Objective To explore the effect of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT)scan parameters and imaging post-processing methods on metallic artifacts,so as to achieve the perfection in reduction of artifacts caused by metallic implants.Methods Water phantom with titanium alloy steel plate was scanned under MDCT with alternating scan parameters including tube voltage, tube current,pitch and focal spot.The areas of image artifacts were measured and correlated with the scan parameters.Another 1 5 postoperative patients with vertebral implantation scaned with the conventional scan parameters were also included in the study.Ima-ging post-processing including multi-planar reconstruction (MPR),window width and level adjustment,and volume rendering tech-nique (VRT)was performed by using optimized and conventional methods,respectively,and then the image quality was evaluated. Results The areas of image artifacts under the differnt tube voltage,pitch,and focal spot were statistically different.With the in-crease of the tube voltage or the decrease of the pitch,the area of image artifacts decreased gradually.The area of image artifacts scanned with the small focal spot was smaller than the large one.There was no significant difference for the area of image artifacts scanned with the different tube currents.The metallic artifacts decreased by using the soft tissue algorithm (Kernel B40f)in the bone window reconstruction,wide windows (2 000 HU window width,600 HU window level)in observing,and VRT.Conclusion Selection of appropriate MDCT scan parameters and imaging post-processing methods can reduce the metal artifacts,improve the image quality and diagnosis.

Objective To establish an UPLC method for determination of Triptolide in serum and explore its pharmacokinetics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis after oral administration of tripterygium glycosides tablet. Methods Three patients with rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled. Using Estazolam as internal standard, serum was extracted with acetic ether, and determination was performed on column of Waters Acquity C18 (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm) with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1% glacial acetic acid (30∶70) at the flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The column temperature was 30 ℃, and the detection wavelength was set at 220 nm. The serum concentration of Triptolide was processed by DAS 2.1.1 computer program. Results Triptolide was well-separated from internal standard, and the retention time were about 4.9 min and 8.9 min, respectively. Linear range of Triptolide was 13.13-840.00 ng/mL. RSD of intra-day and inter-day were lower than 15%and the recoveries were 88.25%-99.33%. Pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows:Cmax was (159.97±42.43) ng/mL, Tmax was (1.33±0.58) h, T1/2βwas (7.51±2.26) h, and AUC0-12 h was (1131.12±89.20) mg?h/L, respectively. Conclusion Pharmacokinetics of Triptolide conformed to two compartment model. Triptolide can be quickly absorbed, and exists differences among individuals.

Objective To study the related factors of intradiscal injection of collagenase. Methods One hundred and sixty eight patients with lumbar disc herniation were injected with collagenase(600U) under X ray monitoring. Assessment of efficacy of the treatment was made in 1 week, 3 months and 1 year follow up. The parameters such as the size, the type and the number of herniated disc were studied. The effect of stenosis was also analyzed. Results The overall success rate after 1 week, 3 months and 1 year following the therapy was 22.62%, 89.29% and 92.26% , respectively. Seven patients were treated with surgical operation during the follow up, 1 developed cauda equina syndromes at the third day after the injection. It was found that the size of herniation did not affect the efficacy of the treatment. The protruded disc got better result than bulge disc after 1 week following the chemonucleolysis ( P

Objective To synthesize a component with higher activities of regulating plant growth.Methods On the basis of bioisosterism principles and by the method of substructure link,we modified the parent structure of 1,3,4-thiodiazole and synthesized a new kind of thiadiazole Schiff base.The structure of the new thiadiazole Schiff base was confirmed by infrared spectrum,nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrum(1HNMR) and elemental analysis.Results The target compound had the activities of regulating plant growth.Conclusion The target compound is worth of development.

Objective To observe the lumbosacral plexus nerves by diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) and quantitatively evaluate them by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in healthy volunteers.Methods A total of 60 healthy volunteers (30 males and 30 females) underwent DTI scanning.Mean FA values of the lumbosacral plexus nerves (both sides of lumbar roots L3 to S1,proximal and distal to the lumbar foraminal zone) were quantified.Differences among various segments of lumbar nerve roots were compared with ANOVA test and SNK test.Differences between two sides of the lumbar nerve roots at the same lumbar segment were compared with paired-samples t test.Differences between the proximal and the distal nerve to the the lumbar foraminal zone at the same lumbar segment were compared with paired-samples t test.The lumbosacral plexus nerve was visualized with tractography.Results (1) The lumbosacral plexus nerve was clearly visualized with tractography.(2) Mean FA values of the lumbar nerve roots L3 to S1 were as followings:proximal to the left lumbar foraminal zone 0.202 ± 0.021,0.201 ± 0.026,0.201 ± 0.027,0.191 ±0.016,distal to the left lumbar foraminal zone 0.222 ± 0.034,0.250 ± 0.028,0.203 ± 0.026,0.183 ± 0.020,proximal to the right lumbar foraminal zone 0.200 ± 0.023,0.202 ± 0.023,0.205 ± 0.027,0.191 ±0.017,distal to the right lumbar foraminal zone 0.225 ±0.032,0.247 ±0.027,0.205 ± 0.033,0.183 ±0.021.Mean FA values were significantly different between the proximal nerve to the distal nerve in lumbar nerve roots L3,L4,S1 (t =-9.114-2.366,P ＜ 0.05),but not significantly different in L5 (P ＞ 0.05).Differences were not found between the right and left side nerves at the same lumbar segment (P ＞ 0.05).(3) The whole length of the lumbar roots nerve L3 to S1 can be visualized clearly by using DTT.Conclusions Diffusion tensor imaging and tractography can show and provide quantitative information of human lumbosacral plexus nerves.DTI is a potential tool for the diagnosis of lumbosacral plexus nerve disease.

Objective To explore the characteristics of selective attention function in patients with silent cerebral in-farction (SCI) and depression, the relationship between depression, selective attention and cognitive dysfunction. Methods Eighty-two patients with SCI and 82 normal subjects were selected and evaluated by using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and Stroop color-word test (CWT). Patients with SCI were further classified into depression subgroup and no-depression subgroup based on the score of HAMD. Results The score of MoCA was lower in SCI group (23.11 ± 5.41) and was much lower in depression subgroup (20.31 ± 5.44) compared with control group (28.70 ± 2.18) (all P<0.01). Compared with control group, the reaction times of card A, B, C and Stroop interference effects (SIE) were prolonged in SCI group. The reaction time of card A, B, C and SIE were (33.25±14.10);(42.45±15.18);(104.68 ± 25.08) and (62.24 ± 21.53) in depression subgroup, respectively. The error counts of card B, C and SIE were in-creased (P<0.05) in SCI group. The error counts of card B,C and SIE were (3.59±2.14), (15.67±7.20) and (12.08±6.46) in depression subgroup, respectively. The scores of MoCA were negatively correlated with the reaction time and error counts of SIE (r=-0.429,r=-0.500,all P<0.01).The location of infarction was correlated with the score of HAMD and error counts of SIE to some degree: both of the scores were higher in patients with left infarction compared with right infarction and were higher in patients with cortex infarction compared with subcortex infarction. Conclusion The present study revealed that patients with SCI and depression have selective attention deficit which is closely correlated with the level of cognitive function.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as a common systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease, affects approximately 1 in 100 individuals. Effective treatment for RA is not yet available because current research does not have a clear understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of RA. Xinfeng Capsule, a patent Chinese herbal medicine, has been used in the treatment of RA in recent years. Despite its reported clinical efficacy, there are no large-sample, multicenter, randomized trials that support the use of Xinfeng Capsule for RA. Therefore, we designed a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Xinfeng Capsule in the treatment of RA.

Objective To study the significance of No12 lymphadenectomy in patients of advanced distal gastric cancer undergoing D2 distal or total gastrectomy.Methods Clinical and pathological data of 193 distal gastric cancer cases undergoing D2 gastrectomy and No12 lymphadenectomy during Jan 2012 and Jan 2013 were analyzed retrospectively.Results In Borrmann Ⅲ,Ⅳ No.12a LN metastasis was significantly higher than that in Borrmann Ⅰ,Ⅱ (x2 =4.841,P =0.028).In cases of multiple cancer 12a LN metastasis was significantly higher than that in gastric angle,gastric antrum (11.1％ 、9.7％ 、30.4％).High-differentiated cancer was lower in LN metastasis than that of low differentiated both in No.12a group (x2 =4.292,P =0.038),and in No.12b group (x2 =4.079,P =0.043).In cases with serosal invasion LN metastasis was higher than that without infiltration both in No.12a group (x2 =8.107,P =0.004),and in 12b group (x2 =3.836,P =0.050).In cases of N 0 ～ 1 the LN metastasis was lower than that in N 2 ～ 3 in 12a group (x2 =10.960,P=0.001),12b group (x2 =4.989,P =0.026),and in 12p group (x2 =4.433,P =0.035 respectively).In cases of tumor diameter ＜3 cm,3 ～5 cm and ＞5 cm,the 12a lymph node metastasis rate was 4.2％,10.0％,and 29.2％,respectively.Tumor size ＞ 5 cm has higher metastasis rate in No.12a group (x2 =6.464,P =0.011).Conclusions No.12 lymphadenectomy should be included routinely in D2 gastrectomy in patients of distal gastric carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of pulmonary function and Notch signaling pathway of lung tissues in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats, and to investigate the mechanism of reduced lung function. METHODS: A total of 30 rats were randomly divided into a normal group and a model group. Rats in the model group were induced to establish the adjuvant arthritis AA model by intradermally injecting 0.1 mL Freund's complete adjuvant into the right paw. After 30 days, we observed the paw edema volume, arthritis index, pulmonary function, histomorphology, and Notch receptor/ligand of the lung tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the paw edema volume, arthritis index, average expiratory flow within 0.3 s (FEV0.3/FVC), and the level of Notch3, Notch4 and Jagged2 of the lung tissue in the model group was significantly increased, while maximum expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (FEF50), maximum expiratory flow at 75% of vital capacity (FEF75), forced expiratory flow (PEF) and the expression of Notch1 of Jagged1 and Delta1 in the lung were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). There were significant positive correlations between FEV0.3/FVC and Notch4. FEV0.3/FVC, FEF25, FEF50 and Notch3, Delta1 were negatively correlated, respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION While arthritis occurs in AA rats, pulmonary function declines and significantly correlates with the expression of Notch receptor/ligand. The deposition of immune complex in the lung after the injection of CFA activates the Notch signaling pathway, and results in further decline of pulmonary function by signaling cascades.
Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Freund's Adjuvant ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Jagged-1 Protein ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Receptors, Notch ; metabolism ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Serrate-Jagged Proteins ; Signal Transduction ; Vital Capacity

Objective:To establish a composite functional evaluation system to study the clinical efficacy of single plate and double plate internal fixation in the treatment of C3 distal radius fractures in the elderly.Methods:62 elderly patients (≥ 60 years old) with type C3 distal radius fractures who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology from September 2018 to August 2021 were retrospectively selected and divided into two groups according to the surgical methods: bilateral plate internal fixation treatment group (double plate group) and unilateral plate internal fixation treatment group (single plate group); The preoperative anatomical angle, wrist mobility (flexion and extension) and radius shortening of the two groups were recorded. The anatomical angle, wrist mobility (flexion and extension), clinical Gartland-Werley, DASH Score for Upper Limb Function (DASH) , Wrist Joint Cooney Score and clinical healing time at the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months after operation were followed up. A composite evaluation table was established to comprehensively evaluate the postoperative recovery of patients in the two group.Results:There was no significant difference in anatomical indexes of radius between the two groups before operation (all P>0.05). All anatomical angles and wrist range of motion were within the normal range after operation, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups in each anatomical index of radius within 3 and 6 months after operation (all P>0.05). However, the palmar inclination, ulnar deviation, wrist flexion and dorsiflexion mobility of the double plate group were relatively stable at 9 and 12 months after operation, which were better than those of the single plate group (all P<0.05). The palmar inclination and ulnar deviation of the single plate group increased with time. After operation, the radius shortening of the two groups recovered significantly, and the radius length of the double plate group was maintained better than those of the single plate group for 9 and 12 months (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the scores of the two groups within 3 and 6 months after operation (all P>0.05), but the Gartland Werley score, DASH score and Cooney wrist score of the double plate group were significantly better than those of the single plate group at 9 and 12 months after operation (all P<0.05). The clinical healing time of single plate treatment was (14.51±0.88)weeks, the longest was 108 days, while that of double plate treatment was (12.03±1.77)weeks, the longest was 129 days, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the final composite evaluation results ( P>0.05), but the total score of the double plate group was smaller than that of the single plate group, with a difference of 39.67 points, indicating that the double plate group still had certain advantages in various scores. Conclusions:According to the composite evaluation system, both single plate and double plate treatment of C3 distal radius fractures in the elderly can achieve satisfactory results. Double plate fixation of distal radius fractures still has a certain significance in maintaining joint stability and improving joint mobility.