Background: and Purpose Previous research on patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has shown a 0.5% incidence of major gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) requiring blood transfusion during hospitalization. The existing literature has insufficiently explored the long-term incidence in this population despite the decremental impact of GIB on stroke outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the data from a cohort of patients with AIS admitted to 14 hospitals as part of a nationwide multicenter prospective stroke registry between 2011 and 2013. These patients were followed up for up to 6 years. The occurrence of major GIB events, defined as GIB necessitating at least two units of blood transfusion, was tracked using the National Health Insurance Service claims data. Results: Among 10,818 patients with AIS (male, 59%; mean age, 68±13 years), 947 (8.8%) experienced 1,224 episodes of major GIB over a median follow-up duration of 3.1 years. Remarkably, 20% of 947 patients experienced multiple episodes of major GIB. The incidence peaked in the first month after AIS, reaching 19.2 per 100 person-years, and gradually decreased to approximately one-sixth of this rate by the 2nd year with subsequent stabilization. Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors of major GIB: anemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , and a 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of ≥4. Conclusion Patients with AIS are susceptible to major GIB, particularly in the first month after the onset of AIS, with the risk decreasing thereafter. Implementing preventive strategies may be important, especially for patients with anemia and impaired renal function at stroke onset and those with a disabling stroke.

Background: and Purpose Previous research on patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has shown a 0.5% incidence of major gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) requiring blood transfusion during hospitalization. The existing literature has insufficiently explored the long-term incidence in this population despite the decremental impact of GIB on stroke outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the data from a cohort of patients with AIS admitted to 14 hospitals as part of a nationwide multicenter prospective stroke registry between 2011 and 2013. These patients were followed up for up to 6 years. The occurrence of major GIB events, defined as GIB necessitating at least two units of blood transfusion, was tracked using the National Health Insurance Service claims data. Results: Among 10,818 patients with AIS (male, 59%; mean age, 68±13 years), 947 (8.8%) experienced 1,224 episodes of major GIB over a median follow-up duration of 3.1 years. Remarkably, 20% of 947 patients experienced multiple episodes of major GIB. The incidence peaked in the first month after AIS, reaching 19.2 per 100 person-years, and gradually decreased to approximately one-sixth of this rate by the 2nd year with subsequent stabilization. Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors of major GIB: anemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , and a 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of ≥4. Conclusion Patients with AIS are susceptible to major GIB, particularly in the first month after the onset of AIS, with the risk decreasing thereafter. Implementing preventive strategies may be important, especially for patients with anemia and impaired renal function at stroke onset and those with a disabling stroke.

Background: and Purpose Previous research on patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has shown a 0.5% incidence of major gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) requiring blood transfusion during hospitalization. The existing literature has insufficiently explored the long-term incidence in this population despite the decremental impact of GIB on stroke outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the data from a cohort of patients with AIS admitted to 14 hospitals as part of a nationwide multicenter prospective stroke registry between 2011 and 2013. These patients were followed up for up to 6 years. The occurrence of major GIB events, defined as GIB necessitating at least two units of blood transfusion, was tracked using the National Health Insurance Service claims data. Results: Among 10,818 patients with AIS (male, 59%; mean age, 68±13 years), 947 (8.8%) experienced 1,224 episodes of major GIB over a median follow-up duration of 3.1 years. Remarkably, 20% of 947 patients experienced multiple episodes of major GIB. The incidence peaked in the first month after AIS, reaching 19.2 per 100 person-years, and gradually decreased to approximately one-sixth of this rate by the 2nd year with subsequent stabilization. Multivariable analysis identified the following predictors of major GIB: anemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , and a 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of ≥4. Conclusion Patients with AIS are susceptible to major GIB, particularly in the first month after the onset of AIS, with the risk decreasing thereafter. Implementing preventive strategies may be important, especially for patients with anemia and impaired renal function at stroke onset and those with a disabling stroke.

Background: and Purpose Visual perceptual learning (VPL) may improve visual field defects (VFDs) after chronic stroke, but the optimal training duration and location remain unknown. This prospective study aimed to determine the efficacy of 8 weeks of VFD-customized visual discrimination training in improving poststroke VFDs. Methods: Prospectively enrolled patients with poststroke VFDs initially received no training for 8 weeks (no-training phase). They subsequently underwent our customized VPL program that included orientation-discrimination tasks in individualized blind fields and central letterdiscrimination tasks three times per week for 8 weeks (training phase). We analyzed the luminance detection sensitivity and deviation as measured using Humphrey visual field tests before and after the no-training and training phases. The vision-related quality of life was assessed at baseline and at a 16-week follow-up using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25). Results: Changes in mean total deviation (MTD) scores were greater during the training phase than during the no-training phase (defective hemifield, p=0.002; whole field, p=0.004). The MTD scores improved during the training phase (defective hemifield, p=0.004; whole field, p=0.016), but not during the no-training phase (defective hemifield, p=0.178; whole field, p=0.178). The difference between the improved and worsened areas (≥6 dB changes in luminance detection sensitivity) was greater during the training phase than during the no-training phase (p=0.009). The vision-specific social functioning subscore of the NEI-VFQ-25 improved after the 16-week study period (p=0.040). Conclusions Our 8-week VFD-customized visual discrimination training protocol may effectively improve VFDs and vision-specific social functioning in chronic stroke patients.

Methods: In retrospectively collected data, 149 patients who underwent single-level ACDF for degenerative disease were enrolled and divided into non-plating (n=66) and plating (n=83). Interspinous motion (ISM) at the arthrodesis segment, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for neck pain, and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were serially evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Predictable factors for fusion, including age, sex, plating, diabetes, smoking, and type of grafts, were investigated, and fusion was defined as ISM <1 mm. Results: In both groups, ISM was the highest at 3 months and gradually decreased thereafter, and the plating group showed significantly lower serial ISM than the non-plating group at 12 months. The plating group had lower NRS and NDI scores than the nonplating group at 12 months, and the difference in the NRS scores was statistically significant, particularly at 3 and 6 months, although that of the NDI scores was not. In a multivariate analysis, plating was the most powerful predictor for fusion. Conclusions Plating significantly decreases the serial ISM compared with non-plating in single-level ACDF, and such decreased motion is correlated with decreased neck pain until 12 months postoperatively, particularly at 3 and 6 months. Given that plating was the most predictive factor for fusion, we recommend plating even in single-level ACDF for better early clinical outcomes.

<b>Objectiveb> To observe the analgesia effect of dexamethasone combined with dexmedetomidine on femoral nerve block with ropivacaine after total knee replacement in elderly patients. <b>Methodsb> 96 elderly patients undergoing total knee replacement with femoral nerve block analgesia from January 2019 to December 2020 in the hospital were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into control group (C), dexamethasone group (E1), dexmedetomidine group (E2) and dexamethasone combined with dexmedetomidine group (E3) according to nerve block drug formulation. The general data and operation condition were collected, the VAS score at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and the Ramsay sedation score at 6 h after surgery were compared, the postoperative morphine consumption and duration of analgesia were analyzed, and the incidence of adverse reactions after operation was observed. <b>Resultsb> Patients in four groups showed no significant differences in general data and operation time. The VAS score and Ramsay score at 6 h postoperatively in E2 and E3 were significantly lower than that in C, while there were no significant differences in VAS score at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively among four groups. Postoperative morphine consumption in E2 and E3 was significantly lower, and the duration of analgesia in E1, E2 and E3 was significantly longer than that in C. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and other adverse reactions after operation among four groups. <b>Conclusionb> Dexamethasone combined with dexmedetomidine could enhance the analgesic effect of femoral nerve block with ropivacaine in elderly patients after total knee replacement without increasing the adverse reactions, which would be both safe and effective.

<b>Objectiveb> To explore the efficacy of the resolving depression and tranquilizing herbal sachets in alleviating sleep disorders of soldiers in naval vessels. <b>Methodsb> Fifty-nine soldiers with sleep disorders (PSQI scale score ≥8 and SAS scale score ≥50) were selected before training at sea, and were randomly divided into sachet treatment group, mindfulness meditation group and control group. During the training period, the sachet treatment group was given traditional Chinese medicine sachet treatment, the mindfulness meditation group was trained in mindfulness meditation, and the control group was not given any intervention. <b>Resultsb> Compared with the control group, the PSQI and SAS scores of soldiers in both the experimental sachet treatment group and the positive meditation group were significantly improved; compared with the pre-intervention data, the PSQI and SAS scores of both the positive meditation group and the sachet treatment group were significantly decreased, and the degree of decrease was comparable. <b>Conclusionb> The homemade improving depression and tranquilizing TCM sachets have the effect of alleviating the sleep disorders of naval troops served on vessels, which is equivalent to mindfulness meditation. It is easy to use and operate, which is suitable for promotion in the military.

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of respiratory tract adenovirus infection in hospitalized children and the correlation between adenovirus infection and wheezing symptoms.Methods:The detection of adenovirus in 48 153 children with acute respiratory tract infection in Children’s Hospital of Hebei Province from January 1st, 2014 to December 31st, 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. The adenovirus infection in different years, different seasons and different age groups was compared and analyzed. Multivariate conditional Logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of wheezing symptoms caused by adenovirus infection in children.Results:Of the 48 153 children, adenovirus was positive in 603 children, the positive rate was 1.25%. No significant difference was found in the positive rate between boys and girls ( X2=0.592, P = 0.442). There was no significant difference in adenovirus positive rate between different years ( X2=10.251, P = 0.068). Adenovirus was detected in four seasons, and the positive rate in winter and spring (1.50%, 1.31%) was higher than those in summer and autumn (0.98%, 1.08%), and the difference in the detection rate of adenovirus in different seasons was significantly ( X2=15.490, P = 0.001). The highest detection rate was 2.13%(199/9 339 cases) in the group of ~ ≤ 6 years old, and the lowest detection rate was 0.82% (146/17861 cases, 0.82%) in children under 1 year old. There was significant difference among different age groups ( X2=89.580, P < 0.001). The detection rate of adenovirus in wheezing group (362/21 015 cases, 1.72%) was higher than that in non-wheezing group (241/27 138 cases, 0.89%), and the difference was significant ( X2=66.702, P < 0.001). Multivariate conditional Logistic regression analysis showed that atopic constitution, history of recurrent respiratory tract infections, obesity, premature birth and maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension were risk factors for children’s wheezing symptoms associated with adenovirus infection ( OR=7.463, 5.772, 2.992, 2.119, 1.714). Conclusions:Adenovirus infection rate in winter and spring is higher than that in summer and autumn, and children aged 3-6 years are susceptible. The detection rate of wheezing children is higher than that of non-wheezing children. Atopic constitution, history of recurrent respiratory tract infections, obesity, premature birth and maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension were the risk factors for children’s wheezing symptoms associated with adenovirus infection.

Purpose: Various types of trauma can cause retinal hemorrhages in children, including accidental and nonaccidental head trauma. We used animal eyes and a finite element model of the eye to examine stress patterns produced during purely linear and angular accelerations, along with stresses attained during simulated repetitive shaking of an infant. Methods: Using sheep and primate eyes, sclerotomy windows were created by removing the sclera, choroid, and retinal pigment epithelium to expose the retina. A nanofiber square was glued to a 5 mm2 area of retina. The square was pulled and separated from vitreous while force was measured. A finite element model of the pediatric eye was used to computationally measure tension stresses during shaking. Results: In both sheep and primate eyes, tension stress required for separation of retina from vitreous range from 1 to 5 kPa. Tension stress generated at the vitreoretinal interface predicted by the computer simulation ranged from 3 to 16 kPa during a cycle of shaking. Linear acceleration generated lower tension stress than angular acceleration. Angular acceleration generated maximal tension stress along the retinal vasculature. Linear acceleration produced more diffuse force distribution centered at the poster pole. Conclusions The finite element model predicted that tension stress attained at the retina during forcible shaking of an eye can exceed the minimum threshold needed to produce vitreoretinal separation as measured in animal eyes. Furthermore, the results show that movements that involve significant angular acceleration produce strong stresses localized along the vasculature, whereas linear acceleration produces weaker, more diffuse stress centered towards the posterior pole of the eye.

Chigger mites are arthropods and are the sole vectors of scrub typhus, and rodents as well as other small mammals are the most common hosts of chigger mite larvae. Therefore, it is of great medical significance to study the ecology of chigger mites. In this study, a detailed analysis of chigger mites was conducted based on field survey data. A total of 4,941 chigger mites were collected from 86 hosts at 34 survey sites in Ruili, Yunnan Province, China. Among the 4,941 chiggers, five genera in one subfamily were identified; Schoengastiella ligula was the dominant chigger species with the highest infestation index, prevalence (Pm, 42.86%) and mean intensity (MI, 59.09%) (P<0.001). The association coefficient (V) between S. ligula and Gahrliepia radiopunctata was positively correlated (P<0.05), indicating the tendency of chiggers to select and coexist on the same host at the same time. The dominant species Leptotrombidium kunmingense, Ascoschoengastia indica, S. ligula and G. radiopunctata showed aggregation distribution patterns, indicating that the distribution of chiggers among different hosts was not uniform. Low altitudes and low latitudes appeared to be more favorable for the growth and reproduction of chigger mites (P<0.05). It is suggested to collect as many host samples as possible in future field investigations to better understand the dynamics of chigger mite populations and their primary hosts.