The purpose of this study was to propose a co-contraction profile(CCP)to assess co-con-traction of agonist and antagonist muscles about the knee in spastic hemiplegic gait.Surface EMG wasrecorded from quadriceps and hamstrings of 9 ablet-bodied subjects and 6 spastic hemiplegic subjects follow-ing stroke.Results showed that CCPs were high during weight bearing both in able-bodied subject walkingand in subjects with spastic hemiplegia. However, they were higher in most part of stance phase and lateswing phase in spastic hemiplegics compared to able-bodied subjects (P<0.05).The study concluded thatco-contraction profiles provide descriptive information on the sources of variation in co-contraction,particu-larly in co-contraction in assessment of spastic hemiparetic subjects following stroke.

INTRODUCTION: As part of infection control measures for COVID-19, individuals have been encouraged to adopt both preventive (such as handwashing) and avoidant behavioural changes (e.g. avoiding crowds). In this study, we examined whether demographics predicted the likelihood that a person would adopt these behaviours in Singapore. METHODS: A total of 1,145 participants responded to an online survey conducted between 7 March and 21 April 2020. We collected demographic information and asked participants to report which of 17 behaviour changes they had undertaken because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Regression analyses were performed to predict the number of behavioural changes (preventive, avoidant, and total) as a function of demographics. Finally, we sought to identify predictors of persons who declared that they had not undertaken any of these measures following the outbreak. RESULTS: Most participants (97%) reported at least one behavioural change on account of the pandemic, with changes increasing with the number of local COVID-19 cases ( CONCLUSION Our characterisation of behavioural changes provides a baseline for public health advisories. Moving forward, health authorities can focus their efforts on encouraging segments of the population who do not readily adopt infection control measures against COVID-19.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; COVID-19/psychology* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand Disinfection/trends* ; Health Behavior ; Health Policy ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Physical Distancing ; Risk-Taking ; Self Report ; Sex Factors ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Socioeconomic Factors

BACKGROUND: Open wounds to the head with skull bone depression pose the potential for serious injuries to the brain parenchyma and an increased risk of infection. The treatment of these injuries aims to repair the breached dura as well as remove any nidus for infection. Open wounds to the head due to bullets pose special problems and have a high fatality rate. AIM: To review the presentation, management and outcome of depressed and penetrating open fractures of the skull in Port Moresby. METHOD: All cases seen from 2003 to 2005 were included. All were managed without a CT (computed tomography) scan. Their Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was documented on discharge. RESULTS: There were 340 traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases over a period of 3 years between 2003 and 2005 managed by the Neurosurgery Unit of Port Moresby General Hospital. The open depressed and penetrating skull fractures seen in these cases numbered 46 (14%), of which 42 were males and 4 females. The weapons most commonly used were blunt objects (16), knives (11), guns (6) and axes (4). Gunshots contributed to 4 of the 7 deaths. 4 out of the 7 deaths were due to primary brain injury and 3 were due to infection. CONCLUSION: Open depressed fractures and penetrating injuries form a small but significant group in the management of head injuries. The use of blunt objects, firearms and arrows coupled with increasing urban violence is responsible for most of these injuries. The outcome of patients admitted who are fully conscious is expected to be good. They can be managed by prompt debridement of the wound, elevation of the fracture and removal of fragments as appropriate. However, the mortality rate is high in those with a Glasgow Coma Score of 8 or less on admission, a finding indicative of the severity of brain injury beneath the wound.
penetratin ; g <3> ; Skull ; Physical trauma ; Mores

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been responsible for 25-30% of surgical deaths in Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) over the last 30 years despite being responsible for only 5% of the admissions. AIM: To document the epidemiology of TBI over a period of two years from 2003 to 2004 and compare this to the previous two decades in PMGH and elsewhere. The treatment and outcome of TBI cases are analyzed. METHODS: All TBI cases were included from January 2003 to December 2004. The Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were documented at admission and discharge. These cases were followed up in the outpatient department for at least 6 months. RESULTS: There were 262 cases of TBI admitted between January 2003 and December 2004. There were 31 deaths during this period. 28 deaths were in the severe TBI category (GCS 3-8) and 3 in the moderate category (GCS 9-12). CONCLUSION: The case fatality rate of severe TBI has been reduced from 60% to just below 30% over the period of 2 years. The formation of a single unit managing TBI over two years may be one factor contributing to this improvement. Interpersonal violence has replaced motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of death from TBI.
Traumatic brain injuries ; Mores ; Port - alcoholic beverage ; Hospitals, General ; trends

BACKGROUND: Hydrocephalus is a common neurosurgical problem in Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) contributing to 27 (24%) of the 114 neurosurgical operations done in 2003 and 2004. During the same period it was responsible for 25% of the cases seen in the neurosurgery clinic. AIM: To prospectively audit and follow up hydrocephalus cases in PMGH over 2 years from January 2003 to December 2004 and ascertain the causes and the outcome of treatment. METHOD: All cases of hydrocephalus seen in 2003 and 2004 were categorized according to cause. The associated findings on ultrasound scan or CT (computed tomography) scan when available were noted. The subsequent progress was documented with and without treatment for at least 6 months. RESULTS: 61 cases of hydrocephalus were seen for surgical opinion. The age ranged from 4 weeks to 56 years. The commonest age group affected was in the first year of life (61% of cases). There were 34 cases (56%) of congenital hydrocephalus followed by 19 (31%) post meningitis and 8 (13%) due to tumour. There was only one case of myelomeningocele with concomitant hydrocephalus. Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts were inserted in 24 cases. 3 shunts were bypasses from the posterior horn to the cisterna magna, making a total of 27 shunt operations. 9 shunts were performed for post-meningitic hydrocephalus, 15 for congenital stenosis and 3 for a posterior fossa tumour. 24 out of the 27 shunt operations were in children aged <9 months. Post-VP-shunt infection of 2 cases reported within 6 weeks of operation gave an infection rate of 7%. There was cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak in 2 cases with Pundez-type shunts. There were 2 shunt blocks needing revision. CONCLUSION: Shunt operations can be done in PMGH with good outcomes. The decision-making about surgery can be made on the basis of the enlarging head and the ultrasound findings.
Hydrocephalus ; Creation of shunt ; seconds ; Surgical aspects ; Mores

Objective: To assess the implementation and impact of programs carried out by the National Demonstration Areas for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases. Methods: Both sociological and epidemiological methods were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data in November and December, 2016 in order to conduct on process and outcome evaluation of the above mentioned objective. In the meantime, case study was also conducted. Results: All the National Demonstration Areas for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases were found well implemented across the country, with health education and health promotion, surveillance and safeguard measures in particular. A government-led and inter-sector coordination and communication mechanism had been well established, with more than 16 non-health departments actively involved. 28.7% of the residents living in the National Demonstration Areas for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases were aware of the key messages related to chronic diseases. Among the residents, 72.1% of them consumed vegetables and 53.6% consumed fruits daily, with another 86.9% walked at least 10 minutes per day. Over 70% of the patients with hypertension or diabetes reported that they were taken care of by the Community Health Centers, and above 50% of them were under standardized management. Residents, living in the National Demonstration Areas under higher ranking of implementation scores, were more likely to be aware of relevant knowledge on chronic disease control and prevention (OR=6.591, 95%CI: 5.188-8.373), salt reduction (OR=1.352, 95%CI: 1.151-1.589), oil reduction (OR=1.477, 95%CI: 1.249-1.746) and recommendation on physical activities (OR=1.975, 95%CI: 1.623- 2.403). Conclusion: The implementation of programs carried out by the National Demonstration Areas for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases had served a local platform for the control and prevention of non-communicable diseases, and thus become an important 'carrier' for chronic disease prevention and control programs in China.
China/epidemiology* ; Chronic Disease/epidemiology* ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Promotion/organization & administration* ; Humans ; National Health Programs ; Noncommunicable Diseases/prevention & control* ; Outcome Assessment, Health Care ; Population Surveillance ; Preventive Health Services/organization & administration* ; Program Evaluation ; Public Health

We have previously reported that the recombinant T. spiralis aminopeptidase (rTsAP) could induce a partial protective immunity against T. spiralis infection in mice. The aim of this study was to predict the structures and functions of TsAP protein by using the full length cDNA sequence of TsAP gene. TsAP sequence was 1515 bp length with a 1515 bp biggest ORF encoding 504-amino acid protein. The molecular weight and isoelectric point of TsAP were 54.7 kDa and 6.69, respectively. TsAP structure domains contained a Peptidase_M17_N and a Peptidase_M17 domain, which has the function of catalysis of the hydrolysis of N-terminal amino acid residues. TsAP had no signal peptide site and transmembrane domain, and located in cytoplasm. The secondary structure of TsAP contained 16 α-helix, 14 β-strand and 29 coils. The TsAP had 11 and 21 potential antigenic epitopes of T cell and B cell, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic analyses of TsAP, T. spiralis have the closest relationship with Plasmodium falciparum. TsAP was a kind of proteolytic enzyme with a variety of biological functions and its antigenic epitopes could provide important insights on the diagnostic antigens and target molecular of anti-Trichinella drugs

Objective: To understand the influence of diurnal temperature range (DTR) on influenza incidence in the elderly in Beijing and to conduct a subgroup analysis. Methods: The incidence data of daily influenza cases in the elderly and daily meteorological data from 2014 to 2016 in Beijing were collected for this study. A generalized additive model (GAM) was used to explore whether the relationship between daily influenza cases and DTR is a linear one. A distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was established to quantify the lagged effect of DTR on daily influenza incidence in the elderly. The model was also used to estimate the effects of DTR on daily influenza incidence among various subgroups. Results: A total of 4 097 influenza cases in the elderly were notified during study period. The mean DTR was 10.153 ℃. A linear relationship between daily influenza incidence and DTR was detected by using GAM. DTR was significantly associated with daily influenza incidence between lag0 and lag5 with a maximal effect at lag0. An 1 ℃ increase of DTR was associated with a 2.0% increase in daily influenza incidence in the elderly (95%CI: 0.9%-3.0%). The RR values of males, females, people aged 60-69 years, people aged ≥70 years were 1.018 (95%CI: 1.005-1.032), 1.021(95%CI: 1.007-1.035), 1.012 (95%CI: 1.002-1.022), 1.025 (95%CI: 1.012-1.039), respectively. The influencing time of DTR on females (lag6) was longer than males (lag2). Conclusions: DTR was associated with increased risk of influenza in the elderly in Beijing. It is necessary to take targeted measures in the elderly to control the incidence of influenza when DTR becomes greater.
Aged ; Beijing ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Influenza, Human/epidemiology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Temperature

Objective: To understand the characteristics of HIV infected persons without long term disease progress [also known as long term non-progressors (LTNPs)], and related factors in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi). Methods: Data of persons living with HIV and receiving no antiretroviral therapy in Guangxi by the end of 2016 were collected from the national HIV/AIDS comprehensive control and prevention information system of China. Results: By the end of 2016, there were 313 LTNPs in Guangxi, accounting for 2.3% of those being reported for more than 10 years, 5.4% of those being reported for more than 10 years and surviving, and 26.6% of those being reported for more than 10 years, surviving and receiving no antiretroviral therapy. Among the LTNPs, 87.2%(273) were men, 94.9% (297) were aged ≤ 40 years, 32.3% (101) were farmers, 55.6% (174) were single, divorced or widowed, 69.3% (217) were of Han ethnic group, 68.1% (213) were injecting drug users, and 52.1% (163) were from custody facilities. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that factors associated with delayed disease progression included age ≤40 years (compared with age >40 years, aOR=1.55, 95%CI: 1.31-3.12) and injection drug use (compared with sexual transmission, aOR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.10-1.74). Conclusions: A number of LTNPs existed in HIV-infected individuals in Guangxi. Further research are needed to identify the related factors, and it is necessary to conduct large sample size studies on host immunology, genetics and the virology of HIV to explore the related mechanism.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; China/epidemiology* ; Drug Users/statistics & numerical data* ; Ethnicity/statistics & numerical data* ; HIV Infections/ethnology* ; Humans ; Male ; Socioeconomic Factors

Objective: To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and mutations on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to establish a new qualified HCC risk scores. Methods: A cohort study enrolling patients with chronic HBV infection was conducted. HBV genotypes were identified by nested multiplex PCR. HBV mutations in the basic core promoter region and PreS region were sequenced after PCR amplification. Scores on risk factors were set based on nomogram. Results: Totally, 1 525 patients were followed-up in this research. A total of 1 110 patients infected with genotype C were followed-up for 8.52 (Q(R): 5.36-11.68) years on average, of whom the incidence of HCC was 11.93/1 000 person-years. In genotype C HBV infected patients, male gender, aged 40 years and over, and four DNA mutations (T1674CG, A1762T/G1764A, A3120T, and A2962G) can increase the risk of HCC (P<0.05); interferon therapy can reduce the risk of HCC (P<0.05). A new HCC predicting model was established according to the results. After validation, the predicted disease-free survival rate was consistent with the real one. Conclusions: Hepatitis B virus genotypes and mutations were closely associated with HCC. The new risk scoring system can well predict HCC occurrence in genotype C HBV infected patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; DNA, Viral/genetics* ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications* ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/virology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity