Objective To study the diagnostic value of MR coronal iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation(IDEAL) water imaging in the far later lumbar disc herniation(FLLDH).Methods A retrospective analysis of pre-operative routine CT axial imaging and MPR post-processing,conventional MR axial plane,sagittal plane and IDEAL imaging was performed in 10 patients with pathologically FLLDH.The above images were observed to find whether it could clearly show the spatial relationship outline of the nucleus pulposus and the nerve root,including the number of affected nerve root(1 or 2),and the compressed part(dorsal root ganglion,postganglionic nerve root or preganglionic nerve root),and the morphological changes of the compressed nerve root(distortion,thinning,enlargement),and were compared with surgical results.Results Surgery showed 2 cases with extra-intervertebral foramen herniation,2 cases with intra-intervertebral foramen herniation,6 cases with mixed herniation.Nine cases involved 1 nerve root,and 1 case involved 2 nerve roots.The conventional CT axial plane could roughly show the local relationship between nucleus pulposus and the nerve root.On conventional CT axial plane,9 cases were diagnosed correctly but 1 case of herniation of extra-intervertebral foramen shifting cephalic to the lower vertebral level was missed.Seven cases of the compressed nerve root were identified with difficulty,2 cases showed obliteration of the fat space and displacement of the nerve root.The spatial relationship of the nucleus pulposus and the nerve root was more visualized by CT MPR images than conventional CT images,but the image was less clear and it could not display the full view.Ten cases on CT MPR images were diagnosed correctly.Nine cases involved 1 nerve root,and 1 case involved 2 nerve roots,the image finding was obliteration of the fat space.Eight cases involved distortion of the compressed nerve root,3 cases involved thinning of the compressed nerve root,1 case involved thickening of the nerve root,6 cases were with no change or no confirmed diagnosis.MR regular scans could roughly show the local relationship of the nucleus pulposus and the nerve root and it is superior to the conventional CT axial scanning.On the conventional axial plane,7 cases of the compressed nerve root were identified with difficulty,3 cases showed obliteration of the fat space and displacement of the compressed nerve root.On the sagittal plane through the intervertebral foramen:5 cases of mixed herniation and 2 cases herniation of intra-intervertebral foramen showed intervertebral disc into the intervertebral foramen,with displacement or annihilation of the compressed nerve root.Two cases of extra-intervertebral foramen herniation were without positive findings.On MR coronal IDEAL water imaging,it could clearly and accurately show the spatial relationship of the nucleus pulposus and the nerve root.It is superior to the conventional CT axial image,CT MPR image and the conventional MR scanning.Ten cases were diagnosed correctly.Four cases were identified as compressed DRG,5 cases were identified as compressed postganglionic nerve root,1 case was identified with compressed L4 postganglionic nerve root and compressed L5 preganglionic nerve root.Ten cases were all identified with distortion of the compressed nerve root,6 cases were identified with the compressed thinning nerve root,and 2 cases with the compressed thickening nerve root.The other nerve roots were not compressed.Conclusion MR coronal IDEAL water imaging is a good tool to show the spatial relationship of nucleus pulposus and the nerve root in FLLDH patients,and it possesses diagnostic value.

Objective To study the significance of rDNA transcription activity of peripheral blood T lymphocyte in patients with urinary tract tumors. Methods rDNA transcription activity of peripheral T lymphocyte was detected by a cell image analysis of Ag-NOR in 21 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with kidney cancer (including 6 cases of T_1N_0M_0,9 of T_2N_0M_0,4 of T_3N_0M_0 and 2 of T_4N_2M_1) and in 42 patients with bladder tumor (including 14 cases of TaN_0M_0,11 of T_1N_0M_0,1 of T_1N_0M_1,8 of T_2N_0M_0,4 of T_3N_0M_0 and 4 of T_4N_0M_0).Twenty-eight normal volunteers served as controls and 23 patients with uremia as positive controls.The peripheral blood was taken for detection of Ag-NORs in controls and in tumor patients before and after operation.The differences were compared among these groups. Results rDNA transcription activity of T cells was (8.55?1.11)%,(6.29?0.97)%,(5.44?0.68)% and (5.42? 0.68)% in controls and patients with uremia,renal and bladder tumors,respectively,showing a statistically significant difference among the normal uremia and tumor patients (P0.05).The parameters,such as TNM stages of renal and bladder tumor,the cell grades according to WHO criteria,tumor volume of the kidney,and invasion depth and recurrence frequencies of bladder tumors,had no significant correlation with rDNA transcription activity of T cells. Conclusions rDNA transcription activity of T cells may be used for monitoring the immune function in patients with kidney and bladder tumors,especially for primary screening of urinary tract tumors.

Objective To find out the iodine content in drinking water in Yi County,and to provide a scientific basis for prevention of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods An administrative village was taken as a unit in Yi County,Hebei Province.One drinking water sample was randomly selected from each village with centralized water supply.For villages with decentralized water supply,five drinking water samples were randomly selected according to directions (east,west,south,north and center) if there were more than five water sources in the village ; all the water source samples were taken if there were less than five water sources.Water iodine content of all of the water samples was tested; geomorphological feature,water type and well depth were surveyed.Water iodine content was determined through arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometric method.Results The range of water iodine content was 0.00-18.39 μg/L,and water iodine median was 2.08 μg/L in 1 024 water samples in the county.Water samples of 490,505 and 29 copies were collected in the hills,plains and mountains,and water iodine median was 1.74,2.26,3.15 μg/L,respectively.Concerning water iodine medians in drinking water,mountains were less than hills and plains(x2 =37.36,34.25,all P＜ 0.01),hills were less than (x2=15.27,P ＜ 0.01).Water samples of 742,228,54 copies were collected,respectively,in household well water,tap water and mountain spring water,and water iodine median was 2.08,2.24 and 0.73 μg/L,respectively.There was no significant difference between the water iodine median in tap water and household well water (x2 =2.97,P ＞ 0.05),and the iodine in mountain spring water was less than that of tap water and household well water (x2 =38.23,43.82,P ＜ 0.01).Water samples of 583 and 441 copies were collected,respectively,in the well depth ＜ 40 m and well depth ≥40 m,and water iodine median was 1.81 and 2.24 μg/L,respectively,and there was no significant difference between the water iodine median in the well depth ＜ 40 m and well depth ≥40 m(x2 =2.32,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Residents iodine content of drinking water in Yi County is lower; the natural environment is seriously iodine deficiency,and iodine supplementation should be strengthened.

Objective:To design Keap1-tat peptide and explore its neuroprotective role on hipocampal CA1 neuron,as well as the effect on spacial learning and memory function following global cerebral ische-mia.Methods:Adult male Sprague Dawley (SD)rats were subjected to global cerebral ischemia (GCI) by four-vessel occlusion for 1 5 min and randomly divided into five groups:sham,sham+Keap1-tat,is-chemia/reperfusion (I/R),Keap1-tat peptide-and vehicle-administrated groups.For Keap1-tat or vehi-cle groups,the rats were treated with Keap1-tat (30,50,1 00 μg in 5 μL 0.9%saline)or the same vo-lume vehicle by intracerebroventricular injection (icv)30 min prior to ischemia.Cresyl violet staining was used to observe the surviving neurons and 4-hydroxy-2-noneal (4-HNE ) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deox-yguanosine (8-OHdG)immunostaining were used to detect the change of markers response to oxidative stress in hippocampal CA1 region.The spatial learning and memory function of the rats was evaluated using Morris water maze.Results:Compared with sham group,the number of surviving neurons in ische-mia-reperfusion and vehicle groups significantly decreased in the hippocampal CA1 region (P<0.05 ), while administration of Keap1-tat significantly decreased the damage following GCI (P<0.05),and the dose of 50 μg existed the most effective neuroprotective role.Furthermore,immunostaining intensity of 4-HNE and 8-OHdG,markers of oxidative stress damage attenuated by Keap1-tat peptide as compared with vehicle group in CA1 region.Of significant interest,the time of finding underwater platform in Keap1-tat group animals was significantly short,and after removing the platform,the probe time of Keap1-tat group animals in the original quadrant where the platform was significantly increased compared with that of vehi-cle and I/R group animals (P<0.05).Conclusion:Keap1-tat peptide can effectively attenuate neuro-nal damage in hippocampal CA1 region and improve learning and memory function,which might bedue to the attenuation of oxidative stress caused by GCI.

Objective To explore the imaging findings and diagnostic values of X-ray, CT, MR,and ultrasonography in traumatic knee joints hemarthrosis and lipohemarthrosis. Methods Traumatic knee joints hemarthrosis (12 knees) and lipohemarthrosis (18 knees) proved by operation (27 knees) or puncturation (3 knees) were included in the study. Horizontal-beam plain radiographs (16 knees), CT (30 knees), MRI (30 knees) and ultrasonography (24 knees) in supine position were investigated. Results (1)supine position horizontal-beam plain radiographs: Fat-liquid layer was found in 8 cases of lipohemarthrosis. Dense supragenual bursa was found in 1 case of lipohemarthrosis and 7 cases of hemarthrosis. Fracture (13 knees) was diagnosed correctly. (2) CT findings: double fluid-fluid layer was found in 11 of all 18 cases, and single fluid-fluid layer was found in 7 of 11 cases of lipohemarthrosis. Single fluid-fluid layer was found in 3 of 12 cases of hemarthrosis. Isodensity was detected in 9 cases, and high-density blood clot was found in 4 cases. Fracture (30 knees) was diagnosed correctly. (3) MRI findings: in 12 of 18 cases of lipohemarthrosis, double fluid-fluid layer was shown including supernatant layer as short T1, long T2signal and low signal after fat-suppression, middle layer as long T1, long T2 signal and high signal after fat-suppression, and dependent layer as iso-T1, iso-T2 and slight high signal after fat-suppression. Single fluid-fluid layer was seen in 6 cases, only had aforementioned upper and under layer.Only aforementioned supernatant layer and dependent layer were seen in 12 cases of hemarthrosis. 4 cases showed entire blood clot in fluid, T1WI showed middle signal or center iso-signal accompanied with peripheral high signal ring, and fat-suppression imaging showed high signal. T2WI and fat-suppressionimaging showed middling or high signal accompanied with peripheral low signal ring. Fracture (30 knees) was diagnosed correctly. (4) Ultrasound findings: In 10 of 14 cases of lipohemarthrosis, double fluid-fluid level was shown, supernatant layer as equal echo, middle layer as echoless, and dependent layer as cloudy echo. Four cases with single fluid-fluid level only showed aforementioned upper and under layer. Three of 10 cases of hemarthrosis showed single fluid-fluid level, only showing aforementioned upper and under layer,and 7 cases showed cloudy echo and float. In 3 cases the fluid blood clot showed irregular shape low-equal echo bolus. No fracture hne was found. Conclusions CT can clearly detect fracture line, hemarthrosis and lipohemarthresis, and can substitute plain radiography. MRI is the best way to diagnose hemarthresis and lipohemarthrosis. Ultrasonography can be used in diagnosing hemarthresis and lipohemarthrosis but not helpful in the diagnosis of fracture.

Background: Inflammation is an essential component of liver diseases. Paeoniflorin (PF), a mono-terpenoid component derived from peony root (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), has anti-inflammatory, immu-noregulatory, and hepatoprotective activities. However, whether PF affects liver inflammation and its underlying mechanisms is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of PF on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in LO2 cells and the underlying molecular mechanism.Methods: LPS was used to induce inflammation. After PF pretreatment for 2 h, the cells were treated with PF and LPS. Cell counting kit-8 was used to measure cell viability. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 were tested by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot was used to evaluate TNF-α, Ras homolog family member A (RhoA), NOD-, LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, and IL-1β pro-teins expression. Results: In LPS-induced LO2 cells, PF reduced TNF-α and IL-6 inflammatory cytokine production in a dose-dependent manner. LPS-induced TNF-α expression was also suppressed by PF. In addition, PF significantly inhibited LPS-induced RhoA activation (P = .0014). Finally, PF suppressed LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation by downregulating NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and IL-1β expression. Conclusion: These findings suggest that PF alleviates inflammation induced by LPS and further suggest the anti-inflammatory effect of PF may follow via reduced RhoA and NLRP3 inflammasome activity.

Objective:To evaluate the economy of recombinant human thrombopoietin(rhTPO)combined with conventional therapy compared with conventional therapy in the treatment of sepsis-associated thrombocytopenia(SIT)from the perspective of China's health service system.Methods:The decision tree model was constructed,and the minimum cost analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis were used to evaluate the economy based on the characteristics of sepsis.The economy was judged by two willingness to pay thresholds,and then the stability of the results was tested by sensitivity analysis.Results:rhTPO combined with conventional therapy can save 520.58 yuan for each 1％increase in survival rate compared with conventional therapy alone,which is an absolute advantage program.The single factor sensitivity analysis showed that the daily cost of ICU medical service and the duration of CRRT in the control group and the daily cost of ICU medical service in the experimental group had a great influence on the results,and the stability of the parameter outcome was good.The probability sensitivity analysis showed that when the willingness to pay threshold changes ranged 0～268 074 yuan,rhTPO has a 100％economical probability.Conclusion:Under the existing evidence,rhTPO combined with conventional treatment for SIT treatment is more economical on the basis of improving survival rate and equal safety.

Objective:To evaluate the economy of recombinant human thrombopoietin(rhTPO)combined with conventional therapy compared with conventional therapy in the treatment of sepsis-associated thrombocytopenia(SIT)from the perspective of China's health service system.Methods:The decision tree model was constructed,and the minimum cost analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis were used to evaluate the economy based on the characteristics of sepsis.The economy was judged by two willingness to pay thresholds,and then the stability of the results was tested by sensitivity analysis.Results:rhTPO combined with conventional therapy can save 520.58 yuan for each 1％increase in survival rate compared with conventional therapy alone,which is an absolute advantage program.The single factor sensitivity analysis showed that the daily cost of ICU medical service and the duration of CRRT in the control group and the daily cost of ICU medical service in the experimental group had a great influence on the results,and the stability of the parameter outcome was good.The probability sensitivity analysis showed that when the willingness to pay threshold changes ranged 0～268 074 yuan,rhTPO has a 100％economical probability.Conclusion:Under the existing evidence,rhTPO combined with conventional treatment for SIT treatment is more economical on the basis of improving survival rate and equal safety.

Objective:To evaluate the economy of recombinant human thrombopoietin(rhTPO)combined with conventional therapy compared with conventional therapy in the treatment of sepsis-associated thrombocytopenia(SIT)from the perspective of China's health service system.Methods:The decision tree model was constructed,and the minimum cost analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis were used to evaluate the economy based on the characteristics of sepsis.The economy was judged by two willingness to pay thresholds,and then the stability of the results was tested by sensitivity analysis.Results:rhTPO combined with conventional therapy can save 520.58 yuan for each 1％increase in survival rate compared with conventional therapy alone,which is an absolute advantage program.The single factor sensitivity analysis showed that the daily cost of ICU medical service and the duration of CRRT in the control group and the daily cost of ICU medical service in the experimental group had a great influence on the results,and the stability of the parameter outcome was good.The probability sensitivity analysis showed that when the willingness to pay threshold changes ranged 0～268 074 yuan,rhTPO has a 100％economical probability.Conclusion:Under the existing evidence,rhTPO combined with conventional treatment for SIT treatment is more economical on the basis of improving survival rate and equal safety.

Objective:To evaluate the economy of recombinant human thrombopoietin(rhTPO)combined with conventional therapy compared with conventional therapy in the treatment of sepsis-associated thrombocytopenia(SIT)from the perspective of China's health service system.Methods:The decision tree model was constructed,and the minimum cost analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis were used to evaluate the economy based on the characteristics of sepsis.The economy was judged by two willingness to pay thresholds,and then the stability of the results was tested by sensitivity analysis.Results:rhTPO combined with conventional therapy can save 520.58 yuan for each 1％increase in survival rate compared with conventional therapy alone,which is an absolute advantage program.The single factor sensitivity analysis showed that the daily cost of ICU medical service and the duration of CRRT in the control group and the daily cost of ICU medical service in the experimental group had a great influence on the results,and the stability of the parameter outcome was good.The probability sensitivity analysis showed that when the willingness to pay threshold changes ranged 0～268 074 yuan,rhTPO has a 100％economical probability.Conclusion:Under the existing evidence,rhTPO combined with conventional treatment for SIT treatment is more economical on the basis of improving survival rate and equal safety.