Objective To discuss the technique and value of preoperative reformatting with three-dimensional computed tomography technique for C_2 pedicle screw track.Methods GE Light Speed 16 Pro spinal CT scans of 15 adult dry vertebrae were loaded into an imaging station (software ADW4.2).Two methods of C_2 pedicle screw techniques were analyzed through virtual screw trajectory by VR (volume rendering) and MPR (multiple planar reformatting) techniques,in method A,screw entry point was the intersection between the media-vertical and the cranial line of C_2 inferior facet joint,in method B,the screw track was from the cranial and medial quadrant of the dorsal part of C_2 inferior facet joint.Results The screw track could be observed dynamically from any plane.Two vertebrae were ob- served with smaller height in isthmus and the medial edge of the transverse foramen since no space was a- vailable for the screw.The screw trajectories data were compared between method A and method B,which showed that the angles towards the cephalad (in sagittal plane) and midline (in transverse plane) were bigger in method A than in method B (P＜0.05,0.01),but the safe screw diameter was smaller in method A than in method B (P＜0.05),and there was no difference of the screw length between the two methods(P＜0.05 ).Conclusion In this research,the individual C_2 pedicle screw entry points, screw diameter and security screw angle can be simulated,and the screw track can be observed dynami- cally to make sure if it transits the bone structure completely.Preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography reformatting for pedicle screw track is of great value in clinical and basic researches.

Objective To make etiological and epidemiological investigation on the infection of Angiostrongylus canto-nensis in 8 pupils in Changle City. Methods (1) CSF of patients was examined with the conventional method to detect pathogens and eosinophiles. (2) The fecal samples of wild rodents were collected from the spot and examined microscopically to discover the first stage larvae of A. cantonensis. (3) Snails (Pila gigas) were collected in the spot. The smashed head tissue was examined for the third stage larvae of A. cantonensis. (4) The patient's clinical symptoms and physical signs were recorded with an emphasis on central nervous system. Results (1) Two larvae of the third stage of A. cantonensis were found in CSF of one patient. Eosinophiles occupied 68% of the cell number in average (ranged from 47% to 83%) in CSF of the 8 patients. (2) The infection rate of the first stage larvae of A. cantonensis was 39.3% (44/112) in feces of the rodents. (3) The infection rate of the third stage larvae of A. cantonensis was 40. 0% (82/205) in the snails. (4) Major clinical manifestations in the 8 patients included: severe headache(8/8), dizziness(8/8), nausea(8/8), vomiting(8/8), lethargy(7/8), lower limb hypody-namia(7/8). Conclusion The confirmation of severe infection of A. cantonensis in 8 child patients demonstrated that a natural nidus of angiostrongyliasis is present in Chengle City.

Objective To observe any effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on the expression of integrin-focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) mechanochemical transduction pathway-related proteins in the chondrocytes of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods Of the 18 New Zealand white rabbits selected for the study,twelve received knee anterior cruciate ligament transection to model OA.The remaining 6 rabbits served as normal controls.At the 4th week after modeling the rabbits were sacrificed and chondrocytes were isolated and cultured in vitro.All the cultured cells were randomly divided into three groups:a normal control group (NC),an OA model group (OA) and an OA model plus LIPUS group (OA + LIPUS).When the cells had been cultured to the 2nd passage,the NC group and OA group cells had received no treatment.The OA + LIPUS group cells were exposed to 40 mW/cm2 of LIPUS for 20 min,once a day for 6 days.The expression of collagen protein type Ⅱ,aggrecan,MMP-13,integrin β1 p-FAK and p-p38,p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK Mapks were detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the NC group,the expression of collagen type Ⅱ and aggrecan was significantly lower in the OA and OA + LIPUS groups,with more significantly lower expression of collagen type Ⅱ and aggrecan in the OA group than in the OA + LIPUS group.Compared with the NC group,the expression of MMP-13 was significantly higher in the OA and OA + LIPUS groups,with a significantly larger increase in the OA group.Compared with the NC group,the expression of integrin β1 and p-FAK was also significantly higher in the OA and OA + LIPUS groups,with a significantly larger increase in the OA + LIPUS group.Compared with the NC group,the expression of p-p38,p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK was also significantly higher in the OA group,but compared with the OA group,the expression of those kinases was,on average,significantly lower in the OA + LIPUS group.Conclusions LIPUS can inhibit the degradation of collagen type Ⅱ and aggrecan,and inhibit the expression of MMP-13,p-p38,p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK in OA chondrocytes,at least in vitro.At the same time,LIPUS can increase the expression of integrin β1 and p-FAK.The results show that LIPUS may activate an integrin-FAK-MAPK mechanochemical transduction pathway to induce changes in the extracellular matrix of chondrocytes.

The study of brain-machine interfaces ( BMI) based on humans or animals is expected to improve the living conditions of patients with brain injury, nervous system disease and limb movement disorders.Considerable progress has been made over the past ten years, which is gradually being used to address the long-term and stability issues of BMIs technology.The result of study on safety and security of BMIs has led to the appearance of brain control animals.In this paper, the development of BMI technology and the application prospects of brain control animals are reviewed.

Objective To observe the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on chondrocytes co-cultured with infrapatellar fat pads.Methods Twenty-four infrapatellar fat pads and cartilages from female knee trauma patients aged between 25 and 35 were cut and stained using hematoxylin-eosin staining.Chondrocytes were isolated from part of the integrated surface of the cartilages to be cultured in vitro.They were then randomly divided into a normal chondrocyte group (the control group),a normal chondrocyte+FCM (fat conditioned medium) group (the model group),a normal chondrocyte+ FCM + LIP US group (the treatment group),and a normal chondrocyte+ FCM + LIPUS + GRGDSP (an integrin inhibitor) group (the inhibited group).The treatment group and inhibited group received LIPUS at 40 mW/cm2 for 20 min once a day,while the other groups received sham LIPUS treatment.Five days later,the cells were collected and western blotting was used to examine the expression of type Ⅱ collagen (COL2),aggrecan (Acan),matrixmetalloproteinase (MMP)-13,integrin β1,phosphorylation-focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK) and phosphorylation p38 (p-p38).Results Western blotting showed that compared with the control group,the expression of COL2 and Acan was significantly lower in the model group,but that of MMP-13,integrin β1,p-FAK and p-p38 was significantly higher.As compared with the model group,the expression of COL2,Acan,integrin β1 and p-FAK was significantly higher,and that of MMP-13 and p-p38 was significantly lower in the treatment group.The expression of COL2,Acan,MMP-13,integrin β1,p-FAK and p-p38 showed no significant difference between the inhibited and model groups,but that of COL2,Acan,MMP-13,integrin β1,p-FAK and p-p38 was significantly different between the control and treatment groups.Conclusions LIPUS provides a protective effect on chondrocytes through inhibiting the expression of MMP-13 induced by adipokines and the degradation of COL2 and Acan through activating the integrin-FAK-p38 MAPK pathway.

Objective To provide the basis for the differentiation with similar species of intestinal flukes through observing the figure of Haplorchis pumilio. Methods Adults of H. pumilio were collected from the intestine of the cat which was infected with the encysted cercariae of H.pumilio for 45 days. The worms were observed after staining. Eggs and metacercariae of H.pumilio were collected and examined for their shape, size and morphological characteristics. Pseudorasbora parva, the fish host, was examined for the parasitized sites of metacercariae. Results The principal characteristics of the adults is the acetabulum degradation. There are only the genital sucker with 44-48 hamuli. The average measurement of eggs is 31.2?16.7 ?m with a smooth shell. Its aceromion is not evident. The average diameter of metacercariae is 168.5 ?m. There are squamous spines on metacercaria. The metacercariae only parasitize in the muscle between the basis of the fin and the fish body. The average measurement of metacercaria cyst is 445?95?m, with squamous spines on the body surface. Hamuli are found on the genital sucker of metacercaria cyst. Conclusion The morphological figures and parasitic sites of metacercaria, the genital sucker of the adult, and the number and form of the hamulus on the genital sucker provide basis for distinguishing H. pumilio from other intestinal flukes.

Objective To evaluate the effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation therapy combined with psychological intervention for treating depression after cerebral infarction.Methods Eighty persons diagnosed with depression after cerebral infarction were divided randomly into a treatment group and a control group.Both groups were given routine rehabilitation training and psychological intervention, but the treatment group also received microcurrent transcranial electrical stimulation treatment.All the patients were evaluated with Hamilton's depression scale (HAMD) and the mini-mental state exam (MMSE) and given Barthel index (BI) scores before and after 4 weeks of treatment.Results There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of any of the measures before treatment.After 4 weeks of treatment, both groups had improved significantly, but the improvements on all measures were significantly better in the treatment group.Conclusion Cranial electrotherapy combined with psychological intervention can significantly improve symptoms of depression and cognitive function in patients with post-stroke depression, and play an important role in improving their daily life.

Objective To evaluate whether visual exploration therapy could lead to the recovery of cognitive function and activities of daily living (ADL) of stroke patients with unilateral neglect. Methods From January, 2012 to June, 2014, 24 stroke patients with unilateral neglect were randomly divided into control group (n=12) and observaton group (n=12). The control group received conventional rehabilita-tion therapy, and the observation group received visual exploration therapy additionally. They were evaluated with Mini-Mental State Exami-nation (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), modified Barthel index (MBI) and Chinese Behavioral Inattention Test-Hong Kong version (CBIT-HK). Results All the scores improved after treatment in both groups (t>5.375, P<0.001), and were higher in the obser-vation group than in the control group (t>2.120, P<0.05), except MMSE (P>0.05). Conclusion Visual exploration therapy could not only fa-cilitate the recovery of unilateral neglect in stroke patients, but also improve their cognitive function and activities of daily living.

3 mg/L was significantly worse than in those with hs-CRP≤3 mg/L (18.18%,5.45%;P=0.044,log-rank test). Higher hs-CRP concentration was an independent predictor of death or new vascular event(OR 3.609;95% CI 0.869—14.992;P=0.047).Conclusion Higher hs-CRP concentration in acute phase after ischemic stroke is an independent predictor of death or new vascular event in a year.

Background: Coracoacromial ligament transfer is the traditional procedure for treating chronic acromioclavicular separation, but it is significantly inferior to ligament reconstruction according to biomechanical and clinical studies. However, ligament reconstruction carries the risk of complications of graft loosening and peri-tunnel fractures. Currently, there is no ligament reconstruction procedure optimal for preventing such complications. The purpose of this study was to describe and retrospectively analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes of a “duo-figure-8” autogenic graft wrapping technique, which was used to concomitantly reconstruct the acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments. Methods: Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and final follow-up oputcomes were evaluated in 10 enrolled patients. Radiographic outcomes were indicated by the bilateral difference of the coracoclavicular distance (CCD) and overlapping length of the acromioclavicular joint (OLac). Quality of reduction was classified into 4 grades according to bilateral CCD difference into overreduction (< 0 mm), anatomic reduction (0–4 mm), partial loss of reduction (4–8 mm), and recurrent dislocation (> 8 mm). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant scores. Results: The mean side-to-side differences for CCD were 11.9 mm (preoperative), −0.1 mm (immediate postoperative), and 3.4 mm (final follow-up); those for OLac were 9.4 mm (preoperative) and 2.7 mm (final follow-up). CCD and OLac outcomes significantly improved at final follow-up (p < 0.05). At the immediate postoperative stage, 6 and 4 patients had overreduction and anatomic reduction, respectively. At final follow-up, 7 and 3 patients had anatomic reduction and partial loss of reduction, respectively. The magnitude of improvement of ASES scores for patients with anatomic reduction and partial loss of reduction (p = 0.20) was 18.1 and 20.0, respectively. The magnitude of improvement of Constant scores in patients with anatomic reduction and partial loss of reduction (p = 0.25) was 19.9 and 22.3, respectively. Conclusions The technique yielded acceptable functional outcomes in patients with anatomic reduction or partial loss of reduction. The “duo-figure-8” wrapping method—a single autogenic tendon graft passing beneath the coracoid process with a tendonknot fixation over the distal clavicle and looping around the acromion intramedullary—did not increase the risk of peri-tunnel fractures over the clavicle, coracoid process, or acromion.