameters were the same and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed respectively, or with different field of views (FOV) or coil when other parameters were the same. The distinction between groups was analyzed by SPSS10.0 with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), quality index (QI) or signal-noise ratio (SNR). RESULTS: As b value increased, liver ADC, QI and SNR of DWI became smaller and simultaneously (F= 292.87, 156.1, 88.23, P〈0.01). QI of DWI was high, when bvalue was 10, 50 or 100 respectively, but the distinction between them was insignificant; when b value was 800, QI and SNR of DWI were low. QI and SNR of DWI had no significant difference between TR = 4 000, 6 000 and 8 000. QI of DWI with 2 mm thickness was bigger than that with 5 mm thickness (t = 3.04, P〈0.01), but SNR of DWI with 2 mm thickness was significantly smaller (t = -17.86, P〈0.01). SNR of MRI with knee joint coil was obviously bigger than that with cranium coil It = -5.77 (TlWI) or -4.02 (T2WI), P〈0.01], but QI of MRI was smaller on the contrary It = 7.10 (TlWI) or 3.97 (T2WI), P〈0.01]. When FOV was enlarged gradually, SNR of MRI increased IF= 85.81 (T1WI) or 221.96 (T2WI), P〈0.01], but QI firstly increased, then decreased IF= 68.67 (TlWI) or 69.46 (T2WI), P〈0.01] and QI of MRI was the biggest when FOV was 20 crux15 cm. CONCLUSION: The scanning technique is very important in DWl of rabbit liver and the overall quality of DWl with b (100 s/mm2), thickness (2 mm), cranium coils and FOV(20 cm×15 cm) was best in our study, when other parameters were the same.展开更多
An optimization model for scheduling of quay cranes (QCs) and yard trailers was proposed to improve the overall efficiency of container terminals. To implement this model, a two-phase tabu search algorithm was designe...An optimization model for scheduling of quay cranes (QCs) and yard trailers was proposed to improve the overall efficiency of container terminals. To implement this model, a two-phase tabu search algorithm was designed. In the QCs scheduling phase of the algorithm, a search was performed to determine a good QC unloading operation order. For each QC unloading operation order generated during the QC's scheduling phase, another search was run to obtain a good yard trailer routing for the given QC's unloading order. Using this information, the time required for the operation was estimated, then the time of return to availability of the units was fed back to the QC scheduler. Numerical tests show that the two-phase Tabu Search algorithm searches the solution space efficiently, decreases the empty distance yard trailers must travel, decreases the number of trailers needed, and thereby reduces time and costs and improves the integration and reliability of container terminal operation systems.展开更多
The paper realizes the importance of communicating with schools to conduct nutritional screening, assessment and intervention programs for obesity and related risk factors to tackle the problem at earlier stage. The s...The paper realizes the importance of communicating with schools to conduct nutritional screening, assessment and intervention programs for obesity and related risk factors to tackle the problem at earlier stage. The screening program was conducted by dietetics' students "under supervision" as part of their practice and community services to apply some assessment method for mritional status. Two intermediate schools for girls in Jeddah city were involved in the screening stage, followed by a full nutritional assessment and implementation of a designed intervention program at one of the schools. At screening stage, interview questionnaires for diet histories and anthropometric measurements used to screen overweight status and related food patterns. National and international references data used for assessment and comparison. Following screening approach, a designed comprehensive nutritional assessment and intervention program was piloted at one of the screened schools for overweight status. For screening stage: the overall prevalence of overweight girls is 61% (n = 81 out of 133) of the population, 73% (n = 91) of girls were centrally obese. Almost 3/4 of all students reported no participations in any type of physical activities/exercises. Dietary behaviors included non-consumption of breakfast (83%) and low intake of fruit and vegetables (38%). For intervention stage, the present report concentrates on data concerning post intervention changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC). By the 30 days of intervention there were significant changes in values for BMI according to Saudi growth chart (p value = 0.009) with no changes among the control group. No statistically significant difference in the mean WC of the group. Study's results suggest that approaching young girls through schools to screen, assess and intervene overweight status and risk factors is vital. Although the non-random selection of only two schools for screening the prevalence of overweight status among school girls prevent the geralizability of the study findings to wider population, previous studies used random selection of schools and large sample sizes showed a high prevalence of overweight status among Saudi students Therefore, designing and piloting of an intervention program for implementation at a national level is useful to tackle theproblem.展开更多
In accordance with a revision of the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, there is an accelerating trend towards charging for plastic shopping bags (PSBs) in Japan for the purpose of reducing their discharge. The...In accordance with a revision of the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, there is an accelerating trend towards charging for plastic shopping bags (PSBs) in Japan for the purpose of reducing their discharge. The objectives of this research were to gauge, by means of a questionnaire survey, the opinions of retailers with regard to charging for PSBs, and to consider future directions for reducing the quantity of waste discharged. A questionnaire survey on charging for PSBs was conducted for retail stores in Shizuoka City. The survey was carried out in two phases. The results of the first phase (August to October 2008) showed that supermarkets were generally positive, while conversely other retailer types were negative. The results of the second phase (November to December, 2010), targeting only supermarkets that had introduced charging after the first survey, showed that there was no major confusion and the shift proceeded relatively smoothly. In addition, the number of customers did not decline on account of charging, and the ratio of shoppers bringing their own reusable "eco bags" jumped dramatically. On these accounts, it is evident that charging for PSBs is an effective means of reducing usage of PSBs. The authors view it as important for the relevant governmental agencies to work towards promoting charging at retailers and simultaneously repeatedly explaining to consumers the necessity for charging.展开更多
There are many experimental approaches,field investigations and numerical calculations for movements of woods in a clear water and debris flow.However,kinematic conditions for accumulated logs and the interactions bet...There are many experimental approaches,field investigations and numerical calculations for movements of woods in a clear water and debris flow.However,kinematic conditions for accumulated logs and the interactions between a main flow and logs have not been fully evaluated.Mitigations for woods need taking into account the characteristics of tree species such as conifer and broad-leaf trees and of shapes such as root swells and crown.In the present study,we focus on the differences in specific weight of conifer and broad-leaf trees with some moisture in a sediment-water mixture flow with narrow flow width,and consider that conifer and broad-leaf tree are floating and submerged solid phase,respectively.Flume tests are conducted in steady flow of clear and debris flow over a rigid bed in order to evaluate conifer and broad-leaf tree movement in clear water and debris flow.Experimental data indicates that dimensionless transverse diffusion coefficient can be 0.1 to 0.4 and 0.3 to 0.9 in flow direction.Those diffusive characteristics seem to be independent of Reynolds number and Froude number,but dependent of bed slope,i.e.,gravity,though detailed considerations are needed to discuss about flow characteristics such as spatial eddy structures,momentum transfer induced by interactions of logs and so on.展开更多
In this study different types of customized phantoms were used to examine a long term reproducibility check of a full field digital mammography system. These phantoms can be distinguished into three types: a PMMA (p...In this study different types of customized phantoms were used to examine a long term reproducibility check of a full field digital mammography system. These phantoms can be distinguished into three types: a PMMA (polimethylmethacrylate) object for an easy signal-to-noise ratio measurement in a defined region, a phantom with particular details of various dimensions (TORMAS) and a phantom for a contrast-detail analysis (CDMAM). In our center the ARTINIS ANALYZER software has been used since 2011 to weekly perform a CDMAM phantom analysis. This soitware is based on the original CDCOM algorithm suggested by the EUREF, the European Reference Organization for assured quality breast screening and diagnostic services. However the CDMAM phantom is a contrast-detail object designed for image quality type tests and not for long term reproducibility control. Since 2013, as suggested by the guidelines of Veneto region, a TORMAS weekly acquisition and analysis of data has also been performed. The purpose of this study is to discuss the data obtained by using the two different detail phantoms, CDMAM and TORMAS. These results can provide some correlations among the analyzed parameters comparing them with the ones emerging from the PMMA phantom analysis. The study reveals that the basic PMMA phantom is the object that provides the necessary information about the stability of the exposure parameters and the reproducibility of a mammographic equipment in terms of image quality indexes.展开更多
Intragastric balloon therapy, as a part of a multidisciplinary weight management program, is an effective short-term intervention for weight loss. Although the insertion procedure is easy and generally well tolerated ...Intragastric balloon therapy, as a part of a multidisciplinary weight management program, is an effective short-term intervention for weight loss. Although the insertion procedure is easy and generally well tolerated by patients, a few complications can occur. We report here a heavy smoker with intragastric balloon inser-tion complicated by colonization with opportunistic organisms. The 27-year-old female, body mass index 35.5 kg/m2, had a BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon inserted under conscious sedation without any perioperative complications. Six months later, when the standard removal time arrived, the balloon was seen to be covered with a necrotic white-gray material. Microbiological examination revealed Enterobacter cloacae and Candida species yeast colonies. We recommend that asymptomatic fungal and/or bacterial colonization should be considered among the complications of the intragastric balloon procedure, despite its rarity.展开更多
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the recent efficacy and adverse reactions of recombinant human endostatin (Endostar) plus chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced malignancies. Methods: One hundred a...Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the recent efficacy and adverse reactions of recombinant human endostatin (Endostar) plus chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced malignancies. Methods: One hundred and seventeen cases of advanced malignancies were diagnosed and confirmed by histopathological examination, patients were treated with Endostar combined with chemotherapeutic drugs with no cross-resistance. Evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions after finished two cycles of combination therapy. Results: All the 117 cases of patients were evaluated according to relevant standards, and there were 12 cases of complete remission (CR), 30 cases of partial remission (PR), 58 cases of stable disease (SD), 17 cases of progressive disease (PD). The response rate (RR) was 35.8%, disease control rate (DCR) was 85.4%. Conclusion: The protocol of Endostar combined with chemotherapy could improve the quality of life of patients with malignances, it also has the advantage of low toxicity. Considering the time span of the study, the long-term efficacy remains to be observed.展开更多
基金This project was supported by a grant from the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (No. 2002AB130)
文摘Abstract Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of two-phase multidetector-row spiral CT threedimensional reconstruction technique in TNM staging of gastric cancer. Methods: In 29 patients with gastric carcinoma pathologically conformed, plan scans were done firstly. Two-phase spiral CT was performed within one breathhold each. Distension of the stomach was achieved by intravenous application of anisodamine and effervescent granules. After bolus injection of contrast medium, scanning was performed in the arterial and venous phase, and the source images were thin reconstructed. The stomach to three-dimension analysis was constructed by volume rendering (VR) multiplanaz volume reconstruction (MPVR), shaded surface display (SSD) and CT virtual gastroscopy (CTVG) technique. In combination with the sources images, gastric tumour invasion and lymph node metastasis was assessed, and TNM staging was performed. Results: In 29 cases of gastric carcinoma, the sensitivity and specificity of two-phase multidetector-row spiral CT three-dimensional reconstruction technique in T1, T2, T3 and Ta staging, the sensitivity and specificity was 50% and 50%, 87.5% and 77.8%, 83.3% and 76.9% and 100% and 80% respectively. For the N staging, the sensitivity and specificity in No, N1, and N2 N3 was 83.3% and 71.4%, 87.5% and 77.8% and 81.8% and 75% respectively. The sensitivity and the specificity for M1 staging was 100%. Conclusion: The reconstruction technique in combination with 16-slices spiral-CT can perform TNM staging well and effectively guide the choice of the surgical procedures for gastric cancer.
文摘AIM: To determine the efficacy of multislice CT for gastroenteric and hepatic surgery.METHODS: Dual-phase helical computed tomography was performed in 50 of 51 patients who underwent gastroenteric and hepatic surgeries. Twenty-eight, eighteen and four patients suffering from colorectal cancer, gastric cancer,and liver cancer respectively underwent colorectal surgery (laparoscopic surgery: 6 cases), gastrectomy, and hepatectomy. Three-dimensional computed tomography imaging of the inferior mesenteric artery, celiac artery and hepatic artery was performed. And in the follow-up examination of postoperative patients, multiplanar reconstruction image was made in case of need.RESULTS: Scans in 50 patients were technically satisfactory and included in the analysis. Depiction of major visceral arteries, which were important for surgery and other treatments, could be done in all patients.Preoperative visualization of the left colic artery and sigmoidal arteries, the celiac artery and its branches, and hepatic artery was very useful to lymph node dissection,the planning of a reservoir and hepatectomy. And multiplanar reconstruction image was helpful to diagnosis for the postoperative follow-up of patients.CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional volume rendering or multiplanar reconstruction imaging performed by multislice computed tomography was very useful for gastroenteric and hepatic surgeries.
基金Supported by the National Grand Fundamental Research 973 Program of China (No.2007CB307100, No.2007CB 307102)
文摘The Counting Bloom Filter (CBF) is a kind of space-efficient data structure that extends a Bloom filter so as to allow approximate multiplicity queries on a dynamic multi-set. This paper evaluates the performance of multiplicity queries of three simple CBF schemes-the Naive Counting Bloom Filter (NCBF), the Space-Code Bloom Filter (SCBF) and the d-left Counting Bloom Filter (dlCBF)-using metrics of space complexity and counting error under both uniform and zipfian multiplicity distributions. We compare their counting error under same space complexity, and their space complexity when similar counting errors are achieved respectively. Our results show that dICBF is the best while SCBF is the worst in terms of both space-efficiency and accuracy. Furthermore, the performance gap between dlCBF and the others has a trend of being enlarged with the increment of space occupation or counting accuracy.
基金Supported by The Medical University of Silesia, contracts No. NN-1-106-06, KNW-1-043/08 and KNW-1-154/09
文摘AIM: To find the most reproducible quantitative parameter of a standard 13C-methacetin breath test (13C-MBT). METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (10 female, 10 male) underwent the 13C-MBT after intake of 75 mg 13C-methacetin p.o. on three occasions. Short-and medium-term reproducibility was assessed with paired examinations taken at an interval of 2 and 18 d (medians), respectively. RESULTS: The reproducibility of the 1-h cumulative 13C recovery (AUC0-60), characterized by a coefficient of variation of 10%, appeared to be considerably better than the reproducibility of the maximum momentary 13C recovery or the time of reaching it. Remarkably, as opposed to the short gap between consecutive examinations, the capacity of the liver to handle 13C-methacetin increased slightly but statistically significantly when a repeat dose was administered after two to three weeks.Regarding the AUC0-60, the magnitude of this fixed bias amounted to 7.5%. Neither the time gap between the repeat examinations nor the gender of the subjects affected the 13C-MBT reproducibility. CONCLUSION: 13C-MBT is most reproducibly quantified by the cumulative 13C recovery, but the exactitude thereof may be modestly affected by persistent stimulation of CYP1A2 on repeat examinations.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30070235, 30470508 Science Foundation of Hunan Province, No. 202064, 04-SK-306-2
文摘AIM: To study the techniques of MR diffusion-weighed imaging (DWI) for normal rabbit liver. METHODS: After 15 normal New Zealand white rabbits and one New Zealand white rabbit implanted with VX-2 tumor were anesthetized with 30 soluble pentobarbitone, DWI was performed respectively for different b values, repetition times (TR) or thicknesses, when other parameters were the same and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed respectively, or with different field of views (FOV) or coil when other parameters were the same. The distinction between groups was analyzed by SPSS10.0 with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), quality index (QI) or signal-noise ratio (SNR). RESULTS: As b value increased, liver ADC, QI and SNR of DWI became smaller and simultaneously (F= 292.87, 156.1, 88.23, P〈0.01). QI of DWI was high, when bvalue was 10, 50 or 100 respectively, but the distinction between them was insignificant; when b value was 800, QI and SNR of DWI were low. QI and SNR of DWI had no significant difference between TR = 4 000, 6 000 and 8 000. QI of DWI with 2 mm thickness was bigger than that with 5 mm thickness (t = 3.04, P〈0.01), but SNR of DWI with 2 mm thickness was significantly smaller (t = -17.86, P〈0.01). SNR of MRI with knee joint coil was obviously bigger than that with cranium coil It = -5.77 (TlWI) or -4.02 (T2WI), P〈0.01], but QI of MRI was smaller on the contrary It = 7.10 (TlWI) or 3.97 (T2WI), P〈0.01]. When FOV was enlarged gradually, SNR of MRI increased IF= 85.81 (T1WI) or 221.96 (T2WI), P〈0.01], but QI firstly increased, then decreased IF= 68.67 (TlWI) or 69.46 (T2WI), P〈0.01] and QI of MRI was the biggest when FOV was 20 crux15 cm. CONCLUSION: The scanning technique is very important in DWl of rabbit liver and the overall quality of DWl with b (100 s/mm2), thickness (2 mm), cranium coils and FOV(20 cm×15 cm) was best in our study, when other parameters were the same.
文摘An optimization model for scheduling of quay cranes (QCs) and yard trailers was proposed to improve the overall efficiency of container terminals. To implement this model, a two-phase tabu search algorithm was designed. In the QCs scheduling phase of the algorithm, a search was performed to determine a good QC unloading operation order. For each QC unloading operation order generated during the QC's scheduling phase, another search was run to obtain a good yard trailer routing for the given QC's unloading order. Using this information, the time required for the operation was estimated, then the time of return to availability of the units was fed back to the QC scheduler. Numerical tests show that the two-phase Tabu Search algorithm searches the solution space efficiently, decreases the empty distance yard trailers must travel, decreases the number of trailers needed, and thereby reduces time and costs and improves the integration and reliability of container terminal operation systems.
文摘The paper realizes the importance of communicating with schools to conduct nutritional screening, assessment and intervention programs for obesity and related risk factors to tackle the problem at earlier stage. The screening program was conducted by dietetics' students "under supervision" as part of their practice and community services to apply some assessment method for mritional status. Two intermediate schools for girls in Jeddah city were involved in the screening stage, followed by a full nutritional assessment and implementation of a designed intervention program at one of the schools. At screening stage, interview questionnaires for diet histories and anthropometric measurements used to screen overweight status and related food patterns. National and international references data used for assessment and comparison. Following screening approach, a designed comprehensive nutritional assessment and intervention program was piloted at one of the screened schools for overweight status. For screening stage: the overall prevalence of overweight girls is 61% (n = 81 out of 133) of the population, 73% (n = 91) of girls were centrally obese. Almost 3/4 of all students reported no participations in any type of physical activities/exercises. Dietary behaviors included non-consumption of breakfast (83%) and low intake of fruit and vegetables (38%). For intervention stage, the present report concentrates on data concerning post intervention changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC). By the 30 days of intervention there were significant changes in values for BMI according to Saudi growth chart (p value = 0.009) with no changes among the control group. No statistically significant difference in the mean WC of the group. Study's results suggest that approaching young girls through schools to screen, assess and intervene overweight status and risk factors is vital. Although the non-random selection of only two schools for screening the prevalence of overweight status among school girls prevent the geralizability of the study findings to wider population, previous studies used random selection of schools and large sample sizes showed a high prevalence of overweight status among Saudi students Therefore, designing and piloting of an intervention program for implementation at a national level is useful to tackle theproblem.
文摘In accordance with a revision of the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, there is an accelerating trend towards charging for plastic shopping bags (PSBs) in Japan for the purpose of reducing their discharge. The objectives of this research were to gauge, by means of a questionnaire survey, the opinions of retailers with regard to charging for PSBs, and to consider future directions for reducing the quantity of waste discharged. A questionnaire survey on charging for PSBs was conducted for retail stores in Shizuoka City. The survey was carried out in two phases. The results of the first phase (August to October 2008) showed that supermarkets were generally positive, while conversely other retailer types were negative. The results of the second phase (November to December, 2010), targeting only supermarkets that had introduced charging after the first survey, showed that there was no major confusion and the shift proceeded relatively smoothly. In addition, the number of customers did not decline on account of charging, and the ratio of shoppers bringing their own reusable "eco bags" jumped dramatically. On these accounts, it is evident that charging for PSBs is an effective means of reducing usage of PSBs. The authors view it as important for the relevant governmental agencies to work towards promoting charging at retailers and simultaneously repeatedly explaining to consumers the necessity for charging.
基金supported by Research Budget from Research and Development Center,NIPPON KOEI Co.,Ltd (Research theme:Modeling for debris flow with woods and their applicability)
文摘There are many experimental approaches,field investigations and numerical calculations for movements of woods in a clear water and debris flow.However,kinematic conditions for accumulated logs and the interactions between a main flow and logs have not been fully evaluated.Mitigations for woods need taking into account the characteristics of tree species such as conifer and broad-leaf trees and of shapes such as root swells and crown.In the present study,we focus on the differences in specific weight of conifer and broad-leaf trees with some moisture in a sediment-water mixture flow with narrow flow width,and consider that conifer and broad-leaf tree are floating and submerged solid phase,respectively.Flume tests are conducted in steady flow of clear and debris flow over a rigid bed in order to evaluate conifer and broad-leaf tree movement in clear water and debris flow.Experimental data indicates that dimensionless transverse diffusion coefficient can be 0.1 to 0.4 and 0.3 to 0.9 in flow direction.Those diffusive characteristics seem to be independent of Reynolds number and Froude number,but dependent of bed slope,i.e.,gravity,though detailed considerations are needed to discuss about flow characteristics such as spatial eddy structures,momentum transfer induced by interactions of logs and so on.
文摘In this study different types of customized phantoms were used to examine a long term reproducibility check of a full field digital mammography system. These phantoms can be distinguished into three types: a PMMA (polimethylmethacrylate) object for an easy signal-to-noise ratio measurement in a defined region, a phantom with particular details of various dimensions (TORMAS) and a phantom for a contrast-detail analysis (CDMAM). In our center the ARTINIS ANALYZER software has been used since 2011 to weekly perform a CDMAM phantom analysis. This soitware is based on the original CDCOM algorithm suggested by the EUREF, the European Reference Organization for assured quality breast screening and diagnostic services. However the CDMAM phantom is a contrast-detail object designed for image quality type tests and not for long term reproducibility control. Since 2013, as suggested by the guidelines of Veneto region, a TORMAS weekly acquisition and analysis of data has also been performed. The purpose of this study is to discuss the data obtained by using the two different detail phantoms, CDMAM and TORMAS. These results can provide some correlations among the analyzed parameters comparing them with the ones emerging from the PMMA phantom analysis. The study reveals that the basic PMMA phantom is the object that provides the necessary information about the stability of the exposure parameters and the reproducibility of a mammographic equipment in terms of image quality indexes.
文摘Intragastric balloon therapy, as a part of a multidisciplinary weight management program, is an effective short-term intervention for weight loss. Although the insertion procedure is easy and generally well tolerated by patients, a few complications can occur. We report here a heavy smoker with intragastric balloon inser-tion complicated by colonization with opportunistic organisms. The 27-year-old female, body mass index 35.5 kg/m2, had a BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon inserted under conscious sedation without any perioperative complications. Six months later, when the standard removal time arrived, the balloon was seen to be covered with a necrotic white-gray material. Microbiological examination revealed Enterobacter cloacae and Candida species yeast colonies. We recommend that asymptomatic fungal and/or bacterial colonization should be considered among the complications of the intragastric balloon procedure, despite its rarity.
文摘Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the recent efficacy and adverse reactions of recombinant human endostatin (Endostar) plus chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced malignancies. Methods: One hundred and seventeen cases of advanced malignancies were diagnosed and confirmed by histopathological examination, patients were treated with Endostar combined with chemotherapeutic drugs with no cross-resistance. Evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions after finished two cycles of combination therapy. Results: All the 117 cases of patients were evaluated according to relevant standards, and there were 12 cases of complete remission (CR), 30 cases of partial remission (PR), 58 cases of stable disease (SD), 17 cases of progressive disease (PD). The response rate (RR) was 35.8%, disease control rate (DCR) was 85.4%. Conclusion: The protocol of Endostar combined with chemotherapy could improve the quality of life of patients with malignances, it also has the advantage of low toxicity. Considering the time span of the study, the long-term efficacy remains to be observed.