Objective:To observe any effect of combining visual deprivation training (VDT) with repeated low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of lower limb motor dysfunction among stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty stroke survivors were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group ( n=25 each). In addition to routine rehabilitation treatment, the control group received rTMS targeting the primary motor cortex (M1, lower limb representation area) of the unaffected hemisphere, while the experimental group also received VDT. Before and after 4 weeks of the treatments, everyone′s lower limb motor function, balance, gait and ability in the activities of daily living were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), the root mean square (RMS) values generated through surface electromyography of the affected tibialis anterior muscle, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), the Tinetti Gait Assessment (TGA), and the modified Barthel Index (MBI). Results:After the treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in their average FMA-LE, BBS, TUGT, TGA and MBI results, as well as in the RMS values of the affected tibialis anterior muscle. The experimental group showed significantly greater improvement compared to the control group.Conclusions:The combination of VDT and low-frequency rTMS can effectively improve the lower limb motor function, balance and gait of stroke survivors. It is more effective than rTMS alone. The combined therapy is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Objective To establish a forensic age inference method based on age-related changes in maxillofacial CBCT imaging of Han population in North China.Methods CBCT imaging data of Han people aged 7～50 years were collected from September 2021 to September 2023.Mimics 17.0 software was used to perform 3D reconstruction on 480 cases that met the inclusion criteria(420 cases in the experimental group,60 cases in the blind test group,with a 50%male-to-female ratio)and obtain measured values for 16 indicators.The data were then statistically analyzed using SPSS 27.0 to identify age-related significant indicators and establish regression equations.Results Regression equations based on age-related significant indicators were established for different genders and age intervals.The accuracy of the equations decreased as the age interval increased.The blind test accuracy rates of regression equations for males across different age groups ranged between 62.6%and 80.6%,while for females,they ranged between 55.3%and 76.6%.Conclusion This study enriches maxillofacial skeletal data for Chinese population and establishes multivariate age inference regression equations based on significant indicators of age-related changes in maxillofacial CBCT,providing a new reference basis and inference method for forensic age assessment.

Objective:To observe any effect of combining visual deprivation training (VDT) with repeated low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of lower limb motor dysfunction among stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty stroke survivors were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group ( n=25 each). In addition to routine rehabilitation treatment, the control group received rTMS targeting the primary motor cortex (M1, lower limb representation area) of the unaffected hemisphere, while the experimental group also received VDT. Before and after 4 weeks of the treatments, everyone′s lower limb motor function, balance, gait and ability in the activities of daily living were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), the root mean square (RMS) values generated through surface electromyography of the affected tibialis anterior muscle, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), the Tinetti Gait Assessment (TGA), and the modified Barthel Index (MBI). Results:After the treatment, both groups showed significant improvements in their average FMA-LE, BBS, TUGT, TGA and MBI results, as well as in the RMS values of the affected tibialis anterior muscle. The experimental group showed significantly greater improvement compared to the control group.Conclusions:The combination of VDT and low-frequency rTMS can effectively improve the lower limb motor function, balance and gait of stroke survivors. It is more effective than rTMS alone. The combined therapy is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Objective To establish a forensic age inference method based on age-related changes in maxillofacial CBCT imaging of Han population in North China.Methods CBCT imaging data of Han people aged 7～50 years were collected from September 2021 to September 2023.Mimics 17.0 software was used to perform 3D reconstruction on 480 cases that met the inclusion criteria(420 cases in the experimental group,60 cases in the blind test group,with a 50%male-to-female ratio)and obtain measured values for 16 indicators.The data were then statistically analyzed using SPSS 27.0 to identify age-related significant indicators and establish regression equations.Results Regression equations based on age-related significant indicators were established for different genders and age intervals.The accuracy of the equations decreased as the age interval increased.The blind test accuracy rates of regression equations for males across different age groups ranged between 62.6%and 80.6%,while for females,they ranged between 55.3%and 76.6%.Conclusion This study enriches maxillofacial skeletal data for Chinese population and establishes multivariate age inference regression equations based on significant indicators of age-related changes in maxillofacial CBCT,providing a new reference basis and inference method for forensic age assessment.

Forensic medicine is the key force in crime scene investigations and identifications.It is also the traditional technique with the most personnel and the widest coverage of applications in criminalistics.Virtual autopsy is an innovative method of postmortem examination with high level scientific technology,high examining efficiency,and high digital value.Its unique advantages of non-invasiveness,digitalization,and reproducibility help to change the public's traditional concept of forensic autopsy.It can also improve the scientific and accuracy in identification of causes of death,help to accumulate data resources,and connect with the development of big data strategies and artificial intelligence in public security.Under the tide of developing new quality productive forces,forensic practitioners should focus on the opportunity of researches and practices on virtual autopsy.As a new quality identifying technology,virtual autopsy will strength the public security by fulfilling forensic mission and expanding medical-legal applications.

Forensic medicine is the key force in crime scene investigations and identifications.It is also the traditional technique with the most personnel and the widest coverage of applications in criminalistics.Virtual autopsy is an innovative method of postmortem examination with high level scientific technology,high examining efficiency,and high digital value.Its unique advantages of non-invasiveness,digitalization,and reproducibility help to change the public's traditional concept of forensic autopsy.It can also improve the scientific and accuracy in identification of causes of death,help to accumulate data resources,and connect with the development of big data strategies and artificial intelligence in public security.Under the tide of developing new quality productive forces,forensic practitioners should focus on the opportunity of researches and practices on virtual autopsy.As a new quality identifying technology,virtual autopsy will strength the public security by fulfilling forensic mission and expanding medical-legal applications.

Objective To study the value of postmortem imaging on the diagnosis of intestinal perforation.Method Postmortem imaging(PMCT and PMCTA)data of 2 intestinal perforation deaths(and 4 controlled cases)were reviewed retrospectively.Diagnosing capacities of intestinal perforation by postmortem imaging method were further investigated.Results PMCT is sensitive in detecting the free air and liquid induced by intestinal perforation.PMCT can sometimes detect the gravity-dependent purulent secretions in the abdominopelvic cavity.PMCTA can visualize the extravasation of contrast agent from the perforation,which can be used to locate the accurate perforation region.Conclusion Postmortem imaging method(PMCT and PMCTA)is an important tool for the diagnosis of intestinal perforation,which can not only be used as a forensic diagnosis method,but is also useful to locate the perforation site before an forensic autopsy.

The finite element method is a new method to study the mechanism of brain injury caused by blunt instruments. But it is not easy to be applied because of its technology barrier of time-consuming and strong professionalism. In this study, a rapid and quantitative evaluation method was investigated to analyze the craniocerebral injury induced by blunt sticks based on convolutional neural network and finite element method. The velocity curve of stick struck and the maximum principal strain of brain tissue (cerebrum, corpus callosum, cerebellum and brainstem) from the finite element simulation were used as the input and output parameters of the convolutional neural network The convolutional neural network was trained and optimized by using the 10-fold cross-validation method. The Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Square Error (MSE), and Goodness of Fit ( R ²) of the finally selected convolutional neural network model for the prediction of the maximum principal strain of the cerebrum were 0.084, 0.014, and 0.92, respectively. The predicted results of the maximum principal strain of the corpus callosum were 0.062, 0.007, 0.90, respectively. The predicted results of the maximum principal strain of the cerebellum and brainstem were 0.075, 0.011, and 0.94, respectively. These results show that the research and development of the deep convolutional neural network can quickly and accurately assess the local brain injury caused by the sticks blow, and have important application value for understanding the quantitative evaluation and the brain injury caused by the sticks struck. At the same time, this technology improves the computational efficiency and can provide a basis reference for transforming the current acceleration-based brain injury research into a focus on local brain injury research.
Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Computer Simulation ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Neural Networks, Computer

Background and purpose:Tumor microenvironment plays an important role in the introduction of foreign factors that mediate tumor acquired resistance. The antitumor effects of many chemotherapeutic agents depend on the level of oxygen pressure (pO2) in tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to evaluate electron paramagnetic reso-nance (EPR)-based monitoring on an oxygen-enriched tumor microenvironment to increase chemotherapeutic sensitivity. Methods:MCF-7 cells were used to establish human breast cancer in nude mice. EPR was used to directly measure pO2 levelin vivo. Tumor tissues were collected, and mitochondrial activity was assayed on the basis of the kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. A laser Doppler monitor was used to detect regional blood flow. Tumor apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results:The tumor volume decreased more evidently in the chemotherapy group with oxy-gen-enriched environment than that in the conventional chemotherapy group after the treatment was administered (P<0.01). After chemotherapy was completed, the apoptotic rate of tumor cells was significantly higher in the chemotherapy group with oxygen-enriched environment than that in the conventional chemotherapy group (P<0.001). This study examined the mechanism ofpO2 changes in tumor microenvironment: This was related to the change of the balance between the oxygen consumption and the regional blood flow in the tumor tissues after chemotherapy.Conclusion:Based on the characteristics ofpO2 changes in the tumor microenvironment after chemotherapy was completed, the selection of chemotherapy mode forthe treatment inpO2 peak time window improves the sensitivity of chemotherapy, which provides a new idea for individual-ized chemotherapy in clinical applications.

Objective To introduce a kind of operative technique in repair for the prolapse of the anterior mitral valve leaflet.Methods From January 2004 to October 2010,the operation of chordal transfer based on theedge-to-edge technique was performed in 18 cases with serious mitral valve regurgitation because of prolapse of the anterior leaflet.First,the edge-to-edge suturing was performed at the free edge of the prolapsed anterior leaflet with corresponding posterior leaflet.After that,quadrangular resection was performed to transfer these segments of posterior leaflet with its attached chordae.At last,the posterior leaflet was repaired after a quadrangular resection which would be much easier for the surgeons.After the operation,echocardiography was performed in each patient before discharge and at the time of follow-up.Results All patients survived after the operation,1 case required the rnitral valve replacement because of anterior leaflet performation occurring 3 days after the operation,1 case with hemoglobinuria and 1 case with low cardiac output,who all got symptomatic treatment afterwards.All the other patients were well discharged.At the time of follow-up,all of the patients were in NYHA functional class I.In all these patients,pre-discharge and follow-up echocardiography showed neither stenosis nor significant regurgitation of the mitral valve:the cross-sectional area of the mitral valve was 2.8-4.8 (3.78 +0.52) cm2,the mean regurgitation area was (0.45 +0.22) cm２.At the same time,both dimension of left atrium and left ventricular reduced significantly [ left atrium diameter:pre-operation ( 48.26 + 11.12 ) mm,post-operation ( 37.57 ± 9.56) mm (P ＝ 0.028 );the end-diastolic diameter of the left ventricular:pre-operation(61.43 ± 8.24) mm,post-operation (42.35 ±10.79) mm (P＝0.008)].Conclusion Chordal transfer based on the edge-to-edge technique provides good results for repair of anterior leaflet prolapse.