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Spider pulsars are neutron stars that have a companion star in a close orbit. The companion star sheds material to the neutron star, spinning it up to millisecond rotation periods, while the orbit shortens to hours. The companion is eventually ablated and destroyed by the pulsar wind and radiation1,2. Spider pulsars are key for studying the evolutionary link between accreting X-ray pulsars and isolated millisecond pulsars, pulsar irradiation effects and the birth of massive neutron stars3-6. Black widow pulsars in extremely compact orbits (as short as 62 minutes7) have companions with masses much smaller than 0.1 Mâ. They may have evolved from redback pulsars with companion masses of about 0.1-0.4 Mâ and orbital periods of less than 1 day8. If this is true, then there should be a population of millisecond pulsars with moderate-mass companions and very short orbital periods9, but, hitherto, no such system was known. Here we report radio observations of the binary millisecond pulsar PSR J1953+1844 (M71E) that show it to have an orbital period of 53.3 minutes and a companion with a mass of around 0.07 Mâ. It is a faint X-ray source and located 2.5 arcminutes from the centre of the globular cluster M71.
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The fundamental building blocks of the proton-quarks and gluons-have been known for decades. However, we still have an incomplete theoretical and experimental understanding of how these particles and their dynamics give rise to the quantum bound state of the proton and its physical properties, such as its spin1. The two up quarks and the single down quark that comprise the proton in the simplest picture account only for a few per cent of the proton mass, the bulk of which is in the form of quark kinetic and potential energy and gluon energy from the strong force2. An essential feature of this force, as described by quantum chromodynamics, is its ability to create matter-antimatter quark pairs inside the proton that exist only for a very short time. Their fleeting existence makes the antimatter quarks within protons difficult to study, but their existence is discernible in reactions in which a matter-antimatter quark pair annihilates. In this picture of quark-antiquark creation by the strong force, the probability distributions as a function of momentum for the presence of up and down antimatter quarks should be nearly identical, given that their masses are very similar and small compared to the mass of the proton3. Here we provide evidence from muon pair production measurements that these distributions are considerably different, with more abundant down antimatter quarks than up antimatter quarks over a wide range of momenta. These results are expected to revive interest in several proposed mechanisms for the origin of this antimatter asymmetry in the proton that had been disfavoured by previous results4, and point to future measurements that can distinguish between these mechanisms.
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AIM: To determine the associations of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters with expression of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), and evaluate the performance of the combined model established based on IVIM and clinicopathological parameters in predicting PD-L1and PD-1 status of cervical cancer (CC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight consecutive CC patients were enrolled prospectively and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including IVIM. IVIM quantitative parameters were measured, compared, and correlated with PD-L1 and PD-1 expression. Independent factors related to PD-L1 and PD-1 positivity were identified and were used to establish the combined model. The combined model's diagnostic performance was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) algorithm was used to explain the contribution of each parameter in the combined model. RESULTS: The real diffusion coefficient (D) value was significantly lower in the PD-L1-positive group than in the PD-L1-negative group (0.64 ± 0.12 versus 0.72 ± 0.11, p=0.021). The PD-1-positive and PD-1-negative groups showed similar trends (0.63 ± 0.13 versus 0.73 ± 0.09, p=0.003). Parametrial invasion, lymph node status, pathological grade, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) staging, and D values were independently associated with PD-L1 and PD-1expression. A combined model incorporating these parameters showed good discrimination with the sensitivity, specificity of 90.9%, 82.6% for PD-L1, and 93.5%, 72% for PD-1. According to the SHAP value, FIGO staging and pathological grade were the most influential features of the prediction model. CONCLUSION: IVIM parameters were found to correlate with PD-L1 and PD-1 expression. The combined model, incorporating parametrial invasion, lymph node status, pathological grade, FIGO staging, and D values, showed good discrimination in predicting PD-L1 and PD-1 status, providing the basis for CC immunotherapy.
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Antígeno B7-H1 , Receptor de Muerte Celular Programada 1 , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino , Humanos , Femenino , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Cuello del Útero/diagnóstico por imagen , Cuello del Útero/patología , Receptor de Muerte Celular Programada 1/metabolismo , Antígeno B7-H1/metabolismo , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/metabolismo , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/patología , Imagen por Resonancia MagnéticaRESUMEN
AIM: To develop and validate a deep learning (DL) algorithm for the automated detection and classification of carotid artery plaques (CAPs) on computed tomography angiography (CTA) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 400 patients (300 in the Center â and 100 in â ¡). Three radiologists co-labeled CAPs, and their revised calcification status (noncalcified, mixed, and calcified) was regarded as ground truth. Center â patients were randomly divided into training and internal validation datasets, while Center â ¡ patients served as the external validation dataset. Carotid artery regions were segmented using a modified 3D-UNet network, followed by CAPs detection and classification using a ResUNet-based architecture in a two-step DL system. The DL model's detection and classification performance were evaluated on the validation dataset using precision-recall curve, free-response receiver operating characteristic (fROC) curve, Cohen's kappa, and ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: The DL model had achieved 83.4% sensitivity at 3.0 false positives (FPs)/CTA scan in internal validation and 78.9% in external validation. F1-scores were 0.764 and 0.769 at the optimal threshold, and area under fROC curves were 0.756 and 0.738, respectively, indicating good overall accuracy for CAP detection. The DL model also showed good performance for the ternary classification of CAPs, with Cohen's kappa achieved 0.728 and 0.703 in both validation datasets. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the feasibility of using a fully automated DL-based algorithm for the detection and ternary classification of CAPs, which could be helpful for the workloads of radiologists.
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Angiografía por Tomografía Computarizada , Aprendizaje Profundo , Humanos , Angiografía por Tomografía Computarizada/métodos , Masculino , Femenino , Estudios Retrospectivos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Estenosis Carotídea/diagnóstico por imagen , Arterias Carótidas/diagnóstico por imagen , Placa Aterosclerótica/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedades de las Arterias Carótidas/diagnóstico por imagen , Interpretación de Imagen Radiográfica Asistida por Computador/métodos , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 poses a significant threat to patients with comorbidities, such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). China experienced a nationwide COVID-19 endemic from December 2022 to January 2023, which is the first occurrence of such an outbreak following China's widespread administration of COVID-19 vaccinations. METHODS: A total of 338 patients with diabetes and CKD combined with COVID-19 infection between December 7, 2022 and January 31, 2023 were included in this study. The end follow-up date was February 10, 2023. Univariate analysis and multivariate Cox analysis were used to analyze risk factors for death. RESULTS: During the 50-day median follow-up period, 90 patients in the study cohort died, for a mortality rate of 26.63%. The median age of the study cohort was 74 years, with a male predominance of 74%. During hospitalization, 21% of patients had incident AKI, 17% of patients experienced stroke, and 40% of patients experienced respiratory failure. Cox proportional hazard regression showed that older age, a diagnosis of severe or critically severe COVID-19 infection, incident AKI and respiratory failure, higher level of average values of fasting glucose during hospitalization, UA, and total bilirubin were independent risk factors for death in our multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the critical importance of identifying and managing comorbid risk factors for COVID-19, especially among the elderly, in order to optimize clinical outcomes, even after COVID-19 vaccination.
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Lesión Renal Aguda , COVID-19 , Diabetes Mellitus , Insuficiencia Renal Crónica , Insuficiencia Respiratoria , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Lesión Renal Aguda/complicaciones , Lesión Renal Aguda/epidemiología , COVID-19/complicaciones , COVID-19/epidemiología , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/administración & dosificación , Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiología , Insuficiencia Renal Crónica/complicaciones , Insuficiencia Renal Crónica/epidemiología , Factores de Riesgo , VacunaciónRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to assess the multiscalar changes in leprosy burden and its associated risk factors over the last three decades. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted an in-depth examination of leprosy's spatial-temporal trends at multiple geographical scale (global, regional, and national), utilizing information from Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD 2019). METHODS: Incidence and the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of leprosy were determined, with countries categorized based on leprosy incidence changes. We examined socioeconomic and physical geography influences on leprosy incidence via Spearman correlation analysis, using ternary phase diagrams to reveal the synergetic effects on leprosy occurrence. RESULTS: Globally, incident cases of leprosy decreased by 27.86% from 1990 to 2019, with a reduction in ASIR (EAPC = -2.53), yet trends were not homogeneous across regions. ASIR and EAPC correlated positively with sociodemographic index (SDI), and an ASIR growth appeared in high SDI region (EAPC = 3.07). Leprosy burden was chiefly distributed in Tropical Latin America, Oceania, Central Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia. Negative correlations were detected between the incidence of leprosy and factors of SDI, GDP per capita, urban population to total population, and precipitation, whereas the number of refugee population, temperature, and elevation showed opposite positive results. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a global decline in leprosy over the past three decades, the disparities of disease occurrence at regional and national scales still persisted. Socioeconomic and physical geographic factors posed an obvious influence on the transmission risk of leprosy. The persistence and regional fluctuations of leprosy incidence necessitate the ongoing dynamic and multilayered control strategies worldwide in combating this ancient disease.
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Carga Global de Enfermedades , Lepra , Humanos , Geografía , Lepra/epidemiología , Examen Físico , Factores Socioeconómicos , Salud Global , Incidencia , Años de Vida Ajustados por Calidad de VidaRESUMEN
Objective: To explore the relationship between bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-derived fluid status and nutritional indicators and the prognosis in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of MHD patients in Jiangsu Province Hospital between January 2014 and December 2016 were analyzed. BIA data of healthy volunteers in Gulou District, Nanjing City, collected between April and October 2022, were used to determine the cut-off value of body cell mass index (BCMI). Referring to previous research, using 0.15 as the cut-off value for the ratio of overhydration and extracellular water (OH/ECW). The data were transformed into binary variables based on these cut-off values to categorize patients into different groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to plot survival curves, and the Cox proportional hazards model was performed to analyze risk factors for all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 706 MHD patients (407 males and 299 females) were included, aged (54±15) years. MHD patients were classified into four groups based on whether BCMI was<5.4 kg/m2 and OH/ECW was≥0.15, which included non-overhydration and non-malnutrition group, overhydration group, malnutrition group, and overhydration and malnutrition group, with 269, 186, 151, and 100 patients, respectively. During a median follow-up of [M(Q1, Q3)] 33 (26, 37) months, 162 patients died. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the median survival periods of the four groups were 52 months (95%CI: 41-54 months), 46 months (95%CI: 44-49 months), 37 months (95%CI: 34-40 months), and 34 months (95%CI: 30-38 months), respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The 1-year survival rates were 95.5%, 93.5%, 92.1%, and 88.0% (P<0.001), respectively, and the 2-year mortality rates were 92.6%, 87.1%, 83.4%, and 77.0% (P<0.001), respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that compared with non-overhydration and non-malnutrition group, the risk of all-cause mortality increased by 1.18 times in the malnutrition group (HR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.29-3.71, P=0.004), and by 1.59 times in the overhydration and malnutrition group (HR=2.59, 95%CI: 1.48-4.54, P=0.001). Conclusions: BIA-derived fluid status and nutritional indicators are associated with the prognosis of MHD patients. Compared with patients without fluid overload and malnutrition, patients with malnutrition and fluid overload have an increased risk of all-cause mortality.
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Impedancia Eléctrica , Estado Nutricional , Diálisis Renal , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Masculino , Femenino , Estudios Retrospectivos , Pronóstico , Adulto , Desnutrición/diagnóstico , Factores de Riesgo , Anciano , Fallo Renal Crónico/terapiaRESUMEN
Objective: To investigate the effects of sirolimus combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody desensitization on the prognosis of patients with haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT). Methods: Fifteen consecutive patients who received haplo-SCT and pre-transplant donor specific anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody (DSA) positive [mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)≥2 000] in the Institute of Hematological Diseases from November 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively recruited into the desensitized group. There were 4 males and 11 females, with a median age [M(Q1, Q3)] of 48 (37, 59) years. All patients were desensitized with sirolimus combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. The non-desensitized group included 29 patients with haplo-SCT who had not received desensitization treatment from August 2012 to June 2016. There were 12 males and 17 females with a median age of 42 (26, 50) years. Up to October 1, 2023, the median follow-up time was 13 (9, 18) months in the study group and 23 (14, 29) months in the control group. The changes of MFI before and after desensitization treatment and the prognosis of patients in the desensitized group were compared, including the incidence of primary implantation failure (pGF), neutrophil implantation time, platelet implantation time, grade â ¡-â £ acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and chronic GVHD incidence, non-recurrence related mortality, event-free survival rate, disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate. The survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method, and the survival rate between groups was compared with Log-rank test. Results: After desensitization treatment, the level of DSA MFI in the desensitized group decreased from 8 879 (7 544, 11 495) to 3 781 (1 638, 4 165) after desensitization treatment (P<0.01). All of the patients achieved hematopoietic recovery, and the median time for neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 14 (11, 15) and 20 (18, 25) days, respectively. The incidence of pGF in the desensitized group was 0, which was lower than that in the non-desensitized group (34.5%, 10/29) (P=0.011). The expected 1-year disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate in the desensitized group were 100% (15/15) and 100% (15/15) respectively, while those in the non-desensitized group were 75.9% (22/29) and 75.9% (22/29) respectively, the difference was not statistically significant (both P>0.05). The one-year event-free survival rate in the desensitized group was expected to be 100% (15/15), which was higher than that in the non-desensitized group (51.3%, 15/29) (P=0.002). Conclusion: Sirolimus combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody desensitization therapy can reduce the DSA level of haplo-SCT recipients, promote hematopoietic engraftment after transplantation, and avoid the occurrence of pGF after transplantation.
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Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Masculino , Femenino , Humanos , Sirolimus/uso terapéutico , Estudios Retrospectivos , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas/efectos adversos , Pronóstico , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/etiología , Anticuerpos Monoclonales , Acondicionamiento Pretrasplante/efectos adversos , Acondicionamiento Pretrasplante/métodosRESUMEN
Objective: To analyze and summarize the oncological outcomes after laparoscopic radical trachelectomy (LRT) for early stage cervical cancer. Methods: The clinical data and follow-up results of 148 patients with early stage cervical cancer who underwent LRT in Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University from July 2014 to June 2023 were collected, while tumor outcomes and postoperative pregnancy were analyzed retrospectively. Results: (1) General situation: the median age of 148 patients with LRT was 33 years (range: 19-42 years). Pathological type: 111 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 36 cases of adenocarcinoma, 1 case of adenosquamous carcinoma. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2018) stage: 17 cases of stage â a1 with lympho-vascular space invasion, 25 cases of stage â a2, 102 cases of stage â b1, and 4 cases of stage â b2. (2) Tumor outcomes: 148 patients were followed up regularly after LRT, and the median follow-up time was 59 months (range: 2-104 months). During the follow-up period, 5 cases of tumor recurred (including 1 death), and the median recurrence time was 10 months (range: 4-33 months). Among them, there were 3 cases of pelvic metastasis, 1 case of distant metastasis, and 1 case of both pelvic and distant metastasis. Both 3-year and 5-year disease-free survival rates of 148 patients were 94.5%, and the 5-year overall survival rate was 98.9%. (3) Postoperative pregnancy: among 148 patients with LRT, 67 patients had pregnancy requirements, followed up for 1 year, and 20 of them were pregnant, with a pregnancy rate of 29.9% (20/67). Among the 20 pregnant patients, 2 cases early abortion, 1 case mid-term abortion, and 17 cases gave birth (including 4 cases of premature birth and 13 cases of full-term birth). Conclusion: Under the condition of strict control of surgical indications, guaranteed surgical scope and tumor-free operation, LRT in patients with early cervical cancer has a good outcome.
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Laparoscopía , Traquelectomía , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino , Embarazo , Femenino , Humanos , Adulto Joven , Adulto , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/patología , Traquelectomía/métodos , Resultado del Tratamiento , Estudios Retrospectivos , Estadificación de Neoplasias , China , Laparoscopía/métodosRESUMEN
Infectious diseases seriously threaten human health. The early detection of the causative organism and antibiotic resistance genes of infection remains a major clinical challenge. Next-generation sequencing has been widely used in diagnosing infectious diseases. Cheaper and faster targeted next-generation sequencing technology is progressively being used in clinical practice. However, the awareness among clinicians about the clinical utility of this technology is limited. The article presents the theoretical background, advantages and disadvantages, clinical applications of targeted next-generation sequencing, and its contrasts with metagenomics next-generation sequencing. It provides a reference for clinicians to select laboratory methods for identifying pathogens in clinical practice.
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Antibacterianos , Enfermedades Transmisibles , Humanos , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Secuenciación de Nucleótidos de Alto Rendimiento/métodos , Metagenómica/métodosRESUMEN
With the continuous advancement of robot-assisted surgical system and the continuous accumulation of clinical experience of surgeons, robot-assisted surgical systems are becoming more and more widely used in the field of pancreatic surgery. Several studies have suggested that robot-assisted pancreatic surgery has significant advantages over traditional pancreatic surgery. The "International consensus guidelines on robotic pancreatic surgery in 2023" provides more standardized guidance on the applicability and safety of robotic-assisted pancreatic surgery, and discusses in detail the indications, safety, learning curve, and related issues of robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy,and mid pancreatectomy. In addition, the application value of robot-assisted surgical systems in special patients was discussed, as well as the new technology of robot-assisted pancreaticointestinal anastomosis and the new concept of pancreatic duct repair surgery. This article interprets the guidelines based on the recommendations of the guidelines and the practical experience of the authors' team in the field of robotic-assisted pancreatic surgery.
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Objective: To investigate the clinical and radiologic characteristics of children with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) in a single center. Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, clinical data of 497 children(507 limbs) with CPT who were treated at Department of Orthopedics, the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University from January 2011 to December 2020 were collected. Baseline data included gender, age at initial visit, age at onset of symptoms, accompanying symptoms, domicile, whether first treated at our hospital, and treatment-related information such as surgical or conservative treatment, surgical complications, etc., were extracted and analyzed using the health information system. Imaging data of the children, including Crawford classification, bilateral leg lengths, presence of fibular pseudarthrosis, and location of pseudarthrosis along the tibia segment, were analyzed using the Picture Archiving and Communication System. Data were compared using independent sample t test or χ2 tests. Results: Among 497 children with CPT, there were 305 males (61.4%) and 192 females (38.6%). The age at initial visit was (3.6±3.2) years (range: 0.1 to 16.2 years). Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) symptoms were positive in 340 children (68.4%), and negative in 157 children (31.6%). Among NF1-positive children, those with symptoms onset before 1 year of age were significantly more than NF1-negative children (74.1%(252/340) vs. 66.2%(104/157);χ2=9.24, P=0.001), and the proportion of fractures (92.9%,316/340) was significantly higher than that in the NF1-negative group (84.7%,133/157) (χ2=8.33, P=0.004). According to imaging data, Crawford type â £ was the most common type, with 321 limbs (63.3%), followed by type â ¡ in 100 limbs (19.7%), type â ¢ in 54 limbs (10.7%) and type â in 32 limbs (6.3%). Pseudarthrosis occurred in the proximal third of the tibia in 14 limbs (2.8%), in the middle third in 185 limbs (36.5%), and in the distal third in 308 limbs (60.8%). Seventy-four children (14.9 %) had associated fibular pseudarthrosis. The lateral proximal tibial angle was 86.91°±5.21°(range: 72.17° to 102.08°), and the lateral distal tibial angle was 87.27°±10.73°(range: 51.07° to 128.17°). A total of 421 children (84.7%) underwent surgical treatment with (3.1±2.4) surgeries performed per child (range:0 to 12 surgeries); 76 children (15.3%) received conservative treatment. Postoperative complications mainly included ankle valgus (77 cases), leg length discrepancy (71 cases),refracture (48 cases), osteomyelitis (11 cases), and hardware failure (10 cases). NF1-positive children underwent more surgeries than NF1-negative children ((5.1±2.2)times vs.(2.1±1.8)times;t=14.93,P<0.01). Conclusions: Crawford type â £ is the most common type of CPT in children in this study. CPT predominantly occurs in the middle or distal third of the tibia. The majority of children with CPT experienced symptoms and were seen at outpatient clinics before the age of 3 years. The main surgical complications currently associated with CPT treatment are ankle valgus and leg length discrepancy. Compared with CPT without NF1, children with NF1-positive CPT tend to have earlier symptom onset and may require more frequent treatments.
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Seudoartrosis , Tibia , Humanos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Femenino , Masculino , Seudoartrosis/congénito , Seudoartrosis/diagnóstico , Tibia/anomalías , Tibia/cirugía , Preescolar , Niño , LactanteRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the multi-vendor multi-site reproducibility of two-dimensional (2D) multi-echo spin-echo (MESE) T2 mapping (product sequences); and to evaluate the longitudinal reproducibility of three-dimensional (3D) magnetization-prepared angle-modulated partitioned k-space spoiled gradient echo snapshots (MAPSS) T1ρ and T2 mapping (research sequences), and 2D MESE T2 mapping, separated by 6 months, in a multi-vendor multi-site setting. METHODS: Phantoms and volunteers (n = 5 from each site, n = 20 in total) were scanned on four 3 T magnetic resonance (MR) systems from four sites and three vendors (Siemens, General Electric, and Phillips). Two traveling volunteers (3 knees) scanned at all 4 sites at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Data was transferred to one site for centralized processing. Coefficients of variation (CVs) were calculated to evaluate reproducibility. RESULTS: For baseline 2D MESE T2 measures, average CV were 0.37-2.45% (intra-site) and 5.96% (inter-site) for phantoms, and 3.15-8.49% (intra-site) and 14.16% (inter-site) for volunteers. For longitudinal phantom data, intra-site CVs were 1.42-3.48% for 3D MAPSS T1ρ, 1.77-3.56% for 3D MAPSS T2, and 1.02-2.54% for 2D MESE T2. For the longitudinal volunteer data, the intra-site CVs were 2.60-4.86% for 3D MAPSS T1ρ, 3.33-7.25% for 3D MAPSS T2, and 3.11-8.77% for 2D MESE T2. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated excellent intra-site reproducibility of 2D MESE T2 imaging, while its inter-site variation was slightly higher than 3D MAPSS T2 imaging (10.06% as previously reported). This study also showed excellent reproducibility of longitudinal T1ρ and T2 cartilage quantification, in a multi-vendor multi-site setting for both product 2D MESE T2 and 3D MAPSS T1p/T2 research sequences.
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Cartílago Articular , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Humanos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Fantasmas de ImagenRESUMEN
Pulsar Timing Array experiments probe the presence of possible scalar or pseudoscalar ultralight dark matter particles through decade-long timing of an ensemble of galactic millisecond radio pulsars. With the second data release of the European Pulsar Timing Array, we focus on the most robust scenario, in which dark matter interacts only gravitationally with ordinary baryonic matter. Our results show that ultralight particles with masses 10^{-24.0} eVâ²mâ²10^{-23.3} eV cannot constitute 100% of the measured local dark matter density, but can have at most local density ρâ²0.3 GeV/cm^{3}.
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AIM: To investigate the correlation between capsule endoscopy (CE) classification of primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) and computed tomography (CT) lymphangiography (CTL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 patients with diagnosed PIL were enrolled. All patients were examined using CTL and small intestinal CE before surgery. CE assessments included the morphology, scope, colour, and size of lesions. CTL assessments included intestinal wall, lymphatic vessel dilatation, lymph fluid reflux, and lymphatic fistula. Patients were divided into three groups according to type diagnosed by CE, and the CTL characteristics were analysed among the groups. RESULTS: CE showed 15 patients with type I, 27 with II, and 10 with type III. Intestinal wall thickening was observed in 15 type I, 21 type II, and seven type III. Pericardial effusion was observed in only three type I patients; the difference among types was statistically significant (p=0.02). Abnormal contrast agent distribution in the intestinal wall and mesentery was observed in 15 type II patients, and the difference was significantly greater than that of types I and III (p=0.02). Abnormal contrast agent distribution in the abdominal cavity was observed in 12 type II, and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: The CE PIL classification reflects the extent and scope of intestinal mucosa lesions; CTL more systematically demonstrates abnormal lymphatic vessels or reflux, and its manifestations of PIL are related to the CE classification. The combination of CTL with CE is useful for accurately evaluating PIL, and provides guidance for preoperative assessment and treatment management of PIL patients.
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Endoscopía Capsular , Linfangiectasia Intestinal , Humanos , Linfangiectasia Intestinal/diagnóstico por imagen , Linfangiectasia Intestinal/patología , Linfografía/métodos , Medios de Contraste , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodosRESUMEN
AIM: To investigate the shielding efficiency of a novel X-ray protection device (NPD) compared with the traditional lead clothing (TLC) during coronary intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed prospectively in two centres. A total of 200 coronary interventions were included and assigned equally into the NPD or TLC group. The NPD is a floor-standing X-ray protection device, which mainly composes of a barrel-like frame and two layers of lead rubber. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were adopted to detect the cumulative absorbed doses, and were attached outside the NPD or TLC or body of the first operator at four different height levels in four directions during the procedure. RESULTS: The cumulative doses outside the NPD were comparable to that of the TLC (2,398.33 ± 2,341.64 versus 1,624.09 ± 1,732.20 µSv, p=0.366), and the cumulative doses inside the NPD were significantly lower than those inside the TLC (40 ± 0 versus 732.28 ± 919.83 µSv, p<0.001). As the TLC did not cover the calf segment of the operator, the area at 50 cm height from the floor in the TLC group was unshielded. The shielding efficiency of NPD was significantly higher than that of the TLC (98.2 ± 0.63% versus 52.11 ± 38.97%, p=0.021). CONCLUSION: The NPD has a significantly higher shielding efficacy than that of the TLC, in particular, it protects the operators' lower limb, liberates their lower body from wearing heavy lead apron, and may consequently reduce the radiation or body-load associated complications.
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Exposición Profesional , Protección Radiológica , Humanos , Rayos X , Exposición Profesional/prevención & control , Dosis de RadiaciónRESUMEN
AIM: To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and explore the value of MRI in the diagnosis of central nervous system leukaemia (CNSL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 68 patients with leukaemia who underwent cranial MRI between January 2020 and June 2022 at Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients fulfilled the requirements for inclusion. The findings showed that 87.9% patients exhibited neurological symptoms, and 23 patients showed abnormal MRI findings. No differences were observed between the MRI+ and MRI- groups in terms of age, sex, neurological symptoms, glucose in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), chloride in the CSF, abnormal cells detected using conventional cytology (CC), bone marrow status at the diagnosis of CNSL, signal intensity ratio, and mortality, except for protein concentration and the number of leukaemic cells detected using flow cytometry (FCM) in the CSF. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis in patients with leukaemia revealed no statistical differences in the median survival times between the MRI+ group and MRI- group. Cox regression analysis and multivariate analysis showed no significant difference in survival rate between the MRI+ and MRI- groups. Kappa consistency test shows weak diagnostic consistency between MRI and CC, and weak diagnostic inconsistency between MRI and FCM. CONCLUSION: MRI could serve as an important complementary tool to CC and FCM in the diagnosis of CNSL, especially in patients without leptomeningeal involvement.
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Neoplasias del Sistema Nervioso Central , Leucemia , Humanos , Estudios Retrospectivos , Neoplasias del Sistema Nervioso Central/diagnóstico por imagen , Leucemia/diagnóstico por imagen , Sistema Nervioso Central , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética/métodosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that thyroid function affects bone metabolism and even fractures risk. However, little is known about the relationship between thyroid sensitivity and osteoporosis and fractures. Therefore, we explored the relationship between thyroid sensitivity-related indices and bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures in euthyroid US adults. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 20,686 subjects from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data were extracted and analyzed during 2007 to 2010. A total of 3403 men and postmenopausal women aged 50 years or older with available data on diagnosis of osteoporosis and/or fragility fractures, bone mineral density (BMD) and thyroid function, were eligible. TSH index (TSHI), thyrotrophin T4/T3 resistance index (TT4RI/TT3RI), Thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI), Parametric TFQI (PTFQI), free triiodothyronine to free thyroxine ratio (FT3/FT4), the secretory capacity of the thyroid gland (SPINA-GT) and the sum activity of peripheral deiodinases (SPINA-GD) were calculated. RESULTS: FT3/FT4, SPINA-GD, FT4, TSHI, TT4RI, TFQI and PTFQIFT4 were significantly correlated with BMD (P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that FT3/FT4 and SPINA-GD was significantly positively associated with BMD, while FT4, TSHI, TT4RI, TFQI and PTFQIFT4 were negatively associated with BMD (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for osteoporosis of TSHI, TFQI and PTFQIFT4 were 1.314(1.076, 1.605), 1.743(1.327, 2.288) and 1.827(1.359, 2.455) respectively, and were 0.746(0.620, 0.898) for FT3/FT4 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In elderly euthyroid individuals, impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormones correlates to osteoporosis and fractures, independent of other conventional risk factors.
Asunto(s)
Fracturas Óseas , Osteoporosis , Síndrome de Resistencia a Hormonas Tiroideas , Adulto , Anciano , Masculino , Humanos , Femenino , Encuestas Nutricionales , Tiroxina , Estudios Transversales , Hormonas Tiroideas , Triyodotironina , Tirotropina , Osteoporosis/diagnóstico , Osteoporosis/epidemiología , Osteoporosis/etiologíaRESUMEN
Objective: To evaluate and compare the efficacies of ganciclovir plus foscarnet and a single agent for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods: This study was a non-randomized clinical controlled trial. The data of patients who underwent haploidentical transplantation and developed CMV infection between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up was conducted through telephone, inpatient consultations, and the review of outpatient medical records. The observed indicators included the incidence of CMV infection (including CMV disease), rate of recurrence of CMV infection, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: A total of 242 patients were diagnosed with post-transplantation CMV infection; 116 patients tested positive for CMV DNA for more than 14 days (P=0.011). Of the 242 patients with CMV infection, 65 were treated with ganciclovir plus foscarnet, and 156 patients were treated with a single antiviral drug; the median durations of CMV seroconversion were 21 (3-60) and 14 (3-32) days for the combination and single-drug groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between their incidence of CMV infections and 1-year OS and DFS. Of the patients with refractory CMV infections, 53 (45.7%) were treated with ganciclovir plus foscarnet, and 63 (54.3%) were treated with a single antiviral agent. The median durations of CMV seroconversion for the combination and single-drug groups were 21 (15-60) days and 20 (15-45) days, respectively (P=0.472). Two patients in each group progressed to CMV disease (P=0.860). During follow-up, 12 patients (22.6%) in the combination group and 8 patients (12.7%) in the single-drug group experienced recurrent episode(s) of CMV infection (P=0.158). The 1-year OS of the combination and single-drug groups were 92.0% and 87.1%, respectively (P=0.543); the 1-year DFS were 90.3% and 85.7%, respectively (P=0.665). Univariate analysis revealed no associations between the antiviral agents used and OS and DFS (OS: HR=0.644, P=0.547; DFS: HR=0.757, P=0.666). Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the duration of CMV infection, incidence of CMV disease, rate of recurrence of CMV infection, and survival of the patients treated with the combination of antiviral drugs and a single antiviral drug.