Objective:To explore the application value of two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) in evaluating diaphragm function, and to compare the ability of 2D-STI and conventional diaphragm ultrasonography in diagnosing diaphragmatic dysfunction and evaluating disease severity in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods:A total of 58 AECOPD patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January to October 2021 were retrospectively enrolled as AECOPD group, and 34 healthy subjects were recruited as control group during the same period. Repeatability test of diaphragmatic 2D-STI was performed. According to modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scores system and COPD Assessment Test (CAT), mMRC 0-1 and CAT<10 was classified as group A, mMRC≥2 and CAT≥10 was classified as group B. The baseline characteristics, conventional diaphragm ultrasonography parameters(thickening fraction and excursion) and 2D-STI parameters (longitudinal and radial strains) were compared between the AECOPD group and the control group, and the Spearman correlation between parameters of AECOPD group and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was analyzed. The differences of these parameters between group A and B were also compared. The ROC curve of conventional diaphragm ultrasonography parameters and 2D-STI parameters was plotted to differentiate group A from group B, and the diagnostic efficacy was evaluated.Results:Great intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was found for all diaphragmatic 2D-STI parameters, with ICCs above 0.80 for all measurements. The control group and the AECOPD group did not differ in age, sex and body mass index( P>0.05), whereas there were significant differences in smoking history, lung function, bilateral thickening fraction, excursion, longitudinal and radial strains( P<0.05). Compared with control group, patients in group A had a significant increase in diaphragm thickness ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in that between group B and control group ( P>0.05). The bilateral longitudinal strains, radial strains and thickening fraction of diaphragm were linearly correlated with FEV1 (right side rs=0.828, 0.794, 0.843, respectively; all P<0.001; left side rs=0.757, 0.704, 0.752, respectively; all P<0.001 ), while the correlation between excursion and FEV1 was not significant(right side rs=0.247, left side rs=0.253; all P>0.05). There were significant differences in bilateral longitudinal strains, radial strains and thickening fraction between group A and group B(all P<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in excursion between the two groups ( P>0.05). ROC analysis showed bilateral longitudinal and radial strains had higher accuracy in distinguishing group A from group B than thickening fraction and excursion(right side AUCs 0.90, 0.84, 0.78 and 0.62, respectively; left side AUCs 0.85, 0.83, 0.77 and 0.62, respectively). Conclusions:2D-STI is a real-time noninvasive technique for diaphragm function assessment, which has high clinical value. Compared with conventional ultrasonography, 2D-STI shows more accuracy and effectiveness in diagnosing diaphragmatic dysfunction and evaluating disease severity of patients with AECOPD.

Objective:To investigate the epidemic characteristics of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2018 to 2020, and provide a reliable scientific basis for formulating brucellosis prevention and control strategies in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Methods:A retrospective study was carried out to collect data of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2018 to 2020 from the "China Disease Control and Prevention Information System", and the monitoring data and information of confirmed cases were collected from the annual summary data reported by the leagues (cities) of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Using descriptive epidemiological methods, the epidemic situation, three distributions (time, region and population distributions) of brucellosis, and the serological and pathogenic test results of active monitoring population were analyzed.Results:From 2018 to 2020, a total of 40 665 cases of brucellosis were reported in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with an annual average incidence rate of 53.47/100 000. The number of annual incidence had increased from 10 111 in 2018 to 16 406 in 2020, and the annual incidence rate had increased from 39.99/100 000 in 2018 to 64.60/100 000 in 2020. The spring and summer was the peak incidence, mainly in March to August, accounting for 64.90% (26 390/40 665) . There were reports of brucellosis cases in 12 leagues (cities) of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and the top 3 regions with the number of reported cases were Tongliao City (9 896 cases), Xing'an League (6 136 cases) and Chifeng City (4 934 cases). The age of onset of brucellosis cases was mainly 30 - < 65 years old(33 539 cases), and the sex ratio between men and women was 2.18 ∶ 1.00 (27 890 ∶ 12 775); the occupational distribution was mainly farmers, accounting for 79.23% (32 221/40 665). From 2018 to 2020, 704 085 people were actively monitored in the region, of which 391 941 were serologically tested, and the infection rate was 4.57% (17 920/391 941); and there were 9 539 new cases in the active monitoring population. In 3 years, 19 strains of Brucella sheep type 3 and 11 strains of Brucella sheep type 1 were isolated. Conclusions:From 2018 to 2020, the incidence rate of brucellosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is increasing year by year. There are many new cases in the active monitoring population, and more underreporting cases. It is recommended to expand the scope of monitoring, strengthen pathogen monitoring among humans and animals, and joint prevention and control of various departments to improve the self-protection awareness of the masses.

Objective:To evaluate the value of DWI with background suppression (DWIBS) in evaluating the injury of the low limb nerves in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS).Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 30 patients with GBS and 30 healthy volunteers matched with their age and gender in Zibo Central Hospital from January 2018 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received lower limb nerve electrophysiological examination and all subjects received lower limb nerve DWIBS examination one week later. The display of tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve after DWIBS image reconstruction in normal volunteers and GBS patients was scored by two senior radiologists. Kappa consistency test was used to analyze the consistency of the two senior radiologists′ scores. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and motor nerve conduction amplitudes of tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve in patients with GBS among different DWIBS scores. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between DWIBS tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve scores and electrophysiological parameters in patients with GBS.Results:In the DWIBS images of 30 healthy volunteers, 60 tibial nerves and common peroneal nerves showed clear, sharp edges, good signal intensity, uniformity, and the scores were 4. The consistency between the two radiologists was good (Kappa value=1.0). In the 60 tibial nerves and common peroneal nerves of 30 GBS patients, 53 tibial nerves and 52 common peroneal nerves showed abnormal changes in varying degrees, including blurred edges, distortions, difficulty in recognition, and weakened signal strength, etc. The consistency between the two readers was good (Kappa value=0.879,0.863,respectively.).With the decrease of DWIBS score, the MCV and motor nerve conduction amplitude values of tibial nerves and common peroneal nervesin GBS patients decreased, and the differences between the score groups were statistically significant ( P<0.01). The scores of tibial nerves and common peroneal nerves in DWIBS were positively correlated with MCV ( r=0.83, 0.84, respectively, P<0.05) and motor nerve conduction amplitude ( r=0.81, 0.79, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusion:DWIBS could provide a three dimensional visualization of tibial nerves and common peroneal nerves, and evaluate the disorders of peripheral nerves in patients with GBS. There has correlation between the scores of tibial nerves and common peroneal nerves in DWIBS with electrophysiology parameters.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of recent brucellosis in Hohhot.Methods Clinical data of patients with brucellosis in Hohhot City were retrospectively analyzed,and the patients were diagnosed in the outpatient clinic of Comprehensive Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2014 to 2017.To analyze the patient's area,age,gender,occupation and time distribution of the disease.Results A total of 1 940 patients with brucellosis were diagnosed in Hohhot from 2014 to 2017,with an average age of 50.8 years old.There were 1 464 males with an average age of 50.4 years old and 476 females with an average age of 51.9 years old;the male-female ratio was 3:1.The number of cases of brucellosis in 2014-2017 was 612,649,402,and 277,respectively.Brucellosis was mainly distributed in three districts including Horinger County (937 cases),Tumd Left Banner (236 cases) and Tuoketuo County (191 cases),accounting for 70.31％ (1 364/1 940) of the total number of cases in the city.The age of onset was at least 1 year old,the oldest age was 86 years old,and most cases were in the 45-＜ 65 age group,the total number of cases was 1 046,accounting for 53.92％ (1 046/1 940) of the total number of cases in the city;the occupational distribution was mainly farmers (1 795 cases),herders (13 cases) and veterinarians (17 cases),with a total of 1 825 cases,accounting for 94.07％ (1 825/1 940).The time distribution was mainly concentrated in March-July,and the number of cases was 1 157 cases.Conclusions The number of brucellosis cases in Hohhot area of Inner Mongolia is mainly from Horinger County,Tumd Left Banner and Tuoketuo County;the cases occur frequently in Spring and Summer;the age of onset is mainly between 45-＜ 65 years old,they are mainly male farmers.

Objective To assess whether the plaque volume of carotid artery evaluated by three-dimensional ultrasound can predict the risk of cardiovascular events earlier in patients with coronary heart disease, in comparison with plaque thickness.Methods A total of 99 patients were enrolled, including 66 patients with asymptomatic carotid plaque and 33 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and carotid plaque.Three-dimensional ultrasound was performed in all the patients.Coronary angiography was performed in all the patients in CHD group.Coronary artery Gensini score was calculated.Plaque thickness, plaque area and plaque volume were compared between the two groups.We analyzed the relationship of plaque volume with Gensini score and other cardiovascular risk factors.Results Plaque volume was significantly higher in CHD group [(1312.38±513.70)mm3] than in asymptomatic group [(947.54±321.41)mm3] (P=0.023).However, plaque thickness and plaque area were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05).Plaque volume was positively correlated with Gensini score (r=0.519, P=0.002), homocysteine (r=0.569, P=0.002), and cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin.There was a negative correlation between plaque volume and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), a factor protecting against cardiovascular events (r=-0.387, P=0.038).Conclusion Compared with plaque thickness, the volume of carotid plaques assessed by three-dimensional imaging technique may be a better predictor of the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease.

Objective To modify the existing preparation instrument for medical patch material to realize its scale and automatic production.Methods The instrument had its shaking table improved and a cylindrical processing system added with comprehensive analysis on raw materials and kinds of process flows.A spreading and fixation mechanism for animal materials was placed in the cylindrical processing system,which had the holes for liquid inlet and outlet respectively on its top and bottom.The cylindrical processing system was fixed to the base of the shaking table.Results The instrument enhanced preparation efficiency significantly,and had the raw material utilization rate increased by 20％,product qualification rate raised by 35％,preparation cycle reduced by 33％ and total cost saved by 40％.Conclusion The instrument behaves well in adaptability to multi animals,preparation process,inter-assay difference,raw material utilization rate,product qualification rate and cost reduction,which is of great significance to promote the clinical application of medical biological patch.

We wished to assess the role of chlamydia micro virus capsid protein Vp3 in recombinant molecules, chart its molecular evolution, screen the wild-type strain, and reveal its value in clinical research. Using a protein BLAST multiple-alignment program, we compared various strains of Chlamydia micro virus capsid protein Vp3 sequences. Using a "distance tree" of those results, we created a phylogenetic tree. We applied the Karplus-Schulz method of flexible-region analyses for highly conserved alignments of amino-acid sequences. Gamier-Robson and Chou-Fasman methods were employed to analyze two-level structures of sequences. The Emini method was used for analyses of the accessibility of surface epitopes. Studies of hydrophilic proteins were undertaken using Kyte-Doolittle and Hopp-Woods methods. Analyses of antigen epitopes helped to reveal the antigen index using the Jameson-Wolf method. All sequences in the six strains of chlamydia micro virus capsid protein Vp3 were highly conserved, with the main differences being between Vp3 protein in Chp1 and the other five strains of the micro virus. The viral strain of Vp3 protein was based mainly on micro-alpha helix structures, and multiple epitopes were noted in highly conserved regions. Vp3 protein was highly conserved structurally, and was an important protein of the chlamydiaphage capsid. Vp3 protein has a complicated molecular structure, highly conserved regions with strong immunogenicity, and has considerable research value.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Capsid Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Chlamydia ; genetics ; immunology ; Conserved Sequence ; Epitope Mapping ; Evolution, Molecular ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Recombination, Genetic

Objective To explore the relationship between the degree of intraplaque neovascularization in carotid artery and the level of serum homocysteine.Methods Contrast-enhanced ultrasound were performed on 72 carotid atherosclerotic plaques of 48 patients.Contrast-enhancement within the plaque was categorizde as grade 1 to grade 3.The level of serum homocysteine were detected in the fasting state during the same period.Results According to the degree of contrast enhancement(grade 1 to 3),patients were divided into 3 groups.The more new vessels in plaque,the higher the level of homocysteine.The levels of homocysteine in three groups increased in turn.There were distinct differences among the three groups(F =18.49,P ＜0.05),and there was significant difference between every two groups (P ＜0.05).The linear correlation analysis showed that the level of homocysteine was positively correlated with the degree of carotid plaque enhancement (r =0.66,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Contrastenhanced ultrasonography could semi-quantitate new vessles in plaque.There was positive correlation between the degree of intraplaque neovascularization with the level of serum homocysteine.Combine with the level of serum homocysteine based on intraplaque neovascularization detected by contrast-enhanced ultrasound,the plaque stability could be more accurately evaluated.

Objective:To evaluate the anatomical variations of hepatic artery via 64-slice spiral computed tomography angiogra-phy (CTA).Methods:The data of 200 patients who underwent 64-slice spiral computed tomography angiography were assessed by comparing with previous literatures,so as to analyze the rate of anatomical variations of hepatic artery and evaluate the diag-nostic value of CTA on anatomical variations of hepatic artery.Results:There were 166 cases with normal anatomical structure of hepatic artery and 34 cases with anatomical variations of hepatic artery.According to Michels'classification,six kinds of variations were found.The most was Michels Ⅲ(14 cases,7.0%),and the followings were Michels II(9 cases,4.5%),Mi-chels Ⅳ type(2 cases,1.0%),Michels Ⅴ(6 cases,3.0%),Michels Ⅵ(1 case,0.5%),Michels IX(1 case,0.5%),and non-Michels(1 case,0.5%).There were significant differences between incidence rate of anatomical variations of hepatic artery in this study and those in previous literatures.Conclusions:The incidence rate and type of variations of hepatic artery are irregu-lar.Anatomical information on hepatic artery,which is significant for reasonable scheme of surgical operation and intervention-al therapy,can be provided by CTA.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of polysomnography parameters and CT measurements in upper airway of mild and severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients before and after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). METHOD: Having PSG detection and spiral computed tomograph scan for 30 mild and severe OSAHS patients both before and after UPPP operation, compare the morphology change of upper airway on CT measurements, use pearson correlation analysis to analysis the correlation between the minimum cross-sectional area, left and right diameter, anteroposterior diameter in upper airway and apnea hypopnea index (AHI). RESULT: The difference of the minimum cross-sectional area, left and right diameter, anteroposterior diameter in upper airway before and after UPPP operation was significant. The minimum cross-sectional area, left and right diameter was negatively correlated with AHI; Left and right diameter was not correlated with AHI. CONCLUSION The minimum cross-sectional area, left and right diameter, anteroposterior diameter after operation is bigger than before operation. The minimum cross-sectional area, left and right diameter is negatively correlated with AHI.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Intraoperative Period ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Palate ; surgery ; Pharynx ; surgery ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Uvula ; surgery