Development and validation of a nomogram to predict intracranial haemorrhage in neonates.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish and validate a Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI)-based predictive model for neonatal intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: A total of 1190 neonates suspected of ICH after cranial ultrasound screening in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively enrolled. The neonates were randomly divided into a training cohort and a internal validation cohort by a ratio of 7:3. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the correlation between risk factors and ICH, and the prediction model of neonatal ICH was established by multivariate logistic regression based on minimum Akaike information criterion (AIC). The nomogram was externally validated in another tertiary hospital of 91 neonates. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated in terms of discrimination by the area under the curve (AUC), calibration by the calibration curve and clinical net benefit by the decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: Univariate analysis and min AIC-based multivariate logistic regression screened the following variables to establish a predictive model for neonatal ICH: Platelet count (PLT), gestational diabetes, mode of delivery, amniotic fluid contamination, 1-min Apgar score. The AUC was 0.715, 0.711, and 0.700 for the training cohort, internal validation cohort, and external validation cohort, respectively. The calibration curve showed a good correlation between the nomogram prediction and actual observation for ICH. DCA showed the nomogram was clinically useful. CONCLUSION: We developed and validated an easy-to-use nomogram to predict ICH for neonates. This model could support individualized risk assessment and healthcare.

Rice straw as microalgal biofilm bio-carrier: Effects of indigenous microorganisms on rice straw and microalgal biomass production.

Microalgal biofilm cultivation is a promising method for efficient microalgae production. However, expensive, difficult-to-obtain and non-durable carriers hinder its up-scaling. This study adopted both sterilized and unsterilized rice straw (RS) as a carrier for the development of microalgal biofilm, with polymethyl methacrylate as control. The biomass production and chemical composition of Chlorella sorokiniana, as well as the microbial community composition during cultivation were examined. The physicochemical properties of RS before and after utilized as carrier were investigated. The biomass productivity of unsterilized RS biofilm exceeded that of suspended culture by 4.85 g m-2·d-1. The indigenous microorganisms, mainly fungus, could effectively fixed microalgae to the bio-carrier and enhance its biomass production. They could also degrade RS into dissolved matters for microalgal utilization, leading to the physicochemical properties change of RS in the direction which favored its energy conversion. This study showed that RS can be used effectively as a microalgal biofilm carrier, thus presenting a new possibility for the recycling of rice straw.

External Application of a Nomogram to Predict Survival and Benefit of Peripheral Blood Inflammatory Indexes in Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Qi et al. recently proposed a nomogram to reveal the prognostic value of peripheral blood inflammatory indexes (named Risk) and predict overall survival (OS) in limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). However, it hasn't undergone external application so far. This study aimed to verify the role of Risk as a prognostic variable of OS and apply the nomogram externally. Methods: We used a retrospective analysis of clinical data of 254 patients diagnosed as LS-SCLC in Shanxi Cancer Hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 to apply Qi's nomogram externally. We also performed subgroup analysis to explore the predictive value of Risk. The model was evaluated in terms of discrimination (the area under the ROC curve (AUC ROC) and calibration (calibration plots). Results: The prognosis of patients with low-Risk was significantly better than those with high-Risk in our cohort (p<0.01). The AUC of 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS was 0.644, 0.666, and 0.635, respectively. The calibration curve showed a nearly ideal calibration-slope of 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS (1.00 (0.41-1.59), 1.00 (0.54-1.46) and 1.00 (0.43-1.57), respectively). Conclusion: The external application of nomogram added Risk for predicting OS in LS-SCLC patients showed a moderate-to-good performance using a cohort with different case-mix characteristics. The external application confirmed the predictive value of Risk and the usefulness of the nomogram for the prediction of OS.

Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor in the pericardium-a focus on imaging findings: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are rare, sporadic malignant tumors of the peripheral nervous system, bone, or soft tissues. However, to the best of our knowledge, only three cases of PNET in the pericardium have been reported in the English literature, and their magnetic resonance imaging findings have not previously been described. CASE SUMMARY: A 3-year-old boy was hospitalized with a 1-wk history of recurrent vomiting and weakness. Detailed history-taking revealed no evidence of heart disease. Computed tomography demonstrated a soft tissue mass in the left pericardial cavity with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. The border between the mass and the heart was poorly defined. Thoracotomy revealed a mass invading the left ventricle, with a high risk of bleeding. The mass was considered inoperable. A biopsy was performed, and the histological and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the diagnosis of primary PNET of the pericardium. The patient received four cycles of standard chemotherapy. Chest magnetic resonance imaging 3 mo after the initiation of chemotherapy revealed that the tumor in the pericardium still existed, but its volume had slightly decreased. The patient was lost to follow-up, and the final outcome was therefore unknown. CONCLUSION: Medical imaging plays an important role in defining the pericardial origin of PNET and understanding its characteristics. Magnetic resonance imaging can provide more information on the tumor than computed tomography and may thus aid therapeutic planning.

Treatment efficacy of high-dose creatine supplementation in a child with creatine transporter (SLC6A8) deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Creatine transporter deficiency is an inborn error of metabolism caused by a deficiency in the creatine transporter protein encoded by the SLC6A8 gene. Previous treatment with creatine supplementation, either alone or in combination with creatine precursors (arginine or glycine), has been attempted; the efficacy of therapy, however, remains controversial. METHODS AND RESULTS: To analyze the treatment efficacy of high-dose creatine supplementation on creatine transporter deficiency, we reported a child diagnosed with creatine transporter deficiency, who was treated with a conventional dose of creatine (400 mg/kg/d) for 1 month, then twice the dose (800 mg/kg/d) for 2 months, and finally 3 times the dose (1200 mg/kg/d) for 3 months. The patient tolerated the treatment well and showed improvements in muscle mass and strength when the creatine dose was gradually increased to 1200 mg/kg/d. However, when assessed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS), the brain creatine concentration did not increase, and there was no improvement in speech and neurodevelopmental symptoms. CONCLUSION: We conclude that high-dose creatine supplementation (1200 mg/kg/d) alone improved muscular symptoms, but did not improve cognitive symptoms and brain creatine concentration assessed using H-MRS. Therefore, new treatment strategies are required for the management of creatine transporter deficiency.

[Technical Progress of Integrated Simultaneous TOF-PET/MR Molecular Imaging Equipment].

This paper introduces component, principle and technical progress of integrated simultaneous TOF-PET/MR molecular imaging equipment. It briefly describes the integrated PET/MRI device design and composition classification. IT discusses special contributions to clinical application and research with TOF-PET/MR, requirement of photoelectric component on PET detector for attaining TOF reconstruction and the prerequisite that performed simultaneous scan on PET/MR. It compares the performance differences between APD and SSPM. The problems and the challenges of PET attenuation correction with MR image parameters are introduced briefly.

[The extraction and sulfation of polysaccharide from Polyporus umbellatus].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and sulfate of polysaccharide from Polyporus umbellatus, and to compare the results of joined dispersant or not. METHODS: After purified, SEC-LLS was used to determine the molecular weight of polysaccharide. The polysaccharide was sulfated with the method of chlorosulfonic acid pyridine. The structures of polysaccharide and sulfated polysaccharides was determinated by FI RD analyse. RESULTS: The results showed that the distribute of molecular weight was narrow. It was a water-soluble glycosaminoglycan with a molecular weight of nearly 1. 6 x 10(5) Del. And sulfated polysaccharide was received by sulfation. CONCLUSION: A kind of beta-D-glucopyranoside was obtained with a molecular weight of nearly 1. 6 x 10(5) Del. After added dispersant, the production of sulfated polysaccharide increased, but the molecular weigh and the content of sulfate group was reduced.