Objective To study the association between sympathetic skin response (SSR) and diabetic neuropathy,and explore its use as the objective base for its early diagnosis. Methods The latencies and amplitudes of the initiation,waves N and P in SSR of the extremities in 80 diabetic patients and 30 healthy controls were determined using electrophysiological measurements. Results The latencies of the initiation,waves N and P of SSR test were prolonged significantly in the diabetic patients as compared to the controls ( P 0.05). All but two patients (97.5%) demonstrated abnormal SSR in at least one limb. Seven patients (8.8%) had no responses in SSR in both the feet and hands. The frequency of abnormality in the latency of initiation and waves N and P was 86.9%(139/160)in the upper limbs,and 89.4%(143/160)in the lower limbs. Conclusions The SSR can detect the early dysfunction of the small sympathetic fibers in diabetes millitus and may be a useful electrophysiologic testing for the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.

Objectives To determine the causes of cubital tunnel syndrome by performing operation,and to assess the clinical value of neurophysiologic diagnosis in cubital tunnel syndrome Methods Twenty one patients (22 limbs from 16 men and 5 women, aged from 22 to 63 years, with mean age of 49 years)suspected of ulnar nerve involved in clinical symptoms and the signs of ulnar distribution were recorded with motor conduction velocity at different sites along with the ulnar nerve and sensory conduction velocity in the hand,and underwent anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve Results Electromyographic abnormality was seen in 21/22 (range MCV 15.9～47.5 m/s,mean 32.7 m/s) of patients with motor conduction velocity in across elbow segment of the ulnar nerve. And slowing was seen in 13/22 (MCV 15.7～59.6 m/s, mean 40.4 m/s )patients with MCV in the forearms. The absent or abnormal evoked sensory nerve action potential was seen in 14/22 patients in the little finger. The factors of ulnar compressed in this study by operation were:15 ulnar nerves compressed by arcuate ligaments, or muscle tendons, or bone hyperplasia; two were involved in fibrous by adhesion;three compressed by venous plexus or concurrent thick vein;two compressed by cysts Conclusions The factors of cubital tunnel syndrome include either the common factors reported or the rare factors, such as the venous plexus, thick vein and cysts. The tests of motor conduction velocity at different sites along the ulnar nerve should be helpful in diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome, especially the slowing velocity of MCV across the elbow segment.

Objective To assess the technical feasibility and efficacy of the combined application of a flexible,self-expanding neurovascular stent(Neuroform)and Gugliebni detachable coils(GDC)in the management of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms in humans.Methods Sixty-five wide-necked aneurysms which underwent 65 endovascular procedures were performed by using intracranial stent and GDC.There was a total of 30 aneurysms at basilar artery including 16 at the basilar tip,9 at the basilar trunk and 5 at the beginning of the basilar artery.And there were 30 aneurysms located at the posterior communicating artery, and 5 aneurysms located at the vertebral artery.The Neuroform stents were deployed to cover the neck of aneurysms.Another microcatheter was introduced into the aneurysm sac through the stent interstices and then detachable coils were released to embolize the aneurysms.Results The combined procedures were successful in all of the 65 patients with wide-necked aneurysms.The stent could pass smoothly through the intracranial artery and got released.Complete occlusion was achieved in 60 patients and incomplete occlusion in 5 patients.In-stent thrombosis occurred in 2 patients.All patients recovered well.Forty-two patients had followe-up angiography at 3 to 6 months after the procedure.Among them,no filling was found for the 39 aneurysms which were densely packed,and 3 aneurysms had neck remnant.Conclusion The implantation of Neuroform stent as a complimentary device to GDC coiling is easy and safe for embolization of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.It has great advantage for treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.

Objective To evaluate the value of the short-segment nerve conduction studies (SSCSs, inching test) in the diagnosis and localization of cubital tunnel syndrome (CubTS).Methods The clinical and electrophysiologic data of 46 patients (92 limbs from 32 men and 14 women, aged from 19 to 59 years, with average age of 41.2 years) with CubTS were collected.The symptoms occurred in unilateral arm in 41 patients and bilateral arms in 5 patients, involving 35 left arms and 16 right arms.SSCSs were performed in both arms in all the 46 patients.Sixty ulnar nerves were studied in 30 healthy control subjects using SSCSs.Results The 51 symptomatic arms with CubTS were abnormal in long segment motor nerve conduction studies.There were 68 abnormal arms ( 51 symptomatic arms, 17 asymptomatic arms ) in SSCSs.The lesions were located 2 cm proximal to the elbow-the elbow segment ( AE2-E ) in 41 arms (44.6%),the elbow-2 cm distal to the elbow segment (E-BE2) in 23 arms (25%), 4 cm proximal to the elbow-2 cm proximal to the elbow segment (AE4-AE2) in 18 arms (19.6%), 6 cm proximal to the elbow-4 cm proximal to the elbow segment (AE6-AE4) in 9 arms (9.8%), 2 cm distal to the elbow-4 cm distal to the elbow segment (BE2-BE4) in 8 arms(8.6%) and 4 cm distal to the elbow-6 cm distal to the elbow segment (BE4-BE6) in 6 arms(6.5%),respectively.Conclusions SSCSs are more sensitive in detecting CubTS than the conventional long segment motor conduction studies.SSCSs could precisely localize the entrapment lesions in patients with CubTS ,might be a useful tool for the detection of ulnar mononeuropathy at the elbow, especially for diagnosing the patients with CubTS who have no clinical features or have a normal long segmental nerve conduction findings.

Animals ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Silencing ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hematopoiesis ; genetics ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; physiology ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism

Objective To investigate long-term care needs and its influencing factors among old people with chronic diseases in nursing homes in rural area of Liaoning. Methods A total of 502 elderly with chronic diseases were recruited using convenience sampling method from eight nursing homes in rural area of Liaoning, and were investigated with the general information questionnaire, Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36) and long-term care needs questionnaire from March 2015 to January 2016. Results Logistic regression analyses were used to identify that age (P=0.000), old patients′ disease condition (P=0.008), marriage (P=0.013) and quality of life (P=0.000) were major factors affecting long-term care needs. The top three highest percentage services were seeing the doctor 85.26% (428/502), assisting with taking the medicine 80.28% (403/502), assisting with bathing 70.32% (353/502). Conclusions This study suggests that we should improve the quality of services of long-term care needs based on the demands of old people with chronic diseases in nursing homes in rural area.

ObjectiveTo explore the changes of serum high sensitive C-reaction protein (HS-CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and their effects in nursing.Methods103 ACS patients, including 56 cases of unstable angina (UA)) and 47 cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and other 40 persons (no abnormal results in coronary artery angiography, selected as control group) were examined for serum levels of HS-CRP and MMP-9. The difference among the groups was analyzed.ResultsThe HS-CRP levels of UA group, AMI group and control group were (3.87± 0.76 )g/L, (4.12 ±0.67)g/L and (1.67±0.38)g/L respectively; MMP-9 were (113.25±7.76)ng/ml, (193.09±25.87)ng/ml and (42.05±3.81)ng/ml respectively. The concentrations of HS-CRP and MMP-9 of ACS patients were significatly higher than those of the control group (P<0.01).ConclusionThe changes of HS-CRP and MMP-9 concentrations of ACS patients are remarkable, and may be as the markers to instruct nursing works.

Objective To explore the role of somatosensory evoked potentials elicited by paraspinal stimulation in the detection of spinal cord lesions.Methods Patients with clinically suspected spinal cord lesions underwent somatosensory evoked potentials(SEPs)and spinal cord conduction velocity(SCCV)test using paraspinal stimulating method.96 patients aged 15 to 75 years old with suspected spinal cord lesions of various aetiologies were tested.36 patients had demyelinating disease of the spinal cord,26 had sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord,19 had myelopathy,10 had acute myelitis,5 had spinal cord corhpression.Results Paraspinal stimulation elicited somatosensory evoked potentials were Performed on all 96 patients,68 of whom underwent spinal MRI as well.SEPs and SCCV were found abnormal in a high ratio in all kinds of spinal cord lesions ; in general,78 among the 96 patients had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 81.25%.27 out of 36 with demyelinating disease of the spine had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 75.00%,23 out of 26 with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 88.46%,8 out of 10 with acute myelitis had abnormal SEPs,15 patients with myelopathy having abnormal findings,all 5 patients with spinal cord compression had abnormal SEPs.42 of 68 patients undergoing MRI revealed to be abnormal,in which 35 patients also had abnormal SEPs.The other 26 patients had normal spinal MRI,in which 21 patients had abnormal SEPs.Conclusions Paraspinal stimulation somatosensory evoked potentials and spinal cord conduction velocity may objectively document the abnormalities of electrophysiology,which occurs earlier than those of anatomy and radiological finds, therefore it may detect the dysfunction of spinal cord at an early stage.It is even more useful in the detecting of the metabolic myelopathy,which can hardly be detected by MRI.This technique is simple,inexpensive, and maybe useful in the diagnosis for patients with suspected spinal cord lesions.

AIM: To comparatively analyze the application of laser confocal microscopy and corneal smear in the diagnosis of fungal keratitis.METHODS: Totally 77 patients (77 eyes) diagnosed as fungal keratitis were selected.Laser confocal microscopy and corneal smear examination were performed to observe the characteristics of the images, and the detection rate of fungus were compared between the two methods.RESULTS: Of the 77 patients, 66 eyes (86%) were positive and 11 eyes were negative detected by laser confocal microscopy;51 eyes (66%) were positive and 26 eyes were negative detected by corneal smear examination, the difference was statistically significant compared between two group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Laser corneal confocal microscopy is relatively safe and sensitive.If combined the application of laser corneal confocal microscopy and corneal smear examination in clinical, the diagnosis rate of fungal keratitis may be improved.

AIM:To discuss the application value of retro-mode imaging by F-10 confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO) for detecting drusen in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).METHODS:This was a retrospective case study.During the period of October 2015 to December 2016, 67 patients with unilateral AMD (67 affected eyes and 67 fellow eyes) were included in this study.All patients underwent color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO.The features of drusen by color fundus photography, OCT and retro-mode imaging were comparatively observed in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral AMD.Positive numbers of drusen in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral AMD detected by color fundus photography, OCT and retro-mode imaging were calculated and compared.RESULTS:Retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO gave easier to identify images of drusen than color fundus photography and OCT in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral AMD.In the fellow eyes of 67 patients with unilateral AMD, retro-mode imaging showed drusen in 56 cases(84%), color funds photography showed drusen in 36 cases(54%), OCT showed drusen in 48 cases(72%), the difference was statistically significant(χ2=14.31, P<0.05).The positive numbers of drusen detected by retro-mode imaging were significantly higher than color fundus photography, the difference was statistically significant(χ2=13.87, P′<0.0125).There was no statistically significant difference in the positive numbers of drusen detected by retro-mode imaging and OCT(χ2=2.75, P′>0.0125).CONCLUSION:Retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO provides a non-invasive technique and should be useful for detecting and monitoring drusen in AMD.