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In this paper, we developed a shunt-current intensity self-adjustable closed-loop control circuit system for current conduction treatment in temporal lobe epilepsy. To examine the dose-response relationship between conductive intensity and therapeutic outcomes of current conduction treatment, the control system consists of neural signal recording module for high-speed data rate acquisition, signal amplification and pre-processing, current shunt module for current conduction, data transmission and control module for real-time data communication with the personal computer and on-off of current conduction. Multithread and queue software architecture was implemented to ensure real-time data transmission, display and analysis by LabVIEW software. Results indicate that the input noise of the system is less than 2 μ Vrms, signal frequency bandwidth range is 1 Hz ∼ 10 kHz, and the shunt-current detection range is 0.1–3000 μ A with the accuracy of above 99.985%, meeting the requirements for the detection of neural electrophysiological signal and the research on the dose-response relationship between conductive intensity and therapeutic outcomes of electronic conduction treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies regarding the effects of short-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy are not sufficient. A total of 35 patients with moderate to severe untreated OSA were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 comprised 22 patients who underwent polysomnography (PSG) for one night, and Group 2 comprised 13 patients who received PSG combined with CPAP therapy. To evaluate the influence of receiving CPAP therapy for one night, we measured 5 min wrist pulse signals before and after the experiment to assess heart rate variability, as well as novel short time multiscale entropy (sMSE) indicator that examines complexity in physiological signals. The results show that the participants inGroup 1 exhibited significant changes in normalized low-frequency power/normalized high-frequency power (nLF/nHF) (0.72 ± 0.09 versus 1.11 ± 0.11, P = 0.006) values before and after the PSG study. By contrast, the participants in Group 2 showed no significant changes in the 3 indicators. Regarding the sMSE indicator, Group 2 patients exhibited significant increases in the sMSE. CPAP therapy administered for one night can reduce the sympathovagal imbalance in patients with moderate to severe untreated OSA and increase the complexity of the patient's physiological system, thereby reflecting their overall improved health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SSZ-39 seeds help crystallization, optimizing the distributions of Al atoms and Si atoms of SAPO-34+SSZ-39 hybrid zeolites. New Si(nOAl) (n = 0, 1) structures combine the structural advantage of sole SAPO-34 and SSZ-39 zeolites. It helps Cu/(SAPO-34+SSZ-39) for better sustainable NO x removal application at the harsh hydrothermal condition at 800 °C. [Display omitted] • The hybrid zeolite of SAPO-34 + SSZ-39 shows abundant acid sites and stable structure. • The hydrothermal stability at 850 and 70 °C is enhanced over Cu/hybrid zeolite. • The stable structure of hybrid zeolite anchors more isolated Cu2+ to activate NO x. The stable structure is key to improving the performance of the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxide (NO x) with ammonia (NH 3 -SCR) on Cu/zeolite catalysts after the high-temperature hydrothermal aging. In this work, the SSZ-39 seed with a stable texture property was introduced into the precursor of SAPO-34 to fabricate the zeolite with a hybrid microstructure of SAPO-34 + SSZ-39 (simplified as SA + SZ). The Si distributions of the original Al-rich SAPO-34 zeolite (simplified as SA) were optimized by the hybrid microstructure of SA + SZ. The results of solid nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ammonia (NH 3) adsorption indicate more Si(1OAl) structures with strong acidity on Cu/(SA + SZ) catalyst rather than on Cu/SA. The NH 3 -SCR performance within the reaction region of 150–550 °C is enhanced on the former. In addition, the Si(nOAl) (n = 2–4) structures of the original SAPO-34 zeolite are retained on Cu/(SA + SZ), which optimizes the low-temperature catalytic performance of Cu/SSZ-39. Furthermore, the SSZ-39 seed induces Cu/(SA + SZ) to form higher content of stable Si(0OAl) structures than Cu/SA. After hydrothermal aging, more isolated copper species can be formed on SA + SZ hybrid zeolite with advanced structural stability compared with Cu/SA, which better activates NO x on the former. And the loss of acid sites is also weakened on Cu/(SA + SZ) than on Cu/SA. These improvements on Cu/(SA + SZ) compensates for its hydrothermal deactivation to some degree. Hence, SA + SZ hybrid zeolite can be the new-generation candidate for NH 3 -SCR catalyst by introducing the second zeolite SSZ-39 in the synthesis process of SAPO-34. And the catalytic performance of Cu/(SA + SZ) is superior to Cu/SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), the sintering and oxidation of active Pt0 nanoparticles leads to severe deactivation during long-term operating condition. Here, we have synthesized SiO 2 -modified Pt/SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 (Pt-SiAl@Si) catalysts, and this silica coating layer not only can inhibit the migration of precious metals through physical isolation, but also restrain Pt0 oxidation by interfacial electron interaction between Pt and acid sites (Si-OH-Al). Before and after hydrothermal aging, the maximum NO conversion of Pt-SiAl@Si decreased slightly by 5%, showing excellent durability. TEM and CO chemisorption unveiled that no obvious differences in Pt size between fresh and aged Pt-SiAl@Si. 1H NMR and NH 3 -DRIFTS confirmed that Pt-SiAl@Si possessed more Brönsted acid sites (Si-OH-Al). And the Pt−acid sites interface caused more active Pt0 by the electronic effect. This bifunctional overcoating allows a wide application in other catalytic materials for various reactions. [Display omitted] • The SiO 2 overlayer of Pt-SiAl@Si is bifunctional. • SiO 2 shell as a physical barrier has an ability to retard sintering of Pt nanoparticles. • Pt-acid sites interfaces arising from interaction between SiO 2 shell and support enhanced the oxidation-resistance of Pt0. • The increased acidity of catalyst promoted the fast desorption and decomposition of nitrate species, facilitating NO oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids have been shown to be efficient free-radical scavengers with controversial impact on metabolic disorders and cardiovascular health as diet supplements. This study aimed at assessing therapeutic impact of short-term (3-month) carotenoid-based diet supplement on cardiovascular health. Fifteen healthy young adult males divided into two groups according to the ratio of serum triglyceride (TC) to serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL): Group 1 (TC/HDL ratio>4.1, n=7) and Group 2 (TC/HDL ratio =4.1, n=8) underwent demographic, anthropometric, serum biochemical, skin carotenoid count (SCC), pulse-wave velocity (PWV), dilatation index (DI), and heart rate variability (HRV) analyses at baseline and 3 months after diet supplementation. Although the results demonstrated no notable difference in conventional anthropometric and serum biochemical parameters between baseline and 3-month values for both groups, in vivo parameters of SCC and arterial stiffness (PWV) were significantly improved in both groups after 3 months of diet supplementation. Moreover, vascular endothelial function (DI) and physiological status (HRV) showed improvements only in Group 2 after three months. Besides, SCC exhibited significant correlations with waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, HDL, TC/HDL, DI, and PWV. The findings of this preliminary study suggest that short-term carotenoid-based diet supplementation is beneficial to young males for improving vascular health and overall physiological status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of hyperbranched polyimides were successfully synthesized by A2+B2B′+B2 copolymerization from 2,2-bis(3,4-dicarboxylphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA), 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (TAP) and 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA). Self-standing polyimides membranes with sufficient mechanical properties were achieved by incorporation of difunctional B2 comonomer into the hyperbranched polymer structure. The degree of branching was estimated using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The morphology structure of the prepared polyimides was evaluated by wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns, and the d-spacing values first increased gradually to the highest value 5.73Å with increasing the content of TAP, and then decreased. The densities of these films were tested and the difference in density is probably due to the different inter-macromolecular packing efficiency. Both the 5% weight loss at temperatures and the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the obtained polyimides decreased with decreasing the content of ODA comonomer. Similar tendency was found for tensile strength and elongation at break. Gas transport measurements showed the prepared TAP–ODA–6FDA hyperbranched polyimides exhibited lower permeabilities compared with ODA–6FDA linear polyimides, but higher O2/N2 and CO2/N2 selectivities. So they are expected to apply in the field of gas separation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sphagnum peatlands are important ecosystems in the methane cycle. Methane-oxidizing bacteria in these ecosystems serve as a methane filter and limit methane emissions. Yet little is known about the diversity and identity of the methanotrophs present in and on Sphagnum mosses of peatlands, and only a few isolates are known. The methanotrophic community in Sphagnum mosses, originating from a Dutch peat bog, was investigated using a pmoA microarray. A high biodiversity of both gamma- and alphaproteobacterial methanotrophs was found. With Sphagnum mosses as the inoculum, alpha- and gammaproteobacterial acidophilic methanotrophs were isolated using established and newly designed media. The 16S rRNA, pmoA, pxmA, and mmoX gene sequences showed that the alphaproteobacterial isolates belonged to the Methylocystis and Methylosinus genera. The Methylosinus species isolated are the first acid-tolerant members of this genus. Of the acidophilic gammaproteobacterial strains isolated, strain M5 was affiliated with the Methylomonas genus, and the other strain, M200, may represent a novel genus, most closely related to the genera Methylosoma and Methylovulum. So far, no acidophilic or acid-tolerant methanotrophs in the Gammaproteobacteria class are known. All strains showed the typical features of either type I or II methanotrophs and are, to the best of our knowledge, the first isolated (acidophilic or acid-tolerant) methanotrophs from Sphagnum mosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine biological fouling is a widespread phenomenon encountered by various oceanic ships and naval vessels, resulting in enormous economic losses. Herein, novel 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-isothiazolone@sodium alginate/chitosan microcapsules (DCOIT@ALG/CS) were prepared through composite gel method using DCOIT as core materials, ALG and CS as shells, and CaCl 2 as the cross-linking agent. The formed microcapsules (MCs) with Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) were then filled in UV-curable polysiloxane (UV-PDMS), followed by UV irradiation to yield UV-PDMS/microcapsules/AgNPs (UV-PDMS/MCs/Ag) composite coatings. The constructed micro-nano dual-scale surface using the MCs and AgNPs improved the antifouling and antibacterial properties of UV-PDMS/MCs/Ag coatings. The as-obtained UV-PDMS/MCs/Ag coatings exhibited a static contact angle of about 160°, shear strength of 2.24 MPa, tensile strength of 3.32 MPa and elongation at break of 212%. The synergistic bacteriostatic effects of DCOIT and AgNPs in UV-PDMS/MCs/Ag coatings resulted in a bactericidal rate of 200 μg ml -1 towards Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with saturation at 100% within 10 min. In sum, the proposed composite coatings look promising for future marine transportation, pipeline networks and undersea facilities., Competing Interests: We declare we have no competing interests., (© 2024, The Authors.)

Improving the N 2 selectivity is always a great challenge for the selective catalytic oxidation of ammonia (NH 3 -SCO) over noble-metal-based (especially Pt) catalysts. In this work, Cu as an efficient promoter was introduced into the Pt/SSZ-13 catalyst to significantly improve the N 2 selectivity of the NH 3 -SCO reaction. A PtCu alloy was formed in the PtCu/SSZ-13 catalyst, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry mapping, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy results. As indicated by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, the Pt species in the alloyed PtCu nanoparticle was mainly present in the electron-rich state on PtCu/SSZ-13, while the electron-deficient Cu and isolated Cu 2+ species were both present on the surface of PtCu/SSZ-13. Due to such a unique alloyed structure with an altered oxidation state, the N 2 selectivity of NH 3 -SCO on the PtCu/SSZ-13 catalyst was remarkably improved, while the NH 3 -SCO activity was kept comparable to that on Pt/SSZ-13. The reaction path was changed from the NH mechanism on Pt/SSZ-13 to both NH and internal selective catalytic reduction mechanisms on the PtCu/SSZ-13 catalyst, which was considered the main reason for the enhanced N 2 selectivity. This work provides a new route to synthesize efficient alloy catalysts for optimizing the N 2 selectivity of NH 3 -SCO for NH 3 slip control in diesel exhaust purification.

Deep learning (DL) has been used for electromyographic (EMG) signal recognition and achieved high accuracy for multiple classification tasks. However, implementation in resource-constrained prostheses and human-computer interaction devices remains challenging. To overcome these problems, this paper implemented a low-power system for EMG gesture and force level recognition using Zynq architecture. Firstly, a lightweight network model structure was proposed by Ultra-lightweight depth separable convolution (UL-DSC) and channel attention-global average pooling (CA-GAP) to reduce the computational complexity while maintaining accuracy. A wearable EMG acquisition device for real-time data acquisition was subsequently developed with size of 36mm×28mm×4mm. Finally, a highly parallelized dedicated hardware accelerator architecture was designed for inference computation. 18 gestures were tested, including force levels from 22 healthy subjects. The results indicate that the average accuracy rate was 94.92% for a model with 5.0k parameters and a size of 0.026MB. Specifically, the average recognition accuracy for static and force-level gestures was 98.47% and 89.92%, respectively. The proposed hardware accelerator architecture was deployed with 8-bit precision, a single-frame signal inference time of 41.9μs, a power consumption of 0.317W, and a data throughput of 78.6 GOP/s.

Surface electromyogram (sEMG)-based gesture recognition has emerged as a promising avenue for developing intelligent prostheses for upper limb amputees. However, the temporal variations in sEMG have rendered recognition models less efficient than anticipated. By using cross-session calibration and increasing the amount of training data, it is possible to reduce these variations. The impact of varying the amount of calibration and training data on gesture recognition performance for amputees is still unknown. To assess these effects, we present four datasets for the evaluation of calibration data and examine the impact of the amount of training data on benchmark performance. Two amputees who had undergone amputations years prior were recruited, and seven sessions of data were collected for analysis from each of them. Ninapro DB6, a publicly available database containing data from ten healthy subjects across ten sessions, was also included in this study. The experimental results show that the calibration data improved the average accuracy by 3.03%, 6.16%, and 9.73% for the two subjects and Ninapro DB6, respectively, compared to the baseline results. Moreover, it was discovered that increasing the number of training sessions was more effective in improving accuracy than increasing the number of trials. Three potential strategies are proposed in light of these findings to enhance cross-session models further. We consider these findings to be of the utmost importance for the commercialization of intelligent prostheses, as they demonstrate the criticality of gathering calibration and cross-session training data, while also offering effective strategies to maximize the utilization of the entire dataset.

The cuff-less blood pressure (BP) monitoring method based on photoplethysmo- gram (PPG) makes it possible for long-term BP monitoring to prevent and treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. In this paper, a portable BP prediction system based on feature combination and artificial neural network (ANN) is implemented. The robustness of the model is improved from three aspects. Firstly, an adaptive peak extraction algorithm was used to improve the accuracy of peaks and troughs detection. Secondly, multi-dimensional features were extracted and fused, including three groups of PPG-based features and one group of demographics-based features. Finally, a two-layer feedforward artificial neural networks algorithm was used for regression. Thirty-three subjects distributed in the three BP groups were recruited. The proposed method passed the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010 (ESP-IP2). Experimental results show that the proposed method exhibits good accuracy for a diverse population with an estimation error of -0.07 ± 4.47 mmHg for SBP and 0.00 ± 3.61 mmHg for DBP. Moreover, the model tracked the BP of two subjects for half a month, laying the foundation work for daily BP monitoring. This work will contribute to the long-term wellness management and rehabilitation process, enabling timely detection and improvement of the user's physical health.

This paper proposes a compact bioelectronics sensing platform, including a multi-channel electrode, intracranial electroencephalogram (iEEG) recorder, adjustable galvanometer, and shunt-current conduction circuit pathway. The developed implantable electrode made of polyurethane-insulated stainless-steel materials is capable of recording iEEG signals and shunt-current conduction. The electrochemical impedance of the conduction, ground/reference, and working electrode were characterized in phosphate buffer saline solution, revealing in vitro results of 517.2 Ω@1 kHz (length of 0.1 mm, diameter of 0.8 mm), 1.374 kΩ@1 kHz (length of 0.3 mm, diameter of 0.1 mm), and 3.188 kΩ@1 kHz (length of 0.1 mm, diameter of 0.1 mm), respectively. On-bench measurement of the system revealed that the input noise of the system is less than 2 μVrms, the signal frequency bandwidth range is 1 Hz~10 kHz, and the shunt-current detection range is 0.1~3000 μA with an accuracy of above 99.985%. The electrode was implanted in the CA1 region of the right hippocampus of rats for the in vivo experiments. Kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures were detected through iEEG monitoring, and the induced shunt-current was successfully measured and conducted out of the brain through the designed circuit-body path, which verifies the potential of current conduction for the treatment of epilepsy.

Spectral beam splitting (SBS) films are crucial for the development of hybrid systems based on photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar thermal (CST) technologies. In this study, a novel double-layer SiN x /Cu SBS film was prepared via magnetron sputtering. This film was developed based on the linear Fresnel solar thermal technology used in PV/CST hybrid systems. The as-deposited film exhibited superior SBS properties, with a high transmittance of 72.9% and a reflectance of 89.7%. To optimize the optical properties, the thicknesses of the metal and SiN x layers were precisely controlled. The optimal thicknesses of the Cu and SiN x layers were determined to be 17 and 67 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the thermal stability of the SBS film was evaluated. When annealed at 50 °C, the surface of the SBS film became more uniform and smooth, and with increasing annealing time, the film became denser. No strong diffraction peaks of Cu were observed in the X-ray diffraction patterns because of the low content and poor crystallization of Cu. Atomic force microscopy investigations revealed the formation of a textured surface and a decrease in the root-mean-square roughness with an increase in the annealing time from 0 to 360 h. As a key component with considerable application potential in PV/CST hybrid systems, SBS films are currently an important research topic., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2021 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Auditory-cued goal-oriented behaviors requires the participation of cortical and subcortical brain areas, but how neural circuits associate sensory-based decisions with goal locations through learning remains poorly understood. The hippocampus is critical for spatial coding, suggesting its possible involvement in transforming sensory inputs to the goal-oriented decisions. Here, we developed an auditory discrimination task in which rats learned to navigate to goal locations based on the frequencies of auditory stimuli. Using in vivo calcium imaging in freely behaving rats over the course of learning, we found that dentate granule cells became more active, spatially tuned, and responsive to task-related variables as learning progressed. Furthermore, only after task learning, the activity of dentate granule cell ensembles represented the navigation path and predicts auditory decisions as early as when rats began to approach the goals. Finally, chemogenetic silencing of dentate gyrus suppressed task learning. Our results demonstrate that dentate granule cells gain task-relevant firing pattern through reinforcement learning and could be a potential link of sensory decisions to spatial navigation., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Although quantal release provides a basic control of synaptic strength, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report a refined realistic 3D vesicle fusion model at calyx-type synapses. By refining the micro ultrastructure and combining updated parameters, our model is appropriate for simulating quantal release. First, we confirmed the existence of kiss-and-run fusion and gave a justified estimation of its percentage in spontaneous and stimulated release. Second, we found the location of AMPA receptors caused the huge variation in the mEPSC rise time. Third, glutamate spillover only slightly contributed to the mEPSC decay time in small vesicles but caused a dual-peak event in large vesicles. Fourth, mEPSC rise time increased with amplitude, suggesting the contribution of vesicle size, not glutamate concentration. We also applied our model to the analysis of KCl, CaCl2 and synaptotagmin-2 triggered exocytosis. KCl globally accelerated the mEPSCs, whereas mEPSCs were slowed down in high calcium treatments and synaptotagmin-2 knock-out mice, indicating more kiss-and-run release. In summary, our model provides a convenient method for exploring the detailed mechanism of vesicle fusion.

Objective: Diagnosis and staging of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) by noninvasive imaging is critical for effective treatment, but the imaging features of duodenal GISTs remain largely undefined because of their rarity. The purpose of this article was to characterize duodenal GISTs using CT., Materials and Methods: Thirty-four patients with duodenal GISTs were analyzed by clinical symptom evaluation, pathologic examination, and CT in this retrospective study. Unenhanced and contrast-enhanced examinations were performed in all patients. Imaging characteristics, including the lesion location, size, growth pattern, ulceration, internal components, arterial blood supply, intratumoral arterioportal shunting, intratumoral vessels, rim enhancement, and enhancement patterns were reviewed., Results: The duodenal GISTs were solitary masses with well-defined margins. The average diameter was 7.1 cm. The second portion was the most common site (20/34). Ulceration was a common feature (15/34). Calcification was uncommon (3/34), and mixed growth pattern was more common (26/34). Rim enhancement (24/34) and mixed enhancement pattern (15/34) were common. Arterial blood supply, intratumoral vasculature, and draining veins were all detected and were obvious on the arterial phase. The portal venous trunk and superior mesenteric vein were the main veins into which early arterioportal shunting drained., Conclusion: Primary duodenal GISTs are generally large, well-defined, heterogeneously enhancing, and hypervascular masses with a prominent mixed growth pattern on CT images. Our findings suggest that CT can help depict the origin of the tumoral arteries and draining veins on the arterial phase and may be a key defining diagnostic feature for duodenal GISTs.

Objective: The criteria for the diagnosis of metastatic retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RLNs) have not yet been resolved and are not included in the current edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system (seventh edition) for the staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The aim of this study was to use MRI to identify an RLN size criterion that can accurately predict prognosis in patients with NPC., Materials and Methods: Eight hundred seventeen patients with newly diagnosed localized NPC were identified. All of the patients underwent MRI before treatment with definitive radiation therapy. All the MRI studies and medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and local relapse-free survival (LRFS) were assessed using SPSS software (version 17.0)., Results: RLN size cutoffs of ≥ 5 mm and of ≥ 6 mm were used. There was no significant difference in OS (p = 0.216), DMFS (p = 0.081), or LRFS (p = 0.067) in patients with RLNs ≥ 5 mm and in those with RLNs < 5 mm. When 6 mm was used as a size cutoff, significant differences in OS (p = 0.000) and DMFS (p = 0.001) were identified; there was no significant difference observed for LRFS (p = 0.380)., Conclusion: A minimum axial RLN diameter of 6 mm was a more accurate prognostic predictor in NPC patients with RLN metastases than 5 mm.

Background and Objective: With advances in mammographic equipment and techniques, more and more nonpalpable breast lesions have been detected. This study was to investigate the application of methylene blue dye for localized biopsy to diagnose nonpalpable breast lesions., Methods: In total 138 patients with suspicious malignant, nonpalpable breast lesions between August 2002 and October 2006 were enrolled. A small dose of methylene blue was injected into the lesion under mammographic guidance. The dyed tissues were excised completely via an optimal incision, and radiographys was obtained to confirm the removal of the nonpalpable lesion. The specimen weight and incision length were measured., Results: Suspicious lesions in all 138 patients were accurately excised. Eighty-four (60.9%) patients were confirmed as breast cancer, and 54 (39.1) were diagnosed with benign lesions. The mean length of the incision was 4.6 cm (range 3.2-5.3 cm), and the mean weight of the resected specimen was 42 g (range18-86 g). All patients achieved stage I healing., Conclusions: Excisional biopsy is recommended for nonpalpable breast lesions which are highly suggestive of malignancy by imaging examination. Methylene blue guided localization and excisional biopsy is a safe, relatively simply procedure with high diagnostic accuracy.

Background & Objective: Adrenal cortical adenoma (ACA) is a common disease, and can be diagnosed easily with CT examination. However, some atypical adenomas are likely to be misdiagnosed. This study was to evaluate the common and uncommon CT features of ACA to improve the diagnostic accuracy., Methods: Common and uncommon CT features of 109 cases of histologically proved ACA were analyzed., Results: Of the 109 cases of ACA, 104 showed unilateral single adenoma, 1 showed unilateral 2 adenomas, and 4 showed bilateral adenomas. The maximal diameter of the tumor was <5 cm in 95 patients. The maximal diameter of non-functional adenomas was larger than that of Cushing's adenomas, and the latter was larger than that of Conn's adenomas. The maximal diameter of the tumor was > 5 cm in 14 patients. The probability of degeneration was higher in large adenomas than in small adenomas. The CT images of 85 cases before and after contrast administration were assessed: 74 presented homogenous, 11 presented heterogenous; 76 presented slight to moderate enhancement, and 9 presented remarkable enhancement. Two patients had recurrence after operation: 1 showed infiltration in the adjacent kidney and the psoas major on pathologic examination, 1 showed infiltration in the liver and thoracic vertebra on CT images., Conclusions: The common CT features of ACA include unilateral and single lesion, with the maximal diameter of <5 cm, homogenous density before contrast administration, and slight to moderate enhancement after administration. The uncommon CT features of ACA include bilateral or unilateral and multiple lesions, with the maximal diameter of >5 cm, heterogenous density before contrast administration, and remarkable enhancement after administration, recurrence, even canceration, metastasis after operation.

Background & Objective: Early detection of breast cancer is crucial to improve the therapeutic effect and to increase the survival rate. However, it is difficult because breast cancer in early stage was usually occult, impalpable, and could not be detected by laboratory test. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of three methods for diagnosis of non-palpable breast cancer., Methods: Twenty-four patients with impalpable breast mass suggested by computer-aided stereotactic mammography were performed with three kinds of methods, including fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), large-core needle biopsy (LCNB), and frozen section biopsy (FSB) with focus staining. The results were compared with postoperative pathology., Results: Compared with postoperative pathology results, the diagnostic consistent rates of FNAC, LCNB and FSB with staining focus were 75%, 92%, and 100%, respectively (P< 0.05)., Conclusion: Frozen section with focus staining guided by computer-aided stereotactic mammography was the effective diagnostic technique for non-palpable breast cancer.

Background & Objective: Many clinic data showed that it is difficult to control primary liver carcinoma (PLC) by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) alone due to existence of double blood supply of liver by hepatic artery and portal vein. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with portal venous chemoembolization (PVCE) in the treatment of moderate and advanced stages of PLC., Methods: Fifty-eight cases of moderate and advanced stages of PLC were treated with a combination of TACE and PVCE (TACE/PVCE group) and 118 patients with moderate and advanced stages of PLC were treated with TACE alone (TACE group)., Results: (1)The total response rates were 86.2% in TACE+PVCE group and 69.5% in TACE group. The remarkable response rates were 31.0 % in TACE/PVCE group and 13.6% in TACE group (P< 0.05). (2)The half-year survival rates were 93.1% in TACE/PVCE group and 72.0% in TACE group (P< 0.05). The 1-year survival rates were 43.1% in TACE/PVCE group and 51.7% in TACE group. The 4-year survival rates were 6.9% in TACE/PVCE group and 5.1% in TACE group (P >0.05). (3) Side effects included fever, bellyache, white blood cell drop, hypohepatia, jaundice,and ascites. The degree of liver damage was positively associated with the amount of iodized oil., Conclusion: The combination of TACE and PVCE appears to promote the short-term efficacy but not the long-term efficacy, compared with TACE alone for patients with moderate and advanced PLC.

Methylene blue is utilized as the main treatment of methemoglobinemia conventionally, but it may be ineffective in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. We report a G6PD-deficient patient who suffered from aniline-induced methemoglobinemia with initial good response Heinz body but hemolytic anemia appeared later 3 d after methylene blue therapy. G6PD deficiency was identified. He recovered uneventfully with hydration, packed blood transfusion and adjuvant luvela-N(dl-alpha-tocopheryl nicotinate) medication. Caution should be taken in using methylene blue as antidote of acute methemoglobinemia, especially when a history of G6PD deficiency is obscure.