OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess energy expenditure and metabolic cost (METs) of walking activities of college students and to compare treadmill based walking with self-selected hallway walking. METHODS: Thirty subjects (mean age 23.4 ± 1.6 years) completed eight walking activities. Five treadmill walking activities (TW2.4, TW3.2, TW4.0, TW4.8, TW5.6) were followed by three self-selected hallway walking activities, namely, walk as if you were walking and talking with a friend: HWL (leisurely), walk as if you were hurrying across the street at a cross-walk: HWB (brisk) and walk as fast as you can but do not run: HWF (fast) were performed by each subject. Energy expenditure was measured using a portable metabolic system and accelerometers. RESULTS: Except for HWF (fast) activity, energy expenditures of all other walking activities measured were higher in male than in female subjects. The lowest energy expenditure and METs were observed in TW2.4 (3.65 ± 0.84 kcal/min and 2.88 ± 0.26 METs in male), HWL (leisurely) (2.85 ± 0.70 kcal/min and 3.20 ± 0.57 METs in female), and the highest rates were observed in HWF (fast) (7.72 ± 2.81 kcal/min, 5.84 ± 1.84 METs in male, 6.65 ± 1.57 kcal/min, 7.13 ± 0.68 METs in female). Regarding the comparison of treadmill-based walking activities and self-selected walking, the energy expenditure of HWL (leisurely) was not significantly different from that of TW2.4. In case of male, no significant difference was observed between energy costs of HWB (brisk), HWF (fast) and TW5.6 activities, whereas in female, energy expenditures during HWB (brisk) and HWF (fast) were significantly different from that of TW5.6. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed that energy expenditure from self-selected walking activities of college students was comparable with treadmill-based activities at specific speeds. Our results suggested that a practicing leisurely or brisk walking for a minimum of 150 minutes per week by both male and female college students enable them to meet recommendations from the Physical activity guide for Koreans.
Energy Metabolism* ; Female ; Friends ; Humans ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Walking*

Objective To evaluate the safety of Renaissance spine robot assisted system in spinal injury.Methods From March 2014 to May 2016,38 patients with spinal disease received spinal surgery assisted by spine robot system.They were 20 males and 18 females,with an average age of 42 years (range,from 12 to 69 years).There were 10 lumbar fractures,8 thoracic fractures and 20 spinal deformities.Pedicle screw implantation was conducted in 30 patients (PS group) and percutaneous vertebroplasty in 8 (PV group).One side was chosen randomly to use Mazor spine robot assisted system (assisted group) and the opposite side the conventional method (non-assisted group).The anteroposterior and lateral X-rays and CT scan of the lumbar and/or thoracic spine were performed in all patients after surgery.The precision of pedicle screws implantation in PS group was evaluated by the Abul-Kasimhierarchy grading system;location of the puncture trajectory,time used for puncture and radiation exposure time in PV group were evaluated.Results 208 pedicle screws were implanted in PS group,including 120 lumbar ones and 88 thoracic ones.For lumbar pedicle screw implantation,the excellent to good rate was 95.0％ (57/60) in the assisted group,significantly higher than that in the non-assisted group (80.0％,48/60) (P ＜ 0.05).For thoracic pedicle screw implantation,the excellent to good rate was 95.5％ (42/44) in the assisted group,significantly higher than that in the non-assisted group (77.3％,34/44) (P ＜ 0.05).There were 24 puncture trajectories in 8 patients in PV group,showing no pedicle penetration or cement leaking in any case.The mean time used for puncture was 5.5 ± 1.4 min in the assisted group,significantly shorter than that in the non-assisted group (17.8 ± 7.5 min) (P ＜ 0.05);the X-ray exposure time was 14.0 ± 4.0 s in the assisted group,significantly shorter than that in the non-assisted group (22.4 ± 6.0 s) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Renaissance spine robot-assisted system deserves more clinical application,because in spinal surgery it can make pedicle screw implantation more precise and safer,and can reduce operation time and X-ray exposure time in percutaneous vertebroplasty.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Various accelerometer equations are used to predict energy expenditure (EE). On the other hand, the development of these equations and their validation studies have been conducted primarily without including older adults. This study assessed the accuracy of 8 ActiGraph accelerometer equations to predict the energy cost of walking in older adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Thirty-one participants with a mean age of 74.3 ± 3.3 yrs were enrolled in this study (20 men and 11 women). The participants completed 8 walking activities, including 5 treadmill and 3 self-paced walking activities. The EE was measured using a portable indirect calorimeter, with each participant simultaneously wearing the ActiGraph accelerometer. Eight ActiGraph equations were assessed for accuracy by comparing the predicted EE with indirect calorimetry results. RESULTS: All equations resulted in an overall underestimation of the EE across the activities (bias −1 to −1.8 kcal·min −1 and −0.7 to −1.8 metabolic equivalents [METs]), as well as during treadmill-based (bias −1.5 to −2.9 kcal·min−1 and −0.9 to −2.1 METs) and self-paced (bias −1.2 to −1.7 kcal·min−1 and −0.2 to −1.3 METs) walking. In addition, there were higher rates of activity intensity misclassifications, particularly among vigorous physical activities. CONCLUSIONS The ActiGraph equations underestimated the EE for walking activities in older adults. In addition, these equations inaccurately classified the activities based on their intensities. The present study suggests a need to develop ActiGraph equations specific to older adults.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of patients with Caroli disease. MethodsThe clinical data were collected from 41 patients who were diagnosed with Caroli disease in The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from April 2015 to January 2020, and the patients were divided into type I group with 16 patients and type Ⅱ group with 25 patients. A retrospective analysis was performed for general information, laboratory markers, and clinical features. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data; a Spearman correlation analysis was also performed. ResultsThe type Ⅰ group had a significantly higher level of albumin (Alb) than the type Ⅱ group (t=0.976, P=0.048), and the type Ⅱ group had a significantly higher prothrombin time (PT) than the type I group (Z=3.115, P=0.001). Compared with the type I group, the type Ⅱ group had significantly higher incidence rates of esophageal and gastric varices, upper gastrointestinal bleeding and/or tarry stool, and portal hypertension (χ2=6.077, 5.468, and 2.403, P=0.002, 0.019, and 0.028). In the patients with type Ⅱ Caroli disease, the level of cholinesterase was negatively correlated with the incidence rates of esophageal and gastric varices and portal hypertension (r=-0.468 and -0.436, P=0.018 and 0.029); Alb level was negatively correlated with the incidence rate of esophageal and gastric varices (r=-0.561, P=0.004); red blood cell count was negatively correlated with the incidence rates of esophageal and gastric varices, upper gastrointestinal bleeding and/or tarry stool, and portal hypertension (r=-0.662, -0.566, and -0.436, P＜0.001, P=0.003, and P=0.029); hemoglobin count was negatively correlated with the incidence rates of esophageal and gastric varices, upper gastrointestinal bleeding and/or tarry stool, and portal hypertension (r=-0.605, -0.590, and -0.510, P=0.001, 0.002, and 0.009); PT was positively correlated with the incidence rates of esophageal varices and portal hypertension (r=0.488 and 0.520, P=0.013 and 0.008). ConclusionCompared with the patients with type I Caroli disease, the patients with type Ⅱ Caroli disease have a higher incidence rates of esophageal and gastric varices, upper gastrointestinal bleeding and/or tarry stool, and portal hypertension, with the changes in clinical indicators such as the decrease of Alb level and the increase of PT level, and they tend to have poor prognosis.

OBJECTIVETo develop a quantitative PCR method for detecting hookworm infection and quantification.

METHODSA real-time PCR method was designed based on the intergenic region II of ribosomal DNA of the hookworm Necator americanus. The detection limit of this method was compared with the microscopy-based Kato-Katz method. The real-time PCR method was used to conduct an epidemiological survey of hookworm infection in southern Fujian Province of China.

RESULTSThe real-time PCR method was specific for detecting Necator americanus infection, and was more sensitive than conventional PCR or microscopy-based method. A preliminary survey for hookworm infection in villages of Fujian Province confirmed the high prevalence of hookworm infections in the resident populations. In addition, the infection rate in women was significantly higher than that of in men.

CONCLUSIONSA real-time PCR method is designed, which has increased detection sensitivity for more accurate epidemiological studies of hookworm infections, especially when intensity of the infection needs to be considered.

Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Helminth ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy ; Necator americanus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Necatoriasis ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sentinel Surveillance ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sex Distribution

Objective:To explore sagittal parameters change of upper cervical spine after anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) and analyze the influential factors by comparison between single-, double- and multi-level surgery.Methods:In this retrospective study, 126 patients (include 60 patients with radiculopathy, 41 patients with myelopathy and 25 patients with myeloradiculopathy) who underwent ACDF between December 2016 and December 2018, were followed up at least 1year ranged from14 to 38 months, with the average of 25.6±7.2 months. 20 patients were operated by single-level ACDF, 45 patients were operated by double-level ACDF and 61 patients were operated by 3- or 4-level ACDF. Standing radiographs of cervical spine and the flexion and extension cervical X-rays were obtained in all patients at 1week before, 3 months after and 1year after operation. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) Scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) were used to evaluate the clinical effectiveness. Cervical sagittal parameters were assessed with the following parameters: the platform angle of axis (C2Slope), the cobb angle and the range of motion (ROM) of C2-7, C0-1 and C1-2.Results:All the patients obtained satisfactory clinical effects. The mean operative time of single-, double- and multi-level group were 86.4±15.5 min, 117.6±15.6 min and 170.2±28.7 min, respectively. The intraoperative blood loss of 3 groups were 16.5±5.2 ml, 37.2±30.5 ml and 63.4±41.5 ml, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between the 3 groups ( P<0.05). In the single- and double-level groups, the changes of the cobb angle and ROM of upper cervical spine between 1 week before operation and 1 year after operation was no significant difference ( P>0.05). In the multi-level group, the ROM of atlantooccipital joint (C0-1) increased significantly from 11.5°±6.1° before operation to 16.1°±13.9° 3 months and 15.3°±4.8° 1 year after operation ( P<0.05). The cobb angle of upper cervical spine and C2Slpoe was decreased significantly from 21.0°±7.6°, 6.1°±6.7° before operation to 18.6°±7.7°, 4.3°±6.9° 3 months and 19.7°±7.2°, 5.6°±6.3° 1 year after operation respectively ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference of cobb angle ofatlantooccipital joint between 1 week before operation and 1 year after operation ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Single- and double-level surgery makes a better ability of preserving the restoration of cervical lordosis, with little impact on the upper cervical spine, meanwhile multi-level fusion shows a negative influence on the restoration and limits the range of motion, also increases risk of surgical operation and degeneration of the atlantooccipital joint, with the increased stress distribution and range of motion.

Depression is a major cause of disability and has adverse effects.Despite the many types of anti-depressants,clinical treatments of depression remain poor.Therefore,novel anti-depressant mechanisms need to be explored.The beneficial effects of irisin on the nervous system are gradually being elucidated,and studies have found that irisin has an anti-depressant effect,which may become a new treatment for depression.This study explored the mechanism of irisin and its upstream and downstream anti-depressants by reviewing the existing studies explaining the link between irisin and depression,and proposes that SIRT1/PGC-1α may mediate FNDC5/irisin to regulate BDNF to promote neurogenesis and improve depression,which provides a new idea to study irisin and its upstream and downstream anti-depressants.

ObjectiveTo investigate the features and changing trend of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in the elderly from 2009 to 2019, and to provide a reference for clinical prevention and treatment of DILI in the elderly. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 2107 elderly patients, aged ≥60 years, who were diagnosed with DILI in The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2009 to December 2019, and they were divided into groups according to age. Related clinical data were analyzed, including age, sex, clinical features, prognosis, and regional distribution. The Chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsAmong the 2107 patients with DILI, there were 802 male patients and 1305 female patients, with a male/female ratio of 1∶1.63. Cholestasis type was the most common clinical type and was observed in 1439 patients (68.3%). There was the highest number of patients in the 60-64 years group (942 patients, 44.7%), among whom 618(65.6%) were female, 589(62.5%) had cholestasis type, 471(50.0%) had chronic DILI, 421(44.7%) had drug-induced liver cirrhosis, and 25(2.7%) had drug-induced liver failure. There were 187 patients in the 75-79 years group, among whom 110 (58.8%) patients were male, 137(73.3%) had cholestasis type, 114(60.9%) had liver cirrhosis, 4(2.1%) had drug-induced liver failure. The results showed that chronic DILI was more common in the 60-64 years group, and liver cirrhosis was more common in the 75-79 years group. As for prognosis, in the 60-64 years group, 27 patients (2.9%) were cured, 885 (93.9%) were improved, 30(32%) had no response or died; in the 65-69 years group, 16 (2.8%) were cured, 528 (92.0%) were improved, and 30(5.2%) had no response or died; in the 70-74 years group, 9(2.8%) were cured, 305(94.1%) were improved, and 10 (3.6%) had no response or died. The results showed that there was no significant difference in mortality rate between the different age groups (P＞0.05). The proportion of elderly DILI patients among hospitalized DILI patients increased from 15.90% in 2009 to 22.05% in 2013 and 27.51% in 2019, with a 1.73-fold increase in 11 years. As for regional distribution, the patients in North China accounted for the highest proportion of 47.08% (the patients from Hebei, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia accounted for 24.92%, 10.96%, and 10.25%, respectively), followed by those in Northeast China who accounted for 17.85%. The patients in Beijing accounted for 11.53%. ConclusionThe proportion of elderly DILI patients among hospitalized DILI patients tends to increase in these years. Cholestasis type is the most common clinical type, and most of the patients with this clinical type progress to chronic DILI and drug-induced liver cirrhosis. Early diagnosis, early intervention, and standardized treatment of elderly DILI should be taken seriously.

Objective Throush identify biochemical characteristics and virulence factors of 2 strains suspected Yersinia pestis(Y.pestis)isolated from the dead Marmota himalayana(M.himalayana)to confirm the nature epidemic focus in Dege County,Sichuan Province.Methods Y.pestis was analyzed by specific staining and shape,culturing characteristics,splitting-test by bacteriophage,test of biochemical characteristics and glycolysis ability,virulence factors,virulence,nutritional requirement,plasmid,genetic test and genetic type. Results The tested strains were Gram staining bacilus.The main biochemical characteristics were Arabinose(+)、 Rhamnose(-),Maltose(+),Melibiose(-),Glycerol(+),Denitrification(+).The virulence factors with FI+.VW+, Pgm+,Pst I+;and with the common 6.0×106,45.0×106,65.0×106 plasmids,also with the virulence-relative plasmid gene.Both their absolutely lethal dose(LD100)in mice were 50 bacteria.The nutritional requirement appeared which were depended on Phenylalanine and Methionine.With the Genomovar 5 genotype characteristics of M.himalayana plague foci of Qinghai-Tibet plateau.The difference between tested strains and Yersinia pseudotubercuosis on the 3 different culture medium was obvious.The tested strains had a Y.pestis' specific 3a fragment,Pst I and FI-Ag,at 22 ℃,the strains could be split by bacteriophage completely.Conclusions According to the diagnostic criteria of plague in China,the 2 suspected strains isolated from Dege County,Sichuan Province ale confirmed as Y.pestis.both with powerful virulenceand with the characteristics of the Y.pestis of M.himahtyana in Qinghai-Tibet plateau plague natural focus.

BACKGROUNDVenous thromboembolism is known to be an important social and health care problem because of its high incidence among patients who undergo surgery. Studies on the mechanical prophylaxis of thromboembolism after gynaecological pelvic surgery are few. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of mechanical thromboembolism prophylaxis after gynaecological pelvic surgery using a combination of graduated compression stockings (GCS) and intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) or GCS alone.

METHODSThe study was performed on 108 patients who were randomly assigned to two groups. The first group received GCS before the operation and IPC during the operation (IPC + GCS group). The second group received GCS before the operation (GCS group). To analyze the effect of the preventive measures and the laboratory examination on the incidence of thrombosis and to compare the safety of these measures, the incidence of adverse reactions was assessed.

RESULTSThe morbidity associated with DVT was 4.8% (5/104) in the IPC + GCS group and 12.5% (14/112) in the GCS group. There were significant statistical differences between the two groups. There were no adverse effects in either group.

CONCLUSIONSThe therapeutic combination of GCS and IPC was more effective than GCS alone for thrombosis prevention in high-risk patients undergoing gynaecological pelvic surgery, and there were no adverse effects in either group.

Aged ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; surgery ; Stockings, Compression ; Thromboembolism ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Venous Thrombosis ; etiology ; prevention & control