OBJECTIVETo determine densities of mineral drugs and their calcined products by using sealing wax densimetry, and to establish the testing method of crispness for calcined traditional Chinese medicine.

METHODTaking density as detection indicator, the accuracies of mineral drugs and their calcined products were investigated by sealing wax densimetry compared with direct densimetry, and the method of density determination was optimized.

RESULTThe density values measured by two methods investigated above were significantly different (P < 0.01), the density values of Pyritum, Haematitum, calcined Pyritum and calcined Haematitum measured by direct densimetry were increased 1.66%, 9.43%, 96.72% and 9.02%, respectively compared with that measured by sealing wax densimetry.

CONCLUSIONSealing wax densimetry is suitable for the density determination of mineral drugs and their calcined products with its high accuracy, whereas direct densimetry'is not suitable for the density determination of mineral drugs and their calcined products.

Densitometry ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Waxes

We developed a new method for an objective assessment of the meconium content in amniotic fluid. By establishing a standard scale through a serial dilution of a known amount of meconium into the amniotic fluid, we developed a new method 'mecometer 'that can objectively measure the meconium content in meconium-stained amniotic fluid samples. The objectivity and reliability of this mecometer were verified by 300 student volunteers. At least 70% of the volunteers could objectively measure and digitally describe the meconium content in meconium-stained amniotic fluid samples. We believe our newly developed mecometer is a very simple, reliable, and portable method, not requiring any instruments.
Amniotic Fluid/*metabolism ; Densitometry/methods ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Meconium/*metabolism

The in vivo techniques for studying human body composition have built up an important field and are continuing to be developed. This review provides an overview of the present status of this field and describes the in vivo techniques used in mearsuring human body composition such as anthropometry, metabolites method, densitometry, dilution method, total body potassium, neutron activation analysis, bioelectrical impedance analysis, dual energy X ray absorptiometry and imaging method. The review also introduces the principle, method and value of these techniques.
Anthropometry ; methods ; Body Composition ; Densitometry ; methods ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; methods ; Plethysmography, Impedance ; methods ; Whole Body Imaging ; methods

PURPOSE: Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is a relatively rare clinical entity of controversial significance characterized by the existence of hydroxyapatite microliths located in the seminiferous tubules. The aim of this study was to observe the natural course of changes in the calcific density of pediatric TM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included a total of 23 TM patients undergoing scrotal ultrasound (US) on at least two occasions from July 1997 to August 2014. We retrospectively analyzed the patient characteristics, clinical manifestations, specific pathological features, and clinical outcomes. We measured the calcified area and compared the calcific density between the initial and final USs. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 11.3+/-4.6 years, and the follow-up period was 79.1+/-38.8 months (range, 25.4-152.9 months). During the follow-up period, no patients developed testicular cancer. Calcific density on US was increased in the last versus the initial US, but not to a statistically significant degree (3.74%+/-6.0% vs. 3.06%+/-4.38%, respectively, p=0.147). When we defined groups with increased and decreased calcification, we found that diffuse TM was categorized into the increased group to a greater degree than focal TM (10/20 vs. 4/23, respectively, p=0.049). In addition, five of eight cases of cryptorchidism (including two cases of bilateral cryptorchidism) were categorized in the increased calcification group. CONCLUSIONS: Diffuse TM and cryptorchidism tend to increase calcific density. Close observation is therefore recommended for cases of TM combined with cryptorchidism and cases of diffuse TM.
Adolescent ; Calcification, Physiologic ; *Calculi/complications/epidemiology/pathology/physiopathology ; Child ; Cryptorchidism/diagnosis/etiology ; Densitometry/methods ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gonadoblastoma/diagnosis/etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Republic of Korea ; Scrotum/*ultrasonography ; Seminiferous Tubules/*pathology ; *Testicular Diseases/complications/epidemiology/pathology/physiopathology ; *Testicular Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of 64 slice spiral CT (SCT) low-dose chest scanning at full inspiration and full expiration for lung density measurement in assessing the pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Totally 36 COPD patients (the COPD group) underwent pulmonary function tests (PFT) and were essentially verified COPD; 30 healthy people (the control group) were selected whose 64 slice SCT chest scanning was normal. The 2 groups underwent chest 64 slice SCT low-dose scanning at full inspiration and full expiration. After the scanning, the lung was measured by CT Pulmo software. The lung was divided into 3 regions by scanning layers. We measured and calculated the density indexes of each region (including the upper, middle, lower field, and the total lung) of the 2 groups. All density indexes were lung density at full inspiration and full expiration (Din, Dex), density difference (Dex-Din), density ratio (Dex/ Din), density variation percentage (Din-Dex)/Din. All patients underwent PFT and 64 slice SCT within 3 days, whose pulmonary function was tested by Master Lab ( Jaeger, Germany). The indexes were the percentage of actual value and expected value of forced expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1%) and the ratio of first second forced expiratory volume to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC). Then we compared with the CT indexes between the COPD group and the control group. The relevant indicators of lung densities were analyzed in comparison with the indicators of FEV1% and FEV1/FVC by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: The density indexes of each region and total lung, and the Din in the control group and the COPD group were compared. The difference between them was statistically significant (P<0.05). The difference among other indexes was also statistically significant (P<0.01). Excellent correlation was found between Dex, Dex-Din, Dex/ Din and (Din-Dex)/ Din indexes with FEV1% and FEV1/FVC (r=0.566, 0.686, 0.568, 0.580, -0.565, -0.598, 0.565 and 0.598; P<0.01) CONCLUSION Sixty-four slice SCT low-dose two-phase scanning density indexes are closely related to the indicators (FEV1% and FEV1/FVC) of clinical lung function tests, which can be used to evaluate the lung function in COPD patients conventiently and accurately.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Densitometry ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Tomography, Spiral Computed