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Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a rare, benign neoplasm with a predilection for children that predominantly involves the craniofacial region. Here we report 2 cases of MNTI involving epididymis, placing emphasis on the sonographic features. Both appeared to be hypoechoic, regular shaped masses with abundant blood supplies. The unique sonographic features and age of predilection make it possible to diagnose MNTI within the scrotum by ultrasonography.

Ultrasonography (US) has been widely applied and has validated efficacy in the diagnosis of colonic polyps in children. However, little attention has been paid to improving the detection rate of polyps, optimizing the ultrasonic examination process and reducing misdiagnosis. To investigate the diagnostic performance of the colonic segment-approach by US in the diagnosis of colonic polyps in pediatric patients. One hundred fifty-nine patients who were going to have a colonoscopy from September 2014 to August 2016 were enrolled in this study. All patients received US before colonoscopy. In a preliminary study, 50 patients were chosen to determine the interobserver agreement, with half of the cases with and half of the cases without a colonic segment-approach. The other 109 patients were examined by both approaches. The sensitivity and the specificity of each approach were compared based on the outcome of colonoscopy as the gold criteria. The interobserver agreement was high (0.816 for the non-segmental approach, 0.754 for the colonic segment-approach). The diagnostic sensitivity of the colonic segment-approach was higher than that of the traditional approach (82.1% vs. 57.7%, P

BACKGROUND Oncogenic osteomalacia caused by phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors is very difficult to detect. We report a case of tumor-induced osteomalacia caused by a phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor of the left femur in a middle-aged woman after medical imaging and biopsy. CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old woman presented with progressive bone pain for five years. She was diagnosed with hypophosphatemic osteomalacia, as her laboratory data showed low serum phosphorus and low serum calcium. Her knee joint radiography revealed an osteolytic lesion of the left femur. A computed tomography scan showed mixed density shadows in the left femur. Magnetic resonance imaging of the left femur showed the presence of an oval area with a hypointense signal in T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high-low mixed signal in T2-weighted MRI. Biopsy samples revealed the presence of short spindle cells, vascularization, and characteristics of phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors. Tumor resection was performed, and the clinical presentations and laboratory abnormalities were reversed. CONCLUSION Diagnosis of oncogenic osteomalacia is difficult due to the varieties and localization of source tumors and absence of pathognomonic biomedical signs. Our case highlights the importance of a combination of medical imaging and biopsy in the diagnosis of oncogenic osteomalacia caused by a phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound in children with perforation of congenital choledochal cysts. METHODS Eligible patients recruited from January 2004 to December 2018 in our hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study. A total of 59 cases of congenital choledochal cysts with perforation were defined as the perforation group, and 100 cases of congenital choledochal cysts without perforation with similar symptoms were defined as the control group. Clinical features were analyzed and compared between the groups. The differential efficacy of varied diagnostic criteria was evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS Significant differences were found between the groups with respect to clinical characteristics (abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and abdominal distention; all P

To develop and validate a nomogram that incorporates the gallbladder morphology, hepatic elasticity, and demographic information for the prediction of biliary atresia (BA) in children.A total of 294 consecutive patients under the age of 70 days with cholestasis and suspected symptoms of BA were enrolled in this study, who were divided into a training cohort (150 patients) and a validation cohort (144 patients). Ultrasonography and two-dimensional shear wave elastography were performed for each patient prior to knowing the final diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the gallbladder morphologic feature in the sonogram (absence of gallbladder, small gallbladder, lower postprandial gallbladder contractibility, or abnormal gallbladder wall), hepatic elasticity and clinical data from the training cohort, and a diagnostic nomogram for BA was subsequently developed. The performance of the nomogram was respectively evaluated with respect to the discrimination and calibration in every cohort.The multivariate analysis showed that the factors of age (p = 0.009), gallbladder morphology (p = 0.001) and hepatic elasticity (p0.001) could serve as independent predictive factors to differentiate between BA and other causes of cholestasis. The nomogram incorporating these three parameters showed good discrimination and satisfactory calibration, indicating a better performance compared to using only the gallbladder morphologic features and hepatic elasticity. The observed area under the receiver operator characteristic curve in the training cohort and validation cohort was 0.939 (p0.001) and 0.942 (p0.001), respectively, with a sensitivity of 95.5% and a specificity of 83.4% in the combined cohort.The established nomogram shows a favored and improved predictive value for the diagnosis of BA.

Background: Pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by stresses such as aging and neurohumoral activation is an independent risk factor for heart failure and is considered a target for the treatment of heart failure. However, the mechanisms underlying pathological cardiac hypertrophy remain largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the roles of SIRT2 in aging-related and angiotensin II (Ang II)–induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Methods: Male C57BL/6J wild-type and Sirt2 knockout mice were subjected to the investigation of aging-related cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiac hypertrophy was also induced by Ang II (1.3 mg/kg/d for 4 weeks) in male C57BL/6J Sirt2 knockout mice, cardiac-specific SIRT2 transgenic ( SIRT2 -Tg) mice, and their respective littermates (8 to ≈12 weeks old). Metformin (200 mg/kg/d) was used to treat wild-type and Sirt2 knockout mice infused with Ang II. Cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and cardiac function were examined in these mice. Results: SIRT2 protein expression levels were downregulated in hypertrophic hearts from mice. Sirt2 knockout markedly exaggerated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and decreased cardiac ejection fraction and fractional shortening in aged (24-month-old) mice and Ang II–infused mice. Conversely, cardiac-specific SIRT2 overexpression protected the hearts against Ang II–induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and rescued cardiac function. Mechanistically, SIRT2 maintained the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in aged and Ang II–induced hypertrophic hearts in vivo as well as in cardiomyocytes in vitro. We identified the liver kinase B1 (LKB1), the major upstream kinase of AMPK, as the direct target of SIRT2. SIRT2 bound to LKB1 and deacetylated it at lysine 48, which promoted the phosphorylation of LKB1 and the subsequent activation of LKB1-AMPK signaling. Remarkably, the loss of SIRT2 blunted the response of AMPK to metformin treatment in mice infused with Ang II and repressed the metformin-mediated reduction of cardiac hypertrophy and protection of cardiac function. Conclusions: SIRT2 promotes AMPK activation by deacetylating the kinase LKB1. Loss of SIRT2 reduces AMPK activation, promotes aging-related and Ang II–induced cardiac hypertrophy, and blunts metformin-mediated cardioprotective effects. These findings indicate that SIRT2 will be a potential target for therapeutic interventions in aging- and stress-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Steel slag is the solid waste produced by the steelmaking process. At present, there are differences in the treatment and utilization of this waste among countries around the world. The massive accumulation of steel slag not only occupies land, but also the heavy metal elements in steel slag leached by rainwater cause serious pollution to the soil and groundwater, both which threaten the life and survival of the surrounding residents. More and more attention has been paid to the resource utilization of slag because of the gradual promotion of energy saving and emission reduction all over the world. Currently, the fields that utilize slag focus on recycling of steel waste, acting as sinter raw material, dephosphorization of hot metal, road and water conservancy project construction, wastewater treatment material, application of CO2 capture and flue gas desulfurization or agriculture. Many researchers have carried out research and explorations on the effects of slag on microalgae’s growth and found that slag has enormous potential algal biomasses and huge advantages for promoting microalgae’s growth and the accumulation of metabolites. Under suitable conditions, slag can effectively promote microalgae’s growth and reproduction, as well as promote microalgae’s accumulation of metabolites, especially lipid accumulation. Thus, slag can be used as an ideal nutrient for microalgae. Culturing microalgae with slag can lower the cost and solve the problem of lacking Fe during the process of marine microalgae’s growth. Meanwhile, it can alleviate the phenomenon of the substantial stacking of slag. This study provides new methods for slag’s resource utilization.

Ultrasound is a safe bedside imaging tool that obviates the use of ionizing radiation diagnostic procedures. Due to its convenience, the lung ultrasound has received increasing attention from neonatal physicians. Nevertheless, clear reference standards and guideline limits are needed for accurate application of this diagnostic modality. This document aims to summarize expert opinions and to provide precise guidance to help facilitate the use of the lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of neonatal lung diseases.

Vascular epulis is a rare clinical disease. In our study, a case of vascular epulis in the cosmetic area was treated by diode laser, without recurrence and obvious inflammation in the surgical site 5 years after surgery. This case report indicates that the excision of vascular epulis in the cosmetic area of the anterior teeth by diode laser could be an alternatively safe and complementary approach in lieu of conventional surgery.

By using inverse grating technology, improving the design of data input module in virtual welding system. We analyzed and accomplished the method of data input, taking into account the weldment needs to make a dynamic changes in the welding process, we design the static and dynamic data input modules. Through running some instances of the program, we have proved that, with the corresponding improvement of the inverse grating technology, the design of data input module in the virtual welding system has achieved good result.

In this paper the application of wavelet in data detection of dynamic testing is chiefly researched , i.e. , by applying the method of wavelet denoising to eliminate the non-stationary random noise which produced in data detection of dynamic testing , by analyzing dynamic testing data to define the optimal wavelet as well as the optimal decomposition scale. Based on actual requirements of dynamic testing system, to reconstruct the data accurately by using FIR filter with biorthogonal wavelet, the method has a favorable effect.

Under the guidance of ecological civilization, the research field of clothing materials has also started to advocate “ecological clothing materials” and promote “environmental protection”. The most fundamental solution for clothing textiles to satisfy the requirements of environmental protection is to choose environmental materials. New ecological clothing materials developed in these years cover continuous development and innovation of natural materials and regenerated fiber materials which have been substantially used in modern clothing design and promoted the development of modern clothing design toward the new concept of environmental protection. Property advantages of ecological and regenerated fiber materials will be introduced in this paper and its development and application in clothing design will be further illustrated.

Fibroepithelial polyps are a rare cause of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction in children. Preoperative US diagnosis of fibroepithelial polyps is infrequently reported, with intravenous pylogram and retrograde pyelography being most commonly used for diagnosis.To recommend the most accurate process for diagnosing this disease in children by assessing a modified ultrasonographic procedure for the diagnosis of fibroepithelial polyps.A retrospective review of US and IVP imaging studies performed in surgically and histologically confirmed cases of fibroepithelial polyps in children. Each child was asked to drink as much water as possible 30 min before the US testing. For US, the renal pelvis, UPJ and the proximal ureter were inspected for an echogenic mass resulting in hydronephrosis. For IVP studies, abdominal plain films were performed at 7, 15 and 30 min following contrast injection.Thirty-five children, 34 boys and 1 girl, had confirmed fibroepithelial polyps. The children ranged in age from 3 to 14 years (mean age 9 years). Clinical presentation included intermittent vague abdominal pain (100%) and/or hematuria (9.7%) for a period ranging from 1 month to 5 years. Of the 35 children (37 polyps), 21 (23 polyps) were correctly diagnosed preoperatively with US, establishing a 62.2% (23/37) US accuracy rate. Twenty polyps were seen on the left, three on the right and two children had bilateral polyps. The masses were all mildly echogenic with defined edges. Eight children (9 polyps) had an IVP consistent with fibroepithelial polyps giving IVP an accuracy rate of 24.3% (9/37).US is an effective screening tool for identifying fibroepithelial polyps causing UPJ obstruction in children.

The Nuss procedure is one of the most popular surgeries for correcting pectus excavatum. However, little is known regarding stress and strain on the deformed ribs after inserting the pectus bar. We used ultrasonography to investigate costochondral changes before and after the Nuss procedure.Ninety-five patients underwent the Nuss procedure between July 2007 and February 2008 at 2 institutions. Chest ultrasonography, specifically of the bones and cartilage, was performed 1 day before and 1 week after the operation.Postoperatively, all patients showed various degrees of deformation from the second to sixth cartilages bilaterally. The cartilages were not fractured. Of these patients, 28 (29.5%) had significant changes, including acute angulation of the costochondral junction and rib fractures near the pectus bar. These changes were associated with increased age (P.01) and the degree of postoperative sternum elevation (P.01). The pectus index and sex were not significant predictors of rib damage.The Nuss procedure created significant stress and strain over the deformed cartilages. Approximately 29% of the patients showed localized, self-limited costochondral changes via chest ultrasonography.

The accuracy of the Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS) for measuring the distortion wavefront is mainly dependent upon the measurement accuracy of the centroid of the focal spot. Many methods have been presented to improve the accuracy of the wavefront centroid measurement, but most of them are based on a point of improvement. Propose a complete centroid optimization method. Based on analyzing background noise of the focal spot image, the method of adaptive threshold denoising is introduced, then the sub-aperture detection windows are optimized by modified watershed algorithm, and the centroid of the focal spot is calculated by the higher moment centroid algorithm in an optimized window, where the linear interpolation have been used. Simulation and experimental results showed that the centroid detection window could automatically adjust its size, matching perfect with spot distribution area, and the proposed method could reach high precision and repeatability of focal spot centroid in some certain SNR.

Micro lens array whose parameters directly affect the wave front detection performance is a core component of Hartmann-Shack wave front sensor. Make a deep theoretical study on sensitivity, spatial resolution, wave front measurement error and Dynamic Range which affect the design of the wave front detector, and research the coupling relationship between micro lens array parameters and focal length by numerical simulation analyzing method. Experimental results showed that: Hartmann-Shack' various parameters are all determined by the number of sub-lenses and the focal length of the micro lens array. Dynamic range and sensitivity are in reciprocal relationship with the focal length, the full dynamic range of the pore size became negative when the focal length increased to a certain threshold, the wave front measuring error can be reduced by higher Fresnel number, greater micro lenses number and lesser number of Zernike polynomial. It is of great significance for multiple sub-aperture detection technique to select reasonable parameters of sensor in the practical application.

Based on the view that knowledge management system (KMS) in enterprise is an integrated social-technical system, this paper first defines the connotation of Integrated Knowledge Management System (IKMS), and then sets up a conceptual model of IKMS. Finally, the paper does universal test of the conceptual model using structure equation model (SEM) and analyses its possibility of practical use. The purpose of the paper is to provide a theoretical frame for enterprises requiring knowledge management (KM).