ObjectiveTo evaluated the effect of swallowing training and acupuncture on dysphagia in nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy.MethodsThirty-eight post-radiotherapeutic nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were divided into 2 groups: comprehensive group (n=20) were treated with swallowing training and acupuncture therapy, acupuncture group (n=18) were treated with acupuncture only. The patients were assessed with water-swallow test and videofluoroscopy (VFS) before and after treatment.ResultsBoth groups improved their score of water-swallow test after treatment (P<0.01), but the scores of comprehensive group were better than that of acupuncture group(P<0.05).Under the VFS, the cure rate was 70.0% or 38.9% respectively(P=0.089). ConclusionSwallowing training can improve the swallow ability of bulbar palsy patients.

OBJECTIVETo observe the incidence of ventricular desynchronization in patients with or without pacemaker syndrome (PMS).

METHODSThe systolic peak velocity, the acceleration and the time to peak velocity of the interventricular septum (IVS), left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) lateral wall were detected by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in 14 atrial fibrillation patients without pacemaker implantation (control), 18 atrial fibrillation patients without PMS and 16 atrial fibrillation patients with PMS. All patients were free of valve disease, myocardial infarction, severe pulmonary hypertension, low left ventricular eject fraction (< or = 50%), significant segmental hypokinesis of ventricular wall or complete bundle branch block.

RESULTSCompared to the control patients, the systolic peak velocity and the accelerations on lateral walls of the LV and RV reduced significantly in patients with implanted pacemakers (P < 0.05). The intervals to peak velocity of the IVS and LV lateral walls were significantly prolonged [PMS group (80.13 +/- 26.92) ms vs. (25.60 +/- 4.30) ms, P < 0.01; without PMS group (76.22 +/- 23.32) ms vs. (25.60 +/- 4.30) ms, P < 0.01] and the intervals to peak velocity of the IVS and RV lateral walls significantly shortened [PMS group (16.33 +/- 6.85) ms vs. (40.70 +/- 7.60) ms, P < 0.01; without PMS group (21.20 +/- 7.34) ms vs. (40.70 +/- 7.60) ms, P < 0.01]. The systolic peak velocities, the accelerations of the IVS and bilateral walls and the intervals to peak velocity of the IVS and LV lateral wall were similar in patients with and without PMS (P > 0.05), however, the intervals to peak velocity of the IVS and RV lateral wall was significant shorter in patients with PMS compared to that of patients without PMS [(16.33 +/- 6.85) ms vs. (21.20 +/- 7.34) ms, P < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONRV desynchronization but not LV desynchronization might play an important role in patients with PMS.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atrial Fibrillation ; therapy ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; adverse effects ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Septum

Objective To survey and analyze characteristics of brucellosis epidemic in Weinan city of Shaanxi province for the purpose of setting up prevention and control measures for the disease. Methods According to "The Executing Plan for the Work of Surveying Brucellosis Disease in Shaanxi Province", 35 villages(towns) of designated monitoring locations and 24 villages (towns) of randomized monitoring locations in five countries of Weinan were chosen to survey brucellosis disease. The five countries were Chengcheng, Dali, Heyang, Tongguan and Hancheng. High risk populations with a history of contacting livestock and livestock products aged between 7 and 60 underwent clinical and serology examination[rose bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) and standard tube agglutination test(SAT)]. All manipulation methods and judging standards were in accord with the "Diagnostic Standard for Brucellosis" (WS 269-2007). Results In the designated monitoring location, a total of 8664 people at high risk were investigated, among whom 1407 people were tested by RBPT test and 27 people were positive,the positive rate was 1.92%(27/1407); 27 people were tested by SAT test and 27 people were positive, the positive rate was 100% (27/27); 25 people were diagnosed and the diagnosis rate was 92.59%(25/27). In the randomized monitoring location, a total of 3464 people at high risk were investigated, among whom 411 people were tested by RBPT test and 3 people were positive, the positive rate was 0.73%(3/411 ), 3 people were tested by SAT test which were all positive and made a definite diagnosis. Twenty-eight new cases were made a definite diagnosis and its incidence was 2.06 in a hundred thousand(28/1 361 618). Conclusions The infection of human brucellosis in Weinan city stays at higher level. The governments should increase input for the monitoring,investigating and disinfecting to prevent the disease from increasing and outspreading.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Athletic Injuries ; epidemiology ; Blood Group Antigens ; Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Male ; Military Personnel ; education ; statistics & numerical data ; Physical Education and Training

Objective To explore the transmission chain of COVID-19 by serum antibody detection, and to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of the epidemic. Methods Field epidemiological investigation was used to determine the COVID-19 cases and their close contacts. The 2019-nCoV nucleic acid in throat swabs and anal swabs were examined by RT-PCR. Serum specimens were collected for anti-2019-nCoV IgM antibody detection and combined IgM/IgG detection. Results Case A had no confirmed exposure to COVID-19. However, case C and D had dinner and lived together with case A; they reported contact history and dinner history with other confirmed COVID-19 cases(H, L). Case A tested positive for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid, whereas case C and D were negative. Moreover, case A and C were IgM antibody positive, while case D was negative. Case A, C and D were all positive for combined IgM/IgG. In addition, case D had clinical symptom, while case C did not. Conclusion Serum antibody detection can be used as an effective supplement to the inference of transmission chain of COVID-19, which may facilitate determining the source of infection and improving the evidence.

Adult ; Ascites ; etiology ; Ascitic Fluid ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications

OBJECTIVETo introduce the experience in the treatment of lower eyelid pouches orbital rim.

METHODSAn incision was made along the margin of lower eyelid and dissection was performed under the orbicularis muscle to expose the orbital septum and periosteum of lower orbital rim. The fat released from orbital septum was transposed just below the lower orbital rim and fixed on the periosteum. If lacrimal groove deformity was not corrected completely, the musculocutaneous flap, which may be excised beside the incision, was kept to correct the deformities further with only the muscle portion.

RESULTS72 cases with lower eyelid pouches complicated with lacrimal groove deformities were treated with transposition of orbital fat and orbicularis muscular flaps. Satisfactory results were achieved in all the patients after a follow-up period of 3-6 months.

CONCLUSIONIt is an effective and feasible technique to correct lacrimal groove deformities with transposition of orbital fat and orbicularis muscular flaps.

Adipose Tissue ; transplantation ; Aged ; Blepharoplasty ; methods ; Eyelids ; surgery ; Humans ; Orbit ; Periosteum ; surgery

BACKGROUNDPorous-coated cups have been widely used in acetabular reconstruction after failed treatment of acetabular fractures, and good results have been reported with the use of these cups; however, the durability and functionality of modular trabecular metal (TM) acetabular components in acetabular reconstruction after failed treatment of acetabular fractures remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the radiographic and clinical outcomes associated with the use of modular TM acetabular components for failed treatment of acetabular fractures to assess the durability and functionality of these components in acetabular reconstruction after failed treatment of acetabular fractures.

METHODSA total of 41 patients (41 hips) underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) using modular TM acetabular components for failed treatment of acetabular fractures at our hospital between January 2007 and December 2012. Among these patients, two were lost to follow-up. Therefore, 39 patients (39 hips) were finally included in this study. The Harris hip score before and after the surgery, satisfaction level of the patients, and radiographic results were assessed.

RESULTSThe mean Harris hip score increased from 34 (range, 8-52) before surgery to 91 (range, 22-100) at the latest follow-up examination (P < 0.001). The results were excellent for 28 hips, good for six, fair for three, and poor for two. Among the 39 patients, 25 (64%) and 10 (26%) were very satisfied and somewhat satisfied, respectively. All cups were found to be fully incorporated, and no evidence of cup migration or periacetabular osteolysis was noted.

CONCLUSIONSDespite the technically demanding nature of the procedure, THA using modular TM acetabular components showed good durability and functionality and may be an effective reconstruction option for failed treatment of acetabular fractures.

Acetabulum ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Failure

OBJECTIVETo design a kind of adjustable triangle external fixator, and to use it for treating calcaneal fractures.

METHODSThe external fixator was installed into extremity near the both sides of three Kirschner wires crossing the calcaneal tubercle, the lower end of the tibia and the first cuneiform. The support rod length was adjusted to ensure the Kirschner wires affecting the calcaneal tubercle, so the Böhler angle and anteroposterior diameter of the calcaneus were recovered. From April in 2003 to April in 2008, the external fixators were used to treat 34 patients with calcaneal fractures, including 30 males and 4 females, ranging in age from 19 to 54 years, with an average of 36.7 years. The Böhler angles were -5 degree to 15 degree, with an average of 13.5 degrees. According to Sander's classification, 2 patients were type II, 20 patients were type III, and 12 patients were type IV.

RESULTSThirty-four patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 3 months to 4 years, averaged 25 months. The Böhler angle recovered to 30 degree to 40 degrees, with a mean of 32.5 degrees. The Maryland mean score improved from preoperative (24.76+/-15.05) to postoperative (83.26+/-16.81). Based on Maryland criteria, 8 patients got an excellent result, 21 good, 3 fair and 2 bad.

CONCLUSIONThe adjustable triangle external fixator for treating calcaneal fractures has the following advantages : simple approach, good recovery, little reinjury and complications, effectiveness to recovery Böhler angle and anteroposterior diameter of calcaneal, which is an ideal method to treat calcaneal fractures.

Adult ; Calcaneus ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Theoretical ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo provide experimental proof for establishing a standard quality evaluation method of adhesive property on Cataplasma by studying the factors of effect on evaluation of adhesive quality on Cataplasma.

METHODWith 180 degrees peel off test, tensile shear and adhesive force test, the influence caused by the square of samples, texture of fabric base and the moisture loss was tested with multifunctional material tester and first stickiness tester.

RESULTThe peel off strength of 40 mm wide sample is 26% lower than that of the 20 mm wide sample (P < 0.05), and tensile shear strength had no significant difference. The peel off strength of transverse fabric base was higher than that of lengthways fabric base (P < 0.01). The tensile shear strength of transverse fabric base was lower than that of lengthways fabric base (P < 0.05). The sample with 35% moisture lost had a maximum tensile shear strength and the sample which lost 30% moisture lost had a maximum peel off strength; The sample which lost 20% moisture lost had a maximum first adhesive force.

CONCLUSIONThe square of samples, the texture of fabric base and the moisture loss of samples can all affect the evaluation of adhesive quality on Cataplasma.

Adhesiveness ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; standards ; Materials Testing ; methods ; Ointment Bases ; chemistry ; Ointments ; chemistry ; standards ; Quality Control ; Tensile Strength