Objective To investigate the entrance surface dose to the examined patients in radiography using digital and screen-film system in hospitals at different levels in 15 provinces and municipalities in China,in order to provide data for developing diagnostic reference level of radiography suitable for our national physical characteristics.Methods According to the requirements of the Technical Study on Medical Radiation Hazard Assessment and Control,the examined patients aged 20-70 years were selected,with body weight ranging from 55 to 80 kg for male and 50 to 70 kg for female.TLDs were used to measure the entrance surface dose to adult patients in radiography.No less than 10 examined patients were required at each body position,with examined locations including head (PA,LAT),chest (PA,LAT),abdomen (AP),pelvis (AP),lumbar (AP,LAT),and thoracic vertebra (AP,LAT).Results A total of 19 975 individuals undergoing radiography and 1 813 radiographic equipment of different types including screen-film radiography,computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR),were investigated in 342 hospitals in 15 provinces and municipalities throughout the country.For these three types of equipment,the average entrance surface dose to the examined were 1.75,1.9,and 1.15 mGy in head (PA),1.69,1.46and 1.03 mGy in head (LAT),0.75,0.65 and 0.36 mGy in chest (PA),1.81,1.26 and 0.88 mGy in chest (LAT),4.37,3.77 and 2.15 mGy in abdomen (AP),3.73,3.56 and 2.75 mGy in pelvis (AP),5.49,5.84 and 4.17 mGy in lumbar (AP),12.01,9.37 and 6.82 mGy in lumbar (LAT),4.53,3.65 and 2.49 mGy in thoracic vertebra (AP),and 6.91,6.43 and 4.15 Gy in thoracic vertebra (LAT).Conclusions Entrance surface dose caused by radiography examination varies dependent on different exposure locations.Entrance surface doses caused by digital radiography are all lower than by screen-film radiography;those caused by digital radiography are lower than by computed radiography,except for thoracic vertebra (AP).In all examinations,no difference of statistical significance is found between CR and screen-film radiography in entrance surface dose.

Objective To investigate the CT scanning parameters in hospitals at different levels in 15 provinces and cities in China and the doses to patients undergoing CT examination,in order to provide the basis for establishing CT diagnostic reference level suitable for our country.Methods As required in the implementation program for Technical Study on Medical Radiation Hazard Assessment and Control,the information on the patients examined and the CT scanning parameters in clinical practices were investigated.The CT dose index (CTDI100,CTDIW,CTDIVOL) of CT scanner was measured by using the CT ionization chamber.The dose length product (DLP) was calculated on the basis of the scan length of the patients examined.Results A total of 6 524 CT scanning procedures and 483 different types of CT scanning equipment were surveyed in 166 hospitals in 15 provinces in China.For head,chest,abdomen,and lumbar vertebrae,the average weighted CTDIW were 43,15,19 and 25 mGy,respectively,and the third quartile of CTDIw were 50,19,23 and 32 mGy,respectively.The average DLP were 540,397,503 and 376 mGy· cm,respectively.The third quartile of DLP were 659,525,632 and 479 mGy· cm respectively.Conclusions Through this survey,the doses to CT-examined patients in some provinces were basicly ascertained.The third quartile of doses to four body parts of the examined patients are different from the diagnostic reference level given in publications in other countries and regions.It is important to establish the CT diagnostic reference level suitable for our CT-examined patients according to Chinese national physical characteristics and therefor to promote the optimization of medical radiation protection in CT examination.

Objective To investigate the effect of graded surgical treatment according to injury classification on old thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures ( OVCFs) . Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 238 patients with old thoracolumbar OVCFs admitted to the Honghui Hospital affiliated to the College of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University from February 2013 to November 2016. There were 49 males and 189 females, aged 63-78 years, with an average age of 66. 8 years. The bone density T value was ( -3. 8 ± 0. 3)SD. The injured segments were located at T7-T9 in 35 patients, T10-L2 in 171, and L3-L4 in 32. A total of 16 patients had neurological injury, including 14 with grade C and two with grade D according to the American Spinal Injury Association ( ASIA) neurological function classification. According to the patient's clinical manifestations and imaging complexity, the patients were assigned with I to V grades for individualized surgical treatment. Among them, 86 patients with grade I were treated with vertebral augmentation; 60 patients with grade II received posterior reduction and internal fixation combined with vertebral augmentation when necessary;44 patients with grade III were treated with posterior decompression and reduction and internal fixation;30 patients with grade IV received posterior osteotomy and orthopedic fusion; 18 patients with grade V were treated based on the major symptoms. The visual analogue score ( VAS ) , Oswestry dysfunction index ( ODI) , vertebral sagittal index, and the American Spinal Injury Association ( ASIA) grading before operation and at the last follow-up as well as the postoperative complications were recorded. Results All patients were followed up for 12-38 months with an average of 18. 5 months. The VAS of patients with grade I to V improved from preoperative (8. 0 ± 0. 7)points, (8. 1 ± 0. 7)points, (8. 3 ± 0.89)points,(8.1±0.7)points,(8.2±0.2)pointsto(2.1±0.8)points,(2.0±0.8)points,(2.2± 0. 8)points, (2. 3 ± 0. 8)points, (2. 2 ± 0. 8)points at the last follow-up (P<0. 05);ODI was improved from preoperative 69. 5 ± 3. 0, 70. 1 ± 2. 0, 70. 3 ± 2. 1, 69. 9 ± 1. 9, 70. 0 ± 2. 2 to 39. 8 ± 2. 2, 39. 1 ± 2. 4, 40. 1 ± 2. 1, 39. 0 ± 2. 3, 39. 5 ± 2. 3 at the last follow-up (P<0. 05);the vertebral sagittal index improved from (89. 7 ± 2. 1)％, (74. 4 ± 8. 3)％, (75. 0 ± 6. 7)％, (72. 3 ± 5. 2)％, (71. 1 ± 2. 1)％to (85.2 ±7.4)％, (84.2 ±5.5)％, (85.1 ±4.4)％, (86.2 ±3.5)％, (83.4 ±1.7)％ (P<0.05). For 16 patients with nerve injury, the ASIA grading was improved from preoperative grade C in 14 patients and grade D in two patients to grade D in four patients and grade E in 12 patients at the last follow-up. A total of 11 patients ( seven patients with grade I, one with grade II, two with grade IV, and one patient with grade V) had vertebral height loss in the later stage, but only two patients underwent secondary surgery for severe low back pain. Conclusions For obsolete thoracolumbar OVCFs, the concept of graded surgery can effectively guide the treatment strategies of these patients. Different surgical schemes for patients with different conditions can effectively alleviate the pain, restore spinal stability, correct kyphosis deformity, relieve nerve compression and promote functional recovery.

Objective: To analyze the differentially expressed microRNA (miRNA) and their target genes in peripheral blood and bone tissue of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP), and provide basis for the study of pathogenesis as well as biomarkers identification of PMOP. Methods: Two miRNA datasets of PMOP from the public platform NCBI-GEO DataSets were obtained, including GSE64433 (the miRNA expression profile of peripheral blood samples, including 23 PMOP patients and 25 controls) and GSE74209 (the miRNA expression profile of the femoral neck bone tissue sample, including six PMOP patients and six controls). R/Bioconductor was performed for data analysis and differentially expressed miRNA screening, and miRNAs with fold change>2 & P<0.05 between osteoporosis and controls were selected as differentially expressed miRNA. The miRNA target gene prediction was performed by combining TargetScan, miRDB and miRTarBase databases. The miRNA-target gene regulatory network was constructed and analyzed by Cytoscape. Results: There were 224 differentially expressed miRNAs (75 up-regulated miRNAs and 149 down-regulated miRNAs) in the peripheral blood samples of PMOP group (GSE64433 dataset) and 132 differentially expressed miRNAs (58 up-regulated miRNAs and 74 down-regulated miRNAs) in the femoral neck bone tissue of PMOP group (GSE74209 dataset). We combined the results from the two datasets and obtained 8 miRNAs down-regulated in both datasets, and the 8 miRNAs regulated a total of 327 target genes, and 10 of these target genes were co-regulated by two miRNAs. Conclusions The core miRNAs and the target genes regulated by multiple miRNAs in the regulatory network may play important roles in the pathogenesis of PMOP and have potential application values as molecular biomarkers of disease. These findings are meaningful for the studies of PMOP pathogenesis, biomarkers screening and prevention of osteoporotic fractures.

In this paper, scientific theory was used to prove that the meridian was the resonant channel of information energy of life, and experiment and demonstration was performed to reveal meridians to explore the significance of revealing meridian. Based on the theory of physics, biochemistry, molecular biology and information theory, the essence of meridian was demonstrated in theory. According to TCM meridian theory, acupuncture was applied at selected acupoints; the infrared thermograms of stomach meridian of foot , large intestine meridian of hand , small intestine meridian of hand , pericardium meridian of hand , heart meridian of hand , triple energizer meridian of hand , liver meridian of foot , bladder meridian of foot were recorded before and after acupuncture. As a result, thermogram recorded and showed the visual image of the meridian. It is indicated that an energy transmission network which cannot be dissected existing in the body, which was believed to be meridian. It was the resonant channel of information energy of life, and could be shown by thermogram. These experiments and theory have significance in science.
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Meridians

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A for injection in the treatment of post-stroke upper limb spasticity (dosage was 200 U,or 240 U if combined with thumb spasticity).Methods The study was a multi-center,stratified block randomized,double-blind,placebocontrolled trial.All the qualificd subjects were from 15 clinical centers from September 2014 to February 2016.They were randomized (2∶1) to injections of botulinum toxin type A made in China (200-240 U;n =118) or placebo (n =60) in pivotal phase after informed consent signed.The study was divided into two stages.The pivotal trial phase included a one-week screening,12-week double-blind treatment,followed by an expanded phase which included six-week open-label treatment.The tone of the wrist,finger,thumb flexors was assessed at baseline and at weeks 0,1,4,6,8,12,16 and 18 using Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS),disability in activities of daily living was rated using the Disability Assessment Scale and impaction on pain,muscle tone and deformity was assessed using the Global Assessment Scale.The primary endpoint was the score difference between botulinum toxin type A and placebo groups in the tone of the wrist flexor using MAS at six weeks compared to baseline.Results Muscle tone MAS score in the wrist flexor of botulinum toxin type A and placebo groups at six weeks changed-1.00 (-2.00,-1.00) and 0.00 (-0.50,0.00) respectively from baseline.Botulinum toxin type A was significantly superior to placebo for the primary endpoint (Z =6.618,P ＜ 0.01).The safety measurement showed 10 subjects who received botulinum toxin type A had 13 adverse reactions,with an incidence of 8.47％ (10/118),and three subjects who received placebo had three adverse reactions,with an incidence of 5.00％ (3/60) during the pivotal trial phase.All adverse reactions were mild to moderate,none serious.There was no significant difference in adverse reactions incidence between the botulinum toxin type A and the placebo groups.During the expanded phase three subjects had four adverse reactions and the incidence was 1.95％.All adverse reactions were mild,none serious.Conclusion Botulinum toxin type A was found to be safe and efficacious for the treatment of post-stroke upper limb spasticity.Clinical Trial Registration:China Drug Trials,CTR20131191

Objective To investigate the effect of measuring value transfer for human serum samples assigned by the reference laboratory network on improving the trueness of seven enzyme activities in clinical laboratories,such as ALT,AST,GGT,LDH,CK,AMY and ALP.Methods Depending on the medical imtitutions at all levels contacted by 5 reference laboratories in North China,South China,East China and Southwest China,the corresponding clinical laboratory measuring value transfer/traceability network was established.The frozen human serum samples with good interehangeability and standard material characteristics,including calibrator,sample 1 and sample 2,were provided by Beijing Aerospace General Hospital,and were assigned by 5 reference labotatories in four regiom.These samples were sent to 48 clinical laboratories.These clinical laboratories measured sample 1 and sample 2 according to their standard operating procedures,and then measured.the two samples again after adjusting their measurement system by using the supplied calibrator.The changes of trueness of detection results in these laboratories were evaluated according to the WS/T 403-2012 standard,and the changes of consistency for ALT and AST before and after measuring value tramfer were investigated.Results The results of AMY,ALP,GGT,CK and LDH calibrator,sample 1 and sample 2 assigned by the established network were 138.7 U/L,278.5 U/L and 68.3 U/L,265.3 U/L,94.5 U/L and 134.4 U/L,195.8 U/L,89.0 U/L and 158.9 U/L,393.7 U/L,260.0 U/L and 645.3 U/L,and 302.0 U/L,250.0 U/L and 452.7 U/L,respectively.The percentages of sample 1 and sample 2 which met the bias requirements of the WS/T 403-2012 standard before measuring value transfer for AMY,ALP and GGT were 65.9％ and 61.0％,76.6％ and 78.7％,and 66.7％ and 70.8％,respectively,while after measuring value transfer,they were 89.2％ and 83.8％,86.7％ and 80.0％,and 85.4％ and 91.7％,respectively.The percentages of sample 2 which met the bias requirements of the WS/T 403-2012 standard before measuring value transfer for CK and LDH were 64.6％ and 58.3％,respectively,while after measuring value trander,they were 93.5％ and 84.8％,respectively.The coefficients of variation (consistency) of sample 1 and sample 2 for ALT and AST before measuring value tramfer were 12.9％ and 11.3％,and 10.2％ and 8.9％,respectively,while after measuring value transfer,they were 9.3％ and 8.2％,and 5.6％ and 5.9％,respectively.Conclusion The calibration of routine measurement systems based on the measuring value transfer for human serum samples assigned by the reference laboratory network may improve the comparability of 7 enzyme actvities measurement results in chnical laboratories at all levels obviously,which deserves to be further spread.

The teaching of geriatrics requires the combination of basic medicine,clinical medicine,nursing,rehabilitation medicine and pharmacy,and the intersection of medical science and humanities.In order to meet the problems of coping with much disease coexistance in geriatrics,poor efficacy,long course of disease,slow recovery and adverse drug reactions,the article puts forward the combination of blackboard and multimedia,the combination of teacher teaching and student lectures,the combination of PBL and CBL,and the combination of theoretical knowledge and clinical practice.It also puts forward carrying out reforms from such measures as the classroom teaching,teaching rounds,case discussion,literature reading,academic research,humanistic influence,going to community pension center for social practice and so on,to improve the quality of gerontology teaching.

Objective To fulfill the requirements for uncertainty of the calibration apparatus for dosimeters used in X-ray mammography through setting standard radiation quality at the SSDL and developing calibration procedures.Methods According to IEC 61267-2005 and IAEA TRS No 457 to recommend RQR-M and RQA-M series standard radiation quality,the calibration apparatus was evaluated for long term stability of the radiation field over 8 years from 2006 to 2014,including 10 response quantities,such as field homogeneity,change rate of mean air kerma and scatter radiation contributions and so on.In addition,the reference dose instrument was traced back to the PSDL of PTB in Germany by post during 2008 and 2012.Results The field homogeneity (φ 40 mm) relative error was ± 1.4％.The long term stability of the calibration apparatus was less than ± 2％ (limits of variation).The scatter radiation contributions at their points of test were below 0.12％.The calibration factors traced to PTB were 0.999-1.000.As a result of the calibration apparatus,the expanded uncertainty was ± 3％ (k =2,95％ confidence interval).Conclusions The calibration apparatus may meet the requirements of IEC 61267-2005 and IAEA TRS No 457 and has obtained the license of metrology from national regulatory authority.The laboratory now performs very well to calibrate dosimeters used in X-ray mammography.

Objective To investigate the incidence and treatment of posttraumatic cauda equina herniation associated with lumbar fracture.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 416 patients admitted due to lumbar burst fracture between June 1,2008 and June 1,2011.All the patients had been operated on via anterior or posterior approaches.Data collected included demographics,injury mechanism,radiographs,surgical procedures,outcomes and follow-up.Incidence of cauda equina herniation was documented.Results All surgeries were uneventful.Cauda equina herniation was observed in 49 patients (11.8％) during surgical exploration.Anterior surgery was done on 115 patients and found 7.8％ incidence of cauda equina herniation (9/115).Posterior surgery was done on 301 patients and found 13.3％ incidence of cauda equina herniation (40/301).There were 40 patients combined with laminar fracture and 38 of them had cauda equina herniation with the incidence rate of 95％.Among the 49 patients with cauda equina herniation,44 (90％) had neurological deficit and 5(10％) were found with good neurological function but significant proportion of cauda equina rootlets entrapped in the lamina fracture.Conclusions Lumbar burst fracture combined with neurological deficit and laminar fracture may increase the risk of posttraumatic cauda equina herniation and should be paid attention.Operations should be performed with caution to avoid further nerve damage.