Objective To evaluate the value of Multi-slice spiral CT angiography for spinal cord vessels.Methods 11 adult subjects with suspected of myelopathy were performed with Multi-slice spiral CT angiography,An iodine contrast agent was injected at 3.5 ml/s,for total 100 ml.The parameters were axial 16 slice mode,0.625 mm slice thickness,0.8 s rotation,delay time depending on smartprep (15—25 s), multi-phase scan.The coronal and sagittal MPR and SSD were generated on a workstation compared with spinal digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to analyze normal or abnormal spinal cord vessels.Results Normal findings at spinal CTA and digital subtraction angiography in six adult normal subjects and spinal cord vascular malformations( 1 intradural extramedullary AVF,4 dural AVFs) in five cases,Recognizable intradural vessels corresponding to anterior median (midline) veins and/or anterior spinal arteries were show in six adult normal subjects.Abnormal intradural vessels were detected in all five spinal cord vascular malformation with CT angiography ,in comparison with digital subtraction angiography these vessels were primarily enlarged veins of the coronal venous plexus on the cord surface,radiculomedullary-dural arteries could not be clearly shown in four dural AVF,only one anterior spinal artery was detected in one patient with intradural medullary AVF,which direct shunt between anterior spinal artery and perimedullary vein with tortuous draining vessel.Conclusion Multi-slice CT angiography is able to visualize the normal or abnormal spinal cord vessels.It could be used as a noninvasive method to screen the spinal cord vascular disease.

Objective To explore different socio-demographic and clinical characteristics for early onset patients (EOP) with psoriasis and late onset patients (LOP) with psoriasis in Chinese population and to provide scientific evidences for establishing comprehensive prevention and treatment strategy for psoriasis.Methods Cross-sectional study was performed.A total of 942 diagnosed psoriasis patients who paid a visit to outpatient clinic in a tertiary hospital in China from 12th September 2013 to 19th May 2015 was consecutively enrolled and investigated.Exploratory analysis was conducted to detect the association between disease onset age and patients features.Results Among 942 enrolled psoriasis outpatients,the average age was (40.6 ± 13.6) years with a range from 5 to 80 years.The sex ratio was 2.1 in favor of male.The most observed type of psoriasis in the present study was psoriasis vulgaris (98.3％).The average psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) for patients were 9.47 ±7.63.Comorbidity was combined in 20.2％ cases.Patients with EOP had a significantly higher likelihood of family history of disease.Compared EOP to LOP,LOP had a significantly higher likelihood of comorbidities involvement (P ＜ 0.05) and significant higher BMI index (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The present study supports the hypothesis that there are clinical differences between EOP and LOP in Chinese population.Both dermatologists and patients should pay more attention to psoriasis-associated features,such as family history and comorbidity diseases involvements.

Phytantriol (PT), ethanol (ET) and water were used to prepare in situ cubic liquid crystal (ISV2). The pseudo-ternary phase diagram of PT-ET-water was constructed and isotropic solution formulations were chosen for further optimization. The physicochemical properties of isotropic solution formulations were evaluated to optimize the composition of ISV2. In situ hexagonal liquid crystals (ISH2) were prepared based on the composition of ISV2 with the addition of vitamin E acetate (VitEA) and the amount of VitEA was optimized by in vitro release behavior. The phase structures of liquid crystalline gels formed by ISV2 and ISH2 in excess water were confirmed by crossed polarized light microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering, respectively. Rheological properties of ISV2 and ISH2 were studied by a DHR-2 rheometer. In vitro drug release studies were conducted by using a dialysis membrane diffusion method. Pharmacokinetics was investigated by determination of sinomenine hydrochloride (SMH) concentration in synovial membrane after intra-articular injection of SMH-loaded ISH2 in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats. The optimal ISV2 (PT/ET/water, 64 : 16 : 20, w/w/w) loaded with 6 mg x g(-1) of SMH showed a suitable pH, injectable and formed a cubic liquid crystalline gel in situ with minimum water absorption in the shortest time. The optimal ISV2 was able to sustain the drug release for 144 h. The optimal ISH2 system was prepared by addition of 5% VitEA into PT in the optimal ISV2 system. This ISH2 (PT/VitEA/ET/water, 60.8 : 3.2 : 16 : 20, w/w/w/w) was an injectable isotropic solution with suitable pH. The new ISH2 was able to sustain the drug release for more than 240 h. Local pharmacokinetics study indicated that the retention time and AUC(0-∞) of ISH2 group were increased significantly compared with that of SMH solution group and the AUC(0-∞) of ISH2 group was 6.01 times higher than that of SMH solution group. The developed ISH2 was suitable for intra-articular injection that may apply to patients in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Diffusion ; Ethanol ; Fatty Alcohols ; Gels ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Liquid Crystals ; Morphinans ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rheology ; Water ; alpha-Tocopherol

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of all-ceramic veneers in clinic fabricated by computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system and veneered with Vita VM9.

METHODS54 all-ceramic veneers were made for 12 patients. The patients were divided into three groups: Tetracycline staining group, fluorosis group and devitalization group. The color of patients' teeth was checked before and after laminates with Shade Eye. All-ceramic veneers was checked on the white background and abutment background. The value of L*, a* and b* were calculated to compare the color difference among 3 groups. The color, fitness and fracture of all-ceramic veneers were checked in clinic after restoration every 3 months.

RESULTSAll-ceramic veneers as a replacement for discolored teeth showed good appearance. The substructures and veneers showed significant color difference between white background and abutment background in tetracycline staining group and devitalization group, but there was no significant color difference in fluorosis group. All veneers had good esthetic effect, excellent marginal fit, good gingival and adjacent condition. The fracture was not found in clinic.

CONCLUSIONThe effects of all-ceramic veneers were perfect in color, fitness and stability to fracture. Fluorosis teeth is the best indication for all-ceramic veneers. To tetracycline teeth and devital teeth, the fundic porcelain with deep color should be chosen, or an opaquing material be applied as fundus in all-ceramic veneers repairing.

Ceramics ; Color ; Computer-Aided Design ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Veneers ; Humans ; Tooth Discoloration

The bioconversion of lignocellulosic materials for organic acid had great meaning to both economic and social benefit,owning to its renewable character,abundance and low price.In order to find out the key to the efficient utilization of lignocellulose,kinds of fermentation strategies to product organic acid(such as loctic acid,funaric acid)from lignocellulcsic were discussed,also the xylose metabolic pathway of Rhizopus sp.was extensively reviewed,and it find out that the low conversion of xylose was the bottle-block.

Cooperation hydrogen production was carried out using Rhodopseudomonas sp. DT and Enterobacter aerogenes. The effects of the initial ratio of Rhodopseudomonas sp. DT and E. aerogenes, culture temperature, and carbon source on the cooperation hydrogen production were investigated. The results suggested that cooperation hydrogen production rate was highly affected by the initial ratio of Rhodopseudomonas sp. DT and E. aerogenes. The mixed bacteria of Rhodopseudomonas sp. DT and E. aerogenes with 1:1 initial ratio benefited to the cooperation hydrogen production, which led the hydrogen production rate and duration of gas production to 3.1 mol H2/mol glucose and 81 h, respectively. The pH dynamics analysis of culture medium further discovered that the pH of the mixed bacteria with 1:1 initial ratio changed from 6 to 7 smaller than other conditions, which was probably fitted to produce hydrogen. Furthermore, the mixed bacteria with 1:1 initial ratio had the higher hydrogen production efficiency at temperatures of 28?C and 37?C than at 20?C, and without any hydrogen production at temperature of 50?C. The carbon sources of glucose, succinate acid, malic acid could be used to produce hydrogen by the mixed bacteria. Even the soluble starch, unused by Rhodopseudomonas sp. DT, was also decomposed by the mixed bacteria to produce hydrogen with the conversion efficiency of 8.22%. The glucose was the optimal carbon resource, and the conversion efficiency could reach to 36.11%. The results, further, implied that the cooperation hydrogen production could enlarge the use of the carbon sources.

Acupuncture has remarkable effects of pain relieving and functional restoration on injuries of soft tissue and joint due to military training. As more and more attention has been attached to the impact of psychological states and biorhythm disorder on the fighting ability of military staff, acupuncture has found its place in treating chronic fatigue, combat stress reaction, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder as well as regulating circadian rhythms. The therapeutic effect of acupuncture in military training-related physical damage and psychological trauma has already been proved by numerous clinical practices and researches. It is held that using acupuncture as an alternative could not only save medical resources, but also enhance the fighting ability of the army. However, the current clinical studies is facing the problem of limited sample size. Therefore, randomized controlled trials in large scale and multiple centers should be further carried out toward military staff, so as to provide more speaking evidences to the prevention and treatment of physical and psychological diseases.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Military Personnel ; psychology ; Pain Management ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; therapy ; Wounds and Injuries ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect mechanism of warm acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking therapy and its efficacy on insomnia by monitoring the level of brain neurotransmitters in the insomnia patients.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty patients with insomnia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 65 cases in each one. In the observation group, based on the treating principle of warming yang and benefiting qi, acupuncture was applied to Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Baihui (GV 20), Neiguan (PC 6) and Shenmen (HT 7). Warm acupuncture was supplemented at Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3). The treatment was given once every day. In the control group, estazolam tablets, 0. 5 to 1 mg were prescribed for oral administration, 30 min before sleep at night. The treatment of 14 days was taken as one session and 2 sessions were required in the two groups. The encephal of luctuograph technology was used to observe the sleep quality and brain neurotransmitters before and after treatment in the two groups and the efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 83.1% (54/65) in the observation group and 87.7% (57/65) in the control group. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the observation group, after treatment, 5-HT and GABA/Glu were all increased compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and norepinephrine (NE) was reduced compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05). The level of each index did not change significantly before and after treatment in the control group (all P > 0.05). The regulations of 5-HT, GABA/Glu in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe combined therapy of warm acupuncture and auricular point sticking method for warming yang and benefiting qi effectively improves brain neurotransmitters and essentially improves sleep quality of the patients with insomnia differentiated as yang deficiency pattern.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Serotonin ; metabolism ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; metabolism ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Yang Deficiency ; metabolism ; therapy ; Young Adult ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effects of anti-adhesion treatment and high-strength suture technique on the treatment of extensor tendon rupture by animal experiments and clinical application.Methods Twenty-eight leg-born chickens were randomly divided into four groups(7 each).Double cross suture was applied in group A,while double cross suture combined with sodium hyaluronate spraying in group B,cross-finger-like micro-braided suture in group C,and cross-finger-like micro-braided suture combined with sodium hyaluronate spraying in group D.The animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after operation,morphological,histological and biomechanics were observed and compared among the groups.One hundred and sixteen patients were treated with the surgical method in group D(89 males,27 females,aged 20-55 with an average of 36 years;73 with extensor tendon rupture,38 with strain/chalasis,5 with firearm injuries;56 on back of hand,48 on central slip,12 on lateral fixing chorda;82 with one-stage operation,and 34 with second-stage operation),and then followed-up for 2-5 years to observe the therapeutic effects.Results The repaired tendons in group D was in good contour,most tendon cells arranged regularly in bunches.The maximum load was significantly higher in group D(70.9?5.7N) than in group A(48.4?5.7N),Group B(51.3?3.2N) and Group C(68.3?2.8N,P

Objective To explore the value of two-dimensional ultrasound speckle-tracking imaging (STI) in assessing the left ventricular torsion (LVtor) in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM). Methods Thirty-four patients with AHCM and 21 healthy volunteers underwent two-dimensional echocardiography. High frame rate two-dimensional images of left ventricular short-axis views at the levels of mitral annulus and apex were obtained. Peak rotation (Prot) and the time to Prot, peak rotation velocity on basal and apical plane in left ventricular short-axis views, the peak twist (Ptw) and time to peak twist, half time of untwisting (HTU) were measured using two-dimensional strain software while twisting rate (Untw R) was calculated. All the above indices were compared between patients and healthy volunteers. Correlation was analyzed between HTU and E, A, E/A ratio. Results Compare with healthy volunteers, Prot and time to Prot and peak rotation velocity on apical plane in AHCM significantly increased, so did Ptw and peak rotation velocity of left ventricular (all P<0.05). HTU delayed with the Untw R and peak untwisting velocity decreased in the AHCM group (all P<0.05). There was negative correlation between HTU and E/A ratio in patients with AHCM. Conclusion When the left ventricular systolic function maintained normal in patients with AHCM, the peak rotation on apical plane and the LVtor increased with Untw R decreased. STI can sensitively evaluate the function alteration of myocardium in patients with AHCM.