The Effects of Crystalline Admixture on the Self-Healing Performance and Mechanical Properties of Mortar with Internally Added Superabsorbent Polymer.

Crystalline admixture (CA) can be incorporated into concrete to achieve self-healing of concrete cracks. In this study, both CA and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) were used as self-healing agents to investigate the effects of CA on the self-healing performance and mechanical properties of mortar with internally added SAP at different self-healing ages. The healing effect of cracks in mortar is assessed by crack observation and impermeability. The structure and composition of the filler in the cracks were analyzed by microscopic experiment. The experimental results indicate that CA enhances the healing of cracks in mortar specimens. The chemical reactions of CA primarily contribute to significantly improving the early-age crack-healing ability of the specimens, and the water absorption and expansion ability as well as the internal curing effect of SAP also facilitate the crack-healing process. Increasing the CA content leads to an increase in the Ca/Si ratio of C-S-H, causing a transition from a layered structure to a more compact needle-like structure. When 4% CA was added to the mortar, it resulted in an adequate formation of needle-like C-S-H structures, which eventually penetrate and fill the pits formed by SAP, compensating for the strength loss caused by SAP.

Combination of Ultrasound and Molecular Markers in Evaluating Isolated Distal Deep Vein Thrombosis in Lower Limbs: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors of isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (IDDVT) in the lower limbs by using a combination of Doppler ultrasound and thrombus molecular markers. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was used. We selected 145 patients with deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs. They were divided into the IDDVT group and the non-IDDVT group. We compared the differences in Doppler ultrasound and biochemical indexes between the two groups. The independent influencing factors of IDDVT were analyzed using logistic regression, and we plotted the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: We compared 47 IDDVT cases diagnosed by DSA with 47 non-IDDVT cases selected at random. The diameter of the common femoral vein (CFV) of the affected side, deep femoral vein, and the great saphenous vein, thickness of subcutaneous tissue, and serum D-dimer (D-D) and thrombin-antithrombin III complexes (TAT) were significantly higher in the IDDVT group than the non-IDDVT group (P < .05). Logistic regression analysis showed that CFV diameter, subcutaneous tissue thickening, D-D, and TAT were all independent risk factors for IDDVT (P < .05). The combined predictor had higher predictive sensitivity, specificity, and Youden's index (93.6, 87.2, and 0.808, respectively) than using thrombus molecular markers alone or Doppler ultrasound alone. CONCLUSION: D-D and TAT, the thrombosis molecular markers, CFV diameter, and thickening of subcutaneous tissue, as well as the Doppler ultrasound, all have their own independent effects on IDDVT. When Thrombosis molecular markers and Doppler ultrasound are used in combination, they can predict which patients are at high risk of IDDVT and help doctors in making clinical decisions pertaining to prevention and treatment.

The correlation between types of posterior upper rotator cuff tears and intramuscular fat infiltration based on magnetic resonance imaging: A retrospective observational study.

Objective: This study investigated the correlation between types of posterior upper rotator cuff tears (RCTs) and intramuscular fat infiltration (FI) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: The shoulder joints of 50 adults with a full-thickness posterior upper RCT diagnosed by MRI, from January 2019 to December 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups according to tear type: 1) an L-shaped tear group; 2) a crescent/U-shaped tear group; 3) a complete tear group. The correlation among age, gender, tear range, trauma history, and the duration of clinical symptoms was analyzed. The MRI images were used by two musculoskeletal imaging physicians to evaluate the type and range of tears, the Goutallier grade of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus, and the correlations and reliability were analyzed. Results: Differences in the tear range (p < 0.001) and the Goutallier grade of the infraspinatus muscle (p = 0.036) among the L-shaped, crescent/U-shaped, and complete tear groups were statistically significant; however, differences in the Goutallier grade of the supraspinatus muscle was not statistically significant (p = 0.356). In the crescent/U-shaped tear group, age was significantly correlated with the Goutallier grade of the supraspinatus muscle (RS = 0.720, p = 0.029) and the infraspinatus muscle (RS = 0.713, p = 0.032). In the complete tear group, tear range was significantly correlated with the Goutallier grade of the supraspinatus muscle (RS = 0.801, p = 0.001) and the infraspinatus muscle (RS = 0.802, p = 0.001). The Goutallier grades of the supraspinatus muscle (kappa, 0.489) and the infraspinatus muscle (kappa, 0.424) presented with interobserver consistency. Conclusion: The type of posterior upper RCT correlates with the degree of FI. There is a positive correlation between the FI of crescent/U-shaped full-thickness RCTs and age. Additionally, the range of complete tears in the posterior upper RC has a positive correlation with FI.

The clinical value of using magnetic resonance contrast-enhanced three-dimensional nerve view in the diagnosis and management of sacral fracture accompanied by sacral plexus injury.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of sacral fractures accompanied by nerve injury is complex and often leads to an unsatisfactory prognosis and poor quality of life in patients. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the clinical value of using 3.0T magnetic resonance contrast-enhanced three-dimensional (MR CE-3D) nerve view magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) in the diagnosis and management of a sacral fracture accompanied by a sacral plexus injury. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with a sacral fracture accompanied by a sacral plexus injury, including 24 cases of Denis spinal trauma type II and 8 cases of type III, were enrolled in the study. All patients had symptoms or signs of lumbosacral nerve injury, and an MRN examination was performed to clarify the location and severity of the sacral nerve injury. Segmental localization of the sacral plexus was done to indicate the site of the injury as being intra-spinal (IS), intra-foraminal (IF), or extra-foraminal (EF), and the severity of the nerve injury was determined as being mild, moderate, or severe. Surgical nerve exploration was then conducted in six patients with severe nerve injury. The location and severity of the nerve injury were recorded using intra-operative direct vision, and the results were statistically compared with the MRN examination results. RESULTS: MRN showed that 81 segments had mild sacral plexus injuries (8 segments of IS, 20 segments of IF, 53 segments of EF), 78 segments had moderate sacral plexus injuries (8 segments of IS, 37 segments of IF, and 33 segments of EF), and 19 segments had severe sacral plexus injuries (7 segments of IS, 9 segments of IF, and 3 segments of EF). The six patients who underwent surgery had the following intra-operative direct vision results: 3 segments of moderate injury (IF) and 20 segments of severe injury (7 segments of IS, 10 segments of IF, 3 segments of EF). There was no statistically significant difference in the results between the intra-operative direct vision and those of the MRN examination (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: MR CE-3D nerve view can clearly and accurately demonstrate the location and severity of sacral nerve injury accompanied by a sacral fracture, and has the potential for being the first choice of examination method for this kind of injury, which would be of important clinical value.

Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the correlation between calcific tendinitis and rotator cuff injury.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the incidence of calcific tendinitis (CaT) in rotator cuff tears (RCTs) and to assess the correlation between CaT and RCTs with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: The MRI of 108 patients with rotator cuff CaT admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Another retrospective analysis was made of 108 patients with similar age, gender, occupation, and shoulder injury side to those in the first group. The incidence of RCTs and their correlation with CaT were assessed based on an MRI of shoulder joints. RESULTS: There was a statistical difference (p < 0.05) in the incidence of RCTs between the CaT group (23.4%) and the control group (37.2%). No significant difference was observed in the size of the RCTs between the two groups (P = 0.422). In the CaT group, 17.4% of patients had complete tears, compared with 26.3% in the control group. There was no significant correlation between the calcification site and RCTs in the CaT group, and only 3.7% of patients suffered calcification and a tear in the exact location of the same tendon (P > 0.05, r = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with patients with shoulder pain without CaT, patients with rotator cuff CaT suffered no increased risk of RCTs on MRI, so CaT and RCTs may have different pathological causes, and there is no significant correlation between the two.

An Overview of Hepatic Echinococcosis and the Characteristic CT and MRI Imaging Manifestations.

Hepatic echinococcosis is a parasitic, infectious disease with a high incidence in pastoral areas. It is highly infectious with a poor prognosis in some cases, which seriously affects the quality of life for people living in pastoral areas. This study aims to discuss the radiological characteristics, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), of hepatic echinococcosis from its definition, transmission, and pathological physiology. The characteristics of CT and MRI manifestations of cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis are summarized in this study. It might help doctors to investigate this disease further and accurately make a diagnosis.

[Preliminary study on cultivation of adventitious roots of Hypericum perforatum in bioreactors].

OBJECTIVE: To cultivate adventitious roots of Hypericum perforatum in bioreactors, in order to seek for suitable conditions for adventitious growth. METHOD: The effect of IBA concentration, sugar type and concentration, inoculum volume and air volume of adventitious roots on the cultivation of adventitious roots of H. perforatum was observed in a 5 L air-lift bioreactor. RESULT: Adventitious roots of H. perforatum were cultivated in a MS culture dish. With the increase of IBA concentration, the propagation coefficient of adventitious roots of H. perforatum was on the rise. The IBA concentration ranging between 1.25-1.75 mg x L(-1) was suitable for the growth of adventitious roots. Adventitious roots grew best with sucrose in MS medium, with the propagation coefficient up to 22.15. When sucrose concentration was 30 g x L(-1), fresh weight, dry weight and propagation coefficient reached the maximum value. An adventitious root reactor with an inoculum volume of 20 g was favorable for the growth of adventitious roots. The air volume of reactors of 0.075 vvm (air volume/culture volume per minute) was favorable for the growth of adventitious roots, with the significant increase in the propagation coefficient of adventitious roots. In the amplification experiment, we found that the cultivation conditions of adventitious roots in a 5 L bioreactor was completely applicable to that in 10 and 20 L bioreactors, and adventitious roots grew well in a large bioreactor. CONCLUSION: IBA concentration, sugar type and concentration, inoculum volume and air volume had a significant effect on the growth of adventitious roots.