Advancement of Photospheric Radius Expansion and Clocked Type-I X-Ray Burst Models with the New

We report the first (in)elastic scattering measurement of ^{25}Al+p with the capability to select and measure in a broad energy range the proton resonances in ^{26}Si contributing to the ^{22}Mg(α,p) reaction at type I x-ray burst energies. We measured spin-parities of four resonances above the α threshold of ^{26}Si that are found to strongly impact the ^{22}Mg(α,p) rate. The new rate advances a state-of-the-art model to remarkably reproduce light curves of the GS 1826-24 clocked burster with mean deviation <9% and permits us to discover a strong correlation between the He abundance in the accreting envelope of the photospheric radius expansion burster and the dominance of ^{22}Mg(α,p) branch.

Screening of parathyroid gland by high frequency ultrasound and the relationship between recurrent urinary calculi and primary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the value of high frequency ultrasound in the clinical screening of parathyroid gland, and to summarize the intrinsic relationship between primary hyperparathyroidism and recurrent urinary calculi. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 98 cases of urinary calculi were randomly selected, and the patients were admitted to our hospital from March 2014 to August 2017. A total of 100 healthy subjects were selected as group B in the same period. High frequency color Doppler ultrasonography scan recorded the results. RESULTS: Among the subjects in group A, 67 (68.37%) showed parathyroid gland, 14 cases (14.29%) had tumor mass in the parathyroid system, 40 cases more than those in group B (40.00%) and 2 cases (2.00%), (p <0.05). There were 10 cases (10.20%) of primary hyperparathyroidism in group A and no cases of primary hyperparathyroidism in group B (p < 0.05). The occurrence of primary hyperparathyroidism was 26.92% (7/26) in the number of cases, with 3 and more cases of urinary calculi, which was higher than that in the first recurrent cases (3/72), (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: One of the key causes of recurrent episodes of urinary calculi is primary hyperparathyroidism, which can be applied to high frequency ultrasonography to develop professional screening of parathyroid gland in cases of urinary calculi.

Partial longitudinal resection of the anorectum and sphincter for very low rectal adenocarcinoma: a surgical approach to avoid permanent colostomy.

AIM: Abdominoperineal resection has been the standard procedure for low rectal cancer. The present study details a new technique, partial longitudinal resection of the anorectum and sphincter, and assesses the oncological and functional outcomes. METHOD: Between January 2004 and April 2008, 12 patients underwent partial longitudinal resection of the anorectum and sphincter for low rectal cancer. All patients underwent a diverting ileostomy and received biofeedback training before stoma closure. Functional results were assessed by vector manometry, Wexner constipation score and Wexner incontinence score. The quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). RESULTS: There was no postoperative mortality and a R0 curative resection was confirmed in every case. Morbidity included anastomotic leakage in three patients, one of whom underwent reoperation, and stenosis in 11, which was successfully managed with dilatation. The patient who underwent reoperation was not included in the functional analysis. The 11 successful patients received biofeedback training for 1-4 months, and underwent ileostomy closure 6-12 months after surgery. No patient had severe faecal incontinence after stoma closure. The EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status and QoL scores at 12 months after stoma closure were 50.4 ± 24.3, similar to preoperation scores of 52.3 ± 25.6 (P = 0.927), and not significantly different to scores for the healthy control population of 63.4 ± 23.5 (P = 0.539). No patients developed local recurrence during the median observation period (35.5 months). One patient had distant metastases at 24 months, and underwent resection of the left liver. CONCLUSION: Curability and acceptable anal function can be obtained by partial longitudinal resection of the anorectum and sphincter in patients with very low rectal cancers. This technique is recommended as an alternative to abdominoperineal resection in patients with external sphincter muscle invasion or tumours located below the dentate line.

Treatment with peginterferon plus ribavirin vs. interferon plus ribavirin for 48 weeks in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C.

INTRODUCTION: Virological responses to interferon (IFN) treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) have been found to be correlated with racial differences. Furthermore, higher sustained virological response (SVR) rates were obtained in many randomised clinical trials (RCT) in Caucasian patients with CHC after treating with peg-IFN than those with IFN. However, it is not clear whether this conclusion can be adapted to patients of Chinese descent. METHODS: A search of MEDLINE and China National Knowledge Infrastructure between 1966 and 2008 was performed. Trials comparing the use of peg-IFN plus ribavirin vs. IFN plus ribavirin in treating Chinese patients with CHC were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 94 studies screened, seven RCTs including 398 patients (peg-IFN therapy 232, IFN therapy 166) were analysed. The SVRs obtained in patients treated with peg-IFN plus ribavirin were significantly higher than in patients treated with IFN plus ribavirin [70% vs. 35%, relative risk, 1.76; 95% confidence interval: 1.21-2.56; p (0.01)]. Withdrawal rates were similar between patients treated with peg-IFN plus ribavirin and IFN plus ribavirin. CONCLUSION: Chinese patients with CHC also have a greater likelihood of achieving an SVR with peg-IFN plus ribavirin.

[Modified super anterior resection of rectal carcinoma with transpubic approach].

To ensure good exposure of operative field and to reduce the complications of low anterior resection of rectal carcinoma with transpubic approach, we modified Ackerman's method and operated on 18 patients with middle and lower rectal carcinoma at the level of 4-8 cm above the anus. 1cm width of the inferior part of the pubic symphysis was preserved. Results were compared with 19 patients operated on in the original way. Dissection of the arcuate ligament, penis suspensory ligament and penis nerve under the lower pubic margin was avoided, so that cyanosis of the penis, perineum and occurrence of sexual dysfunction were reduced, and the period of postoperative pain was shortened. 89% of patients operated in this way enjoyed good defecating function. We suggest that this procedure is indicated in all patients with rectal carcinoma located 4-7 cm above the anus with the exception of mucinous carcinoma.