Objective:To investigate the feasibility of improving quality of life through outcome self-reporting and clinical intervention based on the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire(USSQ)for patients with upper tract urolithiasis.Methods:We enrolled 106 patients with upper urinary tract calculi from June 2023 to June 2024 who underwent ureteral stent placement at The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.We applied the USSQ to monitor the patients'outcomes through their self-reports,and used the data to inform clinical interventions.The feasibility of this USSQ-based approach for improving patients'quality of life was evalu-ated.Results:The main symptoms after ureteral stent placement were pain and hematuria,while frequency,urgency,fever,and sexual problems were less common.The USSQ score was highest on the third day after operation,and thereafter declined in all the dimensions.except the additional problem.After intervention,the total USSQ score(57.5±10.1 vs.51.6±8.9,t=2.981,P=0.004)and urinary symptom score(30.8±5.3 vs.26.7±5.6,t=3.478,P<0.001)were significantly decreased.USSQ-based outcome self-reporting and clinical intervention could reduce symptom scores and improve patients'quality of life.Conclusion:USSQ-based outcome monitoring and management are feasible and effective for improving the quality of life of patients with upper tract urolithiasis.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR)-guided core stability-assisted training in improving the balance of ischemic stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty-six hemiplegic ischemic stroke survivors were randomly divided into a conventional rehabilitation training group (CON) of 32 and an immersive VR-guided core stability-assisted training group (VR-TOT) of 34. In addition to basic internal medical treatment, the CON group underwent conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the VR-TOT group received VR-guided core stability-assisted training. Before and after 4 weeks of the treatments, the subjects′ balance was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer balance scale. A three-dimensional force platform was used to collect the sway amplitude, sway speed, peripheral area and total trajectory length of the center of pressure COP of the bilateral plantar in the left-right and anterior-posterior directions while the subjects stood with the eyes open and closed.Results:After the treatments, the average Fugl-Meyer balance scores of both groups had improved significantly. In the eyes-open condition, after the treatment, there was a significant decrease in the average COP sway amplitude in the anteroposterior direction on the hemiplegic side among the CON group, as well as in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions on both sides in the VR-TOT group. The sway velocity in the anteroposterior direction on the hemiplegic side had decreased significantly in both groups, and the sway velocity in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions on the non-hemiplegic side had also decreased significantly. In the CON group the peripheral area on the non-hemiplegic side had decreased and the total trajectory length had shortened significantly. In the VR-TOT group there were significant decreases in the peripheral area on both sides and in the total trajectory length on both sides. Comparing the two groups after treatment, the peripheral area on the hemiplegic side in the VR-TOT group was significantly smaller. In the eyes-closed condition, the sway amplitude of the COP on the hemiplegic side in the anteroposterior direction and on the non-hemiplegic side in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions had decreased significantly in the VR-TOT group after the treatment. The average sway velocity had decreased significantly in the anteroposterior direction on the non-hemiplegic side in the CON group. In the VR-TOT group this was observed in the anteroposterior direction on the hemiplegic side and in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions on the healthy side. In the CON group the average peripheral area of the COP on the hemiplegic side had decreased, and the total trajectory length had shortened, both significantly. In the VR-TOT group, the peripheral area on the non-hemiplegic side had decreased significantly as well.Conclusions:Core stability-assisted training based on immersive virtual reality can effectively improve the balance of ischemic stroke survivors. It shows promise for clinical application.

Objective To develop a multi-parameter gait kinematics analysis and measurement system using artificial intelligence key point detection technology(AI system),and verify the effectiveness of the measurement.Methods A total of ten inpatients with abnormal gait were selected in Peking University Third Hospital from April to Oc-tober,2022,while ten normal subjects were recruited.Their gait data were measured using GaitWatch and AI sys-tem simultaneously.Results Compared with those from GaitWatch,the mean absolute error(MAE)of stride frequency,gait period,stride length and stride speed were little from AI system,with high accuracy(>95%)and good consistency(ICC>0.75);however,MAE of hip,knee and ankle angles was larger,and correlation was satisfactory(r>0.60).Conclusion The novel gait analysis system is accurate and consistent in measuring spatiotemporal gait parameters,but not well in measuring joint angles,which need to be modified.

Objective To develop a multi-parameter gait kinematics analysis and measurement system using artificial intelligence key point detection technology(AI system),and verify the effectiveness of the measurement.Methods A total of ten inpatients with abnormal gait were selected in Peking University Third Hospital from April to Oc-tober,2022,while ten normal subjects were recruited.Their gait data were measured using GaitWatch and AI sys-tem simultaneously.Results Compared with those from GaitWatch,the mean absolute error(MAE)of stride frequency,gait period,stride length and stride speed were little from AI system,with high accuracy(>95%)and good consistency(ICC>0.75);however,MAE of hip,knee and ankle angles was larger,and correlation was satisfactory(r>0.60).Conclusion The novel gait analysis system is accurate and consistent in measuring spatiotemporal gait parameters,but not well in measuring joint angles,which need to be modified.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR)-guided core stability-assisted training in improving the balance of ischemic stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty-six hemiplegic ischemic stroke survivors were randomly divided into a conventional rehabilitation training group (CON) of 32 and an immersive VR-guided core stability-assisted training group (VR-TOT) of 34. In addition to basic internal medical treatment, the CON group underwent conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the VR-TOT group received VR-guided core stability-assisted training. Before and after 4 weeks of the treatments, the subjects′ balance was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer balance scale. A three-dimensional force platform was used to collect the sway amplitude, sway speed, peripheral area and total trajectory length of the center of pressure COP of the bilateral plantar in the left-right and anterior-posterior directions while the subjects stood with the eyes open and closed.Results:After the treatments, the average Fugl-Meyer balance scores of both groups had improved significantly. In the eyes-open condition, after the treatment, there was a significant decrease in the average COP sway amplitude in the anteroposterior direction on the hemiplegic side among the CON group, as well as in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions on both sides in the VR-TOT group. The sway velocity in the anteroposterior direction on the hemiplegic side had decreased significantly in both groups, and the sway velocity in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions on the non-hemiplegic side had also decreased significantly. In the CON group the peripheral area on the non-hemiplegic side had decreased and the total trajectory length had shortened significantly. In the VR-TOT group there were significant decreases in the peripheral area on both sides and in the total trajectory length on both sides. Comparing the two groups after treatment, the peripheral area on the hemiplegic side in the VR-TOT group was significantly smaller. In the eyes-closed condition, the sway amplitude of the COP on the hemiplegic side in the anteroposterior direction and on the non-hemiplegic side in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions had decreased significantly in the VR-TOT group after the treatment. The average sway velocity had decreased significantly in the anteroposterior direction on the non-hemiplegic side in the CON group. In the VR-TOT group this was observed in the anteroposterior direction on the hemiplegic side and in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions on the healthy side. In the CON group the average peripheral area of the COP on the hemiplegic side had decreased, and the total trajectory length had shortened, both significantly. In the VR-TOT group, the peripheral area on the non-hemiplegic side had decreased significantly as well.Conclusions:Core stability-assisted training based on immersive virtual reality can effectively improve the balance of ischemic stroke survivors. It shows promise for clinical application.

Objective:To prepare advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF)/chitosan thermosensitive hydrogel (hereinafter referred to as composite hydrogel) and explore the effects of composite hydrogel on full-thickness skin defect wound healing in diabetic rats.Methods:This study was an experimental study. The composite hydrogel with porous mesh structure and thermosensitive characteristics was successfully prepared, containing A-PRF with mass concentrations of 10, 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L. Diabetic model was successfully established in male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6-8 weeks by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, and 4 full-thickness skin defect wounds were established on the back of each rat (finally the model was successfully established in 36 rats). Three wounds of each rat were divided into blank group (no drug intervention), positive control group (dropping recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage stimulating factor gel), and chitosan hydrogel group (dropping chitosan hydrogel solution). Thirty rats were collected, and the remaining one wound of each rat (totally 30 wounds) was divided into 10, 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups, with 6 wounds in each group, which were dropped with composite hydrogel solution containing 10, 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L A-PRF, respectively. Taking the remaining six rats, the remaining one wound from each rat was dropped with composite hydrogel solution containing 100 g/L A-PRF. On 14 d after injury, 6 rats with one wound dropped with composite hydrogel containing 100 g/L A-PRF were selected for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe the inflammation, hemorrhage, or necrosis of the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. On 10 d after injury, 6 rats with one wound dropped with composite hydrogel containing 15 g/L A-PRF were selected to observe the blood perfusion of wounds in the four groups (with sample size of 6). On 7 and 14 d after injury, the wound healing rates in the eight groups were calculated. On 14 d after injury, the wound tissue in the eight groups was taken for HE and Masson staining to observe the formation of new epithelium and collagen formation, respectively; the positive expressions of CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the percentages of positive areas were calculated; the protein expressions of CD31 and VEGFA were detected by Western blotting; the mRNA expressions of CD31 and VEGFA were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method (with all sample sizes of 4).Results:On 14 d after injury, no obvious inflammation, hemorrhage, or necrosis was observed in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney in the 6 rats. On 10 d after injury, the blood perfusion volume of wound in 15 g/L composite hydrogel group was significantly more than that in blank group, positive control group, and chitosan hydrogel group, respectively (with P values all <0.05). On 7 and 14 d after injury, the wound healing rates of blank group were (26.0±8.9)% and (75.0±1.8)%, which were significantly lower than those of positive control group, chitosan hydrogel group, and 10, 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups, respectively ((45.8±3.2)%, (49.8±3.7)%, (51.2±2.9)%, (68.5±2.4)%, (68.8±1.5)%, (72.7±2.1)%, (75.0±3.7)% and (79.1±1.9)%, (77.2±1.7)%, (82.3±1.3)%, (89.6±1.9)%, (89.8±1.3)%, (87.3±1.1)%, (87.9±1.3)%), P<0.05; the wound healing rates of positive control group, chitosan hydrogel group, and 10 g/L composite hydrogel group were significantly lower than those of 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups ( P<0.05). On 14 d after injury, the wound epithelialization degrees of 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups were higher than those of the other 4 groups, the new microvascular situation was better, and the collagen was more abundant and arranged more neatly. On 14 d after injury, the percentages of CD31 and VEGFA positive areas in wounds in positive control group and the percentage of VEGFA positive area in wounds in chitosan hydrogel group were significantly higher than those in blank group ( P<0.05), the percentage of VEGFA positive area in wounds in 10 g/L composite hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in blank group, chitosan hydrogel group, and positive control group (with P values all <0.05), and the percentages of CD31 and VEGFA positive areas in wounds in 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups were significantly higher than those in blank group, positive control group, chitosan hydrogel group, and 10 g/L composite hydrogel group ( P<0.05). On 14 d after injury, the protein and mRNA expressions of CD31 and VEGFA in wound tissue in chitosan hydrogel group, positive control group, and 10 g/L composite hydrogel group were significantly higher than those in blank group ( P<0.05); the protein expression of VEGFA in wound tissue in 10 g/L composite hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in positive control group ( P<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of CD31 and VEGFA in wound tissue in 10 g/L composite hydrogel group were significantly higher than those in positive control group and chitosan hydrogel group ( P<0.05); the protein and mRNA expressions of CD31 and VEGFA in wound tissue in 15, 20, 50, and 100 g/L composite hydrogel groups were significantly higher than those in blank group, positive control group, chitosan hydrogel group, and 10 g/L composite hydrogel group ( P<0.05); the mRNA expressions of CD31 and VEGFA in wound tissue in chitosan hydrogel group were significantly lower than those in positive control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The composite hydrogel has high biological safety, can improve wound blood perfusion, effectively promote the formation of blood vessels and collagen in wound tissue, thus promoting the wound healing of full-thickness skin defects in diabetic rats. 15 g/L is the optimal mass concentration of A-PRF in composite hydrogel.

BACKGROUNDS: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of deaths nationwide. However, little is understood about its temporal trend and corresponding influence on longevity improvements. We aimed to describe the updated tendency in CVD mortality and to quantify its impact on life expectancy (LE) increase in China. METHODS: All-cause mortality rates were calculated with population sizes from the National Bureau of Statistics and death counts from the National Health Commission. We estimated CVD mortality rates by allocating age- and sex-based mortality envelopes to each CVD subtype based on its proportion derived from the Disease Surveillance Points system. The probability of CVD premature deaths and LE were calculated with life tables and we adopted Arriaga's method to quantitate age- and cause-specific contributions to LE gains. RESULTS: During 2013 to 2018, the age-standardized mortality rate of CVD decreased from 289.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 289.03, 290.35)/100,000 to 272.37 (95%CI: 271.81, 272.94)/100,000, along with a decline in probability of CVD premature deaths from 9.05% (95%CI: 9.02%, 9.09%) to 8.13% (95%CI: 8.10%, 8.16%). The gap in CVD mortality across sexes expanded with more remarkable declines in females, especially for those aged 15 to 64 years. Among major subtypes, the probability of premature deaths from hemorrhage stroke declined fastest, while improvements of ischemic stroke and ischemic heart disease were limited, and there was an increase in stroke sequelae. LE in China reached 77.04 (95%CI: 76.96, 77.12) years in 2018 with an increase of 1.38 years from 2013. Of the total LE gains, 21.15% (0.29 years) were attributed to reductions of CVD mortality in the overall population, mostly driven by those aged >65 years. CONCLUSIONS The general process in reducing CVD mortality has contributed to longevity improvements in China. More attention should be paid to prevention and control of atherosclerotic CVD and stroke sequelae, especially for the elderly. Working-age males also deserve additional attention due to inadequate improvements.
Aged ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Life Expectancy ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Progression ; Stroke ; Cause of Death

Objective:To observe any effect of a half palm ankle-foot orthosis and a hollow-heel ankle-foot orthosis on the gait of stroke survivors.Methods:The walking of twenty-five stroke survivors was quantified using a gait analysis system. They walked barefoot, wearing a half palm ankle-foot orthosis and wearing a hollow-heel ankle-foot orthosis. Walking speed, step frequency, duration of the swing phase on the healthy and affected sides, risk of falling and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test times were recorded and analyzed.Results:The average gait frequency when wearing the hollow-heel ankle-foot orthosis was significantly faster than that in the other two conditions. The gait asymmetry coefficient was significantly different when the subjects wore the hollow-heel ankle-foot orthosis compared with walking barefoot. Compared with being barefoot, the average TUG time was significantly shorter when wearing either orthosis and the risk of falling was significantly less. The fall risk was significantly lower when wearing the hollow-heel orthosis compared to the half palm orthosis.Conclusion:Wearing either ankle-foot orthosis can significantly correct the gait of stroke survivors and lower their risk of falling, with better effect when wearing the hollow-heel ankle-foot orthosis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of a modified puncture cannula on prevention of bone cement leakage in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). Methods: From January 2014 to February 2018, 243 patients with single-segmental osteoporotic vertebral fracture were treated with PVP at Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Of them, a common puncture cannula was used in 169 cases (control group) and a modified puncture cannula in 74 (modified group). In the control group, there were 41 men and 128 women with an age of 71.6±9.5 years, and the fracture was distributed from T5 to T10 in 7 cases, from T11 to L2 in 132 and from L3 to L5 in 30. In the modified group, there were 20 men and 54 women with an age of 73.6±9.3 years, and the fracture was distributed from T5 to T10 in 3 cases, from T11 to L2 in 63 and from L3 to L5 in 8. The 2 groups were compared in terms of postoperative recovery of vertebral height, reduction in visual analogue scale(VAS) and bone cement leakage. Results: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in age, gender, distribution of fractured vertebral bodies, compression degree, condition of vertebral posterior wall, or bone cement volume injected (P>0.05). There were no significant differences either between the control and modified groups in the postoperative recovery of vertebral height (7.43%±7.82% versus 6.20%±7.84%) or reduction in VAS score (5.83±0.99 versus 5.81±0.89) (P>0.05). Bone cement leakage occurred in 93 cases (55.0%) in the control group but in 26 cases (35.1%) in the modified group, showing a significant difference (P<0.05). The incidences of bone cement leakage in the paravertebral vessels [13.5% (10/74)], paravertebral soft tissue [9.5%(7/74)] and spinal canal [4.1%(3/74)] in the modified group were all significantly lower than those in the control group [25.4%(43/169), 20.1%(34/169) and 15.4%(26/169)](P<0.05). Conclusion Application of the modified end-to-side puncture cannula is an optional scheme to prevent bone cement leakage in PVP, because it can reduce the incidence of bone cement leakage without compromising postoperative short-term outcomes, especially in the spinal canal, paraspinal vessels and paraspinal soft tissue.

Objective To analyze the surface-electromyography (sEMG) signals of patients with lumbar disc herniation before and after core stability exercise therapy.Methods Thirty-eight cases diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation were randomly divided into a control group (n =19) and an experimental group (n =19) using a random number table.The former was given two weeks' conventional traction physiotherapy,while the latter was given another two weeks of core stability exercise of lumbar and dorsal muscles after the conventional treatment.All of the patients were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and each was given a Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) score,sEMGs were recorded before and after 4 weeks of treatment.Results After treatment,average VAS scores[(1.11 ±0.74) and (0.95 ±0.62) respectively] and JOA scores[(21.05 ±3.08) and (23.47 ±2.04) respectively] in the control and experimental group both had improved significantly compared to that before treatment (P ＜ 0.01).The average JOA score in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.01) after the treatment.After treatment of 4 weeks,erector spinae median frequency (MF) values(84.84 ± 12.78) and erector spinae average amplitude (AEMG) value (108.94 ± 24.70) in the experimental group were significantly improved(P ＜ 0.05),so did the multifidus muscles MF value(95.63 ± 16.35) of affected side.There was no significant difference between the affected and unaffected side (P ＞ 0.05).Moreover,the MF values of the experimental group were significantly higher than that the control group (P ＜ 0.05) after treatment.There was significant difference between the average AEMG values of erector spinae of affected side before and after treatment (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Core stability exercise can further alleviate the symptoms of lumbar disc herniation after conventional traction physiotherapy.It improves the fatigue tolerance of the back's core muscles and relieves functional imbalance of the multifidus muscles.However,the time of therapy should be lengthened to study its effect on strengthening lumbar muscles.