Development of front-end waveform digitizer for filter-fluorescer x-ray diagnostic in Shenguang laser facility.

The filter-fluorescer x-ray diagnostic (FFLEX) in the Shenguang (SG) laser facility has been upgraded to infer the time-resolved behavior of hot electrons in inertial confinement fusion experiments. It significantly increases the bandwidth and anti-interference ability requirements of readout electronics. The current readout method is difficult to meet these requirements. A dedicated front-end waveform digitizer (DFWD) for the FFLEX is presented in this paper. It is very convenient to be installed in the front-end detectors of the FFLEX, and so the DFWD could be shielded as well as detectors. The test results show that it works well in the front-end environment. Compared with the existing system, the DFWD can minimize the impact of radiation on signal measurement and significantly improve the accuracy of the status and time-trend diagnosis of hot electrons.

Anatomical feasibility study of flexor hallucis longus transfer in treatment of Achilles tendon and posteromedial portal of ankle arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of anatomical variations of the musculotendinous junction of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscle, the relationship between FHL tendon or muscle and the tibial neurovascular bundle at the level of the posterior ankle joint in human cadavers. METHODS: Seventy embalmed feet from 20 male and 15 female cadavers, the cadavers' mean age was 65.4 (range from 14 to 82) years, were dissected and anatomically classified to observe FHL muscle morphology define the relationship between FHL tendon or muscle and the tibial neurovascular bundle. The distance between the musculotendinous junction and the relationship between FHL tendon or muscle and the tibial neurovascular bundle was determined. RESULTS: Three morphology types of FHL muscle were identified: a long lateral and shorter medial muscle belly, which was observed in 63 specimens (90%); equal length medial and lateral muscle bellies, this variant was only observed in five specimens (7.1%); one lateral and no medial muscle belly, which was observed in two specimens (2.9%). No statistically significant difference was observed according to gender or side (p > 0.05). Two patterns were identified and described between FHL tendon or muscle and the tibial neurovascular bundle. Pattern 1, the distance between the neurovascular bundle and FHL tendon was 3.46 mm (range 2.34-8.84, SD = 2.12) which was observed in 66 specimens (94.3%); Pattern 2, there was no distance which was observed in four specimens (5.7%). CONCLUSION: Knowing FHL muscle morphology, variations provide new important insights into secure planning and execution of a FHL transfer for Achilles tendon defect as well as for the interpretation of ultrasound and magnetic resonance images. With posterior arthroscopic for the treatment of various ankle pathologies, posteromedial portal may be introduced into the posterior aspect of the ankle without gross injury to the tibial neurovascular structures because of the gap between the neurovascular bundle and FHL tendon.

Anatomical Study of the Neurovascular in Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Transfers.

The transfer of the flexor hallucis longus tendon or flexor digitorum longus tendon is frequently used for the treatment of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency or chronic Achilles tendinopathy. According to several anatomical studies, harvesting the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon may cause nerve injury. Sixty-eight embalmed feet were dissected and anatomically classified to define the relationship between Henry's knot and the plantar nerves. Two different configurations were identified. In Pattern 1, which was observed in 64 specimens (94.1%), the distance between the medial plantar nerve and Henry's knot was 5.96 mm (range, 3.34 to 7.84, SD = 1.12). In Pattern 2, which was observed in 4 specimens (5.9%), there was no distance between the medial plantar nerve (MPN) and Henry's knot. No statistically significant difference was observed according to gender or side (p > 0.05). A retraction was performed to harvest the FHL through the posteromedial hindfoot incision using a single minimally invasive technique, and the medial and lateral plantar nerve lesions were scrupulously assessed. In conclusion, medial and lateral plantar nerve injuries did not occur more frequently, even after performing a single minimally invasive incision to harvest the FHL tendon, due to the large distance between the FHL tendon and the medial and lateral plantar nerves.

[The anatomy and clinical application of reverse saphenous nerve neurocutaneous flaps for reparing skin defects of forefoot].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of reverse saphenous nerve neurocutaneous flaps for skin defects of forefoot. METHODS: In the anatomic study, 50 cadaveric feet were injected with red latex and the anastomosis, distribution and external diameters of medialtarsal artery, medial anterior malleolus artery, medial plantar artery, the superficial branch of the medial basal hallucal artery and saphenousnerve nutritional vessels were observed. Based on anatomic research results, we designed the reverse saphenous nerve neurocutaneous flaps for repairing skin defects of forefoot. RESULTS: The blood supply of reverse saphenous nerve neurocutaneous flaps were based on the vasoganglion, which consist of arterial arch at the superior border of abductor hallucis and arterial network on the surface of abductor hallucis around the saphenous nerve and medial pedis flap. From Oct. 2006 to Oct. 2011, the reverse saphenous nerve neurocutaneous flaps were used to repair skin defects of forefoot in 11 cases. The flap size ranged from 2.5 cm x 3.5 cm to 7.5 cm x 8.5 cm. The wounds at donor site were covered with full-thickness skin graft. All flaps survived completely with no ulcer at the donor site. 11 cases were followed up for 6 to 18 months( mean, 10 months). The skin color and texture were satisfactory. The patients could walk very well. CONCLUSIONS: It is reliable to repair the skin defects of forefoot with reverse saphenous nerve neurocutaneous flaps. It is easily performed with less morbidity. This flap should be considered as a preferential way to reconstruct skin defects of forefoot.

Anatomical study for flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer in treatment of Achilles tendinopathy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to describe the anatomical variations of the connection between the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendons in the knot of Henry in Asians, and quantify the length of FHL tendon graft with different incisions. METHODS: Sixty-four embalmed feet of 32 cadavers were analyzed anatomically with respect to the individual cross-links in the planta pedis. Single incision technique graft length was measured from the musculotendinous junction of FHL and the point at sustentaculum tali. Double incision technique was measured from musculotendinous junction of FHL and the level of the master knot of Henry. Additionally, minimally invasive incision technique was measured from musculotendinous junction of FHL to the first interphalangeal joint. These three techniques were then combined to determine the total potential tendon graft length obtainable using different approach. RESULTS: Only two different configurations were found. Type 1, a tendinous slip branched from the FHL to the FDL (62 of 64 feet). Type 2, a slip branched from the FHL to the FDL and another slip from the FDL to FHL (2 of 64). The average length of the FHL graft available from a single incision measured 5.08 cm (range 3.32-10.35, SD = 1.09), double incision technique measured 6.72 cm (range 4.69-12.09, SD = 1.03), and minimally invasive incision measured 17.49 cm (range 13.51-20.52, SD = 1.80). The difference between the lengths obtained from these three techniques was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The absence of no attachment and FDL tendon to the FHL between the two tendons in the foot may be more frequent than previously reported. Only two configurations of the anatomical relationship were found in this study. In over 96 % of the feet, a proximal to distal connection from the FHL to the FDL was found, which might contribute to the residual function of the lesser toes after FDL transfer.

Reconstruction of great toe soft-tissue defect with the retrograde-flow medial pedis island flap.

BACKGROUND: Several investigators have reported their clinical experience with medial pedis flaps for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the distal forefoot. However, they had only a few reports where this flap was used to repair soft-tissue defects of the great toe. Thus, reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the great toe remains a challenge in reconstructive surgery. The authors describe the use of the medial pedis island flap to cover this region. METHODS: This study was divided into two parts: an anatomic study and clinical application. In the anatomic study, 48 cadaveric feet were injected with latex, and then the main vessels distributed at the medial aspect of the foot were observed. Clinically, retrograde-flow medial pedis island flaps were harvested to cover the soft-tissue defects of the great toe in eight cases. RESULTS: An anatomic study revealed that the arterial circle under the first metatarsophalangeal joint and the arterial network on the surface of the abductor hallucis were responsible for the blood supply of the medial region of the foot. The diameter of the pedicle was great, and the pedicle was longer than previously reported. In terms of clinical application, all flaps were successful, without any significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: Using the arterial circle under the first metatarsophalangeal joint, the medial pedis island flap has a reliable retrograde blood supply. This flap should be considered as a preferential way of reconstructing soft-tissue defects of the great toe. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.

[Automatic microscopic scanning system in etiological diagnosis of schistosomiasis].

OBJECTIVE: To apply the automatically microscopic scanning system in the etiological diagnosis of schistosomiasis, as an alternative to the traditional manual microscopy detection, and improve the detection rates and efficiency of examinations of fecal slides. METHODS: A single-blind method was used throughout the process of both the automatic microscopic scanning system and traditional manual microscopy reading. Each of five professionals read 20 Kato-Katz manure piece samples. The detection results and time for each sample were recorded. The two methods were compared by the film reading speed, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. RESULTS: The overall accuracy of the diagnosis of schistosomiasis of the automatically microscopic scanning image system was 99.00%, higher than that of the traditional manual microscopy detection (91.00%) (P < 0.05); the sensitivity and specificity of the image system were 98.57% and 100%, respectively, and also higher than those of the traditional manual microscopy method (90.00% and 93.33%) (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The automatically microscopic scanning system is powerful, the scanning speed is fast, and the operation is easy. Its speed, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity are superior to those of the conventional manual microscopy; therefore, it is suitable for the etiological diagnosis of schistosomiasis at the grassroots' level.

[Experimental study on compatibility of three species of freshwater snails with Angiostrongylus cantonensis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the compatibility of three species of freshwater snails, Pomacea canaliculata, Cipangopaludina chinensis, Bellamy a aeruginosa, with Angiostrongylus cantonensis. METHODS: The snails were infected by the first-stage larvae of A. cantonensis under the same conditions. Twenty snails of each species were randomly sampled after exposed to the larvae for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 hours, respectively. Each group was placed into an aquarium. Each species with same number was established as control. All the aquaria were equipped with a filter, the water temperature was kept at (24 +/- 1) degrees C. In the first two weeks, the number of death was recorded. Later, the snails were successively examined to record the weight and worm burden of each snail. RESULTS: Some snails were dead which mainly happened in the first week postinfection. The death rate and infection rate were not associated with exposure time and snail species. Worm burden of P. canaliculata was significantly higher than the other two species, however, the worm density of P. canaliculata and B. aeruginosa was not significantly different but higher than that of C. chinensis. The worm burden and worm density of P. canaliculata and B. aeruginosa, respectively, were significantly different among five exposure-time groups, but that of C. chinensis was not. CONCLUSION: All the three snail species show a high compatibility with A. cantoneasis. In general, the compatibility of P. canaliculata is superior to the other two species.

The effect of temperature on the development of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Chen 1935) in Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck 1822).

Angiostrongyliasis cantonensis, clinically presented as eosinophilic meningitis, is a snail-borne parasitic disease. We studied the effects of different temperatures on the larval development of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the freshwater snail Pomacea canaliculata. Six groups of snails were infected and each group was cultured under different temperature conditions. At predefined intervals, four snails from each group were dissected to examine the larval development. The development-time curve of each group was drawn according to the fraction of third-stage larvae present. The developmental time was defined as the time needed until 50% of the first-stage larvae developed into third-stage larvae. A linear regression model was established based on the time (D; in days) and the corresponding temperature (T; in degrees Celsius): DT = 15.04 x D + 262.53. The threshold temperature for larval development was 15.04 degrees C and the thermal constant was 262.53 degree-days. These parameters could be helpful in estimating the number of parasite generations in a year and the impact of climate change on the distribution of A. cantonensis.

[Studies on susceptibility of Pomacea canaliculata of different developmental stages to infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis].

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE To study the susceptibility of Pomacea canaliculata of different developmental stages to Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection. METHODS: P. canaliculata snails breeding at laboratory were divided into four rank (I-IV) according to the weight, and infected with the first stage larvae of A. cantonensis from Fujian Province. Their mortality, infection rate, worm burden, and the size, development and distribution of larvae in snails were examined. RESULTS: Snails at different developmental stages were readily infected with A. cantonensis. The infection rate was between 76% and 100%, with no significant difference among the groups (P>0.05). Snails at earlier developmental stage showed higher mortality. The heaviest worm burden and the largest number of snails harboring more than 100 larvae were found in snails of rank III. In general the larvae in snails showed a synchronous development in the groups. Sizes of the third stage larvae in snails of various ranks were homogeneous. The period before the third stage larva emergence and the time for a peak percentage of the larvae exhibited no significant difference among the four ranks. The larvae widely distributed in various parts of snails, with more in the lung and foot, and larvae from snails of different ranks could all infect rats successfully. CONCLUSION: P. canaliculata of the four ranks can all be infected by the first stage larvae of A. cantonensis. Rank III snails may be better for studying the relationship between P. canaliculata and A. cantonensis. The potential role of young snails in angiostrongyliasis transmission should be recognized.