ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the value of synthetic MRI for evaluating lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.Methods:A total of 414 lumbar intervertebral discs from 85 patients were included prospectively from September 2018 to February 2019 in First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University. The T 1, T 2 and proton density (PD) mapping were generated from synthetic MRI. Two doctors measured the T 1, T 2 and PD values to evaluate intraobserver agreement by using ICC. For Pfirrmann grade comparisons, the variables with normal distribution were analyzed with the one-way analysis of variance, whereas those with skewed distribution were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Furthermore, the ROC curves were used on significant parameters to evaluate their diagnostic efficacy. The Z test was used to compare the differences of area under the ROC curves (AUC). Results:The color of the quantitative mapping changed along with the increase of the Pfirrmann grade of the intervertebral discs, which corresponded to the decrease of the T 2WI signal intensity. The ICC values of the quantitative values of nucleus pulposus indicated excellent agreement (ICC>0.900), followed by anterior annulus fibrosus (ICC>0.700) and then the posterior annulus fibrosus (ICC>0.600). The results of the adjacent Pfirrmann grade comparisons were as follows: between Pfirrmann grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ, the differences of T 2 and PD values of nucleus pulposus were statistically significant ( P=0.004 and P<0.001, respectively); between Pfirrmann grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ, the differences of T 1, T 2 and PD values of nucleus pulposus were statistically significant (all P<0.001); between Pfirrmann grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ, the T 1, T 2 and PD values of nucleus pulposus (all P<0.001) and the T 1 and PD values of posterior annulus fibrosus ( P=0.025, P<0.001, respectively) had statistically significant differences; between Pfirrmann grade Ⅳ to Ⅴ, the difference of T 2 values of nucleus pulposus were statistically significant ( P=0.031). The AUC of T 2 values of nucleus pulposus between Pfirrmann grade Ⅱ to Ⅲ and grade Ⅳ to V were higher than those of the PD values ( Z=2.443, 3.591 and P=0.015,<0.001). Conclusions:Synthetic MRI can quantitatively evaluate lumbar disc degeneration, in which the T 2 value of nucleus pulposus may be the most effective parameter with high repeatability.
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Objective To study the pathogenesis of lower limb motor disorder in vascular parkinsonism(VP)using diffusion tensor image(DTI). Methods A case?control study was performed in a cohort of 16 VP patients and 32 PD patients. Patients were all recruited from the first affiliated hospital of China Medical University from Dec. 2011 to Dec. 2012. The lower limb motor function of those patients was assessed using measurement scales. All patients received magnetic resonance image(MRI)and diffusion tensor image(DTI). Results Patients in VP group showed more seri?ous movement disorders such as freezing of gait(gait ignition failure)than these in PD group,and the movement disorders of their lower limbs prog?ress more rapidly in VP group than the PD group. Movement disorders of their lower limbs in VP group were related to fibers in bilateral frontal lobes (P=0.008). Movement disorder of their lower limbs in PD group were related to fibers in substantia nigra(P=0.030). There are statistically signifi?cant differences in both the FA values of substantia nigra,bilateral frontal lobes and the ADC values of frontal lobes,and the pars compacta and pars reticulata of substantia nigra between these two groups(all P<0.05). Conclusion Movement disorders of bilateral lower limbs are more seriously manifested in VP patients than in PD patients. The onset movement dysfunction of bilateral lower limbs is closely related to fibers in the frontal lobe.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of hemofiltration combined with Jisheng shenqi pill on protein and energy re-serves of uremia patients. METHODS:124 uremia patients were randomly divided into control group(n=60) and test group (n=64). Control group was given 250-300 ml/min hemofiltration,4 h for every times,3 times a week;test group was additionally giv-en 9 g Jisheng shenqi pill,twice a day. The treatment course for both groups was 12 months. Hemoglobin(Hb),blood urea nitro-gen (BUN),glutamate aminotransferase (ALT),albumin (ALB),serum transferrin (TF),plasma fibronectin (FN),systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,mean arterial pressure;body mass index(BMI),subcutaneous fat thickness and arm mus-cle circumference in 2 groups before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS:After treatment,Hb,TF and FN levels in 2 groups were significantly higher than before,test group was higher than control group;ALT,ALB,BUN levels,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were significantly lower than before,test group was lower than control group;there were significant differences in the BMI,subcutaneous fat thickness and arm muscle circumference between control group and before and test group(P0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Hemofiltration combined with Jisheng shenqi pill can improve microenvironment in vivo and immune function,reduce accelerated metabolic induced by inflammation and improve protein and energy reserves to improve life quality of patients.