Relationship between sonographically measured median nerve cross-sectional area and presence of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic subjects

BACKGROUND Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus resulting from direct damage by hyperglycemia to the nerves and/or ischemia by microvascular injury to the endoneurial vessels which supply the nerves. Median nerve is one of the peripheral nerves commonly affected in diabetic neuropathy. The median nerve size has been studied in non-Nigerian diabetic populations. In attempt to contribute to existing literature, a study in a Nigerian population is needed.AIM To evaluate the cross-sectional area(CSA) of the median nerve using B-mode ultrasonography(USS) and the presence of peripheral neuropathy(PN) in a cohort of adult diabetic Nigerians.METHODS Demographic and anthropometric data of 85 adult diabetes mellitus(DM) and 85 age-and sex-matched apparently healthy control(HC) subjects were taken. A complete physical examination was performed on all study subjects to determine the presence of PN and modified Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument(MNSI) was used to grade its severity. Venous blood was taken from the study subjects for fasting lipid profile(FLP), fasting blood glucose(FBG) and glycated haemoglobin(HbA1 c) while their MN CSA was evaluated at a point 5 cm proximal to(5 cmCATL) and at the carpal tunnel(CATL) by high-resolution Bmode USS. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.RESULTS The mean MN CSA was significantly thicker in DM subjects compared to the HC at 5 cmCATL(P < 0.01) and at the CATL(P < 0.01) on both sides. The presence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN) further increased the MN CSA at the CATL(P < 0.05) but not at 5 cmCATL(P > 0.05). However, the severity of DPN had no additional effect on MN CSA 5 cm proximal to and at the CATL. There was no significant association between MN CSA and duration of DM and glycemic control.CONCLUSION Thickening of the MN CSA at 5 cmCATL and CATL is seen in DM. Presence of DPN is associated with worse thickening of the MN CSA at the CATL but not at5 cmCATL. Severity of DPN, duration of DM, and glycemic control had no additional effect on the MN CSA.

Ultrasonographic measurement of median nerve cross-sectional area reference values in a healthy Han population from Guiyang,China

High-resolution ultrasonography was used to analyze the nerve cross-sectional area （CSA） of the median nerve at 7 sites： the wrist crease, pisiform bone, hamate bone, 6 cm proximal to the tip of the wrist crease, proximal forearm （where the nerve enters the pronator teres muscle）, 4 cm proximal to the tip of the medial epicondyle, and mid-humerus （mid-point between elbow crease and axilla） in 200 healthy volunteers from Guiyang, China. Results showed similar CSA values between the left and right sides, but the CSA 6 cm proximal to the tip of the wrist crease, proximal forearm, 4 cm proximal to tip of the medial epicondyle, and mid-humerus in males was greater than that of females. Moreover, CSA values at the wrist crease, pisiform bone, and hamate bone were greater in the middle-aged and old groups when compared to the young group, and correlated with body mass and height. Thus, reference values of median nerve CSA of the upper limbs can facilitate the analysis of abnormal nerve conditions.

Delineation of Prospecting Prospect Area Based on Maximum Entropy Model

Taking the Dapingzhang copper-polymetallic deposit in Yunnan Province, China as the research object, the maximum entropy model was used to extract the mining information, and the mineral resource prediction model was established by using the exploration data of the deposit and related regions in this area, so as to determine the prospecting prospect area in the study area. In this paper, the Jacknife analysis module of maximum entropy model is used to quantitatively rank the importance of 39 geochemical element variables, and finally obtain the prospecting prospect map of the study area. The research results show that the Dapingzhang mining area has the potential to find hidden ore in the deep and surrounding areas, and the northern and southern ends and western sides of the rock ore control structural belt in the eastern region of the mining area have good prospecting prospects. The research results provide an important basis for the deployment of follow-up exploration work in the study area, and the maximum entropy model has a good application effect in mineral resources exploration.

Does the ratio of the carpal tunnel inlet and outlet cross-sectional areas in the median nerve reflect carpal tunnel syndrome severity?

Although ultrasound measurements have been used in previous studies on carpal tunnel syndrome to visualize injury to the median nerve, whether such ultrasound data can indicate the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome remains controversial. The cross-sectional areas of the median nerve at the tunnel inlet and outlet can show swelling and compression of the nerve at the carpal. We hypothesized that the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet to outlet accurately reflects the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome. To test this, high-resolution ultrasound with a linear array transducer at 5–17 MHz was used to assess 77 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The results showed that the cut-off point for the inlet-to-outlet ratio was 1.14. Significant differences in the inlet-to-outlet ratio were found among patients with mild, moderate, and severe carpal tunnel syndrome. The cut-off point in the ratio of cross-sectional areas of the median nerve was 1.29 between mild and more severe（moderate and severe） carpal tunnel syndrome patients with 64.7% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity. The cut-off point in the ratio of cross-sectional areas of the median nerve was 1.52 between the moderate and severe carpal tunnel syndrome patients with 80.0% sensitivity and 64.7% specificity. These results suggest that the inlet-to-outlet ratio reflected the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Usefulness of the acromioclavicular joint cross-sectional area as a diagnostic image parameter of acromioclavicular osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND Acromioclavicular joint(ACJ)space narrowing has been considered to be an important diagnostic image parameter of ACJ osteoarthritis(ACJO).However,the morphology of the ACJ space is irregular because of osteophyte formation,subchondral irregularity,capsular distention,sclerosis,and erosion.Therefore,we created the ACJ cross-sectional area(ACJCSA)as a new diagnostic image parameter to assess the irregular morphologic changes of the ACJ.AIM To hypothesize that the ACJCSA is a new diagnostic image parameter for ACJO.METHODS ACJ samples were obtained from 35 patients with ACJO and 30 healthy individuals who underwent shoulder magnetic resonance(S-MR)imaging that revealed no evidence of ACJO.Oblique coronal,T2-weighted,fat-suppressed SMR images were acquired at the ACJ level from the two groups.We measured the ACJCSA and the ACJ space width(ACJSW)at the ACJ on the S-MR images using our imaging analysis program.The ACJCSA was measured as the cross-sectional area of the ACJ.The ACJSW was measured as the narrowest point between the acromion and the clavicle.RESULTS The average ACJCSA was 39.88±10.60 mm;in the normal group and 18.80±5.13 mm;in the ACJO group.The mean ACJSW was 3.51±0.58 mm in the normal group and 2.02±0.48 mm in the ACJO group.ACJO individuals had significantly lower ACJCSA and ACJSW than the healthy individuals.Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses demonstrated that the most suitable ACJCSA cutoff score was 26.14 mm^(2),with 91.4%sensitivity and 90.0%specificity.CONCLUSION The optimal ACJSW cutoff score was 2.37 mm,with 88.6%sensitivity and 96.7%specificity.Even though both the ACJCSA and ACJSW were significantly associated with ACJO,the ACJCSA was a more sensitive diagnostic image parameter.

Correlation between current and cross-sectional area of parallel fixed-movable dual electrodes in ESC

Electroslag casting with parallel fixed-movable dual electrodes is a new method for achieving better quality of castings in complex mold cavities.In this work,a mathematical model,y=kx^2+(k+1)x,was established to describe the ideal correlation between the current ratio(y)and the cross-sectional area ratio(x)of the dual electrodes,where k is the filling ratio.Investigation was conducted on the electroslag casting process with dual electrodes of various cross-sectional areas,but at a constant k value.The experimental results indicated that the ideal correlation was obtained at the stable casting stage,and the fitting results were consistent with the experimental results at certain k values.The experimental findings show that better castings can be obtained when the current ratio is greater than 1.536 and the cross-sectional area ratio is greater than 0.5.

Analysis of the Maximum Consecutive Precipitation Variation in Liaoning Artificial Precipitation Test Area

According to the daily precipitation data in artificial precipitation season during May to September from 1961 to 2008 in Liaoning Province,the maximum consecutive precipitation in the artificial precipitation test area is studied based on the maximum consecutive precipitation from May to September in 48 years.The results shows that the period of maximum consecutive precipitation in each month is different,and the variance trends of maximum consecutive precipitation in May,July,August and September are decreasing,while the variance trend of maximum consecutive precipitation in June is increasing.

Characteristics of Suspended Particulate Matter and the Coastal Turbidity Maximum Areas of the Mekong River

This paper presents the results of application of a 3D （three-dimensional） numerical model to study on MTZ （maximum turbidity zone） in the coastal zone of Mekong River Delta. In this study, a 3D system model with combination of hydrodynamics--wave and suspended sediment transport was set up and validated with measured data in the study area. Based on calculated scenarios for the flood and the dry season, the results have shown appearance of MTZs in the coastal zone of Mekong River with suspended sediment concentration prevalent of 0.04-0.07 kg·m^3 （the dry season） and 0.05-0.1kg·m^3 （the flood season）. The position and MTZs scale change with the interaction between fresh water and tidal oscillations. The MTZ occur more in the dry seasons compared to the wet season. The MTZs are prevalent located far away from estuaries about in 12-22 km （in the dry season）, and 5-15 km in the flood season.

Exposed Cross-section of the Archaean Lower Crustin the Shanxi-Hebei-Inner Mongolia Border Region:Problems and Prospects

The Archaean lower crust represented by granulite facies rocks, which is rare in China, is found to be exposed in the Shanxi-Hebei-Inner Mongolia border region. Studies of the regional structure and deformation and metamorphism of the region indicate that there occurred at least two phases of deformation and metamorphism in the region. Early-phase nearly E-W-directed deformational structure is well preserved in the Zhangjiakou-Xuanhua area. Observations of the features of the geological structure from north to south (in the Hengshan metamorphic terrain) have revealed a possible exposed cross-section through the Archaean lower crust. The structure was superimposed by a NE-SW-trending high-temperature ductile shear zone in the Datong area in the late phase, thus reworking the Archaean sequence.

Discussion on Principles and Methods in Estimating the Maximum Potential Earthquakes in Low Seismicity Areas

Five principles and methods are proposed for estimating the maximum potential earthquakesin low seismicity areas,and their applicabilities are discussed,taking Sichuan basin as asample area.The proposed principles and methods are not only on the grounds of thegeological tectonics but also considered fully the mutual complementation between geologicaland seismological methods.They will be helpful to the study of engineering seismology andthe assessment of designing ground motion parameters in low seismicity areas.

Age, Maximum Cup Depth, Central Corneal Thickness, Disc Area and Mean Defect in Patients with Open Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension

Purpose: The main objective was to analyze the relationship between maximum cup depth (MCD), mean defect (MD), central corneal thickness (CCT), age and disc area, in patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with OHT and POAG. Visual fields were obtained using an Octopus 300 analyzer, TOP strategy. MCD and disc area were obtained using a Heidelberg Retina Tomograph. Results: The study sample comprised 234 eyes of 143 patients, 91 women and 52 men, mean age 63.55 years (SD 10.49). Mean values were: MCD 0.52 mm (SD 0.27), MD 2.78 dB (SD 5.02), CCT 543.5 μm (SD 36.63), IOP 16.73 mmHg (SD 2.93), and disc area 2.01 mm2 (SD 0.39). A significant correlation was observed between MCD and age in patients under 60 years, between MCD and disc area, and between MD and disc area. Conclusions: Our study showed a correlation between MCD and age which was significant in patients under 60 years of age, between MCD and disc area and between MD and disc area, suggesting that the larger the disc area, the greater the MCD and the MD in patients with OHT and POAG.

汶川震区山洪灾害场次洪水最大携沙量预测模型

汶川地震后,震区产生了大量松散堆积体,受强降水影响产生了破坏性更强的山洪灾害,加剧了灾害的危险性,增加了灾害防治的困难度,研究震区山洪灾害可为评估灾害的风险性及后续的管理提供依据。本研究以66处历史山洪灾害作为样本数据,进行可量算影响因子的相关性分析,揭示山洪灾害的携沙量影响机制,确定流域面积、主沟长度、相对高差、物源量四个影响因子作为主控因子,基于SPSS进行非线性回归分析,建立了基于场次洪水最大携沙量及最大携沙距离的估算模型,并选取了汶川县和都江堰市的共23处山洪水沙灾害数据进行了模型的验证且与其他模型对比。结果表明,本研究建立的模型可靠性好,精度更高。研究成果有助于预测汶川震区潜在的山洪水沙灾害区域,为山洪水沙灾害的风险评估提供依据。

不同播期和密度对宁洪麦452产量及品质性状的影响

以新品种宁洪麦452为试验材料,探究了6种播期和密度组合处理对宁洪麦452产量和品质特性的影响。结果表明:以播期为10月20日、密度为2.7×10^(6)株/hm^(2)处理的产量最高;晚播处理降低了宁洪麦452的产量,但未达到显著水平,宁洪麦452表现出分蘖成穗多、穗长和粒重变化小等特点,可满足本区大面积稻茬种植的需求。宁洪麦452在各播期密度组合下,整体表现出面团稳定时间长、最大抗阻和拉伸面积大等强面筋特点,其中以播期为11月5日、密度为2.7×10^(6)株/hm^(2)处理的面团品质最佳。

气候变化背景下的天山云杉潜在分布区预测

天山云杉(Picea schrenkiana)是天山地区最主要的树种之一,为天山山地的水土保持和水源涵养发挥着重要的作用。本文基于气候相似性原理以最大熵(MaxEnt)模型为基础结合ArcGIS预测当前(2000—2020年)与2020—2040年、2040—2060年两个时段3种气候情景低温室气体排放条件(SSP1-2.6)、中温室气体排放条件(SSP3-7.0)和高温室气体排放条件(SSP5-8.5)下天山云杉的潜在分布范围,并分析影响天山云杉分布的主要环境因子。结果表明:(1)MaxEnt模型对天山云杉的分布区预测可信度高,所有模型AUC值均大于0.99。温度(等温性、季节性温度变异、年平均温度)与降水(最冷季度的降水量、最湿月的降水量、最干季度的降水量)是影响天山云杉潜在分布的主导因子;其中温度为当前主要的影响因子,最冷季度的降水量为未来的主要影响因子。(2)当前时期天山云杉的适生区主要分布在新疆、青海、内蒙古、西藏、甘肃、宁夏、陕西、四川等地区的山区,总适生区面积为299.17×10^(4)km^(2),高适区面积为49.45×10^(4)km^(2)。未来各情景下天山云杉的潜在适生区面积变化不大且分布仍以这些地区为主,但高适生区较当前均表现增加。除2020—2040年SSP5-8.5情景下天山云杉的适宜分布向东南方向迁移外,其他情景天山云杉的适宜分布有向西扩展的趋势。

华东地区b值时空变化特征

选取华东地区1980年至2023年10月ML≥2.0地震资料,利用最大似然法计算b值,分析研究区b值时空变化及近十年Δb空间分布特征,主要得到以下认识:(1)时变特征上,多数地震发生在b值下降时段,震后出现b值回升现象,也有少数其他对应情况;(2)空间特征上,多数中强地震都发生在低b值及其边界区域;(3)安徽与邻省边界地区(以豫鄂皖交界地区较为突出)、湖北中部等地区近十年应力水平有所升高,后续需持续关注其强震危险性。

气候变化背景下白皮松在中国潜在适宜分布预测

研究旨在预测白皮松潜在适生区分布及气候变化对其的影响,明确其未来适宜的分布范围,为白皮松保护和其在生态工程建设中的应用提供参考。基于白皮松83个野生分布点及气候因子数据,利用MaxEnt模型和ArcGIS软件,模拟白皮松当前和未来3种(2080—2100年,低温室气体排放情景、中温室气体排放情景和高温室气体排放情景)气候变化情景(SSP126、SSP370、SSP585)下的潜在适生区分布。MaxEnt模型模拟结果AUC(受试者工作特征曲线下面积值)值均>0.973,预测结果精度较高。当前气候条件下,白皮松的潜在适生区主要分布在陕西省、山西省南部、甘肃省东南部、河南省和湖北省西北部等地,总面积约74.5×10^(4)km^(2),未来气候变化背景下,核心适生区面积均有不同程度的缩减,温度为白皮松潜在适生区分布的主限制因子;中、低温室气体排放情景下,白皮松潜在适生区分布的限制因子仍以温度为主;高温室气体排放情景下,全球温度升高加快,降雨量成为影响白皮松适生区分布的主要限制因子,白皮松适生区质心向东偏移,尤其在温室气体高排放浓度下更敏感,迁移距离更远。本文结合白皮松当前和未来潜在适生区的变化,提出了对白皮松保护的建议,且对利用白皮松进行生态工程建设提供参考价值。

机场终端区晴好天气容量评估方法的初步研究

在我国航空运输需求迅速增长,运营压力激增的背景下,采用适当的容量评估模型对于繁忙机场的理论容量研究和机场运行规划具有重要意义。以最大流最小割定理为基础,建立了进离场航段容量模型和交叉点容量模型,并选择西安咸阳机场进行仿真验证。研究结果表明,该模型能够高度准确地预测机场容量,其预测结果接近实际运行最大小时流量的105%~110%。表明该模型在终端区容量评估方面具有出色的精确性,特别适用于晴朗天气条件下的情况。这一研究为机场管理者提供了强大的决策工具,有助于更有效地满足不断增长的航空交通需求,确保机场运行的高效性和安全性。

Mitogenomic phylogeny,biogeography,and cryptic divergence of the genus Silurus(Siluriformes:Siluridae)

The genus Silurus,an important group of catfish,exhibits heterogeneous distribution in Eurasian freshwater systems.This group includes economically important and endangered species,thereby attracting considerable scientific interest.Despite this interest,the lack of a comprehensive phylogenetic framework impedes our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the extensive diversity found within this genus.Herein,we analyzed 89 newly sequenced and 20 previously published mitochondrial genomes(mitogenomes)from 13 morphological species to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships,biogeographic history,and species diversity of Silurus.Our phylogenetic reconstructions identified eight clades,supported by both maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference.Sequence-based species delimitation analyses yielded multiple molecular operational taxonomic units(MOTUs)in several taxa,including the Silurus asotus complex(four MOTUs)and Silurus microdorsalis(two MOTUs),suggesting that species diversity is underestimated in the genus.A reconstructed time-calibrated tree of Silurus species provided an age estimate of the most recent common ancestor of approximately 37.61 million years ago(Ma),with divergences among clades within the genus occurring between 11.56 Ma and 29.44 Ma,and divergences among MOTUs within species occurring between 3.71 Ma and 11.56 Ma.Biogeographic reconstructions suggested that the ancestral area for the genus likely encompassed China and the Korean Peninsula,with multiple inferred dispersal events to Europe and Central and Western Asia between 21.78 Ma and 26.67 Ma and to Japan between 2.51 Ma and 18.42 Ma.Key factors such as the Eocene-Oligocene extinction event,onset and intensification of the monsoon system,and glacial cycles associated with sea-level fluctuations have likely played significant roles in shaping the evolutionary history of the genus Silurus.

基于单线激光雷达的道路区域分割

针对单线激光雷达在进行道路区域分割时出现的识别不准确以及精度问题,研究一种基于最大熵原理提取自适应阈值,并通过滑动窗口法实现道路区域分割的方法。利用中值滤波对原始点云数据进行预处理,以减少噪声和异常值产生的影响;结合最大熵原理提取的自适应阈值和滑动窗口算法完成对道路区域点云的分割;最后基于概率论的方法确定道路边界点云。通过对3种不同类型的结构化道路进行实验,得到路面、障碍物以及路沿的识别准确率依次为96.88%、86.82%、95.50%,证明了该方法的有效性和适用性。

自然过程和陆源人类活动对黄海浒苔绿潮年变化的影响分析及机制研究

利用2008—2022年浒苔覆盖面积、水文气象观测资料、再分析数据以及各类经济指标等数据,从自然过程和人类活动影响两大方面综合分析了黄海浒苔绿潮发生面积呈现波动性年变化的原因。研究发现:正常情况下厄尔尼诺次年浒苔覆盖面积较正常偏多(副热带高压较常年加强西伸,导致降水偏多偏强;厄尔尼诺次年有效积温天数偏多,有效积温偏强),拉尼娜次年浒苔覆盖面积以偏少为主。夏季苏北海域大风天数和偏北风持续时间对浒苔最大覆盖面积的极值年有很好的指示意义,同时降雨量与浒苔最大覆盖面积为中等程度的正相关。浒苔年最大覆盖面积与连云港、青岛和盐城3个市的年总产值增加值呈现高度正相关。综上说明,浒苔年最大覆盖面积的年际波动变化是气候尺度厄尔尼诺-南方涛动事件、季节尺度天气系统以及年际尺度人类经济生产活动三者共同影响的结果。