Objective To evaluate the utility of diffusion-weighted MRI(DWI)and the correlation between the abnormalities in DWI and the clinical factors in patients with transient ischemic attack of the brain(TIA).Method Clinical,conventional MRI,and DWI data were collected on 59 consecutive patients with TIA between March and July 2006 within 7 days of the onset of TIA symptoms.The relationship between DWI-detected findings and patients' clinical manifestations was then analyzed.Results DWI-detected abnormalities were displayed in 22 of 59 cases(37%,positive group).Prolonged TIA duration(TIA duration≥30 minutes),repeated episodes,motor deficits,aphasia,history of either stroke or TIA,diabetes mellitus,and atrial fibrillation were observed more frequently in the positive group than in the negative group.In 9 of 22 cases,the identified lesions were not detected by conventional MRI(T2-weighted imaging or fluid-attenuated inversion recovery).In other 13 cases,abnormalities were present on both DWI and conventional MRI.Conclusions In TIA patients,prolonged TIA duration(TIA duration≥30 minutes),repeated episodes,motor deficits,aphasia,history of either stroke or TIA,diabetes mellitus,and atrial fibrillation were significantly correlated with detectable abnormalities on DWI.

Objective To investigate the polarization of Th1/Th2/Th3cell function of dermatomyositis/polymyositis(DM/PM).Methods The culture supernatant levels of IL-4,IFN-?,TGF-?1that were produced by the peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)were detected by Sandwich ELISA in23DM/PM patients(DM18,PM5)and17healthy subjects.Results The level of IFN-?(168.17?218.35ng/mL)produced by PBMC from the patients of DM/PM was significantly lower than that from normal controls(380.61?299.13ng/mL)(P0.05),and normal controls(231.64?83.92)(P

Objective:To observe the effect of reward alteration following acupuncture for morphine withdrawal rats on the behavior and neuronal discharges in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Methods:The Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly allocated into a model group, a confinement group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group, and a control group. Rats with morphine addiction were made by intraperitoneal injection of naloxone (same dose injection of saline for rats in the control group), followed by a 2-week morphine withdrawal. Acupuncture and confinement were completed during the morphine withdrawal period. Upon withdrawal, the rats received conditioned place preference (CPP) training and open field test. The multi-channel neural signal processor was used in the electrophysiological experiment to measure the neuronal discharges in different subareas of prefrontal cortex in CPP box and aversion box. Results:Rats in the model group and the confinement group spent longer period of time in CPP box than those in the EA group and the control group (allP<0.01); there was no statistically significant difference between the EA group and the control group. The total distances of movement by rats in the model group and the confinement group were longer than those in the EA group and the control group (allP<0.01). The mPFC neuronal discharge frequencies were compared between morphine preference box and aversion box. The mPFC neuronal discharge frequencies in the model group and the confinement group were higher than those in the EA group and the control group (allP<0.05); there was no statistically significant difference between the EA group and the control group. Conclusion:Acupuncture can effectively interfere with the reward alteration following morphine withdrawal, possibly because of its involvement with the mPFC neuronal discharges.

Objective To explore the dynamic changes of diffusion tensor imaging(DTI) in spinal cord of goats with persistent compression injury. Methods Eighteen goats weighted 20--25 kg were divided into three groups with completely random design: A, B and C. A balloon catheter was inserted into the epidural space at C3-4 level via intervertabral foramen for each goat. The balloon was inflated by injection of variable volumes of saline in group A and B 10 days following operation. The volume of saline was 0. 3 ml in group A and 0. 2 ml in group B,respectively. The compression sustained for 40 days. Group C served as uncompressed control without injection of saline. The locomotor rating score was applied to each group. Conventional MRI and DTI were performed. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)and fractional anisotropy (FA) values were measured. Histopathological assessments of the compressed spinal cord were performed 50 days following operation with light microscope and transmission electron microscopy. Results Before operation, the locomotor rating score was 5, the ADC value was ( 1.23 ± 0. 05 ) × 10-3 mm2/s and the FA value was (0. 72 ± 0. 05 ) each group. Of six goats in Group A, the locomotor rating score severely decreased and reached( 1.5±0. 4)on the 40 th day after compression. The ADC value at compression site decreased soon and reached the minimum (0. 75±0. 04) × 10-3mm2/s on the 5 th day after compression. Then the ADC value increased gradually, restored normal on the 10 th day or so, then became markedly higher than normal and reached( 1.61±0. 05) × 10-3mm2/s on the 40 th day. The FA value at compression site decreased soon, reached(0. 54±0. 04)on the 1st day, then decreased gradually and reached(0. 43 ± 0.05) on the 40 th day. It appeared high signal intensity on T2WI on the 10 th day. In Group B, the locomotor rating score was moderately decreased and reached(3.4±0. 5 )on the 40 th day. The ADC value at compression site decreased slightly firstly, reached( 1.08±0. 04) × 10-3mm2/s on the 1st day, restored normal on the 20 th day or so, then increased gradually, became higher than normal and reached ( 1.27 ± 0. 05) × 10-3mm2/s on the 40 th day. The FA value increased slightly firstly, reached (0. 78±0. 05 )on the 1st day, then decreased gradually, restored normal on the 15 th day or so, became lower than normal and reached(0. 67±0. 05) on the 40 th day. There was no abnormality on conventional MRI. In Group C, the locomotor rating score, ADC value and FA value remained unchanged. There was no abnormality on conventional MRI. There were dynamic changes over time of the ADC value and FA value in Group A and B, which was more marked in Group A than that in Group B ( repeated measurements analysis of variance, F=426. 7 for the ADC value and F =7895.2 for the FA value, P < 0. 01 ). Histopathologically, swelling and degeneration of axons and neurons as well as the disarrangement of myelin sheathes could be seen. The pathological changes were more marked in Group A than in Group B. In Group C, no abnormality could be seen. Conclusion There are dynamic changes of DTI in cervical spinal cord with compressive injury that correlated with the degree and duration of compression. The ADC value decreased firstly, restored normal and then increased. The FA value increased firstly, restored normal and then decreased in mild compression while solely decreased in serious compression.

Objective Through the establishment of adjacent cabin blast injury model of Beagle dog,to investigate the pathophysiological changes in the experimental animals in this scenario,then speculate on the mechanisms of injury.Methods Several adjacent cabins were built in the same size with the real warship.Seven Beagle dogs were subjected to injuries from the explosion,from whom one was selected randomly to implant intracranial pressure transducers before blast,the others were tested on the pathophysiological changes after blast.The dogs were mounted on the platform of a cabinet in the adjacent cabin,subjected to injury from 650g bare TNT explosive blast.The transducers recorded the value of space and intracranial shock wave pressure.Following blast treatment,the serum levels of IL-6,IL-8,neuron specific enolase (NSE),brain and chest CT and pathological changes of the brain tissue were observed.Results Serum levels of IL-6,IL-8 and NSE were elevated to varying degrees after blast.All of them increased significantly at different time points after blast (P＜0.05).Brain and chest CT examinations did not show any significant positive results.Pathological results showed that there was a little necrosis in the brain,some neurons had karyopycnosis,karyolysis or disappearance of the nucleoli,and the cell boundaries were blurred.The blast wave was blocked greatly by the scalp and skull (about 90％),but could still penetrate them and cause brain injuries.Conclusions Explosion in the adjacent cabin causes mainly mild traumatic brain injuries.Blast wave can be blocked by the scalp and skull greatly.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF) is an endothelium mitogen and angiogenic factor with strong potential during recovery from cerebral infarction (CI). Can such therapeutic effect be detected with magnetic resonance diffusion imaging?OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic efficacy of VEGF plasmid in treating focal cerebral infarction in a dog experimental model with the aid of diffusion- and hemodynamic-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),with the morphological results compared with those of immunohistochemical examination.DESIGN: Completely randomized controlled, double blind evaluation,analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, follow-up for 2 weeks.SETTING: Department of Medical Iconography, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University.MATERIALS: This study was carried out at the Department of Medical Iconography, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University,between April 2001 and March 2002. Totally 18 healthy adult dogs weighing 10-15 kg were randomly divided into control group and experiment group with half in each.METHODS: All dogs were subjected to femoral intubation and then made into CI model by the occlusion of middle cerebral artery with an embolus injected through the internal carotid artery. Dogs in control group were put to death at postoperative 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks with three at each time point, while four dogs in experiment group were put to death at postoperative 1 week and five at 2 weeks. Dogs in experiment group received microinjection of 0.5 mL fluid containing pcD2/hVEGF121 (500-600 μg)instantly after operation, which was replaced with physical saline of the same volume at the same time point in control group. Then they were subjected to MRI scanning once an hour for 4 times, with the sequence of T1WI, T2WI, 3D-TOFMRA, DWI and CET1WI, which was repeated at postoperative 24 hours, 3 days, 1 week and 2 weeks. Based on the MR images, pathological focuses were selected for morphological observation of cells with the aid of HE staining, and CD34 IHC staining was used for counting micrangium, as well as VEGF staining for VEGF positive cells.Then the apparent distribution coefficient (ADC) was calculated, and the differences between different time points and groups were analyzed by analysis of variance. The number of capillaries and VEGF positive cells of each high-power field was counted, with the results compared with those of MR scanning so as to explore the correlation between MR signal changes and IHC results.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① The number of capillaries and VEGF positive cells in each high-power field was counted at postoperative 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks; ② MR images of each group.RESULTS: Data of the 18 dogs entered the final analysis. ① Diffusionweighted imaging (DWI) showed higher signals at infarctional region at postoperative 1 hour, which became strengthened as time went by. ②ADC decreased to (5.61 ±1.39) mm2/s at postoperative 3-4 hours, about 43% lower than that of the opposite hemisphere [(9.85±2.04) mm2/s]. It resumed to (9.83±1.11) mm2/s, but was still lower than the normal level.③ The subsequent MR scanning proved that ADC ratio presented an increasing tendency in contrast with the decreasing tendency at super-acute stage. The increment was even more marked in control group and the difference was significant at postoperative 2 weeks (P=0.032, 0.006). ④ The number of capillary positive cells on the affected side in experiment group was significantly higher than that in control group at postoperative 2 weeks [(28.80±3.29)/field, (20.70±4.47)/field, (P ＜ 0.01)]. ⑤ The number of VEGF positive cells on the affected side in experiment group was significantly higher than that in control group at postoperative 1 and 2weeks [(64.20±9.40)/field, (51.90±5.74)/filed; (72.70±6.98)/filed,(58.40±6.35)/field, (P ＜ 0.01)].⑥ The results of MR scanning and IHC were subjected to correlation analysis and revealed that ADC ratio was closely correlated with the number of capillary positive cells, with Pearson correlation coefficient being 0.679 (P ＜ 0.01). Moreover, the number of capillaries and the number of VEGF positive cells were significantly correlated (r=0.668, P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION:Morphological observation and IHC revealed that both the local capillaries and VEGF protein content increased markedly in timedependant manner due to VEGF plasmid gene therapy.Meanwhile,the change of ADC ratio was found to be closely correlated with the number of VEGF positive cells and the number of capillaries.

Objective To understand the prevalence of senile dementia in the elderly aged ≥ 60 years in China between 2000 and 2015.Methods Publications between 2000 and 2015 were retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI),Wanfang Databases,Chinese Science and Technology Journal Databases (VIP) and PubMed.Observational studies on prevalence of senile dementia were included.Meta-analysis was carried out by using R software.Results A total of 25 papers were included in this study.The total number of participants investigated was 76 980,with 4 295 dementia cases identified.The prevalence of senile dementia in the elderly was 5.15％ (95％CI:4.21％-6.09％);Subgroup analysis showed that the women had a higher prevalence (6.08％) than the men (4.10％);and the prevalence was significant increased with age (The senile dementia prevalence was 1.01％ in age groups 60-64 years,but 23.60％ in age group ≥85 years).The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (3.56％) was higher than that of cerebral vascular dementia (1.11％).The senile dementia prevalence in the illiterate was 8.74％,higher than 3.17％ in the literate.The prevalence of senile dementia in the unmarried was 6.83％,higher than that in the married (3.95％).Conclusion The prevalence of senile dementia was high in the population aged ≥60 years in China.Age,sex,education level and marital status might influence the prevalence of senile dementia.

To observe the morphology and anatomic variations of the circle of Willis and its clinical significance. To measure and establish the normal reference parameters of average diameters of its component vessels in the healthy Chinese by using 3D-TOF MR angiograms and to determine whether age-or sex-related differences exists in the circle' anatomy. MRA was performed in 153 healthy subjects. According to its integrity, Willis'circle was divided into four types: (1) Type I, showing an intact circle. (2) Type II, having a complete anterior circulation but an incomplete posterior circulation. (3) Type III, having an incomplete anterior circulation but a complete posterior circulation. (4) Type IV, having an incomplete anterior and posterior circulation. Based on the development of the components of the circle, each type was subdivided into four subtypes: typical, variable, hypoplastic and mixed. The statistically significant differences were not found in each type or subtypes between the different age and sex groups. Result of 153 cases, Type I, II, III and IV was found in 53 (34.64%), 73 (47.71%), 8 (5.23%), and 19 (12.42%) respectively. The display rate of the anterior and the posterior communicating arteries was 87.58%o (134/153) and 65.34% (100/153) respectively. Display rate of fetaltype posterior cerebral artery(PCA) was 20.92%. 3D-TOF MR angiography has important clinical significance for evaluating morphology and anatomic variations of circle of Willis. The normal values of diameter of cerebral arteries on MR angiograms may play a reference role in diagnosing cerebral vascular diseases.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anthropometry ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Circle of Willis ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of mini-hook locking plate fixation for the treatment of avulsion intra-articular fractures of the metacarpophalangeal joint.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 13 patients with avulsion intra-articular fractures of the metacarpophalangeal joint admitted to Beijing Luhe Hospital of Capital Medical University from June 2016 to December 2017. There were nine males and four females, aged 22-61 years [(46.0±1.3)years]. All patients had closed fracture. According to Pechlaner classification, there were 5 patients with Grade A1 and 8 patients with Grade B1. All fractures were treated with open reduction and mini-hook locking plate internal fixation. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, internal fixation position and bone healing time were recorded. The target joint range of motion (ROM) and grip strength were compared with the contralateral side two months after operation. Hand function was evaluated by total active motion (ATM). Visual analogue scale (VAS) was evaluated before operation two months after operation. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded.Results:All the patients were followed up for 9-19 months [(11.3±1.1)months]. The operation lasted for 20-30 minutes [(25.5±1.3)minutes], with blood loss of 5-10 ml [(5.5±1.3)ml]. After operation, anatomical reduction was achieved in all patients and position of implant placement was suitable. Bone healing time was 4-8 weeks [(4.7±0.3)weeks] for all fractures. There were no significant differences in the target joint ROM compared with the contralateral side two months after operation ( P>0.05). ATM was excellent in 11 patients and good in 2, with excellent rate of 100%. VAS was significantly decreased from preoperative (5.9±1.1)points to (0.5±0.1)points two months after operation ( P<0.05). No internal fixation failure or wound infection occurred after operation. Conclusion:For avulsion intra-articular fractures of the metacarpophalangeal joint, mini-hook locking plate internal fixation has advantages of shortened operation time, rigid internal fixation after anatomical reduction, shortened bone healing time, fast recovery of hand function, obvious pain relief and few complications, which provides a treatment alternative for clinics.

Objective:To investigate the early changes of serum biomarkers in rats with mild blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) in cabin.Methods:Explosion source in the simulated cabin was detonated by initiator. The bTBI rat models caused by explosion shock wave in cabin were established. A total of 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal control group ( n=6) and bTBI group ( n=18), according to the random number table. Rats in bTBI group were subdivided at 3, 24, and 72 h post-blast, with 6 rats at each time point. Shock wave pressure at the rat head was measured during the explosion. At 3, 24, and 72 h post-blast, the general condition of rats was observed. Rat blood was collected by cardiac puncture. Then brains were taken completely and quickly for pathological observation. HE staining was used to observe the changes of neurons in hippocampal CA1 area. The collected serum was tested for levels of biomarkers, including interleukin- 6 (IL-6), neuron specific enolase(NSE), S100-β, alpha Ⅱ-spectrin breakdown product-145 (SBDP-145) and Tau. Results:The maximum peak value of the shock wave pressure curve at the rat head was (818.2±33.3)kPa, and the duration was about 1 000 μs. After the explosion, the activity of the rats decreased significantly, the hair was dull, and the appetite decreased. General observation showed that the brain tissue was obviously swollen, the blood vessels on the brain surface were thickened, and there was a little patchy bleeding, but no obvious brain contusion was seen. HE staining showed that some neurons in the hippocampus CA1 area had apoptosis or necrosis. At 3, 24, and 72 hours post-blast, the levels of IL-6 were (155.3±10.7)pg/ml, (171.3±25.3)pg/ml and (155.6±18.2)pg/ml, all of which were significantly higher than that in normal control group [(116.3±7.3)pg/ml]( P<0.05); the levels of NSE were (12.0±1.0)ng/ml, (11.0±1.0)ng/ml and (11.0±1.2)ng/ml, all of which were significantly higher than that in normal control group [(8.1±0.5)ng/ml]( P<0.05); the levels of S100-β were (71.9±10.7)pg/ml, (58.0±11.5)pg/ml and (56.5±12.2)pg/ml, all of which were significantly higher than that in normal control group [(35.2±2.5)pg/ml] ( P<0.05); the levels of SBDP-145 were (29.4±2.8)ng/ml, (24.5±4.8)ng/ml and (20.7±2.1)ng/ml, and only the level at 3 h post-blast was significantly higher than that in normal control group [(20.9±1.2)ng/ml]( P<0.05); the levels of Tau were (141.4±11.7)pg/ml, (189.5±28.2)pg/ml and (179.1±32.5)pg/ml, all of which were significantly higher than that in normal control group [(97.8±5.9)pg/ml]( P<0.05). Conclusion:The serum levels of IL-6, NSE, S100-β, SBDP-145 and Tau in mild bTBI rats increase in various degrees at early time, which provides a theoretical basis for use of serum markers in the early diagnosis of mild bTBI.