Objective To investigate the site,MR signal types and morphological characteristics of ulnar nerve in cubital tunnel for healthy adults,in order to improve the awareness of ulnar nerve.Methods Unilateral elbow of forty healthy volunteers were scanned with MR,the sequences were as follows:T1-weighted-spin-echo,T2-weighted-spin-echo-fat-suppression,PD-weighted-spin-echo-fat-suppression,among 40,13 were supine,27 were prone.The site and MR signal types and morphological characteristics of ulnar nerve were observed,the long diameter and short diameter of the ulnar nerve on different axials were respectively measured.Results On axial,ulnar nerve was posterior to the medial condyle of the humerus at proximal elbow,lied between the flexor carpi ulnaris and the flexor digitorum profunds and superficialis muscles distally.The shape of the ulnar nerve was roundness or elliptic,the signal of 40 volunteers'(100％) ulnar nerve was isointensity on T1-weighted,the signal of 17 volunteers'(42.5％)ulnar nerve was isointense on T2-weighted or PD-weighted,the MRI signal of 23 volunteers' (57.5％) ulnar nerve was slight hyperintense on T2-weighted or PD-weighted,especially on the axial of medial condyle of humerus.The variation range of long diameter and short diameter of the ulnar nerve respectively were 1.4-3.8 mm,1.0-3.0 mm.Conclusion The certain location,MR signal types and morphological characteristics of normal ulnar nerve play an important role in the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Objective To study the application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for dental caries prevention using whole body luminescence fiber,and to investigate the effects of PDT on the content of Ca and P in rat molar enamel.Method The rat dental caries model was established by inoculating with S.mutans.Eighty male rats were randomly divided into five groups,including three experimental groups:17 mW (8 mW/cm2) PDT (group A),34 mW (15 mW/cm2) PDT (group B),68 mW (30 mW/cm2) PDT (group C),a positive control group:20 g/L NaF solution (group D),and a negative control group:0.9％ physiological saline (group E).The experimental groups were treated by 40 μg/mL hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) and 650 nm diode laser irradiation.The experiments were conducted for 4 weeks.The contents of Ca and P in the molars of each group were measured by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry.Results The contents of Ca and P in group B,C and D after PDT were significantly higher than those in group A and E (all P＜0.05).The contents of Ca and P in group A showed no significant difference before and after PDT,while those in groups B and C showed significant increase after PDT (all P＜O.05).The increment of Ca in group A after PDT was lower than that in group D (P＜0.05),while those in group B and C were significantly higher than those in group D (all P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the increment of Ca and P between group B and C after PDT.Conclusions In the range of the experimental parameters,the PDT promoted effect of tooth remineralization is better than 20 g/L NaF.The levels of Ca and P in the tooth enamel can be promoted by PDT treatment,and the contents of Ca and P are related to the pewer of PDT.The effect of low power PDT on the remineralization of enamel is not obvious.The contents of Ca and P in the tooth enamel are increased with laser power of PDT.When the laser power increased to a certain value,the change in contents of the two elements is not obvious.PDT can maintain the tooth remineralization microenvironment.

Objective To preliminarily select safe parameters for different forms of teeth by irradiating 532 nm picosecond Nd∶YAG laser on human isolated teeth with different irradiation time length and power.Methods Isolated human teeth including anterior teeth,premolars,molars were irradiated with 532 nm picosecond laser.Repeated measurements were made for each tooth by thermometer to measure the temperature of pulp chamber on different time point and power,and the temperature change (△T) was calculated.Results △T of the anterior irradiation group at 0.6 W,30 s;0.8 W,20 s and 30 s;1.0 W,10 s,20s and 30s were more than 5.6 ℃,which was the same with that of premolar group at 1.0 W,30s.△T of the molar group at 1.0 W,30 s was less than 5.6 ℃.Under certain power,the temperature of pulp chamber increased with the prolonging of irradiation time (P＜0.05).At a certain time,temperature increased with the power (P＜0.05).Conclusions It is safe to carry out operation on the parameters setting of 0.8 W,10 s and 0.6 W,20 s irradiation for anteriors teeth;0.4 W,30 s,0.8W,30 s and 1.0 W,20 s for premolar teeth,and 1 W,30 s for molar teeth.In the application of 532 nm picosecond laser,attention is required to be paid on parameter setting to control input power and irradiation time.

Objective To investigate the MR characteristics of ulnar nerve and muscles in cubital tunnel syndrome.Methods Twenty eight patients with cubital tunnel syndrome and 28 asymptomatic volunteers underwent MR imaging,MR neurography was performed by using an isotropic three dimensions T2 sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolutions (3D T2 SPACE)on 15 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome.To evaluate changes in T2 signal intensity of the ulnar nerve,regions of interest were placed in the center of the location of the highest apparent ulnar nerve signal intensity on the axial FS T2WI images and in normal muscle within the same image slice,and the ratio of signal intensity was calculated.The sensitivity of 3D T2 SPACE sequence in detecting cubital tunnel syndrome was determined.The standard t tests were used to assess whether ulnar nerve size and relative signal intensity in symptomatic patients were statistically different from normal volunteers.Results The cross-sectional area of ulnar nerve in 24 patients and 2 volunteers was enlarged,the signal intensity of ulnar nerve in 26 patients and 16 volunteers was increased.Increased signal and muscle atrophy adjacent to the ulnar nerve were detected in 4 patients.Cubital tunnel syndrome was detected in 14 patientson 3D T2 SPACE sequence.The mean ulnar nerve sizes in the symptomatic and normal group were (0.15±0.06)and (0.06±0.01)cm2 respectively,the mean relative signal intensities in the symptomatic and normal groups were (2.86± 1.45) and 1.57±0.39 respectively (t values were 2.220 and 4.546,P＜0.05).Conclusions Ulnar nerve size and T2 signal intensity were increased,in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome.In addition,muscles innervated by the ulnar nerve showed atrophy with increased T2 signal intensity.

Objective To explore the feasibility of endothelial function of dorsal artery of foot in patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM) by high frequency ultrasound combined with warm bath test.MethodsThirty-five patients with T2DM and thirty normal people were collected,all subjects were examined by high frequency ultrasound.Diameter of brachial artery in baseline and after reactive hyperaemia were detected;Diameter of dorsal artery of foot in baseline and after the foot immersed in 40℃ warm water for 5 minutes were acquired.Flow mediated dilatation of dorsalis pedis artery(FMDDPA) and flow mediated dilatation of brachial artery(FMDBA) were calculated and compared.Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to examine the correlation between FMDDPA and hemoglobin A1c(HbAlc). Results The FMDDPA and FMDBA were decreased in patients with T2DM (P<0.01).The FMDDPA and FMDBA were correlated significantly(r=0.864,P<0.01).In stepwise regression analysis,HbA1c is the most affecting factor for FMDDPA (R2=0.321,P<0.01).Conclusions Ultrasound combined with warm bath test can be used to detect the change of endothelial function of dorsal artery of foot in patients with T2DM,which have a certain clinical application value in endothelial function of terminal limb artery.

OBJECTIVETo lay a foundation for the study on good variety selection of Isatis indigotica, comparison of plant traits and quality evaluation of Isatis germplasm resources from different production area was conducted.

METHODField cultivation and randomized block experiment were adopted to compare those plant traits of leaf, root, silique and seed of Isatis from different production area and the content of R,S-goitrin and polysaccharide in the root was determined.

RESULTDifferent cultivation forms of Isatis had significant difference from each other in leaf, root, silique and seed, content of R,S-goitrin and polysaccharide in the root were also different. R,S-goitrin content in Isatis of Chinese cabbage leaf type ( production area: Yunnan ) was comparative higher, 0.59% , while polysaccharide content in autotetraploid Isatis was comparative higher, 8.68%.

CONCLUSIONAccording to the plant traits, Isatis were classified into three types: Chinese cabbage leaf type, cabbage leaf type and mustard leaf type, of which R,S-goitrin content in Chinese cabbage leaf type (production area: Yunnan) was comparative higher, while polysaccharide content in autotetraploid Isatis was comparative higher.

China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Isatis ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Phenotype ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Seeds ; chemistry ; growth & development

Objective This study was conducted to establish a stable and highly efficient method for isolation and purification of pancreatic islets from NOD mice and to evaluate their characteristics in vitro and in vivo. Methods The is-lets were isolated from mouse pancreas using modified collagenase digestion and Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. The endocrine secretory function was assessed by insulin secretion in either low or high dose glucose stimulation. To evaluate the function of the graft,body weight and blood glucose were monitored,and IVGTT was performed. In addition,to assess sur-vival of the implanted islets,Pathology using HE staining and insulin immunostaining of the graft were performed. Results The average islet yield was 116 ± 12 islets/pancreas and purity was higher than 90%. Compared with islets from Kunming mice,the islets isolated from NOD mice were poorly responsive to glucose challenge. Blood glucose levels and body weight changes of the islet-transplanted diabetic mice were significantly improved compared with the sham-operated mice. In addi-tion,blood glucose levels in vivo after an IVGTT also significantly improved. However,these improvements were only main-tained for 2 weeks. Furthermore,HE staining and immunostaining assays demonstrated that there were insulin-positive cell clusters and lymphocyte infiltration in the graft-bearing kidney. Conclusions A large number of quality islets can be isola-ted and purified from NOD mice by using the modified mouse islet isolation method, which can be used to develop thera-peutic strategies to protect transplanted islets from rejection and autoimmune attack.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) in elderly patients.Methods Clinicopatholigical data of 400 patients with IMN identified by renal biopsy from January 2006 to December 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were divided into three groups:the young (≤44 years old),the middle-aged (45-59 years old) and the elderly (≥60 years old),and the clinicopathological characteristics were compared among three groups.Results The average age of the elderly group was (64.9 ± 4.3) years,the elderly group had worse renal function than the young group (F =784.60,P =0.000) and the middle-aged group [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were (91.1 ± 25.9) 、(119.8 ± 37.0) and (102.5 ± 33.2) ml · min-1 · 1.73 m-2,F =21.74,P =0.000].The incidence of hypertension was higher in the elderly group than the other two groups [40.0％ (32/80) vs.19.6％ (30/153) and 22.2％ (37/167),x2 =12.76,P =0.003].The incidence of MN with ischemic nephropathy and tubulointerstitial lesion in the elderly group was higher than in the young group[15.0％ (12/80) vs.5.8％ (9/153),x2 =5.31,P =0.021].Conclusion The elderly patients with IMN are likely to be complicated with hypertension,ischemic nephropathy and tubulointerstitial lesions indicating poorer prognosis,so more attention should be paid to the early diagnosis and treatment of these comorbidities.

A sensitive and selective method for the determination of imidafenacin in human plasma using liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry was established, and was applied to the pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies of imidafenacin in healthy Chinese volunteers. After the liquid-liquid extraction pretreatment, samples were separated by UPLC on BEH C8(2. 1 mm×50 mm, 1. 7 μm)column with mobile phase 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate solution with 0. 2% acetic acid and acetonitrile using gradient elution. The mass instrument was operated in the positive ion mode, and the monitored transition was set at m/z 320. 2→238. 1 and m/z 330. 2→248. 2 for imidafenacin and IS(imidafenacin-d10), respectively. In the single-dose, double cycle, self-crossover clinical trial, 24 healthy Chinese volunteers received 0. 1 mg reference or test imidafenacin tablet orally under fasting condition. Drug concentration in plasma was determined by this method and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 3. 2. 8 software. The linear range of the analysis method is 10. 0 pg/mL to 1 000 pg/mL. The extraction recoveries of the low medium and high concentration samples were 84. 0%, 88. 0% and 90. 0%, respectively. The matrix effects of low medium and high concentration samples were 105%, 100% and 101%, respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters of imidafenacin for the reference and test tablets were as follows: cmax 524. 8 pg/mL vs 612. 6 pg/mL, tmax 1. 250 h vs 1. 063 h, AUC0-∞ 2 229 pg ·h/mL vs 2 466 pg ·h/mL. The reference and test tablets of imidafenacin were bioequivalent. This method proved to be rapid and accurate for the pharmacokinetic and bioequivalence studies of imidafenacin.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out genetic testing for two families affected with cobalamin C (cblC) and establish a rapid method for the detection of a hotspot pathogenic variant c.609G>A of the MMACHC gene by using a PCR-high-resolution melting curve (PCR-HRM) method. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the probands and their parents. Potential variants of the MMACHC gene was analyzed by Sanger sequencing. The c.609G>A variant of the MMACHC gene was screened among 100 healthy children with the PCR-HRM method. RESULTS: Sanger sequencing revealed that proband 1 carried compound heterozygous variants c.394C>T and c.609G>A of the MMACHC gene, while proband 2 carried compound heterozygous variants c.482G>A and c.609G>A of the same gene. PCR-HRM analysis of the two probands and the 100 healthy children were consistent with the Sanger sequencing. CONCLUSION c.609G>A is a hotspot pathogenic variant of the MMACHC gene. The diagnosis of cblC may be rapidly attained through detection by PCR-HRM.