Prediction of EGFR mutations by conventional CT-features in advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Objective: This study assessed the ability of conventional computed tomography (CT) features (including primary tumors, metastatic lesions, lymph nodes, and emphysema) to predict epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma between January 2017 and August 2017 and had undergone a chest CT and EGFR mutation testing were enrolled in this retrospective study. Qualitative and quantitative CT-features and clinical characteristics evaluated in this study included: primary tumor location, size, and morphology (including degree of lobulation, density, calcification, cavitation, vacuole sign, and air bronchogram), size and distribution of lung and pleural metastatic nodules, size and status of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, emphysema, organs with distant metastasis, and patient age, sex, and smoking history.

Expression and function of PDGF-α in columnar epithelial cells of age-related cataracts patients.

We studied the expression and function of platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGF-α) in the lens epithelial cells of cataracts patients. Ninety age-related cataracts patients were recruited in our hospital between January 2012 and January 2014. The expression levels of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) in the anterior capsule of the lens at different degrees of turbidity, and PDGF-α in the aqueous humor were detected.

Three-dimensional echocardiography of colour Doppler flow.

Three-dimensional echocardiography of colour Doppler flow developed quickly with the advent of three-dimensional echocardiography. An increasing amount of research has shown that three-dimensional echocardiography of colour Doppler flow is feasible and facilitates measurement of stroke volume and cardiac output, and assessment of heart valve and congenital heart diseases. Although the technique still has some drawbacks that hamper its widespread use, as the technology continues to improve, three-dimensional echocardiography of colour Doppler flow has the potential to serve as a powerful noninvasive clinical tool, aiding physicians in the serial assessment of heart disease and response to intervention.