At the time of phage’s discovery, phage therapy was regarded as a possible treatment method against bacterial infection. Although phage therapy was used to treat and prevent bacterial infection in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, it was abandoned by the West in the 1940s with the arrival of the antibiotic era. However, the ongoing evolution of bacterial multidrug-resistance has recently motivated the Western scientific community to reevaluate phage therapy for bacterial infections that are incurable by conventional chemotherapy. With the indepth study of phages, it’s increasingly acknowledged that phages, as the medicine to cure bacterial infection, are convenient, safe and efficient therapeutics. This paper summarizes the recent years’ advanced researches in this area.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of a three-dimensional motion analysis system by using the body segmental method for testing the balance of hemiplegic stroke patients.Methods Twenty stroke patients with hemiplegia were measured using the lower extremity Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA-L),the Brunel balance assessment (BBA),the Berg balance sale (BBS) and a 5 m timed up-and-go test (5m-TUGT).The three-dimensional motion analysis system using the body segmental method was applied in three positions-sitting,standing and walking.Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to determine the extent of correlation between the values measured by the three-dimensional motion analysis system and the FMA-L,BBA,BBS and 5m-TUGT results.Results Some motion analysis variables (MSAx,MSVx,MSAy,MSVy and SPxy,SP3-D) are recorded in sitting and standing,while the center of gravity (COG) swing in the horizontal plane and some other variables (MSAx,MSVx and SPxy and SP3-D) are measured while walking.Anterior-posterior COG swing had a high negative correlation with the FMA-L,BBA and BBS scores and a high positive correlations with 5m-TUGT times.But except in sitting,MSAz and MSVz were both uncorrelated with FMA-L,BBA or BBS scores or with 5m-TUGT times.COG swing in the horizontal plane in sitting and standing apparently correlates with lower extremity motor function,balance,and walking ability.However,only the X axis swing parameters of the COG while walking correlated with lower extremity motor function,balance or walking ability.Conclusions A three-dimensional motion analysis system using the body segmental method can be used clinically to monitor patients' balance in real time and dynamically in different positions and activities,and it can be used to predict motor function and balance control in hemiplegic stroke patients.

Objective To explore the effects of the neotype hand-arm sling on shoulder subluxation and transferring movement in hemiplegic stroke patients.Methods Thirty hemiplegic stroke survivors with shoulder subluxation and poor elbow flexor muscle tone (＜2 on the Modified Ashworth Scale).were selected and randomly divided into three groups.Group 1 was trained in static upright standing,plus 10 min of sit-to-stand training and 20 min of walking training with no support for the hemiplegic,subluxed shoulder.Group 2 did the same training using a bagtype shoulder sling,and group 3 used the neotype hand-arm sling.Index finger palpation was used to evaluate the degree of shoulder subluxation,and the Five Times Sit-to-Stand (FTSST) and Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) times for the three groups were compared.Results In the static standing training,both the bag-type sling and the neotype hand-arm sling could effectively reduce shoulder subluxation.However,after 10 min of sit-to-stand training the neotype hand-arm sling was found to be significantly superior to the bag-type shoulder sling in improving shoulder subluxation,with the latter having no effect on shoulder subluxation.In the 20 rin of walking training,the neotype hand-arm sling provided significantly more effective support than the bag-type shoulder sling,although both could support the shoulders.Those using the neotype sling had shorter FTSST times,though there were no significant differences in the average TUG times.Conclusions The neotype slings can more effectively counter shoulder subluxation in upright stance,especially during sit-to-stand maneuvers and walking.It might have positive effects on transferring ability.

Objective To study the reliability and validity of using sacral markers in evaluating the balance function in standing and walking of stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods Twenty-one hemiplegic stroke patients were recruited and their baseline mean sway amplitude (MSA) and mean sway velocity (MSV) were measured using sacral markers and center of gravity analysis assuming a segmented body,thegold standard for such analysis.The data were analyzed using Bland-Altman plots to obtain the 95％ limits of agreement (LOA).Results ①Test-retest reliability:The 95％ LOA of the MSA in standing was (-4.42,5.14) on the X axis,(-6.04,4.52)on the Y axis,and (-1.75,1.31) on the Z axis.The MSV in standing was (-0.08,0.09) on the X axis,(-0.10,0.08) on the Y axis and (-0.03,0.02) on the Z axis.The 95％ LOA of the MSA in walking was (-185.74,105.53) on the X axis,(-22.57,2.76) on the Y axis and (4.43,2.76) on the Z axis.The MSV in walking was (-3.10,1.76) on the X axis,(-0.38,0.54) on the Y axis and (-0.07,0.02) on the Z axis.②Validity:The 95％ LOA of the MSA in standing was (-3.62,2.55) on the X axis,(-3.95,3.94) on the Y axis and (-7.35,19.43) on the Z axis.For the MSV in standing it was (-0.06,0.04) on the X axis,(-0.07,0.07) on the Y axis and (-0.12,0.32) on the Z axis.The 95％ LOA of the MSA in walking was (-4.40,4.74) on the X axis,(-17.35,4.14) on the Y axis and (-17.35,4.14) on theZ axis.For the MSV in walking itwas (-0.07,0.08) on the X axis,(-0.29,0.07) on the Y axis and (-0.12,0.18) on the Z axis.The 95％ LOAs of the variables representing their reliability and validity are small enough to be acceptable in clinical application.Conclusions The sacral marker method can be used in assessing the balance of stroke patients.

Objective To explore the extent of agreement between measurements of temporal and spatial gait parameters made with portable gait analysis equipment and in the laboratory.Methods Fifteen healthy young people submitted to laboratory gait analysis using 3D motion analysis apparatus and then on the same day to analysis using the Gait Watch portable apparatus.Cadence,stride length,walking speed and step length were recorded.Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate the agreement between the two gait analyses.Results Test-retest comparisons with the Gait Watch apparatus generated ICCs for the temporal and spatial parameters ranging between 0.80 and 0.98,indicating good test-retest reliability.Bland-Altman plots comparing the two measurement systems also showed good agreement.According to paired simple t tests,the stride length,walking speed,and step length assessments with the two systems showed significant differences.All exceeded the minimum detection threshold (stride length =0.05 m,walking speed =0.12 m/s,left step length =0.03 m,right step length =0.04 m).Conclusions Measurements of cadence,stride length,walking speed and step length with the two systems yield acceptable agreement,and either can be used in clinical walking assessment.

BACKGROUND:The gut microbiota in our intestine performs numerous useful functions and has a major impact on the host’s health. Recently some studies have revealed that the gut microbiota cannot only control intestinal activity but also affect bone metabolism by regulating the immune system. OBJECTIVE:To review the new research development in the effects of gut microbiota on bone metabolism. METHODS: We retrieved the PubMed database using “gut microbiota, immune system, bone metabolism, osteoporosis” as keywords. A total of 46 articles were included which were related to gut microbiota, immune system and bone metabolism. For the articles in the same field, those published recently or in authorized journals were selected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Gut microbiota-osteoporosis research wil bridge the gaps between bone physiology, gastroenterology, immunology, and microbiology.In vivo experiments in the germ-free mice and human body have found that the gut microbiota has important effects on bone metabolism, and the intervention of antibiotics, probiotics and prebiotics has further confirmed the effects of gut microbiota on bone mass. The gut microbiota has more obvious effects on bone mass in the adolescent and post-menopause periods.

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Objective To study the efficacy and indications of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) for small primary liver cancer(SPLC). Methods The clinical data of 16 patients with SPLC treated by PRFA were analysed retrospectively. Results The diameter of tumor in all 16 patients were ≤3cm. After PEFA, AFP from postive returned to negative in 93.3% of patients; and BUS and CT showed the tumors shrinking with capsule formation. The 0.5,1,2-year survival rate were 93.8%,100%,100% respectively. Conclusions PRFA for SPLC has advantages such as minitrauma, safe and effective, especiolly suitable to the patients with contrainsications of operation, or the tumor locating to the deep position of liver, or around inferior vena cava, hepatic veins or hepatic porta etc.

Objective To observe the effects of ICB orthopedic sole combined with rehabilitation training on balance and walking function in stroke survivors.Methods Thirty hemiplegic stroke patients were recruited and divided into a study group (n =15) and a control group (n =15) by using a random number table.Both groups took exercises based on the principles of a motor relearning program and conducted core stability control training,and the study group additionally undertook hemiplegic lower extremity weight-bearing exercises and walking with ICB orthopedic sole used in daily living.The program was administered 20 min twice per day for 4 weeks.All patients were evaluated with Rest Calcaneus Standing Position (RCSP),Malleolar Position (MP),Forefoot Position (FP),Berg Balance Scale (BBS),l0 m Maximum Walking Speed (MWS) and walking section of Motor Assessment Scale (MAS)before and after the program.Results After 4 weeks of intervention,all the measurements except the FP in both groups improved significantly,and significant differences were observed between the two groups.After 4 weeks of training,the average RCSP (1.78 ± 0.32) ° and MP (13.33 ± 2.51)° were improved significantly compared to those of the control group [(2.58 ± 0.59) ° and (12.45 ± 3.31) °,respectively].Moreover,the average BBS,MAS and MWS improved significantly compared to the control group.Conclusions ICB orthopedic sole combined with rehabilitation training can improve the weight-bearing,balance and ambulation abilities of stroke survivors.

Background As a newly developed refractive surgery,femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) receives more and more attention.Changes in ocular stray light after femtosecond LASIK is an important problem that impacts visual quality.Some relevant research has been performed before,but the outcomes are conflicting.Objective This primary study was to investigate the change of stray light values before and after femtosecond LASIK and analyze the relevant factors underlying the change.Methods Clinical data from 109 eyes of 55 myopic patients who underwent femtosecond LASIK in Tianjin Eye Hospital from December,2010 through February,2011 were included in this study.Stray light values were measured and recorded by C-Quant stray light meter preoperatively,and 1 day,1 week,1 month and 6 months postoperatively.The stray light data were compared by repeated measures ANOVA,and the correlations among the stray light values with preoperative factors,such as age,equivalent sphere,pupil diameter and central corneal thickness(CCT),as well as with postoperative factors,such as residual bed thickness(RBT),RBT/CCT,ablation depth,ablation ratio,flap thickness,flap diameter flap base width and exiting energy,were analyzed statistically.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual at initial of this study.Results The stray light values were 0.90±0.19,1.10±0.19,1.02±0.18,0.96±0.16 and 0.94±0.15 pre-operation,and 1 day,1 week,1 month and 6 months after femtosecond LASIK.The stray light values increased significantly 1 day,1 week,and 1 month after surgery,showing significant differences among the various time points (F=17.699,P=0.000).The mean stray light value was higher in 1 week than that in 6 months after operation (t=2.412,P=0.017).No significant differences were found in the stray light values between 6 months and 1 month or pre-operation (t =0.779,P =0.437 ; t =-1.877,P =0.062).No significant correlations were seen between preoperative and postoperative stray light values with age,preoperative refractive diopter,pupil diameter or CCT (P＞0.05).The changes in stray light values 1 week,1 month and 6 months after surgery were negatively correlated with ablation depth(r=-0.226,-0.228,-0.241 ;P＜0.05) and ablation ratio(r =-0.149,-0.219,-0.255 ;P＜0.05).Conclusions Stray light values increase within 1 month and return to normal 6 months after femtosecond LASIK.Stray light values may be related to multiple setting laser parameters and factors during femtosecond LASIK.