Objective:To observe any impact of supplementing conventional rehabilitation training with electrothermal acupuncture on the upper limb motor functioning of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty-six hemiplegic persons who had recently survived a stroke were divided at random into an electrothermal acupuncture group ( n=18) and a control group ( n=18). Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training, while the electrothermal acupuncture group was additionally provided with daily 30-minute sessions of electrothermal acupuncture, 6 days per week for 3 weeks. Before and after the treatment everyone′s upper limb motor functioning was quantified using the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA-UE), and their ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed using the modified Barthel index (MBI). The Hong Kong version of the functional test for the hemiplegic upper extremity (FTHUE-HK) was also administered. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was employed to compute the co-contraction ratios (CRs) of the agonist to antagonist muscles during elbow flexion and extension. Results:After the treatment, both groups exhibited significant improvements in their average FMA-UE, FTHUE-HK and MBI results, but with significantly greater improvement in the electrothermal acupuncture group. The root mean square values of the wrist flexor and extensor and elbow flexor muscles during flexion showed significant improvement in both groups, with the average values in the electrothermal acupuncture group significantly better than those of the control group. The CR values during elbow extension in the electrothermal acupuncture group demonstrated significant improvement compared to before the treatment.Conclusions:Supplementing conventional rehabilitation measures with electrothermal acupuncture can better increase the strength of the elbow and wrist extensor muscles in the early days after a stroke. It promotes the recruitment of muscle fibers in the extensor muscle group, reduces abnormal coordination patterns in the elbow joint, and improves upper limb motor function, the practicality of hand function, and ability in the activities of daily living.

Objective:To observe any impact of supplementing conventional rehabilitation training with electrothermal acupuncture on the upper limb motor functioning of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty-six hemiplegic persons who had recently survived a stroke were divided at random into an electrothermal acupuncture group ( n=18) and a control group ( n=18). Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training, while the electrothermal acupuncture group was additionally provided with daily 30-minute sessions of electrothermal acupuncture, 6 days per week for 3 weeks. Before and after the treatment everyone′s upper limb motor functioning was quantified using the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA-UE), and their ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed using the modified Barthel index (MBI). The Hong Kong version of the functional test for the hemiplegic upper extremity (FTHUE-HK) was also administered. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was employed to compute the co-contraction ratios (CRs) of the agonist to antagonist muscles during elbow flexion and extension. Results:After the treatment, both groups exhibited significant improvements in their average FMA-UE, FTHUE-HK and MBI results, but with significantly greater improvement in the electrothermal acupuncture group. The root mean square values of the wrist flexor and extensor and elbow flexor muscles during flexion showed significant improvement in both groups, with the average values in the electrothermal acupuncture group significantly better than those of the control group. The CR values during elbow extension in the electrothermal acupuncture group demonstrated significant improvement compared to before the treatment.Conclusions:Supplementing conventional rehabilitation measures with electrothermal acupuncture can better increase the strength of the elbow and wrist extensor muscles in the early days after a stroke. It promotes the recruitment of muscle fibers in the extensor muscle group, reduces abnormal coordination patterns in the elbow joint, and improves upper limb motor function, the practicality of hand function, and ability in the activities of daily living.

Objective To investigate the correlation between somatosensory evoked potentials(SEP)of upper limbs,and sensory and motor functions in stroke patients in different stages. Methods From June,2021 to October,2023,177 stroke patients in Shijiazhuang People's Hospital were diveded into acute stage group(within 14 days,n=25),early recovery group(14 days to one month,n=110)and middle to late recovery group(one to six months,n=42)according to the duration of the disease.General information of the patients was recorded;SEP examination was performed,and N20 lantency and amplitude were recorded.Monofilament touch and two-point discrimination sensation of the patient's hands were tested using the monofila-ment and two-point discrimination tools,respectively;and motor function was assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assess-ment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE).The correlation between SEP,and the sensory and motor scores in each group was analyzed. Results There was no significant difference in the monofilament tactile and two-point discrimination scores among the three groups(P>0.05).SEP was not correlated with sensory and motor functions in the acute stage group(P>0.05);in the early recovery group,N20 latency was negatively correlated with monofilament tactile sensation(r=-0.267,P=0.005)and positively correlated with two-point discrimination sensation(r=0.220,P=0.021),and N20 amplitude was positively correlated with monofilament tactile sensation(r=0.328,P<0.001)and FMA-UE score(r=0.418,P<0.001),and negatively correlated with two-point discrimination(r=-0.405,P<0.001);in the middle to late recovery group,the N20 latency was negatively correlated with FMA-UE score(r=-0.313,P=0.044),and N20 amplitude was positively correlated with monofilament tactile sensation(r=0.598,P<0.001)and FMA-UE score(r=0.393,P=0.010),and negatively correlated with two-point discrimination(r=-0.591,P<0.001).Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the score of monofilament tactile sensa-tion was negatively correlated with N20 latency(β=-0.510,P=0.046),and the FMA-UE score was positively correlated with N20 amplitude(β=0.313,P=0.026)in the middle to late recovery group;in the early recovery group,the two-point discriminative sensation score was negatively correlated with N20 amplitude(β=-0.270,P=0.039). Conclusion The correlation between SEP and sensory and motor functions becomes more significant with the prolonga-tion of disease.

Objective To evaluate methods of OP mesh spreading in preperitoneal tension-free repair of inguinal hernia via open anterior approach.Methods The clinical data of 1 528 cases underwent preperitoneal tension-free repair of inguinal hernia via open anterior approach from March 2012 to April 2015 was analyzed retrospectively.The methods of mesh crimp spreading, pectineal ligament suture fixation, pubic tubercle suture fixation and auxiliary support were used.Results The mesh crimp spreading method was used in 1 021 cases, pectineal ligament suture fixation method was used in 64 cases, pubic tubercle suture fixation method was used in 48 cases, auxiliary support method was used in 395 cases.Meshes were all well spreaded.Conclusions The four methods of mesh spreading are effective, simple, convenient and easy to use in preperitoneal tension-free repair of inguinal hernia via open anterior approach.

Objective To report a family with lipoid proteinosis (LP) from Shandong province and to analyze mutations in the extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) gene in this family.Methods Eight members in a threegeneration family with LP were clinically investigated,and two patients were identified to suffer from LP,including the proband (Ⅲ 1) and her mother (Ⅱ 2).Both of the patients presented with papules on the palpebral margin,short and thick lingual frenum,and hoarseness.Indirect laryngoscopy showed infiltrating and thickening of the vocal cord.Pathological examination of lesions on the palpebral margin and laryngeal mucosa revealed deposits of hyaline-like material in the dermis,which was strongly positive for periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and resistant to diastase digestion.The pathological diagnosis was LP.Blood samples were collected from all the family members and 100 ethnically matched,unrelated and unaffected Chinese human controls followed by DNA extraction.PCR and sequencing were performed to detect the ECM1 gene,and nested PCR followed by agarose gel electrophoresis to analyze mutations in the coding region of the ECM1 gene.Results Both of the two patients were compound heterozygotes.Three missense mutations,incluing p.P169T,p.A44T and p.R392W,were found in the ECM1 gene of the affected mother,with p.P169T in one allele and p.A44T as well as p.R392W in the other.The girl patient inheried the missence mutation p.P169T from her mother and a synonymous mutation c.879G ＞ A from her father (Ⅱ 1).Nested PCR showed that the c.978G ＞ A mutation generated a splice-acceptor site AG,which leaded to a splicing defect.Conclusion A novel synonymous splice-acceptor site mutation c.879G ＞ A in the ECM1 gene is identified in the family with LP.

Objective To investigate the superiority of direct multi-slice spiral CT venography in inferior vena cava. Methods Twenty-eight patients performed MSCT venography in inferior vena cava, including 2 cases with both indirect and direct venography, 10 cases with indirect venography, 20 cases with direct venography through unilateral or bilateral lower extremity venous injection. The image quality and enhancement degree of the inferior vena cava were compared in double-blind method. Results Of 10 cases with indirect venography of inferior vena cava, 1 case was failed due to mild enhancement in inferior vena cava. Image quality was good in 2 cases, poor in 7 cases, no excellent case. Of 20 cases with direct venography of inferior vena cava, the enhancement degree was scored 1, 2 degree in 16, 4 cases respectively and no case was scored 3 degree, the image quality was excellent, good in 16, 4 cases and no case was bad. The success rate was 100%. Conclusion The image quality of direct MSCT venography in inferior vena cava is better than that of indirect method.

Objective:To establish the technique for real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(FQ-PCR)by DNA melting curve analysis for detecting the CDR3 shewing of TCR alpha gene repertoire in human peripheral blood.Methods:Total RNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC)from 4 healthy donors and 2 patients with lymphomatous leukemia were transcripted reversely into cDNA.The cDNA of 32 TRAV gene family CDR3 was amplified by FQ-PCR.Analysis of the monoclonal/oligoclonal/polyclonal CDR3 spectratyping with DNA melting curve.Results:The FQ-PCR products of 32 TRAV family CDR3 were showedas a blur land at the predicted of products size in healthy donors and parts of TRAV family CDR3 products disappeared in patients on 1.5% agarose gel by Gold-View staining.The 32 TRAV family CDR3 were showed with different frequencies by relative fluorescence quantitative in healthy donors and the patients.The CDR3 spetratyping for 32 TRAV families was showed as polyclonal peak(Gaussian distribution)in healthy donors but showed as different monoclonal/oligoclonal/polyclonal peak in the patients with lymphomatous leukemia with DNA melting curve analysis(we called "melting curve spectratyping of CDR3")Conclusion:The study suggests that the technique of "FQ-PCR with DNA melting curve analysis be convenience and celerity for detecting the CDR3 skewing of TCR alpha gene repertoire in human peripheral blood.