Objective To assess the ability of the new software SonoAVC to measure follicular volume and to compare these volume calculations with those made by conventional methods. Methods Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging was used to acquire volumetric data from the ovaries of 50 women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation as part of in-vitro fertilization treatment. SonoAVC was used to automatically measure the volume of follicles and virtual organ computer-aided analysis(VOCAL) was also applied to measure volume, which was used as the standard of volume measurement. And the three perpendicular diameters (xyz diameters) of follicles were manually measured by conventional two-dimensional(2D) ultrasound, which were used to estimate volume using the sphere formula. And the validity of each technique was compared using limits of agreement. Results One hundred and seventy-six follicles were studied. SonoAVC and VOCAL provided highly accurate and repeatable follicular volume measurements in all cases. Volumes estimated from manually derived follicular diameter measurements were less accurate and repeatable. VOCAL took more time in follicular volume of measurement than SonoAVC and conventional 2D displays. Conclusions SonoAVC provides highly accurate, repeatable,and efficient measurements of follicular volume.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; analysis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; analysis ; Melanoma ; enzymology ; Skin Neoplasms ; enzymology

Objective To investigate the prevalence of renal insufficiency and its associated factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus with normoalbuminuria using estimated glomerular filtration rate ( eGFR) .Methods We retrospectively analyzed 10-year data of chronic complications in type 2 diabetics in-patient from the Chinese Diabetes Society.eGFR was estimated using the equation from Modification of Diet in Renal Disease(MDRD) study.The clinical characteristics as well as associated factors for low eGFR were analyzed among the normoalbuminuric type 2 diabetic patients.Results A total of 1351 type 2 diabetic patients were included, 755 patients with normoalbuminuria, 466 patients with microalbuminuria and 130 patients with macroalbuminuria respectively.Among the patients, 310 (22.9% ) had low eGFR (GFR <60 ml · min~(-1) · 1.73 m~(-2) ) , 19.7% (149/755) in the patients with normoalbuminuria, 21.9% (102/466) in microalbuminuria and 45.4% ( 59/130 ) in macroalbuminuria Patients with normoalbuminuria and low eGFR suffered more chronic complications than those with normoalbuminuria and normal eGFR, mainly retinopathy, cerebrovascular diseases and sensory neuropathy.Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that age ( OR = 1.042, P < 0.001), diabetic duration ( OR = 1.038, P = 0.045), systolic blood pressure (OR = 1.017, P < 0.001) were independently associated with renal impairment among the patients with normoalbuminuria.Body mass index ( OR = 0.868, P < 0.001) and HbAlc (OR =0.898, P =0.021) were also related with renal insufficiency.Conclusion A considerable proportion in type 2 diabetic patients without albuminuria may exist renal impairment, and eGFR estimation could benefit the evaluation of renal function in such patients.

Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods

Adult ; Cryptococcosis ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Fungal ; Male

BACKGROUND: After local injection of Botulinum toxin type-A (BoTX-A), not only the function of the neuromuscular conjunction was affected, but also the changes occurred remote from the injected site. F-waves result from the back fire of the motoneuron activation, which may indirectly reflect the functional state of the motoneurons.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the remote effect of local BoTX-A injection by F-wave test.DESIGN: Self-control study based on patients with movement disorders.SETTING: Neruologic clinic in a university hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six patients with movement disorders not received previous local BoTX-A were selected from Neurological Clinic in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between September 2002 and July 2003, including 19 cases with hemificiospasm, 5 Meige syndrome and 2 torticollis spasmodicus.INTERVENTIONS: F- and M-waves of ulnar and tibial nerves were recorded before 1, 12 - 24 weeks after local injection of BoTX-A in 26 patients.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following parameters were analyzed:latency(ML) and amplitude (Mamp) of M-wave, minimal (Fmin) and average latency (Fave), amplitude of negative peak(Famp), duration (Fdur), persistence (Fpcr) and chronodispersion (Fchr) of F-wave.RESULTS: No definite F-response of ulnar nerve stimulation was obtained 1 week after injection in 3 HFS patients (5 nerves) . Fave prolonged significantly on ulnar and tibal nerve and Fdur increased significantly on ulnar nerve 1 week after injection, but there was no significant difference 12 - 24 weeks later, compared with before injection. No significant correlation of the altered F-wave parameters was found with the dosage of BoTX-A.CONCLUSION: Fdur and Fave could sensitively assess the remote effect,which correlates with distance away from the injected muscle, rather than the dosage of BoTX-A.

Purpose To explore the correlation between fetal cardiac function and interventricular septal thickness in fetuses of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) mothers. Materials and Methods Thirty-nine GDM mothers were involved in the study and divided into group MH (fetuses of GDM mothers with interventricular septal hypertrophy) and group NMH (fetuses of GDM mothers with normal interventricular septal thickness). Ultrasonic cardiogram was performed for both groups to assess such variables as interventricular septum thickness at end diastole (IVSd), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS), right ventricular fraction shortening (RVFS), the ratio of E and A of mitral flow (E/AMV), the ratio of E and A of tricuspid flow (E/ATV), peak velocity of aortic valve (VPAO), peak velocity of pulmonary valve (VPPA) and myocardial performance index (MPI). The results were further compared with those of control group. Results The VPAO, VPPA, LVEF and LVFS in group NMH were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The VPAO, VPPA, LVEF, LVFS and RVFS in group MH were significantly higher than those in control group whilst the E/AMV and E/ATV significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05). The LVEF, LVFS and RVFS in group MH were significantly higher than those in group NMH whilst the E/AMV and E/ATV significantly lower (P<0.05). MPI in group MH was significantly higher than that in group NMH (P<0.05), whilst both were significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The LVEF, LVFS, RVFS, VPAO and VPPA were positively correlated with IVSd (r=0.48, 0.51, 0.45, 0.30, 0.30;P<0.05). Conclusion Cardiac function in fetuses of GDM mothers may be associated with interventricular septal thickness.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of two materials used as scaffolds in periodontal tissue engineering. Methods: Dog periodontal ligament cells cultured in vitro were collected and seeded on three-dimensional framework of cancellous bone matrix (CBM) or nano-HAp/collagen (nHAC) . The cell growth in the scaffolds was observed by cell counting and scanning electronic microscope. Results: Porous structure of the two materials and adhesion and eugonic growth of cells in the scaffolds were observed by scanning electronic microscope.The cell number was doubled in both scaffolds in 72 h culture. Conclusion: It may be feasible to use CBM or nHAC as the scaffolds for periodontal tissue engineering.

AlM:To investigate the effect of teaching mode of problem- based learning ( PBL ) in the teaching of medical students' clinical ophthalmology.
METHODS: Five classes ( total 148 students ) were randomly selected as experimental group, using PBL method, at the same time another 5 classes ( total 151 students) were also randomly selected as control group, using lecture-based learning ( LBL) mode in 2010 grade. The scores of the experimental group were compared with control at the end of term. ln addition, students and teachers were respectively interviewed using self -administered questionnaire to obtain their evaluation for PBL practice.
RESULTS:The mean scores of PBL group (78. 35±7. 63) were significantly higher than control group (71. 68±6. 37) (P<0. 001). Most of students thought that their ability of referring, synthesizing and analyzing information was enhanced by PBL, and their skills both in written and oral were also improved. PBL made it easier to understand the contexts of course. lt was the best way to improve the effect of teaching in ophthalmology based on the increase of quality in novitiate that gives more chance to students of contacting with practice, developing the ability of clinical thinking and verifying the theory in clinical novitiate. Lots of teachers considered that the classroom atmosphere was more active, students were becoming more and more proactive on their classes and the relationship between students and teachers were more harmonious when PBL was used.
CONCLUSlON:Using PBL teaching mode can highly improve the teaching effectiveness of clinical epidemiology, which is worth popularizing.

Objective To investigate the factors associated with vision and hole closure for idiopathic macular hole (IMH) after vitrectomy surgery.Methods Eighty-nine eyes of 89 patients with IMH were enrolled in this retrospective study.There were 15 males and 74 females.The patients aged from 42 to 82 years,with the mean age of (64.13 ± 7.20) years.All subjects underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations.The BCVA ranged from 0.01 to 0.4,with the mean BCVA of 0.12 ± 0.09.The MH stages was ranged from 2 to 4,with the mean stages of 3.56 ± 0.77.The basal diameter ranged from 182 μm to 1569 μm,with the mean basal diameter of (782.52± 339.17) μm.The treatment was conventional 25G pars plana vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular implantation.Fortyone eyes received internal limiting membrane peeling and 48 eyes received internal limiting membrane grafting.The follow-up ranged from 28 to 720 days,with the mean follow-up of (153.73 ± 160.95) days.The visual acuity and hole closure were evaluated on the last visit and the possible related factors were analyzed.Results On the last visit,the BCVA ranged from 0.02 to 0.8,with the mean BCVA of 0.26±0.18.Among 89 eyes,vision improved in 45 eyes (50.56％) and stabled in 44 eyes (49.44％).Eighty-six eyes (96.63％) gained MH closure but 3 eyes (3.37％) failed.By analysis,patients of early stages of MH and smaller basal diameter of MH will gain better vision outcome (t=2.092,2.569;P＜ 0.05) and patients of early stage MH will gain high hole closure rate after surgery for IMH (t=-5.413,P＜0.05).However,gender,age,duration,preoperative BCVA,surgery technique,gas types and follow-up time had no relationship with the effect after surgery for IMH (P＞0.05).Conclusions Stages of MH and basal diameter of MH may be the factors associated with the visual outcome for idiopathic macular hole after surgery.However,age,gender,duration,surgery patterns,gas types and followup time showed no effects on operational outcomes.