By summarizing the recent literatures on brain mechanisms with acupuncture intervention based on blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD)-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the BOLD-fMRI examination and analysis methods, the points to be acupunctured, the corresponding meridian activation regions, the specific intensity range, functions and indications of the acupoints, the manifestation of 'bi-directional regulation' characteristics, fMRI performance of chronergy, laterality and needling qi of acupuncture were reviewed to provide the ideas for future research in this area.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical results of postoperative rehabilitation of patellar fracture by modified seated position of different knee flexion angles, thereby enrich the therapeutic tool of orthopaedics of traditional Chinese and western medicine and provide the evidences for refinement and modernization of traditional Chinese exercise therapy.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to June 2012,90 patients with patellar transverse fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation by tension band wire and rehabilitation exercises. There were 52 males and 38 females, aged from 21 to 77 years old with an average of 50.0 years old. Three methods of rehabilitation exercises were adopted in the patients after fractures clinical union. There were 21 males and 14 females in group A (trained by modified seated position of knee flexion about 60 degree), 21 males and 14 females in group B (trained by modified seated position of knee flexion about 30 degree), 10 males and 10 females in group C (trained by walk). The rehabilitation-training time was 1 month. Fracture healing informations were observed by X-ray films. The Böstman patellar fracture function scores were compared before and after training among three groups.

RESULTSPostoperative follow-up time was 6 months. All fractures obtained bone union and the average healing time was 3 months (ranged,2 to 4 months). Böstman patellar fracture function scores in group A, B, C before training were 18.89 ± 2.19, 18.74 ± 2.03, 18.85 ± 2.92, respectively; there was no significant differences in among three groups (P > 0.05). After training, Böstman patellar fracture function scores in group A, B, C were 29.40 ± 1.14, 26.09 ± 3.86, 25.70 ± 4.09, respectively; group A was highest than other two groups; and there was no significant differences between group A and group B.

CONCLUSIONModified seated position of knee flexion about 60 degree was practical and effective training in postoperative rehabilitation for the treatment of patellar fracture, it can obtain the better clinical results than other training method such as walk or modified seated position of knee flexion about 30 degree.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Bone ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patella ; injuries ; surgery

Hypercoagulability state is the result of the interplay of genetic predisposition and risk factors. Many key enzymes and reactions in coagulation and anti-coagulation system are involved. Hereditary antithrombin deficiency is one of the major risk factors of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE), whereas hyperhomocysteinemia may also play a role. This article reviews the recent researches on the contributions of these two factors to VTE.
Antithrombin III Deficiency ; complications ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; complications ; Venous Thrombosis ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the technique and clinical results of close reduction by manipulation and minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis with intramedullary nail for the treatment of femur shaft fractures. methods: A retrospective study was conducted to analyze 96 patients with the femur shaft fractures who had been treated with close reduction by manipulation and minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis with intramedullary nail. There were 67 males and 29 females. The average age of patients was 39 years old (ranging from 16 to 88). According to AO fracture classification for the femur shaft fractures,there were 29 cases of type A,46 type B,21 type C.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up and the duration ranged from 12 to 24 months (averaged, 15 months). All the fractures showed union. The time required for the bony union ranged from 3 to 10 months (averaged,4 months). The clinical results were evaluated by Thorsen classification system. At the latest follow-up, 87 patients obtained excellent results, 7 good, 2 fair.

CONCLUSIONThis treatment method combines advantages of intramedullary nail with close manipulative reduction, so can get satisfactory clinical results for the treatment of femoral shaft fracture with minimal trauma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Wound Closure Techniques ; Young Adult

Accidents, Occupational ; statistics & numerical data ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo monitor the level of phthalates in human semen samples and to analyze the relationship between phthalate levels and semen parameters.

METHODSConcentrations of three kinds of commonly used phthalates (di-ethyl phthalate, DEP; di-n-butyl phthalate, DBP; di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, DEHP) were measured using reversed-phase HPLC. Semen parameters were measured by computer aided sperm analysis (CASA).

RESULTSThe three phthalates were detected in most of the biological samples, with median levels of 0.30 mg/L (0.08-1.32 mg/L) in semen specimens. There was a significant positive association between liquefied time of semen and phthalate concentrations of semen. The correlation coefficient was 0.456 for DEP, 0.475 for DBP, and 0.457 for DEHP, respectively. There was no significant difference between phthalate concentrations of semen and sperm density or livability, though the correlation coefficients were negative.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that people who reside in Shanghai are exposed to phthalates, especially to DBP and DEHP. Although the level of phthalates is relatively mild, an association of phthalate levels and reduced quality of human semen has been shown in the present study.

Adult ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Cities ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phthalic Acids ; toxicity ; Semen ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sperm Count ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the technique and clinical results of close reduction by manipulation and minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) for the treatment of supracondylar femur fractures.

METHODSA retrospective study was conducted to analyze 39 patients with the supracondylar femur fractures who had been treated with close reduction by manipulation and MIPPO. There were 24 males and 15 females. The average age of the patients was 47 years old (ranged, 19 to 81 years). According to AO fracture classification for the distal femur fractures, there were 14 patients with type A1, 16 patients with type A2 and 9 patients with type A3.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the period ranged from 12 to 24 months (averaged 16 months). All the fractures showed union. The time required for the bony union ranged from 3 to 10 months (averaged 4 months). The patients were evaluated according to Kolmert distal femoral fracture functional evaluation system. Twenty-eight patients obtained an excellent result, 10 good and 1 fair.

CONCLUSIONThis method for the treatment of supracondylar femur fracture can get satisfactory function, high rate of bone union and less complications. Familiar with the close reduction technique and the geometry shape of anatomic plate as well as femoral supracondyar area are important to treat the supracondylar femur fractures.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; therapy ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To compare clinical outcomes of endoscopic thyroidectomy via mammary areola approach and conventional via chest wall and breasts approach.Methods A total of 480 cases undergoing endoscopic thyroidectomy for thyroid nodules between September 2002 and September 2012 were reviewed,including 280 cases via the chest wall and breasts approach between September 2002 and August 2009 and 190 cases via mammary areola approach between September 2002 and September 2012.The mean operation time,the location and diameter of the puncture pore,intraoperative bleeding volume,the mean hospital stay after surgery,postoperative pain score scaled by visual analog scores (VAS) were compared between groups.After 3-month follow-up,long term post-surgical complications,the recurrence rates of nodules and scar cosmetic satisfaction evaluation were also compared.Statistical methods including x2 test,Students' test and ANOVA analysis were applied.Results Two groups were followed for 12 months.The differences between groups were statistically obvious in variables of diameters of the puncture pore (15.5 mm ± 4.9 mm vs.20.6 mm ± 7.6 mm,t =2.42,P =0.046),intraoperative bleeding volume (16.2ml ±4.5 ml vs.30.5 ml ± 11.4 ml,t =2.53,P =0.032),pain score on the first day after operation(1.5 ±0.4) and (1.0 ± 0.2),(t =4.68,P =0.020),scar cosmetic satisfaction evaluation 3 months after operation (x2 =6.20,P ＜ 0.05),chest wall numbness (0 vs.72.4％,x2 =380,P =0.000).But there were no significant differences in the mean operation time,the mean hospital stay after surgery,and the recurrence rates of nodules between two groups.Conclusion Minimally invasive endoscopic thyroidectomy via mammary areola approach is a safe and effective method for the surgery of thyroid nodules with good aesthetic outcome.

[Objective]To explore the medication rules of Professor HONG Min,a famous traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in Guangdong Province,for treating insomnia.[Methods]The prescriptions of Professor HONG Min for treating insomnia in clinical practice were collected and sorted out,and data mining and analysis were conducted on the frequency of medication,four properties,five flavors,meridian tropism,prescription patterns,potential new formulas and so on by using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Support System Platform.[Results]A total of 509 formulas and 180 Chinese herbs were screened out.The top five Chinese herbs in terms of frequency of use were Semen Ziziphi Spinosae Preparata,Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparatum,Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata,Poria cocos and Radix Scutellariae.The high-frequency herb combinations included Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparatum-Semen Ziziphi Spinosae Preparata,Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata-Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparatum,Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparatum-Poria cocos,Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata-Semen ziziphi spinosae Preparata,Poria cocos-Semen ziziphi spinosae Preparata,Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparatum-Radix Scutellariae,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium-Poria cocos and so on.Seven potential new formula combinations were also obtained.[Conclusion]Professor HONG Min's treatment of insomnia is mainly based on soothing the liver and calming the mind,clearing heat and drying dampness,strengthening the spleen and resolving phlegm.In clinical practice,she pays attention to the theory of five movements and six Qi combined with the theory of six meridians differentiation.She is good at flexibly applying the theory of Zang fu tonification and purgation,balancing multiple organs simultaneously.She also pays attention to integrating constitution,movement of Qi,pathogenesis,human nature,heaven nature and disease nature,comprehensively regulating and treating them to achieve harmony between Yin and Yang and curing insomnia.

OBJECTIVETo understand the risk factors of schistosomiasis transmission in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) and to provide evidence for the development of control strategy.

METHODSApproaches including epidemiology, immunology and field survey were applied to investigate the potential risk factors which would involve the importation of infectious resources live mobile and migrant population, and livestock in the reservoir area. Meanwhile, observation on survival and reproductive status of snail under simulation habitats was also carried out, using ecological methods on snails. Strategy in preventing the spread of snail as infectious resources was also provided.

RESULTS175 mobile people from schistosomaisis endemic area of were tested and one person showed immunology tests positive with indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) and circumoral precipitin test (COPT), with a positive rate of 0.57%. Through the two-year period under observation, data showed that the snails with ribbon/smooth shells could survive and reproduce under habitats of simulation.

CONCLUSIONSOnce the infectious resource of schistosomiasis was introduced into the TGRA, the area became a new schistosomiasis epidemic area in TGRA which called for countermeasures to be taken.

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Reservoirs ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Snails ; parasitology