Objective:To evaluate the use of a singl-shot thick-slab turbo spin-echo sequence in fetal magnetic resonance(MR) as an alternative to three-dimensional reconstructions.Methods:From April 2006 to February 2008,169 fetal MR examinations were obtained for various indications(18th to 40+3th gestational weeks)on a 1.5 T unit using a phased-array body surface coil after informed consent.A single-shot thick-slab(20～100mm)turbo spin-echo was performed,as compared with our conventional protocols,including thin multislice T2-weighted HASTE and true-FISP sequence and T1-weighted 2D FLASH sequence.Results:In images obtained with this method,the whole fetus could be recognized at once.Fetal surface normal and abnormal structures and fetal extremities were displayed on a single image.In addition,cystic mass,fluid-filled cavities and pathology were recognizable;"shining"through the fetal surface could be depicted.Pathological fluid accumulations could be delineated,as well as maternal cystic mass,fluid-filled cavities and pathology.Conclusion:MR fetography with thick-slab method offers a global overview of fetal pathology or anatomy that may be captured in one image.The combination of overall appearance and translucency provides a new look at the fetus.MRF has the advantage of repeated imaging at different orientations and different view angles quickly with high quality.It is considered an alternative to 3D reconstructions.

Fractal, a mathematics concept, is used to describe an image of self-similarity and scale invariance. Some organisms have been discovered with the fractal characteristics, such as cerebral cortex surface, retinal vessel structure, cardiovascular network, and trabecular bone, etc. It has been preliminarily confirmed that the three-dimensional structure of cells cultured in vitro could be significantly enhanced by bionic fractal surface. Moreover, fractal theory in clinical research will help early diagnosis and treatment of diseases, reducing the patient's pain and suffering. The development process of diseases in the human body can be expressed by the fractal theories parameter. It is of considerable significance to retrospectively review the preparation and application of fractal surface and its diagnostic value in medicine. This paper gives an application of fractal and its theories in the medical science, based on the research achievements in our laboratory.
Biomedical Research ; Bionics ; Fractals ; Humans

Objective To find out the iodine nutritional status of school-age children in Yichang city,and to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods In 2009,children aged 8 to 10 in each county(city,region) in Yichang city Hubei province were selected as study subjects.In each county (town,district),a township(town,street) was selected according to their orientation of east,west,south,north and center in the county.A village primary school was selected from each township(town,street).Twenty children aged 8 to 10 from each school were selected.Real-lime urine samples were collected to test iodine level.Results A total of 1300 urine samples of school children were collected and tested.The median urinary iodine was 277.4 μg/L.Therein,there were 11 children whose urinary iodine level was less than 20 μg/L,accounting for 0.8％ ; there were 28 children whose urinary iodine level was between 20 μg/L to 50 μg/L,accounting for 2.2％ ;there were 84 children whose urinary iodine level was between 50 μg/L to 100 μg/L,accounting for 6.5％; there were 606 children whose urinary iodine level was between 100 μg/L to 300 μg/L,accounting for 46.6％; there were 571 children whose urinary iodine level was more than 300 μg/L,accounting for 43.9％.There were 648 males,their median urinary iodine was 263.1 μg/L.There were 652 females,their nedian urinary iodinc was 277.5 μg/L.A total of 388 eight-year-old children's median urinary iodine was 277.5 μg/L.A total of 458 nine-year-old children whose median urinary iodine was 259.4 μg/L.A total of 454 ten-year-old children whose median urinary iodine was 295.8 μg/L.Conclusions The iodine nutrition of school-age children in Yichang city is in good condition,and complies with the national standard of eliminating iodine deficiency disorders.But the urine iodine content is higher than the appropriate level,so there is a need to strengthen the prevention work.

Corneal dystrophy represents a group of inherited corneal diseases with progressive accumulation of deposits in different layers of cornea,resulting in loss of corneal transparency and visual impairment,or even blindness.Initial classification of corneal dystrophy was upon involved cornea layer,and it is insufficient for some multi-layer lesion.With the current progress in molecular genetics,researchers proposed a new classifying way based on genetic information of corneal dystrophy.A revised classification has been recommended by the International Committee for Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D).The clinical manifestation,histological and genetic basis of the disease are integrated in the classification system,so it is regarded as to be more scientific and reasonable.Recent years,our laboratory performed genetic screen on some Chinese pedigrees with corneal dystrophy,mainly focusing on the corneal dystrophy-associated genes such as human transforming growth factor beta induced (TGFBI) gene,which reveals the relationship of the different mutations on TGFBI gene with clinical phenotypes.Our studies further indicated that the corneal dystrophy classification method based on molecular level is a more scientific and practicable method.Some updated information on the clinical phenotypes and molecular aspects of corneal dystrophy were provided here aimed to offer the aid to the differential diagnosis and management of these diseases.

The characteristics of distribution, origin and properties of galanin (GAL) were investigated, by using immunocytochemistry (the whole mount stretched pr- eparations and cryostat sections), immunoelectronmicroscopy and microspectroph- ometer measuring techniques. The results showed that (1) All layers of small intestine were rich in GAL- immunoreactive(GAL-I) nerves with a high density in myenteric and submucosal plexuses. (2) A rather high density around the small blood vessels of the small intestine and intestinal crypts were observed. Some GAL-I neurons were seen in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses. Enteric GAL-I nerve fibers seemed to be endogenic and probably related to the regulation of motor function in the gastro- intestinal tract, since there was no obvious reducation of nerve fibers after sec- tion of mesenterium or injection of capsaicin. (3) The distribution and charac- teristics of GAL-I nerve fibers in small intestine indicated that the GAL-I ne- rves might be playing a regulational role in the motion, absorption, secretion and regional blood flow of the gastrointestinal tract.

The foot overpronation is termed as pronation persisting more than 25%of stance phase in a walking cycle, which may re-sult from some antenatal or postnatal conditions. Overpronation would lead to abnormal alignment of ankle, knee, pelvis and spine, and re-sult in a set of syndromes of chronic pain. The Navicular Drop Test and the Foot Posture Index are often used as the assessment tools, how-ever, there are several empirical ways for clinic. Foot orthoses, special shoes, taping and training of muscle strength are effective on overpro-nation as well as chronic pain.

Institute for International Medical Education(IIME)established the Global Minimum Essential Requirements(GMER)in Medical Education in 2001.This article is to unscramble the connotation of GMER,reveal the transformation of the medical model and gives some thoughts on how to let GMER become the standard and carried out in our country so as to benefit the current reform of medical education.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin calcium combined with metoprolol in the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS:207 CHF patients were randomly divided into control group (102 cases) and observation group (105 cases). Control group received cardiac,diuretic,vasodilating and oxygen inhalation,Metoprolol tar-trate tablet with initial dose of 6.25 mg,2-3 times a day,then increased 6.25-12.5 mg based on the improvement,2-3 times a day. Observation group additionally received 80 mg Atorvastatin tablet,twice a day. The treatment course for both groups was 16 w. Clinical efficacy,cardiac functions [left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVESD),mi-tral early diastolic and late diastolic peak flow velocity ratio(E/A)],blood lipids [lipoprotein(a)Lp(a),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC)] levels before and after treatment,and the incidence of adverse reactions in 2 groups were observed. RESULTS:The total effective rate in observation group was significantly higher than control group,the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Before treatment,there were no significant differences in cardiac functions and blood lipids in 2 groups(P>0.05). Af-ter treatment,the LVEF and E/A in 2 groups were significantly higher than before,and observation group was higher than control group,LVESD,Lp(a),TG and TC were significantly lower than before,and observation group was lower than control group,the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). And there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Based on conventional treatment,the efficacy of atorvastatin calcium combined with metoprolol is su-perior to metoprolol in the treatment of CHF,with better safety.

AIM: To investigate the correlation between the left ventricular filling type and geometry modality and functional change of the left ventricle in patients with hypertension. METHODS: Systolic function indexes (FS and EF) and diastolic function indexes (E, A, EAT, EDT, E/A,IVRT) in 120 patients with hypertension were measured by two dimensional ultrasonography (2-DUS) and M-mode and Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: A rate of 83.5% in patients with hypertension appeared assured plump and configuration changes of left ventricle, and a rate of 84% in patients with hypertension appeared abnormal left ventricular filling function. The morphologic indexes were significantly different clearly in different left ventricular filling types, and the filling indexes were also significantly different in diferent left ventricular shapes. CONCLUSION: IVRT is a more important index than other factors to decide the left ventricular filling function. LVMI plays more important role than other factors in the left ventricular filling function.

changes of galanin in the small intestines of the rats which were inflicted with acute intestinal radiation sickness (AIRS) by exposing to 20 Gy gamma rays were studied with immunocytochemistry (ICC) , HE staining of tissue sections, and microspectrophotometer. It was found that the damage of intestinal mucosa was being intensified as AIRS progressed; there no marked change of GAL-LI neurons but the arrangement of GAL-LI fibers was disordered in the irradiated rats as compared with those of the control; the galanin content of the small intestines was significantly tower in the irradiated rats than in the control especially in the 48th and 72nd hour after irradiation (P