ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread-embedding in treating perimenopausal insomnia in women.MethodSixty outpatients with perimenopausal insomnia were randomized into a thread-embedding group and an acupuncture group, 30 in each group. The thread-embedding group was intervened by acupoint thread-embedding by selecting Xinshu (BL15), Ganshu (BL18), Pishu (BL20), Shenshu (BL23), Qihai (CV6), Guanyuan (CV4), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), and Sanyinjiao (SP6), once a week, successive 3 sessions as a treatment course; the acupuncture group was intervened by regular acupuncture by selecting the same acupoints following the same treatment course, 3sessions a week. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was adopted for evaluation, and a 30-d follow-up was conducted for observing the efficacy.ResultThere was no significant difference in comparing the total effective rate between the two groups (P>0.05). After intervention, the PSQI scores were significantly changed in both groups (P<0.01). In the follow-up, the PSQI global score, sleep quality, sleeping pills, and daytime function scores in the thread-embedding group were significantly differentfrom that in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). ConclusionThread-embedding can produce a more significant efficacy than using acupuncture in treating perimenopausal insomnia in women.

Objective To develop and validate an anatomic detailed finite element model of the lower cervical spine. Methods The finite element model of C4-C5-C6 was constructed using lower cervical spine (C4-C5-C6) CT images of a young healthy man. This model was validated against the standard deviation corridors of experimental data for normal, nondegenerated cervical spines tested in flexion and extension,right and left lateral bending, and right and left axial rotation under physiological loading. Percent of load range deviation was introduced to measure the deviation of the model from the standard deviation corridors of experimental data. Results and Conclusion A finite element model of young normal lower cervical spine has been developed and validated. The average percentage of load range was within 90% of standard deviation corridor.

Objective To evaluate the results of rotary self-locking intramedullary nail (RSIN) for treating long tubular bone fracture of extremities, and discuss the current problems. Methods One hundred and twenty-two patients with long tubular bone fracture of extremities,including 59 femoral fractures,57 tibial fractures and 6 humeral fractures,who had been treated by RSIN were retrospectively investigated. Results All of the patients achieved clin-ical healing,with an average time of 24 weeks. Nobody was found to appear maluniun,infection and the break of inter-nal fixture. Internal fixations were removed after the fracture healing,with an average time of 14 months. It was diffi-cult to remove the internal fixations in 5 cases, and one case refractured after removing the internal fixations. Conclu-sion RSIN has the advantages such as easy operation,less trauma,no pendulum effect,early motion after operation and so on, except the characters of general interlocking intramedullary nail such as anti-rotation, anti-crispition and anti-displacement.

OBJECTIVEThrough a prospective cohort study, to assess the clinical efficacy of methylprednisolone (MP) and dexamethasone (DXM) in treatment of all-frequency sudden hearing loss.

METHODSA total of 76 cases of all-frequency sudden hearing loss were included in this study and divided into two groups. The MP group (n = 40) was treated with MP 40 mg qd, for 5 days, combined with conventional treatment. The DXM group (n = 36) was treated with DXM 10 mg qd, for 5 days, combined with conventional treatment. The total period of treatment was 14 days.

RESULTSAfter the treatment for 14 days, in the MP group,17 cases were cured (42.5%), 7 cases were markedly improved (17.5%), 9 cases were effective (22.5%), and 7 cases were invalid (17.5%), the total effective rate was 82.5%. As for the patients in the DXM group, 13 cases were cured (36.1%), 6 cases were markedly improved (16.7%), 8 cases were effective (24.2%), and 9 cases were invalid (25%), the total effective rate was 75.0%. The pure tone audiometry in all-frequency was improved (31.5 ± 17.8) dB in the MP group, and (33.1 ± 24.2) dB in the DXM group. The speech recognition rate was improved (41.7 ± 29.8) %, and (42.0 ± 39.1) % in the DXM group. There were no significant differences between two groups.

CONCLUSIONThere is no significant difference of therapeutic efficacy between the low-dose MP group and High-dose DXM group.

Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Dexamethasone ; therapeutic use ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Speech Perception