To develop a medication reminder based on Android platform, which can be used to set up personalized reminders quickly and record the patient' s medication time-stamp and related information. In addition, the effect of using the reminder on medication compliance was studied. 14 subjects participated in the evaluation of medica-tion compliance. The differences of dosage and medication rate between the group using and without using reminder were investigated. The dosage and medication rate were got by the pill counting. The Wilcoxon matched -pairs signed rank test showed that the dosage and the medication rate of the group using reminder were higher than that without using reminder significantly(Z= -2. 93, P =0. 003 ). The results demonstrated that the use of the re-minder can improve the medication dose and rate significantly,indicate that the reminder might be a new technical support for clinical research on medication compliance, and also might reduce the workload for medical staff and patients.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between MRI and X-Ray discography findings and pain response at provocative discography in patients with discogenic back pain. Methods Two hundred and fifty-six lumbar intervertebral discs in 93 patients who underwent MRI and X-Ray discography were included in this study. MR images were retrospectively evaluated regarding disc degeneration, endplate abnormalities and high intensity zone. Disc degeneration was graded according to the modified criteria of Pearce, et el. Evaluation of disc morphology was performed with X-Ray discography by using the classification of Adams, et al. Endplates and adjacent bone marrow abnormalities were classified according to Modic,et al. During discography concordant pain was regarded as positive, whereas discordant pain and no pain were regarded as negative. The data were analyzed using the Chi-squnre test. Results There were 116 discs with concordant pain and 140 discs with discordant pain or no pain. Of 256 discs on discography, 17 discs were type Ⅰ17(6.6%),type Ⅱ were 25(9.8%),type Ⅲ were 91(35.5%), type Ⅳ were 77(30.1%) and type Ⅴ were 46(18.0% ). On MR images, discs of grade Ⅰ were 23 (9.0%) ,grade Ⅱ were 34(13.3%), grade Ⅲ were 84(32.8%), grade Ⅳ were 85 (33.2%) and grade Ⅴ were 30(11.7%). There was positive correlation between Pearce graded of MRI and classification of Adams of discography (r=0.62, X2 =160.87,P <0.01).In 123 discs of type Ⅳ to type Ⅴ on discography, 104 discs were with concordant pain. There was positive correlation between type Ⅳ-Ⅴ and concordant pain( r=0.60, X2 = 144.08, P < 0.01). In 115 discs of Ⅳ-Ⅴ grade degeneration, 99 discs presented with concordant pain. There was positive correlation between Ⅳ-Ⅴ grade disc degeneration and concordant作者单位:510120 广州,中山大学附属第二医院放射科 pain(r = 0.59, X2 = 137.11, P <0.01 ). In 60 discs with high intensity zone(HIZ), 52 discs presented with concordant pain. There was positive correlation between HIZ and concordant pain ( r=0.41, X2= 51.93, P <0.01 ). In 58 discs with endplate degeneration, 51 presented with concordant pain. There was positive correlation between Modic degeneration and concordant pain ( r = 0.41, X2= 52.76, P < 0.01 ). Conclusion In patients with chronic low back pain, MR imaging may present moderate to severe disc degeneration, high intensity zone, endplates and adjacent bone marrow abnormalities. MR findings with concordant pain can raise the diagnostic possibility of discogenic lumbar pain. Typical discography findings, fissured or ruptured disc, with concordant pain are important diagnostic evidence for discogenic lumbar pain.

Objective To prospectively evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted imaging with background signal suppression (DWIBS) in the detection and diagnoses of metastatic cervical lymph nodes. Methods Twenty patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas underwent conventional MRI and DWIBS. The ADC values were measured and compared between metastatic and benign lymph nodes. The abilities of DWIBS and conventional MRI in the evaluation of metastatic cervical lymph nodes were compared. Results Conventional MRI demonstrated 101 lymph nodes, in which 58 were diagnosed as metastatic nodes. When MRI criteria were used for discrimination between metastatic and benign nodes, the obtained sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value were 78% (47/60), 81%(44/54), 80% (91/114), 82% (47/57) and 77% (44/57), respectively. The mean ADC values of metastatic nodes (n =60) and benign nodes (n =54) were (0.945 ±0.122) × 10-3 mm2/s and (1. 210 ±0. 151 ) × 10-3 mm2/s ( t = - 10. 354 ,P ＜0. 01 ). When an ADC value of 1. 090 × 10 -3 mm2/s was used as the threshold for discrimination between metastatic and benign nodes, the obtained sensitivity, specificity,accuracy, positive and negative predictive value were 88% (53/60), 80% (43/54), 84% (96/114), 83%(53/64) and 86% (43/50), respectively. Conclusion DWIBS is helpful in diagnosing metastatic cervical lymph nodes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and is superior to conventional MRI in their detection.

Objective To evaluate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of parenehyma and necrosis in distinguishing among metastatic lymph nodes, lymphoma and tuberculous lymph nodes. Methods Thirty-six patients with cervical lymph nodes metastasis from the head and neck squamous cell carcinomas,19 patients with lymphoma and 23 patients with lymph nodes tuberculosis underwent diffusion-weighted imaging. The ADC values were measured and compared in parenchyma and necrosis of 177 lymph nodes confirmed by histopathology (n = 114) and clinical follow-up (n = 63). The means between two groups were compared by t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) was used to analyze the data among three or more groups. Results The mean ADC values of parenchyma in metastatic nodes, lymphoma and tuberculous nodes were (0.93±0.16) × 10-3mm2/s, (0.64±0.13) × 10-3mm2/s and (1.01±0.11) ×10 -3 mm2/s respectively (F = 82.928, P < 0.01) ; the ADC values of necrosis in metastatic and tuberculous nodes were (2.02 ± 0. 36) × 10-3 mm2/s and (1.25 ± 0.15) × 10-3 mm2/s respectively (t = 12.045, P <0.01). An ADC value of parenchyma lower than or equal to 0.77 × 10 -3mm2/s was used as the threshold for lymphoma, with a sensitivity 83% and specificity of 89%. An ADC value of necrotic area greater than or equal to 1.60 × 103mm2/s was used as the threshold for metastatic nodes, with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 100%. Conclusion The ADC value of lymph nodes, especially for their internal necrotic areas, can help judge the nature of the cervical lymph nodes.

BACKGROUND: Seed cell exerting its function is required to depend on the extracellular matrix in tissue engineering, so that biocompatible material is important to be selected. OBJECTIVE: To prepare a novel composite scaffolds of chitosan/collagen/nano-hydroxyapatite (HA-CS/Col/nHAP) and to optimize the technology of tissue engineered-stents according to the circumstances of cell adhesion.METHODS: Chitosan was modified by hyaluronate acid. The structure was observed by differential scanning calorimetry and the Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Three composites of HA-CS/Col/nHAP according to different ratio of chitosan and collagen solution (1: 2; 1: 1 and 2: 1) were prepared. The composite scaffolds were co-cultured with osteoblast MC3T3-E1, and the proliferation and cell growth curve were measured by CCK-8 method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hyaluronic acid and chitosan were crosslinked with amide linkage. Pore size was on the range from 50 μm to 250 μm. Porosity was increased with increased collagen level and elastic modulus, but density was reduced. Increased collagen content was beneficial for cell adhesion and proliferation on stent in the primary phase of cell co-culture. However, from day 10, no significant difference was determined among three samples. At the beginning of cell culture, cells adhered to the airspace insides the composite scaffolds. In the following days, cells grew in a colony manner, and cell-cell junction could be easily observed. These indicate that HA-CS/Col /nHAP composite scaffolds can improve the adhesion and proliferation of osteoblast. The ratio of chitosan to collagen volume at 1: 1 was optimal.

Objective To prepare a novel bioactive and degradable scaffold with mineralized collagenpolyose based composite by biomimetic synthesis for bone tissue engineering and explore the compatibility of osteoblast culturing on the scaffold.Methods Using the cross-linking product of collagenⅠ and sodium hyaluronate as the template,the calcium phosphate was deposited on it to produce a mineralized composite.The 3-D porous scaffolds were prepared by liquid phase separation after the mineralized composite combining with polylactic acid (PLA) and NaCl.The materials and scaffolds were investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and universal testing machine.In addition,inverted microscope,fluorescence microscope,SEM,Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay were introduced to analyze the growth,function and compatibility(morphology,proliferation and differentiation ) of osteoblast-like cell on the scaffolds.Results The degree of hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals in the composite was low and the size was tiny,which were similar to that of nature bone.The SEM micrographs showed that the scaffolds possessed 82% of porosity and the pore size was about 200 μm to 650 μm.Cells on the scaffolds spread well and presented a high proliferation rate and differentiation level.Conclusion The novel scaffolds are simiar to nature cancellous (spongy) bone both on structure and in property and might be used as one of the optimal scaffolds material for bone tissue engineering.

Objective To discuss the value of MR T2 mapping in the research of the biomechanics and function of cartilage of knee joint.Methods Knees of 20 healthy adults before and after jogging and 19 osteoarthritis patients were examined with sagittal 8-echo SE sequence.The T2 value of cartilage was selected and calculated.The T2 values in the superficial and deep cartilage of femoral and tibial joint before and after jogging were compared,so did between the osteoarthritis patients and healthy adults.The source images were sent to the workstation to get T2 mappings.The T2 value of cartilage between before and after jogging was compared with paired-samples t test.The T2 value between superficial and deep cartilage before jogging was compared with independent-samples t test,so did between the osteoarthritis patients and healthy adults.Results The T2 values in the superficial and the deep tibial cartilage were(48.8±6.3)ms,(44.3±5.7)ms before jogging and(43.4±5.0)ms,(40.3±6.1)ms after jogging.The T2 values were significantly different between before and after jogging(t=6.004 and t=5.037,P＜0.05).There was a significant difference between superficial and deep tibial cartilage before jogging(t=3.148,P＜0.01).The T2 Values in the superficial and deep femoral cartilage were(52.1±5.7)ms,(47.7±5.3)ms before jogging and(47.2±4.5)ms,(43.6±4.1)ms after jogging.The T2 values were significantly different between before and after jogging(t=6.169 and t=5.957,P＜0.05).There was a significant difference between superficial and deep femoral cartilage before jogging(t=3.384,P＜0.01).The T2 mapping showed those changes.The mean T2 value in the tibial cartilage of osteoarthritis patients was(56.0±9.1)ms and was higher than that of healthy adults.There was a significent difference between osteoarthritis patients and healthy adults(t=-3.446,P＜0.01).Conclusion T2 mapping can be used in the research of biomechanics and function of cartilage and has a prelimilary value in the diagnosis of cartilage degeneration.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of three dimensional dynamic contrast enhanced MRA(3D DCE MRA)on esophageal and gastric varices compared with endoscopy.Methods From April 2003 to June 2008,153 patients with portal hypertension who underwent both 3D DCE MRA and endoscopy were reviewed retrospectively.All the patients were divided into bleeding group and non-bleeding group according to the clinical symptoms.The location and degree of the esophagogastric varices on 3D DCE MRA were assessed with postprocessing images,including subtraction,MIP and thin-slab maximum intensity projection(thin-MIP),and were compared with the results of endoscopy.The maximum,minimum and mean diameters of esophagogastric varices inside and outside of the wall were measured on the reformed images.The correlation between the findings of 3D DCE MRA and endoscopy were analyzed with Spearman rank correlation coefficient test The rates of esophagogastric varices outside of the wall in bleeding and non-bleeding group were compared by means of Chi-square test Results In bleeding group,severe esophageal varices were documented in 59 patients,moderate in 6 patients,mild in 5 patients;in non-bleeding group,severe esophageal varices were documented in 32 patients,moderate in 4 patients,mild in 5 patients.Severe,moderate,and mild gastric varices were documented in 28,34 and 16 in bleeding group,while they were 7,12 and 9 in non-bleeding group.Esophageal and gastric varices can be wholly presented on MIP images after subtraction,while the esophagogastric varices inside and outside of the wall can be differentiated on thin-MIP images.The location and degree of esophagogastric varices on 3D DCE MRA were correlated with the findings of the endoscopy.The range of r was from 0.544 to 0.878(P＜0.01).In 91 patients with severe esophageal varices,27 patients presented outside esophageal varices in bleeding group(n=59)and 24 patients presented outside esophageal varices in non-bleeding group(n=32).There was a significant difference in ratio of outside esophageal varices between bleeding group and nonbleeding group(X~2=7.199,P＜0.01).In 35 patients with severe gastric varices,22 patients showed adventitial gastric varices in bleeding group(n=28)and 4 patients showed adventitial gastric varices in non-bleeding group(n=7).The ratio of adventitial gastric varices in bleeding group was not significantly different from that of non-bleeding group(P=0.340).Conclusions 3D DCE MRA can display and differentiate the esophagogastric varices both inside and outside of the wall by three dimensional reconstruction.The results of 3D DCE MRA and endoscopy have good correlation.It is of importance in evaluating the esophageal varices outside of the wall,because they may indicate decreased risk of haemorrhage in patients with severe degree of esophageal varices.

Objective The purpose of our study was to investigate three dimensional dynamic contrast enhanced MR angiography(3D DCE M RA) in the detection of portosystemic collateral circulation in the falciform ligament in patients with portal hypertension. Methods From April 2003 to July 2008, 53 portal hypertension patients with varices in the falciform ligament were evaluated with 3D DCE MRA.Two radiologists independently assessed the number, diameter, location and drainages of the portosystemic collateral circulation in the falciform ligament according to the information on the 3D DCE MRA.Results The veins in the falciform ligament were classified into the superior and inferior groups, and both groups arise from the left trunk of the portal vein.In our study, the number of varices detected on 3D DCE MRA images varied from 1 to 3, and the diameters of these vessels varied from 0.4 to 2.6 cm.The inferior group consisted of paraumbilical/umbilical veins (47 cases), which flowed toward umbilicus and then drained upwards (n = 16) including deep superior epigastric veins (n = 7), superficial superior epigastric veins (n = 9), downwards (n = 40) including deep inferior epigastric veins (n = 7), superficial inferior epigastric veins (n = 33), or upwards and downwards at the same time (n = 9).The superior group of vessels in the falciform ligament were directly anastomosed with the internal thoracic vessels (n = 6).Conclusion In patients with portal hypertension, 3D DCE MRA can optimally demonstrate the portosystemic collateral circulation in the falciform ligament, which includes the superior and inferior drainage groups.

Objective To study the effects of early mechanical strain magnitude on formation and differentiation of osteoclasts. Methods RAW 264.7 cells induced by macrophage colony-stimulating factors and osteoclast differentiation factors were subjected to 0, 1 000, 1 500, 2 000, 2 500 and 5 000 με mechanical straining for three days. The morphological changes, number of osteoclasts and proliferation of precursor cells were determined at day 7. The activity of the tartrate-reaistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in the culture medium was detected at days 4 and 7. Results The number of osteoclasts was decreased in 2 500 με group, while it was increased in 5 000 με group. The proliferation of precursor cells was increased in 2 000 and 2 500 με group, while it was decreased significantly in 5 000 με group. There was no significant difference in the number of osteoclasts and proliferation of precursor cells among 1 000 με group, 1 500 με group and 0 με group. The activity of TRAP was decreased in 1 000, 1 500, 2 000, 2500 and 5 000 με groups at days 4 and 7 when compared with με group. Conclusions Early mechanical straining plays a direct role in formation and differentiation of osteoclasts. The high strain magnitude within physiological load inhibits osteoclast formation, while high strain magnitude beyond physiological load stimulates osteoclast formation. Low strain magnitude has nearly no impact on formation of osteoclasts. Early mechanical straining may inhibit differentiation of osteoclasts.