SUMMARY Diffusion spectrum imaging ( DSI) , a newly developed MRI technique, affords the capacity to map complex fiber architectures in tissues with sufficient angular resolution by imaging the spectra of tissue water diffusion. By contrast, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) , the currently widely used technique based on the 2nd order tensor model, obtains an approximation of the complex diffusion, and provides only one global maximal direction corresponding to the primary eigenvector for each voxel. As a generalized model-free diffusion imaging technique, firstly, DSI employs the probability density function to describe the diffusion process in each voxel; secondly, a sufficient dense signal sample derived from repeated applications of diffusion-weighed gradients ensures its capability to resolve the diffusion probability density function; thirdly, specific computer visualization techniques are used to extract the diffusion information and reconstruct the geometrical properties of tissue microstructure. The capacity to unravel complex tissue architecture, recent improvements in hardware and ongoing optimization of sequence design and algorithm enable a rapid growth of DSI for research use and future incorporation into clinical protocols. This paper introduces the basic principles of DSI and then compares the characteristics of DSI and DTI schemes. Finally, the typical applications of DSI to date are reviewed.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical application of gastric pharyngeal anastomosis assisted by laparoscope. METHOD: Apply laparoscope in the gastric pharyngeal anastomosis for 4 cases of advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma and cervical esophageal carcinoma patients. RESULT: Gastric pharyngeal anastomosis assisted by laparoscope were successfully completed in all 4 patients, all patients avoided thoracotomy or laparotomy, one patient occurred pharyngeal fistula, and died six months later. One patient had cervical lymph node metastasis a year and a half later, without treatment again because of economicissue. The remaining two patients were still alive, one patient had survived 3 years and a half after operation, the other had survived 2 years and a half after operation. CONCLUSION Gastric pharyngeal anastomosis assisted by laparoscope is feasible. It can reduce the operation wound, improve the safety of operation and patients' life quality.
Anastomosis, Surgical ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Fistula ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neck ; Pharynx ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate

Objective To investigate the effect of Suanzaoren Decoction on hippocampus, cortex BDNF and TrKB gene expression in depression model rats. Methods Depression rat models were established by social-isolated raise and chronic stress stimulation. Suanzaoren decoction was administrated to the models. RT-PCR was adopted to detect the expression of mRNA BDNF and TrKB genes. Results The mRNA expression of BDNF and TrKB in cortex of Suanzaoren decoction high dose group、medium dose group and clomipramine group(0.213±0.094, 0.639±0.023, 1.032±0.015, 1.089±0.014, 1.580±0.012, 1.860±0.019)were all higher than the model group(0.032±0.008, 0.001±0.000), showing a significant difference among four groups (P<0.01), and the mRNA expression of BDNF and TrKB in hippocampus of Suanzaoren decoction high dose group, medium dose group and clomipramine group(0.213±0.094, 0.639±0.023, 1.032±0.015, 1.089±0.014, 1.580± 0.012, 1.860±0.019)were higher than the model group (0.021±0.015, 0.125±0.013), there was a significant difference between four groups(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression of low-dose group of Suanzaoren decoction in both cortex and hippocampus of BDNF and TrKB was not significantly different to the model group(P>0.05). Conclusion Suanzaoren decoction can increase the expression of BDNF and TrKB gene, promote neuronal proliferation, and resist depression.

Objective To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)on both the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the pyramidal neurons in hippocampal CA1 region of rats.Methods Wistar male rats(3—4 weeks)were killed by cervical dislocation and hippocampal slices(400 ?m)were prepared,blind whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were performed on the CA1 pyramidal cells in hippocampal slices to examine and analyze the effects of PNS(0.05—0.4 g/L)on CA1 afferent fiber-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents(EPSCs)and inhibitory postsynaptic currents(IPSCs),respectively.Moreover,the Schaffer collateral/commissural pathway was stimulated with paired pulses(interpulse interval was 50 ms)and the paired-pulse facilitation(PPF)was analyzed by EPSC2/EPSC1(P2/P1)ratio.Results PNS(0.1—0.4 g/L)significantly depressed amplitude of EPSCs in neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region(P0.05).Conclusion The inhibitory effect of PNS on EPSCs in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons is not due to the reinforcement of the inhibiting interneurons.It may be a result of direct inhibition on excitatory synaptic transmission.The increasing of P2/P1 ratio after PNS application suggests that PNS depresses the excitatory synaptic transmission by presynaptic mechanism.

Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of Yufeng Ningxin drop pills in treating nervous headache with blood- stasis syndrome.Methods A double- blind,randomized,parallel- control and multi- center trial was carried out.Treatment group was treated by Yufeng Ningxin drop pills (15 pills,tid) and placebo tablet (5 tablets,tid); Yufeng Ningxin tablet (5 tablets,tid) and placebo drop pills(15 pills,tid) served as positive control.The course of treatment lasted 4 weeks.There were 60 patients in every group.Results No significant differences were found in total therapeutic effect rate( 90 % in both two groups) ,effective rate in relieving symptoms and signs( 95 % in treatment group and 91.6 % in control group) ,attacking frequency of headache,lasting- time of headache,average lasting- time of each time of headache,severity of headache,scoring of headache and scoring of symptoms and signs between the two groups.Conclusion Both Yufeng Ningxin drop pills and Yufeng Ningxin tablet are effective and safe in treating nervous headache.No obvious adverse reaction is found. 

Objective:To compare soft-tissue morphology changes by cephalometric measurements be-tween extraction and non-extraction orthodontic treatment in borderline cases.Methods:The samplesconsisted of 33 cases selected as borderline cases by 5 orthodontic specialists.They were divided into 21extraction cases(including 13 four first premolar extraction cases and 8 four second premolar extractioncases)and 12 non-extraction cases by checking patients' treatment records.Conventional cephalometricanalysis was made to compare soft tissue structures before and after orthodontic treatments and the samecomparison was made between two different extraction patterns.Results:No statistical difference wasfound in pretreatment soft-tissue morphology between extraction and non-extraction groups divided fromborderline cases.The PosBs/FH of the four first premolars extraction group was smaller than that of non-extraction group,and the Ns-Sn-Pos of the four first premolars extraction group was smaller than that offour second premolar extraction group.None of the post-treatment soft-tissue measures showed significantstatistical differences between four first premolars extraction group and non-extraction group,but therewere 6 items showed significant statistical differences between four second premolars extraction group andnon-extraction group.Compared with extraction and non-extraction treatments,the most significant soft-tissue changes were:PosBs/FH,LL-SnPos,and Bs-EP.Conclusion:Although pre-treatment soft-tissuemorphology of second premolar extraction group was close to that of non-extraction group,the post-treat-ment soft-tissue morphology of first premolar extraction group became closer to that of non-extractiongroup.Compared with non-extraction treatment,the more significant changes caused by extraction treat-ment were located in the lower lip and chin,but not the upper lips.

Objective To establish the fingerprints of quaternary ammonium hydrate alkaloids in Radix Zanthoxyli nitidii by means of HPLC and to identify and evaluate the quality of different parts and commercial decoction pieces of Radix Zanthoxyli nitidii.Method The column of Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C_8(4.6?150mm,5?m)was selected.The mobile phase consisted of A:3 % glacial acetic acid-diethylamine(1000:7.8),B:methanol,and C:acetonitrile(non-lin- ear gradient elution).The elution speed was 0.8 mL?min~(-1),the detection wavelength was at 250 nm and 270 nm,and the column temperature was 20℃.Results The HPLC fingerprint of Radix Zanthoxyli nitidii consisted of 21 peaks which were chiefly composed by alkaloids such as Chelerythrine,Nitidine chloride,with a consistent peak-to-peak ratio.The constituents' distribution information provided quality information for assessing medicinal materials.Conclusion It showed that the alkaloids distributed mainly in the cortex of the roots,so the commercial decoction pieces of aged roots shed cortexes are inferior.The stems can not be used equivalently with the roots due to low content distribution of alkaloids.

BACKGROUND:In recent years, tissue engineering has made great progress, and skin tissue engineering is especialy noteworthy. Artificial dermis (PELNAC) is relatively used widely, but there is a lack of relevant reports on wound repair in children. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical efficacy of Pelnac? METHODS:In a retrospective study, 22 patients with the wound of severe trauma were treated with Pelnac as skin graft dressings on treatment of the wounds of severe trauma in children. ? graft, negative-pressure wound therapy and split-thickness skin graft as experimental group (Pelnac? group), and another 19 patients treated with granulation formation dressing and split-thickness skin graft as control group. We colected data including the graft livability, the required re-operative times and the epithelization time after the skin graft. During the folow-up, the skin color and texture of survival skin, subcutaneous fulness, scar hyperplasia and the joint function were also evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the Pelnac ? group, the graft livability was up to 90% within 10-14 days after grafting. The secondary split-thickness skin graft was required in two cases in the Pelnac? group and in eight cases in the control group. There was a significant difference in the graft livability (P < 0.05). The average epithelization time after the skin graft was (13.86±3.09) days in the Pelnac? group, which was significant shorter than the control group, (19.10±4.62) days, after the first time operation (P< 0.05). During the 10 months folow-up, the survival skin color and skin elasticity in the Pelnac? group was significantly better than that in the control group (P< 0.05). Better subcutaneous fulness and milder scar hyperplasy in the injured sites were obtained in the Pelnac? group compared with the control gorup. Five cases had certain joint function limitation in the Pelnac? group, compared to 10 cases in the control group, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). Artificial dermis Pelnac? has a stronger anti-infectious ability and higher graft livability. Pelnac? graft combined with negative-pressure wound therapy, granulation culture and split-thickness skin graft can shorten the epithelization time, improve wound healing and aleviate harm to the joint function after the skin graft.

Objective To investigate the influence of thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) with two different dosages on the expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in rats with renal tubular interstitial fibrosis,and to further estimate the changes of renal tubular interstitial lesions.Methods Rat models of renal tubular interstitial fibrosis were established by unilateral ureteral occlusion (UUO).The male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and 15 rats in each group:sham group,model group,treatment group with 1 mg/L Tβ4 and treatment group with 5 mg/L T34.Rats in sham group and model group were poured into the same amount of saline.The renal function and renal pathological changes were observed after the second week.The mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β and CTGF in renal tissues was tested by in-situ hybridization and Western blotting.Results Compared with that in sham group,the expression of TGF-β mRNA and its protein,CTGF mRNA and its protein was significantly higher in model group (all P ＜ 0.01).Compared with rats of model group,Tβ4 treatment rats had lower mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β and CTGF (all P ＜ 0.01),and the expression in treatment group with 5 mg/L Tβ4 was lower than that in treatment group with 1 mg/L Tβ4 (P ＜ 0.05).And the expression of TGF-β mRNA was positively correlated with CTGF mRNA expression (r=0.697,P ＜ 0.01).The 24 h total urinary protein and the area of renal tubular interstitial lesion in model group were significantly more than those in sham group,and also more than those in Tβ4 treatment group (all P ＜ 0.05).Tβ4 treatment attenuated kidney damage,and the effects in treatment group with 5 mg/L Tβ4 were better than those in treatment group with 1 mg/L Tβ4.No difference in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen was observed among 4 groups (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Tβ4 treatment can inhibit the renal TGF-β and CTGF expression of rats with tubular interstitial fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner,and play a protective role in kidney.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of negative emotions on serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and neuropeptide Y (NYP) in hepatitis B liver cirrhosis (HBLC) patients.

METHODSTotally 617 HBLC patients were assigned to the negative emotion group (415 cases) and the non-negative emotion group (202 cases) judged by negative emotions. Case numbers of various grading Child-Pugh were recorded in the two groups. Their liver functions were compared between the two groups. Serum levels of ACTH and NPY were detected using double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the two groups.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in Child-Pugh grading between the two groups (χ2 = 0.65, P = 0.72). Compared with the non-negative emotional group, serum ACTH levels decreased significantly in the negative emotion group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in serum ACTH levels between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe negative emotion of HBLC patients was not related to the serum ACTH level, but to relatively lower-concentration serum NPY levels.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Emotions ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; psychology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; psychology ; Neuropeptide Y ; Serum