Effects of long-term closed and socially isolating spaceflight analog environment on default mode network connectivity as indicated by fMRI.

Long-term manned spaceflight and extraterrestrial planet settlement become the focus of space powers. However, the potential influence of closed and socially isolating spaceflight on the brain function remains unclear. A 180-day controlled ecological life support system integrated experiment was conducted, establishing a spaceflight analog environment to explore the effect of long-term socially isolating living. Three crewmembers were enrolled and underwent resting-state fMRI scanning before and after the experiment. We performed both seed-based and network-based analyses to investigate the functional connectivity (FC) changes of the default mode network (DMN), considering its key role in multiple higher-order cognitive functions. Compared with normal controls, the leader of crewmembers exhibited significantly reduced within-DMN and between-DMN FC after the experiment, while two others exhibited opposite trends. Moreover, individual differences of FC changes were further supported by evidence from behavioral analyses. The findings may shed new light on the development of psychological protection for space exploration.

Near-Infrared Piezochromism from an o-Carborane Dyad: Boron Clusters Facilitating a Wide-Range Redshift and High Sensitivity.

Piezochromic materials, which exhibit a fluorescence response with large emission spectral shifts and high sensitivity, may be useful in important applications, but there have been few reports of such organic luminophores. Herein, we report a new high-sensitivity piezochromic material based on the incorporation of an o-carborane unit, which exhibits aggregation-induced emission properties. In a high-pressure experiment, compared to carborane-free MTY, which exhibits an emission spectral shift of 75 nm and a sensitivity of 19.1 nm ⋅ GPa-1 , the o-carborane dyad MTCb shows a larger emission wavelength difference of 131 nm and a higher sensitivity of 32.8 nm ⋅ GPa-1 , demonstrating a performance that ranks among the best of organic piezochromic materials reported thus far. MTCb molecules adopt a J-aggregated pattern and have relatively loose molecular packing in the crystalline state. Interestingly, nonconjugated spherical carborane can disrupt the π-π interactions between adjacent molecules during compression, which results in excellent piezochromic performance.

Neuroimaging mechanisms in short-term heroin- and methamphetamine-abstinent users: Similarities and differences.

Heroin and methamphetamine cause great damage to individuals and society. However, numerous withdrawal mechanisms remain unidentified. In this study, 19 heroin short-term abstinent (HSTA) patients, 20 methamphetamine short-term abstinent (MSTA) patients, and 27 healthy controls (HCs) were scanned using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging. Degraded nodes of fiber tracts were identified using automated fiber quantification. Voxel- and surface-based morphometric measurements were performed to determine the gray matter volume and cortical thickness. The MSTA and HSTA groups had abnormal diffusion metrics in a variety of bilateral corticospinal tract (CST) and left superior longitudinal tract (SLT) nodes compared with the HC group. The MSTA patients reported more severely disrupted diffusion metrics in certain nodes of the bilateral anterior thalamic radiation and left inferior fronto-occipital tract than the HSTA patients. The MSTA and HSTA groups exhibited identical cortical damage in the fusiform and superior temporal gyri, as well as in the superior frontal gyrus, posterior cerebellum, and precentral gyrus. Extensive differences in gray matter lesions were observed between the MSTA and HSTA groups. Neuroimaging mechanisms of short-term abstinence may aid in the development of rehabilitation strategies.

Host-Guest Doping in Flexible Organic Crystals for Room-Temperature Phosphorescence.

Organic single crystals (OSCs) with excellent flexibility and unique optical properties are of great importance due to their broad applicability in optical/optoelectronic devices and sensors. Nevertheless, fabricating flexible OSCs with room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) remains a great challenge. Herein, we propose a host-guest doping strategy to achieve both RTP and flexibility of OSCs. The single-stranded crystal is highly bendable upon external force application and can immediately return to its original straight shape after removal of the stress, impressively emitting bright deep-red phosphorescence. The theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that the bright RTP arises from Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the triphenylene molecules to the dopants. This strategy is both conceptually and synthetically simple and offers a universal approach for the preparation of flexible OSCs with RTP.

Excitation-Dependent Multicolour Luminescence of Organic Materials: Internal Mechanism and Potential Applications.

Excitation-dependent emission (Ex-de) materials have been of considerable academic interest and have potential applications in real life. Such multicolour luminescence is a characteristic exception to the ubiquitously accepted Kasha's rule. This phenomenon has been increasingly presented in some studies on different luminescence systems; however, a systematic overview of the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon is currently absent. Herein, we resolve this issue by classifying multicolour luminescence from single chromophores and dual/ternary chromophores, as well as multiple emitting species. The underlying processes are described based on electronic and/or geometrical conditions under which the phenomenon occurs. Before we present it in categories, related photophysical and photochemical foundations are introduced. This systematic overview will provide a clear approach to designing multicolour luminescence materials for special applications.

Impairments in the Default Mode and Executive Networks in Methamphetamine Users During Short-Term Abstinence.

Purpose: Methamphetamine use may cause severe neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment, leading to addiction, overdose, and high rates of relapse. However, few studies have systematically focused on functional impairments detected by neuroimaging in methamphetamine abstainers (MAs) during short-term abstinence. This study aimed to investigate effective connectivity, resting-state networks, and internetwork functional connectivity in MA brains to improve clinical treatment. Methods: Twenty MAs and 27 age- and education-matched healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and Granger causality were analyzed to investigate disrupted brain regions and effective connectivity, respectively. Independent component analysis and functional network connectivity were used to identify resting-state networks and internetwork functional connectivity, respectively. Results: Compared with healthy controls, MAs demonstrated abnormal amplitudes of low-frequency fluctuations in the bilateral precuneus, left posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), left superior parietal lobule, left supplementary motor area (SMA), and left inferior parietal lobule (IPL). Moreover, MAs showed decreased effective connectivity from the left PCC to the left precuneus, increased effective connectivity from the left precuneus to the left MFG and from the right precuneus to the left SMA, and altered functional connectivity within the default mode network (DMN), frontoparietal network, sensorimotor network, ventral attention network, cerebellar network, and visual network. Importantly, hyperconnectivity between the DMN and ventral attention network and hypoconnectivity between the DMN and cerebellar network as well as the DMN and frontoparietal network were demonstrated in MAs. Conclusion: Our study implies that in short-term methamphetamine abstinence, disruptions to the DMN and executive network may a play key role, providing new insights for early rehabilitation.

Piezochromic Tetracoordinate Boron Complex: Blue-Shifted and Enhanced Luminescence.

Achieving blueshifted and enhanced emission from purely organic luminophors remains a major challenge. Herein, we report a tetracoordinate boron complex with polymorphism (Y-phase and O-phase)-dependent luminescence. Impressively, the Y-phase crystals exhibited rare piezochromic luminescent properties such as pressure-induced blue-shifted and enhanced emission. The results of theoretical and experimental tests demonstrated that this phenomenon results from the cooperative effect between the restriction of intramolecular motions and alterable charge transfer (CT) behavior during compression. This work provides an ideal model to investigate the optoelectronic properties of boron complexes. Importantly, manipulating the CT behavior through the electrophilicity of boron atoms may become a new principle for the design of piezochromic materials with blueshifted and enhanced emission.

Evaluation of White Matter Microstructural Alterations in Patients with Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment at the Sub-Acute Stage.

Purpose: To investigate white matter alterations in post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) patients at the subacute stage employing diffusion kurtosis and tensor imaging. Methods: Thirty PSCI patients at the subacute phase and 30 healthy controls (HC) underwent diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) scans and neuropsychological assessments. Based on the tract-based spatial statistics and atlas-based ROI analysis, fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), mean kurtosis (MK), kurtosis fractional anisotropy (KFA), axial kurtosis (AK), and radial kurtosis (RK) were compared in specific white matter fiber bundles between the groups (with family-wise error correction). Adjusting for age and gender, a partial correlation was conducted between neurocognitive assessments and DKI metrics in the PSCI group. Results: In comparison with the HC, PSCI patients significantly showed decreased MK, RK, and FA and increased MD values in the genu of corpus callosum, anterior limb internal capsule, and left superior corona radiata. In addition, DKI detected more white matter region changes in MK (31/48), KFA (40/48), and RK (25/48) than DTI with FA (28/48) and MD (21/48), which primarily consisted of the right cingulum, right superior longitudinal fasciculus, and left posterior limb of internal capsule. In the left anterior limb of internal capsule, MK and RK values were significantly negatively correlated with TMT-B (r = -0.435 and -0.414, P < 0.05), and KFA values (r = -0.385, P < 0.05) of corpus callosum negatively associated with TMT-B. Conclusion: Combing DTI, DKI, and neuropsychological tests, we found extensive damaged white matter microstructure and poor execution performance in subacute PSCI patients. DKI could detect more subtle white matter changes than DTI metrics. Our findings provide added information for exploring the mechanisms of PSCI and conducting cognitive rehabilitation in the subacute stage.

Oral care for intensive care unit patients without mechanical ventilation: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Infection is a common problem and a major cause of morbidity and mortality for patients in intensive care units (ICUs). According to published meta-analyses, oral care has been found to reduce the risk of nosocomial pneumonia, and has been recommended to improve the oral environment for patients in ICUs. However, relatively little information is available about the effects of oral care in patients without ventilatory support in ICUs. Therefore, this review proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of oral care in preventing pneumonia in non-ventilated ICU patients. METHODS: Eight databases will be searched for relevant literature, including four Chinese and four English online databases, from their inception to the protocol publication date. Records obtained will be managed and screened via Endnote X7. All literature will be selected following pre-established inclusion criteria by two independent review authors to obtain quality trials. The quality of the included records will be evaluated according to the "risk of bias table", recommended by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. All the data will be extracted by one author and checked by another. If there is any disagreement, a final agreement will be reached with a third reviewer via consultation. If there are missing data, the original authors will be emailed to ask for it. If enough data were collected, the data synthesis will be performed using Review Manager (RevMan5.3). Both a random effect model and a fixed effect model will be undertaken. A Bayesian meta-analysis will also be performed to estimate the magnitude of the heterogeneity variance and comparing it with the distribution using the WinBUGS software. Otherwise, the results will be reported narratively. The sources of heterogeneity will be determined using meta-regression and subgroup analysis if there is significant heterogeneity. A funnel plot will be used to assess publication bias if there are enough records included. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions will be followed throughout the system evaluation process. CONCLUSION: This review will provide evidence of oral care for intensive care unit patients without mechanical ventilation to prevent nosocomial pneumonia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Research registration identifying number: CRD42020146932.

Multicolour Fluorescence Based on Excitation-Dependent Electron Transfer Processes in o-Carborane Dyads.

Organic materials with excitation wavelength-dependent (Ex-de) emission are highly attractive for anticounterfeiting, optoelectronics and bioassay applications; however, the realization of Ex-de fluorescence, independent of aggregation states, remains a challenge. We herein report a photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) strategy to design Ex-de fluorescence materials by manipulating the relaxation pathways of multiple excited states. As expected, the o-carborane dyad presents a clear Ex-de fluorescence colour in the aggregated states, resulting from the tunable relative intensity of the dual-fluorescence spectra. Taking TP[1]B as an example, the amorphous powders emitted bright blue-violet, white and yellow colours under 390 nm, 365 nm and 254 nm UV illumination, respectively. Importantly, multicolour, flexible and transparent films as well as an anticounterfeiting application using this o-carborane dyad are demonstrated.

Huanglian-Houpo drug combination ameliorates H1N1-induced mouse pneumonia via cytokines, antioxidant factors and TLR/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Huanglian-Houpo drug combination (HHDC) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine that has been effectively used to treat seasonal colds and flu. However, no systematic studies of the effects of HHDC on H1N1 influenza infection and the associated mechanisms have been reported. The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-H1N1 influenza effects of HHDC and explore the underlying mechanisms. A mouse model of H1N1-induced pneumonia was established and the mice were treated with HHDC (4, 8 and 16 g/kg) for 5 days after viral challenge. The antiviral effects of HHDC and the underlying mechanisms in the mice were investigated and evaluated with respect to inflammation, oxidative stress and Toll-like receptor (TLR)/myeloid differentiation factor (MyD88)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathways. HHDC provided significant protection against weight loss and reduced the H1N1 viral load in the lungs. In addition, HHDC significantly decreased the lung index and increased the spleen and thymus indices of the H1N1-infected mice. HHDC also significantly ameliorated the histopathological changes of pneumonia, decreased serum levels of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ, and increased the serum level of IL-2. Moreover, HHDC significantly increased the levels of the antioxidant factors superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and reduced the serum level of nitric oxide. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR3, TLR7, MyD88, NF-κB p65 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 in the lung tissues were significantly decreased by HHDC. These findings suggest that HHDC directly inhibited H1N1 infection in vivo and exerted a therapeutic effect on influenza-induced pneumonia in mice by modulating cytokines, antioxidant factors and TLR/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Red to Near-Infrared Mechanochromism from Metal-free Polycrystals: Noncovalent Conformational Locks Facilitating Wide-Range Redshift.

Piezochromic organic materials that present a large difference in fluorescence wavelength in the near-infrared region have important potential applications; however, few such metal-free luminophores have been reported. In this study, we design and prepare π-conjugated electron acceptors whose planar conformation can be locked by the noncovalent interactions. The planar fused-ring geometry can narrow the optical band gap, enhance the molecular stability and rigidity, as well as increase the radiative rate. As expected, the polymorphs Re-phase and Ni-phase emit the high-brightness fluorescence with wavelength maxima (λem,max ) at 615 and 727 nm, respectively. Upon full grinding, the λem,max of Re-phase is bathochromically shifted to 775 nm. The ground powder of Re-phase becomes metastable as a consequence of noncovalent conformational locking and that the red to near-infrared (large colour difference) mechanochromism arises from the high degree of conformational coplanarity. This strategy is both conceptually and synthetically simple and offers a promising approach to the development of organic piezochromic materials with wide-range redshift and excellent penetrability.

[Value of 640-slice 3D CT angiography plus 3D printing for improving surgeries for intracranial aneurysms].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of 640-slice 3D CT angiography (3D-CTA) plus 3D printing for improving the outcomes of surgeries for intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Sixty patients with intracranial aneurysm were randomly divided into trial group (n=30) and control group (n=30). The control group received routine surgery, and the simulation models of the intracranial aneurysm in trial group was printed using a 3D printer using the imaging data from 3D-CTA. Using the simulation model, the surgery was designed and planned before operation (including surgical approaches and placement of clips) and simulation surgery was also conducted. The coincidence rates between preoperative and intraoperative findings of the intracranial aneurysms on 3D-CTA were compared. CT scan was performed at 1 and 3 days after the operation to detect potential cerebral infarction or bleeding associated with the operation; CTA was performed both at the same time and at 3-6 months after the operation to detect stenosis, occlusion and aneurysm clipping. The patients were followed up for 3-6 months to assess the outcomes using Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). RESULTS: The preoperative 3D-CTA findings were basically consistent with the intraoperative findings in all the 60 patients. Nine patients in the control group and 2 patients in the trial group had short-term adverse operation events; 11 patients in control group and 4 patients in trial group had long-term adverse events; 18 patients in control group and 25 patients in trial group had good neurologic function. The incidences of short-term and long-term adverse events associated with the operation was significantly lower in the trial group than in the control group (χ2=5.364, P=0.021; χ2=4.841, P=0.028), and the outcomes were significantly better in the trial group than in the control group (χ2=4.633, P=0.031). CONCLUSION: The simulation model of intracranial aneurysm is helpful to improve the quality of surgery and patients outcomes.

[Study on Different Parts of Wild and Cultivated Gentiana Rigescens with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy].

The application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and their preparations have a long history. With the deepening of the research, the market demand is increasing. However, wild resources are so limited that it can not meet the needs of the market. The development of wild and cultivated samples and research on accumulation dynamics of chemical component are of great significance. In order to compare composition difference of different parts (root, stem, and leaf) of wild and cultivated G. rigescens, Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and second derivative spectra were used to analyze and evaluate. The second derivative spectra of 60 samples and the rate of affinity (the match values) were measured automatically using the appropriate software (Omnic 8.0). The results showed that the various parts of wild and cultivated G. rigescens. were high similar the peaks at 1732, 1 643, 1 613, 1 510, 1 417, 1 366, 1 322, 1 070 cm(-1) were the characteristic peak of esters, terpenoids and saccharides, respectively. Moreover, the shape and peak intensity were more distinct in the second derivative spectrum of samples. In the second derivative spectrum range of 1 800-600 cm(-1), the fingerprint characteristic peak of samples and gentiopicroside standards were 1 679, 1 613, 1 466, 1 272, 1 204, 1 103, 1 074, 985, 935 cm(-1). The characteristic peak intensity of gentiopicroside of roots of wild and cultivated samples at 1 613 cm(-1) (C-C) was higher than stems and leaves which indicated the higher content of gentiopicroside in root than in stem and leaves. Stems of wild samples at 1 521, 1 462 and 1 452 cm(-1) are the skeletal vibration peak of benzene ring of lignin, and the stem of cultivated sample have stronger peak than other samples which showed that rich lignin in stems. The iInfrared spectrum of samples were similar with the average spectral of root of wild samples, and significant difference was found for the correlation between second derivative spectrum of samples and average spectral of wild samples root, and the sequence of similarity was root > stem > leaf. Therefore, FTIR combined with second derivative spectra was an express and comprehensive approach to analyze and evaluate in the imperceptible differences among different parts of wild and cultivated of G. rigescens.

[Study on the Discrimination of FTIR Spectroscopy of Gentiana Rigescens with Different Harvest Time].

The harvest time of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a very essential part for the production and quality of TCM which is the prerequisite for safe and effective clinical use of TCM. It is of great importance to carry out the research of timely harvest time of TCM. With Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to study harvest time of Seventy-two Gentiana Rigescens samples. First derivative, second derivative, standard normal variate, multiplicative scatter correction and Savitaky-Golay(15,3) smoothing of all original spectra were pretreated with TQ8.0 software. Samples were divided into calibration set and prediction set at the ratio of 3∶1. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model were established. The result indicated that after removing noise spectrum, the spectra range was from 1 800 to 600 cm-1, the method SNV combined with SD and SG present the best result of spectra pretreatment. The contribution rates of first three principal components were 92.47% with PCA. Small differences were found for the samples harvested in May, September and October. Same spectrum range was chosen and PLS-DA was applied to establish the model. The R2 and RMSEE were 0.967 8, 0.086 0, respectively, and the prediction accuracy is 100%. The methods of PCA and PLS-DA have good ability to classify and identify different harvest time of Gentiana Rigescens. It provided a basis for the identification of different harvest time of TCM.

[Study on the Discrimination of Gentiana Rigescens with Different Processing Methods by Using FTIR Spectroscopy].

The Processing of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the key to clinical application of TCM, and processing has functions such as enhancing the efficacy, attenuating the toxicity andmoderating medicine property. In order to the realizing safe, reasonable and effective use of medicine in clinical, research on identification of TCM processed products is of great significance. The Gentiana rigescens samples which processed with five different methods were discriminated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Baseline correction and normalization were used to pretreat all original spectra and the noise was cut off. The spectra range was from 3 400 to 600 cm-1. The effect of multiple scattering correction and standard normal variable on the model were observed and compared. Samples were divided into calibration set and prediction set at the ratio of 3∶1. The principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to reduce data dimensionality and discriminant analysis model was established. The result indicated that the main absorption peaks of samples were 3 378, 2 922, 1 732, 1 610, 1 417, 1 366, 1 316, 1 271, 1 068, 1 048 cm- 1 which 1 738, 1 643, 1 613, 1 420, 1 051 cm-1 as to gentiopicrin; 1 068, 1 048, 935 cm-1 as to carbohydrate. The accumulation contribution rate of first three principal components is 94.05%. Most of the information reflected the original data. There were differences among different samples. The result of discriminant analysis showed that the recognition rate of G. rigescens samples could achieve to 100% based on baseline correction and normalization treatment combined with MSC with the precondition of principal component scores being 10. In conclusion, FTIR is a feasible, rapid and non-destructive method to discriminate G. rigescens samples wtih different processing methods. It also provided reference for discrimination of processed products of medicine materials.

[Study on Gentiana Rigescens with Silvomedicinal and Agriosivomedicinal Systems with FTIR Spectroscopy].

Multiple cropping systems are the way to cope with the shortage of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) resources and enhance the utilization ratio of land. The aim of this study was to investigate seventy Gentiana rigescens Franch samples which were planted in slope and in multiple cropping system mixed with Juglans regia, Alnus nepalensis, Eucalyptus robusta, Alnus nepalensis, Camellia sinensis, Chaenomeles sinensis using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The pretreatments such as baseline correction, normalization and second derivative of all the original spectra were performed with Omnic 8.0 software. Moreover, second derivative spectra of samples and gentiopicroside standard were analyzed. In addition, two spectral databases were set up based on the average spectra of every variety with Omnic 8.0 software. The first library (Lib1) which included the spectra region from 1 800 to 600 cm-1 had the algorithm of expert retrieve while the correlation retrieve and square differential retrieve were dealt with the second library (Lib2) in the full spectral range. The results indicated that it is difficult to identify the infrared spectra of samples directly because they had high similarities. There were multiple common peaks between spectra of samples and gentiopicroside standards. The absorption peaks of 1 611 and 1 076 cm-1 of gentiopicroside were the two main characteristic peaks in the second derivative spectra. The difference of peak shape of every sample in the wave number of 1 076 cm-1 was small. By comparing peak area at 1 611 cm-1, the samples planted with J. regia contained highest content of gentiopicroside while the content of this effective constituent was the lowest in the samples which were planted in the slope and in the multiple cropping systems mixed with C sinensis. The differences of effective components in the samples with different planting patterns were represented by the variances of spectral matching values. The difference of matching values of samples planted with J. regia, A. nepalensis, E. Robusta and A. nepalensis were lower than that with slope and C. Sinensis. The number of misjudgment of expert retrieval, correlation retrieve and square differential retrieve were 11, 4 and 9, respectively. The discrimination result of correlation retrieve was the best in the full spectral range and the correct recognition rate was 94.29%. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with second derivative and retrieval had good ability to discriminate G. rigescens with different cropping systems. It could provide a basis for the discrimination of different planting patterns of TCM

[Magnetic resonance spectroscopic study of memory impairment after cerebral infarction treated with electroacupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To study the impacts of electroacupuncture (EA) on memory impairment after cerebral infarction through the observation of hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of brain tissue metabolites in the patients of cerebral infarction. METHODS: Sixty cases of memory impairment after cerebral infarction were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. The conventional rehabilitation training and medication were applied to all the patients. In the observation group, beside the basic treatment, EA was applied to bilateral Ezhongxian (MS 1), Dingzhongxian (MS 5), Dingniehouxiexian (MS 7), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36), Taixi (KI 3), Xuanzhong (GB 39) and Fengchi (GB 20). The treatment was given once a day, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks. The clinical memory scale was used for the score evaluation before and after treatment in all the patients. The magnetic resonance image (MRI) and 1H-MRS scanning were applied to the head. The ratio of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and creatine (Cr) and the ratio of choline (Cho) and Cr were determined in the foci of cerebral infarction. RESULTS: Eight weeks later, the scores of clinical memory scale were all increased after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the two group (all P<0. 01). The ratio of NAA and Cr was increased as compared with that before treatment (P<0. 05); the ratio of Cho and Cr was reduced as compared with that before treatment (P<0. 05). The changes in the observation group were more obvious than those in the control group (all P<0. 05). CONCLUSION: On the basis of the conventional medication and rehabilitation training, EA improves the metabolism of brain tissue and memory function of the patients. The efficacy of this therapy is better than that of medication combined with rehabilitation training.

Clinical value of a self-designed training model for pinpointing and puncturing trigeminal ganglion.

OBJECTIVES. A training model was designed for learners and young physicians to polish their skills in clinical practices of pinpointing and puncturing trigeminal ganglion. METHODS. A head model, on both cheeks of which the deep soft tissue was replaced by stuffed organosilicone and sponge while the superficial soft tissue, skin and the trigeminal ganglion were made of organic silicon rubber for an appearance of real human being, was made from a dried skull specimen and epoxy resin. Two physicians who had experiences in puncturing foramen ovale and trigeminal ganglion were selected to test the model, mainly for its appearance, X-ray permeability, handling of the puncture, and closure of the puncture sites. Four inexperienced physicians were selected afterwards to be trained combining Hartel's anterior facial approach with the new method of real-time observation on foramen ovale studied by us. RESULTS. Both appearance and texture of the model were extremely close to those of a real human. The fact that the skin, superficial soft tissue, deep muscles of the cheeks, and the trigeminal ganglion made of organic silicon rubber all had great elasticity resulted in quick closure and sealing of the puncture sites. The head model made of epoxy resin had similar X-ray permeability to a human skull specimen under fluoroscopy. The soft tissue was made of radiolucent material so that the training can be conducted with X-ray guidance. After repeated training, all the four young physicians were able to smoothly and successfully accomplish the puncture. CONCLUSION. This self-made model can substitute for cadaver specimen in training learners and young physicians on foramen ovale and trigeminal ganglion puncture. It is very helpful for fast learning and mastering this interventional operation skill, and the puncture accuracy can be improved significantly with our new method of real-time observation on foramen ovale.

A feasibility study on pinpointing the branches of trigeminal nerve in radiofrequency ablation.

OBJECTIVE: To propose a pinpointing method and to obtain technique parameters for puncture of the branches of the trigeminal nerve through anatomical radiological study. DESIGN: Trigeminal ganglions and intracranial branches of 25 pieces (50 sides) of adult skull wet-specimens were dissected and coated with contrast agent. X-ray images of the skull in lateral cranial position were collected with the tube inclining towards head at 15°, 20° and 25°. 'Porus-Clinoid Line' and 'FO-PC axis' were delineated on the images. The latter set as the base line, Point A, B and C were settled separately as the upper rim of the trigeminal ganglion, the axis of Brach V2 and the junction of the extended border lines of Branch V2 and V3 all intersected with it. The collected data was processed afterwards. RESULTS: In the cases of 50 sides, the maximum value of the 'FO-PC Distance' was 17.8 mm; Distance A, 6.6 mm; Distance B, 10.1 mm; and Distance C, 6.6 mm, while the minimum of each was 9.4 mm, 0.3 mm, 4.4 mm and 6.6 mm respectively. Ratios of the 'FO-PC Distance' to Distance B were respectively 2.00 ± 0.15 mm, 1.98 ± 0.15 mm and 1.95 ± 0.16 mm when tube inclined towards head at angles of 15°, 20° and 25°; to Distance C were 3.06 ± 0.53 mm, 3.36 ± 0.60 mm and 3.75 ± 0.96 mm and to Distance A were 10.65 ± 9.17 mm, 7.33 ± 5.28 mm, 5.16 ± 2.30 mm under the same condition. CONCLUSION: The results showed that Distances from each branch of trigeminal nerve to the medial rim of foramen ovale vary on different individuals while the proportional relationship between each branch and 'FO-PC Distance' has regularity.