Short Diameter Research Articles

Classification of Heterogeneity on Multi-Spectral Transmission Image Based on Modulation-Demodulation-Frame Accumulation and Pattern Recognition

Multi-spectral transmission image provides a possibility for the detection of early breast cancer. However, in the process of acquiring multi-spectral transmission images, the recognition of heterogeneities has many difficulties due to the image blur caused by the scattering effect of light source in biological tissues and weak transmission signals. This paper proposes a combination method of modulation–demodulation-frame accumulation technique and pattern recognition to achieve heterogeneous classification. First, the acquisition experiment of the phantom multi-spectral images is designed. Then, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the image is improved by the modulation–demodulation and frame accumulation technique, and the 14-dimensional feature information (firmness, angular second-order distance, contrast, gray-scale correlation, entropy, inverse gap, smoothness, dissimilarity, consistency, center of gravity, area, perimeter, long diameter of irregular image, and short diameter of irregular image) of the heterogeneous region are extracted from the image with high SNR. Finally, the heterogeneous classification accuracy of different models is compared. The results show that: compared with the classification accuracy of the traditional multi-spectral image classification models, random forest (RF) and extreme learning machine (ELM) models have better classification effect when subdividing the four types of heterogeneity based on the data set of this paper. Among them, the RF and ELM models established by the dataset of four-wavelength combination have the best classification effect, and the classification accuracy rate reaches 100%, second, it is the three-wavelength combined model. The single-wavelength model has the worst classification effect. And the operating efficiency of ELM is significantly higher than RF. In conclusion, the image quality is improved by modulation–demodulation and frame accumulation technique. And compared with the classification accuracy of the traditional multi-spectral image classification models, the RF and ELM models established in this paper have better classification effect, which may promote the application of multi-spectral transmission imaging in early screening of breast tumors.

A Very Long-term Longitudinal Study on the Evolution and Clinical Outcomes of Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect After Cryoballoon Ablation

BackgroundPersistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) is a common but poorly characterized complication after cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures. We therefore investigate its prevalence, evolution, risk factors, and clinical outcomes in a prospective longitudinal study. MethodsA total of 108 patients (41 women, mean age 57 ± 11.3) underwent CB PVI for AF. Serial transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed 9 months and then annually until 6 years after the procedure to study the characteristics of persistent iASD. ResultsPersistent iASD occurred in 33 (30.6%) patients 9 months after CB PVI. Spontaneous closure of iASD was found in 6 (22.2%) and 3 (15.8%) patients 2 and 3 years after the procedures, respectively. No spontaneous closure was observed on 4, 5, and 6-year TEE follow-up. The projected long-term persistence rate of iASD after CB PVI was therefore 20% (30.6% × 0.778 × 0.842). Using multivariate logistic regression, a higher number of cryoapplications (≥ 2 minutes) was the only independent predictor of persistent iASD 9 months after CB PVI (odds ratio [OR] 1.207; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.033-1.411, P = 0.018). Two (1.9%) patients with significantly larger iASD size than the others (long diameter 12.6 ± 0.8 vs 3.7 ± 1.5 mm, P < 0.001; short diameter 10.9 ± 0.2 vs 3 ± 1.1 mm, P < 0.001) required percutaneous closure because of exertional dyspnea and right ventricular enlargement. Over 129.7 patient-years follow-up, during which iASD persisted, there was no occurrence of neurologic events. ConclusionsApproximately one fifth of patients undergoing CB PVI will have permanently persistent iASD. Patients with defect sizes of greater than 10 mm may need percutaneous closure due to significant left-to-right shunting.

Cerebellar Direct Current Stimulation (ctDCS) for the treatment of Phantom Limb Pain (PLP)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility to modulate pain perception with cerebellar transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (ctDCS) in phantom limb pain (PLP). Patients underwent ctDCS (anodal or sham, 2.0 mA, 20’ per day, five days a week). Clinical scores (VAS) and electrophysiological parameters (Laser Evoked Potentials, LEPs) were assessed before tDCS, at the end of 5-days treatment, two weeks and one month after ctDCS completion. LEPs were obtained using a Nd:YAP laser (wavelength 1.04 μm, pulse 164 duration 2–20 ms). The amputated limb was stimulated by laser pulses with short duration (5 ms) and small diameter spots (5 mm). Anodal tcDCS reduced non-painful phantom limb sensations (p

Esophageal cancer N staging study with endoscopic ultrasonography.

Esophageal cancer staging is important for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a common diagnostic tool for esophageal cancer prior to surgery. However, EUS is unable to accurately discriminate the N-staging of lymph nodes. In order to distinguish an optimized standard for malignant lymph node diagnosis, the present study compared lymph nodes detected by EUS and surgery. A total of 112 patients were preoperatively examined with EUS and staged according to the 7th Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual. The results of EUS were compared with surgical findings. The critical values of long diameter, short diameter and lymph node number detected by EUS were >7.5, >5.5 mm and >2, respectively; indexes, including long diameter >7.5 mm, short diameter >5.5 mm, round, low echo, edge smooth, near lesion and detected lymph node number (>2) and T3/4 staging, met significance in the EUS group compared with the surgical group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the area under curve (AUC) value of the EUS (0.801) was superior to the conventional, surgical method (0.779). Although EUS improved the diagnostic accuracy of esophageal N staging, it was not able to satisfactorily distinguish between N2 and N3 staging. Advancements in EUS may enhance its detection ability, further improving the diagnostic accuracy of lymph node metastasis.

Acute mesenteric lymphadenitis in children: findings related to differential diagnosis and hospitalization.

IntroductionDiagnostic discrimination between acute appendicitis (AA) and mesenteric lymphadenitis (AML) may require more diagnostic tests or great skill after excluding other diagnoses. This study aimed to make a differential diagnosis between AA and AML patients with previous and new parameters and to examine which parameters should be taken into account regarding whether the AML patient should be hospitalized or discharged.Material and methodsOne hundred and twenty-three AML and 134 AA patients, randomly selected, were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of all subjects were analyzed. Ultrasonographic and rarely computed tomography examinations evaluating for the enlarged lymph nodes with the shortest diameter in the right lower quadrant of the AML patients were performed. Also, the erect abdominal radiographs (EAR) of AML and AA patients were evaluated.ResultsWhile there was no statistically significant difference in age or gender, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, monocyte percentage as well as symptoms between the AA and AML groups (p > 0.05), neutrophil and lymphocyte percentage, appearance of EAR and L/M ratio were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the short-axis diameter of the mesenteric lymph node and clinical and laboratory findings in the AML group (p > 0.05).ConclusionsBased on the results with ROC curve analysis, we propose to take into account the L/M ratio and the EAR from the parameters in the differential diagnosis between AA and AML in addition to previously reported parameters. Also, we recommend that the same features may be used to decide whether AML patients under observation are hospitalized or not.

Shear wave elastography in the evaluation of level VI lymph nodes in papillary thyroid carcinoma: combined with gray-scale ultrasound ex vivo

BackgroundThe evaluation of cervical lymph nodes is very important for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Conventional ultrasound is recommended to assess the status of cervical lymph nodes but the diagnostic performance is not satisfying especially in level VI lymph nodes. Recently, shear wave elastography has shown great potential in diagnosis. Therefore, this study aimed at exploring the value of shear wave elastography in ultrasound evaluation for level VI lymph nodes in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Because Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may influence the diagnostic performance, a subgroup was also analysed that included only lymph nodes from PTC without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.MethodsEighty-Seven level VI lymph nodes from 22 consecutive patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma were evaluated by gray-scale ultrasound and SWE in condition of ex vivo before rapid frozen section. Gray-scale ultrasound and shear wave elastography indexes of metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were evaluated by statistical analysis separately in all patients and in patients without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Indexes included long diameter, short diameter, short-to-long diameter ratio (S/L ratio), Emean, Emin, Emax and ESD. The rapid frozen section result of each lymph node was used as gold standard to evaluate the diagnostic performance of gray-scale ultrasound and combination method which combined gray-scale ultrasound and SWE.ResultsIn all patients, significant indexes included short diameter (p = 0.009), S/L ratio (p = 0.003), Emax (p = 0.016) and ESD (p = 0.006). In patients without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, significant indexes included short diameter (p = 0.002), S/L ratio (p = 0.003), Emean (p = 0.030), Emax (p < 0.001) and ESD (p = 0.001). Combining gray-scale ultrasound with SWE, combination method had higher AUC than gray-scale ultrasound both in all patients (0.887 vs 0.841) and patients without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (0.925 vs 0.866). Gray-scale ultrasound had higher AUC in patients without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis than in all patients (0.866 vs 0.841), which was the same with combination method (0.925 vs 0.887).ConclusionShear wave elastography can provide additional information for ultrasound evaluation of level VI lymph nodes in papillary thyroid carcinoma, especially in papillary thyroid carcinoma without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Microvascular characteristics of lower-grade diffuse gliomas: investigating vessel size imaging for differentiating grades and subtypes

ObjectivesVessel size imaging (VSI) could reveal average microvessel diameter. The aim was to investigate microvascular characteristics and the efficacy of VSI in lower-grade glioma (LGG) grading and subtype differentiation based on 2016 classification of central nervous system tumours.MethodsFifty-seven LGG (grade II/III, 36/21) patients who received VSI examination before surgery were retrospectively analysed. The average (Rmean) and maximum (Rmax) vessel size indexes were obtained. The long (VDmax) and short (VDmin) vascular diameter, microvascular area (MVA) and density (MVD) were obtained using paraffin specimens. The patients were divided into grades II and III, and histological and molecular subtypes. The differences among microvascular parameters of different subtypes and grades were compared. Two-sample t-test, analysis of variance test, Mann-Whitney test, the Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson correlation analysis were used for statistics.ResultsRmean, Rmax, VDmin, VDmax, and MVA were higher in grade-III than in grade-II LGGs (p < 0.05) in each type except the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant with 1p/19q-intact type. For grade II, the IDH mutant with 1p/19q co-deleted and IDH wildtype possessed more dominant angiogenesis than IDH mutant with 1p/19q-intact type, revealed by lower Rmean, Rmax and VDmin while higher MVD for the former (p < 0.05), the same as oligodendroglioma versus astrocytoma. Rmean and Rmax correlated with VDmin (r = 0.804, 0.815, p < 0.05), VDmax (r = 0.766, 0.774, p < 0.05) and MVA (r = 0.755, 0.759, p < 0.05), respectively, while they had no correlation with MVD (r = -0.085, -0.080, p > 0.05).ConclusionsVSI holds great potential for non-invasively revealing microvascular characteristics of LGGs pre-surgery and differentiating their grades and molecular subtypes.Key Points• VSI can assist in differentiating grade-II and -III gliomas.• The IDH gene and 1p/19q chromosome may influence the angiogenesis in grade-II gliomas.• VSI is valuable for differentiating the molecular subtypes of grade-II gliomas.

Value of preoperative abdominal contrast-enhanced multiple-row detector computed tomography in predicting the postoperative 1-year disease-free survival for gastric cancer

To investigate the value of preoperative abdominal contrast-enhanced multiple-row detector computed tomography (ceMDCT) in predicting the postoperative 1-year disease-free survival (DFS) for gastric cancer. Between January 2009 and December 2015, 237 gastric cancer patients at Peking University People's Hospital with complete preoperative clinical, image and follow-up data were enrolled in this retrospective study. (1) primary gastric cancer was confirmed by pathology; (2) radical gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection were performed;(3) patients underwent preoperative ceMDCT. Patients with gastric stump cancer, concurrent metastasis, other malignancies, and undergoing neoadjuvant treatment were excluded. According to ceMDCT examination with or without ctEMVI (extramural venous invasion), patients were divided into ctEMVI-positive and ctEMVI-negative group. ctEMVI-positive was defined as that there was a continuous tubular and nodular soft tissue filling defect from the tumor to the adjacent blood vessel lumen in ceMDCT, suggesting the tumor directly invaded the blood vessels outside the muscularis propria of the gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Log-rank test was used to compare differences in 1-year DFS between ctEMVI-positive group and ctEMVI-negative group. According to the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), the T staging in ceMDCT (ctT) and lymph node metastasis (lymph nodes with shorter diameter > 8 mm) were determined. The patients were subdivided into four subgroups, ctT4N(+), ctT4N(-), ctT1-3N(+), and ctT1-3N(-), to further compare the difference in postoperative 1-year DFS between ctEMVI-positive and -negative patients in each subgroups. Kaplan-Meier univariate analysis was performed on preoperative imaging data (ctT, ctN, ctEMVI, tumor location/growth pattern, and ctSize). Cox proportional hazard regression was used to find the independent risk factors of 1-year DFS rate. According to the number of independent risk factors, the patients were classified to different risk stratifications. The difference of 1-year DFS rate between different risk stratifications was compared. According to the results of ceMDCT, 72 patients (30.4%) were divided into the ctEMVI-positive group and 165 patients(69.6%) into the ctEMVI-negative group. The ctEMVI-positive group had significantly lower 1-year DFS rate (55.3%) than the ctEMVI-negative group (90.2%) (χ²=40.17, P<0.001). The 1-year DFS in the ctEMVI-positive ctT4N(+) subgroup was 34.5%, which was significantly lower than that of the ctMVI-negative ctT4N(+) subgroup (85.3%) (χ²=19.13, P<0.001). In the ctEMVI-positive ctT1-3N(-) subgroup, the 1-year DFS was 77.8%, which was also significantly lower than 98.5% of the ctEMVI-negative ctT1-3N(-) subgroup(χ²=15.09, P=0.003). In Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, ctT, ctN and ctEMVI were identified as independent prognostic factors of 1-year DFS with hazard ratio (HR) of 3.351(95%CI:1.249-8.986, P=0.017), 1.987(95%CI:1.085-3.637, P=0.027) and 3.398(95%CI:1.785-6.469, P<0.001), respectively. Risk classification was carried out according to the number of independent risk factors (ctT, ctN and ctEMVI). Grade 0 had no independent risk factors, grade 1 had one independent risk factor, grade 2 had two independent factors and grade 3 had 3 independent risk factors. The risk grading result showed that the numbers of patients form grade 0 to 3 were 71, 65, 68, 33, respectively, and the 1-year DFS rates were 98.5%, 82.1%, 79.0%, 34.5%, respectively(P<0.001). With the increase of the number of independent risk factors, 1-year DFS rate decreased gradually in patients with gastric cancer (P<0.001). Differences of 1-year DFS between grade 0 and grade 1(P=0.002), between grade 2 and grade 3(P<0.001) were both significant. Meanwhile the difference between grade 1 and grade 2 was not significant (P=0.578). ctEMVI, ctT and ctN defined by preoperative ceMDCT are independent risk factors for the prognosis of gastric cancer. With the increase of risk factors, the 1-year DFS decreases gradually.

Radiomics improves efficiency for differentiating subclinical pheochromocytoma from lipid-poor adenoma: a predictive, preventive and personalized medical approach in adrenal incidentalomas.

This study aims to define a radiomic signature for pre-operative differentiation between subclinical pheochromocytoma (sPHEO) and lipid-poor adrenal adenoma (LPA) in adrenal incidentaloma. The goal was to apply a predictive, preventive, and personalized medical approach to the management of adrenal tumors. This retrospective study consisted of 265 consecutive patients (training cohort, 212 (LPA, 145; sPHEO, 67); validation cohort, 53 (LPA, 36; sPHEO, 17)). Computed tomography (CT) imaging features were evaluated, including long diameter (LD), short diameter (SD), pre-enhanced CT value (CTpre), enhanced CT value (CTpost), shape, homogeneity, necrosis or cystic degeneration (N/C). Radiomic features were extracted and then were used to construct a radiomic signature (Rad-score) and radiomic nomogram. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate their performance. Sixteen of three hundred forty candidate features were used to build a radiomic signature. The signature was significantly different between the sPHEO and LPA groups (AUC: training, 0.907; validation, 0.902). The radiomic nomogram based on enhanced CT features (M1) consisted of Rad-score, LD, SD, CTpre, shape, homogeneity and N/C (AUC: training, 0.957; validation, 0.967). The pre-enhanced CT features based radiomic nomogram (M2) included Rad-score, LD, SD, CTpre, shape, and homogeneity (AUC: training, 0.955; validation, 0.958). Our radiomic nomograms based on pre-enhanced and enhanced CT images distinguished sPHEO from LPA. In addition, the promising result usingpre-enhanced CT images for predictive diagnostics is important because patients could avoid the additional radiation and risk associated with enhanced CT.

PS02.088: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CT AND PATHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS TOWARD MEDIASTINAL LYMPH NODE METASTASIS IN ESOPHAGEAL CARCINOMA

Abstract Background To investigate the diagnostic criteria of mediastinal lymph node metastasis (MLNM) in special site, which were less than 1cm, in esophageal carcinoma (EC) by comparing the lymph node size measured by CT and obtained by postoperative pathological examination. Methods A total of 305 EC patients were selected, scanned the location, short diameter, and number of MLNs one week before surgery, and then compared with their pathological findings. Results the ROC curve analysis revealed that the best short diameters of MLNM in the thoracic cavity, supraclavicular fossa (located among the clavicle, sternocleidomastoid, and omohyoid muscle), tracheoesophageal groove that can be diagnosed by CT were 8mm, 5mm, and 6mm, respectively; compared with those with the short diameter as 10mm, the sensitivity was increased significantly, the specificity and accuracy were little changed, while the Youden's index was increased significantly. Conclusion It is reasonable to reduce the CT diagnostic criteria of the short diameter of positive lymph nodes in some special site such as supraclavicular fossa and tracheoesophageal groove. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

PS02.187: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REGIONAL LYMPH NODE SIZE AND PROGNOSIS IN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER PATIENTS

Abstract Background Surgery for esophageal cancer, in many cases performed after chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Because treatment policy is determined by pretreatment evaluation, improvement of diagnosis accuracy is important. Commonly, metastatic diagnosis is performed by uniformly defining the size. We examined whether evaluation of N classification reflecting more prognosis can be done by examining lymph node metastasis criteria by area in CT. Methods We surveyed 300 cases of thoracic esophageal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) who underwent surgery at our hospital from September 2010 to December 2014. We defined lymph node with a minor axis of 5 mm or more from CT (5 mm slice) before treatment as ‘visible node’. We changed the cut off of lymph node short diameter for each area to 5 mm, 10 mm and 15 mm, and those with long diameter/short diameter ratio less than 1.5 were designated as ‘metastasis’. We examined the optimal size of lymph node which reflect prognosis. We compared the correlation with the prognosis based on the N category of the 8th edition UICC TNM classification and the 11th edition Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer, using the cutoff of short diameter examined for each area. Results We evaluated the cut off of each area lymph node except paraesophageal, 15 mm in the cervical, 10 mm in the recurrent nerve, 15 mm in the upper trachea, 15 mm in the lower trachea, and 10 mm in the epigastric. Classification based on the N classification of the 8th edition UICC TNM classification, overall survival declined in the order of N categories. Conclusion From this result, it was suggested that diagnosis based on lymph node size in CT reflects prognosis by prescribing cut off for each site. From now on, it would be possible to raise the diagnostic accuracy of N classification further by subdivision of cut off and accumulation of the case. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

RA07.09: THE EFFICACY OF ASSESSING METASTATIC LYMPH NODES BY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN ADVANCED ESOPHAGEAL CANCER WITH NEOADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY

Abstract Background Although various modalities including CT, endoscopy, and positron emission tomography (PET) have been used to predict pathological tumor response (pTR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) or prognosis in esophageal cancer patients, an optimal method of response evaluation remains to be established. Methods A total of 97 non-T4 thoracic esophageal cancer patients who underwent curative surgery after NACT from 2011 to 2014 with both measurable primary tumors (PT) and metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) by CT (≥ 10mm in short axis or ≥ 5mm in short axis with SUV-max ≥ 2.5) were analyzed. Patients with ≥ 50% decrease in size of the PT (two-direction measurement) and ≥ 30% decrease in size of LNs (sum of short diameter based on RECIST criteria) were defined as PT- and LNs-responders, respectively. Results The median reduction rate of PT and LNs were 62.0% (5.5–93.4) and 26.7% (60.9–13.6), respectively. Of 97 patients, 62 (69%) and 45 patients (45%) were classified as PT- and LNs-responders respectively. The concordance rate between CT response of PT and LNs was 66% (P = 0.01). CT response of PT was correlated with pTR (P&lt;0.0001) while CT response of LNs was associated with pT (P = 0.0011), pN(P = 0.0004), and pTR (P &lt; 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated the highest accuracy (AUC 0.75), sensitivity (88.9%) and specificity (60.9%) at the reduction rate of 53% (P = 0.007) which was approximated to the cutoff value we used. In univariate analysis of recurrence free survival (RFS), pT, pN, pM, CT response of both PT and LNs, and pTR were significantly correlated with RFS. Multivariate analysis further identified CT response of LNs (HR 2.68 P = 0.003) and pTR (HR 2.72 P = 0.022) to be independently associated with RFS. When classified into three groups by histological grade and CT response of LNs [group A (grade2–3/LNs-responders), group B (grade1a-1b/LNs-nonresponders), and group C (others)], 2-year RFS were 83% in the groupA, 59% in groupC and 29% in groupB (P &lt; 0.0001), respectively. Conclusion In locally-advanced esophageal cancer patients with NACT followed by surgery, CT response of PT and LNs significantly correlated with pTR. Especially, CT response of LNs was important to predict prognosis in addition to pTR. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Correlations of TNM staging and lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer with MRI features and VEGF expression

To investigate the correlations of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in gastric cancer tissues of patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features with clinical tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging and lymph node metastasis, and to analyze the diagnostic value of MRI features for preoperative TNM staging and lymph node metastasis of patients with gastric cancer, and the roles of VEGF in tumor development and metastasis. A total of 120gastric cancer patients treated in our hospital from May 2015 to July 2017 were selected as objects of study. The VEGF protein expressions in gastric cancer tissues of patients with different TNM staging and lymph node metastasis degrees were detected using immunohistochemical method, and the correlations of VEGF protein expression with TNM staging and lymph node metastasis were analyzed. Before operation, MRI was used to predict TNM staging and lymph node metastasis of all patients, and prediction results were compared with postoperative pathological diagnosis results. At the same time, the differences in lymph node apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), long diameter and short diameter, relative ADC of primary lesion (rADCp) and relative ADC of muscle (rADCm) were compared and analyzed between lymph node metastasis group and non-lymph node metastasis group. The VEGF expression in patients with stage-N3 gastric cancer was about 7times that in patients with stage-N0 gastric cancer, and it was increased with the increased degree of lymph node metastasis (p< 0.01). The VEGF expression in patients with distant metastasis of tumor cells was significantly higher than that in patients without distant metastasis (p< 0.01). The expression of VEGF in stage-T4 gastric cancer was about 10times that in stage-Tis cancer, and the larger the infiltration depth of tumor cells was, the higher the expression level of VEGF would be (p< 0.01). The VEGF expression in gastric cancer tissues was positively correlated with the infiltration depth, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis of tumor cells. Moreover, the prediction results of MRI for TNM staging and lymph node metastasis before operation were compared with postoperative pathological results, and it was found that there was better consistency (Kappa = 0.739). ADC, rADCp and rADCm in gastric cancer patients without lymph node metastasis were significantly higher than those in patients with lymph node metastasis, but the short diameter and long diameter were obviously shorter than those in patients with lymph node metastasis, and the differences were statistically significant (p< 0.05). The VEGF protein expression in gastric cancer tissues is positively correlated with TNM staging and lymph node metastasis in patients. The preoperative prediction results of MRI are well consistent with postoperative pathological results, and MRI features are correlated with lymph node metastasis in patients, which has an important guiding significance for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer.

Preoperative axillary nodal staging with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging: predictive values of quantitative and semantic features.

Although axillary imaging has recently received renewed interest for preoperative staging in tandem with the evolving minimally invasive surgical approaches, axillary imaging is limited by the lack of standardization in the interpretation. We aimed to classify imaging features in ultrasound and MRI into quantitative and semantic features and evaluate predictive value of each feature for predicting nodal metastases. A total of 316 breast cancers patients who underwent ultrasound and MRI prior to axillary surgery were included. Retrospective reviews of our breastimaging database were done for the quantitative features [cortical thickness (CT) and CT-derived parameters, long diameter (LD), short diameter (SD), and LD/SD ratio] and semantic features (eccentricity, loss of fatty hilum, and irregularity) of the axillary lymph node in images. Odd ratios (ORs) for each imaging feature were calculated with adjustment for clinicopathological characteristics significantly associated with nodal metastases. All CT-derived parameters were significantly associated with nodal metastases in both ultrasound and MRI (OR, 3.3-3.5 for ultrasound and 3.3-3.9 for MRI, respectively; Ps < .05). For the ultrasound, LD/SD ratio (OR, 2.1), eccentricity (OR, 2.4), and fatty hilum loss (OR, 27.2) were significantly associated with nodal metastases (Ps < .05). For the MRI, SD (OR, 2.1) and eccentricity (OR, 3.0) were significantly associated with nodal metastases (Ps < .05). Among the quantitative features, all CT-derived parameters can be used for predicting nodal metastases. Significant predictors of semantic features were heterogeneous between ultrasound and MRI. (1) Imaging features of ultrasound and MRI for preoperative axillary nodal staging can be classified into quantitative and semantic features. (2) Predictive values of each imaging features are heterogeneous for predicting nodal metastases.

The effect of the broad-spectrum antibiotics for prevention of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess in pediatric acute appendicitis

We investigated the efficacy of broad-spectrum antibiotics for prevention of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess in pediatric acute appendicitis with our 3 risk factors:-WBC > 16.5 (× 103/µl), CRP > 3.1 (mg/dl) and appendix maximum short diameter on diagnostic imaging > 11.4mm. Four hundred twenty-two patients were reviewed. Patients with 0-1 risk factors were assessed as low-risk and those with 2-3 were high-risk. In the low-risk group, Group A (n = 66) patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics and Group B patients (n = 265) received narrow-spectrum monotherapy. In the high-risk group, Group C patients (n = 63) received broad-spectrum antibiotics and Group D patients (n = 28), narrow-spectrum antibiotics. The outcomes were the incidence of postoperative abscess and the total duration of intravenous (IV) antibiotics. The incidence of intra-abdominal abscess was 6.06% in Group A versus 1.89% in Group B (p = 0.08), and 19.05% in Group C versus 3.57% in Group D (p = 0.06). Total IV antibiotic duration (days) were 6.12 ± 2.87 in Group A versus 3.83 ± 0.69 in Group B (p < 0.01), and 7.84 ± 4.57 in Group C versus 4.00 ± 0.82 in Group D (p < 0.01). Broad-spectrum antibiotics did not prevent postoperative intra-abdominal abscess in either low or high-risk groups.

Analysis of moisture and total sugar content of Huizao based on surface images

Moisture and total sugar content are two important internal qualities of Huizao. In order to explore their correlation with external qualities, a novel method of moisture and total sugar content analysis was proposed based on surface images. Firstly, five geometric features and seven texture features of Huizao were obtained to be the external quality indexes by digital image processing technology. Secondly, the wrinkle degree as an important index was extracted by marked watershed segmentation algorithm. According to the external quality the Huizao samples were grouped, and the moisture and total sugar content were determined through physical and chemical methods. Lastly, the moisture and total sugar content and twelve external indexes were all processed by step discriminatory analysis. Meanwhile, the regression models of moisture content with short diameter, contrast, and wrinkle degree and total sugar with wrinkle degree were established. The coefficients of the model were 0.9992 and 0.9978 respectively, and all the significance was less than 0.01, which show that the regression equation and regression coefficient effect are highly significant. The results indicate that the moisture and total sugar content of Huizao are greatly correlated with the wrinkle degree. The moisture and total sugar content are the highest when the wrinkle degree is at 2 to 3 grade, and they decrease gradually with the wrinkle degree increasing. Moisture content shows positive correlation with the size of Huizao. The results of model analysis agree well with the experimental results, which can provide valuable reference for improving Huizao grade diversity. Keywords: Huizao, step discriminatory analysis, moisture content, total sugar DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20181104.3386 Citation: Zhang J X, Ma Q Q, He F, Qu F, Li W. Analysis of moisture and total sugar content of Huizao based on surface images. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(4): 238-243.

Expressions of VGLUT1/2 in the inspiratory interneurons and GAD65/67 in the inspiratory Renshaw cells in the neonatal rat upper thoracic spinal cord

Although the inspiratory spinal interneurons are thought to provide a major fraction of the excitatory synaptic potentials to the inspiratory intercostal motoneurons, this has not been confirmed. To clarify whether some inspiratory spinal interneurons are glutamatergic, we obtained whole-cell recordings from the ventromedial area of the third thoracic segments in an isolated brainstem-spinal cord preparation from neonatal rat, and the recorded cells were filled with Lucifer Yellow for later visualization. We then examined the existence of mRNA of vesicular glutamate transporters 1 and/or 2 (VGLUT1/2) by performing in situ hybridization. To discriminate the interneurons from motoneurons, we electrically stimulated the third thoracic ventral root on the recorded side, and the results verified that the antidromic spike or excitatory postsynaptic potential was not evoked. In cases in which the ventral root stimulation evoked depolarizing postsynaptic potentials, we examined the existence of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 and/or 67 (GAD65/67) mRNA using a mixed probe to verify whether the cell was truly a Renshaw cell. The long diameter of the recorded interneurons was 22 ± 8 μm; the short diameter was 13 ± 4 μm. The interneurons' input resistance was 598 ± 274 MΩ. The Renshaw cells had similar sizes and input resistance. Six of 11 interneurons expressed VGLUT1/2, and four of five Renshaw cells expressed GAD65/67. Our findings suggest that approximately one-half of the inspiratory interneurons in the ventromedial area of the neonatal rat thoracic spinal cord are glutamatergic, and these interneurons might enhance the inspiratory intercostal motor activity.

Quantifying the ultrastructure changes of air-dried and irradiated human amniotic membrane using atomic force microscopy: a preliminary study.

Air-dried and sterilized amnion has been widely used as a dressing to treat burn and partial thickness wounds. Sterilisation at the standard dose of 25kGy was reported to cause changes in the morphological structure as observed under the scanning electron microscope. This study aimed to quantify the changes in the ultrastructure of the air-dried amnion after gamma-irradiated at several doses by using atomic force microscope. Human placentae were retrieved from mothers who had undergone cesarean elective surgery. Amnion separated from chorion was processed and air-dried for 16h. It was cut into 10 × 10mm, individually packed and exposed to gamma irradiation at 5, 15, 25 and 35kGy. Changes in the ultrastructural images of the amnion were quantified in term of diameter of the epithelial cells, size of the intercellular gap and membrane surface roughness. The longest diameter of the amnion cells reduced significantly after radiation (p < 0.01) however the effect was not dose dependent. No significant changes in the shortest diameter after radiation, except at 35kGy which decreased significantly when compared to 5kGy (p < 0.01). The size of the irradiated air-dried amnion cells reduced in the same direction without affecting the gross ultrastructure. At 15kGy the intercellular gap decreased significantly (p < 0.01) with Ra and Rq, values reflecting surface roughness, were significantly the highest (p < 0.01). Changes in the ultrastructure quantified by using atomic force microscope could complement results from other microscopic techniques.

Black-ZrO2 thin film produced by oxidation of Zr metal plate in air

Black-ZrO2 thin films were successfully fabricated on the surface of a Zr metal plate by simple oxidation at a controlled temperature in air, under normal atmospheric pressure. The black-ZrO2 thin films were composed of two types of grains with monoclinic ZrO2 structures: 1) fine equiaxed grains with sizes of up to a few hundred nanometers from the surface to a depth of about 5 μm; 2) columnar grains, with long and short diameters of several microns and a few hundred nanometers, respectively, in the inner region above the equiaxed grains. The bandgap of the black-ZrO2 thin films was estimated to be 0.72 eV, based on the Tauc plot using diffuse reflections, which allowed for absorption in the ultraviolet and visible regions of the solar spectrum.

Quantified evaluation of tracheal compression in pediatric complex congenital vascular ring by computed tomography

Clinically, early diagnosis and treatment is important for survival of pediatric with vascular ring (VR) associated with congenital heart disease (CHD), and accurate evaluation of VR is a prerequisite for repair surgical. The study aimed to assess the quantitative characteristics of tracheal compression in pediatrics with VR and CHD using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT), and further provided effective information for surgical decisions. A total of 49 VR patients with CHD and 56 controls were enrolled. The tracheal quantitative measurements (short diameter, long diameter, tracheal area and tracheal length) were obtained, and the degree of tracheal compression was assessed. Our results indicated that VR associated with CHD may cause more serious and complex symptoms, and the greater tracheal compression were found on DSCT when more severe symptoms were present (r = 0.84). The degree of tracheal compression was significantly different within the VR group between those with and without surgery (P = 0.002). Finally, there were good agreement among (1-long diameter ratio), (1-short diameter ratio) and (1-area ratio) in patients and controls, respectively. This study indicated that DSCT enables provides accurate quantitative tracheal compression information for VR pediatrics associated with CHD, and evaluation of the degree of tracheal compression by 1-area ratio may contribute to the repair surgical of VR.