Objective:To investigate the safety and feasibility of the CHESS endoscpic ruler (CHESS ruler), and the consistency between the measured values and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Methods:From January 2021 to January 2022, a total of 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension were prospectively enrolled from General Hospital, Xixia Branch Hospital, Ningnan Hospital of People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (29 cases), and the First People′s Hospital of Yinchuan (25 cases), General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (18 cases), Wuzhong People′s Hospital (10 cases), the Fifth People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (10 cases), Shizuishan Second People′s Hospital (6 cases), Yinchuan Second People′s Hospital (5 cases), and Zhongwei People′s Hospital (2 cases) 8 hospitals. The clinical characteristics of all the patients, including gender, age, nationality, etiolog of liver cirrhosis, and Child-Pugh classification of liver function were recorded. A big gastroesophageal varices was defined as diameter of varices ≥5 mm. Endoscopist (associated chief physician) performed gastroscopy according to the routine gastroscopy procedures, and the diameter of the biggest esophageal varices was measured by experience and images were collected, and then objective measurement was with the CHESS ruler and images were collected. The diameter of esophageal varices of 10 randomly selected patients (random number table method) was determined by 6 endoscopists (attending physician or associated chief physician) with experience or measured by CHESS ruler. Kappa test was used to test the consistency in the diameter of esophageal varices between measured values by CHESS ruler and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Results:Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension, male 65 cases and female 40 cases, aged (54.8±12.2) years old, Han nationality 82 cases, Hui nationality 21 cases and Mongolian nationality 2 cases. The etiology of liver cirrhosis included chronic hepatitis B (79 cases), alcoholic liver disease (7 cases), autoimmune hepatitis (7 cases), chronic hepatitis C (2 cases), and other etiology (10 cases). Liver function of 32 cases was Child-Pugh A, Child-Pugh B 57 cases, and Child-Pugh C 16 cases. All 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension were successfully measured the diameter of gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler, and the success rate of application of CHESS ruler was 100.0% (105/105). The procedure time from the CHESS ruler into the body to the exit of the body after measurement was (3.50±2.55) min. No complications happened in all the patients during measurement. Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension, 96 cases (91.4%) were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists. Totally 93 cases (88.6%) were considered as big gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler. Eight cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopist, however not by the CHESS ruler; 5 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the CHESS ruler, but not by the endoscopists; 4 cases were not recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler; 88 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler. The missed diagnostic rate of big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists experience was 5.4% (5/93), and the Kappa value of consistency coefficient between the measurement by the CHESS ruler and the interpretation by endoscopists experience was 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.60). The overall Kappa value of consistency coefficient by 6 endoscopists measured by CHESS ruler in big gastroesophageal varices diagnosis was 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.93).Conclusion:As an objective measurement tool, CHESS ruler can make up for the deficiency of subjective judgment by endoscopists, accurately measure the diameter of gastroesophageal varices, and is highly feasible and safe.

An epidemiological investigation was carried out on a local cluster of outbreak caused by imported cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in rural areas of Chengdu in December 2020, to find out the source of infection and the chain of transmission. According to
COVID-19 ; Disease Outbreaks ; Epidemics ; Humans ; Quarantine ; SARS-CoV-2

Objective:To explore the value of three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI) in the diagnosis of immunoglobulin light-chain cardiac amyloidosis(AL-CA) patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).Methods:A total of 92 consecutive patients diagnosed with systemic immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis(sAL) and with normal LVEF from October 2014 to January 2018 in Xijing Hospital were enrolled.Based on the diagnostic criteria of cardiac involvement, the patients were divided into AL-CA group (52 cases) and immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL) group (40 cases). The clinical data and serological markers of the patients were collected, the conventional echocardiography and full-volume three dimensional dynamic images were acquired, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), global circumferential strain (GCS), and global area strain (GAS) were analyzed using off-line TomTec software. The differences between the two groups were compared.Results:Compared with the AL group, the NT-proBNP of AL-CA group was significantly higher ( P<0.05) and there were no significant differences of the other serological indexes between the two groups(all P>0.05). Compared with the AL group, the maximal left ventricular wall thickness, left ventricular mass index, left atrial volume index, and E/e′ in the AL-CA group were significantly increased (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences of other conventional echocardiographic measurements between the two groups(all P>0.05). Compared with the AL group, GLS, GAS, and GRS were significantly lower in AL-CA group (all P<0.05); but there was no significant difference of GCS between the two groups( P>0.05). The ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off values discriminating cardiac involvement were 16.09% for GLS, 36.54% for GAS and 31.90% for GRS. Conclusions:3D-STI measurements of left ventricular myocardial mechanics could detect cardiac involvement in patients with sAL amyloidosis, and provides a new method for diagnosis of AL-CA.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of motor imagery training (MIT) combined with conventional rehabilitation to promote the functional recovery of upper limbs in stroke survivors. To explore the brain network reorganization resulting when motor imagery training (MIT) is combined with conventional rehabilitation to promote the motor recovery of stroke survivors.Methods:Fourteen hemiplegic patients were recruited as the MIT group. They underwent 4 weeks of MIT (30 min/day, 5 days/week) along with conventional rehabilitation treatment. The upper limb section of the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA-UE) and the modified Barthel Index (MBI) were used to assess all of the patients, and resting-state fMRI was performed before and after the treatment. Twenty-eight age- and sex-matched healthy subjects also received one-time resting-state fMRI scanning. Granger causal analysis was performed in the MIT group to calculate the changes in effective connection between the ipsilesional primary motor cortex and the whole brain before and after the treatment, and the results were compared with the healthy control group.Results:After the treatment, the average FMA-UE and MBI of the MIT group had increased significantly. Before the intervention, the effective connection mode of the ipsilesional M1 area in the MIT group was significantly different from that of the healthy controls. The causal flow from the ipsilesional M1 area to the bilateral prefrontal cortex had increased abnormally and the causal flow from the contralesional primary motor cortex, the inferior parietal lobule and the cerebellum to the ipsilesional M1 area had decreased significantly. After the treatment, the effective connection pattern of the stroke survivors was nearly normal, and the causal influence from contralesional motor imagery-related brain areas (the superior parietal lobule, inferior parietal lobule, thalamus and the fusiform gyrus) to the ipsilesional M1 area was enhanced. Effective connection from the ipsilesional M1 area to the contralesional cerebellum before the intervention was positively correlated with the improvement in FMA-UE scores, and the effective connection from the contralesional middle frontal gyrus to the ipsilesional M1 area was correlated negatively.Conclusions:The neural mechanism of MIT's effectiveness when it is combined with conventional rehabilitation might be related to the reorganization of effective connections. That would include enhanced causal flow between motor imagery-related brain areas and the contralesional cerebellum and ipsilesional M1 area. Down-regulation of the effective connection from the contralesional middle frontal gyrus to the ipsilesional M1 area also occurs.

Objective To measure the efficacy of combining motor imagery training ( MIT) with convention-al therapy in improving stroke patients′upper-extremity function. And to seek a cortical reorganization mechanism as-sociated with the improvement using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging ( rs-fMRI) . Methods Ten stroke survivors were selected as an experimental group. They were given motor imagery training for four weeks ( 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week) and conventional rehabilitation therapy ( 40 minutes a day, 5 days a week) . Another 10 healthy counterparts were the control group. Before and after the four weeks of treatment, both groups were as-sessed using the upper extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment ( FMA-UE) and the modified Barthel index ( MBI) . Moreo-ver, rs-fMRI was conducted to assess functional connectivity between cortical regions and the ipsilesional primary mo-tor cortex ( M1) before and after the intervention. The laterality index ( LI) of the primary motor or sensory cortex was also calculated. Results After the intervention, the average FMA-UE and MBI scores of the experimental group had increased significantly. After MIT and conventional therapy there was increased functional connectivity between the ip-silesional and contralesional M1 areas, and between the ipsilesional M1 and contralesional primary sensory cortex ( S1) and frontal lobe, the functional connection between the ipsilesional M1 and the ipsilesional paracentral lobule and the anterior cingutate was also increased. More specifically, the LI relating M1 and S1 decreased after the inter-vention, tending toward the normal level. LIMI decreased significantly. Conclusion The 4-week regimen of motor imagery training and conventional therapy resulted in functional improvement in the upper limbs and greater ability in the activities of daily living. The observed improvements may be due to cortical reorganization, including better func-tional connectivity between the bilateral M1 areas and increased connectivity between the ipsilesional M1 area and some non-motor areas. There is some recovery of symmetry in the bilateral primary motor cortex.

Objective To observe the anatomical and histological features of anterolateral ligament (ALL)in the knee of Chinese adults,so as to identify the existence of ALL and provide an anatomical foundation for clinical reconstruction.Methods Ten adult knee specimens were randomly selected to be dissected,and the femoral,tibial and meniscus attachment points of the ALL were observed.The length,width and thickness were measured using the vernier caliper after the dissection.Three specimens were subjected to histological staining in the end.Results (1)ALL originated from the lateral femoral condyle—the same point of the lateral collateral ligament femoral side or the distal-anterior side,with its body divided into two branches,located in the tibia and the lateral meniscus respectively.The starting point of tibial side ALL was located at the mid-point of Gerdy's tubercle to fibula head,below tibial cartilage edge,with the meniscus point located in the lateral meniscus anterior horn and body junction area.(2) The average length of ALL is 38.89 ± 4.67 mm.The width in the femur,tibial attachment point was fan-shaped spread connected with sclerotin,being the narrowest at the joint line.The width at the femur,tibial attachment point and the joint line was 8.49 ± 1.36 mm,8.15 ± 1.38 mm and 6.49 ± 1.09 mm respectively,with the thickness of 1.33 ± 0.38 mm.The distance from tibia attachment points to the Gerdy's tubercle,fibular head and tibia cartilage margin was 22.59 ± 3.04 mm,21.15 ± 2.78 mm and 5.76 ± 0.57 mm respectively.(3) HE staining showed that ALL was dense connective tissue consisting of parallel arranged collagen fibers,while S-100 staining indicated that ALL contained sensory motor nerve fibers.Conclusion ALL is independent of the joint capsule and originates from the femoral lateral condyle.Its body is divided into two branches,located in the tibia and the lateral meniscus respectively.

Objective To study the clinical significance of monitoring the urine iodine level in pregnant women.Methods The urine iodine levels were detected in 391 cases of pregnant women.The relativity was analyzed among the pregnancy gestation,pregnancy complications and the urine iodine levels.The corresponding health educa-tion of iodine nutritional knowledge was conducted according to the results of the determination.Results (1 )The urine iodine value was (124.73 ±70.61)μg/L in 391 pregnant women.The severe deficiency iodine rate,deficiency iodine rate and appropriate iodine rate of pregnant women were 37.85%,64.70% and 25.06%,respectively.(2) There was no significant difference in values of urine iodine among the pregnant women during the first,second and third trimester of pregnancy[(121.76 ±71.81)μg/L,(125.52 ±69.28)μg/L,(129.30 ±75.19)μg/L](t≤0.59, all P >0.05).The mean values were all lower than the appropriate values of WHO(150 ~249 μg/L).The low iodine rates were 67.20%,63.23% and 65.12%,respectively.There was no significant difference among them(χ2 =0.56, P >0.05 ).(3 )The urine iodine value of the pregnant women complicated with hyperthyroidism [(85.76 ± 53.09)μg/L]was significantly lower than that of primary hypothyroidism combined with pregnancy [(133.65 ± 73.41)μg/L],pregnancy combined with subclinical hypothyroidism[(136.50 ±79.19)μg/L]and no pregnancy complication[(119.34 ±66.43)μg/L](t≥2.76,P <0.01).The rate of iodine deficiency(87.88%)was highest (χ2 =8.72,P <0.05).(4)The urine iodine value after iodine nutrition intervention was significantly higher than those before in 77 pregnant women[(129.74 ±68.04)μg/L vs.(107.01 ±74.36)μg/L,t =1.98,P <0.05].The iodine deficiency rate dropped from 79.22% to 63.64%(χ2 =4.58,P <0.05).Conclusion In order to improve the appropriate iodine rate of pregnant women,it should be very important significance on monitoring the urine iodine level of pregnant women in particular with a complication of pregnancy and conducting iodine nutrition intervention in whole pregnancy gestation.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of the upper extremital artery supply and vein running back in the patients after peripheral vascular surgery by Na99mTcO4 trace imaging(TTI).Methods SPECT static imaging was performed on 36 patients after peripheral vascular surgery in vein injecting Na99mTcO4 740 MBq 5min.The radioactivity uptake of operated limb(finger)/normal limb(finger) ratio(T/NT) was analyzed using region of interest analysis.0,Ⅰ,Ⅱand Ⅲ scales were classified according to their radionuclide distribution and T/NT,were divided into A,B,C and D group,respectively.Localy warming and anticontrctive therapy were only given in A and B group for 30min,routine therapy in C group,and raising operated limb (finger) and reductive pressure treatment in D group.Then,exploratory surgery was performed on 0 scales and Ⅲ scales of TTI again.Results A,B,C and D group were 11,7,13 and 5 patients,their T/NT was (0.142 ± 0.058),(0.384 ± 0.046),(0.794 ± 0.072) and (1.12 ±0.076),respectvely,and there were significant differences among the groups(t =2.33a,4.33b,6.90b,2.59a,5.73b,2.12a,aP ＜ 0.05,b P ＜ 0.O1) ;TTI again showed:there were 7 cases of 0 scales (arterial thrombosis was confirmed by exploratory surgery) and 4 cases of Ⅰ scales in A group,3 cases of Ⅰ scales and 4 cases of Ⅱ scales in B group,all 13 cases of Ⅱ scales in C group,4 cases of Ⅱ scales and 1 case of Ⅲ scales(vein thrombosis was confirmed by exploratory surgery) in D group.Conclusion TTI could play an important role in economical,simple and notraumatic diagnosing the extremital artery supply and vein running back in the patients after peripheral vascular surgery.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of the decfion of percentage of pulmonary perfusion defect score (PPDS％) in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE).Methods A retrospective study was carried out on PPDs％ data of patients(n =36) with clinical confirmed PE.The patients were divided into three levels:low (PPDS％ ＜30％),medial (30％ ≤PPDS％ ＜50％) and high (PPDS％ ≥50％) risk groups,according to the standard of PPDs％ diagnosis.the PPDS％ and the incidence rate of the clinical adverse events were compared in mild,moderate and severe risk PE.The therapeutic results were compared with the PPDS％ changes.Results The mild,moderate and severe risk patients with PE were 15 cases,13 cases and 8 cases respectively,according to the standard of PPDS％ diagnosis.16 cases,12 cases and 8 cases respectively,according to the standard of 2008 ESC APE diagnosis and treatment guidelines.The uniform rate was 94.4％ for two methods,the uniform rate was 100.0％ in which high risk of PE.The PPDS％ of PE was (46.2 ± 4.6) ％ before treatment.The data was significantly higher than that post treatment (31.6％ ± 1.8％) (t =17.38,P ＜ 0.01).The scores of low,medial and high risk patients were (25.9 ± 3.9) ％,(45.6 ± 4.3) ％ and (58.4 ± 4.9) ％ (t =6.18,P ＜ 0.01),respectively.The mild,moderate and severe risk PE according to the PPDS％ standard with clinical adverse events for were 1 cases (6.5％),3 cases (23.0％) and 5 cases (62.5 ％) respectively,with a significant difference (x2 =8.71,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion PPDS％ could be used as an important reference index for risk stratification of diagnosis,evaluating therapeutic efficiency and predicting the prognosis in patients with PE.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of percentage of pulmonary perfusion defect score ( PPDs％ ) for risk stratification and prognosis evaluation in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).Methods A retrospective study was carried out on PPDs％ data of patients( n =21 ) with confirmed APE from January 2001 to December 2008.The patients were divided into three levels,low( n =10),medial( n =7) and high risk groups( n =4),according to 2008 ESC APE diagnosis and treatment guidelines.The reference index in predicting risk stratification by PPDs％ was ascertained.34 patients with confirmed APE were divided into three levels ( mild,moderate and severe risk levels) according to the standard of PPDS％ diagnosis from January 2009 to June 2011.A prospective study on the incidence rate of the clinical adverse events was performed.Results The PPDs％ of low,medial and high risk levels according to 2008 ESC guidelines were (25.94 ± 3.95 ) ％,(45.63 ± 4.38 ) ％ and ( 58.42 ± 4.96 ) ％ respectively,with a significant difference ( t ≥4.755,P ＜ 0.01 ).The standard of PPDS％ diagnosis for risk stratification was confirmed in APE:low risk levels:PPDs％ ＜ 30％,moderate:30％ ≤ PPDs％ ＜50％,and high:PPDs％ ≥50％.The mild,moderate and severe risk patients with APE were 17cases,11cases and 6cases respectively,according to the standard of PPDs％ diagnosis,or 15cases,13cases and 6cases respectiveldy,according to the standard of 2008 ESC guidelines.The uniform rate was 94.11％ for two methods; the uniform rate was 100.00％ in which high risk of APE.The mild,moderate and severe risk patients with APE according to the standard of PPDs％ standard with clinical adverse events for were 1case (5.89％ ),3cases (27.27％ ) and 4cases (66.67％ ) respectively,with a significant difference ( x2 =9.23,P ＜0.01 ).Conclusions PPDs％ could be used as an important reference index for risk stratification of diagnosis,selecting therapeutic programs,evaluating therapeutic efficiency and predicting the prognosis in patients with APE.