Objective:To explore the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with resistance training on stroke related muscle atrophy(SRS) based on propensity score matching (PSM) method.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 150 cases of SRS patients in our hospital from September 2022 to September 2024. The patients were divided into an observation group of 78 cases and a control group of 72 cases according to the treatment method. Using PSM method to balance the confounding factors before treatment in a 1:1 ratio, 40 cases were successfully matched in each group. The control group received resistance training, while the observation group received TEAS treatment in addition to the control group. Both groups received continuous treatment for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment, the MedTrack Length isokinetic muscle strength testing system was used to measure the patients' knee extension and flexion axis muscle strength values, and the body composition analyzer was used to measure the patients' muscle weight and muscle index. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Fugl Meyer Motor Function Scale (FMA), and Simplified Upper Limb Function Scale (STEF) were used to evaluate limb motor function. ELISA method was used to detect the levels of muscle growth inhibitor (MSTN), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). The occurrence of adverse reactions during the treatment of two groups and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was 92.50% (37/40), while that of the control group was 75.00% (30/40), with statistical significance ( χ2=4.50, P=0.034). After treatment, the observation group showed higher levels of knee extension [(78.25 ± 6.11) Nm vs. (74.02 ±6.02) Nm, t=3.11], flexion axis muscle strength [(32.84 ± 4.11) Nm vs. (29.35 ± 3.94) Nm, t=3.88], muscle weight [(41.42 ± 3.06) kg vs. (38.29 ± 3.12) kg, t=4.53], and muscle index [(7.11±1.17) kg/m 2vs. (6.56 ± 1.05) kg/m 2, t=2.21] compared to the control group ( P<0.01 or P<0.05). After treatment, the BBS, FMA and STEF scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group ( t=4.57, 3.23,2.73, respectively, P<0.01), and the levels of serum MSTN [(46.34 ± 5.98) μg/L vs. (51.44 ± 6.04) μg/L, t=3.79] and GDF-15 [(67.44±7.21) μg/L vs. (72.28 ± 8.04) μg/L, t=2.83] in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment ( P<0.01); the level of IGF-1 [(37.92 ±5.66) ng/L vs. (31.09 ± 4.22) ng/L, t=6.11] was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.01). During the treatment period, the incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 10.00% (4/40), while in the control group it was 7.50% (3/40), without statistical significance ( χ2=0.16, P=0.692). Conclusion:TEAS combined with resistance training can improve muscle strength and weight in SRS patients, improve limb motor function, reduce serum markers related to muscle attenuation, and have good treatment safety.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of side-to-side anastomosis of superficial temporal artery (STA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass using in-situ intravascular suture technique.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 10 adult patients who were treated with side-to-side microvascular anastomosis of STA-MCA bypass to improve intracranial blood supply, between February 2024 and September 2024 in the Department of Neurosurgery of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. Among the patients, 2 were of symptomatic MCA occlusion and 8 of Moyamoya disease. Diameter of STA and MCA, length of anastomosis and blocking time of MCA were recorded. Indocyanine green video angiography (ICG-VA) was performed to evaluate the immediate patency of the STA-MCA side-to-side anastomosis. Digital subtracted angiography (DSA) was performed at 1 week after the surgery to evaluate the patency of the STA-MCA bypass anastomosis, then follow-up DSA was performed at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery to further evaluate the postoperative anastomotic patency. Neurological function was evaluated regularly with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).Results:All of the 10 side-to-side STA-MCA bypass anastomoses were successfully performed using in-situ intravascular suture technique. The scalps of all patients healed well. The diameters of STA and MCA were 1.4-2.0 (1.76±0.27) mm and 0.8-1.4 (0.98±0.20) mm, respectively. The average length of the anastomoses was 3.5-5.0 (4.45±0.60) mm. The blocking time of MCA was 12.0-29.0 (21.50±6.62) min. A 100% vessel patency rate was achieved immediately after vessel anastomosis and at 1 month after surgery. DSA examinations were performed at 3 months after surgery on 6 patients and at 6 months after surgery on 1 patient, and all the anastomoses were found in full patency. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up that lasted for 3 to 7 months. All patients recovered well without new neurological dysfunction. The mRS of 8 patients remained at 0 point before and after surgery. Two patients had improved postoperative mRS of 1 point from that of 2 points before surgery.Conclusion:STA-MCA side-to-side microvascular bypass anastomosis can be performed safely and efficiently using in-situ intravascular suture technique. It could efficiently reduce the incidence of perioperative complications. Meanwhile, it can self-regulate the blood flow and maximise the potential capability of STA.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs) via respiratory and digestive tract exposure on multiple organs in mice.Methods:A short-term repeated exposure model of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) and tris(1, 3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) in mice was established through intratracheal instillation and oral gavage administration. The exposure doses were 0.7, 1 and 2 mg·kg -1·day -1, respectively, with continuous administration for 14 days. The organs of the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and testis were collected and weighed to calculate the organ coefficients. The pathological and histological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining to quantitatively assess the effects of the three Cl-OPFRs on the various organs by using the pathology score. Results:Analysis of organ coefficients in tracheal drip-treated mice showed that the organ coefficients in the testes of the TCEP, TCIPP and TDCIPP groups were lower than those in the control group ( PTCEP-testis=0.045, PTCIPP-testis=0.012 and PTDCIPP-testis<0.001). The organ coefficients were lower in the lungs and small intestines of the TCEP group ( PTCEP-lung=0.006, PTCEP-small intestine=0.042). The organ coefficients for the stomach and large intestine were higher in the TDCIPP group ( PTDCIPP-stomach=0.014, PTDCIPP-large intestine=0.049). Analyses of gavage-contaminated mice showed that the organ coefficients for liver, stomach and small intestine in the TCEP and TDCIPP groups were higher than those in the control group ( PTCEP-liver=0.007, PTCEP-stomach=0.003, PTCEP-small intestine<0.001, PTDCIPP-liver=0.001, PTDCIPP-stomach=0.004, and PTDCIPP-small intestine<0.001). Histopathological analyses of the organs of tracheal drip dyed mice showed significant pathological damage in the lung tissue of the TCIPP group, mainly in the form of thickening of the interstitium, infiltration of inflammatory cells and alveolar collapse. The results of the analysis of gavage poisoned mice showed that TCIPP exposure could lead to blurring of the red and white medullary boundaries of spleen tissues, destruction of white medullary structures, etc., and induce small intestinal cryptitis. TDCIPP induced significant pathological damage to the liver tissues of mice, which mainly included cytoplasmic washout, infiltration of inflammatory cells, acute inflammation, and other injurious effects. Significant pathological damage to the intestinal tissues of mice was also observed. Conclusions:This study demonstrates that the toxic effects of Cl-OPFRs are significantly associated with exposure routes and compound specificity. Respiratory exposure predominantly induces TCIPP-mediated pulmonary injury, while digestive exposure causes TDCIPP-driven hepatointestinal toxicity. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the toxicity screening of Cl-OPFRs.

In order to characterize the characteristics of pathological tremor of human upper limb, a simulation system of pathological tremor of human arm was provided and its dynamic response was analyzed. Firstly, in this study, a two-degree-of-freedom human arm dynamic model was established and linearized according to the arbitrary initial angle of joints. After solving the analytical solutions of steady-state responses of the joints, the numerical solution was used to verify it. The results of theoretical analysis show that the two natural frequencies of the developed dynamic model are 2.9 Hz and 5.4 Hz, respectively, which meet the characteristic frequency range of pathological tremors. Then, combined with the measured parameters of human arm, a tremor simulation system was built, and the measured results of joint responses are in good agreement with the theoretical and simulation analysis results, which verifies the effectiveness of the theoretical model. The results show that the human arm pathological tremor simulation system designed in this paper can characterize the frequency and response amplitude of the human upper limb pathological tremor. Moreover, the relevant research lays a theoretical foundation and experimental conditions for the subsequent development of wearable tremor suppression devices.
Humans ; Tremor/physiopathology* ; Computer Simulation ; Arm/physiopathology* ; Joints/physiopathology* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Upper Extremity/physiopathology* ; Models, Biological

Objective:To evaluate the effects of chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs) via respiratory and digestive tract exposure on multiple organs in mice.Methods:A short-term repeated exposure model of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) and tris(1, 3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) in mice was established through intratracheal instillation and oral gavage administration. The exposure doses were 0.7, 1 and 2 mg·kg -1·day -1, respectively, with continuous administration for 14 days. The organs of the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and testis were collected and weighed to calculate the organ coefficients. The pathological and histological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining to quantitatively assess the effects of the three Cl-OPFRs on the various organs by using the pathology score. Results:Analysis of organ coefficients in tracheal drip-treated mice showed that the organ coefficients in the testes of the TCEP, TCIPP and TDCIPP groups were lower than those in the control group ( PTCEP-testis=0.045, PTCIPP-testis=0.012 and PTDCIPP-testis<0.001). The organ coefficients were lower in the lungs and small intestines of the TCEP group ( PTCEP-lung=0.006, PTCEP-small intestine=0.042). The organ coefficients for the stomach and large intestine were higher in the TDCIPP group ( PTDCIPP-stomach=0.014, PTDCIPP-large intestine=0.049). Analyses of gavage-contaminated mice showed that the organ coefficients for liver, stomach and small intestine in the TCEP and TDCIPP groups were higher than those in the control group ( PTCEP-liver=0.007, PTCEP-stomach=0.003, PTCEP-small intestine<0.001, PTDCIPP-liver=0.001, PTDCIPP-stomach=0.004, and PTDCIPP-small intestine<0.001). Histopathological analyses of the organs of tracheal drip dyed mice showed significant pathological damage in the lung tissue of the TCIPP group, mainly in the form of thickening of the interstitium, infiltration of inflammatory cells and alveolar collapse. The results of the analysis of gavage poisoned mice showed that TCIPP exposure could lead to blurring of the red and white medullary boundaries of spleen tissues, destruction of white medullary structures, etc., and induce small intestinal cryptitis. TDCIPP induced significant pathological damage to the liver tissues of mice, which mainly included cytoplasmic washout, infiltration of inflammatory cells, acute inflammation, and other injurious effects. Significant pathological damage to the intestinal tissues of mice was also observed. Conclusions:This study demonstrates that the toxic effects of Cl-OPFRs are significantly associated with exposure routes and compound specificity. Respiratory exposure predominantly induces TCIPP-mediated pulmonary injury, while digestive exposure causes TDCIPP-driven hepatointestinal toxicity. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the toxicity screening of Cl-OPFRs.

Objective:To understand the current status of family resilience in children with autism and explore its influencing factors, providing a basis for developing intervention measures to improve family resilience in these families.Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select children with autism and their caregivers who underwent rehabilitation training at the Department of Child Developmental Behavior, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March to September 2023. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, the Chinese version of the Parenting Burnout Scale, and the Caregiver Stress Scale.Results:A total of 280 questionnaires were distributed, and 271 valid questionnaires were collected. Among the 271 children with autism, 210 were male and 61 were female, with the majority aged 3-5 years old (169 cases). Among the 271 caregivers, 21 were male and 250 were female, with the majority aged 30-39 years old (149 cases). The total score of the Chinese version of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale was (70.59 ± 14.08) points, with scores of (49.96 ± 10.23) points for family communication and problem-solving, (7.13 ± 1.62) points for social resource utilization, and (13.52 ± 3.31) points for maintaining a positive attitude. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the child′s age, disease duration, reimbursement method, parenting burnout, and caregiver stress were influencing factors of family resilience in children with autism ( t values were -10.40-3.48, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The level of family resilience in children with autism needs improvement. Higher levels of parenting burnout and caregiver stress are associated with lower levels of family resilience. Future interventions should be developed based on these influencing factors to promote the physical and mental health of children with autism and their caregivers.

Objective:To understand the current status of family resilience in children with autism and explore its influencing factors, providing a basis for developing intervention measures to improve family resilience in these families.Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select children with autism and their caregivers who underwent rehabilitation training at the Department of Child Developmental Behavior, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March to September 2023. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale, the Chinese version of the Parenting Burnout Scale, and the Caregiver Stress Scale.Results:A total of 280 questionnaires were distributed, and 271 valid questionnaires were collected. Among the 271 children with autism, 210 were male and 61 were female, with the majority aged 3-5 years old (169 cases). Among the 271 caregivers, 21 were male and 250 were female, with the majority aged 30-39 years old (149 cases). The total score of the Chinese version of the Family Resilience Assessment Scale was (70.59 ± 14.08) points, with scores of (49.96 ± 10.23) points for family communication and problem-solving, (7.13 ± 1.62) points for social resource utilization, and (13.52 ± 3.31) points for maintaining a positive attitude. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the child′s age, disease duration, reimbursement method, parenting burnout, and caregiver stress were influencing factors of family resilience in children with autism ( t values were -10.40-3.48, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The level of family resilience in children with autism needs improvement. Higher levels of parenting burnout and caregiver stress are associated with lower levels of family resilience. Future interventions should be developed based on these influencing factors to promote the physical and mental health of children with autism and their caregivers.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of side-to-side anastomosis of superficial temporal artery (STA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass using in-situ intravascular suture technique.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 10 adult patients who were treated with side-to-side microvascular anastomosis of STA-MCA bypass to improve intracranial blood supply, between February 2024 and September 2024 in the Department of Neurosurgery of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. Among the patients, 2 were of symptomatic MCA occlusion and 8 of Moyamoya disease. Diameter of STA and MCA, length of anastomosis and blocking time of MCA were recorded. Indocyanine green video angiography (ICG-VA) was performed to evaluate the immediate patency of the STA-MCA side-to-side anastomosis. Digital subtracted angiography (DSA) was performed at 1 week after the surgery to evaluate the patency of the STA-MCA bypass anastomosis, then follow-up DSA was performed at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery to further evaluate the postoperative anastomotic patency. Neurological function was evaluated regularly with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).Results:All of the 10 side-to-side STA-MCA bypass anastomoses were successfully performed using in-situ intravascular suture technique. The scalps of all patients healed well. The diameters of STA and MCA were 1.4-2.0 (1.76±0.27) mm and 0.8-1.4 (0.98±0.20) mm, respectively. The average length of the anastomoses was 3.5-5.0 (4.45±0.60) mm. The blocking time of MCA was 12.0-29.0 (21.50±6.62) min. A 100% vessel patency rate was achieved immediately after vessel anastomosis and at 1 month after surgery. DSA examinations were performed at 3 months after surgery on 6 patients and at 6 months after surgery on 1 patient, and all the anastomoses were found in full patency. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up that lasted for 3 to 7 months. All patients recovered well without new neurological dysfunction. The mRS of 8 patients remained at 0 point before and after surgery. Two patients had improved postoperative mRS of 1 point from that of 2 points before surgery.Conclusion:STA-MCA side-to-side microvascular bypass anastomosis can be performed safely and efficiently using in-situ intravascular suture technique. It could efficiently reduce the incidence of perioperative complications. Meanwhile, it can self-regulate the blood flow and maximise the potential capability of STA.

Objective To investigate the water quality and sanitary conditions of rural self-provided wells water in Haidian District, Beijing, and to provide reference for strengthening water supply management of self-provided wells. Methods The water quality monitoring data of rural self-provided wells in Haidian District from 2018 to 2022 were analyzed. Results A total of 1 568 water samples were tested in 2018-2022 , of which 1 486 were qualified, with a qualified rate of 94.77%. The qualified rate in each year was 86.75% , 92.86% , 97.48% , 98.06% , and 99.34% , respectively , and the difference was statistically significant ( χ²= 75.296 , P＜0.05). The qualified rates of sensory traits and general chemical indexes, toxicological indexes and microbial indexes were 97.70%, 97.58% and 98.28%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the qualified rates among the three indexes in 2018, 2019 and 2021 (P < 0.05). The unqualified indicators included total hardness, total number of colonies, total coliform, fluoride, nitrate and turbidity, with a qualified rate of 97.96%, 98.41%, 99.17%, 99.11%, 98.47% and 99.94%, respectively. Conclusion The water quality of self-provided wells in rural Haidian District is good. Relevant departments should continue to strengthen the supervision of self-provided wells, such as the supervision of self-provided wells disinfection devices and water treatment equipment, to ensure the safety of drinking water for residents.

Objective:To investigate the long-term efficacy of self-designed posterior atlas polyaxial screw-plate in the treatment of unstable atlas fracture.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 20 patients with unstable atlas fracture who were admitted to Affiliated Honghui Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2011 to April 2013, including 14 males and 6 females, aged 23-60 years [(42.7±8.6)years]. All the patients were treated with internal fixation using self-designed posterior atlas polyaxial screw-plate. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume were recorded. The fracture reduction was evaluated by CT scan at 3 days after surgery. The bone healing was observed by X-ray (anterior-posterior and lateral views of the cervical spine) and CT scan at 9 months after surgery. The delayed spinal cord injuries were evaluated by Frankel grade at 1 and 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before surgery, at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared. The axial rotation, flexion and extension range of the cervical spine at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 121-148 months [(135.0±6.8)months]. The operation duration was 68-122 minutes [(86.0±14.1)minutes], with the intraoperative blood loss of 90-400 ml [(120.0±67.9)ml]. The CT scan of the cervical spine at 3 days after surgery showed all satisfactory fracture reduction. Satisfactory bone reunion was observed at 9 months after surgery. All patients were scaled as Frankel grade E at 1 year, 2 years and at the last follow-up after surgery, with no delayed spinal cord injuries observed. The VAS scores of the cervical spine at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were 2.0(1.3, 3.0)points, 1.0(1.0, 1.8)points, 1.0(0.3, 1.0)points and 1.0(0.3, 1.0)points, which were significantly lower than that before surgery [7.0(6.0, 7.8)points] ( P<0.05), with significantly lower scores at 1-, 2-year after surgeny and at the last follow-up than at 3 months after surgery ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences among the other time points ( P>0.05). The axial rotation ranges of the cervical spine were (103.0±8.3)°, (128.3± 11.4)° and (129.8±13.6)° at 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up respectively, which were significantly higher than that at 3 months after surgery [(85.3±7.0)°] ( P<0.05); It was further improved at 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up compared with that at 1 year after surgery ( P<0.05), with no significant difference at the last follow-up compared with that at 2 years after surgery ( P>0.05). The flexion and extension range of the cervical spine at 1 year, 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up were (65.5±4.8)°, (78.3±6.5)° and (79.3±6.9)° respectively, which were significantly higher than that at 3 months after surgery [(54.3±4.4)°] ( P<0.05); It was further improved at 2 years after surgery and at the last follow-up compared with that at 1 year after surgery ( P<0.05), with no significant difference between the last follow-up and 2 years after surgery ( P>0.05). No intraoperative injuries such as arteriovenous injury were observed. No incision infection or dehiscence occurred after surgery, with no complications caused by long-term bed rest such as lung or urinary tract infection, pressure sore formation or deep vein thrombosis occurred. No loosening or breakage of the screw and atlas plate was observed at the long-term follow-up. One patient had mild cervical pain, snap during rotation, and limited range of motion at the last follow-up. Conclusion:Self-designed posterior atlas polyaxial screw-plate has merits including small surgical wounds, satisfactory reduction, solid fixation, obvious pain relief, effective preservation of the previous cervical motion, few complications, and satisfactory long-term efficacy in the treatment of unstable atlas fracture.