The popularization of home medical equipment facilitates the treatment and management of many diseases, improving the patient compliance. However, due to the absence of medical background, most of their users have various security risk in the course of reorganization, choosing, using and maintenance of the products. This paper analyzed the property of security risk in home medical equipment, and described the matters needing attention in the using of several common products.
Consumer Product Safety ; Equipment and Supplies ; Household Articles ; Risk Assessment

Objective To evaluate the reliability of the panoramic radiographs for diagnosing mandibular asymmetry.Methods A total of 25 cases with no asymmetry in chief complaint or in appearance were selected for symmetry group.Pa and PAC from 16 cases of facial asymmetry were selected for asymmetric group.Marker points were fixed,a reference line and the reference plane drawn,and then relevant measurement items determined.The repeatability of the fixed position was observed.The difference of all measurement items between the left and right on Pa in symmetry group and asymmetric group were compared respectively and the asymmetric rate of corresponding measuredvalues on two sides between two groups were observed too.Correlation test was used to evaluate the measured-values on Pa and PAC in asymmetric group.Results Dispersion became smaller with the help of reference line and reference plane.And the dispersion was larger when Me was used as a marker other than MF.Most measured-values in symmetry group on Pa and all measured-values in asymmetric group on Pa showed statistically significant difference (P＜ 0.05).The mean difference of CP-GoP distance representing the vertical measured-value was 4.73 mm (P＜0.01); and the mean difference of GoP-MF distance representing the horizontal measured-value was 5.77 mm (P＜0.01).The horizontal measurements on PA and PAC showed closer correlation (r=0.78～0.85,P＜0.01) while the vertical was poorer (r=0.64,P＜0.01).Conclusions This study suggests that marking assisted with reference line and reference plane could get a more repeatable fixed-point on Pa.MF point could be used as a fixed-point for measuring mandibular asymmetry on Pa and the Pa measurement can be used to evaluate mandibular asymmetry.

Objective To investigate the effect of mitogen activated protein kinase / extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK / ERK)1 / 2 signaling pathway on early brain injury (EBI)following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)in rats. Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group and a 1,6,12,24,48,or 72 h group after SAH modeling. SAH + MEK inhibitor U0126 was used to intervene the 24,48,and 72 h groups (a total of 10 groups;n = 6 in each group). In
addition to the control group,blood was injected into the cisterna magna of the rats to induce a SAH model in another 9groups. The blood samples were taken from infraorbital venous plexus. Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA)was used to detect the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-1β,and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)in each group. Evans blue content in brain tissue was used to evaluate the blood-brain barrier damage. Western blot was used to detect the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK1/ 2)and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)proteins in basilar artery tissue,and compared them. Results Compared with the control group at the same time points,there were significant differences in the levels of IL-6 and IL-1β at 6,12,24,48,and 72h after modeling in the SAH group (all P <0. 05). At 12,24, 48,and 72 h after modeling,the expression levels of p-ERK1/ 2 protein of the basilar artery tissue of the SAH group were 0. 73 ± 0. 09,0. 85 ± 0. 12,0. 94 ± 0. 09,and 0. 96 ± 0. 09,respectively,they were significantly higher than those of the control group (all P < 0. 05). At 48 and 72 h after modeling in the SAH group,the level of MMP-9 protein was significantly higher than that in the control group (1. 27 ± 0. 15 vs. 0. 68 ± 0. 08,2. 41 ± 0. 11 vs. 0. 71 ± 0. 14). At 72 h after modeling,the Evans blue content in brain tissue of the SAH group was significantly higher than that of the control group (15. 3 ± 2. 2 μg/ g vs. 2. 7 ± 0. 4 μg/ g). After giving the MEK inhibitor U0126 intervention,the levels of serum IL-6,IL-1β,and TNF-α at 24,48, and 72 h after modeling,and the expression levels of p-ERK1 / 2 and MMP-9 proteins at 48 and 72 h (p-ERK1 / 2:0. 76 ± 0. 07,0. 81 ± 0. 06;MMP-9:0. 92 ± 0. 14,1. 79 ± 0. 16),and the Evans blue content (8. 9 ± 1. 7 μg / g)in brain tissue at 72 h after modeling were significantly lower than those of the SAH group (P < 0. 05). Conclusion The MEK/ ERK1/ 2 signal pathway may be closely associated with the inflammatory reaction and blood-brain barrier damage after SAH,which suggests that the intervention of the MEK/ ERK1 / 2 signal pathway may be a potential target for the prevention of early brain injury after SAH.

Compared with the recycle of post-consumer medical equipments in medical institutions, the treatment of post-consumer home medical equipments (HME) should be consummated in the field of academic research, policy and regulatory plus corresponding supporting industries. The HME industry situation and its classification, main components and properties are reviewed in this paper. The merits and demerits of various pollution control techniques in the recycle of post-consumer medical equipments are analysed. For instance, the source control techniques to improve the property of raw materials, the end treatment technique to recycle the HME and regenerate energy are also discussed. Further, the development prospect of pollution control technique in the recycle of HME and the challenges must face up to are also probed.
Environmental Pollution ; prevention & control ; Equipment and Supplies ; standards ; Industry

BACKGROUND:Olfactory ensheathing cells can promote the repair of the central nervous system. Composite engineering materials prepared by the combination of chitosan and col agen have been widely used in the construction of tissue-engineered nerve conduits.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the repair effect of olfactory ensheathing cells and chitosan in the treatment of sciatic nerve injury in rats.
METHODS:Rat models of sciatic nerve injury were prepared. Olfactory ensheathing cells combined with chitosan scaffold were used to connect the injured sciatic nerve. In the chitosan scaffold group, only the chitosan scaffold was utilized. In the control group, no treatment was done.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 1-4 weeks fol owing surgery, sciatic functional index and motion evoked potential were monitored and histological examination was performed. Sciatic functional index was significantly improved in the olfactory ensheathing cells+chitosan scaffold group (P<0.05). Motion evoked potential was significantly lower in the olfactory ensheathing cells+chitosan scaffold group compared with other groups (P<0.001). Histological examinations showed new nerve fibers and rare inflammatory reaction in the olfactory ensheathing cells+chitosan scaffold group. These findings indicate that autologous olfactory ensheathing cells combined with chitosan scaffold exerts good repair effects on treatment of sciatic nerve injury, and can be considered as an ideal tissue engineering material.

Objective To investigate the role of hydroxyapatite nanoparticle (nHAP) in the gene transfection of human colorectal cancer cell line SW480/M5 and the possible mechanisms.Methods The combination and protection of nHAP-Mg2+ to DNA were analyzed by gelose gelatin electrophoresis.Liposome and nHAP modified by magnesium chloride was combined,and the PEGFP-N1 plasmids were transfected into SW480/M5 cells.The gene transfection rate and the mean fluorescence intensity were observed by flow cytometry.The effect of nHAP-Mg2+ on the growth of the cells were studied by MTT.Results At appropriate proportion,nHAP-Mg2+ could combine the plasmids compeletly and protected the DNA.The gene could not be transferred by nHAP-Mg2+ alone.Combining the nanoparticles and liposome,the gene could be transferred very efficiently and the transfection rates were significantly higher than the liposome (P ＜ 0.05).The inhibition of cell growth was increased along with the concentration of nHAP-Mg2+ wether it was used alone or with the combination of liposome (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions nHAP-Mg2+ has the ability to combining and protecting DNA and can be used to transfer gene as the adjunct carrier of liposome for the gene therapy of tumor cells to elevate the gene tansfection and expression rate and also enhance the anti-tumor effection.

Objective To analysis the effects of Ang-(1-7) on the blood brain barrier permeability after subarachnoid hemor-rhage .Methods SAH-rats were produced by two times injection of blood into cisterna magna .Evans blue was used to detect the the permeability of SAH-rats brains and brain water content .RT-PCR and Western blot were performed to measure the expression of adhesion protein ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in brains of SAH-rats .The artificial hemorrhagic cerebrospinal fluid (BCSF) was used to stimulate vascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) ,and the proliferation and apoptosis of HBMEC cell were analyzed .Results Ang-(1-7) reduced the content of Evans blue and brain water in brains of SAH-rats in dose and time dependent manner with the most sig-nificant change under the treatment of 10 - 5 mol/L Ang-(1-7) for 24 h (P< 0 .05) .Under the above condition ,the mRNA and pro-tein levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in brains of SAH-rats were significantly up-regulated (P< 0 .05) ,while the content of Evans blue in HBMEC cells stimulated by BCSF was obviously reduced .Besides ,Ang-(1-7) was observed to increase the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in BCSF-stimulated HBMEC cells ,enhance the proliferation of HBMEC cells but reduce their apoptosis . Conclusion Ang-(1-7) plays a protective role in the blood-brain barrier damage induced by subarachnoid hemorrhage .

Objective To introduce the treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fractures with poor soft tissue using poking reduction combined with Ilizarov methods. Methods From September 2007 to September 2009,11 patients with the intraarticular calcaneal fractures were treated with poking reduction combined with Ilizarov methods,including 10 males and 1 female at average age of 33.6 years(range,21-50 years).Four patients had the left calcaneal fractures and seven with the right ones.According to Sander classification,there were seven patients with type II fractures,three with type III fractures and one with type IV fracture.The various extents of heel soft tissue injury were emerged in all the patients.Before operation,B(o)hler angle was 0°-12°(average 8°)and Gissane angle 70°-95°(average 80°).According to AO classification of close soft tissue injury,there were three patients with type IC2,six with type IC3,one with type IC5 and one with open soft tissue injury.The collapse of the articular surface was recovered by Steinmann pin which passed through the lateral calcaneal tubercle.The medial and lateral fracture fragments were corrected by using the tensed olive wires.The heighat and width were maintained by using the Ilizarov external fixation. Results The mean duration of follow-up was 13.3 months (range,6-20 months).All fractures were healed after mean duration for 8.1 weeks(range,7-10weeks).The postoperative B(o)hler angle was 20°-45°(average 33°)and Gissane angle 100°-118°(average 107°).According to Maryland Foot Score system,the result of postoperative function was excellent in seven patients,good in three and fair in one,with excellence rate of 91%. Conclusions For the intraarticular calcaneal fractures,the poking reduction combined with Ilizarov method is able to recover and maintain the normal calcaneal height and width and reduce postoperative wound infections and many other complications.specially for Sanders II or III with severe soft tissue injury in the open or closed calcaneal fractures.Master of surgical indications and operating poims can attain satisfactory clinical efficacy.

Objective To discuss the operative methods, timing and outcomes of severe open Pilon fractures. Methods From April 2003 to July 2008, 21 patients with open Pilon fractures were admitted. All the patients were type C fracture according to AO/OTA classification, including 17 cases of type C2 and 4 cases of type C3. According to Gustilo classification, there were 18 cases of type Ⅱ, 2 cases of type ⅢA, 1 case of type ⅢB. The patients were treated in two different ways: one-stage minimally invasive osteosynthesis for reconstruction of the articular surface with transarticular external fixation of the ankle (19 cases),which included 16 cases of Gustilo Ⅱ AO/OTA C2, 2 cases of type Gustilo Ⅱ AO/OTA C3 and 1 case of type Gustilo ⅢA AO/OTA C2. Formal open reconstruction of the articular surface by plating and external fixation was performed when the condition of soft tissue had improved (2 cases), which included 1 cases of type Gustilo ⅢA AO/OTA C3 and 1 cases of type Gustilo Ⅲ B AO/OTA C3. Results All the patients were followed up from 6 to 48 months, with the mean of 24 months. The outcome of reduction was evaluated by the Burwell-Charnley score. Anatomical reduction was found in 6 cases, function reduction was in 14 cases and poor reduction was 1 case. The heal-time ranged from 2.5 to 11 months, with the mean of 4.7 months. The delayed union occurred in 2 cases. The rate of delayed union was 9.5%. Two patients experienced skin superficial necrosis. There were superficial infection in 2 cases and deep infection in 1 case. The infection rate was 14.3%. Eight cases experienced early traumatic arthritis. The incidence of this complication was 38.1%.According to American Orthopedic Foot Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale for ankle joint, the result of the treatment was 66-94, with an average of 85.2. Conclusion It is important to have the optimal timing of surgery and reliable fixation according to fracture classification, the condition of soft tissue and time after injury. It is the key to evaluate the condition of soft tissue and protect the blood supply.

Objective To evaluate clinical outcomes of treating displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures with Orthofix external fixation (EF) in comparison with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).Methods Between February 2013 and December 2014,39 patients with 41 calcaneal fractures were treated operatively and fully followed up at our department.They were 27 men and 12 women,aged from 27 to 56 years(average,42.5 years).The left foot was affected in 15 cases and the right in 26.By the Sanders classification,there were 11 cases of type Ⅱ,22 ones of type Ⅲ and 8 ones of type Ⅳ.The 5 open fractures were Gustilo type Ⅰ (2 cases) and Gustilo type Ⅱ (3 cases).Of the 11 fractures complicated with soft tissue injury,4 were Tscherne-Oestern type Ⅰ and 7 Tscherne-Oestern type Ⅱ.The patients were divided into group EF (25 cases) and group ORIF (16 cases) according to the operation they had received.The 2 groups were compared in intraoperative indexes and follow-up radiological data.The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores for ankle and hindfoot were recorded at the final follow-up for every patient.Results The mean duration of surgery,intraoperative bleeding,time for hospitalization and bone healing in group EF were significantly less than in group ORIF (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in follow-up duration,AOFAS score,Bthler angle,Gissane angle,calcaneal axis,calcaneal horizontal length,tuberosity height,hillock calcaneal height,calcaneal width,or talar inclination angle (P ＞ 0.05).According to the AOFAS scores at the final follow-ups,15 cases were rated as excellent,8 as good and 2 as fair in group EF while 10 were rated as excellent,5 as good and one as fair in group ORIF.Conclusions All types of calcaneal fracture can be treated using Orthofix external fixation which may lead to advantages of earlier surgery regardless of soft tissue condition,minimal invasiveness with less devascularization to the calcaneus and decreased risk of complications,and good clinical outcomes.