Objective:To explore any effect of upper limb swing training guided by rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) on the walking ability of stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty stroke survivors were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation treatment, including neuromuscular facilitation, muscle strength training, balance training and gait training, but the observation group was additionally provided with RAS-guided upper limb swing training for 20min once a day, 5d per week for 6 weeks. Before and after the intervention, balance and lower limb function were quantified in both groups using Holden′s walking function classification, the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity motor function scale (FMA-LE), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the 10m walk test (10MWT). Limits of stability were also quantified.Results:After the treatment, the average Holden, FMA-LE and BBS scores, as well as the average 10MWT time were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group. The average stability limits and their maintenance were also superior.Conclusion:RAS-guided upper limb swing training can improve the gait, walking ability, walking stability, walking speed and balance of stroke survivors.

Objective:To document any effect of clinical rehabilitation pathway management on intubation time, dysfunction and medical expenditure associated with tracheotomy after a stroke.Methods:A total of 154 stroke survivors undergoing tracheotomy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 77. Both groups were given routine rehabilitation, while the observation group was additionally provided with clinical rehabilitation pathway management during the rehabilitation intervention. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed before the experiment and after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment. Clinical pulmonary infection scores (CPISs), scores on the Chelsea Physical Function Assessment Scale (CPAx) and hospitalization cost were compared between the two groups.Results:The median extubation time of the observation group (2d) was significantly shorter than that of the control group (10d). After 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the average CPIS scores of the observation group were in each case significantly lower than those before treatment and the control group′s averages at the same time points, even though after 4 and 6 weeks of treatment the control group′s average CPIS scores had improved significantly. After 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the average CPAx scores of the observation group were significantly higher than those before treatment and better than the control group′s averages, even though the control group too had improved significantly compared with before the treatment. Hospitalization days, total hospitalization cost, antibiotic cost and laboratory examination cost of the observation group were, on average, significantly lower than those of the control group.Conclusion:Rehabilitation path management can shorten the period of intubation, prevent pulmonary infections, relieve dysfunction, and reduce medical expenses for stroke survivors after a tracheotomy. It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To dynamically monitor the prevalence and trend of dental fluorosis in children in Shandong Province, and to evaluate the prevention and control measures for drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis (referred to as drinking water-borne fluorosis), and to provide scientific basis for the next step.Methods:Totally 40 counties (cities, districts) were selected as project counties (cities, districts) from drinking water-borne fluorosis areas in Shandong Province in 2018, and all counties (cities, districts) were selected in 2019 and 2020, to investigate the situation of water improvement, detect water fluoride content, and investigate the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children aged 8 - 12 years.Results:From 2018 to 2020, the detection rates of dental fluorosis in children aged 8 - 12 years were 10.30% (503/4 884), 8.94% (25 895/289 539) and 8.66% (24 061/277 689), respectively, with statistically significant differences (χ 2 = 27.10, P < 0.001), and the dental fluorosis indexes were 0.21, 0.18 and 0.17, respectively. The total detection rates of dental fluorosis in children of different age groups in the 3 years were 7.26% (6 590/90 775), 7.97% (9 303/116 680), 9.29% (12 167/130 915), 9.29% (12 238/131 670) and 9.95% (10 161/102 072), the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 615.71, P < 0.001). In the 3 years, the total detection rate of dental fluorosis was 8.93% (28 101/314 737) in boys and 8.69% (22 358/257 375) in girls, the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 10.27, P = 0.001). In 2018 and 2019, the detection rates of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 - 12 years in water fluoride qualified villages [5.74% (235/4 095) and 7.98% (20 200/253 082)] were significantly lower than those in villages with excessive water fluoride [33.97% (268/789) and 15.62% (5 695/36 457), χ 2 = 570.61, 2 283.76, P < 0.001]. Conclusions:The prevalence of dental fluorosis among children aged 8 - 12 years has been effectively controlled, and remarkable results have been achieved in prevention and treatment of drinking water-borne fluorosis in Shandong Province. However, the detection rate of dental fluorosis among children in a few endemic villages is high, so it is necessary to continue to strengthen the monitoring of fluoride content in drinking water and the condition of dental fluorosis among children.

Objective:To compare the outcomes of watch&wait (W&W) strategy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who achieved complete clinical response (cCR) after neoadjuvant therapy, with those who obtained pathological complete response (pCR) after total mesorectal excision (TME).Methods:This is a retrospective cohort analysis study. Patients histologically proven with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ) who had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were eligible between January 2014 and December 2019. In whom we included patients who had cCR offered management with W&W strategy after completing neoadjuvant therapy and follow-up ≥1 year (W&W group), and patients who did not have cCR but pCR after TME (pCR group). The primary endpoints were 3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS), colostomy-free survival (CFS), disease-free survival (DFS), non-local regrowth disease-free survival (NR-DFS), and organ preservation rate. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival analysis and log-rank test was performed. For comparative analysis, we also derived one-to-one paired cohorts of W&W versus pCR using propensity-score matching (PSM).Results:A total of 118 patients were enrolled, 49 of whom had cCR and managed by W&W, 69 had pCR, with a median follow-up period of 49.5 months (12.1-79.9 months). No difference was observed in the 3-year OS (97.1% vs. 96.7%) and 5-year OS (93.8% vs. 90.9%, P=0.696) between the W&W and pCR groups. Patients managed by W&W had significantly better 3-year and 5-year CFS (89.1% vs. 43.5%, P<0.001), better 3-year DFS (83.6% vs. 97.0%) and 5-year DFS (83.6% vs. 91.2%, P=0.047) compared with those achieving pCR. The 3-year NR-DFS (95.9% vs. 97.0%) and 5-year NR-DFS (92.8% vs. 97.0%, P=0.407) did not significantly differ between the W&W and pCR groups. Local regeneration occurred in six cases, and 87.7% of patients had successful rectum preservation in the W&W group. In the PSM analysis (34 patients in each group), absolutely better CFS (90.1% vs. 26.5%, P<0.001) was noted in the W&W group. A median interval of 17.5 weeks was observed for achieving cCR, while only 23.9% of patients achieved cCR within 5 to 12 weeks from radiation completion. Patients with short-course sequential chemoradiotherapy achieved cCR significantly later when compared with those with long-course concurrent chemoradiotherapy (19.0 vs. 9.8 weeks, P<0.001). Conclusions:The oncological outcomes of W&W strategy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer are safe and effective, significantly improving the quality of life. Longer interval for cCR evaluation may improve rectal organ preservation rate.

Objective:To observe the effect of combining respiratory muscle training with occupational therapy in rehabilitating the upper limb function of stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty stroke survivors with upper limb dysfunction were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 25. Both groups were given routine rehabilitation treatment including proper positioning of the affected limb, physical therapy and motor function training. The observation group also received progressive resistance training of the inspiratory muscles and respiration control training combined with occupational therapy twice daily for 4 weeks. The trunk control test (TCT), Berg balance scale (BBS), Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Assessment (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for the Hemiplegic Upper Limb and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were used to assess the core stability, balance, upper limb functioning, upper limb muscle tension and ability in the activities of daily living of all of the subjects.Results:Before the treatment there were no significant differences in any of the indexes between the two groups. Afterward the average TCT, BBS, FMA-UE, ARAT, MAS and MBI scores of both groups had improved significantly, but the improvements were all significantly greater in the observation group.Conclusions:Combining respiratory muscle training with occupational therapy can further improve the function of the upper limbs and daily living ability beyond what is observed with traditional rehabilitation therapy after a stroke.

Objective:To observe any effect of supplementing breathing training with electromyographic biofeedback in treating the swallowing function soon after a cerebral infarction.Methods:A total of 96 cerebral infarction survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into a control group, a biofeedback group and a comprehensive treatment group, each of 32. All received conventional rehabilitation treatment for dysphagia, while the biofeedback group was additionally provided with EMG biofeedback training and the comprehensive treatment group received both breathing training and the biofeedback training. Before and after 6 weeks of treatment, all were subjected to a swallowing contrast examination to observe the opening of the upper esophageal sphincter, the forward displacement of the hyoid bone, and the upward displacement of the hyoid bone. The Rosenbak Penetration-Aspiration Scale and Functional Imported Food Scoring were also used to evaluate their swallowing function.Results:Before, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of any of the measures. After the 6 weeks of treatment, all of the measurements had improved significantly in both groups, but the improvement in the biofeedback and comprehensive treatment groups on all of the measures was significantly greater than in the control group. The average values of the comprehensive treatment group were then superior to the biofeedback group′s averages.Conclusion:Supplementing breathing training with EMG biofeedback can significantly improve the swallowing function of stroke survivors and reduce their risk of aspiration.

In different stages of the course of intracerebral hemorrhage, various interleukins (ILs) play different roles. IL-1α and IL-1β can aggravate perihematomal edema (PHE) by affecting the integrity of the blood-brain barrier in the early stage of intracerebral hemorrhage. IL-6 and IL-8 play a key role in the whole course of intracerebral hemorrhage and affect the severity of PHE by inducing inflammation. IL-3 promotes the development of PHE by promoting microglia activation. IL-11 and IL-17A can be used to assess disease severity and as predictors of PHE, but they do not play a decisive role in the development of intracerebral hemorrhage. IL-4 and IL-10 have certain improvement effects on the development of PHE and the outcomes after cerebral hemorrhage.

Objective:To compare the therapeutic results between axis pedicle screwing assisted by intraoperative 3-D navigation and freehand axis pedicle screwing in the treatment of Hangman fracture.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed of the 64 patients with Hangman fracture who had received posterior axis pedicle screwing at Department of Spinal Surgery, The Sixth Hospital of Ningbo from May 2014 to December 2019. According to the placement methods of axis pedicle screws, they were divided into a navigation group ( n=34, subjected to axis pedicle screwing assisted by intraoperative 3-D navigation) and a freehand group ( n=30, subjected to freehand axis pedicle screwing). Pedicle screw placement time, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, fluoroscopy time, hospital stay, total hospitalization cost and complications were recorded and compared between the 2 groups. The accuracy of axis pedicle screw placement was evaluated according to the postoperative cervical CT and screw grading criteria proposed by Park et al. At admission, 3 months postoperation, and the last follow-up, neurological function of the patients was evaluated by modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) score, neck pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), and C2/3 vertebral body angulation and C2 forward displacement were measured. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by Moon grading at the last follow-up. Results:The navigation group and the freehand group were comparable due to insignificant differences between them in the preoperative general data ( P>0.05). The accuracy of screw placement in the navigation group (98.2%, 54/55) was significantly higher than that in the freehand group (85.2%, 46/54) ( P<0.05). The screw placement time, operation time, fluoroscopy time and total hospitalization cost in the navigation group were significantly more than those in the freehand group ( P<0.05). Vertebral artery injury occurred in 3 cases in the freehand group. Screw loosening, screw breakage or rod breakage occurred in none of the patients after operation. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay or follow-up time ( P>0.05). In both groups, the VAS score, mJOA score, C2/3 vertebral body angulation and C2 forward displacement were significantly improved at 3 months postoperation and the last follow-up compared with those at admission ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the contemporary comparisons ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, Moon grading in the navigation group was significantly better than that in the freehand group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of Hangman fracture, compared with freehand screw placement, axis pedicle screwing assisted by intraoperative 3-D navigation can improve accuracy and safety of screw placement and reduce postoperative complications, leading to better clinical efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the effect of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (E-PTFE) combined with autologous costal cartilage in rhinoplasty.Methods:Forty-two patients who underwent rhinoplasty in the form of E-PTFE combined with autologous costal cartilage in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to December 2018 were selected as the research object. The polytetrafluoroethylene combined with autologous costal cartilage was used for rhinoplasty. The dorsal nasal skin was dissected through an inverted " V" type combined with subalar cartilage incision, and then the costal cartilage was cut into appropriate cartilage slices to build the nasal tip stent. According to the degree of elevation of the nasal dorsum, the sculpted E-PTFE was placed under the nasal dorsal fascia. The rectus abdominis fascia covered the apex of the nose, and the incision was closed by suture.Results:The nasal appearance of the forty-two patients was significantly improved, with good nasal shape and no serious complications. After 6-12 months of follow-up, 40 cases were satisfacted with the effect of the rhinoplasty, accounting for 95.2%.Conclusions:The use of polytetrafluoroethylene combined with autologous costal cartilage can effectively raise the dorsum of the nose, extend the length of the nose, project the nasal tip in the rhinoplasty. This procedure is accurate and safe, reach a favorable long-term shape and own high satisfaction, and it thus is worthy of popularization in clinic.

Objective:To master the current situation of prevention and control of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in Shandong Province, and to provide basic data for control and evaluation of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis.Methods:From June to December 2019, in accordance with the requirements of the "National Drinking Water-Borne Fluorosis Monitoring Program (2019 Edition)" and "Shandong Province Drinking Water-Borne Fluorosis Monitoring Program (2019 Edition)", cross-sectional survey method was used to monitor the operation of the water supply projects, the fluorine content in drinking water, and the condition of children with dental fluorosis in all the disease affected villages of the drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis counties (cities, districts) in 16 cities of Shandong Province. Water fluorine was detected by "Standard Examination Methods for Drinking Water-Nonmetal Parameters" (GB/T 5750.5-2006), and in accordance with the "Standards for Drinking Water Quality" (GB 5749-2006), the water fluorine content was judged to be qualified or not. The examination and determination of dental fluorosis in children adopted "Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis" (WS/T 208-2011), and the detection rate of dental fluorosis was calculated, the detection rates of dental fluorosis were compared between water improvement villages and villages without water improvement, qualified water fluorine and unqualified water fluorine villages.Results:There were 9 475 drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis villages in 105 counties (cities, districts) in Shandong Province, of which 9 370 were water improvement villages, and the water improvement rate was 98.89%. Among all the water improvement villages, there were 9 318 projects in normal operation, 45 intermittent projects and 7 scrapped projects. Among all the drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis villages, 8 254 villages were qualified in water fluorine, and the qualified rate of water fluorine was 87.11% (8 254/9 475); among water improvement villages, 8 210 villages were qualified in water fluorine, and the qualified rate of water fluorine was 87.62% (8 210/9 370); among the villages without water improvement, 44 villages were qualified in water fluorine, and the qualified rate of water fluorine was 41.90% (44/105). The qualified rate of water fluorine in water improvement village was significantly higher than that in villages without water improvement (χ 2 = 193.31, P < 0.05). The detection rates of dental fluorosis in children in water improvement villages and villages without water improvement were 8.92% (25 624/287 405) and 12.70% (271/2 134), respectively, and the detection rate of dental fluorosis in children in villages without water improvement was higher than that in water improvement villages (χ 2 = 37.23, P < 0.05). The detection rates of dental fluorosis in children in qualified water fluorine and unqualified water fluorine villages were 7.98% (20 200/253 082) and 15.62% (5 695/36 457), respectively, and the detection rate of dental fluorosis in children in unqualified water fluorine villages was higher than that in qualified water fluorine villages (χ 2 = 2 283.76, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Water improvement and fluorine reduction measures have been implemented in most drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis villages in Shandong Province, the detection rate of dental fluorosis in children in water improvement villages is lower than that in villages without water improvement. However, attention should be paid to the situation of water fluorine exceeding the standard and later management and maintenance to prevent the rebound of the disease.