Double contrast-enhanced two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonography for evaluation of gastric lesions

AIM： To investigate the value of two-dimensional （2D） and three-dimensional （3D） double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography （DCUS） imaging for evaluation of gas- tric lesions. METHODS： 2D and 3D DCUS imaging with both oral and intravenous administrations of contrast agents was used to assess gastroscopiclly-confirmed gastric lesions in 46 patients with benign and malignant diseases. Initially, liquid-based ultrasound contrast agent （Xinzhang） was given orally at dose of 500-600 mL for conventional ultrasound examination of the gastric lesions, and then a microbubble-based contrast agent （SonoVue） was injected intravenously at dose of 1.2-2.4 mL in bolus fashion to assess the perfusion pattern of the lesions using contrast imaging modes. The parameters derived from time-intensity curves including the arrival time （AT）, time to peak （lq-P）, peak intensity （PI） and en- hanced intensity （EI） were measured on the 2D DCUS imaging. 3D DCUS of the lesions was acquired to dem- onstrate the value of this imaging mode. RESULTS： There were 22 cases with benign lesions including chronic gastritis （n= 5）, gastric ulcer （n = 9）, gastric polyps （n = 3）, gastric stromal tumors （n = 5）, and 24 cases with malignant lesions including gastric cancer （n = 20）, gastric cardia carcinoma （n = 3） and post-operative recurrent gastric cancer （n = 1） in the study, The oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography （CEUS） imaging of the stomach clearly demonstrated the anatomy of the stomach and morphologic features of gastric lesions, With optimal scanning window and imaging display under oral CEUS, intravenous CEUS clearly showed the perfusion of gastric lesions with various characteristic manifestations. Both 2D and 3D DCUS images clearly demonstrated normal gastric wall as a three-layer structure, from the inside out, hypere- choic mucosa, hypoechoic muscularis and hyperechoic serosa, respectively. There were statistical significant differences of AT （8.68±2.06 vs 10.43 ±2.75, P = 0.017）, PI （34.64 ± 6.63 vs 29.58 ± 8.22, P = 0.023） and EI （29.72 ± 6.69 vs 22.66 ± 7.01, P = 0.001） between malignant lesions and normal gastric wall. However, no differences of AT, PI and EI between benign lesions and normal gastric wall tissue were found. 3D DCUS could intuitively display morphological features and vascularities of the lesions with multiplanar and volume views. 3D DCUS imaging provided comprehen- sive information complementary to 2D imaging. The crater or wellhead appearances and feeding vessels as well as distorted nourishing vasculature of gastric carcinoma were better seen with 3D imaging than 2D imaging. CONCLUSION： DCUS imaging can simultaneouslydisplay the anatomic and perfusion features of gastric lesions. 3D DCUS can provide additional information to 2D DCUS for evaluation of gastric lesions.

Value of myocardial function in children with Kawasaki disease by two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasound speckle tracking

Objective:To investigate the value of two-dimensional ultrasound speckle tracking(2D-STI)and three-dimensional ultrasound speckle tracking(3D-STI)in evaluating myocardial function in children with Kawasaki disease.Methods 92 children with Kawasaki disease admitted to our hospital from February 2017 to February 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.50 children who underwent 3D-STI examination were taken as observation group and 42 children who underwent 2D-STI examination were taken as control group.The left ventricular systolic function index,storage time and analysis time of the image,the diameter of coronary artery,the strain difference of left ventricular basal segment,middle segment,apical segment and whole segment were observed.Results The levels of left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV),left ventricular myocardial mass(LVMI)in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05),but there was no statistical difference in left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)between the two groups(P>0.05).The storage time and analysis time of the image in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The left coronary artery(LCA)and right coronary artery(RCA)in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no statistical difference between left anterior descending(LAD)in the two groups(P>0.05).The longitudinal peak systolic strain(LS),circumferential peak systolic strain(CS)and radial peak systolic strain(RS)in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The global longitudinal peak strain(GLS),global circumferential peak strain(GCS)and global radial peak strain(GRS)in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).LS and CS in the middle segment of the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions Compared with 2D-STI,3D-STI can objectively and accurately reflect the myocardial function of children with Kawasaki disease.

Differentiation of focal liver lesions using three-dimensional ultrasonography: Retrospective and prospective studies

AIM: To differentiate focal liver lesions based on enhancement patterns using three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D US) with perflubutane-based contrast agent.METHODS: Two hundred and eighty two patients with focal liver lesions,including 168 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs),63 metastases,40 hemangiomas and 11 focal nodular hyperplasias (FNHs),were examined by 3D US with perflubutane-based contrast agent.Tomographic ultrasound images and sonographic angiograms were reconstructed.Among 282 lesions,enhancement patterns of 163 lesions between January 2007 and October 2007 were analyzed retrospectively.Then from November 2007 to May 2008,compared with contrast-enhanced (CE) 2D US,CE 3D US was performed on 119 lesions for prospective differential diagnosis.Sensitivity,specificity,area under receiver operating characteristic curve (Az) and inter-reader agreement were assessed.RESULTS: With the tridimensional view,dominant enhancement patterns were revealed as diffuse enhancement or peripheral ring-like enhancement,followed with washout change for HCCs or metastases,respectively,and peripheral nodular enhancement or diffuse enhancement with spoke-wheel arteries,followed by persistent enhancement for hemangiomas or FNHs,respectively.At CE 3D US,the prospective differentiation of lesions showed sensitivity 92% (mean for two readers),specificity 91% and Az value 0.95 for HCCs,84%,97%,and 0.95 for metastases,91%,98%,and 0.98 for hemangiomas and 80%,99%,and 0.99 for FNHs,respectively,while good to excellent inter-reader agreement was achieved.No significant difference exists between prospective diagnosis accuracy at CE 3D US and that at CE 2D US.CONCLUSION: CE 3D US provides a spatial perspective for liver tumor enhancement,and could help in differentiating focal liver lesions.

Prenatal assessment of normal fetal pulmonary grey-scale and lung volume by three-dimensional ultrasonography

Objective To quantitatively analyze the fetal lung echo and right lung volume in the third trimester by real-time three-dimensional ultrasound(3-D US)and evaluate the feasibility of fetal lung maturity.Methods A total of 732 women with normal singleton pregnancies between 28 and 42 weeks of gestation underwent ultrasound examination.The 3-D US equipment with a 3.5-5 MHz transabdominal transducer was used for the fetal biometric measurement.The echogenicity ratio between fetal lung and liver was compared.The fetal lung volume was calculated by the rotational multiplanar technique for volume measurement(VOCAL).Results The right fetal lung volume increased with the increase of gestational age with a linear positive correlation(r=0.884,P<0.01).After 34 weeks,the echogenicity ratio of fetal lung to liver was more than 1.1.Conclusion The echogenicity of lung/liver and fetal lung volume could be used as normal fetal predictable indicators for fetal lung maturity.

Prenatal diagnosis of isolated lateral facial cleft by ultrasonography and three-dimensional printing:A case report

BACKGROUND Lateral facial clefts are atypical with a low incidence in the facial cleft spectrum.With the development of ultrasonography(US)prenatal screening,such facial malformations can be detected and diagnosed prenatally rather than at birth.Although three-dimensional US(3DUS)can render the fetus'face via 3D reconstruction,the 3D images are displayed on two-dimensional screens without field depth,which impedes the understanding of untrained individuals.In contrast,a 3D-printed model of the fetus'face helps both parents and doctors develop a more comprehensive understanding of the facial malformation by creating more interactive aspects.Herein,we present an isolated lateral facial cleft case that was diagnosed via US combined with a 3D-printed model.CASE SUMMARY A 31-year-old G2P1 patient presented for routine prenatal screening at the 22nd wk of gestation.The coronal nostril-lip section of two-dimensional US(2DUS)demonstrated that the fetus'bilateral oral commissures were asymmetrical,and left oral commissure was abnormally wide.The left oblique-coronal section showed a cleft at the left oral commissure which extended to the left cheek.The results of 3DUS confirmed the cleft.Furthermore,we created a model of the fetal face using 3D printing technology,which clearly presented facial malformations.The fetus was diagnosed with a left lateral facial cleft,which was categorized as a No.7 facial cleft according to the Tessier facial cleft classification.The parents terminated the pregnancy at the 24th wk of gestation after parental counseling.CONCLUSION In the diagnostic course of the current case,in addition to the traditional application of 2D and 3DUS,we created a 3D-printed model of the fetus,which enhanced diagnostic evidence,benefited the education of junior doctors,improved parental counseling,and had the potential to guide surgical planning.

Clinical Application of Surface Mode on Three-dimensional Ultrasonography: A Preliminary Study

To investigate the methodology and evaluate the clinical value of surface mode on three- dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) in static anatomical structures, 62 patients with various diseases were studied. The equipment used here was Voluson 530D 3DUS imaging system and 3D volume trahsducer with frequency being 3. 0-5. 0 MHz. The 3DUS rendering method was surface mode. The results showed that: 1 ) Surface mode of 3DUS could demonstrate clearly the anatomical characteristics of the region-of-interest (ROI) and the inner wall of lesions or organs that contained fluid. The anatomic details, such as location, size, shape, and number of the ROI, could be visualized intuitively; 2) The outer anatomic features (e. g. contour, edge, configuration, etc. ) of some organs or lesions surrounded by fluid could be displayed clearly. It could be concluded that surface mode on 3DUS could provide more diagnostic information than two-dimensional ultrasonography (2DUS) in some cases and could served as a beneficial supplement to ZDUS in clinical practice.

Evaluating the use of three-dimensional reconstruction visualization technology for precise laparoscopic resection in gastroesophageal junction cancer

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic gastrectomy for esophagogastric junction(EGJ)carcinoma enables the removal of the carcinoma at the junction between the stomach and esophagus while preserving the gastric function,thereby providing patients with better treatment outcomes and quality of life.Nonetheless,this surgical technique also presents some challenges and limitations.Therefore,three-dimensional reconstruction visualization technology(3D RVT)has been introduced into the procedure,providing doctors with more comprehensive and intuitive anatomical information that helps with surgical planning,navigation,and outcome evaluation.AIM To discuss the application and advantages of 3D RVT in precise laparoscopic resection of EGJ carcinomas.METHODS Data were obtained from the electronic or paper-based medical records at The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from January 2020 to June 2022.A total of 120 patients diagnosed with EGJ carcinoma were included in the study.Of these,68 underwent laparoscopic resection after computed tomography(CT)-enhanced scanning and were categorized into the 2D group,whereas 52 underwent laparoscopic resection after CT-enhanced scanning and 3D RVT and were categorized into the 3D group.This study had two outcome measures:the deviation between tumor-related factors(such as maximum tumor diameter and infiltration length)in 3D RVT and clinical reality,and surgical outcome indicators(such as operative time,intraoperative blood loss,number of lymph node dissections,R0 resection rate,postoperative hospital stay,postoperative gas discharge time,drainage tube removal time,and related complications)between the 2D and 3D groups.RESULTS Among patients included in the 3D group,27 had a maximum tumor diameter of less than 3 cm,whereas 25 had a diameter of 3 cm or more.In actual surgical observations,24 had a diameter of less than 3 cm,whereas 28 had a diameter of 3 cm or more.The findings were consistent between the two methods(χ^(2)=0.346,P=0.556),with a kappa consistency coefficient of 0.808.With respect to infiltration length,in the 3D group,23 patients had a length of less than 5 cm,whereas 29 had a length of 5 cm or more.In actual surgical observations,20 cases had a length of less than 5 cm,whereas 32 had a length of 5 cm or more.The findings were consistent between the two methods(χ^(2)=0.357,P=0.550),with a kappa consistency coefficient of 0.486.Pearson correlation analysis showed that the maximum tumor diameter and infiltration length measured using 3D RVT were positively correlated with clinical observations during surgery(r=0.814 and 0.490,both P<0.05).The 3D group had a shorter operative time(157.02±8.38 vs 183.16±23.87),less intraoperative blood loss(83.65±14.22 vs 110.94±22.05),and higher number of lymph node dissections(28.98±2.82 vs 23.56±2.77)and R0 resection rate(80.77%vs 61.64%)than the 2D group.Furthermore,the 3D group had shorter hospital stay[8(8,9)vs 13(14,16)],time to gas passage[3(3,4)vs 4(5,5)],and drainage tube removal time[4(4,5)vs 6(6,7)]than the 2D group.The complication rate was lower in the 3D group(11.54%)than in the 2D group(26.47%)(χ^(2)=4.106,P<0.05).CONCLUSION Using 3D RVT,doctors can gain a more comprehensive and intuitive understanding of the anatomy and related lesions of EGJ carcinomas,thus enabling more accurate surgical planning.

Comparison of point and two-dimensional shear wave elastography of the spleen in healthy subjects

BACKGROUND Few systematic comparative studies of the different methods of physical elastography of the spleen are currently available.AIM To compare point shear wave and two-dimensional elastography of the spleen considering the anatomical location(upper,hilar,and lower pole).METHODS As part of a prospective clinical study,healthy volunteers were examined for splenic elasticity using four different ultrasound devices between May 2015 and April 2017.The devices used for point shear wave elastography were from Siemens(S 3000)and Philips(Epiq 7),and those used for two-dimensional shear wave elastography were from GE(Logiq E9)and Toshiba(Aplio 500).In addition,two different software versions(5.0 and 6.0)were evaluated for the Toshiba ultrasound device(Aplio 500).The study consisted of three arms:A,B,and C.RESULTS In study arm A,200 subjects were evaluated(78 males and 122 females,mean age 27.9±8.1 years).In study arm B,113 subjects were evaluated(38 men and 75 women,mean age 26.0±6.3 years).In study arm C,44 subjects were enrolled.A significant correlation of the shear wave velocities at the upper third of the spleen(r=0.33088,P<0.0001)was demonstrated only for the Philips Epiq 7 device compared to the Siemens Acuson S 3000.In comparisons of the other ultrasound devices(GE,Siemens,Toshiba),no comparable results could be obtained for any anatomical position of the spleen.The influencing factors age,gender,and body mass index did not show a clear correlation with the measured shear wave velocities.CONCLUSION The absolute values of the shear wave elastography measurements of the spleen and the two different elastography methods are not comparable between different manufacturers or models.

Cerebral blood flow volume measurements of the carotid artery and ipsilateral branches using two-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography

The optimal velocity encoding of phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography （PC MRA） in measuring cerebral blood flow volume （BFV） ranges from 60 to 80 cm/s. To verify the accuracy of two-dimensional （2D） PC MRA, the present study localized the region of interest at blood vessels of the neck using PC MRA based on three-dimensional time-of-flight sequences, and the velocity encoding was set to 80 cm/s. Results of the measurements showed that the error rate was 7.0±6.0% in the estimation of BFV in the internal carotid artery, the external carotid artery and the ipsilateral common carotid artery. There was no significant difference, and a significant correlation in BFV between internal carotid artery ＋ external carotid artery and ipsilateral common carotid artery. In addition, the BFV of the common carotid artery was correlated with that of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery. The main error was attributed to the external carotid artery and its branches. Therefore, after selecting the appropriate scanning parameters and protocols, 2D PC MRA is more accurate in the determination of BFV in the carotid arteries.

TACC diagnosed by transoesophageal endoscopic ultrasonography:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma in the trachea(TACC)is a rare tumour.Tracheal bronchoscopy is always chosen as a routine approach to obtain a pathological diagnosis,but it can be associated with an increased risk of asphyxia.CASE SUMMARY We describe a case of TACC in a patient evaluated by chest computed tomography(CT)with three-dimensional reconstruction imaging and diagnosed by transoesophageal endoscopic ultrasonography.The pathological diagnosis confirmed tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma.CONCLUSION We highlight the importance of CT and provide a successful exploration of transoesophageal biopsy as a safe alternative approach.

Endoanal ultrasonography in fecal incontinence: Current and future perspectives

Fecal incontinence has a profound impact in a patient's life, impairing quality of life and carrying a substantial economic burden due to health costs. It is an underdiagnosed condition because many affected patients are reluctant to report it and also clinicians are usually not alert to it. Patient evaluation with a detailed clinical history and examination is very important to indicate the type of injury that is present. Endoanal ultrasonography is currently the gold standard for sphincter evaluation in fecal incontinence and is a simple, well-tolerated and non-expensive technique. Most studies revealed 100%sensitivity in identifying sphincter defect. It is better than endoanal magnetic resonance imaging for internal anal sphincter defects, equivalent for the diagnosis of external anal sphincter defects, but with a lower capacity for assessment of atrophy of this sphincter.The most common cause of fecal incontinence is anal sphincter injury related to obstetric trauma. Only a small percentage of women are diagnosed with sphincter tears immediately after vaginal delivery, but endoanal ultrasonography shows that one third of these women have occult sphincter defects. Furthermore, in patients submitted to primary repair of these tears, ultrasound revealed a high frequency of persistent sphincter defects after surgery. Three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonography is currently largely used and accepted for sphincter evaluation in fecal incontinence, improving diagnostic accuracy and our knowledge of physiologic and pathological sphincters alterations. Conversely,there is currently no evidence to support the use of elastography in fecal incontinence evaluation.

Multicellular tumor spheroids bridge the gap between two-dimensional cancer cells and solid tumors: The role of lipid metabolism and distribution

Previous studies demonstrated that three-dimensional(3D) multicellular tumor spheroids(MCTS) could more closely mimic solid tumors than two-dimensional(2D) cancer cells in terms of the spatial structure, extracellular matrix-cell interaction, and gene expression pattern. However, no study has been reported on the differences in lipid metabolism and distribution among 2D cancer cells, MCTS, and solid tumors. Here, we used Hep G2 liver cancer cell lines to establish these three cancer models. The variations of lipid profiles and spatial distribution among them were explored by using mass spectrometry-based lipidomics and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging(MSI). The results revealed that MCTS, relative to 2D cells, had more shared lipid species with solid tumors. Furthermore,MCTS contained more comparable characteristics than 2D cells to solid tumors with respect to the relative abundance of most lipid classes and mass spectra patterns. MSI data showed that 46 of 71 lipids had similar spatial distribution between solid tumors and MCTS, while lipids in 2D cells had no specific spatial distribution. Interestingly, most of detected lipid species in sphingolipids and glycerolipids preferred locating in the necrotic region to the proliferative region of solid tumors and MCTS. Taken together, our study provides the evidence of lipid metabolism and distribution demonstrating that MCTS are a more suitable in vitro model to mimic solid tumors, which may offer insights into tumor metabolism and microenvironment.

Validation of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography for quantifying left and right ventricular volumes:an experimental study

Background Assessment of the left ventricular (LV) and the right ventricular (RV) volumes and their functions is important for prognostic prediction and clinical decision making. We compared the accuracy for quantifying the LV and the RV volumes in vitro between conventional two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) Methods The volumes of 37 rubber-models (10 regularly shaped to simulate normal LV, 7 shaped to simulate LV with symmetric aneurysm, 8 shaped to simulate LV with asymmetric aneurysm, and 12 irregularly shaped to simulate normal RV) and 10 excised canine hearts were measured by RT3DE and 2DE On RT3DE 'full volume' imaging, the inner-surfaces of the rubber-models and canine LV and RV were outlined and the volumes were measured using 2-, 4-, 8- and 16-plane methods with the RT3DE analysis software On 2DE imaging, the volumes were measured by the Simpson method The LV and RV volumes measured by drained water were served as reference values, with which we compared RT3DE and 2DE data Results In rubber models mimicking normal LV and LV with symmetric aneurysms, RT3DE results were strongly correlated with reference values ( r =0 795-0 998) and there was a good correlation between 2DE estimates and reference values ( r =0 715-0 729) There were no significant differences between RT3DE estimates, 2DE results and reference values ( P >0 05) In rubber models mimicking the RV and LV with asymmetric aneurysm, RT3DE strongly correlated with reference values ( r =0 765-0 988), but 2DE weakly correlated with reference values ( r =0 518-0 592) There were no differences between RT3DE and reference values ( P >0 05), but a significant difference between 2DE and reference values occurred ( P <0 05) For excised canine hearts, there was a strong correlation between RT3DE and reference values ( r =0 728-0 914), while 2DE showed a less obvious correlation ( r =0 502-0 615) Again, there were no significant differences between RT3DE and reference values ( P >0 05), but there was a significant difference between 2DE and reference values ( P <0 05) Conclusions RT3DE can accurately quantify LV and RV volumes and provides a new tool to evaluate LV and RV function For LV and RV measurements by RT3DE, 8-plane strategy is the optimum choice for accuracy and convenience

Three-dimensional image authentication using binarized images in double random phase integral imaging

We proposed a three-dimensional (3D) image authentication method using binarized phase images in double random phase integral imaging (Ini). Two-dimensional (2D) element images obtained from Ini are encoded using a double random phase encryption (DRPE) algorithm. Only part of the phase information is used in the proposed method rather than using all of the amplitude and phase information, which can make the final data sparse and beneficial to data compression, storage, and transmission. Experimental results verified the method and successfully proved the developed 3D authentication process using a nonlinear cross correlation method.

An Improved Coupled Level Set and Continuous Moment-of-Fluid Method for Simulating Multiphase Flows with Phase Change

An improved algorithm for computing multiphase flows is presented in which the multimaterial Moment-of-Fluid(MOF)algorithm for multiphase flows,initially described by Li et al.(2015),is enhanced addressing existing MOF difficulties in computing solutions to problems in which surface tension forces are crucial for understanding salient flow mechanisms.The Continuous MOF(CMOF)method is motivated in this article.The CMOF reconstruction method inherently removes the"checkerboard instability"that persists when using the MOF method on surface tension driven multiphase(multimaterial)flows.The CMOF reconstruction algorithm is accelerated by coupling the CMOF method to the level set method and coupling the CMOF method to a decision tree machine learning(ML)algorithm.Multiphase flow examples are shown in the two-dimensional(2D),three-dimensional(3D)axisymmetric"RZ",and 3D coordinate systems.Examples include two material and three material multiphase flows:bubble formation,the impingement of a liquid jet on a gas bubble in a cryogenic fuel tank,freezing,and liquid lens dynamics.

Contrast enhanced ultrasound of hepatocellular carcinoma

Sonazoid(Daiichi Sankyo,Tokyo,Japan),a secondgeneration of a lipid-stabilized suspension of a perfluorobutane gas microbubble contrast agent,has been used clinically in patients with liver tumors and for harmonic gray-scale ultrasonography(US)in Japan since January 2007.Sonazoid-enhanced US has two phases of contrast enhancement:vascular and late.In the late phase of Sonazoid-enhanced US,we scanned the whole liver using this modality at a low mechanical index(MI)without destroying the microbubbles, and this method allows detection of small viable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)lesions which cannot be detected by conventional US as perfusion defects in the late phase.Re-injection of Sonazoid into an HCC lesion which previously showed a perfusion defect in the late phase is useful for confirming blood flow intothe defects.High MI intermittent imaging at 2 frames per second in the late phase is also helpful in differentiation between necrosis and viable hypervascular HCC lesions.Sonazoid-enhanced US by the coded harmonic angio mode at a high MI not only allows clear observation of tumor vessels and tumor enhancement, but also permits automatic scanning with Sonazoidenhanced three dimensional(3D)US.Fusion images combining US with contrast-enhanced CT or contrastenhanced MRI have made it easy to detect typical or atypical HCC lesions.By these methods,Sonazoidenhanced US can characterize liver tumors,grade HCC lesions histologically,recognize HCC dedifferentiation, evaluate the efficacy of ablation therapy or transcatheter arterial embolization,and guide ablation therapy for unresectable HCC.This article reviews the current developments and applications of Sonazoid-enhanced US and Sonazoid-enhanced 3D US for diagnosing and treating hepatic lesions,especially HCC.

Clinical Value of Transperineal 3D Volume Ultrasound Combined with 2D High Frequency Ultrasound in Anal Fistula

Objective: To explore the clinical diagnostic value of transperineal volume ultrasound combined with two-dimensional high-frequency ultrasound for anal fistula. Methods: A total of 52 patients with anal fistula admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2017 to July 2018 were selected. They were all undergoing transperineal 3D volume ultrasound combined with 2D high-frequency ultrasound examination, and the diagnosis results were analyzed. The results of ultrasonography and surgical pathology were compared. Results: Among 52 patients, 3D volume ultrasound combined with 2D high-frequency ultrasound were used to diagnose 32 cases of anal fistula intersphincteric type, 14 cases of transsphincter type, 5 cases of supra-sphincter type, and 1 case of extra-sphincter type. T supervisor classification accuracy rate is 90%. The detection rate of branch pipes was 92%, and the compliance rate of internal fistula was 95%. Two-dimensional high-frequency ultrasound was used to diagnose 34 cases of anal fistula intersphincteric type, 14 cases of transsphincter type, 4 cases of supra-sphincter type, and 0 cases of extra-sphincter type. The detection rate of branch canals was 42%, and the accuracy of type classification was 90%. The coincidence rate was 95%. There was a statistically significant difference in the detection rate of the anal fistula branch and the coincidence rate of the internal fistula between the two methods (both P Conclusion: 1) The overall coincidence rate of three-dimensional volumetric ultrasound combined with two-dimensional high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of anal fistula is high;2) Three-dimensional volumetric ultrasound technology has great application prospects in infants and anal fistulas.

Combination-based nanomaterial designs in single and double dimensions for improved electrodes in lithium ion-batteries and faradaic supercapacitors

In the past decade, researchers in the fields of energy production have concentrated on the improvement of new energy storage devices. Lithium-ion batteries(LIBs) and faradaic supercapacitors(FSs) have attracted special attention as a result of the rapid development of new electrode nanomaterials, especially hybrid nanomaterials, which can meet the increasingly higher requirements for future energy, such as the capability to deliver high-power performance and an extremely long life cycle. In these hybrid nanostructures, a series of synergistic effects and unique properties arising from the combination of individual components are a major factor leading to improved charge/discharge capability, energy density, and system lifetime. This paper describes the most recent progress in the growth of hybrid electrode materials for LIBs and FSs systems, focusing on the combination of zero-dimensional(0 D), one-dimensional(1 D), two-dimensional(2 D), and three-dimensional(3 D) nanomaterials, respectively.

Vertically Integrated Electronics: New Opportunities from Emerging Materials and Devices

Vertical three-dimensional(3D)integration is a highly attractive strategy to integrate a large number of transistor devices per unit area.This approach has emerged to accommodate the higher demand of data processing capability and to circumvent the scaling limitation.A huge number of research efforts have been attempted to demonstrate vertically stacked electronics in the last two decades.In this review,we revisit materials and devices for the vertically integrated electronics with an emphasis on the emerging semiconductor materials that can be processable by bottom-up fabrication methods,which are suitable for future flexible and wearable electronics.The vertically stacked integrated circuits are reviewed based on the semiconductor materials:organic semiconductors,carbon nanotubes,metal oxide semiconductors,and atomically thin two-dimensional materials including transi-tion metal dichalcogenides.The features,device performance,and fabrication methods for 3D integration of the transistor based on each semiconductor are discussed.Moreover,we highlight recent advances that can be important milestones in the vertically integrated elec-tronics including advanced integrated circuits,sensors,and display systems.There are remaining challenges to overcome;however,we believe that the vertical 3D integration based on emerging semiconductor materials and devices can be a promising strategy for future electronics.

Limit equilibrium method for slope stability based on assumed stress on slip surface

In the limit equilibrium framework, two- and three-dimensional slope stabilities can be solved according to the overall force and moment equilibrium conditions of a sliding body. In this work, based on Mohr-Coulomb(M-C) strength criterion and the initial normal stress without considering the inter-slice(or inter-column) forces, the normal and shear stresses on the slip surface are assumed using some dimensionless variables, and these variables have the same numbers with the force and moment equilibrium equations of a sliding body to establish easily the linear equation groups for solving them. After these variables are determined, the normal stresses, shear stresses, and slope safety factor are also obtained using the stresses assumptions and M-C strength criterion. In the case of a three-dimensional slope stability analysis, three calculation methods, namely, a non-strict method, quasi-strict method, and strict method, can be obtained by satisfying different force and moment equilibrium conditions. Results of the comparison in the classic two- and three-dimensional slope examples show that the slope safety factors calculated using the current method and the other limit equilibrium methods are approximately equal to each other, indicating the feasibility of the current method; further, the following conclusions are obtained: 1) The current method better amends the initial normal and shear stresses acting on the slip surface, and has the identical results with using simplified Bishop method, Spencer method, and Morgenstern-Price(M-P) method; however, the stress curve of the current method is smoother than that obtained using the three abovementioned methods. 2) The current method is suitable for analyzing the two- and three-dimensional slope stability. 3) In the three-dimensional asymmetric sliding body, the non-strict method yields safer solutions, and the results of the quasi-strict method are relatively reasonable and close to those of the strict method, indicating that the quasi-strict method can be used to obtain a reliable slope safety factor.