Conventional magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequences typically have an echo time (TE) of 1 ms or longer, providing an excellent contrast between different soft tissues. However, some short T2 tissues appear dark in conventional MR images because the signal from these tissues has decayed to nearly zero before the center of k-space is acquired. Because of the ability of directly imaging short T2 tissues, ultrashort echo time technique has been widely studied in recent years. An overwhelming majority of the studies were carried out at high fields, while many low- field scanner systems are still used in developing countries. To investigate the effects of the delay between analog-to-digital converter sampling and the readout gradient, the TE of the second echo used to calculate the R2 * map, and the undersampling ratio on the results of three-dimensional (3D) ultrashort echo time imaging at a low field, we implemented a 3D ultrashort echo time sequence on a 0. 35T scanner. Different parameters were used and the reconstructed images and R2 * maps were compared. Images reconstructed with slightly varying delays appeared quite different. Different contrast between short and long T2 tissues were found in R2 * maps calculated with different echoes. The result of undersampling study indicated that excessive undersampling could cause unwanted blurring, making it difficult to better visualize the short T2 tissues in the R2 * map. The results suggested that cautions should be taken in the choice of these parameters in 3D ultrashort echo time imaging. Short T2 tissues can be visualized with appropriate imaging parameters at this low field.
Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods

Objective To investigate epidemic infections of the three infective diseases such as Hepatitis C, Syphilis, AIDS in the pregnant women in Xinyi.Methods The anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV), anti-Treponema pallidum antibody (anti-TP) and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) were tested on the samples from 9,092 pregnant women hospitalized for birth delivery in the obstetric departments of hospitals and obstetric clinics.Results The detection rates of the three infective diseases were1.54 ‰ (14/9092) for anti -HCV, 5.83 ‰(53/9092) for anti-TP, and 0.55 ‰(5/9092) for anti-HIV.There was no statistically signifi-cant difference in the infection rate by the three pathogens among the age group.Conclusion The infection rates of HCV, TP and HIV are high among the pregnant women in Xinyi.The prenatal screening should be further strength-ened to promote the prenatal and postnatal care.

Objective:To analyze the influential factors of medical staff's cognition on medical ethics review in Wuhan municipal medical institutions,and thus to provide suggestions for strengthening the ethical construction.Methods:Aquestionnaire survey was conducted among medical staff.Chi-square test and Logistic regression method were performed to analyze the influential factors of medical staff's cognition on medical ethics review.Results:The results showed that medical staff's cognition on medical ethics review was affected by the technical tide,education background,whether had received ethical education,the cognition on ethics committees and whether the medical institution had established ethics committee.With higher technical titles,they thought more necessity to establish ethics committees and conduct ethical review of the clinical applications of new technology and new business.Those with higher technical titles and had read the ethical propaganda materials thought it more necessary to conduct ethical review of the clinical application of new technology and new business and the ethical review of biomedical research involved human beings.Conclusions:The medical institution should embody the establishment and standardization of ethical committees into the hospital assessment management system,as a necessary condition for the application of research projects and achievement awards.Also,it should conduct medical ethics training for all medical staff.Only those passed the examination can enter into the research and clinical operation with certificates,which can protect the medical ethics education into practice.It should strengthen the medical staff's cognition on ethical review,constantly innovate the operation rules and management system based on following the basic ethical review principles,and constantly improve the medical ethical review mechanism.

Objective To investigate insulin receptor (INSR) genotype exon 17 frequencies in women with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) and to elucidate its role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Methods The study involved 33 women with PCOS and 28 healthy control women who were genotyped for polymorphism of INSR gene exon 17 by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Body mass index (BMI), insulin sensitive index (ISI), the expression of INSR beta subunit, and serum concentration of luteinizing hormone(LH), total testosterone between the genotypes were compared. Results (1) The T -to- C mutation was observed in the INSR gene exon 17 (1008 bp). The frequency of the C/C genotype was significantly higher in patients (39%) than in the controls (11%) (P

Objective To assess the relationship of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism with clopidogrel respon-siveness and the level of EETs in patients with ACS. Methods A total of 123 patients with ACS receiving aspirin combined with clopidogrel dual antiplatelet were enrolled. According to the results of CYP2C19 genotype,patients were divided into three groups:fast metabolic type ,medium metabolic type ,and slow metabolism type. The concentration of EETs and PAIR were compared between three groups. Logistic analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of LCR. Results There were differences statistically in level of EETs and PAIR among the three groups(P<0.05). Logistic analysis showed that the slow metabolism of CYP2C19 gene and lower EETs level were risk factors for LCR. The area under the ROC curve was 0.893(P < 0.05)by EETs level to predict the CYP2C19 genotype. Conclusion The slow metabolism of CYP2C19 gene was an independent risk factor for LCR,while the increase of plasma EETs level was a protective factor.

BACKGROUND:Titanium mesh has good clinical effect in repairing skul defects, but due to the lack of bone induction ability, the titanium mesh has a poor integration with the bone tissue. OBJECTIVE:To observe the biological properties of the gradient bioactive coating materials on the titanium surface in the skul repair. METHODS: Osteoblasts were co-cultured with the titanium mesh with or without gradient bioactive coatings for 14 days, and then cel proliferation was detected using MTT method. Seventy-one patients with skul defects were enroled, including 43 males and 28 females, aged 15-60 years, and were subjected to skul repair using the titanium mesh with (observation group, n=3) or without (control group, n=38) gradient bioactive coatings. During the postoperative folow-up of 12 months, the repairing effects and adverse reactions were observed in the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In vitrocel culture: the cel proliferative ability was increased significantly in the observation group as compared with the control group at 8, 10, 12 and 14 days after cel culture. (2)In vivo repair: the hospital stay and wound healing time in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P< 0.05), and at the final folow-up, the postoperative recovery effect was significantly higher in the observation group than the control group (P < 0.05). The titanium meshes were fixed firmly in the two groups, with no floating, infection and exposure. These results show that the titanium mesh with gradient bioactive coating has good biocompatibility and osteoinduction capacity.

In the treatment of 48 cases of peripheral facial paralysis by puncturing Yangbai (GB 14)toward Yuyao (Ex-HN 4), Dicang (ST 4) toward Jiache (ST 6), Xiaguan (ST 7) toward Jiache (ST 6),Sibai (ST 2) toward Quanliao (SI 18), Baihui (GV 20) toward Taiyang (Ex-HN 5), Yintang (Ex-HN 3)toward Shangen (Ex-HN), Cuanzhu (BL 2) toward Jingming (BL 1), and Hegu (LI 4) toward Laogong (PC 8) on the sick side, with other acupoints added in accordance with the symptoms, the results showed cure in 39 cases, remarkable effect in 7 cases, failure in 2 cases, and the curative rate in 81.2% and the effective rate in 95.8%.

Objective Many studies showed that Ca~(2+) channel blocker could prevent and treat right ventricular hypertrophy(RVH) induced by chronic hypoxia.To further identify the mechanism,we investigated the effect of Ca~(2+) channel blocker on the levels of myocardial calcineurin A?mRNA(CnA?)in RV and plasma nitric oxide(NO),NO synthase and endothelin-1(ET-1) in rats with chronic hypoxia.Methods 30 rats were divided into three groups by randomized block design: treatment group with Amlodipine Besylate ablets [(30 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)),administered via gavage],chronic hypoxia group,and control group.The rats in treatment group and chronic hypoxia group were exposed to normobaric chronic hypoxia [(10.0?0.5)% O_2 ] for 21 days.On the 21st day of experiment,all rats were sacrificed and the hearts were collected for measuring the weight.Blood samples were also drawn from the ventricles for measuring plasma NO,iNOS and ET-1 levels.CnA?mRNA levels in RV were measured by RT-PCR.Results ⑴The RV/(LV+S)、RV/BW ratios were significantly higher in chronic hypoxia group than those of control group and treatment group(P

Objectives To observe the genetic characteristics of chromosomes and the rates of implantation and pregnancy in couples of translocation carriers who undergo preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and to evaluate the significance of PGD in the treatment of translocation carriers. Methods Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to analyze the embryos of 12 carriers of reciprocal translocation and 22 carriers of Robertsonian translocation. The results of diagnosis and the implantation and pregnancy rates were analyzed. Results A total of 253 embryos from 36 couples were retrieved and FISH was applied for the examination. The characteristics of chromosomes were diagnosed in 225 embryos and the rate of successful PGD was 88.9%. Fifty-eight embryos were found to have normal chromosome or balanced translocation and were transferred into the uterus. The rate of implantation was 36% (5/14) and 14% (6/44) and the rate of pregnancy was 4/9 and 26% (5/19) for carriers of Robertsonian translocation and reciprocal translocation, respectively. Conclusions The FISH-based PGD is effective in the diagnosis of Robertsonian translocation and reciprocal translocation of embryos. It provides the possibility of a high rate of implantation and pregnancy, and avoids recurrent abortion and unwilling termination of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND:Constructing animaI model of intervertebraI disc degeneration which more faithfully mimics the pathologic hallmarks of human intervertebral disc degeneration can be a beneficial assistance for further intervertebraI disc degeneration therapy.However,there is not an accepted optimal model for intervertebral disc degeneration study OBJECTIVE:To compare the rabbit model of degenerative intervertebral disc constructed by anulus puncture and anulus incision.METHODS:Totally 32 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the anulus puncture group and annulus incision group.Intervertebral disc of L_(3-6) 6was exposed by extro-peritoneal approach,and the discs were injured by puncturing the anulus or cutting the anulus The deep and direction were controlled.Pathological change of intervertebral disc was checked with MRI and histopathological examination at weeks 2,4,12,and 20 after operation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At week 4 after operation.the area of nucleus gelatinosus was deflated with enlarged anulus fibrosus,T_2-weighted image(T_2WI)declined,blurred,and the height of intervertebral space was also decreased,the grade of T2 value in the anulus puncture group was lower than that of the annulus incision group(P＜0 05):with time prolonged,T2 scores increased,and the intervertebraI space narrowed.which reached a peak at week 20 after operation.The differences had no significance.The histological sections demonstrated that the cell content in nucleus pulposus was increased gradually.The rabbit model of intervertebraI disc degeneration can be successfully constructed by the methods of anulus puncture and annulus incision.The degeneration of incision modelis more severe than that of puncture model.Anulus puncture method can faithfully mimic intervertebral disc degeneration after damage in human being.