BACKGROUND: Gait impairment is closely related to quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to explore alterations in brain microstructure in PD patients and healthy controls (HCs) and to identify the correlation of gait impairment in the ON and OFF states of patients with PD, respectively. METHODS: We enrolled 24 PD patients and 29 HCs from the Movement Disorders Program at Beijing Friendship Hospital Capital Medical University between 2019 and 2020. We acquired magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and processed the diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) images. Preprocessing of diffusion-weighted data was performed with Mrtrix3 software, using a directional distribution function to track participants' main white matter fiber bundles. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Quantitative gait and clinical scales were used to assess the status of medication ON and OFF in PD patients. RESULTS: The axial kurtosis (AK), mean kurtosis (MK), and radial kurtosis (RK) of five specific white matter fiber tracts, the bilateral corticospinal tract, left superior longitudinal fasciculus, left anterior thalamic radiation, forceps minor, and forceps major were significantly higher in PD patients compared to HCs. Additionally, the MK values were negatively correlated with Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) scores in both the ON and OFF in PD patients. Within the PD group, higher AK, MK, and RK values, whether the patients were ON or OFF, were associated with better gait performance (i.e., higher velocity and stride length). CONCLUSIONS PD exhibits characteristic regional patterns of white matter microstructural degradation. Correlations between objective gait parameters and DKI values suggest that dopamine-responsive gait function depends on preserved white matter microstructure. DKI-based Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) analysis may serve as a tool for evaluating PD-related motor impairments (e.g., gait impairment) and could yield potential neuroimaging biomarkers.
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/diagnostic imaging* ; White Matter/physiopathology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Gait/physiology* ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods*

Objective:To establish the normal reference value of left ventricular function parameters by cadmium-zinc-tellurium (CZT) SPECT stress gated myocardial perfusion imaging (G-MPI) in low-likelihood of stable coronary artery disease (SCAD).Methods:From March 2022 to August 2022, 348 consecutive SCAD patients (146 males, 202 females, age (58±10) years) who underwent exercise or pharmacological stress G-MPI (CZT SPECT) in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively recruited. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were acquired using quantitative gated SPECT (QGS) analysis. EDV and ESV were corrected by body surface area (BSA) to obtain EDV index (EDVI) and ESV index (ESVI), respectively. Independent-sample t test, one-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U test were used for data analysis. The influences of EDV, ESV, EDVI, ESVI and LVEF were analyzed by multiple regressions for linear models. Results:There were 314 patients with low-likelihood of SCAD (128 males, 186 females, age (58±10) years) and 34 normal controls (18 males, 16 females, age (55±10) years). There were no significant differences of basic clinical characteristics and left ventricular function parameters in different genders between 2 groups ( z values: from -1.74 to -0.02, t values: from -1.16 to 1.17, all P>0.05). Using the 95% CI as the cut-off value for left ventricular function parameters in patients with a low-likelihood of SCAD, the upper limits of EDV, ESV, EDVI and ESVI in females and males were 84 and 111 ml, 30 and 44 ml, 47 and 54 ml/m 2, 17 and 21 ml/m 2, respectively, and the lower limit of LVEF in females and males were 58% and 55%, respectively. In the low-likelihood of SCAD group, the EDV ((58±13) vs (77±17) ml) and ESV ((16±7) vs (26±9) ml) of females were smaller than those of males ( t values: 10.65, 10.35, both P<0.001), while LVEF of females was higher than that of males ((72±7)% vs (67±6)%; t=-6.23, P<0.001). However, there were no significant differences in left ventricular function parameters among different age groups with the same gender ( F values: 0.12-2.19, all P>0.05). Based on multiple regression for linear models, the primary predictors of EDV, ESV and LVEF were gender and weight ( β values: from -0.380 to 0.358, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Normal reference values of left ventricular function parameters are established by CZT SPECT stress G-MPI in low-likelihood of SCAD patients. Left ventricular EDV and ESV of females are smaller than those of males, while LVEF of females is higher than that of males. The influence of gender on left ventricular function parameters should be considered in clinical practice.

Objective:To explore the independent risk factors of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in liver cirrhosis, and to establish and evaluate a risk prediction model for PVT in patients with cirrhosis.Methods:A total of 295 cases of cirrhosis hospitalized in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from December 2019 to October 2021 were divided into a modeling set ( n=207) and an internal validation set ( n=88) by the random number table. In addition, patients with cirrhosis hospitalized in Yichang Central People's Hospital, Wuhan Puren Hospital, No.2 People's Hospital of Fuyang City and People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University during the same period were collected as an external validation set ( n=92). The modeling set was divided into PVT group ( n=56) and non-PVT group ( n=151). Univariate analysis was used to preliminarily screen the related indicators of PVT, and then multivariate logistic regression analysis with forward stepwise regression was used to determine independent risk factors for PVT. A nomogram prediction model was constructed based on the independent risk factors obtained. The internal and external validation set were used to verify the predictive ability of the model. Distinction degree was used to evaluate the ability of the model to distinguish patients with or without PVT. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to evaluate the consistency between predicted risk and the actual risk of the model. Results:Univariate analysis showed that smoking, history of splenectomy, trans-jugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), gastrointestinal bleeding and endoscopic variceal treatment, and levels of hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and D-dimer were significantly different between the PVT group and the non-PVT group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that smoking ( P=0.020, OR=31.21, 95% CI: 1.71-569.40), levels of D-dimer ( P=0.003, OR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.04-1.20) and hemoglobin ( P=0.039, OR=0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-1.00), history of TIPS ( P=0.011, OR=18.04, 95% CI: 1.92-169.90) and endoscopic variceal treatment ( P=0.001, OR=3.21, 95% CI: 1.59-6.50) were independent risk factors for PVT in patients with liver cirrhosis. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the internal validation set was 0.802 (95% CI: 0.709-0.895) ( P<0.001), and the AUC for the external validation set was 0.811 (95% CI: 0.722-0.900) ( P<0.001). Both AUC were larger than 0.75. The calibration curve of Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test showed that the P values of both internal validation set ( χ2=3.602, P=0.891) and the external validation set ( χ2=11.025, P=0.200) were larger than 0.05. Conclusion:Smoking, history of TIPS or endoscopic variceal treatment, levels of D-dimer and hemoglobin are independent risk factors for PVT in patients with liver cirrhosis. The prediction nomogram model based on the above factors has strong predictive ability.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided coil embolization combined with endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection for gastric fundal varices with large spontaneous shunt.Methods:Data of 24 patients with gastric fundal varices with large spontaneous shunt (the smallest diameter was 5-15 mm) treated by EUS-guided coil embolization combined with endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from December 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The short-term efficacy (the rates of technical success, five-day rebleeding and six-week mortality) and long-term efficacy (the rates of one-year rebleeding, one-year mortality and three-year mortality) and safety (ectopic embolism) were evaluated.Results:The technical success rate was 91.7% (22/24), and the five-day rebleeding rate was 0 (0/22). Computed tomography angiography of portal vein reexamined 2 days after the treatment showed embolism of splenic vein in 1 patient (4.5%). The median follow-up time was 14.9 months (ranging 1.0-48.6 months) and 2 patients were lost during follow-up. The six-week mortality was 0 (0/20), and the one-year rebleeding rate was 35.0% (7/20). Among 12 patients who underwent endoscopy in the follow-up, 5 had aggravation of esophageal varices, and 5 had aggravation of portal hypertension gastropathy. The one-year and three-year mortalities were 5.0% (1/20) and 20.0% (4/20), respectively, neither of which was related to such events as bleeding or ectopic embolism.Conclusion:EUS-guided coil embolization combined with endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection for gastric fundal varices with large spontaneous shunt is effective and safe in short term, with a low rate of ectopic embolism. Long-term efficacy and safety need to be further confirmed.

Although different types of drugs are available for postmenopausal osteoporosis, the limitations of the current therapies including drug resistances and adverse effects require identification of novel anti-osteoporosis agents. Here, we defined that norlichexanthone (NOR), a natural product, is a ligand of estrogen receptor-alpha (ER

Objective:To explore the application value of case three-dimensional teaching method combined with standardized patient (CTTM+SP) in the clinical clerkship teaching reform of gastrointestinal surgery.Methods:A total of 120 students of clinical medicine having clerkship in Binzhou Medical University Hospital were recruited in this study, and they were randomized to the experimental group and the control group, with 60 students in each group. The experimental group took the CTTM+SP teaching method, and the control group adopted the lecture-based learning teaching method. The comprehensive ability of the two groups was evaluated by department graduation examination and satisfaction survey.Results:The examination performance and the satisfaction rate of students in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:CTTM+SP teaching method is helpful for the probationers to master the theoretical knowledge of gastrointestinal surgery systematically, improve the clinical thinking ability and the ability to solve practical problems, mobilize the students' learning motivation and interest, and improve the teaching effect of gastrointestinal surgery clinical clerkship.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of Ortho-Bridger System (OBS) for the treatment of complex tibial fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 64 patients with complex tibial fracture who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics, Tongling People's Hospital from June 2014 to June 2018 using OBS. They were 46 males and 18 females, aged from 22 to 65 years (average, 44.3 years). There were 38 close comminuted or multi-segmental fractures complicated with skin and soft tissue defects and 26 cases of tibial exposure. The interval from injury to surgery ranged from 3 to 20 days (average, 13.6 days). The therapeutic outcomes were evaluated in terms of fracture union time, healing of skin and soft tissue defects and postoperative functional recovery.Results:The 64 patients were followed up for 12 to 50 months (average, 26.3 months). Obvious callus formation started at 3 to 8 months after operation and bony union was achieved at 9 to 18 months after operation. No obvious limitation was observed in the range of motion of the ankle and knee joints. Skin defects healed and completely covered the bone at 3 to 6 weeks after operation.Conclusion:OBS can lead to fine clinical efficacy in the treatment of complex tibial fractures, like open and comminuted multi-segmental ones complicated with soft tissue defects.

Objective To discuss the safety and clinical efficacy of modified traction method using endoloop and clip for endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD).Methods Fifty patients who underwent ESD at Renmin Hosptial of Wuhan University between August 2016 and February 2017 were randomly divided into two groups, including 25 patients in modified ESD group and 25 patients in conventional ESD group as control. The therapeutic conditions, dissection time and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. Results In the modified ESD group, the dissection time of submucosal exposure to the full dissection (19. 9±6. 5 min VS 26. 4±9. 2 min, P＝0. 001), total dissection time (27. 5±8. 1 min VS 35. 1± 10. 7 min, P＝0. 003), and dissection time per unit area (2. 4±1. 1 min/cm2VS 3. 3±1. 3 min/cm2, P＝0. 009) were significantly shorter compared with those in the control group. There were 1 case of delayed bleeding in the modified group and 2 cases in the control group with no significant difference ( P＝0. 248). No perforation occurred. Conclusion The modified traction method using endoloop and clip for ESD is safe and effective with a shorter operation time.

Astrocytes are closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, their precise roles in AD pathogenesis remain controversial. One of the reasons behind the different results reported by different groups might be that astrocytes were targeted at different stages of disease progression. In this study, by crossing hAPP (human amyloid precursor protein)-J20 mice with a line of GFAP-TK mice, we found that astrocytes were activated specifically at an early stage of AD before the occurrence of amyloid plaques, while microglia were not affected by this crossing. Activation of astrocytes at the age of 3-5 months did not affect the proteolytic processing of hAPP and amyloid plaque loads in the brains of hAPP-J20 mice. Our data suggest that early activation of astrocytes does not affect the deposition of amyloid β in an animal model of AD.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Astrocytes ; metabolism ; Brain ; pathology ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression Regulation ; genetics ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Glutamine ; metabolism ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Microfilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Mutation ; genetics ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)is routinely performed before endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)for treatment of upper gastrointestinal stromal tumors.However,when a miniprobe sonography (12,15 and 20 MHz)was used,the size of tumor revealed by EUS was often inconsistent with what it actually was,which might increase the difficulty of ESD and the risk of perforation and massive bleeding.Aims:To investigate the value of standard probe (5 and 7.5 MHz)EUS in detecting the size of upper gastrointestinal stromal tumors before ESD.Methods:Clinical data of patients who were suspicious of esophageal and gastric stromal tumors by gastroscopy and EUS from Jan.2012 to Oct.2014 at the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were collected.Of them,195 cases treated by ESD were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Of 195 cases treated by ESD,37 cases diagnosed by standard probe EUS and 108 cases diagnosed by miniprobe EUS were confirmed as stromal tumors by pathology.Fourteen cases were failure for ESD and then transferred to surgical treatment,one was due to misjudgement of the origin of tumor by standard probe EUS and 9 were due to misjudgement of the size of tumor by miniprobe EUS.The misjudgement rate of standard probe EUS was lower than that of miniprobe EUS with an insignificant difference (2.7%vs.8.3%,P>0.05).In 9 cases misjudged by miniprobe EUS, the size of tumor presented by miniprobe EUS was significantly smaller than its real size [(1.22 ±0.51)cm vs.(3.97 ±1.06)cm,P<0.01].ESD was avoided or terminated in 3 cases because of the accurate estimation of tumor origin, structure and blood flow by standard probe EUS.Conclusions:For patients who are going to receive ESD for suspected upper gastrointestinal stromal tumors,it would be best to select standard probe EUS to detect the size,origin and blood flow of the tumor before ESD.It will decrease the risk and improve the success rate of ESD.