CDFI/PDU is an easy, painless, and effective method for predicting the prognosis of humeral shaft fractures by estimating early healing.

Background & Aims Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common non-articular disorder of the musculoskeletal system that is characterized by the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Despite the high prevalence of MPS, its pathogenesis, which induces the onset and maintenance of MTrPs, is still not completely understood. To date, no studies have investigated the changes in the biochemical milieu caused by ischaemia/hypoxia in the MTrP regions of muscle that are proposed in the integrated hypothesis. Therefore, this study investigated whether ischaemic/hypoxic conditions participate in the formation of active MTrPs and affect angiogenesis using colour Doppler flow imaging (CDFI). Methods Twenty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a model group and a normal control group. A model of active MTrPs was established by a blunt strike combined with eccentric exercise. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were employed to detect the levels of HIF-1α and VEGF. Microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. CDFI was applied to observe the blood flow signals in the MTrPs, which were classified into four grades based on their strengths. Results Compared with the control group, the active MTrP group exhibited significantly higher HIF-1α and VEGF levels and MVD values. These differences were accompanied by increased blood flow signals. In the active MTrP group, the blood flow signal grade was positively correlated with the MVD (P < 0.05) and independently correlated with the VEGF level (P < 0.05) but was not correlated with the expression of HIF-1α (P > 0.05). Conclusion Ischaemic/hypoxic conditions may be involved in the formation of MTrPs. CDFI is useful for detection of the features of angiogenesis in or surrounding MTrPs via assessment of blood flow signals.

Objectives:To analyze the correlation between ultrasound typing and treatment modality of patients with an intrauterine ectopic pregnancy (cervical and cesarean scar). Material and methods:We retrospectively enrolled 65 patients diagnosed with cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) or cervical pregnancy (CP) between February 2014 and May 2018. The cases were divided into two types according to the ultrasound presentation with a gestational sac (GS, type I) or a heterogeneous mass (HM, type II). Type I was further divided into type Ia (< 8 weeks) and type Ib (≥ 8 weeks); type II was defined as type IIa (with poor or no vascularity) and type IIb (with rich vascularity). Three treatment methods were applied in each group.Results: Of included cases, there were 53 CSP and 12 CP. There was no significant difference between Type I and Type II groups in any variable. The beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) level and gestational age of type IIb were significantly higher compared to type IIa (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between ultrasound categories and treatment methods (rs = 0.723, p = 0.000). Analysis of CSP cases of initial treatment failure indicated success rate of initial dilation and curettage (D&C) was dependent upon ultrasonic types, mean sac diameter, gestational age, hCG level, and number of cesarean sections. Conclusions:The features of ultrasound imaging might provide an additional reference for the selection of clinical treatment methods.

Background Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are defined as very small and hypersensitive points in skeletal muscle that are palpable, and produce localized pain on compression. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of combining T2 mapping with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for assessing MTrPs in a rat model and to investigate properties of the pathophysiological mechanisms. Methods Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats (model group, n = 14; control group, n = 10) underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination on a 3 T-MRI-scanner with a protocol consisting of T2 mapping and DTI. The MTrPs were established by blunt strike in combination with eccentric exercise. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to detect the levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) and their results were correlated with T2 values. Parameters from MRI including T2 values, fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were compared between the two groups. Histological analysis was applied to provide an additional supply for MRI findings. Results The MTrPs of rats displayed significantly increased T2 values and FA (= 0.000) compared with normal controls, whereas MD and RD values were significantly lower ( P = 0.031, = 0.000, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in AD between the two groups ( P = 0.400). These differences were accompanied by elevated levels of IL-1ß and interleukin-2 IL-2 in the MTrP group compared with controls. T2 values were positively correlated with elevated IL-1ß levels ( r = 0.543, P < 0.05) but were not correlated with IL-2 levels ( P > 0.05). Conclusion Combining T2 and DTI sequences creates a sensitive tool to assess MTrPs in a rat model. These data clarify a hypothesis that a trigger point is a chronic and mild muscle injury with inflammation.

<p>This study investigated the determinants of mobile payment adoption in Taiwan. Based on Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the fundamental principle of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study proposed a moderated mediation model to examine the mediating effect of perceived usefulness on the relationship between perceived ease of use and behavioral intention. Regarding facilitating conditions and perceived value as environmental and personal factors respectively, the moderating effects of facilitating conditions and perceived value on the aforementioned mediation relationship were explored. A total of 377 valid responses of Taiwan&rsquo;s mobile payment users were collected in an online survey. The empirical findings validated the mediating role of perceived usefulness. For moderating effects, both facilitating conditions and perceived value had a positive relationship with the indirect effect of perceived ease of use and behavioral intention through perceived usefulness. Practical implications and future research are then discussed.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>