6).

The TAC for the submandibular glands and parotid glands using SPECT/CT may be useful for the objective and quantitative diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome.

The TAC for the submandibular glands and parotid glands using SPECT/CT may be useful for the objective and quantitative diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome.

To contribute data on long-term outcome and potential curative impact of ASCT in FL, especially following HDT with the BEAM protocol (BCNU, etoposide, cytarabine and melphalan), given very limited data on this topic in the literature.

Patients with FL (n=76) were treated in our institution with HDT and ASCT. In the case of long-term remission (≥8years), peripheral blood was tested for minimal residual disease by t(14;18)- and IGH-PCR, including the last follow-up.

10-year overall survival, progression-free survival, and freedom from progression (FFP) after first-line ASCT (n=20) were 80%, 60%, and 69%, after second-line ASCT (n=48, following BEAM) 66%, 38%, and 41%, after third/fourth-line ASCT (n=8) 33%, 25%, and 25%, respectively. Prognostic factors for FFP were treatment line and FLIPI (Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index). 10-year FFP for second-line ASCT and low-risk FLIPI at relapse was 69%, intermediate-risk 28%, and high-risk 25% (P<.05). 26 patients developed sustained long-term clinical and molecular remissions of up to 27years.

Sustained long-term clinical and molecular complete remissions up to 27years can be achieved following ASCT (including HDT with BEAM in second treatment line), indicating a potential curative impact of ASCT in FL.

Sustained long-term clinical and molecular complete remissions up to 27 years can be achieved following ASCT (including HDT with BEAM in second treatment line), indicating a potential curative impact of ASCT in FL.Steroid hormones regulate various aspects of physiology, from reproductive functions to metabolic homeostasis. Steroidogenic factor-1 (NR5A1) plays a central role in the development of steroidogenic tissues and their ability to produce steroid hormones. Inactivation of Nr5a1 in the mouse results in a complete gonadal and adrenal agenesis, absence of gonadotropes in the pituitary and impaired development of ventromedial hypothalamus, which controls glucose and energy metabolism. In this study, we set out to examine the consequences of NR5A1 overexpression (NR5A1+) in the NR5A1-positive cell populations in female mice. Ovaries of NR5A1+ females presented defects such as multi-oocyte follicles and an accumulation of corpora lutea. These females were hyperandrogenic, had irregular estrous cycles with persistent metestrus and became prematurely infertile. Furthermore, the decline in fertility coincided with weight gain, increased adiposity, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperinsulinemia, and impaired glucose tolerance, indicating defects in metabolic functions. In summary, excess NR5A1 expression causes hyperandrogenism, disruption of ovarian functions, premature infertility, and disorders of metabolic homeostasis. This NR5A1 overexpression mouse provides a novel model for studying not only the molecular actions of NR5A1, but also the crosstalk between endocrine, reproductive, and metabolic systems.

The purpose of this study was to develop a spiral-based combined spin- and gradient-echo (spiral-SAGE) method for simultaneous dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-MRI) and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI (DSC-MRI).

Using this sequence, we obtained gradient-echo TEs of 1.69 and 26 ms, a SE TE of 87.72 ms, with a TR of 1663 ms. Using an iterative SENSE reconstruction followed by deblurring, spiral-induced image artifacts were minimized. Healthy volunteer images are shown to demonstrate image quality using the optimized reconstruction, as well as for comparison with EPI-based SAGE. A bioreactor phantom was used to compare dynamic-contrast time courses with both spiral-SAGE and EPI-SAGE. A proof-of-concept cohort of patients with brain tumors shows the range of hemodynamic maps available using spiral-SAGE.

Comparison of spiral-SAGE images with conventional EPI-SAGE images illustrates substantial reductions of image distortion and artifactual image intensity variations. Bioreactor phantom data show similar dyability, and vessel architectural parameters, as demonstrated in brain tumors.

To investigate current situation of facial wrinkles of male construction workers in Beijing area and to discuss the correlative factors.

A total of 149 male construction works and 63 male non-construction workers in Beijing were required to complete a questionnaire on their exposure to sunlight, dust, noise, and heat in their workplace environment. Their facial wrinkle scores were measured by VISIA Complexion Analysis System. The two-sample t test, chi-square test, and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analysis RESULTS The exposure to sunlight, dust, noise, and heat of construction workers was significantly higher than that of non-construction workers (P<.01). The wrinkle score of construction workers between 20 and 29years old was significantly higher than that of non-construction workers (t=4.077, P<.01). The facial wrinkle score of construction workers(r=0.657, P<.01) and non-construction workers (r=0.681, P<.01) was both positively correlated with age. The wrinkle score of construction workers was related to age, sunlight, and noise(P<.01).

The wrinkle score of male construction workers between 20 and 29years old is significantly higher than that of non-construction workers in Beijing. Age, sunlight, and noise were the main influencing factors of wrinkle.

The wrinkle score of male construction workers between 20 and 29 years old is significantly higher than that of non-construction workers in Beijing. Age, sunlight, and noise were the main influencing factors of wrinkle.Case weights capture the resource cost by diagnosis-related group (DRG) but may not fully reflect the complexity of the clinical services provided. This study describes the use of a work complexity index (WCI), for assessing acute care services focusing on those provided by physicians in healthcare systems. The services are classified using relative value units (RVUs) and their point value assigned using the resource-based relative value scale. 57,559 acute inpatients from a tertiary hospital were first classified into diagnosis-related groups, which together with the relative value units assigned to services were then used to calculate a work complexity index for 38 departments. A case mix index (CMI) was also compiled as a conventional measure of complexity which had a correlation of 0.676 (p less then 0.001) with the WCI. The correlation between the WCI and the RVUs representing the weighted volume of physician activities was 0.342 (p = 0.036). The WCI represents a more output or activity focused measure of complexity whereas the CMI is more patient focused and thus provides better insights into Departments’ productivity. Although this paper focuses on physicians, the WCI can be easily extended to include other clinical services.

Esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) is one of the leading malignant cancers with a high incidence and mortality. Exploring novel serum biomarkers will help improve the management and monitoring of ESCC.

In the present study, we first used a ProcartaPlex Array to screen for serum proteins that were increased in 40 ESCC patients compared with matched normal controls; we found that eight proteins (IL-2, IL-5, IP-10, IL-8, eotaxin, TNF-α, HGF, and MIP-1b) had higher serum levels in ESCC patients than in normal controls. We further verified the clinical relevance of the candidate biomarkers with a larger sample of sera.

In the 174 tested ESCC patients and 189 normal controls, the serum levels of eotaxin and IP-10 were significantly higher in patients than in normal controls (p=0.0038, 0.0031). In particular, these two proteins were also elevated in the sera of patients with early-stage (0-IIA) ESCC (p=0.0041, 0.0412). When combining CEA and CYFRA21-1 (in use clinically) with eotaxin or IP-10, the effectiveness of detecting ESCC was superior to that of CEA and/or CYFRA21-1 alone. Moreover, the serum level of eotaxin dropped significantly after surgical resection of primary tumors compared with that in preoperative ESCC samples (p<0.001).

The data suggest that serum eotaxin and IP-10 might be potential biomarkers for the detection of ESCC.

The data suggest that serum eotaxin and IP-10 might be potential biomarkers for the detection of ESCC.

Adult congenital heart disease (CHD) transplant recipients historically experienced worse survival early after transplantation. We aim to review updated trends in adult CHD transplantation.

We performed a single center case series of adult cardiac transplants from January 2013 through July 2020. Outcomes of patients with CHD were compared to non-CHD. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included a variety of post-operative complications.

18/262 (7%) transplants were CHD recipients. CHD patients were younger with median age 41 (32-47) versus 58 (48-65) (P<.001). Fontan circulation for single ventricle physiology was present in 4/18 (22%) of CHD recipients, while 16/18 (89%) had systemic right ventricles. CHD recipients had higher rates of previous cardiovascular operations (94%vs. 51%, P<.001). 9/18 (50%) of CHD patients required reconstructive procedures at the time of transplant. Operative and cardiopulmonary bypass times were longer for the CHD cohort (7.5h [6.6-8.5] vs. vascular surgeries as well as longer transplant operative and bypass times. Despite this, there were no differences in perioperative and long-term outcomes. We have added patient and institution specific data for transplanting patients with adult CHD. We hope that our experience will add to the growing body of literature on adult CHD transplantation.

A study to compare the effect of two different radio frequency energy models (mono polar and bipolar) for the treatment of urinary stress incontinence.

Retrospective chart review, which was conducted at 2 sites, 69 patients received treatment with a bipolar radiofrequency device. Out of those 69 patients, 13 patients received bipolar in conjugation with CO

laser treatment, while 32 patients received monopolar frequency. The study protocol normally consists of three sessions of treatment. Each session was four weeks apart with a whole 6-month duration follow-up. Results were evaluated by urogenital distress inventory (UDI)-6 questionnaire before and after treatment.

The bipolar group improved UDI-6 scores across time more so than did the monopolar group with some evidence suggesting that the bipolar radiofrequency treatment was more effective compared to the monopolar radiofrequency. Three months after treatment, the bipolar group UDI-6 values were lower than those of the monopolar group. Six months after treatment, the UDI-6 scores increased in both groups, suggesting decrease efficacy with time however, the bipolar group’s UDI-6 scores were consistently lower than the monopolar group’s scores.

This study shows benefit of both monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency device in patients with stress urinary incontinence and mixed UI, with bipolar RF more efficacious than monopolar RF. More randomized prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

This study shows benefit of both monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency device in patients with stress urinary incontinence and mixed UI, with bipolar RF more efficacious than monopolar RF. More randomized prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.