Imaging characteristics of ovarian sclerosing stromal tumor.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the specific imaging features of ovarian sclerosing stromal tumor (SST), improve its accuracy as well as the specificity of imaging diagnosing, and prevent overestimation of malignancy to reduce unnecessary surgical procedures. METHODS: Eight patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and six with computed tomography (CT) images were analyzed in this retrospective observational study. All the cases were confirmed by postoperative pathological examination as those of ovarian SST. Imaging and pathological features were also evaluated. RESULTS: All the 14 masses displayed cystic and solid components with outer surface of tumors contained a capsular and complete smooth rim. Eight tumors of MRI exhibited "lake-island" sign on T2 weighted imaging (T2WI). Two of the 6 CT cases displayed a flaky calcification. One case showed as a multiloculated cystic mass with irregularly thickened septae and the tumor wall. The solid components in other 13 masses were comb- or wheel-like enhanced. After injection of contrast agent, the solid components in 8 cases (57.1%) appeared as early enhancement, whereas the other 6 cases (42.9%) appeared as progressive enhanced, and the cystic components of all the cases had no enhancement in the whole course. Vascular flow signals or/and marked enhancement of the blood vessels were found in 12 lesions (85.7%). Pathological examination demonstrated pseudolobule patterns, round to spindle shaped cells, collagenous areas, edematous hypocellular areas and prominent vasculatures. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that MRI with "lake-island" signs on T2WI and MRI/CT dynamic enhancement could potentially play a critical role in facilitating appropriate diagnosis preoperatively.

Temperature and salinity sensing characteristics of embedded core optical fiber based on surface plasmon resonance.

An embedded core fiber sensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) principle is developed. In the structure of optical fiber, the middle of the optical fiber cladding is hollowed out. The hollowed-out part is then filled with a temperature-sensitive layer. For the temperature sensitive layer, polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) is chosen. A metal layer is placed outside the cladding of the optical fiber to detect changes in the external environment and stimulate the SPR effect.The gold metal(Au) layer is also placed between the cladding and the PDMS to stimulate the SPR effect.The refractive index of seawater varies with salinity and temperature through COMSOL Multiphysics finite element simulation. We can measure the two parameters of salinity and temperature at the same time based on the SPR principle. The sensitivity of salinity and temperature calculated by this sensor is 0.193 nm/%, 0.397 nm/°C. Fiber optic sensors use the SPR principle to detect dynamic, real-time, continuous processes. The measurement range is very wide, and the brightness is also very high.Compared with single-channel measurement of single parameter, this sensor can greatly improve the efficiency of two-parameter measurement. The sensor has the advantages of simple structure, low production cost and high sensitivity, which can realize the simultaneous measurement of two parameters and avoid the crosstalk between parameters. It has great research significance.

Chemical Shift-Encoded MRI of Bone Metabolic Markers in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and correlation of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fat fraction (FF) and R2∗ as markers of bone metabolism in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods: 75 AS patients were classified into an early active group (EA), late active group (LA), and inactive group (IA). Additionally, 54 matched healthy individuals were selected to be part of the normal control group (NC). All participants underwent chemical shift encoded based MRI (IDEAL-IQ) and routine clinical SIJ MRI at 3.0 T. FF and R2∗ were measured in subchondral bone, bone marrow edema (BME), and fat metaplasia (FM). Out of the participants, 39 with BME lesions (15 from EA, 16 from LA, 8 from IA) and 39 with FM lesions (9 from EA, 17 from LA, 13 from IA) were included. Differences in FF, R2∗ value for subchondral bone of all participants and for BME, FM lesions were evaluated. Subsequently, different stages of BME and FM in patient groups were compared, and the relationship between FF and R2∗ was analyzed. Results: A significant difference in FF was demonstrated among the BME, FM and the normal bone marrow (p < 0.001), meanwhile, the difference of R2∗ value in FM was significantly lower (p = 0.034, 0.012) than that of BME and that of normal bone marrow. At lever of different lesions, only the FF for BME was significantly different among 3 patient groups (p = 0.001), while there was no significantly different FF for FM among 3 patient groups. Unlike in BME lesions, the FF in FM lesions had a negative correlation with R2∗ (p < 0.001, r = -0.488). Conclusion: FF and R2∗ measurements help to quantitatively analyze the bone marrow fat composition and bony trabecular microstructure changes in AS, providing a noninvasive and accurate assessment basis for AS bone metabolism abnormalities.

[Preparation and characterization of herba pogostemonis, rhizoma atractylodis and radix aucklandiae compound essential oil-beta-cyclodextrin complex].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and characterize Herba pogostemonis, Rhizoma atractylodis and Radix aucklandiae compound essential oil-beta-cyclodextrin complex. METHODS: The essential oil-p3-cyclodextrin complex was prepared by colloidal mill method. TLC, XRD, DSC and TGA analysis were applied to characterize it. RESULTS: The complex inclusion rate of essential oil-beta-CD complex was 82.4%, and the complex recovery was 80.7%. The formation of essential oil-beta-CD complex was proved by the results of TLC, XRD, DSC, TGA analysis. CONCLUSION: The stability of compound essential oil is improved by the preparation of oil beta-cyclodextrin complex.

[Analysis of effects of arthroscopic treatment for recurrent patellar dislocation by lateral patellar retinacular release outside the synovial bursa of knee joint combined with reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce an arthroscopic technique in managing recurrent dislocation of the patella and its clinical results. METHODS: Sixteen patients with recurrent patellar dislocation were reviewed, including 3 males and 13 females. The average age was 17.6 years old (ranged from 14 to 32 years). The patients suffering from patellar sub-luxation averaged 18.5 months (ranged from 6 to 23 months)before operation. These patients were treated with lateral patellar retinacular release outside the synovial bursa of knee joint and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction using the semitendinosus tendon free autograft. The Lyshohm scores before and after operation were used to evaluate outcomes at the final follow-up. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 6 to 48 months, with an average of 12 months. There was no recurrence. The Q angle decreased from (16.4 ± 3.7)° to (10.1 ± 1.4)°; insall index decreased from 1.37 ± 0.25 to 1.28 ± 0.23; congruence angle decreased from (21.3 ± 2.6)° to (5.86 ± 2.23)°; Lysholm score improved from 76.1 ± 5.2 to 89.8 ± 4.1 at 6 months after operation. CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional procedure, arthroscopic surgery for recurrent dislocation of the patella achieves excellent outcomes with minimum invasion.

[Diagnosis of spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection using computed tomography angiography].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of the spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection (SISMAD) on computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: Twenty-five patients with unexplained acute abdominal pain received CTA. RESULTS: Four cases with the SISMAD were found and all were male with a mean age of (45.3±6.7) years. Two patients had hypertension history. CT showed enlarged diameter of the superior mesenteric artery with dissection in 4 cases, intimal flap and visible false lumen in 2 cases, ulcer-like laceration in 1 case, and intramural hematoma in 1 case. The proximal lacerations or entries were all at the proximal segment of the superior mesenteric artery. CTA classifications were type Ia (n=2), IIb (n=1), and III (n=1). Two patients underwent repeated CTA when discharged, and progressive changes were discovered. CONCLUSION: CTA can clearly show the characteristics of the superior mesenteric artery dissection, confirm the diagnosis, and provide an important basis for the classification and follow-up observation.