Objective To study the value of carotid plaque magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pre-operation assessment in the elderly patients with carotid atherosclerosis and explore the possibility of minimizing the contrast weightings to gain sweeptime. Methods Totally 70 elderly patients with cerebral ischemia (average age of 68.8 years) underwent carotid MRI and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) due to the appearance of carotid plaque detected by ultrasound. Carotid plaque MRI was acquired with 3.0T MR scanner and 8 channel surface coil. The standard carotid plague MRI program included pre-and post-contrast T1 weighted imaging (T1WI), T2 weighted imaging, proton density weighted imaging and 3D time of flight MR angiography (3D TOF MRA). All these program were divided into two combinations: the 5-sequence MRI (all the sequences) and 2-sequence MRI (T1WI and TOF MRA). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in coronal and lateral views of carotid artery was performed with GE Advantx LCN+. The software SPSS 13.0 was used to statistically analyze the difference between MRI and DSA, and that of two sequence combinations was used in the detection of luminal stenosis and fibrous cap (FC) rupture. Results Totally 135 arteries were analyzed while 3 arteries in one patient were excluded due to the poor quality image and stent placement. The degree of luminal stenosis were (38.3±31.0)% and (38.5±30.9)%, respectively, detected by the two MRI sequence-combination with no significant difference (t=2.447, P＞0.05) and was (35.1±31.8)% by DSA. There was a good concordance between MRI and DSA in luminal stenosis detection (Kappa value: 0.773). No statistical difference was found between two MR sequence combinations in detecting FC rupture (both in 36 vessels). DSA detected FC rupture of 16 vessels, showing remarkably difference contrast to MRI(χ2=12.0, P＜0.01). Conclusions MRI can accurately detect the luminal stenosis and FC rupture. The short time scanning resulting from sequence optimization could make MRI much more suitable than DSA to do the pre-operation assessment for senile carotid atherosclerotic patients.

Objective To explore the regulating effects of Egr-1 promoter activated by ionizing radiation (IR) and doxorubicin (ADM) on the expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) genes. Methods The human GM-CSF cDNA and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) cDNA were linked together with IRES(internal ribosome entry site) and then inserted into the expression vector pCIneo under control of the Egr-1 promoter(Egr-EG). The vector was transferred into human bone marrow stromal cell line HFCL by liposome transfection. And the cells were exposure to ADM and IR. The activity of EGFP in HFCL/EG cells were detected by FACS. The effect of N-acetylcysteine on the expression of EGFP following exposure to ADM and IR was examined. The amounts of GM-CSF in HFCL/EG after chemotherapy or radiation were measured with ELISA. The effects of GM-CSF in HFCL/EG cultural supernatants on expansion of CFU-GM derived from cord blood were also studied. RT-PCR analysis for the expression of GM-CSF mRNA in HFCL/EG after exposure to ADM or IR. Results The percentage of EGFP+ HFCL/EG cells exposed to ADM and IR was increased compared with non-treatment group (1.2 % and 15.2 % vs 18.2 %, t = 5.11, P < 0.01). The levels of secreted GM-CSF in HFCL/EG cells exposed to ADM and IR was increased (P < 0.01), but no difference between ADM group and IR group (P 0.05). The expression of EGFP by HFCL/EG treated with ADM and IR was significantly decreased by N-acetylcysteine. The effects of GM-CSF in HFCL/EG cultural supernatants on expansion of CFU-GM in ADM group and IR group were significantly higher than that in HFCL group and non-treatment group. However, The CFU-GM count of IR group was higher than that of ADM group. The expression of GM-CSF mRNA in HFCL/EG cells exposed to ADM and IR was significantly increased(t = 4.37, P < 0.01). Conclusions GM-CSF gene expression regulated by Egr-1 promoter induced by ADM and IR could help the recovery from hematopoietic injury.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a newly developing technique, contains function, anatomy and image, which makes the real-time, dynamic and non-invasive measurement of the functional brain imaging availability. This paper summarized the characteristics of fMRI in health and stroke populations, introduced the advances of fMRI in neuroplasticity, rehabilitation assessment and prognosis in hand movement dysfunction in patients with stroke, and discussed the difficulty fMRI faced in rehabilitation assessment and the further researches.

Objective To study the effects of lifestyle quantilization based-weight management on overweight or obesity police officers.Methods One hundred and seven overweight or obesity police officers received lifestyle quantilization based-weight management (i.e.Jinbi weight management) and were then assigned to the excellent performance group (group A,n =50),good performance group (group B,n =42)and loss to follow-up group (group C,n =15).Dietary habits,body weight,height,waist circumference (WC),blood pressure (BP),total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were measured before and after the intervention.After 8 weeks' intervention,the changes of above parameters were recored.Student's t test was used for data analysis.Results Of group A and B,83 reported weight loss (group A t =13.31,group B t =5.04 ; both P ＜ 0.05).In group A,body weight,body mass index (BMI),WC,body fat and visceral fat index were significantly decreased,in contrast to body water (t values were 13.31,13.72,10.8,8.59,6.83 and-6.62,respectively; all P ＜ 0.05).However,there were no significant changes of BP,FPG,TC,TG,LDL-C and HDL-C in group A.Following intervention,daily dietary energy intake of group A was reduced by 74.1 k J,fat intake was decreased by 11.6 g,energy ratio of dietary fat was decreased by 1.8％,energy ratio of cereal was increased by 4.2％,and sodium chloride and cooking oil was decreased by 1.3 g and 10 g,respectively.Conclusion Lifestyle quantilization based-weight management shows effectiveness among overweight or obese police officers,and thus may be recommended for other functional communities.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of radial ultrasound (EBUS) combined with virtual navigation (VBN) in peripheral pulmonary nodules.Methods Two hundreds and forty cases of peripheral pulmonary nodules(0.8 cm≤diameter≤3 cm) in the respiratory department of our hospital from July 2014 to July 2015 were included and according to the different guide de vices,which were divided into the radial ultrasound combined with virtual navigation group (EBUS+ VBN group),radial ultrasound group (EBUS group),virtual navigation group (VBN group) and control group.The diagnostic rates were compared among the four groups and among different sizes of lesion.The time of lesion location and operating time were also compared between the EBUS+ VBN group and EBUS group.Results Among 240 cases,the diagnostic rate in the EBUS+VBN group was highest(81.67％),and the diagnostic rates had statistically significant difference among the four groups (x2=19.344,P=0.00);the diagnostic rates of lesions less than 2 cm in diameter were lower than that of lesions ＞2 cm in the EBUS+-VBN group and EBUS group,but without statistically significant difference (x2 =2.04,3.40,P =0.15,0.07);the locating lesions time and operating times in the EBUS+ VBN group were shorter than those in the EBUS group,but the difference between them was not statistically significant (P=0.03,0.04).Conclusion EBUS combined with VBN could improve the diagnostic rate of peripheral pulmonary nodules and shorten the time of lesion location and operating time.

OBJECTIVETo observe the mechanism of SHU-Dihuang on the function of learning and memory.

METHODOn the dementia model mouse caused by AlCl3 and the rats model damaged thalamic arcuate nucleus with MSG, we observed the function of learning and memory by step down task and Morris water maze task, mensurated the content of glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid by TLC, and observed the expression of NMDAR1 and GABAR in hippocampi by immunohistochemical means.

RESULTShu Di Huang could decrease the times of mistakes and prolong the incubation period in step down task, and shorten the incubation period of seeking the platform in Morris water maze task. Shu Di Huang could adjust the content of Glu and GABA in brain, and increase the expression of hippocampal NMDAR1 and GABAR as well.

CONCLUSIONShu Di Huang can improve the function of learning and memory of dementia animal model, and its mechanism may be related to the adjustment of the content of Glu and GABA in brain, and increase of the expression of hippocampal NMDAR1 and GABAR.

Animals ; Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus ; drug effects ; Dementia ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, GABA ; metabolism ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism ; Rehmannia ; chemistry

Objective To study the effects of the rehabilitation robot-assisted task-oriented training on the hand function in patients after stroke. Methods From June, 2015 to September, 2016, 35 inpatients suffering from stroke were randomly allocated to control group (n=17) and trial group (n=18). Based on the routine rehabilitation, the trial group accepted robot-assisted task-oriented training, while the control group accepted therapist-assisted task-oriented training, for two weeks. They were measured the active range of motion (AROM) of fingers, assessed with fingers motor of Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) invovled with hands before and after train-ing. Results The inpatients dropped three in the control group, two in the trial group. AROM of extension and flexion of all the fingers, the AROM of extension and total of three fingers of thumb, index and middle, and the total AROM of each finger improved in the trial group af-ter training (t>2.937, P<0.05), while the AROM of extension and flexion of all the fingers, AROM of extension, flexion and total of the fin-gers of thumb, index and middle, total AROM of the fingers of thumb, index and little improved in the control group after training (t>2.528, P<0.05);the AROM of extension and total of the fingers of thumb, index and middle, and the total AROM of fingers of thumb and index im-proved more in the trial group than in the control group (t>2.535, P<0.05). The scores of mass flexion, mass extension, opposition, cylinder grip, spherical grip and total score of FMA improved in the trial group after training (Z>2.000, P<0.05), while the scores of mass extension, opposition and the total score of FMA improved in the control group after training (Z>2.000, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups on the items and total scores after training (P>0.05). The scores of feeding, dressing, toilet transfers, bathing, groom-ing of MBI and the total score of them improved in the trial group after training (Z>2.041, P<0.05), while the total score of MBI improved in the control group after training (Z=-2.527, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the items and total scores after training (P>0.05). Conclusion The rehabilitation robot-assisted task-oriented training can improve AROM of hemiplegic fingers and grip function.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the relations of dental fluorosis and the social economic status in fluorosis-stricken villages where drying the corn by burning coal was prevail.

METHODSA total of 6 fluorosis-endemic villages and one non-endemic village were involved in the study. The general fluorine intake and the concentrations of fluorine in corn, in the pupils' were tested. Dental fluorosis among the pupils was also examen. A individual interview or household questionnaire survey was conducted to probe the economic condition and staple food structure in 600 adults.

RESULTSThe fluorosis prevalence was lower in the villages of transportation convenience, higher income, less coal-dried corn intake. There was a declining trend of dental fluorosis in the corresponding age groups (r: 0.912, 0.916; P < 0.05); There was no significant changes in age-specified dental fluorosis in the low income villages. The correlation (r) of corn fluorine concentration and student's age-specified dental fluorosis prevalence and disparity was 0.755 - 0.980 (P < 0.05) and 0.302 - 0.811; The urine fluorine concentrations were 0.811 and 0.915 (P < 0.05). It was assumed that there was a negative correlation between family cash income and the dental fluorosis.

CONCLUSIONSThe corn fluorine concentration is closely related to age-specified dental fluorosis. With the economic improvement, taking less coal-burned corn is the one of major factors in reducing the of dental fluorosis in these areas.

China ; Coal ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Feeding Behavior ; Fluorine ; analysis ; urine ; Fluorosis, Dental ; economics ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Rural Population ; Zea mays

OBJECTIVETo assess the quality of orthodontic clinical trials published in 4 major dental journals in the past 10 years and establish the reference standard for orthodontic clinical trials and quality control of dental journals.

METHODSAll the clinical trials published in Chinese Journal of Stomatology, West China Journal of Stomatology, Journal of Practice Stomatology and Chinese Journal of Orthodontics from 1999 to 2008 were searched. The demographic information of the papers was extracted and the quality of the clinical trials according to the consolidated standards of reporting trials (CONSORT) was assessed.

RESULTSFour hundred and ninety-four clinical trials were retrieved, and 21.3% (105/494) of them were supported by grants. For the study design, only 26.1% (129/494) were prospective studies, and 3.8% (19/494) were randomized clinical trials. It was hard to evaluate precisely due to the lack of information about the details of the study designs. For the randomized clinical trials, the lack of details for randomization, allocation concealment, blinding and intention to treat compromised the quality.

CONCLUSIONSThe general quality of clinical trials in orthodontics is poor. It needs to be improved both in the clinical study design and the paper writing.

Clinical Trials as Topic ; standards ; Evidence-Based Dentistry ; Humans ; Orthodontics ; standards ; Periodicals as Topic ; Quality Control ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Research Design

OBJECTIVETo analyze the surgical patients treated with straight wire appliance for guidelines of clinical using of the appliance.

METHODSTotally 51 patients from Joint Clinic of Orthodontic Surgery, Peking University School of Stomatology with dentofacial deformities treated with straight wire appliance were analyzed. The patients were aged from 15 years to 34 years 5 months, average 18 years 9 months. Among whom, 16 are males, while the other 35 are females.

RESULTSEighteen patients were treated with extraction of teeth, while other 33 cases were nonextraction case. The duration of average presurgical orthodontic treatment was 13.3 months, and 10.4 months was for postsurgical orthodontic treatment, totally active treatment time was 25.5 months.

CONCLUSIONSStraight wire appliance would benefit a lot for three dimensional control of teeth when doing pre- and post-surgical orthodontic treatment. Good results could be achieved without wire bending.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; therapy ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III ; therapy ; Orthodontic Wires ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; instrumentation ; methods ; Postoperative Care ; Preoperative Care ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult