Objective To explore the effect of self-confidence training on social anxiety and self-esteem of patients with social anxiety disorder.Methods 80 patients with social anxiety disorder were randomly divided into the study group and the control group.The study group was given the Self-confidence Training twice a week for five weeks and the control group was not given any training.Social Anxiety Subscale of the Self-Consciousness Scale and Self-Esteem Scale were used to evaluate the effect before the intervention and after the intervention for three months,six months.Results The social anxiety and self-esteem had significant differences between the two groups (F=20.422,P＜0.001 ; F=11.239,P=0.001),they had a tendency to change over time (F=120.080,P＜0.001 ; F=143.503,P＜0.001),and the role of the time factor was different between two groups (F=18.777,P ＜0.001 ; F =24.864,P＜0.001).Further pairwise comparisons revealed that the study group showed significantly decrease in social anxiety ((10.00 ± 3.05) vs (13.42 ± 2.76),(9.53 ± 3.72) vs (13.21± 2.48)) and improvement in score of self-esteem((28.75 ± 4.19) vs (24.27 ± 3.84),(29.50 ± 4.85) vs (24.15 ±3.55)) than control group on post-test and delayed-test (P＜0.001).Conclusion Self-confidence training can reduce social anxiety and improve self-esteem for patients with social anxiety disorder.

BACKGROUND:Poor implant anchorage in osteoporotic bone impacts its stability and requires the new solutions for the treatment. The augmentation technique with bone cements or bone substitutes is one strategy for the solutions. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the transient stability of pedicle screw augmented using calcium sulfate cement in osteoporotic vertebral body. METHODS:Fresh calf lumbar vertebrae were selected to measure bone density, and then classified into four groups:the group by pedicle screw in normal vertebral body;the group by pedicle screw augmented using calcium sulfate cement in normal vertebral body;the group by pedicle screw in osteoporotic vertebral body;the group by pedicle screw augmented using calcium sulfate cement in osteoporotic vertebral body. Pedicle screw of equal specification was twisted into the tested pedicle of vertebral arch. The maximum axial screw pul-out strength and the maximum energy required to failure were recorded so as to assess the transient stability of pedicle screw augmented using calcium sulfate cement. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The maximum screw pul-out strength and the maximum energy required to failure were significantly less in osteoporotic vertebral body compared with normal vertebral body (P<0.05). The maximum screw pul-out strength and the maximum energy required to failure after augmentation using calcium sulfate cement were significantly increased (P<0.05). The maximum screw pul-out strength and the maximum energy required to failure after augmentation using calcium sulfate cement were identical between normal group and osteoporosis group. These results suggested that calcium sulfate cement could effectively increase the transient stability of pedicle screw. Calcium sulfate cement is effective in augmenting fixation in osteoporotic bone, and has potential in clinical application.

Background and Objective Keshan disease is clinically characterized as a dilated eardiomyopathy. We analyze the prevalence trend during last decade of hypertension and Keshan-disease in Yangzhuang village which was a Keshan-disease epidemic area.Method The survey including medical history,blood pressure and ECG were carried out every two years during the follow up 13 years.Results During follow up period,the total detection rate(hypertension:13.4 % vs Keshan-disease:10.7 %,?~2=8.555,P=0.002)and the accumulative rate of hypertension were higher than those of Keshan-disease,which was on the contrary to that before 1993,when increasing rate of Keshan-disease was higher than hypertension.Furthermore,the accumulative increasing rate of hypertension was 240.0%,which was higher than the national average level during corresponding period with no significant differences between female and male.Conclusion The detection rate of hypertension in Keshan disease epidemic area was higher than the average rate nation-wide.Whether the hypertension prevalence was re- lated to Keshan-disease needs further investigation.

AIM: To investigate the feasibility and infection efficiency of MSCs with replication-deficient adenovirus containing delivered gene, and whether enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) gene track the change during rMSCs differentiating neuron-like cells. METHODS: Rat marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) were expanded in low density in vitro . Under the control of CMV promoter, pAd-EGFP-Vector was constructed by homologous recombination in E.coil BJ 5183, and the recombinant virus was produced in HEK 293 packaging cell line. rMSCs infected with Ad-EGFP were observed and analyzed with fluorescence microscope. Infection efficiency was assessed by microscopical scoring and flow cytometrics. After withdrawing serum and exposure to ?-mercaptoethanol medium, rMSCs infected with Ad-EGFP was induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells. As a control, the plasmid of pTrack-EGFP also was transfected into rMSCs to evaluate transfection efficiency.RESULTS: The results showed that Adenovirus vector (AdVec) delivered EGFP gene with high efficiency to marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Gene expression analysis showed that 36%?2 % of rMSCs infected with recombinant adenovirus expressed the transgene of EGFP at high levels. However, the transfection of plasmid pTrack-EGFP using routine method of lipofectamin mixed with plasmid DNA (pTrack-EGFP) was not easily successful and the transfection efficiency was much lower. rMSCs infected with Ad-EGFP in different passage could differentiate into typical morphology alike neural cells after withdrawing serum and exposure to ?-mercaptoethanol medium. Immuno-staining with neuron-specific enolase (NSE), a neuronal marker, was strong positive, which suggested that rMSCs infected with Ad-EGFP had the potential to differentiate into neurons or neuron-like cells. CONCLUSION: The AdVec system can deliver target gene into MSCs and EGFP gene carried by AdVec can track the change during rMSCs differentiating into neuron-like cells.

Objecive To design and develop a simulated maritime rescue training platform to emulate different sea conditions and carry out maritime rescue training.Methods Corresponding computer program was used to control a 3 degreeof-freedom electric platform,and the rolling,pitching and heaving of the ambulance boat were simulated by setting vibration frequency and displacement.An operating training room was set up and equipped with necessary emergency devices.Results By changing the frequency and displacement of the training platform,the operating environment in the ambulance boat was simulated under the second to fifth grades of sea conditions to execute the training for antivertigo,fine operation and nursing.Conclusion The platform facilitates the medical staff to be familiar with maritime environment,master treatment techniques at different sea conditions and enhance support efficiency.

China ; epidemiology ; Deficiency Diseases ; epidemiology ; Health Status ; Humans ; Iodine ; deficiency

BACKGROUNDThere is a difficulty in evaluating the in vivo functionality of individual chondrocytes, and there is much heterogeneity among cartilage affected by osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, in vitro cultured chondrocytes harvested from varying stages of degeneration were studied as a projective model to further understand the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

METHODSCartilage of varying degeneration of end-stage OA was harvested, while cell yield and matrix glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content were measured. Cell morphology, proliferation, and gene expression of collagen type I, II, and X, aggrecan, matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), and ADAMTS5 of the acquired chondrocytes were measured during subsequent in vitro culture.

RESULTSBoth the number of cells and the GAG content increased with increasing severity of OA. Cell spreading area increased and gradually showed spindle-like morphology during in vitro culture. Gene expression of collagen type II, collagen type X as well as GAG decreased with severity of cartilage degeneration, while expression of collagen type I increased. Expression of MMP-13 increased with severity of cartilage degeneration, while expression of ADAMTS-5 remained stable. Expression of collagen type II, X, GAG, and MMP-13 substantially decreased with in vitro culture. Expression of collagen type I increased with in vitro cultures, while expression of ADAMTS 5 remained stable.

CONCLUSIONSExpression of functional genes such as collagen type II and GAG decreased during severe degeneration of OA cartilage and in vitro dedifferentiation. Gene expression of collagen I and MMP-13 increased with severity of cartilage degeneration.

ADAM Proteins ; ADAMTS5 Protein ; Cartilage ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; metabolism ; Collagen Type II ; genetics ; Collagen Type X ; genetics ; Glycosaminoglycans ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; genetics ; Osteoarthritis ; genetics ; pathology

Objective To evaluate the effect of iodine supplementation on improvement of developmental quotient (DQ) at the critical period of infant brain development.Methods Pregnant,lactating women and infants less than 3 years old were supplemented with iodized oil in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture(Linxia Prefecture) Gansu Province in 2006-2010.Before and after the intervention(2006,2007-2010),five townships were randomly selected in the north,the south,the east,the west and the center of eight counties(cities) of Linxia.One village was chosen from each of those townships and 20 infants,20 pregnant women and 20 lactating women were randomly selected in each village(insufficient was made up from the neighboring villages).Urinary iodine(UI) level of the infants,pregnant and lactating women were determined by arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry.DQ value of infants was measured before and after supplementation of iodized oil in 2006 and 2010.UI value of pregnant,lactating women and infants was monitored every year after iodine supplementation.Results Before iodine supplementation(2006),the median UI level of pregnant,lactating women and infants was 89.28,84.85,107.3 μg/L,respectively.After iodine supplementation,the medians UI level in 2007,2008,2009 and 2010 were,respectively,pregnant women:136.0,187.8,118.2,175.8 μg/L; lactating women:135.2,159.8,187.5,163.5 μ g/L; infants:139.6,174.7,190.7,168.4 μg/L.Before iodine supplementation,the DQ value of infants was 92.8 ± 16.3,and the average score of gross motor,fine motor,adaptive capacity,language and social behavior was 93.7 ± 20.0,91.4 ± 20.0,92.4 ± 19.0,90.3 ± 20.0,96.4 ± 22.1,respectively.After iodine supplementation,the DQ value of infants was 104.3 ± 13.8,and the average score of gross motor,fine motor,adaptive capacity,language and social behavior was 104.8 ± 21.5,104.1 ± 17.2,104.8 ± 16.1,99.9 ± 19.1,108.0 ± 22.7,respectively,which were higher than that before iodine supplementation (t =-10.43,-10.77,-13.78,-14.28,-9.96,-15.33,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Iodine deficiency at the critical period of brain development can affect the intellectual development of infants and young children at all functional areas of intelligence.Iodine supplementation at the critical period of brain development can prevent mental retardation caused by iodine deficiency disorders.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the monitoring and therapeutic methods of nonoperative management of blunt splenic injury.

METHODSEighty-two cases with nonoperative management of 95 patients of blunt splenic injury from September 2005 to April 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Percutaneous peritoneal drainage was applied to 75 cases, and auto-blood transfusion was applied to 38 cases. Eighty-two cases were followed up from 3 weeks to 8 months.

RESULTSEighty-two patients with nonoperative management were treated successfully, including 34 cases classified as grade III to IV, 6 cases over 55-years-old, 14 cases with severe multiple injury (ISS > or = 16) and 37 cases whose drained peritoneal blood volume were over 500 ml. The drained peritoneal blood volume was 30 to 2400 ml. The total volume of auto-blood transfusion was 22 300 ml and the average volume was 613 ml. All cases were followed up without delayed hematocele or peritoneal infection.

CONCLUSIONSMost hemodynamically stable patients with blunt splenic injury can be healed with nonoperative management. The treatments including percutaneous peritoneal drainage and transfusion of auto-blood can significantly increase the performance rate and the achievement ratio of nonoperative management of blunt splenic injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spleen ; injuries ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features of thyroid disease occurring in response to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

METHODSEighty-two patients diagnosed with CHC were recruited for study from our hospital between 2009 and 2010. All patients were given a 48-week course of antiviral combination therapy with pegylated-interferon (Peg-IFN; 180 mug qw ih) and ribavirin (RBV; 15 mg/kg bw). Patient sera was collected prior to treatment (baseline), at treatment weeks 24 and 48, and post-treatment week 24, and used to detect changes in levels of thyroid function markers, thyroid-specific and other autoantibodies, complement factors, and immunoglobulins (Igs). Differential expression of biomarkers was assessed between patients who developed thyroid disorder and those who did not.

RESULTSAt treatment week 48, 13.4% (11/82) of cases developed hypothyroidism, 3.7% (3/82) developed hyperthyroidism, 20.7% (17/82) tested positive for thyroglobulin antibody, and 22.0% (18/82) tested positive for thyroid peroxidase antibody. The patients who did not develop thyroid disease had significantly higher post-treatment levels (vs. baseline) of IgG (14.84 +/- 2.61 vs. 12.95 +/- 3.32 g/L, F = 10.458, P = 0.002) and C4 (0.26 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.22 +/- 0.08 g/L, F = 6.835, P = 0.011) and significantly lower IgM (0.86 +/- 0.48 vs. 1.00 +/- 0.42 g/L, F = 9.106, P = 0.003). The patients who developed thyroid disease showed no significant differences in the baseline and post-treatment levels of IgG, C4, or IgM. When the two groups of patients who did or did not develop thyroid disease were compared, there was no difference in the amount of patients who achieved sustained virological response.

CONCLUSIONAntiviral-induced thyroid disease in patients with refractory hepatitis C manifests as clinically-detectable abnormalities in serum levels of thyroid autoantibody and markers of hypothyroidism. Levels of other autoantibodies and Igs do not correlate with the development of thyroid disease in these patients, and thyroid disease does not appear to affect the efficacy of Peg-IFN + RBV antiviral therapy.

Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Thyroid Diseases ; chemically induced