Objective To evaluate quantitatively the spasticity of elbow flexor biceps in stroke patients using integrated EMG (IEMG),and to correlate the IEMG with Ashworth scale.Methods The IEMG data was recorded from the biceps while passively stretch the elbow joint of a group of 90 subjects,and was correlated with the varying levels of Ashworth category(20 cases with grade 0,6 cases gradeⅠ,16 cases gradeⅠ~+,20 cases gradeⅡ,and 18 ca- ses gradeⅢ).Results The IEMG data were positively correlated with simultaneous Ashworth scale categories.The range of IEMG value corresponding to the Ashworth category is as follows:1.3～12.1 (6.7?5.4)?V?s vs Ash- worth grade 0;4.6～12.3 (8.5?3.9)?V?s vs Ashworth gradeⅠ.15.3～28.4(21.8?6.6)?V?s vs Ashworth gradeⅠ~+;37.2～68.9 (53.1?15.6)?V?s vs Ashworth gradeⅡ;82.3～144.1 (113.2?30.9)?V?s vs Ash- worth gradeⅢ.Conclusion The IEMG value can be used to quantify the spasticity of elbow flexor in stroke pa- tients.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy(MPCNL)in the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.Methods We retrospectively re- viewed the clinical outcomes and complications of 33 patients who underwent MPCNL for lower caliceal cal- culi from March 2001 to April 2005.The average diameter of the calculi was 2.8 cm.Single tract nephrosto- my was performed in all 33 cases;among them renal access was obtained through a middle calyx in 10 cases and a lower calyx in 23.Nine cases had F14 renal access;and 24 cases,F16.Results Of 33 cases,28 (85%)achieved stone-free at 1 session.A second-look was needed in 3 cases due to intraoperative bleed- ing;ESWL,in 1 case with residual,calculi;no treatment,in 1 case with residual calculi＜4 ram.The mean operative time was 93 min;mean blood loss was 113 ml;mean hospital stay was 11 d.Blood transfusion was needed in 1 patient who suffered from hepatic cirrhosis preoperatively;another experienced severe bleeding 7 d after operation and was cured with hyperselective spongia gelatinosa embolization of the renal artery.Fol- low-up was available in 19 cases for 2-48 months,and no recurrence of renal calculi was noted.Conclu- sions Minimally invasive percutaneous nepbrolithotomy has advantages of safety,less invasion,and easy re- covery for the treatment of lower caliceal calculi.

Objective To report the clinical effect of free transplanting for soft tissue defects pedieled with high site cutaneous branches of the transverse branch of lateral cirumflex femoral artery.Methods Cu- taneous branches of the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery were found small or abscent in 7 patients.The anterolateral femoral skin flap was pedicled with high site cutaneous branches of the transverse branch to repair the soft tissue defects of the arm,hand,leg and foot,rather than with the descending ones. The size of the flap ranged from 15 cm?6 cm to 28 cm?13 cm,with part muscle valve,iliotibal tract and lat- eral femoral cutaneous nerve.The fractures were performed with internal or external fixation.Results All of the anterolateral femoral skin flap survived well postoperatively in the 7 cases and had good appearance and sensation at one stage.The function of the repaired extremities recovered well.Conclusion The anterolat- eral femoral skin flap pedicled with high site cutaneous branches of the transuvrse branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery has many advantages of good blood supply and large size.The flap was secluding,and can be taken with some muscle and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.When cutaneous branches of the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery is small or abscent,the anterolateral femoral skin flap with high site cutaneous branches of the transverse branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery is an optimal alternative.

OBJECTIVEIn order to understand the status of benzodiazepine (BZD) use in middleschool students from Wuhan city.

METHODSIn the Wuhan city zone, twenty-eight middle-schools were chosen randomly to the even numbers, with students from grade 8 to 12 had been studied. Altogether, 258 classes were investigated with 12 345 questionnaires were filled in by the subjects anonymously. SPSS 10.0 was used for data analysis.

RESULTSRate of BZD use in Wuhan middle school students was 4.0% with the rate of dependence as 4.1per thousand. There were differences in gender and grade: male students tend to be higher than females (P< 0.01), and senior higher than junior's (P < 0.01). More commonly used drugs would include Diazepam (59%) and Surazepam (29.7%). Among students who used drugs, 43.3% used for 1-7 day and 8.2% of them used 6 tablets or more. 57.6% used 1 tablet once a day (46.2%) before bed time (40.8%). The major reason for using drug was insomnia (43%), followed by pressure from school. The reasons for BZD abuse were: relief of anxiety (14.1%), curiosity (13.3%), peer pressure (10.8%), and fun seeking (9.85%), etc. The source of drugs was from their families (29%). By Multinomial logistic regression, the risk factors of abuse BZD were: ignorance of drug prescription, sex, regular alcohol intake, knowing that BZD use can bring amusement regular, smoking cigarettes, relationship with parents, mother's way of providing education, schooling of fathers, relationship between parents.

CONCLUSIONDifference was seen in the use of BZD between gender and age of the students. Multiple factors showed that: personal, family and social factors were related to the use of BZD.

Adolescent ; Benzodiazepines ; administration & dosage ; classification ; supply & distribution ; therapeutic use ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; statistics & numerical data ; Demography ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Drug Dosage Calculations ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Schools ; statistics & numerical data ; Substance-Related Disorders ; epidemiology ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

Objective To study the proliferation of in vitro cultured mouse chondrocytes exposed to different doses of fluoride.Methods The third generation of primary cultured chondrocytes were exposed to the concentrations of 0,5,10,20,40 mg/L fluoride for 10 days to observe the morphological changes under light microscope and electron microscope to counter the numbers of ehondrocytes and proliferating rote with the growth curve and MTT.Results After exposed to fluoride for 10 days,the proliferation was present in the chondrocytes of the 5,10,20 mg/L groups,and shrinked chromatine and apoptosed ehondrocytes were seen in 40 mg/L group.The absorbance was not significantly different between all groups(F=2.313,P＞0.05);after exposed to fluoride for 48 and 72 hours,there was a significant difference of proliferating ability among 0 mg/L(the contr01)group[(23.5±4.6)%,(29.9±1.7)%],5 mg/L group[(34.6±4.7)%,(45.3±5.9)%],10 mg/L group[(39.9±4.8)%.(56.8±5.5)%],20 mg/L group[(31.8±4.1)%,(38.3±6.5)%]and 40 mg/L group[(28.3±4.3)%,(33.4±4.8)%](F=11.401,25.671,P＜0.05).There wss a significant difference compared with the control group(P＜0.05)with that of 5 and 10 mg/L groups higher than that of 40 mg/L groups(P＜0.05).Conclusions Lower doses of fluoride improve the proliferation of in vitro mouse chondrocyte in a short exposing time,higher doses result in the opposite.

Objective To explore the risk factors of coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis (endemic fluorosis) and to provide a scientific basis for making prevention and control strategy.Methods One hundred children with dental fluorosis and 30 adults with skeletal fluorosis who lived in Wushan county and Fengjie county,the endemic fluorosis regions northeast of Chongqing were randomly selected as the case group in 2010.One hundred healthy children and 30 healthy adults were selected from the population where the cases were selected from as the control group and 30 healthy external adults control were selected from Yubei district,a non-endemic fluorosis area.Fasting venous blood was draw from all subjects and the content of zinc (Zn),copper(Cu),calcium (Ca),magnesium(Mg),and ferrum(Fe) in venous blood was measured by atomic spectrophotometric.Instant urine was collected from all subjects and urinary fluorine was measured by fluorine selective electrode.We also did questionnaire survey to 100 dental fluorosis children and 100 control children about their situation of fluorine pollution and knowledge related to endemic fluorosis.Results Children's blood Zn of the ease group[(70.88 ±9.28) μmol/L] was lower than that of the control group [(75.53 ± 10.78)μmol/L],and the difference was statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05).But the average blood Cu content[(30.28 ± 2.58)μ mol/L] and the average urinary fluorine of the case group [(0.74 ± 0.36)mg/L] were significantly higher than that [Cu (28.45 ± 4.05)μmol/L and urinary fluorine (0.48 ± 0.21)mg/L] of the control group in children,respectively,and the differences was statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05).The average blood Zn content of adults in the case group[(91.13 ± 10.29)μ mol/L] was lower than that of the control group[(99.57 ± 11.73)μmol/L],and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The average content of Mg[(1.57 ± 0.19)mmol/L],Fe[(8.17 ± 1.01) mmol/L] and urinary fluorine[(2.37 ± 1.01)mg/L] in the case group were higher than that [Mg(1.46 ± 0.16) mmol/L,Fe(7.72 ± 0.96) mmol/L and urinary fluorine(0.92 ± 0.85)mg/L] of the control group,respectively,and the differences were statistically significant(P ＜0.05).In the questionnaire survey,we found that the following were important related factors (OR values were 2.7335,0.3339,2.8428,0.4633,0.5439,0.4009,0.4805 and 0.3994,P ＜ 0.05) between the case group and the control group:using local coal for heating,furnaces and stoves improvement,eating local coal fire baked food,knowing the harm of endemic fluorosis to the health of human body,knowing endemic fluorosis can be prevented,knowing consuming baked food can cause endemic fluorosis,knowing drinking milk can prevent endemic fluorosis and having the habit of eating calcium tablets.Conclusions In addition to the main pathogenic element of fluorine,body Zn content is closely related to the process of coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis in the two counties,fluorosis patients have lower blood Zn levels,Zn deficiency is an auxiliary factor in the etiology of fluorosis.Reduce the use of local coal for heating,do not consume the baked food,improve stoves,learn more knowledge about endemic fluorosis and ingest anti-fluoride elements can reduce the risk of endemic fluorosis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors of esophageal cancer (EC) in the high-incidence regions, so as to provide scientific evidence for taking effective prevention measures.

METHODSA population based case-control family study was carried out. 1711 case family members in 505 families in which one of the couple or their first degree relatives suffered from EC were selected from high incidence in Henan province. Control families without neoplasm were selected from the same villages in matching conditions of age, sex, and family members. All information of case and control families was collected by Questionnaire of Life and Health of Inhabitant. The data were analyzed with logistic regression model.

RESULTSCompared with the control families,it was shown that hobby for smoked food [2.10% (36/1711), 0.82% (14/1711); chi2 = 9.82, P = 0.00; OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.40 - 4.85], hobby for fried food [7.17% (66/921), 3.91% (35/894) ; chi2 = 9.13, P = 0.00; OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.24 -2.89], hobby for raw and hard food [13.36% (123/921), 8.95% (80/894); chi2 = 8.87, P =0.03; OR =1.57, 95% CI: 1.16 - 2.11], and hobby for hot food [20.05% (343/1711), 15.20% (260/1711); chi2 = 13.87, P= 0.00; OR= 1.40, 95% CI: 1.17 - 1.67], the history with mental stimulated [6.72% (115/1711), 3.10% (53/1711); chi2 = 24.06, P = 0.00; OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.62 -3.14], upper digestive symptom history [19.40% (332/1711), 12.74% (218/ 1711); chi2 = 28.15, P = 0.00; OR= 1.65, 95% CI: 1.37 - 1.99] entered the last model, and were responsible for the higher risk of EC. Eating fast was shown to be a protective factor [20.85% (192/921), 25.14% (225/895); chi2 = 4.73, P =0.03; OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63 - 0.98].

CONCLUSIONEC is a kind of malignant tumor caused by multiple factors. Prevention and control of EC should be initiated from environmental factors, life style, genetic factors and social-psychological factors comprehensively.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Causality ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDAccurate knowledge of the spinal structural functions is critical to understand the biomechanical factors that affect spinal pathology. Many studies have investigated the human vertebral motion both in vitro and in vivo. However, determination of in vivo motion of the vertebrae under physiologic loading conditions remains a challenge in biomedical engineering because of the limitations of current technology and the complicated anatomy of the spine.

METHODSFor in vitro validation, a human lumbar specimen was imbedded with steel beads and moved to a known distance by an universal testing machine (UTM). The dual fluoroscopic system was used to capture the spine motion and reproduce the moving distance. For in vivo validation, a living subject moved the spine in various positions while bearing weight. The fluoroscopes were used to reproduce the in vivo spine positions 5 times. The standard deviations in translation and orientation of the five measurements were used to evaluate the repeatability of technique. The accuracy of vertebral outline matching with metallic marks matching technology was compared.

RESULTSThe translation positions of the human lumbar specimen could be determined with a mean accuracy less than 0.35 mm and a mean repeatability 0.36 mm for the image matching technique. The repeatability of the method in reproducing in vivo human spine six degrees of freedom (6DOF) kinematics was less than 0.43 mm in translation and less than 0.65° in rotation. The accuracy of metallic marks and vertebral outline matching did not show significant difference.

CONCLUSIONSCombining a dual fluoroscopic and computerized tomography imaging technique was accurate and reproduceable for noninvasive measurement of spine vertebral motion. The vertebral outline matching technique could be a useful technique for matching of vertebral positions and orientations which can evaluate and improve the efficacy of the various surgical treatments.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Fluoroscopy ; methods ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Spine ; anatomy & histology ; physiology

Abstract: To explore the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of imported severe malaria and COVID-19 co-infection cases, and to provide scientific basis for epidemic prevention and control measures. The epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, treatment process and prognosis of 4 cases of severe malaria and COVID-19 co-infection with confirmed diagnosis were analyzed retrospectively. Four cases of severe malaria were African returnees of the same batch, male, aged 40-54 years old, with the same journey track. They all had African work and life history and acute onset. The main clinical manifestations were fever (4/4), chills (3/4), chills (3/4), nausea and vomiting (3/4), diarrhea (4/4), fatigue and anorexia (4/4). Two cases had headache and dizziness, confusion, muscle aches, two cases had cough, one cases had sputum, sore throat and runny urine. All 4 cases were confirmed by positive nucleic acid detection of the new coronavirus (2019-nCOV) in throat swabs. Plasmodium falciparum was found by microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears of all patients, and all of them were consistent with high altitude helminthiasis. All cases were accompanied by abnormal liver function and severe hypoproteinemia, two cases were hyperbilirubinemia, three cases were dyslipidemia, three cases were involved in abnormal tertiary hemogram with different degrees of elevation of procalcitonin, two cases were lactic acid poisoning, and one case was hypoglycemia. One case showed viral pneumonia on chest CT. All cases were treated individually according to the different conditions and were discharged after improvement, and were rechecked for 2019-nCOV nucleic acid and microscopic examination of blood smear negative for Plasmodium.During the global COVID-19 epidemic, the emergence of coinfection cases of con-infection of imported malaria parasites and severe acuterespiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) makes the clinical diagnosis and treatment more complicated. It is important to establish the awareness of simultaneous prevention and diagnosis of COVID-19 and malaria for local prevention and control and early warning of severe cases, and timely and effective formulation of treatment plan to improve the comprehensive treatment efficiency.

Flavonoids are a large class of compounds widely distributed in nature. Many pharmacological activities of flavonoids have been reported such as anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antithrombotic, vasodilator, antiviral, antibacterial, antiallergic, and so on. In recent years, domestic and foreign research groups choose natural flavonoids and optimize their chemical structures in order to develop a number of new derivatives with stronger pharmacological activities. As part of the mechanisms are not clear, we need to strengthen in-depth research in the SAR (structure-activity relationship) study for targeted and efficient structure optimization. This paper systematically summarize current researches in the SAR studies of flavonoids and their derivatives, which can serve as a reference for synthesizing new flavonoid derivatives.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antisepsis ; Antiviral Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Vasodilator Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology