Voxel based morphometry (VBM) methods are used to detect the difference in brain structures between the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers and the normal controls. Standard VBM method can detect the difference of the gray matter or white matter densities while the optimized VBM method can detect the difference of gray matter or white matter volumes in the whole brain. The experiments showed that for the patient group, gray matter density or volumes significantly increased in the right frontal lobe, middle frontal gyrus, vermis, left caudate and parietal lobe, compared with the normal controls. However, in the left frontal lobe and middle frontal gyrus, gray matter density significantly decreased. There is no significant difference in white matter between the two groups. These results are consistent with those of the fMRI, which not only provide the evidence for further study of the pathogeny in PTSD but also validate the efficiency of the VBM methods for detecting the difference in the whole brain structure.
Adult ; Brain ; pathology ; Female ; Frontal Lobe ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Parietal Lobe ; pathology ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; pathology

Objective To examine the incidence ,clinical characteristics ,and risk factors for falls within two years after stroke in elderly patients. Methods A total of 365 elderly stroke patients from the Department of Neurology at the 8th Nanning People's Hospital were recruited from June 1 , 2013 to December 31 ,2014. They were divided into a fall group and a non-fall group and were followed up for two years. The incidence and clinic characteristics of falls were analyzed. The risk factors for falls were analyzed by multiple Logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 365 stroke patients included in this study ,falls were observed in 146(40.2％ )patients. The interval between the stroke and the first fall :72(49.3％ )patients had the first fall within 3 months;22(15.1％ )occurred between 4 and 6 months;20 (13.7％ )between 7 and 12 months ;17 (11.6％ )between 13 and 18 months ;and 15 (10.3％ )between 19 and 24 months.A hundred and five(71.9％ )patients fell during daytime and 41 (28.1％ )patients during night.Eighteen(12.3％ )patients had one fall ;65(44.5％ )patients fell 2 to 4 times ;60(41.1％ )patients fell 5 to 10 times ;and 3(2.1％ )patients fell over 10 times.A total of 709 falls were observed.Places of falls :102(69.9％ )falls happened indoors and 44(30.1％ )falls occurred outdoors.Circumstances of falls :27 (18.5％ )patients fell when turning over ;23 (15.8％ )fell when rising from a seating position ;4(2.7％ )patients fell when showering ;15(10.3％ )patients fell while standing ;9(6.8％ )fell when turning around ;56(38.3％ )fell while walking ;and 12(8.2％ )fell while climbing the stairs or running.The severity of falls :52(35.6％ )patients had no injury ;78(53.2％ ) suffered soft tissue injury ;16 (11.0％ )had fractures ;and 78 (53.2％ )had fear of falling.Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that age(OR=2.41 ;95％ CI :1.69-3.05) ,history of falls(OR =2.85 ;95％ CI :1.46-3.81) ,history of stroke(OR=1.87 ;95％ CI :1.12-2.79) ,right hemiplegia(OR=2.37 ;95％ CI :1.62-4.59) ,left hemiplegia(OR= 2.47 ;95％ CI :1.46-4.78) ,paraplegia(OR= 2.55 ;95％ CI :1.57-4.98) ,visual impairment(OR=2.35 ;95％ CI :1.35-6.62) ,apraxia(OR=2.53 ;95％ CI :1.42-5.63) ,unilateral spatial neglect (OR=3.34 ;95％ CI :2.82-6.34) ,use of psychotropic medications (OR= 1.76 ;95％ CI :1.11-1.98) ,impaired physical mobility (OR = 1.58 ;95％ CI :1.82-2.91) ,low MMSE scale(OR = 3.42 ;95％ CI :1.38-7.41) ,low Barthel Index score(OR = 2.83 ;95％ CI :0.97-4.68) ,BBS scale<45(OR=2.48 ;95％ CI :1.27-4.18) ,TUG>15seconds(OR=3.56 ;95％ CI :1.91-5.23) ,and lack of rehabilitation therapy (OR=3.42 ;95％ CI :1.38-7.41)were independent predictors for falls(all P<0.05). Conclusions Falls are common among elderly patients within two years after stroke.Most falls happen indoors ,during daytime and while moving.Age ,history of falls ,history of stroke ,hemiplegia ,visual impairment ,apraxia ,unilateral spatial neglect ,use of psychotropic medications ,walk with a walker ,low MMSE scale ,low Barthel Index score ,BBS scale<45 ,TUG>15 seconds ,and lack of rehabilitation therapy are independent risk factors for falls after stroke.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of levo-thyroxine ( L-T 4) gel on hypothyroidism in rat model. Methods:A total of 30 Wistar rats (15 males, 15 females, 2-month age) were completely randomized into 6 groups ( n=5 per group) with one group as the normal control and the other 5 groups were established as the hypothyroidism models by intraperitoneal injection of 18.5 MBq 131I. Of the 5 hypothyroidism groups, 3 groups were given 0.2 g (high-dose group), 0.1 g (medium-dose group) and 0.05 g (low-dose group) L-T 4 gel per 100 g body mass on alternate days, respectively, one group was given 0.1 g blank gel per 100 g body mass daily and the other group was given 5 μg levo-thyroxine sodium tablets (Euthyrox) per 100 g body mass daily. The levels of total thyroxine (TT 4), free triiodothyronine (FT 3), free thyroxine (FT 4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay and chemiluminescence immunoassay at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after administration, respectively. One-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni test were used for data analysis. Results:At 2 weeks after administration, compared with the normal control group, TT 4, FT 4 decreased and TSH increased in the oral Euthyrox group (TT 4: (65.04±8.20) vs (40.34±1.41) nmol/L, FT 4: (29.63±4.03) vs (18.03±2.76) pmol/L, TSH: (6.04±0.80) vs (10.07±1.01) mU/L; F values: 60.081-108.128, t values: from -4.44 to 4.86, all P<0.05). However, TT 4 ((67.88±14.27) nmol/L), FT 3 ((4.04±0.84) vs (4.45±0.34) pmol/L), FT 4 ((33.76±7.71) pmol/L) and TSH ((8.20±0.40) mU/L) in the L-T 4 gel low-dose group showed no significant differences with the normal control group ( t values: 0.44-2.61, all P>0.05). At 4 weeks after administration, there were no significant differences of TT 4, FT 3, FT 4 and TSH between the L-T 4 gel low-dose group/the oral Euthyrox group and the normal control group ( F values: 34.527-90.976, t values: from -0.95 to 0.35, all P>0.05). The differences of TT 4, FT 3, FT 4 and TSH were not significant between the L-T 4 gel low-dose group and the oral Euthyrox group ( t values: from -0.71 to 1.03, all P>0.05), which was still not significantly different at 8 weeks ( F values: 47.239-160.679, t values: from -0.58 to 1.02, all P>0.05). Conclusions:L-T 4 gel has obvious therapeutic effect on hypothyroidism in rats. Its effect is fast and stable, and its therapeutic effect is better than L-T 4 sodium tablets (Euthyrox).

Objective:To investigate the incidence, clinical characteristics and risk factors for hip fractures in patients within two years after stroke onset.Methods:A total of 332 persons with first-onset stroke from the neurology department of our hospital between 1 June 2013 and 31 December 2014 were recruited and were divided into the hip fracture group and the non-hip fracture group.Clinical characteristics were recorded.Vision was tested as normal or impaired.Patients were accessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS), Behavioral Inattention Test, Baking Tray Task, Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE), Birgitta Lindmark(BL)motor assessment scale, Berg Balance Scale(BBS), Timed Up & Go(TUG)Scale, and Stops Walking When Talking(SWWT)Scale.The clinic characteristics and risk factors for hip fractures were compared between the two groups after a 2-year follow-up.The accuracy of risk factors for fracture prediction was assessed by the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values.Results:Of 332 patients with stroke, 16 cases fractured their hips within two years after stroke onset, which corresponded to an incidence of 33‰/year(95% CI: 15‰/year-50‰/year). The 2-year mortality rate was 44%(95% CI: 25%-60%)and 48%(95% CI: 42%-54%)in patients with and without hip fractures respectively( χ2=0.036, P=0.724). The mean survival time for patients with and without hip fracture was 2.72 years(95% CI: 1.45-2.79)and 2.21 years(95% CI: 1.48-2.34)respectively.The proportions of patients with previous fractures history( χ2=16.780, P=0.041)and impaired vision( χ2=11.210, P=0.027), MMSE scale score( U=14.220, P=0.031), TUG ≥ 15 s( χ2=18.560, P=0.000)were higher, and SWWT( χ2=20.340, P=0.000)was lower in the hip fracture group than in the non-hip fracture group.The negative predictive values of previous fractures history, impaired vision, TUG and SWWT were higher than their positive predictive value.The specificities of previous fractures history, impaired vision, and SWWT were higher than their sensitivities.And the sensitivity of TUG was higher than its specificity. Conclusions:Hip fractures after stroke are common in elderly patients.Fractures often occur during daytime at home in daily activities.The previous fractures history, visual and cognitive dysfunction and impaired functional mobility are risk factors for hip fractures.We should take measures to prevent falls according to the relevant factors.Among the test scales, the timed up & go(TUG)scale could much more accurately identify patients at high risk for hip fractures.