Objective To assess the efficacy of low-frequency electrical stimulation (LES) in improving ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) of subjects after a recent stroke. Methods In a randomized controlled trial, 37 subjects with a first stroke were randomly divided into an electrical stimulation (ES) group and a control group. In the ES group (n = 19 ) electrodes were applied on the motor points of the tibialis anterior, the peroneal longus and the peroneus brevis muscles. Stimulation current was applied at an intensity set to cause full ankle extension. The stimulus pulse was a symmetric biphasic wave with frequency of 30 Hz, a pulse width of 200 μs, a duty cycle of 5 s on and 5 s off ramped up and down for 1 s each and amplitude up to 90 mA. The current amplitude was adjusted according to each subject's comfort. Stimulation lasted for 30 min/d, 5 d/week for 3 weeks. All subjects in the 2 groups also received a standard rehabilitation program. Evaluations included the Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA) for the lower extremity and the modified Barthel index (MBI) for ADL ability. Measurements were recorded before treatment and after 2 and 3 weeks of treatment. Results Before treatment there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, time post-stroke, stroke severity or the baseline measurements. After 2 and 3 weeks of treatment, the FMA scores in the ES group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The MBI scores in the ES group were also significantly higher than in the control group. The average MBI transferring, walking and stair climbing scores in the ES group were all significantly higher than those in the control group after either 2 or 3 weeks. Conclusion Three weeks of LES can improve ADL ability soon after stroke.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy on cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury (TBD treated with acupuncture and cognitive training.

METHODSSixty patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one, and 5 cases of them were dropped out due to the earlier discharge. Finally, there were 28 cases in the observation group and 27 cases in the control group. In the control group, the cognitive training and conventional treatment were applied. In the observation group, on the basis of the treatment as the control group, acupuncture was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Geshu (BL 17) and Fenglong (ST 40), once a day, for 4 weeks totally. The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) were adopted to evaluate the cognitive function in the patients of post-TBI cognitive impairment.

RESULTS(1) After treatment, the total score in MMSE and the score of each item were increased significantly as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0. 05). Except for the score of immediate recall, the score in MMSE and the score of each of the other items were increased significantly in the observation group as compared with those in the control group after treatment (all P<0. 05). (2)After treatment, the total score in MoCA and the score of each item were increased significantly as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P<. 05). Except for the score of nomenclature item, the total score in MoCA and the score of each of the other items were increased significantly in the observation group as compared with those in the control group after treatment (all P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONBoth the simple cognitive training and the combined therapy of acupuncture and cognitive training improve MMSE and MoCA scores and relieve the cognitive impairment induced by TBI. But the combined therapy achieves the much better efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Brain Injuries ; psychology ; therapy ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; psychology ; therapy ; Cognitive Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with cognitive training in treating cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury (TBI). MethodsSixty patients were recruited into the study and randomly divided into the control group and the treatment group according to the MINIMIZE software. Patients in the control group were treated with cognitive training and regular treatment. Besides the traditional treatment, patients in the treatment group were additionally treated with acupuncture and moxibution. The treatment lasted four weeks. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) were applied to evaluate the patients’ cognitive function before and after the treatment.Results In the end, there were 27 patients in the control group and 28 patients in the treatment group, because 5 patients withdrew from the study. After treatment, scores of MMSE, LOTCA and their sub-items in the control group and the treatment group increased significantly (P<0.05), and the scores in the treatment group were higher than the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Combination of acupuncture, moxibution, and cognitive training could help patients after TBI to increase the scores of MMSE and LOTCA, and improve the cognitive impairment caused by TBI. Its therapeutic effect is superior than the pure cognitive training.

Objective To evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin A injection into the salivary glands in treating patients with sialorrhea attributable to brain damage.Methods Nine subjects with sialorrhea attributable to traumatic brain injury (n =5),cerebral infarction (n =3) and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (n =1) were recruited into the study.With the guidance of ultrasound,15 units (U) of botulinum toxin type A was injected into the highest and lowest points of the two parotid glands,and 20 U was injected into two points of both submandibular glands.The saliva flow rate and the severity and frequency of sialorrhea were recorded before the treatment and 1 week,4 weeks and 12 weeks later using the Drooling Scoring System (DSS).Results The saliva flow rate before treatment (0.49 ± 0.12 g/min) decreased significantly to 0.24 ± 0.08 g/min after 1 week,but then increased again to 0.28 ±0.12 g/min after 4 weeks and 0.34 ±0.11 g/min after 12 weeks.The average DSS severity score showed the same pattern:4.35 ± 0.48 initially 1.92 ± 0.37 after 1 week,1.92 ± 0.37 after 2 weeks and 2.32 ± 0.64 after 12 weeks.The DSS frequency score,however,remained significantly lower:3.56 ± 0.49 initially,2.01 ± 0.42 after 1 and 4 weeks and 2.28 ± 0.63 after 12 weeks.Conclusion Botulinum toxin type A can effectively improve the salivary secretion and sialorrhea attributable to brain damage.

Objective To investigate the phenotypic and genetic characteristics of the lysostaphin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus variants induced by recombinant lysostaphin in vitro .Methods Three clinical isolates of S . aureus ,including two resistant to methicillin (MRSA ) and one susceptible to methicillin (MSSA ) were induced by treatment with sub‐MIC of recombinant lysostaphin via one‐step selection in vitro .Susceptibility of the variants to antibiotics were determined and compared with their parental strains .The full length of femABX genes was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced to identify the potential mutation sites in these genes .The growth‐curve in liquid medium and virulence in a mouse systemic infection model of both parental and variant strains were observed . Results The frequency of lysostaphin resistance in S . aureus was between 10-4 to 10-8 following induction by lysostaphin . Resistance to lysostaphin was associated with a significant decrease in growth rate in vitro and virulence in vivo ,as well as increased susceptibility toβ‐lactams evidenced by the M IC of β‐lactams against the variants as low as 1/4 000 to 1/2 of the M IC against their parental strains . Sequencing of f emA BX genes showed mutation in femA gene in both variants ,which resulted in a premature termination codon .Conclusions Resistance of S . aureus to lysostaphin may develop following induction by recombinant lysostaphin in vitro . The lysostaphin‐resistant S . aureus variants are characteristic of lower growth rate , decreased virulence ,and higher susceptibility to β‐lactams .

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of anterior cutaneous branch of the intercostal nerve block combined with pectoral nerves (Pecs) block type Ⅱ for early postoperative analgesia by comparing with Pecs block type Ⅱ in the patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy.Methods Sixty-eight patients,aged 18-64 yr,with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ,scheduled for elective modified radical mastectomy under general anesthesia,were divided into 2 groups (n=34 each) using a random number table method:Pecs block type Ⅱ plus anterior cutaneous branch of intercostal nerve block group (P+A group) and Pecs block type Ⅱ group (P group).Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl,propofol and cisatracurium besilate,the patients were then tracheally intubated,and anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane combined with nitrous oxide in both groups.In both groups,0.25％ levobupivacaine 10 ml was injected into the space between pectoralis major and pectoralis minor under ultrasound guidance,and then 0.25％ levobupivacaine 10 ml was injected into the surface of the serratus anterior muscle at the level of 3rd rib for Pecs block type Ⅱ before operation.In group P+A,0.25％ ropivacaine 10 ml (20 ml in total) was injected into the interspace between the transverse thoracic and intercostal muscles in the junction area at the level of 4th and 5th ribs to perform anterior cutaneous branch of the intercostal nerve block.The equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group P.Morphine was given for analgesia when visual analogue scale score＞3 or when the patients required.The cumulative amount of morphine administered at 24 h after surgery was recorded.The development of postoperative nausea and vomiting was observed.Results Compared with group P,the cumulative amount of morphine administered at 24 h after surgery was significantly decreased,and the postoperative analgesia time was prolonged in group P+A (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting between the two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion Combination of anterior cutaneous branch of the intercostal nerve block and Pecs block type Ⅱ provides better analgesic efficacy for early postoperative analgesia than Pecs block type Ⅱ alone in the patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy.

Background: Postoperative pain management is crucial for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There have been many recent clinical trials on post-TKA peripheral nerve block; however, they have reported inconsistent findings. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to comprehensively analyze studies on post-TKA analgesia to provide evidence-based clinical suggestions. Methods: We performed a computer-based query of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science to retrieve related articles using neurothe following search terms: nerve block, nerve blockade, chemodenervation, chemical neurolysis, peridural block, epidural anesthesia, extradural anesthesia, total knee arthroplasty, total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and others. After quality evaluation and data extraction, we analyzed the complications, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, patient satisfaction, perioperative opioid dosage, and rehabilitation indices. Evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Results: We included 16 randomized controlled trials involving 981 patients (511 receiving peripheral nerve block and 470 receiving epidural block) in the final analysis. Compared with an epidural block, a peripheral nerve block significantly reduced complications. There were no significant between-group differences in the postoperative VAS score, patient satisfaction, perioperative opioid dosage, and rehabilitation indices. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that the peripheral nerve block is superior to the epidural block in reducing complications without compromising the analgesic effect and patient satisfaction. Therefore, a peripheral nerve block is a safe and effective postoperative analgesic method with encouraging clinical prospects.

Objective:To explore and analyze the effect of therapeutic communication system (TCS) intervention mode on Therapeutic effect and quality of life in patients with cardiac valve replacement.Methods:A total of 103 patients with cardiac valve replacement admitted from February 2018 to February 2019 were selected and divided into observation group (51 cases) and control group (52 cases) according to the random number table method. Patients in the control group were treated with staged rehabilitation intervention, while patients in the observation group were treated with staged rehabilitation combined with TCS intervention mode. Patients' prognosis, the score of Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36) before and after intervention, the changes in the score of the Morisky label Scale (MMAS-8) before and after intervention, and perioperative indicators were recorded and compared between the two groups.Results:The quality of life scores of the observation group at 1 month,3 months and 6 months after intervention were (64.42±9.51), (76.23±9.19), (87.24±9.21) points, which were significantly higher than (58.73±9.38), (61.23±9.29), (76.29±9.42) points of the control group ( t values were 3.057, 8.237, 5.964, P<0.05);and also higher than those before intervention (54.29±9.14, 54.45± 9.31), the difference was statistically significant ( F values were 11.358, 7.581, P<0.001); the ICU hospitalization time (43.25±1.72),bed rest time (42.13±8.32) and hospitalization time (16.32±4.20) days in the observation group were significantly lower than (54.34±1.93), (72.33±8.54), (21.24±4.36) days in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t values were 30.766, 18.174, 5.831, P<0.001); the drug compliance (7.21±0.17) was significantly higher than that of the control group (6.01±0.34) ( t value was 22.588, P<0.001). Conclusion:Stage rehabilitation combined with TCS intervention mode can effectively improve the prognosis and perioperative indicators of patients with heart valve, and improve the quality of life of patients, which is worthy of clinical application.

Background: Postoperative pain management is crucial for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There have been many recent clinical trials on post-TKA peripheral nerve block; however, they have reported inconsistent findings. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to comprehensively analyze studies on post-TKA analgesia to provide evidence-based clinical suggestions. Methods: We performed a computer-based query of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science to retrieve related articles using neurothe following search terms: nerve block, nerve blockade, chemodenervation, chemical neurolysis, peridural block, epidural anesthesia, extradural anesthesia, total knee arthroplasty, total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, and others. After quality evaluation and data extraction, we analyzed the complications, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, patient satisfaction, perioperative opioid dosage, and rehabilitation indices. Evidence was rated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. Results: We included 16 randomized controlled trials involving 981 patients (511 receiving peripheral nerve block and 470 receiving epidural block) in the final analysis. Compared with an epidural block, a peripheral nerve block significantly reduced complications. There were no significant between-group differences in the postoperative VAS score, patient satisfaction, perioperative opioid dosage, and rehabilitation indices. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that the peripheral nerve block is superior to the epidural block in reducing complications without compromising the analgesic effect and patient satisfaction. Therefore, a peripheral nerve block is a safe and effective postoperative analgesic method with encouraging clinical prospects.

The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic basis of high level aminoglycoside resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates from Beijing, China. 173 A. baumannii clinical isolates from hospitals in Beijing from 2006 to 2009 were first subjected to high level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR, MIC to gentamicin and amikacin>512 µg/mL) phenotype selection by broth microdilution method. The strains were then subjected to genetic basis analysis by PCR detection of the aminoglycoside modifying enzyme genes (aac(3)-I, aac(3)-IIc, aac(6')-Ib, aac(6')-II, aph(4)-Ia, aph(3')-I, aph(3')-IIb, aph(3')-IIIa, aph(3')-VIa, aph(2″)-Ib, aph(2″)-Ic, aph(2″)-Id, ant(2″)-Ia, ant(3″)-I and ant(4')-Ia) and the 16S rRNA methylase genes (armA, rmtB and rmtC). Correlation analysis between the presence of aminoglycoside resistance gene and HLAR phenotype were performed by SPSS. Totally 102 (58.96%) HLAR isolates were selected. The HLAR rates for year 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 were 52.63%, 65.22%, 51.11% and 70.83%, respectively. Five modifying enzyme genes (aac(3)-I, detection rate of 65.69%; aac(6')-Ib, detection rate of 45.10%; aph(3')-I, detection rate of 47.06%; aph(3')-IIb, detection rate of 0.98%; ant(3″)-I, detection rate of 95.10%) and one methylase gene (armA, detection rate of 98.04%) were detected in the 102 A. baumannii with aac(3)-I+aac(6')-Ib+ant(3″)-I+armA (detection rate of 25.49%), aac(3)-I+aph(3')-I+ant(3″)-I+armA (detection rate of 21.57%) and ant(3″)-I+armA (detection rate of 12.75%) being the most prevalent gene profiles. The values of chi-square tests showed correlation of armA, ant(3″)-I, aac(3)-I, aph(3')-I and aac(6')-Ib with HLAR. armA had significant correlation (contingency coefficient 0.685) and good contingency with HLAR (kappa 0.940). The high rates of HLAR may cause a serious problem for combination therapy of aminoglycoside with β-lactams against A. baumannii infections. As armA was reported to be able to cause high level aminoglycoside resistance to most of the clinical important aminoglycosides (gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin, etc), the function of aminoglycoside modifying enzyme gene(s) in A. baumannii carrying armA deserves further investigation.