The gradient coils of MRI equipment can induce vibrations in implantable medical devices, causing periodic vibrations of implantable medical devices with respect to the surrounding tissue. This not only results in instrument failure but also causes discomfort to the patient. Therefore, studying the vibration characteristics of implantable devices under different scanning sequences and the orientation of the device relative to the magnetic field is crucial for comprehending vibration performance. This study observed the vibration spectra of a full cranial bone-implanted neurostimulator by using laser vibrometry under typical rapid imaging sequences and explored the impact of different magnetic field orientations on vibration. The results demonstrated that the rapid echo sequences induced diverse and rich vibration components, whereas the planar echo sequences caused relatively simple vibrations. Additionally, the strongest vibrations normally occurred in the maximum conductive surface parallel to the phase-coded direction. It revealed the factors influencing the vibrations of skull fixation active implantable devices and provided guidance for enhancing device safety and protecting patient well-being during MR examinations.
Vibration ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Deep Brain Stimulation/instrumentation* ; Magnetic Fields ; Humans

The liver has a strong regenerative capacity that ensures patient recovery after hepatectomy and liver transplantation.The portal system plays a crucial role in the dual blood supply to the liver,making it a significant factor in hepatic function.Several surgical strategies,such as portal vein ligation,associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy,and dual vein embolization,have high-lighted the portal system's importance in liver regeneration.Following hepatectomy or liver trans-plantation,the hemodynamic properties of the portal system change dramatically,triggering regeneration via shear stress and the induction of hypoxia.However,excessive portal hyperperfusion can harm the liver and negatively affect patient outcomes.Furthermore,as the importance of the gut-liver axis has gradually been revealed,the effect of metabolites and cytokines from gut microbes carried by portal blood on liver regeneration has been acknowledged.From these perspectives,this review outlines the molecular mechanisms of the portal system's role in liver regeneration and summarizes therapeutic strategies based on the portal system intervention to promote liver regeneration.

Objective To investigate the effects of Huoxue Yiqi Decoction(composed of Carthami Flos,Crataegi Fructus,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,and Astragali Radix)combined with Pinggan Qianyang Muzu Powder(composed of Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis,Prunellae Spica,Chrysanthemi Flos,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Cassiae Semen)on blood lipid metabolism and cardiac function in female patients with essential hypertension.Methods A total of 220 female patients with essential hypertension of qi deficiency and blood stasis type were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 110 cases in each group.The control group was treated with conventional western medicine,and the observation group was treated with Huoxue Yiqi Decoction orally combined with Pinggan Qianyang Muzu Powder for foot bath on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment for the two groups covered one month.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of blood pressure,blood lipid,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores and cardiac function indicators of left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and stroke volume(SV).After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After one month of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 95.45%(105/110),and that of the control group was 84.55%(93/110).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of primary symptoms and secondary symptoms in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of systolic blood pressure(SBP)and diastolic blood pressure(DBP)in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of SBP and DBP levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the levels of blood lipid indicators of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG)and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were higher than those before treatment(P＜0.05).The decrease of TC,TG and LDL-C levels and the increase of HDL-C level in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the levels of cardiac function indicators of LVEF and SV in the two groups were higher than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the increase of LVEF and SV levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion The combination of Huoxue Yiqi Decoction and Pinggan Qianyang Muzu Powder exerts certain effect in the treatment of female patients with essential hypertension of qi deficiency and blood stasis type.The combined therapy is effective on controlling blood pressure,improving blood lipid metabolism and cardiac function indicators.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of ZHU's scalp acupuncture combined with Danzhi Xiaoyao San in the treatment of tinnitus of liver constraint transforming into fire type.Methods A total of 70 patients with tinnitus of liver constraint transforming into fire type were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,35 cases in each group.The treatment group was treated with ZHU's scalp acupuncture combined with Danzhi Xiaoyao San,and the control group was treated with Yinxingye Tablets and Mecobalamin Tablets.The course of treatment was three weeks.After three weeks of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and telephone follow-up was conducted at three and six months after the end of treatment to evaluate the clinical efficacy.The changes of Tinnitus Evaluation Scale(TEQ)Score and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)score were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.The changes of Tinnitus Handicap Inventory(THI)scores were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.The safety and adverse reactions of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was 88.57%(31/35),and that of the control group was 62.86%(22/35),and the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the TEQ,SAS,and THI scores of the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.01),and the treatment group was significantly superior to the control group in improving TEQ,SAS,and THI scores,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)At the 3-month follow-up after the end of treatment,the overall effective rate was 85.71%(30/35)in the treatment group and 60.00%(21/35)in the control group.At the 6-month follow-up after the end of treatment,the overall effective rate was 82.86%(29/35)in the treatment group and 54.29%(19/35)in the control group.At the 3-and 6-month follow-up after the end of treatment,the efficacy of the treatment group was superior to that of the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)No obvious adverse reactions were seen in the two groups of patients,and the difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion ZHU's scalp needling combined with Danzhi Xiaoyao San for the treatment of tinnitus of liver constraint transforming into fire type can significantly improve the tinnitus symptoms of patients,with high safety,no adverse reactions,and remarkable efficacy.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at Neiyingxiang(EX-HN09)points combined with western medicine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis of deficiency-cold of lung qi type.Methods Sixty patients with deficiency-cold of lung qi type of allergic rhinitis were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 30 patients in each group.The control group was treated with Desloratadine Tablets combined with Mometasone Furoate Aqueous Nasal Spray,and the observation group was treated with acupuncture at Neiyingxiang points combined with the self-made rhinitis recipe on the basis of the control group,and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated after 14 days.The changes of nasal symptom scores,Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life scores of the patients of the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.After 14 days of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.The changes in nasal symptom scores,as well as VAS and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire(RQLQ)scores were observed before and after treatment.The changes in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)sydnrome scores and serum immunoglobulin E(IgE)were compared before and after treatment in the two groups,and the safety of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.33%(28/30),and the control group was 73.33%(22/30).The efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the symptoms of nasal congestion,sneezing,runny nose and nasal itching were significantly improved in the two groups(P＜0.01),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving nasal symptoms,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the VAS scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.01),and the observation group was superior to the control group in improving VAS scores,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the PQLQ scores of patients in the two groups improved significantly(P＜0.01),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the PQLQ scores,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of the patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.01),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving TCM syndrome scores,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).(6)After treatment,the serum IgE levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.01),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving serum IgE levels(P＜0.05),with a statistically significant difference.(7)There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the observation group and the control group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at Neiyingxiang points plus self-made rhinitis recipe combined with western medicine in the treatment of deficiency-cold of lung qi type of allergic rhinitis can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of the patients,thus improving the quality of life of the patients,and the therapeutic efficacy is remarkable.

Objective To compare seminal carnitine levels between normal males and asthenozoospermic patients,evaluate its correla-tion with progressive motility(PR)of sperm,and observe the effects of exogenous carnitine supplementation on asthenozoospermic pa-tients.Methods Semen samples were collected from 511 normal fertile males and asthenozoospermic patients.Seminal was measured using a fixed-time assay kit and the levels of carnitine were compared between the two groups.The consistency between seminal carni-tine and PR was assessed.Additionally,77 asthenozoospermic patients received L-carnitine(1 g/time,3 times/day,30 days/course).The levels of seminal carnitine and PR alteration pre-and post-treatment were monitored.Results The seminal L-carnitine level in the patients with asthenospermia([194.34±65.41]μmol/L)was significantly lower than that in normal fertile males([405.43±72.12]μmol/L)(P＜0.01).When the seminal L-carnitine level ≥325 μmol/L was set as the threshold,the statistical results showed that Kappa value was 0.81,with a diagnostic coincidence rate of 93.74％.After one course of administration of L-carnitine,the concentra-tion of seminal L-carnitine([356.03±84.87]μmol/L)and PR([32.69±8.35]％)were significantly higher those that before treat-ment([183.61±79.54]μmol/L and[16.56±7.74]％,P＜0.01).Conclusion The seminal carnitine assay kit could be used for ac-curate and high-throughput quantification of clinical samples,facilitating asthenozoospermia diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy evalua-tion.Exogenous carnitine supplementation may elevate seminal carnitine levels and sperm motility in asthenozoospermic patients and po-tentially improve their fertility.

Objective: To compare clinical and radiographic outcomes between 2 motion preservation surgeries, cervical disc replacement (CDR) and posterior endoscopic cervical decompression (PECD), for unilateral cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Between February 2018 and December 2020, 60 patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy who underwent either CDR or PECD were retrospectively recruited as matched pairs. Clinical outcomes included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for neck and arm pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and satisfaction rates. The radiographic outcome was index level motion. Intraoperative data, complications, and hospital stay were collected. Preoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared. Results: Patients undergoing CDR or PECD were included, with 30 cases in each group. Matched pairs were compared in terms of demographic data and preoperative measurements. CDR was associated with shorter operative times, whereas PECD resulted in less intraoperative blood loss. The total complication rate was 5%. NDI and VAS for neck and arm were significantly improved in both groups, with no significant differences between the 2 groups. Satisfaction rates of good and excellent exceeded 87% in both groups. CDR was superior to PECD in the restoration of disc height. Early postoperative follow-up showed no significant difference in terms of index level motion. PECD demonstrated significantly shorter hospital stays and quicker return-to-work times (p<0.05). Conclusion PECD achieved equivalent clinical and radiologic outcomes compared with CDR when the certain criteria for surgery were met. Both techniques demonstrated the potential to maintain index level motion. Additionally, PECD resulted in less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster return-to-work times. Conversely, CDR offered shorter operative times and better restoration of disc height.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficiency of robotic visualization system(RVS)-assisted microsurgical re-construction of the reproductive tract in male rats and the satisfaction of the surgeons.Methods:We randomly divided 8 adult male SD rats into an experimental and a control group,the former treated by RVS-assisted microsurgical vasoepididymostomy(VE)or vaso-vasostomy(VV),and the latter by VE or VV under the standard operating microscope(SOM).We compared the operation time,me-chanical patency and anastomosis leakage immediately after surgery,and the surgeons'satisfaction between the two groups.Results:No statistically significant difference was observed the operation time between the experimental and the control groups,and no anasto-mosis leakage occurred after VV in either group.The rate of mechanical patency immediately after surgery was 100％in both groups,and that of anastomosis leakage after VE was 16.7％in the experimental group and 14.3％in the control.Compared with the control group,the experimental group achieved dramatically higher scores on visual comfort(3.00±0.76 vs 4.00±0.53,P＜0.05),neck/back comfort(2.75±1.16 vs 4.38±1.06,P＜0.01)and man-machine interaction(3.88±1.55 va 4.88±0.35,P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the scores on image definition and operating room suitability between the two groups.Conclusion:RVS can be used in microsurgical reconstruction of the reproductive tract in male rats and,with its advantages over SOM in ergonomic design and image definition,has a potential application value in male reproductive system micosurgery.

Objective: To compare clinical and radiographic outcomes between 2 motion preservation surgeries, cervical disc replacement (CDR) and posterior endoscopic cervical decompression (PECD), for unilateral cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Between February 2018 and December 2020, 60 patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy who underwent either CDR or PECD were retrospectively recruited as matched pairs. Clinical outcomes included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for neck and arm pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and satisfaction rates. The radiographic outcome was index level motion. Intraoperative data, complications, and hospital stay were collected. Preoperative and postoperative outcomes were compared. Results: Patients undergoing CDR or PECD were included, with 30 cases in each group. Matched pairs were compared in terms of demographic data and preoperative measurements. CDR was associated with shorter operative times, whereas PECD resulted in less intraoperative blood loss. The total complication rate was 5%. NDI and VAS for neck and arm were significantly improved in both groups, with no significant differences between the 2 groups. Satisfaction rates of good and excellent exceeded 87% in both groups. CDR was superior to PECD in the restoration of disc height. Early postoperative follow-up showed no significant difference in terms of index level motion. PECD demonstrated significantly shorter hospital stays and quicker return-to-work times (p<0.05). Conclusion PECD achieved equivalent clinical and radiologic outcomes compared with CDR when the certain criteria for surgery were met. Both techniques demonstrated the potential to maintain index level motion. Additionally, PECD resulted in less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster return-to-work times. Conversely, CDR offered shorter operative times and better restoration of disc height.