Medicine
-
This study aimed to investigate the influence of gantry angle increment (Inc) parameters on the Monaco treatment planning system for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in right breast cancer, and to determine the optimal Inc parameters. Twenty-three patients with right breast cancer at the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital from August 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively selected. Four VMAT plans were generated for each patient incorporating Inc of 10°, 20° (control group), 30°, and 40°, while the other optimization parameters and constraint functions remained constant. ⋯ The number of monitor units and control points decreased with increasing Inc. Smaller Inc values can achieve higher target coverage and lower irradiated dose to the ipsilateral lung, but will reduce delivery efficiency. Considering the plan quality and delivery efficiency, an Inc of 10° or 20° is recommended for right breast cancer VMAT plans.
-
Observational Study
Association between serum vitamin D, uric acid, C-reactive protein, and disease severity in ulcerative colitis: A retrospective study.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease of the intestinal mucosa, and immunodeficiency is the main cause. Vitamin D (VD) has been shown to regulate many immune diseases, and studies have found that the level of uric acid (UA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) may also affect the severity of UC. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between VD levels and disease severity in UC patients. ⋯ Gender affects serum UA, CRP, and disease severity. Males have significantly higher serum UA and CRP levels than females, while disease severity is generally lower than that of females. However, the mechanism of abnormal serum vitamin and trace element levels in UC patients remains to be further studied.
-
Observational Study
Dural arteriovenous fistula may be occluded through recanalization of impaired venous sinuses.
To investigate the effect and safety of recanalization of stenosed or occluded venous sinuses for dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) and possible mechanism of DAVF formation, patients with DAVF accompanied by venous sinus stenosis or occlusion treated with balloon angioplasty and/or stenting were retrospectively enrolled. The clinical data, treatment outcomes and complications were analyzed. In 7 patients enrolled, the DAVF was Cognard IIa grade in 3 (42.9% or 3/7) and IIa + b in 4 (57.1% or 4/7) patients, including complex DAVFs in 2 (28.6% or 2/7). ⋯ Staged embolization in 2 patients resulted in significant symptom improvement. At the last follow-up of a median 4 years, no clinical symptoms were present in 5 (71.4% or 5/7) patients, intermittent headache in 1 (14.3% or 1/7), and death from trauma in 1 (14.3% or 1/7). In conclusion, endovascular recanalization of occluded or stenosed venous sinuses using balloon angioplasty and stenting is able to induce occlusion of DAVFs and is a safe and efficient treatment approach for DAVFs which are possibly caused by significant pressure increase.
-
Observational Study
Choroid plexus volumes in patients with transient global amnesia: A retrospective study.
Increased choroid plexus (ChP) volume is well known to be associated with glymphatic system dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate glymphatic system function in patients with transient global amnesia (TGA) compared to healthy controls through ChP volumes measurements. We retrospectively enrolled patients with TGA from our hospital, as well as healthy controls. ⋯ ChP volumes were not associated with the duration of amnesia in patients with TGA (R = 0.187, P = .274). We find no differences in the glymphatic system function, as demonstrated by ChP volume for the first time. This study also found a significant correlation between ChP volume and age in patients with TGA, indicating that aging influences glymphatic system function.
-
Observational Study
Is detrusor underactivity the urodynamic characteristic of long-COVID in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia?
Although coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) was reported to involve with multiple organs, COVID-19 reports focusing on urinary system mostly evaluated the association between lower urinary tract symptoms and COVID-19 using questionnaire score. In this study, sonography video urodynamic studies was first conducted to explore the effects of COVID-19 on contractility of bladder detrusor of patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Clinical data was respectively reviewed and compared between BPH patients with previous COVID-19 infection (COVID-19 group) and without previous COVID-19 (non-COVID-19 group). ⋯ Post-voiding residual urine was found to have a linear correlation with detrusor contractility in COVID-19 group. It was suggested that COVID-19 infection would further exacerbate impairment of detrusor previously resulted from bladder outlet obstruction in BPH patients. DU may be a urodynamic characteristic of long-COVID.