Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a newly developing technique, contains function, anatomy and image, which makes the real-time, dynamic and non-invasive measurement of the functional brain imaging availability. This paper summarized the characteristics of fMRI in health and stroke populations, introduced the advances of fMRI in neuroplasticity, rehabilitation assessment and prognosis in hand movement dysfunction in patients with stroke, and discussed the difficulty fMRI faced in rehabilitation assessment and the further researches.

To study the role of anti- C. albicans IgY and serum in protection of C. albicans infection of several animal models. To develop three animal models of C. albicans infection: a burned rat model of C. albicans infection, a mouse model of vaginal candiasis and a immunosuppression mouse model of C. albicans infection. And we compared the contribution of anti- C. albicans IgY and serum to the clearance of the C. albicans in three animal models of C. albicans infection. Anti- C. albicans IgY can protect against C. albicans infection in a burned rat model of C. albicans infection and a mouse model of vaginal candidiasis. The serum can effectively protect the mice from disseminated candidiasis in a immunosuppression mouse model. Humoral immunity component involving anti- C. albicans IgY and serum protect against C. albicans infection in a burned rat model of C. albicans infection ,a mouse model of vaginal candidiasis and a immunosuppression mouse model of C. albicans infection.

Objective To study the effects of the rehabilitation robot-assisted task-oriented training on the hand function in patients after stroke. Methods From June, 2015 to September, 2016, 35 inpatients suffering from stroke were randomly allocated to control group (n=17) and trial group (n=18). Based on the routine rehabilitation, the trial group accepted robot-assisted task-oriented training, while the control group accepted therapist-assisted task-oriented training, for two weeks. They were measured the active range of motion (AROM) of fingers, assessed with fingers motor of Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) invovled with hands before and after train-ing. Results The inpatients dropped three in the control group, two in the trial group. AROM of extension and flexion of all the fingers, the AROM of extension and total of three fingers of thumb, index and middle, and the total AROM of each finger improved in the trial group af-ter training (t>2.937, P<0.05), while the AROM of extension and flexion of all the fingers, AROM of extension, flexion and total of the fin-gers of thumb, index and middle, total AROM of the fingers of thumb, index and little improved in the control group after training (t>2.528, P<0.05);the AROM of extension and total of the fingers of thumb, index and middle, and the total AROM of fingers of thumb and index im-proved more in the trial group than in the control group (t>2.535, P<0.05). The scores of mass flexion, mass extension, opposition, cylinder grip, spherical grip and total score of FMA improved in the trial group after training (Z>2.000, P<0.05), while the scores of mass extension, opposition and the total score of FMA improved in the control group after training (Z>2.000, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups on the items and total scores after training (P>0.05). The scores of feeding, dressing, toilet transfers, bathing, groom-ing of MBI and the total score of them improved in the trial group after training (Z>2.041, P<0.05), while the total score of MBI improved in the control group after training (Z=-2.527, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the items and total scores after training (P>0.05). Conclusion The rehabilitation robot-assisted task-oriented training can improve AROM of hemiplegic fingers and grip function.

Objective To assess the effect of removable partial dentures (PRD) restoration on oral health-related quality of life(OHRQOL) of subjects with shortened dental arches (SDA) using the Chinese version of the Oral Health Impact Profile(OHIP-14).Methods Consecutive patients with shortened dental arches were recruited from the Department of Prosthodontics,Foshan Chancheng Hospital of Stomatology.The Chinese version of OHIP-14 was administered to each subject before treatment and after treatment.The subjective outcomes of removable partial dentures therapy on SDA were collected and the pre-and posttreatment scores of the Chinese version of OHIP-14 were compared.Results After treatment,significant decrease in patients' total score of OHRQOL [before:9 (6,12) ; after:4 (2.25,6)] was detected,as well as physical pain subscale,physical disability subscale and handicap subscale; and the score of OHRQOL in function limitation subscale increased [before:0 (0,0) ; after:2 (1,2)].Conclusions The main impacts of shortened dental arch with intact anterior region affecting patients' OHRQOL are physical disability.From a quality-of-life perspective,patients with SDA can perceive benefits from RPD.

BACKGROUNDIntracranial infection is a common postoperative complication of neurosurgery. This study aimed to identify risk factors of postoperative intracranial infection in patients with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and to suggest proposals for the prevention.

METHODSA total of 167 patients (113 males and 54 males, average age of 34.4 years) with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea operated on by the senior author were retrospectively reviewed. The data collected included etiology, previous history, clinical manifestation, site of bone defect, operative approach, and postoperative complications. Risk factor(s) for postoperative infection were analyzed using the stepwise multiple Logistic regression.

RESULTSEighteen (10.8%) patients were infected post-operatively. The independent risk factors for infection were the site of defect (RR = 0.508, 95%CI 0.306 - 0.843, P = 0.009) and historical meningitis (RR = 0.290, 95%CI 0.094 - 0.893, P = 0.031). Patients with multiple defects and saddle floor defects had a higher infection rate. The germiculture was positive in 11 patients, and vancomycin was sensitive to all the pathogenesis. Nine infected patients needed lumbar drainage. Ten patients had hyponatremia, and hydrocephalus occurred in two patients with serious trauma.

CONCLUSIONSTo prevent the infection, we should pay closer attention to the high-risk patients pre-operation. During the operation, the methods those can improve wound healing, such as using blood-supply materials, reliable fixation, and eliminating dead space are all helpful. Conducting lumbar drainage and choosing effective prophylactic antibiotics in the early postoperative stage for the high-risk patients are methods of postoperative management.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Diseases ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDThe auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) have been used to treat deafness for patients with neurofibromatosis Type 2 and nontumor patients. The lack of an appropriate animal model has limited the study of improving hearing rehabilitation by the device. This study aimed to establish an animal model of ABI in adult rhesus macaque monkey (Macaca mulatta).

METHODSSix adult rhesus macaque monkeys (M. mulatta) were included. Under general anesthesia, a multichannel ABI was implanted into the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle through the modified suboccipital-retrosigmoid (RS) approach. The electrical auditory brainstem response (EABR) waves were tested to ensure the optimal implant site. After the operation, the EABR and computed tomography (CT) were used to test and verify the effectiveness via electrophysiology and anatomy, respectively. The subjects underwent behavioral observation for 6 months, and the postoperative EABR was tested every two weeks from the 1 st month after implant surgery.

RESULTThe implant surgery lasted an average of 5.2 h, and no monkey died or sacrificed. The averaged latencies of peaks I, II and IV were 1.27, 2.34 and 3.98 ms, respectively in the ABR. One-peak EABR wave was elicited in the operation, and one- or two-peak waves were elicited during the postoperative period. The EABR wave latencies appeared to be constant under different stimulus intensities; however, the amplitudes increased as the stimulus increased within a certain scope.

CONCLUSIONSIt is feasible and safe to implant ABIs in rhesus macaque monkeys (M. mulatta) through a modified suboccipital RS approach, and EABR and CT are valid tools for animal model establishment. In addition, this model should be an appropriate animal model for the electrophysiological and behavioral study of rhesus macaque monkey with ABI.

Animals ; Auditory Brain Stem Implants ; Deafness ; surgery ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; physiology ; Female ; Macaca mulatta ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of fractional nitric oxide concentration in exhaled breath (FeNO) in assessing the level of asthma control in children.

METHODSA total of 226 asthmatic children were divided into controlled asthma (n= 86), partially controlled asthma (n=63), and uncontrolled asthma groups (n=77). Ninety healthy children were enrolled as controls. FeNO was measured for both asthmatic and healthy children using the Swedish-designed NIOX system.

RESULTSThe control group had an FeNO of 14±6 ppb, the controlled asthma group had an FeNO of 29±26 ppb, the partially controlled asthma group had an FeNO of 32±30 ppb, and the uncontrolled asthma group had an FeNO of 40±32 ppb. The three asthma groups showed significantly higher FeNO than the control group (P<0.05). The uncontrolled asthma group showed significantly higher FeNO than the controlled asthma group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in FeNO between the partially controlled and uncontrolled asthma groups and between the partially controlled and controlled asthma groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAsthmatic children have significantly higher FeNO than healthy children, and FeNO is correlated with the level of asthma control.

Adolescent ; Asthma ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Breath Tests ; Child ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and heat shock protein 60 (HSP 60) in rats without electric marks after electric injury, to identify the relationship of the CK-MB, HSP 60 and the time of electric injuries, and to evaluate the damage to cells after electric injury. METHODS: The animal model of electric injury without electric marks was established by alternating current (voltage 110 V). Automatic biochemistry analyzer was used to detect the serum CK-MB and immunohistochemical staining technology was used to analyze the tissues of myocardium and left lobe of liver. RESULTS: The amount of serum CK-MB was increased when the rats were injuried, and reached the peak at 30min. Then the amount of CK-MB began to decrease and showed a slight downward trend in 3-5 h after electric injury, and leveled off at 6 h. Immunohistochemistry staining also showed the changes of HSP 60 of rats' myocardial cells and hepatic cells regularly after electric injury. CONCLUSION The regular changes of serum CK-MB and tissular HSP 60 in rats can be used to diagnosis electric injury and assess the injury of internal organs after the electric injury without electric marks.
Animals ; Chaperonin 60/metabolism* ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form/metabolism* ; Electric Injuries/complications* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver/pathology* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of scrotum reconstruction with a skin flap on spermatogenesis.

METHODSTwo patients who underwent scrotum reconstruction with the skin flap were followed up for four years. Their sperm quality, sex function, sexual hormone, and testis biopsy were examined. To exclude the influential factors of testis and spermatic cord contusing, an experiment study was designed and performed in rabbits. The scrotal skin of the rabbits was stripped off and the scrotum was reconstructed with a hypogastric skin flap.

RESULTSThe clinical follow-up indicated that in the early postoperative period, the reconstruction did not impede spermatogenesis, but the arrest of spermatogenesis happened with time. The experimental results showed that the sperm count of the rabbits decreased obviously and the rabbits became sterile two months after scrotum reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONThe thick skin flap is not recommended for scrotum reconstruction.

Adult ; Animals ; Female ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Rabbits ; Scrotum ; surgery ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism ; Surgical Flaps ; Testis ; physiology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the effective therapy for maintenance hemodialysis patients in dificiency syndrome in end-stage renal disease.

METHODSNinety-seven cases were divided into an observation group (51 cases) and a control group (46 cases) randomly, and routine western medicine was used in both of them. On this base, moxibustion was used in Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in paper-tube-moxibustion equipment in the observation group. Evaluate the therapeutic effect on symptoms by comparing the symptom scores in two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSAll the symptom scores in the observation group were improved after treatment, and the differences were significant (all P < 0.05). Among all symptoms, the most improved ones included lassitude and fatigue, short breath and aversion to talk, poor appetite, soreness and softness of waist and knees, aversion to cold, cold extremities and so on. In the aspect of therapeutic effect on symptoms, the total effective rate in observation group (64.7%, 33/51) was higher than that in control group (23.9%, 11/46), and the difference was significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMoxibustion can improve the clinical symptoms of maintenance hemodialysis patients in end-stage renal disease, and can generate some therapeutic effect to the dificiency syndrome of this disease.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Renal Dialysis ; Young Adult