Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Ba-pulling and Qian-traction manipulation with neck suspension and movement for acute cervical radiculopathy. Methods: A total of 85 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into an observation group and a control group by random numbers, with 43 cases in the observation group and 42 cases in the control group. The observation group was treated with Ba-pulling and Qian-traction manipulation with neck suspension and movement;while the control group was treated with Bashen-pulling and stretching manipulation in a supine position. The treatment was performed once a day, 10 times as a treatment course. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after 1 treatment course, and the changes in the scores of visual analog scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) were observed. Results: The total effective rate was 97.7% in the observation group, and 83.3% in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P＜0.05). After treatment, the VAS and NDI scores of both groups were significantly decreased (both P＜0.01), and the differences in the VAS and NDI scores between the two groups were statistically significant (both P＜0.01). Conclusion: Both Ba-pulling and Qian-traction manipulation with neck suspension and movement and Bashen-pulling and stretching manipulation in a supine position can relieve pain and improve cervical function in patients with acute cervical radiculopathy, and Ba-pulling and Qian-traction manipulation with neck suspension and movement can produce more significant efficacy than Bashen-pulling and stretching manipulation in a supine position.

Objective To assess the short-axis and long-axis systolic function of the left ventricle (LV) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and without coronary artery disease using two-dimensional strain echocardiography.Methods Eighty-nine subjects with normal ejection fraction were included:37 with diabetes mellitus(DM group),22 with both diabetes and left ventricular hypertrophy(DH group), and 30 normal controls.Two-dimensional strain images were acquired from the LV short-axis view at the levels of mitral annulus, papillary muscle and apex, and the apical four-chamber view, two-chamber view and long-axis views of the LV respectively.The longitudinal strain was measured in the apical views.The radial strain and the rotation were measured in the LV short-axis views.The LV twist was defined as the apical rotation relative to the base.Results The average peak systolic longitudinal strain of different segments and the peak longitudinal global strain in DM group and DH group were significantly reduced when compared with those in control groups ( P＜0.001 ),and these parameters in DH group were significantly lower than those in DM group (P＜0.001 or P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the average peak systolic radial strain of different segments and peak radial global strain among all groups ( P＞0.05).The LV rotations and the LV twist were significantly higher both in DM group and in DH group than in control group ( P＜0.001 or P＜0.01),and the basal LV rotation and the LV twist were larger in DH group than in DM group ( P＜0.01, P＜0.05).Conclusions Two-dimensional strain echocardiography may be used to identify the LV systolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The temperature of platelet intracellular ice crystal formation (IIF) is one of the most important physical parameters to instruct platelet cryopreservation. In this study, the range of temperatures for platelet IIF was measured by means of biological and physical methods. All platelet samples were graded cooling, and two samples of per 5 degrees C decrease were thawed by 2 different ways: 37 degrees C directly (T 37 degrees C) and 37 degrees C after keeping in liquid nitrogen (LN) for 2 hours. The phosphatidylserine (PS) positive rate, plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration and platelet aggregate rate were measured in all samples. The heat release graphs of platelets cryopreserved with or without 5% DMSO were also measured by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The results showed that the PS positive rates and aggregate rates in platelets and plasma LDH concentrations gradually increased in T 37 degrees C group and decreased in LN group until the arrival of -35 degrees C, and then there were no further changes of the 3 parameters. A small second heat release peak was detected at about -35 degrees C in the platelet samples cryopreserved without DMSO. It is concluded that the temperature of intracellular ice crystal formation in platelet is from -30 to -40 degrees C (-35 degrees ).
Blood Platelets ; physiology ; Blood Preservation ; Cryopreservation ; Crystallization ; Humans ; Temperature

Objective To assess the motion asynchrony of left ventricle(L V)wall in patients with chronic heart failure(CHF)by ultrasound two dimensional speckle-tracking imaging(2D-STI).Methods Thirty-seventy patients with CHF were divided into two groups:CHF1 group,22 with QRS≤120 ms;CHF2 group,15 with QRS ＞120 ms.Thirty healthy subjects(control group)were enrolled.2D-STI was applied to display and analyze the strain rate imaging on the three standard LV apical views and parasternal LV short-aix views,respectively.The time from the onset of QRS complexes to peak strain rate during systole(Tsrs)and early-diastole(Tsre)were measured from the longitudinal,radial and circumferential vector respectively(Tsrsl,Tsrel,Tsrsr.Tsrer,Tsrsc,Tsrec).The standard deviation of all above parameters(Tsrsl-SD.Tsrel-SD,Tsrsr SD,Tsrer-SD,Tsrsc-SI).Tsrec-SD)and the maximal temporal difference(Tsrsl-diff.Tsrel-diff,Tsrsr-diff,Tsrer-diff,Tsrsc-diff,Tsrec-diff)of 18 segments were calculated as indicator of dyssynchrony.Results The systolic dyssynehrony indices Tsrsl-SD,Tsrsl-diff,Tsrsr-SD,Tsrsr-diff,Tsrsc-SD Tsrsc-diff and diastolic dyssynchrony indices Tsrel-SD,Tsrel-diff,Tsrer-SD,Tsrer-diff,Tsrec-SD,Tsrec-diff were significantly higher in the CHF1 and CHF2 group than those in the control group(all P＜0.05).Compared with the values in the CHF1 group,the systolic indices of dyssynchrony and the radial and circumferential diastolic indicator of dyssynchrony in CHF2 group were longer(P＜0.05).Conclusions The longitudinal,radial and circumferential systolic and diastolic dyssynchrony of the LV were commonly existed in patients with CHF,regardless of QRS duration.2D-STI is a potientially useful tool to evaluate the systolic and diastolic synchrony of the LV wall motion in patients with CHF.

BACKGROUNDRotation of the left ventricular (LV) apex to the base, or LV torsion, is related to myocardial contractility and structure and has recently been recognized as a sensitive indicator of cardiac performance, but it has been difficult to measure. The recent development of 2-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking imaging (STI) may provide a powerful means of assessing LV torsion. This study was conducted to evaluate the global and regional LV twist in patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction (AMI) disease before and after revascularization by STI.

METHODS2D STI was performed in 35 AMI patients before and one month after revascularization, as well as in 32 normal controls. Left ventricular global and regional rotations were obtained at basal and apical short-axis levels; LV torsion was defined as apical rotation relative to the base. The time sequences were normalized to the percentage of systolic and diastolic duration.

RESULTSBefore revascularization, LV peak regional and global torsion in patients with AMI were significantly reduced as the result of reduced apical and basal rotation relative to those of normal control group (all P < 0.001); most significantly in the anterior and anterior-septal regions (P < 0.001); one month after revascularization, there were significant changes in peak rotation at either the base or apex relative to pre-revascularization values (all P < 0.001). Similarly, peak regional and global LV torsion were increased significantly (all P < 0.001). Global torsion inversely correlated with EDV (r = -0.605, P = 0.028) and ESV (r = -0.638, P = 0.019); and positively correlated with LVEF (r = 0.630, P = 0.021). Tight relations were also found between torsion and LV longitudinal and short axis function.

CONCLUSIONSSystolic torsion was decreased in AMI patients. Revascularization therapy can improve the LV function of the AMI patients. STI has a potential to quantify left ventricular global and segment torsion in patients with AMI, and may make the assessment more available in clinical and research cardiology.

Adult ; Aged ; Echocardiography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Myocardial Revascularization ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rotation ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of spiral CT examination for diagnosis occult fracture of the patients with negative result of X-ray examination and with high suspicion of fractures,so as to reduce misdiagnosis.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to June 2010, 31 patients with ankle trauma performed spiral CT examination, including 18 males and 13 females, ranging in age from 21 to 67 years, with a mean of 35 years. The main symptoms of the patients included ankle pain, local swelling, obvious tenderness and activity limitation. All the patients had negative results of X-ray examination.

RESULTSThe spiral CT examination revealed 11 patients with fractures, involving a total of 17 points. Single fracture were found in 6 cases,and multiple fractures were found in 5 cases. Among single fractures, the lateral malleolus fracture was found in 1 case, talus fracture was found in 1 case, scaphoid fracture was found in 1 case, the fracture of the base of 5th metatarsal base was found in 1 case and calcaneal fractures were found in 2 cases. Within multiple fractures,internal and lateral malleolus fracture were found in 1 case; medial malleolus, calcaneus and talus fractures were found in 1 case; talus and scaphoid fractures were found in 1 case; the fractures of 1st and 2nd cuneiform bone were found in 1 case; the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal base fracture was found in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONFor the patients with negative X-ray examination and high suspicion of fractures,the spiral CT examination is needed, which could significantly improve the detection rate of occult fractures, and provide imaging basis for clinical treatment and judicial identify.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; Fractures, Closed ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

The study was purposed to investigate whether processing and storage conditions might influence the stability of the HCV RNA in whole blood or in plasma. The samples obtained from seven patients known to be positive for HCV RNA were kept in different storage conditions with different anticoagulants, and at the end of processing the plasma samples were frozen at -80 degrees C until fluorescent quantitative PCR testing. The results showed that there was no significant loss of HCV RNA titers in whole blood anticoagulated with CPDA or ACD or EDTA or none (P > 0.05), while differences in comparison of the EDTA-anticoagulant storage condition with three other anticoagulants storage conditions at 4 degrees C after 48 hours were significant (P < 0.05). The HCV RNA level decreased to 53.8%, 72.5% and 29.8% after 48 hours of storage of whole blood anticoagulated with ACD at 4 degrees C, 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C respectively. The HCV RNA level of plasma samples stored at 4 degrees C and at 25 degrees C (room temperature) after 7 days decreased to 70.9% and 25.1% respectively. After four freeze-thaw cycles the HCV RNA level decreased 38.9% in plasma samples. It is concluded that the HCV RNA is stable relatively. The HCV RNA is resistant to degradation under routine laboratory handling and storage conditions or blood collection, transport and processing conditions. The influence of different anticoagulants on the stability of HCV RNA is different. Blood samples would better be stored at 4 degrees C after collection and plasma separated within 48 hours. And it is important for the stability of HCV RNA undergoing asepsis blood collection process. HCV RNA remains stable at 4 degrees C for at least 7 days or at room temperature for 3 days, allowing greater flexibility in samples collection and transport in transfusion practice nowadays. HCV RNA in plasma samples subject to up to three short-term freeze-thaw cycles is still stable.
Blood Donors ; Blood Preservation ; methods ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; virology ; Humans ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; drug effects ; Specimen Handling ; standards ; Temperature ; Time Factors

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of electromagnetic navigation system to locate the distal locking screw of tibia intramedullary nail. Methods From February 2010 to December 2016, 79 cases of tibia shaft fractures requiring treatment with intramedullary nailing were selected and divided into the navigation group and free hand locking group according to intramedullary nail locking methods. Forty-four cases in navigation group used an electromagnetic navigation system to lock the distal end of the intramedullary nail,while 35 cases in free hand locking group used a free-hand technique. The intraoperative X-ray exposure time,distal locking time,healing time, and the success rate of one-time distal locking were recorded compared between two groups. Results The average time of diatal locking using electromagnetic navigation technology was less than that of the free hand locking group,and the exposure time of fluoroscopy was also reduced, the differences were significant(P ＜ 0. 05). There was no difference in fracture healing time between the two groups(P ＞ 0. 05), one-time success rate of navigation group was 100％,which was higher than 37. 34％ of the free hand locking group, the difference was significant(P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusion Compared with free hand technology, the advantage of using electromagnetic navigation system to lock the distal nail of tibia intramedullary nail is high efficiency, short locking time and no radiation.

Objective To develop a method of surveying the digitalized partially dentate cast in order to accomplish computer aided design (CAD) of removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks.Methods The stone cast of a partially dentate patient was scanned using a three-dimensional laser scanner.Points on the surface of the digitalized cast,termed as a "point cloud",were obtained.The point cloud was then imported into self-developed Tanglong software to sample and uniform.New module of identifying the surveying lines was specially written in Tanglong using C++.A straight line was created in the center of the cloud point.Then the cloud point surrounding the straight line was divided into many parts.Localcoordinates were established to indicate the information of angle and distance of every point to the straight line.Surveying lines were produced step by step electronically by identifying the closest and farthest points relative to the straight line and then connected together.Different surveying lines were obtained by adjusting the angle of the straight line.After the surveying lines were decided,the undercut areas could be marked and the depth of undercut was calculated automatically.The blockout of the undercuts could also be achieved by moving the location of the point cloud in undercut area.Results Survey lines of digitalized partially dentate casts were generated in computer.The undercut area and its depth were identified and the undercut could be blocked out.The shape of survey lines on the digitalized casts was similar to that on the physical casts drawn using traditional method.Conclusions The new module in Tanglong software was developed specifically for surveying partially dentate casts.It had a user-friendly interface with the easy-tounderstand menus.The success of surveying dental casts digitally would make it possible to CAD of RPD frameworks.

Objective To investigate the intra- and interobserver repeatability of coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis based on invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and CT coronary angiography (CTCA).Methods Two readers with comparable experience ( over 10 years) independently evaluated ICA results of 42 consecutive patients with a blind method. After 30 days,one of them reviewed the same patients again.Another two comparable-experience (over 10 years) readers evaluated the results of CTCA (prospectively ECG-triggering) from the same 42 patients in the same way.The inter-reader and intra-reader repeatability of ICA and CTCA were analyzed by performing Kappa test and calculating the percentage of the segments with agreement on stenotic degree.Using ICA as reference,the accuracy of CTCA in diagnosing CAD was studied by comparing the area under ROC. Results The Kappa between readers for ICA and CTCA were 0.91 and 0.81.Intra-reader Kappa were 0.92 and 0.83 respectively (x2 =509.4 and 432.5,all P ＜0.01 ).The percentage of the segments with agreement between readers on the degree of stenosis were 80.8％ (494/611) in ICA and 75.2％ (469/624) in CTCA ( x2 =2.75,P =0.10),and within the same reader,86.9％ (531/611)in ICA and 81.9％ (511/624) in CTCA(x2 =3.76,P =0.053).With≥ 50％narrowing as a CAD diagnosis criterion,the agreement rates for two readers were 96.6％ (590/611 ) in ICA and 94.4％ (589/624) in CTCA( x2 =3.36,P =0.07),and for the same reader,97.4％ (595/611) in ICA,95.4％ (595/624) in CTCA ( x2 =3.62,P =0.06).Using ICA as reference,two readers of CTCA results achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 84.9％ (530/624)and 98.1％ (612/624).The area under ROC was 0.94 (95％ CI 0.91-0.97).Conclusions Both ICA and CTCA demonstrate good repeatability in diagnosing CAD.The repeatability of ICA is superior to that of CTCA.A certain discrepancy exists in two readings from the same reader or two readers.