Objective To design and develop a multi-modality medical image fusion and evaluation simulation system to eliminate the deficiencies of the images by different technologies.Methods The system was developed with MATLAB 2014a development platform as well as MATLAB graphical user interface and image processing toolbox.Results Common methods were realized of multi-modality medical images,and the evaluation on seven objective indicators was implemented such as entropy,mutual information,cross entropy,mean,standard deviation and etc.Conclusion The system behaves well in interactivity,practicality and extensibility,and is of great significance for clinical diagnosis as well as teaching medical image processing in specialties of biomedical engineering,medical image technology and etc.[Chinese Medical Equipment

BACKGROUND: MRI T1ρ and T2 mapping have been applied to study lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in human and rhesus monkey, showing that they can be used for evaluating the early degeneration, but their application in New Zealand rabbit lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration is never reported.OBJECTIVE: To compare the relaxation time values of T1ρ and T2 mapping at different time points in a New Zealand rabbit model of ischemic lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, and to compare the sensitivity for degeneration.METHODS: Fifteen New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups, and one of intervertebral discs at L4-5,L5-6 and L6-7 was designed for ischemic lumbar intervertebral disc degenerative model and the other two discs for controls. All the rabbits underwent T1ρ and T2 mapping preoperatively, 1, 3 or 6 months postoperatively to analyze the changes in the relaxation time at different time points.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) In the modeling group, the T2 mapping relaxation time of nucleus pulposus was (118.53±20.51) ms and (85.42±11.65) ms at 3 and 6 months after modeling, respectively, which showed significant difference when compared with preoperatively (146.21±16.93) ms (P < 0.05); but the time showed no significant difference compared with 1 month after modeling (P > 0.05). (2)T1ρ relaxation time of nucleus pulposus was (64.75±14.63) ms at 6 months after modeling, which showed significant difference when compared with preoperatively (87.88±8.87) ms (P < 0.05); but the time showed no significant difference compared with 1 and 3 months after modeling (P > 0.05). (3) In the control group, there was no significant difference in the T1ρ or T2 mapping relaxation time of nucleus pulposus before operation with 1, 3 or 6 months after operation (P > 0.05). The Pfirrmann grade of lumbar intervertebral disc was changed to Pfirrmann grades II-III at 6 months after modeling. (4) These results suggest that MR T1ρ and T2 mapping both are quantitative tools for evaluating the progress of ischemic lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration in New Zealand rabbits, especially the T2 mapping MRI may be more sensitive to early degenerative changes.

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) in preterm infants and changes of maturation with gestational age.

METHODSaEEG monitoring was done within 3 days of age with domestically produced digital aEEG set (CFM3000). Duration of each recording was at least 4 hours. The continuity, sleep-wake cycle, voltage and bandwidth of all aEEG tracing were analyzed.

RESULTSThe percent of continuity background increased from 30% of 28 weeks to 85.7% of 36 weeks (χ(2) = 28.2, P = 0.026); the percent of mature sleep-wake cycle increased from 10% of 28 weeks to 100% of 36 weeks (χ(2) = 192.4, P < 0.01). Low bound voltage increased with gestational age, from (6.8 ± 1.7) µV (28 w) to 9.7 - 10.1 µV (35 - 36 w) (F = 11.4, P < 0.01). Bandwidth of the narrow band decreases gradually with gestational age, from 1.45 cm (28 w) to (0.86 ± 0.24) cm (36 w) (F = 8.731, P < 0.01). The correlation coefficient for continuity, sleep-wake cycle, low bound voltage and bandwidth of narrow band, and total scores were 0.32, 0.81, 0.38, 0.55 and 0.78 respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe older the gestational age of infants at birth, the more mature the aEEG pattern, manifested as increased continuity and sleep-wake cycle, the higher low bound voltage and more narrowed bandwidth with increased gestational age.

Age Factors ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; physiology ; Male

Objective To investigate the relationship between atherosclerotic lesions of arteries of lower extremities and metabolic disorders in patients with diabetic foot. Methods Three hundreds and sixty two patients with type 2 diabetes were selected, including 232 males and 130 females, with average age of (64.9?11.2) years and the average diabetic duration of (9.2?7.5) years. Atherosclerotic lesions of the arteries were detected by type B ultrasound. According to severity of lesions of femoral, popliteal and tibial arteries, the patients were classified into four groups: A-control group, B-plague formation (plague), C-arterial stenosis (stenosis) (luminal narrowing≥50%) and D-arterial occlusion (occlusion). Fasting blood glucose, GHbAlc and lipid levels (Total cholesteral, TC; Triglyceride, TG; Low density iipoprotein, LDL) were tested in all patients. Results (1)GHbAlc levels in group B and group C were significantly different from that in group A respectively[(8.4?2.2%)vs(7.8?2.2%),P

OBJECTIVETo analyze the genotype of a patient suspected for thalassemia through a series of experiments.

METHODSConventional methods for detecting common thalassemia mutations was used in conjunction with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in order to determine the genotype of the patient. Corresponding primers were designed for developing a Gap-PCR system for detecting rare type mutations.

RESULTSThe patient was identified as a homozygote for Chinese Gγ(Aγδβ)-thal deletion, with clinical manifestations tending to be intermediate or severe based on the hematological characteristics. A Gap-PCR system has been developed for detecting the above mutation with accuracy and rapidity.

CONCLUSIONThe Chinese Gγ(Aγδβ)-thal is prevalent in southern China, and caution should be taken to avoid misdiagnosis. The Gap-PCR system for detecting Chinese Gγ(Aγδβ)-thal is suitable for extended applications for its simplicity and rapidity.

Apolipoprotein AI (apo AI), the major protein component of human high-density lipoprotein (HDL), is a single-chain polypeptide of 243 amino acids. Several epidemiological studies have shown that the plasma concentrations of HDL has the role of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and inversely correlated with the incidence of coronary artery disease. Because apo AI lacks post-translational modifications, it is convenient to express human apo AI in Escherichia coli expression system. However, there is a poor stability of the mRNA and the apo AI protein in E. coli, it is difficult to express mature apo AI in recombinant bacteria, moreover, even as a fusion protein, apo AI is still sensitive to degradation and can not be cleaved efficiently from the fusion tags. In contrast, proapolipoprotein AI (proapo AI, having an additional polypeptide containing the amino acids Arg-His-Phe-Trp-Gln-Gln at the amino-teminal of the mature protein) proved stable and undegraded in Escherichia coli, and therefore, in this research, an expression system of E. coli including a plasmid of P(R)P(L) tandem promoter was adapted to produce proapo AI. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis of the proapo AI cDNA was performed to generate a Clu8Asp mutation in the amino-terminal sequence of proapo AI which created an acid labile Asp-Pro peptide bond between amino acid 8 and 9, and permitted specific chemical cleavage to remove pro-peptide. After inducing with a shift of temperature, yields of recombinant proapo AI achieved about 40% of total cell protein and the recombinant proapo AI expressed proved as a form of inclusion body in cells, so protein need to renature. First of all, the protein was dissolved in buffer with denaturant, and renaturation was carried out on a hydrophobic interaction column (Phenyl Sepharose), ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration chromatography were then used to further purify the protein. The purified recombinant apo AI was detected by a set of tests including Western-blotting, Circular dichroism spectra and lipid-binding test, the results shown that recombinant apo AI has similar structural and lipid-binding properties identical to those of native plasma apo AI, which facilitates further research and application.
Apolipoprotein A-I ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; methods ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; Mutation ; Protein Precursors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo address the features of the fungal infection after burn injury in clinic.

METHODSThree thousand nine hundred and nine burn patients admitted to our institute from Jan. 2003 to Dec. 2006 were involved in this study. Two thousand two hundred and seventy-one samples were harvested for fungal detection by culture from 467 patients suspected to be infected by fungi based on their clinic manifestations. The collected samples included wound tissue, blood, urine, stool, sputum, catheters and others. The antibiotic sensitivity of the identified fungi were determined by routine method. When same kind of fungus was found from different samples taken from one patient, it was recorded as one positive sample. The samples were ranked in an ascending order as wound secretion, stool, urine, sputum and bronchial alveolar lavage fluid, arteriovenous catheter or urinary catheter, blood. Only the positive sample of the highest rank source was recorded as the positive strain of fungus from this particular patient.

RESULTSIt was found 61 fungal positive samples from the 2271 samples collected. Out of 467 patients, 38 strains of fungi were detected from 36 burn patients during the investigated period, the incidence was 0.92% (36/3909). The most three commonest types among the identified 38 strains of fungi were Candida tropicalis (42.1%), Candida albicans (31.6%) and Candida famata (T. Famata, 10.5%). The drug sensitivity tests demonstrated that most of the strains detected in this investigation, with the exception of candida glabrata, were sensitive to most of the routine antimycotics agents such as Amphotericin B, Fluconazole, and Itraconazole etc. Among the 36 fungus positive patients, in 18 patients the burn area exceeded 80% TBSA, 12 patients with 50%-79% TBSA, 4 patients with 30%-49% TBSA, and in 2 patients the burn area was smaller than 30% TBSA. It was found most of the fungal infections (77.78%) occurred 2 weeks after burn injury, and 8 of the 36 fungus-infected patients died (the mortality was 22.22%). Conclusions Further examinations are necessary to confirm the diagnosis in burn patients suspected to have fungal infection. Once fungal infections are confirmed, antimycotic therapy must be started immediately.

Burns ; microbiology ; Candida ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Incidence ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mycoses ; drug therapy ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application of the Third Military Medical University (TMMU) formula for fluid resuscitation on the major burn patients during shock stage.

METHODSSeventy-one thermal injury patients (burn area more than 30% TBSA, without especial illness, hospitalization within 8 hour after burn) admitted from 2005 to 2007 were divided into adult group (n = 46), child group (n = 25). Fluid resuscitation was initiated as per the TMMU formula.

RESULTSAll patients survived the first 48 hours post burn injury and none developed recognized complications associated with fluid resuscitation. The average infused fluid was 16% approximately 38% more than the calculated in both adult and child groups. The average urine output during the first 24 hours post burn injury was 1.1 approximately 1.2 mL x kg(-1) x h(-1) in the two groups, but reached 1.2 mL and 1.7 mL x kg(-1) x h(-1) during the second 24 hours in adult and child groups respectively.

CONCLUSIONTMMU formula for fluid resuscitation is a feasible option for major burn patients. Individual fluid resuscitation, guided by the physiological response, is also important and necessary.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Burns ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; methods ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Shock ; therapy ; Young Adult

【Objective】To investigate the analgesic and degenerated regularity of paravertebral ozone injection in the discogenic pain model of SD rats ，and to reveal the mechanism of analgesic effect of ozone preliminarily.【Methods】 Male SD rats（n = 65）were randomly divided into control group（n = 15），model group（n = 25）and ozone group（n = 25）. The L5- 6 intervertebral discs of SD rats in model group and ozone group were punctured to establish discogenic pain models. Ozone was injected paravertebrally in ozone group rats on the 22nd day after modeling. The rats in control group were normal. A quantitative allodynia assessment technique and MRI were used to detect the 50% mechanical withdrawal threshold（50%MWT）and Pfirrmann grade of L5-6 intervertebral discs at different time intervals. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF- α）and calcitonin gene-related peptide（CGRP）in left dorsal root ganglion and sciatic nerve were detected by western blot.【Results】The 50% MWT of both hind paws were different from each other in three groups at each time after the 22nd day after modeling（P < 0.05）. In the ozone group，the 50% MWT rose on the 22nd day after modeling（left 7.6±6.8，right 3.6±1.0，P < 0.05 vs pre-ozone injection），and reached the peak on the 24th day after modeling（left 10.6±8.2，right 7.9±6.7，P < 0.05 vs pre-ozone injection），and maintained this level until the 56th day after molding. In the ozone group，the L5-6 intervertebral disc degeneration was apparently visible compared with model group（P < 0.05）. The expression of TNF- α and CGRP in dorsal root ganglion and sciatic nerve were different from each other in three groups（model>ozone>control，P < 0.05）.【conclusions】Paravertebral ozone injection can alleviate the pain of discogenic pain model rats，but aggravates the degeneration of the lumbar disc. Paravertebral ozone injection can reduce the expression of TNF-α and CGRP in the sciatic nerve and dorsal root ganglia of discogenic pain model rats.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of 3D models of patients with complex congenital heart disease(CHD) printed by domestic 3D priuters based on cardiac CT data.Methods From April 2018 to June 2018,our hospital used domestic 3D printers to print the hearts of 50 patients with complex CHD.The median age of the patients was 24 months(1 month to 61 years),and the diseases included pulmonary atresia,right ventricular double outlet and transposition of aorta.3 measurement sites(150 in total) were selected for each patient.Pearson correlation coefficient calculation,paired t test and Bland-Altman analysis were performed.Results Pearson correlation coefficient is 0.997.The difference of the measured value of CT-model was tested for normality.P was 0.2 of the D test.The Q-Q graph showed that the data point and the theoretical line were highly overlapped.The mean difference was (-0.07 ± 0.67) mm,P =0.196.In Bland-Altman analysis,the consistency boundary value interval of the difference was(-1.29 mm,1.16 mm) between which there were 143/150(95.33％) points.Conclusion 3D models of patients with complex CHD printed by domestic 3D printers based on cardiac CT data have good accuracy.