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WC-TiC reinforced TiNi-Ti2Ni dual-phase intermetallic matrix coatings were labricated on the Ti6A14V substrate by laser alloying with 70 pure Ni and 30WC powders (wt.%) and then were dealt with by laser remelting. The effects of laser remelting on microstructure of the alloyed coatings were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy (OM). scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). In addition, mechanical properties were also evaluated. The results indicated that the remeltcd coating became denser with the reduction in defects compared with the alloyed coating. The average microhardness of the coating had few changes after remelting, however, the fracture toughness of the coating was increased significantly by 20% to 3.15 MPa-m1/2. Moreover, wear volume and mass loss of the coating before and alter laser remelting also showed that laser remelting contributed to the improvement in wear performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of nimotuzumab (h-R3) with cisplatin (DDP) or fluorouraci l (5-FU) on human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) EC1 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The assignment included blank control, h-R3 alone, DDP alone, 5FU alone, h-R3 combined with DDP, and h-R3 combined with 5-FU. The cell proliferation in each group was measured by MMT method 48 h post dose. The effect on the cell cycle was determined by flow cytometry, and the effect on cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and TUNEL test 48 h post dose. RESULTS: The inhibitory effect of h-R3 on the proliferation of EC1 cells was weak. The maximum inhibition rate was 10.10 ± 0.58% 48 h post dose, and the difference in the inhibition rate between the h-R3 with chemotherapeutic agents and the chemotherapeutic agent alone was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Flow cytometry demonstrated no obvious change in the EC1 cells after h-R3 treatment (p > 0.05). Flow cytometry and TUNEL test demonstrated that the difference in the apoptosis rate between h-R3 combined with chemotherapeutic agents and blank control was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: h-R3 had no significant effect on human ESCC EC1 cells in vitro, with or without the combination of chemotherapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this meta-analysis was to further explore whether the relapse, 5-year survival and metastasis the same or not between limb-salvage and amputation in the treatment of patients with limited stage EnnekingII pathologic fracture osteosarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic search of the Medline, EMBASE and CNKI was done on October 2014. The clinical studies about amputation or limb-salvage surgery in the treatment of patients with limited stage EnnekingII pathologic fracture osteosarcoma were searched and reviewed. The effect size of relapse, 5-year survival and metastasis between the amputation and limb-salvage surgery were pooled by stata11.0 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA, http://www.stata.com;) using random or fixed effect model. The funnel plot and Egger's line regression test were used for evaluation of publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 89 studies were identified and seven articles with 200 cases in the limb-salvage surgery group and 84 subjects in the amputation group were finally included in the meta-analysis. The pooled data indicated that no statistical different of risk for developing relapse between limb-salvage and amputation was found relative risk (RR) =1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-2.79, (P = 0.33). The 5-year survival rate of patients underwent limb-salvage surgery was smaller than patients received amputation RR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.19-2.89, (P = 0.01); the metastasis rate of patients underwent limb-salvage surgery was significant decreased compared with patients received amputation RR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34-0.94, (P = 0.03). No publication bias was existed in this meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Limb-salvage surgery does not increased the risk of relapse compared with amputation in the treatment of patients with limited stage EnnekingII pathologic fracture osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of TaOx capping layer on microstructures and magnetic properties of FePt thin films via annealing was studied. The structural ordering of FePt from face-centered cubic to face-centered tetragonal phases depends strongly on the oxygen contents in the capping TaOx layer. The role of the TaOx layer is used to separate the FePt grains, as revealed by TEM. The annealed FePt/TaOx (15%O2/Ar) exhibited the largest out-of-plane coercivity (Hc\sim 4.2 kOe) amongst all samples, compared to that (\sim2.4 kOe) in the reference FePt layer. At low oxygen content in FePt/TaOx bilayers, the Ta atoms may act as defects to obstruct the FePt ordering whereas at high oxygen contents, the excess oxygen atoms diffuse into the FePt layer and react with Fe to form iron oxides which give rise to the low coercivities, as characterized by the XPS depth profile and binding energy analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HLA‐A*11:120 has one nucleotide change from HLA‐A*11:01:01:01 where 295 T(ACC) is changed to S(AGC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commutation failure, which is a very frequent dynamic event in HVDC inverters, can deteriorate the availability of HVDC links and thus affect the performance of the power system. Most commutation failures are caused by voltage reduction due to ac system faults. In this paper, efforts are made to lower the effect of commutation failure on the power system, and the remedy is implemented in a fuzzy controller. In order to achieve control flexibility, the output of the fuzzy controller is made appropriate by setting a self-adjusting proportional factor. The validity and effectiveness of the fuzzy controller is verified by simulation which shows that the fuzzy controller can decrease commutation failure frequency induced by ac system faults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A power injection control strategy is proposed for dynamic voltage restorers (DVR) under voltage sag or swell conditions. Under such a strategy, the error between the voltage of the energy storage capacitor in the DVR and a given reference voltage is extracted to control the injected power such that during an upstream voltage disturbance, zero or minimum power injection can be achieved automatically, while sudden phase jump of the load-side voltage can also be avoided. The proposed control strategy is analysed in detail and numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anisotropic superconducting properties in Sc5Ir4Si10 and Lu5Ir4Si10 single crystals are investigated. Both of these compounds are found to show quasi-one-dimensional superconductivity with better conduction along the c-axis and anisotropy parameter of about 2. Reflecting the partial destruction of the Fermi surface due to charge-density-wave formation, Lu5Ir4Si10 shows higher residual resistivity, lower superconducting transition temperature, and longer magnetic penetration depths compared with those of Sc5Ir4Si10. Similarity of superconducting properties including the anisotropy in Sc5Ir4Si10 and Lu5Ir4Si10 indicates that the absence of the charge-density wave in Sc5Ir4Si10 is controlled by a subtle difference in the Fermi surface topologies in these two compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a method of designing a class of robust H [sub ∞] generator excitation controller in a power system. The proposed controller is utilized to damp inter-area oscillations and enhance power system stability. The robust controller design procedure for a linear composite system is presented in terms of positive definite solutions to modified algebraic inequalities. The resulting controller guarantees closed-loop stability and an H [sub ∞]-norm bound on disturbance attenuation. The effectiveness of the H ∞ controller is demonstrated through digital simulation studies on a two-machine system. The digital simulation studies are conducted using a PSCAD/EMTDC software package. The simulation results show that the controller contributes significantly to the damping of inter-area oscillations and the enhancement of power system stability during disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unusual magnetic anisotropy of the ferromagnetic shape-memory alloy Ni50Fe23Ga27 has been observed. The anisotropy of the austenite becomes very large, even larger than that of the martensite in ribbon samples. Lowering the temperature from 300 K to 80 K, the saturation field of the austenite is dramatically increased from 200 Oe up to 6 kOe. This high-anisotropy behavior clearly highlights the demagnetization effect of the martensitic transformation. The physical mechanism is attributed to a collective effect coming from the atomic disorder, the premartensitic transformation, and the off-stoichiometric Ga-rich composition of the alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HLA‐B*35:168 has one nucleotide change from HLA‐B*35:01:01:01 where 20 P is changed to R. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on unusual lattice parameter changes and tunable magnetic moment compensation in Mn50-xCo25Ga25+x (x = 0-25) Heusler alloys by substituting Ga for Mn. The observed lattice parameter first increases with increasing Ga content x, showing a maximum at x = 12.5, and then abnormally decreases due to the enhanced covalence effect between transition-metal and main-group atoms. Moreover, a tunable magnetic moment compensation was also observed due to the diversification in role of the main magnetic contributor when the structure varies from Hg2CuTi-type Mn2CoGa to Cu2MnAl-type CoMnGa2. These results provide an alternative way to simultaneously tune both the structural and magnetic properties of Heusler alloys, which is particularly important for developing flexible spintronics devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold pilgering has been considered as the preferred rolling fabrication technology for difficult-to-deform tubular materials such as high-strength titanium alloy tubes. However, the tooling geometry may induce complex deformation and significantly influence crystallographic texture which is closely related to the dimension assuring and properties tailoring of tube products. In this study, taking high-strength Ti-3Al-2.5V tubes as the case material, the tooling design–related spatial deformation behaviors and crystallographic texture evolution of tube in cold pilgering are focused. A macro-meso scaled computation platform is established by combining the three-dimensional finite element (3D-FE) model with the viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) crystal plasticity model to predict both the inhomogeneous macrodeformation and microtexture evolution in cold pilgering. Two basic tooling parameters in pilgering, viz., E1 representing exponent of roller groove curve and mandrel curve and E2 representing exponent of groove clearance, are chosen as the design variables. The cold pilgering under different tooling parameters are simulated and analyzed. The results show that (1) The rolling force decreases with the increase of E1 , while the effect of E2 on the rolling force is not significant, and smaller E1 and larger E2 have advantage for preventing surface defects of the tube product; (2) The E1 of 2.8 and E2 of 2.0 are more conducive to the wall thinning–dominated deformation of tube; (3) Taking the contractile strain ratio (CSR) as an indicator for characterizing crystallographic texture–related mechanical properties, the appropriate values of E1 and E2 for desirable radial texture of tube product are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An epidemiological method, field-tested in Hunan, China, to identify residents potentially susceptible or insusceptible to endemic schistosomiasis japonica is described, as a prelude to selection of subjects for immunogenetic studies. After an initial cross-sectional survey on two islands (Qingshan and Niangashanpopulation 2990) in 1995-1996, an informative cohort (N = 249) was selected for treatment and 9-month follow-up to measure exposure and re-infection. Both the population prevalence (15.8%) and the geometric mean intensity of infection (26.2 eggs/g faeces) indicated that the islands were moderately endemic for schistosomiasis. Exposure measurements revealed a strong, positive, linear association (r = 0.70) between daily activity diaries and direct water-contact observation. Individuals identified as stool-positive for schistosomiasis had significantly more water contact than those who were egg-negative (P = 0.03). Almost all (93%) of the cohort had ultrasonographic evidence of periportal fibrosis before treatment but in only 1.2% was this fibrosis scored 1 in terms of the stages identified by the World Health Organization. At the follow-up it was possible to classify the 249 subjects into three, distinct, exposure-infection epidemiological groups. The first group (N = 20) was susceptible to re-infection and constituted 8% of the cohort. The second group (N = 61) was apparently insusceptible to re-infection despite the continuing high levels of exposure and included 24% of the cohort. The other 68% of the cohort (N = 168) remained uninfected but were at most only moderately exposed, or had a status indeterminate due to non-compliance. This epidemiological identification of susceptibles and insusceptibles for schistosomiasis japonica links field and ongoing laboratory studies aimed at characterising the genetic and immunological factors associated with resistance to re-infection and/or disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ablator materials used for inertial confinement fusion, such as high-density carbon (HDC) and beryllium, have grain structure which may lead to small-scale density nonuniformity and the generation of perturbations when the materials are shocked and compressed. Here, we use a combination of a linear theory of shock interaction with density nonuniformity [Velikovich et al., Phys. Plasmas 14, 072706 (2007)10.1063/1.2745809] and numerical simulations to study shock interaction with a model representation of HDC grains. While the shock-grain interaction is nonlinear, the linear theory shows some key features of the shock-grain interaction, which also hold for the (nonlinear) simulations. The postshock perturbations are made up of sonic reflections off of grain boundaries and vorticity deposition along them, with the latter dominating the perturbed energy content. The mean (per mass) postshock perturbed kinetic energy decreases with increasing grain size, but energy will be deposited at increasing spatial scale. From the perspective of the postshock perturbed energy, the detailed linear theory largely supports a proposed method [S. Davidovits et al., Phys. Plasmas 29, 112708 (2022)1070-664X10.1063/5.0107534] for deresolving the grains (in a similar grains model) that treats the grains statistically. Our simulation results highlight the influence of thermal conduction on the perturbation dynamics at grain scales.

Objective: To investigate the association between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) thickness in early pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: Based on the Qingdao Women and Children Health Cohort, pregnant women in the first trimester (11-13 +6 weeks of gestation) were enrolled in this cohort study between May 2019 and October 2022. The VAT was measured in first trimester and determined as the distance from the inner margin of the rectus abdominis muscle to the anterior wall of the great artery using multi-functional color ultrasound. The 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results were followed up at 24-28 weeks and the participants were divided into GDM group and non-GDM group. The pregnant women were divided into 4 groups according to the VAT quartile. Log-binomial model and linear regression model were used to analyze the association between VAT and GDM/blood glucose. Results: A total of 3 686 pregnant women were included in this study, the mean age of participants was (30.56±4.05) years and 722 were diagnosed with GDM, with an incidence of 19.6%. The log-binomial regression model results showed that compared with VAT thickness Q 1 (VAT<14.70 mm), the GDM risk in Q 3 (21.65≤VAT≤29.69 mm) and Q 4 (VAT ≥29.70 mm) increased by 34% [ RR (95% CI ): 1.34 (1.08-1.67)], and 61% [ RR (95% CI ): 1.61 (1.30-2.00)], respectively. Among women with gestational age<35 years old, compared with VAT thickness Q 1 , the risk of GDM increased by 42% in Q 3 [ RR (95% CI ): 1.42 (1.22-1.65)] and 70% [ RR (95% CI ): 1.70 (1.46-1.98)] in Q 4 , whereas no associations were found in women with gestational age ≥35 years old ( P> 0.05). The association between VAT and GDM risk was only found in pregnant women with pre-pregnancy BMI <24.0 kg/m 2 , and the GDM risk increased by 57% [ RR . The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that VAT was positively correlated with fasting blood glucose, 1-hour blood glucose after 75 g OGTT and 2-hours blood glucose after 75 g OGTT (all CI ): 1.57 (1.22-2.04)] in Q 3 and 65% [ RR (95% CI ): 1.65 (1.24-2.19)] in Q 4 compare with Q 1 . The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that VAT was positively correlated with fasting blood glucose, 1-hour blood glucose after 75 g OGTT and 2-hours blood glucose after 75 g OGTT (all P for trend <0.001). Conclusion: High VAT thickness in early pregnancy is an independent risk factor for GDM, and the GDM risk increases with the raising of VAT depth.

Purpose/objectives: The growing use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in metastatic cancer has led to its use in varying anatomic locations. The objective of this study was to review our institutional SBRT experience for axillary metastases (AM), focusing on outcomes and process., Materials/methods: Patients treated with SBRT to AM from 2014 to 2022 were reviewed. Cumulative incidence functions were used to estimate the incidence of local failure (LF), with death as competing risk. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Univariate regression analysis examined predictors of LF., Results: We analyzed 37 patients with 39 AM who received SBRT. Patients were predominantly female (60 %) and elderly (median age: 72). Median follow-up was 14.6 months. Common primary cancers included breast (43 %), skin (19 %), and lung (14 %). Treatment indication included oligoprogression (46 %), oligometastases (35 %) and symptomatic progression (19 %). A minority had prior overlapping radiation (18 %) or surgery (11 %). Most had prior systemic therapy (70 %).Significant heterogeneity in planning technique was identified; a minority of patient received 4-D CT scans (46 %), MR-simulation (21 %), or contrast (10 %). Median dose was 40 Gy (interquartile range (IQR): 35-40) in 5 fractions, (BED 10  = 72 Gy). Seventeen cases (44 %) utilized a low-dose elective volume to cover remaining axilla.At first assessment, 87 % had partial or complete response, with a single progression. Of symptomatic patients (n = 14), 57 % had complete resolution and 21 % had improvement. One and 2-year LF rate were 16 % and 20 %, respectively. Univariable analysis showed increasing BED reduced risk of LF. Median OS was 21.0 months (95 % [Confidence Interval (CI)] 17.3-not reached) and median PFS was 7.0 months (95 % [CI] 4.3-11.3). Two grade 3 events were identified, and no grade 4/5., Conclusion: Using SBRT for AM demonstrated low rates of toxicity and LF, and respectable symptom improvement. Variation in treatment delivery has prompted development of an institutional protocol to standardize technique and increase efficiency. Limited followup may limit detection of local failure and late toxicity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology.)

Objective: To analyze the incidence and risk factors of ventricular septal defect (VSD) in Qingdao. Methods: A prospective cohort study design was used to include pregnant women who underwent prenatal screening in Qingdao between August 2018 and June 2020 (the whole population coverage). VSD was diagnosed according to the pulse oxygen saturation and heart auscultation, and the final diagnosis was made according to the echocardiography of VSD positive newborns within postnatal day 7. Results: The study included 115 238 live births, among which 388 were diagnosed as VSD, with an incidence of 3.37‰. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that mother with postgraduate level ( OR =1.61, 95% CI : 1.00-2.58, P =0.049) (compared with junior high school and below), preterm birth history ( OR =2.90, 95% CI : 1.47-5.70, P =0.002), and pregnancy history of congenital heart disease ( OR =5.98, 95% CI : 2.63-14.73, P <0.001) were risk factors for VSD. Compared with female infants, the overall risk of VSD in male infants was relatively low ( OR =0.74, 95% CI : 0.60-0.91, P =0.005). Conclusions: The incidence of VSD in Qingdao is 3.37‰. The risk factors of VSD include higher maternal education level, pregnancy history of congenital heart disease and preterm birth history. Moreover, the overall risk of VSD in male infants is low.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of intestinal infarction caused by acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI), and develop and validate a clinical prediction model of Nomogram plot for intestinal infarction caused by AMI. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2020, 201 patients with AMI in the Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University were selected as the modeling group, and 105 patients with AMI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University were collected as the validation group. The age of patients in the modeling group was (62±12) years, and there were 70 males and 131 females. The age of patients in the validation group was (62±10) years old, and there were 69 males and 36 females. The clinical data including clinical manifestations, laboratory indicators and imaging indicators of patients in the two groups were retrospectively analyzed, and univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed to screen out risk factors for the progression of AMI to intestinal infarction. A Nomogram plot clinical prediction model for AMI causing intestinal infarction was developed using R software, and the differentiation, calibration and net clinical benefit of this Nomogram plot were evaluated by C-index, calibration curve and clinical decision analysis curve. Results: Shock ( OR =13.69, 95% CI : 2.31-88.87), body temperature ≥38.0 ℃ ( OR =6.39, 95% CI : 1.85-22.11), white blood cells (WBC) ≥18×10 9 /L ( OR =1.19, 95% CI : 1.03-1.37), intestinal changes on CT ( OR =0.17, 95% CI: 0.04-0.66), peritoneal irritation ( OR =0.06, 95% CI : 0.01-0.26), and pH≤7.34 ( OR =0.00, 95% CI : 0.00-0.01) were risk factors for intestinal infarction caused by AMI. Body temperature ≥38.0 ℃ (sensitivity: 81.5%, specificity: 87.0%), WBC ≥18×10 9 /L (sensitivity: 84.0%, specificity: 83.0%) and pH ≤7.34 (sensitivity: 70.4%, specificity: 76.7%) were cut-off values for progression to intestinal infarction in patients with AMI. The Nomogram plot prediction model of intestinal infarction induced by AMI was established by using the above parameters and validated internally and externally. The C index of validation group and modeling group were 0.96 (95% CI : 0.921-0.999) and 0.98 (95% CI : 0.962-0.996), respectively. The calibration curves of the validation group and the modeling group were shaped near the reference line, and the deviation from the reference line was low. The clinical decision analysis curves of validation group and modeling group showed that the clinical prediction model of Nomogram could bring better clinical net benefit for AMI patients. Conclusions: Shock, temperature, white blood cells, intestinal changes on CT, peritoneal irritation sign, and PH are independent risk factors for AMI-induced intestinal infarction. The Nomogram plot established by these factors can effectively predict the probability of AMI patients progressing to intestinal infarction.

Objective: This study aimed to characterize Neolithic human maxillary molars from archeological remains at the Jiaojia site, Shandong, China, and compare their ultrastructural features with sex and age-matched modern locals., Design: Maxillary first (n = 86) and second (n = 80) molars in 5000-year-old individuals (n = 50) from the Jiaojia site were scanned by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Sex and age-matched control groups were assigned from oral surgical patients at Shandong University. Images were analyzed for crown size, root length, root morphology, canal inter-orifice distances, mesiobuccal canal morphology, and second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal prevalence and location. Neolithic and modern values were compared statistically using Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney test at p < .05., Results: Crown and root size were smaller, and canal inter-orifice distances were shorter in Neolithic maxillary molars than their modern counterparts. For mesiobuccal roots, Weine's Type I single canals were the most prevalent in Neolithic and modern first and second molars. MB2 canal prevalence were not significantly different (p > .05) in Neolithic (53.3%) or modern (60.5%) first molars, and Neolithic (11.3%) or modern (21.3%) second molars. But, MB2 prevalence was significantly higher for modern than ancient male first (p = .032) and second (p = .005) molars. Additionally, MB2 were located more mesially and closer to MB1 in Neolithic than modern molars., Conclusions: Maxillary molar root and canal morphology of ancient 5000-year-old remains at the Jiaojia site resemble that of local patients. A trend towards larger tooth size, and more dispersed MB2 canals over this short evolutionary period warrants additional investigation., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: Conventional imaging examinations are insufficient to accurately assess brain damage in patients with Moyamoya disease. Our aim was to observe brain microstructural changes in patients with Moyamoya disease by diffusional kurtosis imaging and provide support data for application of this technique in individualized assessment of disease severity and surgical outcome among patients with Moyamoya disease., Materials and Methods: A total of 64 patients with Moyamoya disease and 15 healthy volunteers underwent diffusional kurtosis imaging, and a second scanning was offered to surgical patients 3-4 months after revascularization. The diffusional kurtosis imaging parameter maps were obtained for mean kurtosis, axial kurtosis, radial kurtosis, fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity. The parameter values were measured in sensory pathway-related regions for all subjects. Differences in diffusional kurtosis imaging parameters of these brain regions were examined for healthy volunteers, patients without acroparesthesia, and asymptomatic and symptomatic sides of patients with acroparesthesia. Changes in diffusional kurtosis imaging parameters of patients with Moyamoya disease before and after revascularization were compared., Results: Compared with healthy volunteers, patients with Moyamoya disease showed decreased mean kurtosis, axial kurtosis, radial kurtosis, and fractional anisotropy in the corona radiata. Similarly, mean kurtosis, radial kurtosis, and fractional anisotropy decreased in the posterior limb of the internal capsule, whereas axial kurtosis decreased and radial kurtosis increased in the thalami of patients with Moyamoya disease compared with healthy volunteers. Compared with the asymptomatic contralateral hemisphere, the symptomatic group showed increased mean kurtosis in the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex, increased fractional anisotropy in the contralateral corona radiata and posterior limb of the internal capsule, and decreased axial kurtosis in the contralateral thalamus. Among patients with Moyamoya disease with acroparesthesia, mean kurtosis decreased in the primary somatosensory cortex on the operated side following revascularization., Conclusions: The diffusional kurtosis imaging technique is applicable to patients with Moyamoya disease for detecting brain microstructural changes in white and gray matter before and after revascularization; this feature is useful in the assessment of disease severity and surgical outcome., (© 2020 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.)

Objective: To estimate the effect of smoking cessation on the risk of hypertension. Methods: Literature search of PubMed, Embase, Vip and CNKI between 2001 and 2016 was performed to retrieve prospective cohort studies assessing the relative risks ( RR ) of smoking cessation and current smoking on hypertension. The pooled RR with 95% confidence intervals ( CI ) were calculated using random effects models, and subgroup analyses were employed based on participants and study characteristics. Results: A total of 8 eligible prospective cohort studies with 70 130 participants and 21 238 incident cases of hypertension were retrieved. The individuals aged 25-84 years, among them, 53.64% (37 618/70 130) were men and the follow-up period were 4-14.5 years. The pooled RR of hypertension was 1.08 (95 %CI : 0.94-1.20) for comparing smoking cessation with current smoking and the pooled adjusted RR was 0.91 (95 %CI : 0.33-2.50) (both P> 0.05). Conclusions: Smoking cessation did not increased risks of hypertension. Therefore, effective strategies are needed to encourage smokers to quit.

Longan County is considered a highly endemic area for hepatitis B virus (HBV). The plasma-derived vaccine has been used in newborns in this area since 1987. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of this vaccine. In total, 1634 participants born during 1987-1993 and who had received a series of plasma-derived HB vaccinations at ages 0, 1, and 6 months were enrolled. Serological HBV markers were detected and compared with previous survey data. Overall the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in all participants was 3·79%; 3·47% of subjects who had received the first dose within 24 h were HBsAg positive, and 8·41% of subjects who had received a delayed first dose were also HBsAg positive. There were 1527 subjects identified who had received the first dose within 24 h and whose HBsAg and anti-HBc prevalence increased yearly after immunization, while the anti-HBs-positive rate and vaccine effectiveness declined. The geometric mean concentration of antibody in the anti-HB-positive participants was 55·13 mIU/ml and this declined after immunization. Fewer than 2·0% of participants had anti-HB levels ⩾1000 mIU/ml. The data show that the protective efficacy of the plasma-derived vaccinations declined and administration of HB vaccine within 24 h of birth was very important. To reduce the risk of HBV infection in this highly endemic area, a booster dose might be necessary if anti-HBs levels fall below 10 mIU/ml after age 18 years. Furthermore, studies on the immune memory induced by plasma-derived HB vaccine are needed.

Aim: To explore the correlation between the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue and quantitative parameters of spectral computed tomography (CT) imaging., Materials and Methods: Forty-eight patients with NSCLC underwent a spectral CT imaging protocol before surgical tumour resection. The repetition of iodine concentration, water concentration, and CT values at 40 keV in the region of interest were measured. The slopes of spectral attenuation curves (λHU) in the region were also calculated. The level of VEGF expression in the tumour tissue was measured using an immunohistochemical method (MaxVision method). The quantitative parameters of spectral CT imaging were compared among different levels of VEGF expression using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference (SLD) test. The correlation between VEGF expression and spectral CT imaging was estimated through Spearman's rank correlation analysis., Results: There were significant differences in iodine concentrations, λHU, and CT values at 40 KeV in NSCLC between the groups showing negative and moderately positive expression of VEGF (p=0.001, 0.000, and 0.001, respectively) as well as between those showing mildly and moderately positive expression of VEGF (p=0.047, 0.005, and 0.002, respectively). In addition, all of the iodine concentrations, λHU values, and CT values at 40 KeV displayed a significant and positive correlation with the level of VEGF expression (r=0.413, 0.458, and 0.393, respectively, p<0.05)., Conclusions: Quantitative parameters of spectral CT imaging may be helpful for evaluating the status of angiogenesis in NSCLC., (Copyright © 2016 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)