OBJECTIVETo explore the application value of the high-frequency ultrasound examination of the normal adult sciatic nerve.

METHODSThe high frequency ultrasound was used to examine 60 cases ,a total of 120 normal adult sciatic nerve (28 males and 32 females ranging in age from 19 to 38 years old, averaged 23.8 years old). The age between men and women, height and weight showed no significant difference. The cross-sectional scanning and longitudinal scanning, if necessary, Panoramic Imaging were conducted. The cross section area of sciatic nerve was measured at the hip line, the middle of the thigh, the edge of the popliteal fossa, and the relationship betwen the sciatic nerve and surrounding muscle group was observed in each cross-section. Probe was rotated 90 degree to display the long axis of sciatic nerve, to get the longitudinal section along the long axis from top to bottom. So the sciatic nerve in the vertical axis and the surrouunding muscles was displayed by above method combined with panoramic imaging. The data of coss-sectional area of sciatic nerve were obtained at the central of hip line, the middle of the thigh, the edge of the popliteal fossa, and then were divided into different groups by gender and sides to do statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe applicatic nerve in thigh can be clearly displayed by high-frequency ultrasound in this group of 60 people with 120 nerves, but low display rate of sciatic nerve in hip, approximatley 31.4% (21/66). The longitudinal section of the sciatic nerve displayed as the banded isoechoic or slightly hyperechoic, parallel partial hyperechoic line could be seen in it; in the cross-section, it showed a clear edge of the sieve-like isoechoic or slightly hyperechnie, which could be oval ,trapezoidal, triangular and irregular in shape; the sciatic nerve bad visible passive movement and shape change when muscle contracted. There were statistically significant differences of cross-sectional area of sciatic nerves at the hip line ,the middle of thigh and edge of the popliteal fossa between 56 sciatic nerves in 28 males and 64 sciatic nerves in 32 females (P< 0.05); but there were no significant differences between left and right sides (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONHigh frequency ultrasound can be used as the first choice of the sciatic nerve when an imaging method preferred.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Sciatic Nerve ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUNDEnhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). It has been proposed that the beneficial effects of EECP observed in clinical studies may be due to the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and collateral development. However, there is a relative paucity of basic studies to support the proposed mechanisms.

METHODSTwelve Beagle dogs were anesthetized with 3% sodium pentobarbital, 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection and mechanically ventilated for the development of myocardial infarction. After coronary occlusion, all animals were randomly assigned to either EECP or control. EECP was given one hour per day, 5 days a week, for a total of 28 to 30 hours treatment over a 6-week course. Immunohistochemical studies of alpha-actin and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were used to detect newly developed microvessels. Systemic and local vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were identified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse-transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.

RESULTSThere was a significant increase in the density of microvessels per mm(2) in the infarcted regions of EECP group compared to control group (vWF, 15.2 +/- 6.3 versus 4.9 +/- 2.1, P < 0.05; alpha-actin, 11.8 +/- 5.3 versus 3.4 +/- 1.2, P < 0.05), along with significant increase of positive vWF and alpha-actin stained area. Both immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR analysis documented a significant increase in VEGF expression. These factors associated with angiogenesis corresponded to improved myocardial perfusion by 99mTc-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography.

CONCLUSIONMicrovessel angiogenesis may be a mechanism of action for the improved myocardial perfusion after EECP therapy.

Animals ; Counterpulsation ; Dogs ; Hemodynamics ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood ; genetics ; Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUNDProphylactic para-aortic nodal dissection (PAND) has no proven benefits for potentially curable advanced gastric cancer. However, the value of therapeutic PAND for involved para-aortic nodes (PANs) in patients with locally advanced gastric cancers has not been determined yet.

METHODSBetween 1998 and 2010, 157 gastric cancer patients with 1-3 involved PANs underwent extended D2 (D2+) lymphadenectomy plus PAND (PAND group, n = 69) or extended D2 lymphadenectomy alone (non-PAND group, n = 88). The clinicopathologic features and prognostic data were compared between the two groups. A propensity score-adjusted analysis was used for a balanced comparison.

RESULTSThe rate of PAN metastasis was 40.6% (28/69) in the PAND group. The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in the PAND group than in the non-PAND group (43.7% vs. 31.8%, P = 0.044). Compared to the non-PAND group, the death hazard ratios in the PAND group were 0.45 (95% CI 0.274-0.739; P = 0.002) and 0.536 (95% CI 0.328-0.861; P = 0.0097) by multivariate analysis without and with propensity score adjustment respectively. Recurrence rate at 5 years was 39.1% in the PAND group and 43.2% in the non-PAND group (P = 0.628).

CONCLUSIONExtended D2 lymphadenectomy plus PAND is associated with superior outcomes for advanced gastric cancer patients with 1-3 involved PANs.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prophylactic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To study and analyze the diagnostic value and interventional treatment value of high-frequency ultrasound for elbow cyst. METHODS: From February 2018 to February 2021, the data of 60 patients with elbow cyst treated by high-frequency ultrasound interventional therapy were retrospectively analyzed, including 30 males and 30 females with an average age of (30.93±5.32) years old ranging from 20 to 54 years old. The course of disease ranged from 1 to 10 years with an average of (3.45±0.25) years. High-frequency ultrasound features of all patients were analyzed. The clinical efficacy, the occurrence of adverse events and the changes of psychological status before and after treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: In 60 cases of elbow cyst, the cyst size was from 6 mm×7 mm to 111 mm×60 mm. The characteristics of ultrasonic images included such as most of the morphology was regular, which was round or oval, and a few were irregular;the boundary was clear, there was a capsule wall, most of the inside of the capsule was good, no echo;when accompanied by bleeding or infection, small dense points can be seen floating;the cystic wall of the patients with long course of disease was coarser, and the internal light bands were separated, showing multilocular shape;no significant blood flow signal was observed. Final results involved olecranon bursa cysts in 19 cases, annular ligament cysts in 10 cases, radial bursa cysts in 9 cases, accessory ligament cysts in 7 cases, epidermoid cysts in 4 cases, ganglion cysts in 6 cases, nerve sheath cysts in 5 cases. After treatment, 33 cases were cured, 16 cases had obvious effect, 11 cases were improved, 0 cases were invalid. After treatment, mild adverse events occurred in 1 case, moderate adverse events in 1 case, and severe adverse events in 0 cases, with a total incidence of 3.33% (2/60). After treatment, positive affect score (38.04±1.74) was higher than that before treatment (35.92±2.34), and negative affect score (24.61±1.51) was lower than that before treatment (30.15±3.46), with statistical significance(P<0.05). CONCLUSION High-frequency ultrasound has high diagnostic value for elbow cyst, and it has ideal effect in interventional therapy.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Elbow ; Cysts ; Ultrasonography ; Treatment Outcome