Acute effect of heel-drop exercise with varying ranges of motion on the gastrocnemius aponeurosis-tendon’s mechanical properties

The objectives of this study was to investigate the acute effects of various magnitudes of tendon strain on the mechanical properties of the human medial gastrocnemius (MG) in vivo during controlled heel-drop exercises. Seven male and seven female volunteers performed two different exercises executed one month apart: one was a heel-drop exercise on a block (HDB), and the other was a heel-drop exercise on level floor (HDL). In each regimen, the subjects completed a session of 150 heel-drop exercises (15 repetitions × 10 sets; with a 30 s rest following each set). Before and immediately after the heel-drop exercise, the ankle plantar flexor torque and elongation of the MG were measured using a combined measurement system of dynamometry and ultrasonography and then the MG tendon strain and stiffness were evaluated in each subject. The tendon stiffness measured prior to the exercises was not significantly different between the two groups 23.7 ± 10.6 N/mm and 24.1 ± 10.0 N/mm for the HDB and HDL, respectively (p > .05). During the heel-drop exercise, it was found that the tendon strain during the heel-drop exercise on a block (8.4 ± 3.7%) was significantly higher than the strain measured on the level floor (5.4 ± 3.8%) (p < .05). In addition, the tendon stiffness following the heel-drop exercise on a block (32.3 ± 12.2 N/mm) was significantly greater than the tendon stiffness measured following the heel-drop exercise on the level floor (25.4 ± 11.4 N/mm) (p < .05). The results of this study suggest that tendon stiffness immediately following a heel-drop exercise depends on the magnitude of tendon strain.     

乳腺癌HER2表达与乳腺X线及超声影像表现的相关性分析(英文)

目的:对比分析乳腺癌人类表皮生长因子受体2(human epidermal growth factor receptor 2,HER2)表达阳性和阴性与乳腺癌的X线及超声影像表现的相关性。方法:对139例雌激素受体(oestrogen receptor ER)、孕激素受体(progesterone receptor PR)表达均阴性的乳腺癌患者术前行X线及超声形态学分析,术后标本测定癌细胞的人类表皮生长因子受体2(HER2)表达情况,比较并分析HER2+/ER-/PR-乳腺癌和HER2-/ER-/PR-乳腺癌影像学的特征性表现,在X线上主要分析:腺体致密度、及病变类型(肿块、钙化、结构紊乱)。其中肿块主要分析形状、边缘、大小;钙化主要分析形态、分布,在超声上主要分析:肿块边缘、有无强回声点、有无腋淋巴结转移,血流情况。结果:HER2+/ER-/PR-乳腺癌在X线上的特征性表现为单纯肿块(x2=8.067,P=0.005)或肿块伴钙化(x2=4.384,P=0.036),棒状、分枝状钙化(x2=5.723,P=0.017),簇状分布(x2=12.110,P=0.007),肿块直径多2cm(x2=4.933,P=0.026),而在腺体致密度、肿块边缘方面差异无统计学意义。超声的特征性表现为肿块伴钙化(x2=16.134,P0.001)、边界不清(x2=9.188,P=0.010)、伴腋下淋巴结转移(x2=5.210,P=0.022),血流方面差异无统计学意义。结论:HER2+/ER-/PR-乳腺癌影像学有特征性表现,X线常表现为单纯肿块或肿块伴钙化,棒状、分枝状钙化,簇状分布,肿块直径多2cm;超声常表现为低回声肿块、边界不清、其内可见点状强回声、常伴腋下淋巴结转移。     

超声影像在原发性甲状腺鳞状细胞癌中的临床诊断价值

目的:探讨超声影像在原发性甲状腺鳞状细胞癌(PSCCT)中的临床诊断价值。方法:收集住院经组织病理学确诊的PSCCT患者6例,回顾性分析其临床一般资料及超声影像学资料。结果:6例PSCCT患者年龄(49-77)岁,平均年龄64岁,临床上均表现为甲状腺肿大,4例伴呼吸困难,3例伴吞咽困难,3例伴声音嘶哑。6例患者均死亡,术后生存4-13个月,平均术后生存期8.5个月。超声影像学特点:16例PSCCT病灶大小较大(最大直径3.0-5.1 cm),结节为形态不规则,且边界不清晰的实性混合性回声肿块,内部可见片状极低回声区。2例患者的肿块内部存在少许微量钙化,另外4例则无明显钙化表现;2结节突破甲状腺被膜3例,且与甲状腺周围组织分界不清晰;34例结节内部血流信号表现为少量,呈点线状分布,2例结节内部血流信号表现为中量;45例肿块可测得高阻力频谱(RI0.72-0.88);5 3例患者伴有颈部异常淋巴结。结论:PSCCT具有一定超声影像特点,与临床表现相结合有助于该病的鉴别诊断。     

系统性红斑狼疮患者及吸烟人群颈动脉弹性的对比研究

目的:应用血管回声跟踪技术(E-tracking,ET)的定量评估功能,探讨系统性红斑狼疮及吸烟因素对颈动脉弹性的影响程度。方法:应用血管回声跟踪技术测量44例系统性红斑狼疮患者、56例吸烟人群及30例正常人群颈动脉弹性参数,包括测量血管的压力应变弹性系数(Ep)、硬化参数(β)、顺应性(AC)以及脉搏波传导速度(PWVβ)。测量颈总动脉内中膜厚度(IMT)。组间均数比较采用独立样本t检验,所有数据均以x±s表示,以P0.05为差异具有统计学意义。结果:1.系统性红斑狼疮组Ep、β、PWVβ较正常对照组明显增高,AC较正常对照组明显减低(P0.05);2.吸烟组Ep、β、PWVβ较正常对照组明显增高,AC较正常对照组明显减低(P0.05);3.系统性红斑狼疮组Ep、β、PWVβ较吸烟组明显增高,AC较吸烟组明显减低(P0.05)。结论:系统性红斑狼疮这种全身免疫性疾病较吸烟因素对颈动脉弹性的影响更为显著。     

Effects of repeated praziquantel treatment on schistosomiasis mekongi morbidity as detected by ultrasonography

Schistosomiasis mekongi is endemic in the Mekong River basin; about 80,000 people are at risk of infection in Cambodia. We conducted ultrasonographic studies of patients with schistosomiasis mekongi in Kratie province, Cambodia, focusing especially on the relationship between the frequency of praziquantel treatment and findings of ultrasonographic imaging. The frequency of praziquantel treatment in the period from 1995 to 2002 was classified into four groups: 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8 times. Ultrasonographic images were examined to determine the presence of thickening of the portal vein wall and formation of meandering collateral circulation of the splenic vein. We selected these parameters because they are unaffected by interobserver bias. The results showed that thickening of the portal vein wall may have potential to improve with frequent praziquantel treatment. On the other hand, established hard splenomegaly and meandering collateral circulation of the splenic vein, improved very little with praziquantel treatment.     

绝经后IUD取器前超声测定环距的意义

目的探讨绝经后妇女IUD取器前超声测定环距是否与取器难度有关。方法对放置IUD绝经后妇女取器前行超声测定环距,分环距>1.5cm,1.5-1.0cm,≤1.0cm三组,比较手术难度,并对绝经≤12月IUD组与对照组的围绝经期综合症、老年性阴道炎、阴道炎、子宫蒌缩情况进行分析。结果环距≤1cm组手术难度显著增加(P<0.05)。绝经≤12个月IUD组与对照组在围绝经综合症、老年性阴道炎、阴道炎、子宫萎缩发生率方面均无显著差异,(P>0.05)。结论绝经后妇女取器前超声测定环距对估计手术难度有一定意义,尤其当环距≤1cm,手术困难明显增加。绝经≤12月IUD对健康没有直接影响。     

Artificial insemination of captive European brown hares (Lepus europaeus PALLAS, 1778) with fresh and cryopreserved semen derived from free-ranging males

This study aimed to establish artificial insemination (AI) protocols to predictably initiate pregnancy during the breeding season in the European brown hare (EBH) (Lepus europaeus PALLAS, 1778). Semen was collected from seven captive and eight free-ranging males by means of electroejaculation. Semen from the free-ranging males was cryopreserved using directional freezing. Total motility/integrity of fresh and frozen-thawed semen was 91.6%/87.7% and 46.9%/53.8%, respectively. Ovulation was induced in ultrasonographically preselected females using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue. Each female was inseminated with 1 mL fresh (Group A, n = 16) or frozen-thawed semen (Group B, n = 9) at a concentration of 100 × 10⁶ spermatozoa/mL. The use of ultrasonography (10 to 22 MHz) confirmed the intracervical semen deposit, the success of artificial ovulation induction (formation of postovulatory corpus luteum), and permitted the monitoring of individual pregnancies. Although sperm motility/integrity was significantly different between groups, no significant difference was detected in conception rates (A, 87.50%; B, 77.78%). Because of embryonic resorption, there was a slight difference in fertility rate between groups (A, 62.5%; B, 77.78%). Overall, AI in captive EBH using fresh and frozen-thawed semen achieved successful fertility rates. Long-term cryopreserved semen was used to bring new genetic material from the wild into a genetically limited captive population without extensive animal transport. Therefore, AI has the potential to enhance breeding programs for EBH especially when cryopreserved semen from wild donors is used.     

Age-related dynamics of follicles and hormones during an induced ovulatory follicular wave in mares

An ovulatory follicular wave was induced by ablation of follicles ≥6 mm and treatment with prostaglandin F2α (PGF) on Day 10 (ovulation = Day 0). Follicle and hormone dynamics of the induced waves were compared among three age groups: young (5-6 y, n = 14 waves), intermediate (10-14 y, n = 16), and old (≥18 y, n = 15). During the common-growth phase of the induced wave (Days 12-17), diameter of the future ovulatory follicle was not different among ages, but the young group had more (P < 0.05) follicles that reached ≥10 mm. The number was correlated (r = +0.7; P < 0.0001) within mares between consecutive interovulatory intervals, indicating repeatability. Concentrations of LH increased in all age groups during Days 12-17, but were greatest (P < 0.002) in the young group and continued to be greater (P < 0.0001) throughout the ovulatory LH surge. During several days before Day −1, there were no age-related effects on systemic estradiol concentrations, diameter of the preovulatory follicle, or B-mode echo texture or color-Doppler signals of blood flow in the follicle wall. Interpretations were: (1) greater number of follicles in the young group reflected a greater follicle reserve, (2) greater LH concentrations throughout the ovulatory surge in the young group reflected a more positive response to an extraovarian/environmental influence after removal of the negative effect of progesterone, and (3) lower LH concentrations in the older groups were adequate for the preovulatory changes in the follicle.     

Accuracy of in vivo and ex vivo ultrasonographic evaluation of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea in sows

Current study determined, in sows, the accuracy of ultrasonography for in vivo (n = 8) and ex vivo (n = 7) evaluation of corpora lutea (CLs) and follicles ≥1.5 mm in size, by comparison with macroscopic findings in sliced ovaries. The accuracy for ex vivo detection of follicles increased with follicle size (P < 0.05), being low for 1.5-1.9 mm follicles (65.9%) and higher for ≥6 mm follicles (93.3%); differences between ultrasonographic and macroscopic observations were significant only for follicles smaller than 3.9 mm (P < 0.05), due to underestimation. Ex vivo observation succeeded to detect presence or absence of CLs in all the ovaries; the efficiency for determining the exact number of CLs being 94.4%. The accuracy for in vivo detection of follicles also increased with follicle size (P < 0.05), dropping to values lower than 40% for 1.5-1.9 mm follicles; therefore, there were significant differences between ultrasonographic and macroscopic observations (P < 0.05). On the other hand, accuracy remained around 92% for ≥6 mm follicles. Ultrasonography was useful again for detecting presence of CLs in all the ovaries; the efficiency for determining CLs number reached 86.7%, due to underestimation in ovaries with higher number of CLs (P < 0.05). Overall, there were no significant differences when comparing the accuracy of ex vivo and in vivo scannings for determination neither of the number of follicles in each size-category larger than 1.9 mm nor of the presence of ovulations or of the CLs number in each ovary. In conclusion, the use of ultrasonography allows an accurate detection of the presence and number of CLs and follicles ≥2 mm of diameter in sows, without significant differences between in vivo and ex vivo observations.     

Follicle suppression of circulating follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone before versus after emergence of the ovulatory wave in mares

The effect of the ovarian follicles on plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) before versus after the expected emergence of the ovulatory follicular wave was studied on Days 0 to 18 (Day 0 = ovulation) in four groups of mares (n = 6/group). In addition to a control group, all follicles ≥6 mm in diameter were ablated on Days 0.5, 6.5, or 12.5 in a herd of mares with reported emergence at 6 mm of the future ovulatory follicle on mean Day 10.5. Concentrations of FSH were not different between the Day-0.5 or Day-6.5 ablation groups and the corresponding controls. However, ablation on Day 12.5 resulted in an immediate FSH increase (group-by-day interaction, P < 0.003). For LH, ablation on Day 0.5 resulted in an interaction (P < 0.02), partially from lower (P < 0.05) concentrations on each of Days 15.5 to 18.0 than that in the controls, whereas ablation on Days 6.5 or 12.5 did not result in a significant group effect or interaction. Testosterone concentration, but not progesterone or estradiol concentration, was lower (P < 0.04) on Day 2 in the Day-0.5 ablation group than that in the controls. We inferred that follicles did not contain adequate FSH suppressors on Days 0.5 and 6.5 and that they were present only in the Day-12.5 ablation group or after the expected emergence of the ovulatory wave. The hypothesis of an association between low postovulatory concentrations of an ovarian steroid and low concentrations of LH after Day 15 was supported.