Comparison of Foaming Properties Between the Shirasu Porous Glass Membrane Device and Tessari’s Three-way Stopcock Technique for Polidocanol and Ethanolamine Oleate Foam Production: A Benchtop Study

PurposeTo compare the characteristics of polidocanol (POL) and ethanolamine oleate (EO) sclerosing foams produced by a Shirasu porous glass membrane (SPGM) device with those made using a 3-way stopcock (3WSC).Materials and MethodsFoam half-life times were measured in an ex-vivo benchtop study. Computed tomography (CT) images of each foam were obtained over the time course, and a CT texture analysis was conducted. The bubble size in each foam was measured by an optical microscope.ResultsMedian foam half-life times were longer in the SPGM group than in the 3WSC group (POL: 198 vs 166 s, P = .02; EO: 640 vs 391 s, P < .01). In the CT texture analysis, median standard deviation (SD) and entropy (randomness) were lower, and median energy (uniformity) and gray-level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM) homogeneity were higher in the SPGM group than in the 3WSC group (POL SD: at 30 s and 50–300 s; POL entropy: at 0–60 s; EO SD: at 0–600 s; EO entropy: at 0–460 s; POL energy: at 0–40 s; POL GLCM homogeneity: at 0–250 s; EO energy: at 0–360 s; EO GLCM homogeneity: at 0–480 s; all P < .05). Median bubble diameters in the SPGM group and in the 3WSC group were 69 and 83 μm (P < .01), respectively, in the POL foam; and 36 and 36 μm (P = .45), respectively, in the EO foam.ConclusionsPOL and EO foams had greater uniformity and longer foam half-life time when prepared with an SPGM device than with a 3WSC.     

中医舌诊术语英译国际标准探究＊

本文通过对《中医基本名词术语中英对照国际标准》和《WHO西太平洋地区传统医学名词术语国际标准》舌诊术语进行比较，分析两部标准中舌诊术语英译的优缺点，提出更适宜优先选择作为中医舌诊术语英译标准的方案，以期为中医名词术语标准化工作提供参考。     

Synthetic MRI is not yet ready for morphologic and functional assessment of patellar cartilage at 1.5 Tesla

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare morphologic assessment and relaxometry of patellar hyaline cartilage between conventional sequences (fast spin-echo [FSE] T2-weighted fat-saturated and T2-mapping) and synthetic T2 short-TI inversion recovery (STIR) and T2 maps at 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodThe MRI examinations of the knee obtained at 1.5 T in 49 consecutive patients were retrospectively studied. There were 21 men and 28 women with a mean age of 45 ± 17.7 (SD) years (range: 18–88 years). Conventional and synthetic acquisitions were performed, including T2-weighted fat-saturated and T2-mapping sequences. Two radiologists independently compared patellar cartilage T2-relaxation time on conventional T2-mapping and synthetic T2-mapping images. A third radiologist evaluated the patellar cartilage morphology on conventional and synthetic T2-weighted images. The presence of artifacts was also assessed. Interobserver agreement for quantitative variables was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsIn vitro, conventional and synthetic T2 maps yielded similar mean T2 values 58.5 ± 2.3 (SD) ms and 58.8 ± 2.6 (SD) ms, respectively (P = 0.414) and 6% lower than the expected experimental values (P = 0.038). Synthetic images allowed for a 15% reduction in examination time compared to conventional images. On conventional sequences, patellar chondropathy was identified in 35 patients (35/49; 71%) with a mean chondropathy grade of 4.8 ± 4.8 (SD). On synthetic images, 28 patients (28/49; 57%) were diagnosed with patellar chondropathy, with a significant 14% difference (P = 0.009) and lower chondropathy scores (3.7 ± 4.9 [SD]) compared to conventional images. Motion artifacts were more frequently observed on synthetic images (18%) than on conventional ones (6%). The interobserver agreement was excellent for both conventional and synthetic T2 maps (ICC > 0.83). Mean cartilage T2 values were significantly greater on synthetic images (36.2 ± 3.8 [SD] ms; range: 29-46 ms) relative to conventional T2 maps (31.8 ± 4.1 [SD] ms; range: 26-49 ms) (P < 0.0001).ConclusionDespite a decrease in examination duration, synthetic images convey lower diagnostic performance for chondropathy, greater prevalence of motion artifacts, and an overestimation of T2 values compared to conventional MRI sequences.     

The efficacy and safety of Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction in the treatment of chronic non-atrophic gastritis: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Chronic non-atrophic gastritis is the most common type of chronic gastritis. Even if treated with current standard pharmacotherapy, the efficacy is not very satisfactory due to many factors. Traditional Chinese Medicine decoctions are increasingly used in the treatment of chronic gastritis, and many studies have shown that Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction is effective and safe in the treatment of chronic non-atrophic gastritis. However, it is controversy if Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction can provide an evidence-based clinical efficacy and safety in the treatment of chronic non-atrophic gastritis.Methods:We will go through 8 databases, and conduct a systematic review of Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction and health-related outcomes in chronic non-atrophic gastritis patients according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews. The primary objective is to assess the impact of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines on clinical outcomes relevant to chronic non-atrophic gastritis patients, such as clinical effective rate,Helicobacter pylori eradication rate, efficacy under endoscopy, 1-year recurrent rate, and number of reported adverse events. Cochrane Risk Assessment Tool will be used to assess the quality of eligible studies according to the Cochrane handbook.Results:The results of this systematic review will provide a synthesis of current evidence of Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction and we have a specific opportunity to determine the efficacy and safety of it.Conclusion:This study will explore whether or not Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction can be used as one of the complementary and alternative therapies in the treatment of chronic non-atrophic gastritis.Registration number:Identifier: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/TX27U (https://osf.io/tx27u/).     

Motor dysfunction in mild cognitive impairment as tested by kinematic analysis and transcranial magnetic stimulation

ObjectivePrevious studies have demonstrated voluntary movement alterations as well as motor cortex excitability and plasticity changes in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). To investigate the pathophysiology of movement abnormalities in MCI, we tested possible relationships between movement abnormalities and primary motor cortex alterations in patients.MethodsFourteen amnestic MCI (aMCI) patients and 16 healthy controls were studied. Cognitive assessment was performed using clinical scales. Finger tapping was recorded by a motion analysis system. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to test the input/output curve of motor evoked potentials, intracortical inhibition, and short-latency afferent inhibition. Primary motor cortex plasticity was probed by theta burst stimulation. We investigated correlations between movement abnormalities, clinical scores, and cortical neurophysiological parameters.ResultsMCI patients showed less rhythmic movement but no other movement abnormalities. Cortical excitability measures were normal in patients, whereas plasticity was reduced. Movement rhythm abnormalities correlated with frontal dysfunction scores.ConclusionOur study in MCI patients demonstrated abnormal voluntary movement and plasticity changes, with no correlation between the two. Altered rhythm correlated with frontal dysfunction.SignificanceOur results contribute to the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of motor impairment in MCI.     

Quality indicators for breast cancer care: A systematic review

ObjectivesWe evaluated breast cancer (BC) care quality indicators (QIs) in clinical pathways and integrated health care processes.MethodsFollowing protocol registration (Prospero n^o: CRD42021228867), relevant documents were identified, without language restrictions, through a systematic search of bibliographic databases (EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE), health care valuable representatives and the World Wide Web in April 2021. Data concerning QIs, measurement tools and compliance standards were extracted from European and North American sources in duplicate with 98% reviewer agreement.ResultsThere were 89 QIs found from 22 selected documents (QI per document mean 13.5 with standard deviation 11.9). The Belgian (38 QIs) and the EUSOMA (European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists) (34 QIs) documents were the ones that best reported the QIs. No identical QI was identified in all the documents analysed. There were 67/89 QIs covering processes (75.3%) and 11/89 (12.4%) for each structure and outcomes QIs. There were 21/89 QIs for diagnosis (30.3%), 43/89 for treatment (48.3%), and 19/89 for staging, counselling, follow-up and rehabilitation (21.4%). Of 67 process QIs and 11 outcome QIs, 20/78 (26%) did not report a minimum standard of care. Shared decision making was only included as a QI in the Italian document.ConclusionMore than half of countries have not established a national clinical pathway or integrated breast cancer care process to achieve the excellence of BC care. There was heterogeneity in QIs for the evaluation of BC care quality. Over two-thirds of the clinical pathways and integrated health care processes did not provide a minimum auditable standard of care for compliance, leaving open the definition of best practice. There is a need for harmonisation of BC care QIs.     

生慧汤对APP/PS1雄性AD小鼠海马内APP代谢产物的昼夜变化影响＊

目的研究生慧汤对APP/PS1（β-amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1246E）小鼠海马内β淀粉样前体蛋白（Amyloid precursor protein，APP）代谢产物昼夜表达的影响。方法 将56只雄性APP/PS1双转基因痴呆模型小鼠随机分为4组，分别为：痴呆模型组、褪黑素治疗组（0.78 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）、生慧汤高剂量组（27.0 g·kg^-1·d^-1）、生慧汤低剂量组（13.5 g·kg^-1·d^-1），每组14只；对照组为14只雄性C57BL/6J小鼠，连续给药30天。采用Morris水迷宫检测小鼠学习记忆能力，采用酶联免疫吸附检测（ELISA）检测不同时间段取出的海马组织sAPPα含量。对海马β淀粉样蛋白_1-40、β淀粉样蛋白_1-42表达进行免疫印迹分析。免疫组化（IHC）检测海马CA1区Aβ_1-40蛋白的表达。结果 Morris水迷宫结果表明，与对照组相比，模型组上平台潜伏期明显延长、穿越平台次数明显减少（P<0.01）；与模型组相比，生慧汤不同剂量组上平台潜伏期明显缩短（P<0.01、P<0.05），穿越平台次数明显增加（P<0.05）。ELISA结果表明，与对照组相比，模型组的sAPPα总量、各时间段（12：00、24：00）sAPPα含量明显减少（P<0.01）；与模型组相比，生慧汤不同剂量组sAPPα总量明显增多（P<0.01、P<0.05），生慧汤高剂量组仅能增加12：00 sAPPα含量（P<0.01），生慧汤低剂量组仅能增加24：00 sAPPα含量（P<0.05）。对照组sAPPα含量具有明显昼夜差异（P<0.01）。模型组sAPPα含量的昼夜差异性消失（P>0.05）。生慧汤高剂量组sAPPα含量具有昼夜差异（P<0.01），生慧汤低剂量组sAPPα含量不具有昼夜差异（P>0.05）。Western blot结果显示，与对照组相比，模型组Aβ_1-40、Aβ_1-42蛋白表达明显增加（P<0.01）；与模型组相比，生慧汤高剂量组Aβ_1-40、Aβ_1-42蛋白表达减少（P<0.05、P<0.01）；生慧汤低剂量组仅能减少Aβ_1-40蛋白的表达（P<0.05），对Aβ_1-42蛋白表达无影响（P>0.05）。免疫组化结果表明，与对照组相比，模型组Aβ_1-40表达明显增加（P<0.01）；与模型组相比，生慧汤不同剂量组Aβ_1-40表达不同程度减少（P<0.01、P<0.05）。结论 生慧汤能够改善5月龄APP/PS1阿尔茨海默病模型小鼠的学习记忆障碍，其机制可能与恢复海马内APP代谢产物sAPPα的昼夜节律性表达、从而减少Aβ的沉积有关。