Objective To analyze the MRI artifact of the inner ear structure in patients with peripheral vertigo acquired by using 3D fast imaging employing steady state acquisition(3D FIESTA-C)and 3D fast spin echo(3D-Cube T2).Methods Data of 63 patients with peripheral vertigo treated in the Department of Otolaryngology,The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,from October 2023 to June 2024 were filtered for analysis.The patients consisted of 16 males and 47 females,aged 18 to 60 years old.Two senior radiologists independently evaluated the quality of the acquired images through the two MRI sequences.Kappa test was used to evaluate the consistency of the two radiologists' subjective judgments,and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the image quality between each sequence.The accuracy of 3D FIESTA-C,3D-Cube T2 and combination of the two sequences was calculated in the presentation of inner ear structure.Results The overall image quality of 3D-Cube T2 was better than that of 3D FIESTA-C(Z=-11.670,P＜0.001),and the accuracy of 3D FIESTA-C combined with 3D-Cube T2 was superior to that of each sequence in demonstrating the semicircular canals.The demonstration accuracy of horizontal semicircular canal among three scan protocols was statistically different(P＜0.001).Conclusion 3D FIESTA-C has the advantage in detecting horizontal semicircular canal,and 3D-Cube T2 always provides high quality images of upper semicircular canal.Compared with each scanning sequence,3D FIESTA-C combined with 3D-Cube T2 can effectively avoid misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis of semicircular canal structures in the patients with peripheral vertigo.

Objective To analyze the MRI artifact of the inner ear structure in patients with peripheral vertigo acquired by using 3D fast imaging employing steady state acquisition(3D FIESTA-C)and 3D fast spin echo(3D-Cube T2).Methods Data of 63 patients with peripheral vertigo treated in the Department of Otolaryngology,The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,from October 2023 to June 2024 were filtered for analysis.The patients consisted of 16 males and 47 females,aged 18 to 60 years old.Two senior radiologists independently evaluated the quality of the acquired images through the two MRI sequences.Kappa test was used to evaluate the consistency of the two radiologists' subjective judgments,and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the image quality between each sequence.The accuracy of 3D FIESTA-C,3D-Cube T2 and combination of the two sequences was calculated in the presentation of inner ear structure.Results The overall image quality of 3D-Cube T2 was better than that of 3D FIESTA-C(Z=-11.670,P＜0.001),and the accuracy of 3D FIESTA-C combined with 3D-Cube T2 was superior to that of each sequence in demonstrating the semicircular canals.The demonstration accuracy of horizontal semicircular canal among three scan protocols was statistically different(P＜0.001).Conclusion 3D FIESTA-C has the advantage in detecting horizontal semicircular canal,and 3D-Cube T2 always provides high quality images of upper semicircular canal.Compared with each scanning sequence,3D FIESTA-C combined with 3D-Cube T2 can effectively avoid misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis of semicircular canal structures in the patients with peripheral vertigo.

Objective:To evaluate the levels and source of cadmium exposure by dietary pathway among middle-aged and elderly people ≥40 in cadmium-contaminated areas of China.Methods:A total of 7 193 people aged 40-89 years from four typical cadmium-contaminated areas in China were selected as the study subjects. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Total Diet Study (TDS) and a 3-day-24-hour dietary recall survey were conducted. Dietary cadmium intake and food sources through dietary pathways were assessed based on cadmium content in foods, consumption amounts and intake frequencies.Results:The mean age of the participants was 63.39±12.21 years, with 50.05% being males. The average monthly dietary cadmium intake was 7.39 μg/(kg·BW). Staple foods and vegetables were the primary sources of dietary cadmium intake, accounting for 57.51% and 32.48%, respectively. The monthly dietary cadmium intake in all surveyed regions did not exceed the Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI) recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).Conclusion:The monthly dietary cadmium intake among middle-aged and elderly people in cadmium-contaminated areas of China is relatively low, with the risk remaining at an acceptable level. Staple foods and vegetables are the most significant contributors to dietary cadmium intake.

Objective:To evaluate the levels and source of cadmium exposure by dietary pathway among middle-aged and elderly people ≥40 in cadmium-contaminated areas of China.Methods:A total of 7 193 people aged 40-89 years from four typical cadmium-contaminated areas in China were selected as the study subjects. Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), Total Diet Study (TDS) and a 3-day-24-hour dietary recall survey were conducted. Dietary cadmium intake and food sources through dietary pathways were assessed based on cadmium content in foods, consumption amounts and intake frequencies.Results:The mean age of the participants was 63.39±12.21 years, with 50.05% being males. The average monthly dietary cadmium intake was 7.39 μg/(kg·BW). Staple foods and vegetables were the primary sources of dietary cadmium intake, accounting for 57.51% and 32.48%, respectively. The monthly dietary cadmium intake in all surveyed regions did not exceed the Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake (PTMI) recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).Conclusion:The monthly dietary cadmium intake among middle-aged and elderly people in cadmium-contaminated areas of China is relatively low, with the risk remaining at an acceptable level. Staple foods and vegetables are the most significant contributors to dietary cadmium intake.

Objective This study aims to analyze the application value of the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model in the evalu-ation of hospital service training.Methods A total of 100 hospital front desk service personnel participating in service training from July 2021 to July 2023 at Qingyuan People's Hospital were selected as the research subjects.They were randomly divided into a study group and a control group,with 50 participants in each group.The study group implemented training based on the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model,while the control group received conventional training.The learning level,behavior level,reaction level,and result level(including service satisfaction,complaint rate,and occurrence of service incidents)of the two groups were compared,as well as the evaluation effects.Results The study group showed significantly higher scores in theoretical knowl-edge,skill operations,thinking patterns,and humanistic care compared to the control group.The training satisfaction was signifi-cantly higher in the study group.The scores for interpersonal communication,question answering,and front desk material man-agement were significantly higher in the study group.The service satisfaction and training effectiveness were significantly higher,while the complaint rate and occurrence of service incidents were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Implementing training for hospital front desk service personnel based on the Kirkpatrick Evalua-tion Model can improve their theoretical knowledge and service level,enhance patient satisfaction,and reduce the complaint rate and occurrence of service incidents.

To improve overall satisfaction of patients with the hospital and build a harmonious doctor-patient relationship, a survey on satisfaction of patients with ECG examination was conducted in a tertiary A hospital. The analysis was carried out from the aspects of inspection environment, inspection process, inspection experience and overall satisfaction. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the effect of various variables on satisfaction. This paper found that the overall satisfaction rate of patients with ECG examination was 85.18%, lower than that of outpatients. Patients with different characteristics had different satisfaction degree with ECG examination. Patient satisfaction was lower on Mondays and Wednesdays than that on other inspection days, and was lower between 10 a.m. and 14 p.m. The longer the waiting time, the lower satisfaction degree of patients with examination. Based on the results, hospitals should improve the construction of humanistic soft environment to improve the medical environment, scientifically plan the medical treatment process of ECG examination, and further strengthen doctor-patient communication. The ECG room should further promote its management level and strengthen its cultural construction.

The present study was to examine the effect of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on bilateral regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) and postoperative cognitive function. Eighty patients undergoing selective coronary artery bypass graft with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomly and equally divided into two groups. The patients in group S were given right SGB with ropivacaine, while the patients in group C were injected with normal saline. We compared the bilateral rSO2 after SGB. Minimum Mental State Examination (MMSE), Visual Verbal Learning Test (VVLT), and Digital Span Test (DST) were applied to observe the effect on cognitive function. We found that the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) 7 days after surgery in group S was lower than that in group C. The level of blocked side rSO₂ of S group were significantly higher before CPB time of rewarming than that before SGB (P < 0.05), much higher than corresponding non-blocked side rSO₂ before CPB (P < 0.05), and much higher than rSO₂ level in group C before CPB and after CPB (P < 0.05). The non-blocked side rSO₂ in group S before anesthesia were much lower than basic levels and those in group C (P < 0.05). It could be concluded from the above results that there was significant increase in the blocked-side rSO₂ compared to the non-blocked side and there was significant decrease in the incidence of POCD compared to the control group after SGB.
Autonomic Nerve Block ; adverse effects ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; adverse effects ; Cerebrum ; physiology ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Incidence ; Oxygen ; physiology ; Oxygen Consumption ; Postoperative Complications ; Stellate Ganglion

Objective To explore the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods The literature about HRT in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were searched.Eleven papers were subjected to a Meta-analysis and a heterogeneity test was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of HRT.Results HRT reduced the level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in RA patients (P=0.016),the SMD was-0.22(-0.40,-0.04); improved bone mineral density (BMD) in RA patients (P=0.022),the WMD was 2.83(0.41,5.26); decreased clinical parameters for disease activity evaluations of RA patients (P=0.048),the SMD was-0.19 (-0.38,0.00); decreased the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in RA patients,the SMD was-0.08 (-0.37,0.21),but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.591).Conclusion The findings from this Meta-analysis indicate that HRT can reduce the ESR level,improve clinical indexes and improve BMD level of RA patients.HRT may suppress disease activity and osteoporosis of RA patients,so it may be used as an auxiliary therapy in the treatment of RA.

Objective To study the expression of clock genes in Parkinson's disease(PD) and also the molecular clock machinery of PD.Methods Seventeen PD patients(nine men,eight women)and sixteen agematched controls(nine men,seven women) were investigated in this study.Bload samples were collected over a 12h span at 21:00,00:00,06:00 and 09:00.Using a real-time PCR assay,the peripheral molecular clock was examined by measuring Bmall and Bmal2 expression in total leukocytes during the dark span(from 21:00 to 09:00)in PD patients and age-matched healthy controls.Results At PD,the relative abundance of Bmall was significantly lower at 21:00,00:00 and 06:00(21:00:(22.17±4.09)vs(51.14±8.31),P=0.003,00:00:(30.30±5.45)vs(100.00±24.71),P=0.008,06:00:(19.02±3.33)vs(65.61±14.11),P=0.002).The relative Bmal2 levels in PD patients were significantly less abundant than controls at 21:00 and 00:00(21:00:(48.09±7.40)vs(84.96±9.34),P=0.005;00:00:((65.85±7.88)vs(100.00±11.78),P=0.025).Conclusion These results suggest that a peripheral molecular clock is altered in PD patients.In addition,the relative abundance of Bmall and Bmal2 was significantly lower in PD patients versus control subjects,which can provide a molecular basis to help monitor disease progression and response to investigational drugs.

Objective To investigate how vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) up-regulates intercellular adhesion molecule-1 via protein kinase C(PKC)/ nitric oxide(NO) pathway in the retina of diabetic rats.Methods All the rats were divided into 4 groups: normal,diabetes,diabetes+PKCI and control groups.Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of STZ.PKC inhibitor GF109203X was injected intravitreally after 5 months of streptozotocin induced diabetes.NO was determined by nitrate reductase method.VEGF and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) were measured by Western blot.Results VEGF and NO expressions increased obviously in the retina of diabetic rats compared with those in the normal group(P