Objective To study the effect of ultrashortwave irradiation and chest-wall vibration therapy on serum eosinophil cationic protein(ECP)and percentage of eosinophil(EOS%)in the sputum of children with mild to moderate asthma. Methods A total of 68 children with asthma were divided into a control group and a treatment group.The control group WaS treated with conventional treatment only,while the treatment group was given ultrashortwave irradiation and chest-wall vibration therapy in addition to the conventional treatment.The serum ECP,EOS% in induced sputum,FEV1.0%,and PEF% were measured before and after treatment.The relationships among ECP,EOS%,FEV1.0% and PEF% were analyzed.Results FEV1.0% and PEF% were negatively correlated with serum ECP and EOS% in children with asthma.Compared with the control group,ECP and EOS% were significantly reduced after treatment,while FEV1.0% and PEF% were significantly elevated. Conclusion Uhrashortwave irradiation and chest-wall vibration therapy can improve ventilation by ameliorating airway inflammation and obstruction.

Objective To evaluate the appropriateness of hospitalization days at a tertiary hospital in 2014 by means of the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol ( AEP ) , and to analyze the causes of inappropriate stays. Methods Medical records of inpatients admitted at a tertiary hospital in 2014 were randomly selected. AEP( US version) was used to evaluate the appropriateness of every hospitalization day, while the causes of inappropriate hospitalization day were also analyzed. Results A total of 1 641 days of stay from 148 medical records were reviewed, and 129 days of stay (7. 9%) were seen as inappropriate. Two major factors for inappropriate stays were waiting for surgery and waiting for test, roughly 89. 1% of the inappropriate hospitalization days. The proportion of inappropriate hospital stays reduced to 4. 8% after adjustment of two-day weekend. Inappropriate hospital stays mostly appeared during the second day to the eighth day after admission(93. 8%). Logistic analysis results showed that with concomitant symptoms, preoperative waiting days > 5 days, high level surgery, non-emergency admission were significantly associated with appropriateness of hospital stays (P<0. 05). Conclusions The rate of inappropriate stays will be reduced and the quality of medical services will be improved if comprehensive measures could be carried out according to the causes of inappropriate stays.

Background Congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles (CFEOM) affects patient' s appearance and quality of life,and no effective treatment for this disease is available.Imaging study is helpful for exploring the pathogenesis of CFEOM.Objective This study was to describe the characteristics of CFEOM associated with limb movement disorder using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods A family with CFEOM associated with limb movement disorder was investigated in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University.Disease history was collected and the pedigree was investigated.Ophthalmologic examinations,including corrected visual acuity,refractive error,slitlamp examination,ophthalmoscopic examination,force of levator palpebrae superioris,ocular movement,eye position,forced duction test,and bell phenomenon examination,were performed.Ocular orbital and cranial MRI was performed in 4 CFEOM patients and 10 normal subjects to compare the structures of the extraocular muscles,motor nerve and cranium.Oral informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to any medical examination.Results A total of 1 1 members from 3 generations were investigated in this study,presenting with 4 cases of disease.The mode of inheritance of this family complied with the Mendelian autosomal dominant inheritance law.Clinical signs included disturbance of eye movement,deviation of eye position,ptosis,lack of Bell sign and positive reaction of passive pull test.In addition,unstable gait,improper body limb alignment,dysphasia and mental retardation were ohserved in 1 patient,which coincided with the diagnostic criteria of type 3 CFEOM.MRI results demonstrated that the levator palpebrae superioris,superior rectus and superior oblique muscle were clearly thinner,and the medial rectus,lateral rectus,inferior rectus muscle were thinning in the patients,showing significant differences in comparison with the normal controls(P＜O.05).The oculomotor and abducens nerves became thinner and even absent in the patients.Cranial MRI showed that Ⅲ-3 in the pedigree with callosum was shorter than that of the normal controls,suggesting that patient suffered from corpus callosum hypoplasia.Meanwhile,cranial MRI indicated the presence of cerebellar hypoplasia and the expansion of the fourth ventricle.Conclusions MRI demonstrates consistent abnormalities of the oculomotor nerves and abducens nerves in the affected individuals in this CFEOM 3 family,and some affected members exhibit two types of central nervous system abnormalities-corpus callosum and cerebellar hypoplasia.These findings suggest that CFEOM 3 is primarily a neuronal disease.

BACKGROUND:Correlation between subchondral bone and articular cartilage in the process of osteoarthritis has not been fuly elucidated. Degeneration of cartilage is the focus of attention, and the subchondral bone also plays an important role in the process of osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To observe the differences between experimental osteoarthritis models in rabbit knees established by two kinds of surgical methods and two kinds of proteases inducing methods, and to explore the correlation between subchondral bone mass and degeneration of cartilage. METHODS:Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly and averagely divided into four groups: Hulth group (group A), anterior cruciate ligament transaction group (group B), colagenase type II group (group C) and papain group (group D). The right knees of rabbits were established as osteoarthritis models, and the left knees served as controls. Bone mineral density of the knee joint was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning at 0, 4 and 8 weeks after modeling. The rabbits were sacrificed at 8 weeks after MRI scanning, bilateral knee joints were harvested for general and histological observation. Quantitative analysis was done according to Mankin scores. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Bone mineral density of the right knees decreased at 0, 4 and 8 weeks after modeling, and the rank was as folows: group A > group B > group C > group D. MRI scanning showed that the articular cartilage thickness of the medial and lateral femoral condyle on the right knees became thinner compared with the left side, and the rank was as folows: group A < group B < group C < group D. Observation by specimens and pathological slices showed that the articular cartilage degeneration of the surgery groups worsened, group A was the most serious one, and group 1D was the lightest. Both surgery and proteases inducing methods can successfuly establish osteoarthritis models in rabbit knees. Surgery inducing models resemble the advanced or intermediate stage of osteoarthritis, while the proteases inducing models resemble the early stage of osteoarthritis. Degeneration of the articular cartilage and changes of subchondral bone are related in progressive development.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy,safety and optimal dose of tacrolimus monotherapy in patients with refractory lupus nephritis(LN) who were resistant to cyclophosphamide(CYC).MethodsA total of 14 LN patients (2 men and 12 women) with persistent proteinuria who were resistant to CYC treatment more than 8 g for half a year were enrolled.Tacrolimus was initiated at 2 mg/d (patient weight＜60 kg) or 3 mg/d(patient weight≥60 kg) which was administered in two divided doses.Prospective data on daily proteinuria,serum album level and serologic lupus activity were collected and followed for 6 months.ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results Mean age at baseline was(30±9) years.Mean urinary protein decreased significantly from(6.2±5.1) g at baseline to (1.1±0.9) g at 6 months (F=16.21,P＜0.01).Mean serum album level increased significantly from (27.9±9.7) g/L at baseline to(37.8±2.2) g/L at 6 months(F=16.71,P＜0.01 ).Complete or partial response was observed in 86％ of patients receiving tacrolimus therapy.The effective dosage in this study was 0.03-0.06mg·kg-1·d-1 of the patients who had complete response or partial response to tacrolimus.The tacrolimus level in partially and completely responding patients was less than 3 ng/ml.There was no significant difference among blood tacrolimus levels of complete,partial,and no response patients [(1.6-±0.4),(2.0±0.6) and (22±1.1) ng/nl],respectively).No definite correlation was found between efficacy and tacrolimus level.Tacrolimus was well tolerated at current dose,besides one with new onset hypertension and one with alopecia.ConclusionOur results suggest that tacrolimus at low dosage and serum level is potentially effective and safe for the treatment　of patients with LN and persistent proteinuria resistant to CYC.The optimal dosage of tacrolimus for LN may　be 0.03-0.06 mg·kg-1·d-1.

Low frequency sensorineural deafness is a common subtype of idiopathic sudden deafness. Certain patients suffered recurrent attacks without vertigo, much alike Meniere's disease. Few of them developed into definite Meniere's disease during long-term follow-up in many clinical studies. Although the pathophysiology of recurrent low frequency deafness is yet unknown, the desease is considered associated with early state of endolymphatic hydrops or migraine. Otologists shall be aware of its clinical course and careful explanation is necessary at time of initial informed consent.
Endolymphatic Hydrops ; complications ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; complications ; diagnosis ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; Humans ; Meniere Disease ; complications ; Vertigo

Objective To analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of human avian influenza A (H7N9 ) epidemic in Jiaxing City,and to provide scientific basis for the control and prevention of the disease.Methods The epidemiological and clinical information of 15 cases of human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9)reported from April, 2013 to May,2015 were collected.Sample of patients and external environmental samples of suspected exposure were collected and detected by real-time PCR.The epidemic distribution and clinical characteristics were analyzed.Results Fifteen cases of human infection with H7N9 were confirmed from April,2013 to May,2015,including 11 cases of death (77.33%).The confirmed cases mostly reported in winter and spring,and 9 confirmed cases were over 60 years,and male case proportion was higher than women (1.5∶1 ).Most of cases (66.67%)were sporadic and occurred in rural areas,but no epidemiological association was observed among the cases.Fever (100%),cough (66.67%),and wheezing and tightness in chest (33.33%)were common initial symptoms.The chest imaging examination of patients showed ground glass opacity and patchy consolidation,and 7 cases had simple pleural effusion.Twelve of confirmed cases had other chronic diseases.Eleven cases of death had appeared multiple medical comorbidities,such as respiratory failure (6/1 1 ),pulmonary embolism (4/1 1 ),multiple systemic organ failure (3/1 1 ),and heart cerebrovascular embolization (2/11).Twelve cases had been exposed to the live poultry markets where the positive rate of novel influenza A (H7N9) virus in environmental specimens was 7.69%(25/325).One of the 252 close contacts to confirmed cases appeared mild flu-like symptoms.No positive result related to novel influenza A (H7N9)virus nucleic acid was detected from each close contact's throat swabs.Conclusion Human infections with avian influenza A (H7N9)virus showed obvious seasonal distribution in Jiaxing.Elderly men,especially those with chronic diseases were the high risk people of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza.The infection might be associated with the exposure to live birds.Standard management of live poultry markets is the key measure in preventing and controlling H7N9 virus infection among population.

Cognitive impairment and dementia are increasingly considered to be a continuum of overlapping neurological syndrome in the elderly with cerebrovascular disease and neurodegenerative disease.The association between cerebral microbleeds and cognitive impairment have attracted more and more attention.This article reviews the relationship between spatial distribution of cerebal microbleeds and cognitive impairment.

Objective To explore the real life experience of family caregivers among mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients during health care so as to provide a reference for reducing family caregivers burden.Methods From March 2017 to March 2018,we selected 18 family caregivers of community MCI patients in Department of Neurology,rehabilitation and memory outpatient at the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University as subjects by purposive sampling.Semi-structured interview,a phenomenological approach of qualitative research,was used to collect data,and Colazzi analysis was used to sort out,analyze data and refine theme.Results A total of four themes in real life experience of family caregivers of community MCI patients were extracted including family caregivers lacking knowledge about disease (fear,worry and stigma),family caregivers being with high pressure during health care,compromising and confronting actively,expecting to seek more social supports (eager to learn disease-related knowledge,hope to get relatives' understanding and help,gain community supports and environmental supports).Conclusions Community MCI health care brings negative influences on life of family caregivers.Medical staff,family members and community organization need to provide multi-path support to reduce mental pressure and social economic burden of family caregivers of community MCI patients so as to improve their quality of life.

BACKGROUND:As a routine method after lumbar spine surgery,a drainage tube is convenient for postoperative bleeding drainage and management,and there is still no consensus on the choice of postoperative removal time for short-segment lumbar spine surgery with less risk. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of different drainage times on early clinical efficacy after short-segment lumbar fusion. METHODS:A prospective randomized controlled study was performed on 220 patients in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative diseases from March 2017 to April 2021.According to the different drainage times,the patients were randomly divided into removal on the second day after operation(group A),removal on the third day after operation(group B),and removal after the observation method 24-hour drainage volume<30 mL(group C).The perioperative indicators and follow-up results of the three groups of patients were observed and compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Because 7 patients were lost to follow-up,2 patients were excluded,and 211 patients were finally included(72 patients in group A,71 patients in group B,and 68 patients in group C).(2)The average drainage time of group C was 2.91 days.The postoperative drainage volume in group A was significantly less than that in groups B and C,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).On day 3 after operation,the hematocrit value of group C was lower than that of group A and group B,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Postoperative activity time and hospital stay in group A were shorter than those in groups B and C,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)Four patients in group A,two patients in group B and three patients in group C received an allogeneic blood transfusion.There was no significant difference among the groups(P>0.05).(4)In terms of postoperative complications,there were no statistical differences in postoperative wound leakage and surgical site infection in all three groups(P>0.05).(5)All patients were followed up for more than 12 months.Visual analog scale score and Oswestry dysfunction index of the three groups of patients before discharge and at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before surgery(P<0.05).There was no statistical significance among the groups(P>0.05).(6)It is indicated that the removal of the drainage tube on the second day after a posterior lumbar fusion can effectively reduce the time to get out of bed and hospital stay,without increasing the postoperative blood loss and the risk of complications.