[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the effects of sinapic acid ( SA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of rat vas-cular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by high glucose (HG).METHODS:Cultured A7r5 cells were randomly di-vided and treated as indicated.The cell viability was determined by MTT assay.DNA synthesis was measured by BrdU as-say.Cell cycle progression and cell apoptotic rate were determined by flow cytometry analysis.The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by ELISA.The protein levels of cyclin D1, P21, P27, phosphorylated protein kinase C (p-PKC), p-P38 andβ-actin were evaluated by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with control group, the viability of A7r5 cells was significantly enhanced, the DNA synthesis was increased, the cell cycle progression was promoted, the levels of ROS were elevated, the cell apoptotic rate was reduced, the protein expression of P21 and P27 was decreased, and the pro-tein levels of cyclin D1, p-PKC and p-P38 were increased in HG group (all P<0.05).These effects were reversed by SA (0.1, 1 and 10 μmol/L) treatment in a dose-dependent manner (all P<0.05).Both P38 inhibitor SB203580 and PKC inhibitor chelerythrine significantly inhibit HG-induced PKC/P38 activation and cell viability ( P <0.05).CONCLU-SION:SA inhibits HG-induced VSMCs proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis via reducing PKC/P38 activation.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of cerebral glucose metabolism (CGM) in PD patients with cognitive impairment (PD-CI) using 18F-FDG PET/CT,and to analyze the correlation between the progress of PD-CI and CGM changes.Methods A total of 31 idiopathic PD patients (14 males,17 females,aged 37-77 years) from May 2013 to February 2014 were divided into 3 groups based on Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA):none CI in PD (PD-NC) group (MOCA＞26 scores),mild CI in PD (PD-MCI) group (MOCA 21-26 scores),PD with dementia (PDD) group (MOCA＜21 scores).The normal controls (NC) group included 12 age-and gender-matched healthy adults (7 males,5 females,aged 40-76 years).All subjects underwent PET/CT imaging after intravenous injection of 18F-FDG(5.55 MBq/kg).MIMneuro software was used to analyze the data.The correlation between the CGM and cognitive function was analyzed using Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis.Results (1) Compared with NC group,PDD group presented a widespread cortical metabolism decrease in frontal,parietal,temporal,occipital 19bes and the limbic lobe;PD-MCI group showed hypometabolic areas in the parietal and occipital lobes,and with less extent in the frontal and temporal lobes;PD-NC group showed no significant cerebral hypometabolism.(2) Compared with PD-NC group,PDD group showed widespread cortical metabolism decrease in occipital lobe,temporal lobe,partial parietal cortex and the posterior cingulated cortex.Compared with PD-MCI group,PDD group had lower metabolism,mainly in posterior brain areas (parietal,occipital and temporal lobes).Compared with PD-NC group,PD-MCI group showed hypometabolism in right supramarginal gyrus and the left parahippocampal gyrus.(3) There were positive correlations between visuospatiaL/executive function and visual cortex metabolism,angular gyrus metabolism or superior parietal lobule metabolism (r =0.535,0.443,0.395;all P＜0.05).A positive correlation was also found between delayed memory and heschl's gyrus metabolism (r=0.337,P＜0.05).Conclusions The cerebral glucose metabolism detected with 18F-FDG PET/CT is well correlated with MOCA assessments.Thus it may be helpful in evaluation of the progress of cognitive impairments in PD.

Objective To understand the quality of life and self-efficacy of Parkinson patients and explore the relationship between them. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 155 Parkinson patients. The instruments included a self-designed general information questionnarie, the 39-item Parkinson's disease questionnaire (PDQ-39) and self-efficacy scale for chronic patients. Results The total score of the quality of life was 26.12 ± 16.31.The total score of self-efficacy was 5.46 ± 1.87, and the scores of symptom management and disease management were 5.23 ± 1.98 and 5.94 ± 1.96. The quality of life was positively correlated with self-efficacy (r=0.800, P < 0.01). Conclusions Parkinson patients' overall the quality of life and self-efficacy remain a low level, and the quality of life was closely correlated with self-efficacy. The score of patients' self-efficacy was higer, the quality of life was better. Medical and nursing personnel can through strengthening patients' self-efficacy, optimizating of the patient' s health behavior, and improving negative emotion and attitude, so as to improve their quality of life.

Objective:To evaluate the application high-resolution 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis of ligament and tendon injuries of the forefeet.Methods:From September 2014 to August 2020, 40 patients with forefeet injury (40 forefoot) and 20 healthy subjects (40 forefoot) meeting the including and excluding criteria were enrolled into this retrospective study. All subjects underwent MRI T1-weighted image (T1WI) and fat suppression proton density-weighted imaging (PD-FS) scan on coronal planes, sagittal planes and axial planes, respectively. Then the MRI characteristics of tendons in forefoot of healthy subjects and patients with forefoot injuries were compared. In patients the MR features of ligament and tendons injury were compared with the surgical findings or follow-up results.Results:In 20 normal subjects the tendons and ligament of the forefoot showed homogeneous low-signal-intensity on T1WI and PD-FS images. In the 40 patients with forefoot injuries, 22 cases were confirmed by surgical findings and 18 cases were confirmed by follow-up results. There were 8 cases of collateral ligament injuries, including 2 cases with complete tear, 3 cases with partial tear and 3 cases with sprain; 2 cases of extensor tendon with partial tear; 8 cases of flexor tendon injuries, including 3 cases with complete tear, 3 cases with partial tear and 2 cases with sprain; 3 cases of abductor tendon with partial tear; 13 cases of plantar plate injuries; and 6 cases of Lisfranc ligament injuries including 5 cases with complete tear and 1 case with partial tear. The injured ligament and tendons presented thicker and discontinuity in T1WI; and demonstrated heterogeneously increased signal intensity with edema in the surrounding soft tissues in PD-FS. The partially torn ligament and tendons showed discontinuity and thickening; and the completely torn ligament and tendons showed that they were interrupted and retracted, fiber structure disappeared and was filled with liquid, and edema in the surrounding soft tissue.Conclusion:High resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the forefoot can demonstrate the anatomy and features of ligament and tendon injuries in forefoot accurately, which has clinical application value for the early diagnosis and accurate treatment of the injury.

Objective: To study the MRI manifestations of foot injuries in amateur marathoners and the diagnostic value of MRI for foot injuries. Methods: Forty-eight amateur marathoners were prospectively recruited from October 2018 to March 2019. Participants were grouped according to the FASS criteria. All participants underwent bilateral foot MRI examinations. The MRI features of foot in amateur marathoners with and without foot pain were analyzed.The association with gender, age, time to participate in marathon, amount of running per week, number of times to complete the whole marathon and the symptoms of foot pain was studied. Results: There were 28 sides in FASS in grade 0, including 8 males and 20 females, 8 hydrocele of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, 6 edema of bone marrow, 4 edema of soft tissue, 4 hydrocele of tendon sheath, and 6 without abnormal manifestations of MRI. There were 68 sides in FASS grade 1, including 42 males and 26 females, 38 Achilles tendinitis, 14 plantar fasciitis, 12 Achilles tendon bursitis and 4 posterior ankle impingement syndrome. The incidence of foot pain in amateur marathoners was related to gender (OR=1.060, P=0.043), unrelated to age (OR=0.248, P=0.078), number of marathons completed (OR=1.006, P=0.956), time to participate in marathon (OR=1.008, P=0.944), amount of running per week (OR=0.971, P=0.407). Conclusion Among amateur marathon runners, the foot pain is mainly caused by Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, while those without foot pain are mainly characterized by joint effusion, tendon sheath effusion and bone marrow edema. Gender is the only factor affecting the incidence of foot pain in amateur marathoners. MRI examination is an effective method to determine foot injury and has important clinical application value in the diagnosis and treatment of foot injury.

Objective To study the MRI manifestations of foot injuries in amateur marathoners and the diagnostic value of MRI for foot injuries. Methods Forty?eight amateur marathoners were prospectively recruited from October 2018 to March 2019. Participants were grouped according to the FASS criteria. All participants underwent bilateral foot MRI examinations. The MRI features of foot in amateur marathoners with and without foot pain were analyzed.The association with gender, age, time to participate in marathon, amount of running per week, number of times to complete the whole marathon and the symptoms of foot pain was studied. Results There were 28 sides in FASS in grade 0, including 8 males and 20 females, 8 hydrocele of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, 6 edema of bone marrow, 4 edema of soft tissue, 4 hydrocele of tendon sheath, and 6 without abnormal manifestations of MRI. There were 68 sides in FASS grade 1, including 42 males and 26 females, 38 Achilles tendinitis, 14 plantar fasciitis, 12 Achilles tendon bursitis and 4 posterior ankle impingement syndrome. The incidence of foot pain in amateur marathoners was related to gender(OR=1.060, P=0.043), unrelated to age(OR=0.248, P=0.078), number of marathons completed(OR=1.006, P=0.956), time to participate in marathon(OR=1.008,P=0.944), amount of running per week (OR=0.971,P=0.407). Conclusion Among amateur marathon runners, the foot pain is mainly caused by Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, while those without foot pain are mainly characterized by joint effusion, tendon sheath effusion and bone marrow edema. Gender is the only factor affecting the incidence of foot pain in amateur marathoners. MRI examination is an effective method to determine foot injury and has important clinical application value in the diagnosis and treatment of foot injury.

Objective To investigate the current status of hardiness and quality of life (QoL) among patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and analyze the correlation between hardiness and QoL.Methods By convenience sampling,243 patients with PD were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Dalian during February 2017 and May 2017.General Scale,Hardiness Scale for Chinese Adults and Parkinson disease Questionnaire-39 item Version (PDQ39) were employed to measure hardiness and QoL among patients with PD.Results The hardiness score was (1.96±0.66) and the PDQ39 score was (35.46±20.38).The hardiness score was negatively correlated with PDQ39 score (r=-0.434,P＜0.01).Conclusion Patients with PD have a low level of hardiness and QoL.The higher the level of hardiness,the better the QoL.

Parkinson disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease with motor and non-motor symptoms that seriously affect the quality of life and social function of patients. The current non-invasive techniques in PD brain function studies mainly include functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography, which made it difficult to assess brain function under motor state or magnetoelectric treatment. As an emerging functional neuroimaging technique, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can monitor the real movement-related cortical responses of PD patients in real time, providing a safe and non-invasive method with high ecological validity for direct monitoring of brain activity. This article presented a review of recent advances in the application of fNIRS technology in PD research, intending to provide new ideas for functional neuroimaging studies in PD. The results suggested that PD gait and balance deficits were closely associated with abnormal activation of the cerebral cortex, particularly the prefrontal cortex, involving a compensatory strategy of cortical cognitive resources for basal ganglia dysfunction. Drugs, deep brain stimulation, and other interventions could be applied to fNIRS techniques to evaluate neurorehabilitation effects and reveal the neural basis of intervention effects. This area of research is currently in its infancy, but the evidence provided supports for the translation of fNIRS into clinical practice. Future research should develop multimodal imaging techniques and in-depth studies of broad areas of the cerebral cortex to obtain more valuable findings for clinical practice.

Deep brain stimulation(DBS)has become an established technique for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson disease(PD).This technique significantly improves the clinical symptoms of PD patients by directly stimulating specific basal ganglia nuclei with implanted electrodes,but its physiological mechanism of action remains unclear.The control mechanisms of eye movement involve the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia,which are extensively overlapped with the targeted network of DBS,but there are relatively few studies on the combined analysis of DBS and eye movement.This article explores the interaction mechanism between DBS and eye movement control to deeply understand the influence of DBS on eye movement function,which is of great significance for optimizing stimulation parameters and improving therapeutic effect.In addition,these studies provide new perspectives for revealing the mechanism of action of DBS and the pathophysiology of PD.

Objective:To analyze the MRI findings of tendinopathy of the common extensor tendon (CET) and common flexor tendon (CFT) and to explore its application for injury classification.Methods:Sixty-two patients with elbow tendinopathy of CET and/or CFT who were examined in the Radiology Department of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from August 2019 to April 2022 were enrolled as the case group, and 20 healthy subjects (40 elbows) were recruited as the control group. The clinical data of patients and MRI findings of elbow joint of all subjects were reviewed. The MRI of tendinopathy of CFT and CET were read by 2 senior radiologists independently, and the consistency was tested by the κ test. The MRI manifestations for injury classification were discussed. Results:The κ values of CFT, CET, medial collateral ligament complex and lateral collateral ligament complex were 0.645, 0.657, 0.615 and 0.653 respectively. MRI clearly showed the anatomical structure of CFT, CET and surrounding soft tissue. The CFT and CET of the elbow of 20 normal volunteers (40 sides) in the control group showed thin line or banded low signal in each MRI sequence, and the muscle fibers were continuous. In 27 patients with classification Ⅰ injury of CFT and/or CET of elbow joint, MRI showed thickening or thinning of tendons and increased signal intensity on fat suppression T2-weighted imaging. In 27 cases of classification Ⅱ injury, MRI showed that the fluid signal involved 20% to 80% of the tendon thickness. In 8 cases of classification Ⅲ injury, MRI showed that the fluid signal involved more than 80% of the tendon thickness. Conclusions:Tendinopathy of CFT and CET of elbow joint has its characteristic MRI manifestations, indicating that MRI can be used for the diagnosis of tendinopathy. In addition, MRI can also be used for the injury classification.