Objective To analyze the dynamic efficiency of township hospitals. Methods Based on the DEA-Malmquist index, this research analyzed the change of the total factor productivity indices and the decomposition items of 281 township hospitals in Hunan province with panel data from 2000 to 2008. Results Among 281 township hospitals, less than half increased their scale efficiency, while more than half increased their total factor productivity, technology, whole efficiency and technical efficiency. Increasing technology and whole efficiency was the best way to improve total factor productivity. Besides, increasing technical efficiency and scale efficiency was the best way to improve whole efficiency. Conclusions The improvement of scale efficiency is key to developing the central township hospitals, while the improvement of technology is the key to developing general township hospitals.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of three-dimensional cultivation with dynamic compressive stimulation on promotion of cartilage growth in vitro, by constructing tissue engineered cartilage with three-dimensional porous articular cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds laden with rabbit chondrocytes and performing mechanical stimulation by compressive stress in bioreactor.
MethodsChondrocytes of healthy adult New Zealand rabbits were isolated, and passage 2 chondrocytes were seeded onto three-dimensional porous articular cartilage ECM scaffolds for 5 days pre-cultivation, and then were divided into 2 groups:Group A continued static culture as control; group B (dynamic culture condition) underwent dynamic compressive strain stimulation (compressive strain of 15%, frequence of 1 Hz) in a bioreactor. Cell viability and distribution in scaffolds were observed; the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, collagen content, and total DNA content were measured after 3 weeks of culturing; and elastic modulus was evaluated by mechanical test.
ResultsLaser scanning confocal microscopy indicated that cells grew well and evenly distributed in the scaffold of group B, while poor cells growth and loss of staining in the central region of the scaffolds were observed in group A. Scanning electron microscopy showed that chondrocytes possessed good adhesion, proliferation, and growth on the scaffolds of group B; while the number of chondrocytes was significantly reduced, and cells scattered in group A. Biochemical composition analysis showed that collagen, GAG, and DNA contents of cell-scaffold constructs were (675.85±27.93) μg/mg, (621.72±26.75) μg/mg, and (16.98±3.23) μg/sample in group B, and were (438.72±6.35) μg/mg, (301.63±30.51) μg/mg, and (10.18±4.39) μg/sample in group A respectively, which were significantly higher in group B than in group A (t=18.512, P=0.000;t=17.640, P=0.000;t=2.790, P=0.024). Mechanical testing indicated that the elastic modulus of group B[(0.67±0.09) MPa] was significantly higher than that of group A[(0.49±0.16) MPa] and cell-free scaffolds[(0.43±0.12) MPa] (P < 0.05).
ConclusionMimetic compressive stress with three-dimensional dynamic conditions created in the bioreactor is superior to the ordinary static three-dimensional cultivation, it can provide the optimal environment for chondrocytes on the ECM scaffolds, which may be a good way to construct tissue engineered cartilage in vitro.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy of the new dynamic approach in the measurement of respiratory mechanics with different pressure support (PS) level during pressure support ventilation (PSV) via oral-nasal mask.MethodsThe Respironics V60 ventilator was connected to a ASL5000 lung simulator, which simulate lung mechanics in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [system compliance (Crs)=50 mL/cm H2O, airway resistance (Raw)=20 cm H2O/(L·s), inspiratory time (TI)=1.6 s, breathing rate=15 beats per minute]. PSV were applied with different levels of PS [positive end-expiratory pressure=5 cm H2O, PS=5/10/15/20/25 cm H2O) and back-up rate=10 beats per minute]. Measurements were conducted at system leaks with 25 – 28 L/min. The performance characteristics and patient-ventilator asynchrony were assessed, including flow, airway pressure, time and workload. Crs and Raw were calculated by using new dynamic approach.ResultsTidal volume (VT) was increased with increasing PS level [(281.45±4.26)mL at PS 5 cm H2O vs. (456.81±1.91)mL at PS 10 cm H2O vs. (747.45±3.22)mL at PS 20 cm H2O, P<0.01]. Severe asynchronous was occurred frequently when PS is at 25 cm H2O. Inspiration cycling criterion (CC) was up-regulated accompanied by increasing PS level [(15.62±3.11)% at 5 cm H2O, vs. (24.50±0.77)% at 20 cm H2O, P<0.01]. Premature cycling was always existed during PSV when PS < 20 cm H2O, which could be eliminated as PS level increasing. Delay cycling was found when PS was at 20 cm H2O, and cycling delay time was (33.60±15.91)ms (P<0.01). The measurement of Crs was (46.19±1.57)mL/cm H2O with PS at 10 cm H2O, which was closer to the preset values of simulated lung. The underestimate of Crs was observed during high level PS support. The calculation of inspiratory and expiratory resistance was approximate to 20 cm H2O/(L·s) when PS level was exceeded 15 cm H2O.ConclusionsThe new dynamic approach can continuously assess the respiratory mechanics during non-invasive ventilation, which is no need to interrupt the patient's spontaneous breathing. Higher inspiratory flow during PSV is beneficial for Raw measurement, whereas the accuracy of Crs was influenced by the value of actual VT.
Objective To review the current development of the dynamic stabilization devices and their biomechanics as well as clinical application.Methods The related biomedical research papers at home and abroad were consulted and analyzed Results There were obvious advances in the theoretic foundation and the clinical application in treatment of the degenerative lumbar disorders with the dynamic stabilization devices, especially with the nonfusion dynamic stabilization devices. Conclusion The effectiveness of the dynamic stabilization devices have attracted more and more biomedical researchers, especially the posterior dynamic stabilization device, which has provided a new approach to treatment of the degenerative lumbar disorders.
Objective From the viewpoint of health economics, to analyse the cost-utility of Coflex interspinous dynamic reconstruction and 360° fusion in the treatment of single level lumbar degenerative disease, so as to provide references to doctors and patients for making the best solution. Methods From October 2008 to November 2010, a prospective non-randomized controlled study was carried out on the patients diagnosed as L4-L5 degenerative lumbar spinal disorders, of whom Group A were treated by posterior decompression combined with Coflex interspinous dynamic reconstruction and Group B accepted lumbar 360° fusion treatment. The SF-36 questionnaire was used to survey the life quality of patients and to calculate the quality-adjusted life year (QALY); meanwhile, the costs of the treatment were collected to compare the cost-utility ratio between the two groups. Results A total of 60 patients were included, among whom 29 patients including 20 males and 9 females were in Group A, and the other 31 patients including 16 males and 15 females were in Group B; and the mean time of follow-up was 16.4 months (12-23 months). The average age of Group A and Group B was 45.1 years (21-67 years) and 56.2 years (32-86 years), respectively; the medical costs were 51 509.9±2 422.9 yuan and 57 409.7±9 072.9 yuan, respectively; the life quality compared with that of pre-operation improved by 42.60% and 42.82%, respectively; the cost-utility ratios were 69165.6±4716.0 yuan/QALY and 77 976.7±12 757.4 yuan/QALY, respectively. For each increase of one QALY, Group A could save 12.74% of the cost compared with Group B. Conclusion Coflex interspinous dynamic reconstruction has the equal short-term effects to lumbar 360° fusion in the treatment of L4-L5 degenerative lumbar spinal disorders, but it has lower costs than the latter, and is more in line with the requirements of health economics.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of using a six-dimensional eye-tracking system during femtosecond laser-assisted sub-Bowman keratomileusis (FS-SBK) surgery to correct myopia and astigmatism. MethodsA total of 23 patients (36 eyes) with ametropia undergoing FS-SBK were retrospectively analyzed and divided into the static cyclotorsion control (SCC) group (11 patients, 20 eyes) and the non-SCC group (12 patients, 16 eyes). According to the static eyeball rotation degrees, the SCC group was further divided into three subgroups: within ±2° group (5 patients, 9 eyes), ±2°-±5° group (4 patients, 7 eyes), and above ±5° group (2 patients, 4 eyes). The preoprative and postoperative one-month uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, diopter of spherical power, diopter of cylindrical power, corneal curvature, and the rotating degree in SCC were observed; the root-mean-square values of the total higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma, Strehl ratio, etc. when the pupil diameter was 6.5 mm were extracted; and the therapeutic efficacy was observed. ResultsNo severe intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in any subject. The effectiveness index of the SCC group was 0.947±0.145, and that of the non-SCC group was 1.005±0.141, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Compared with the preoperative levels, in the two groups, the postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was significantly elevated; the postoperative diopter of spherical power, diopter of cylindrical power, and corneal curvature difference were reduced; the postoperative total higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, and coma increased; all the differences mentioned above were statistically significant (P<0.05). In the SCC group, the difference between the preoperative and the postoperative Strehl ratio was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative indicators between the SCC group and the non-SCC group (P>0.05). The difference in postoperative increment of coma between the SCC group and the non-SCC group was statistically significant (P<0.05). In the SCC group, no statistically significant difference was found in postoperative increment of any indicator among the three subgroups (P<0.05). ConclusionsFS-SBK of six-dimensional eye-tracking system is effective in correcting myopia and astigmatism. FS-SBK can reduce lower-order aberrations while introducing higher-order aberrations, and whether SCC is performed intraoperatively is meaningless.
ObjectiveTo observe the dynamic changes of plasma Clara cell secretory protein (CC16) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), and to explore its role in the occurrence and development of the disease and clinical significance.MethodsA total of 71 AECOPD patients were included in this study as observation group. All subjects completed the CAT questionnaire and were sampled 2 ml of venous blood on day 1 and day 7 after their admission. And the percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1%pred), percentage of forced vital capacity in the estimated value (FVC%pred), FEV1/FVC ratio, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), white blood cell count (WBC), the proportion of neutrophils (NEUT%), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and the length of stay of subjects were recorded. Another 20 healthy adults were enrolled as the control group. Each subject of the control group was sampled 2 ml of venous blood. The plasma CC16 levels of the two groups were tested and compared, and analyzed its correlation with CAT score and length of stay.ResultsThe plasma CC16 level of AECOPD patients was significantly lower than that of the control group, lung function was significantly lower than that of the healthy control group, WBC and NEUT% were significantly higher than that of the healthy control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with day 1 after admission, the plasma CC16 level, CAT score, PaCO2, WBC, NEUT%, CRP, PCT of AECOPD patients on day 7 were significantly decreased, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The plasma CC16 level of AECOPD patients was negatively correlated with their CAT score (r=–0.704, P<0.001), and also was negatively correlated with the length of stay (r=–0.351, P=0.003).ConclusionsCC16 is involved in the development and progression of AECOPD and closely related to the severity and prognosis of the disease. Its dynamic changes can predict the condition changes and evaluate the clinical treatment effect of patients with AECOPD. Combined with common clinical indicators, CC16 can shorten the length of stay of patients.
In recent years, it has become a new direction in the field of neuroscience to explore the mode characteristics, functional significance and interaction mechanism of resting spontaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and task-evoked EEG. This paper introduced the basic characteristics of spontaneous EEG and task-evoked EEG, and summarized the core role of spontaneous EEG in shaping the adaptability of the nervous system. It focused on how the spontaneous EEG interacted with the task-evoked EEG in the process of task processing, and emphasized that the spontaneous EEG could significantly affect the performance of tasks such as perception, cognition and movement by regulating neural activities and predicting external stimuli. These studies provide an important theoretical basis for in-depth understanding of the principle and mechanism of brain information processing in resting and task states, and point out the direction for further exploring the complex relationship between them in the future.
Objective To investigate the anti-adhesive effect and underlying mechanism of dynamic and static stress stimulation on the early healing process of rat Achilles tendon injury. Methods Achilles tendon tissues of 15 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats aged 4-6 weeks were isolated and cultured by enzyme digestion method. Rat Achilles tendon cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor α to construct the Achilles tendon injury cell model, and dynamic stress stimulation (dynamic group) and static stress stimulation (static group) were applied respectively, while the control group was not treated. Live/dead cell double staining was used to detect cell activity, ELISA assay was used to detect the expression of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of collagen type Ⅰ (COL1A1), collagen type Ⅲ (COL3A1), and Scleraxis (SCX). Thirty male SD rats aged 4-6 weeks underwent Achilles tendon suture and were randomly divided into dynamic group (treated by dynamic stress stimulation), static group (treated by static stress stimulation), and control group (untreated), with 10 rats in each group. HE staining and scoring were performed to evaluate the healing of Achilles tendon at 8 days after operation. COL1A1 and COL3A1 protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemical staining, α-SMA and SCX protein expressions were detected by Western blot, and maximum tendon breaking force and tendon stiffness were detected by biomechanical stretching test. Results In vitro cell experiment, when compared to the static group, the number of living cells in the dynamic group was higher, the expression of α-SMA protein was decreased, the relative expression of COL3A1 mRNA was decreased, and the relative expression of SCX mRNA was increased, and the differences were all significant (P<0.05). In the in vivo animal experiment, when compared to the static group, the tendon healing in the dynamic group was better, the HE staining score was lower, the expression of COL1A1 protein was increased, the expression of COL3A1 protein was decreased, the relative expression of SCX protein was increased, the relative expression of α-SMA protein was decreased, and the tendon stiffness was increased, the differences were all significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with static stress stimulation, the dynamic stress stimulation improves the fibrosis of the scar tissue of the rat Achilles tendon, promote the recovery of the biomechanical property of the Achilles tendon, and has obvious anti-adhesion effect.
Objective To analyze the cl inical appl ication and effect of three operation methods in treatment of senile intertrochanteric fracture. Methods From July 2004 to February 2007, 73 patients with intertrochanteric fracture were treated. Of 73 patients, 33 patients were treated by artificial bipolar femoral head (ABFH group), 18 patients by dynamic hip screw (DHS group) and 22 by proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA group). In ABFH group, there were 19 males and 14 females with age of (72.5 ± 3.8) years. The injury was by tumbl ing in 19 cases, by accident traffic in 7 cases, fall ing from height in 4 cases and others in 3 cases, including 6 cases of type I, 9 cases of type II, 11 cases of type III and 7 cases of type IV accordingto Evans classification. The Harris hip score was 16.8 ± 4.8, and the disease course was (21.2 ± 7.8) hours. In DHS group, there were 10 males and 8 females with age of (69.5 ± 3.2) years. The injury was by tumbl ing in 11 cases, by accident traffic in 5 cases, fall ing from height in 1 case and other in 1 case, including 6 cases of type I, 3 cases of type II, 5 cases of type III and 4 cases of type IV according to Evans classification. The Harris hip score of was 18.6 ± 5.5, and the disease course was (19.8 ± 6.5) hours. In PFNA group, there were 13 males and 9 females with age of (70.3 ± 3.5) years. The injury was by tumbl ing in 11 cases, by accident traffic in 6 cases, fall ing from height in 3 cases and others in 2 cases, including 5 cases of type I, 6 cases of type II, 6 cases of type III and 5 cases of type IV according to Evans classification. The Harris hip score was 20.4 ± 6.6, and the disease course was (20.0 ± 5.8) hours. All fractures were fresh. There were no significant difference in general data between three groups (P gt; 0.05). Results In ABFH group, all incisions healed by first intention, but deep vein thrombosis occurred in 1 case on the postoperative third day. In DHS group, incisions healed by first intention in 16 cases and by second intention in 2 cases, coxa adducta occurred in 2 cases after operation. In PFNA group, all incisions healed by first intention. Cacothesis in pate occurred in 1 case after operation. There were significant differences in operation time, blood loss, and out-of-bed time (P lt; 0.05). The patients were followed up (30.5 ± 6.5) months in ABFH group, (27.6 ± 6.2) months in DHS group, and (24.8 ± 5.4) months inPFNA group. The union time of fracture was (7.5 ± 2.5) months in ABFH group, (8.4 ± 2.2) months in DHS group and (7.2 ± 2.4) months in PFNA group. There were significant differences in Harris score between before operation and after operation and between different time after operation in three groups (P lt; 0.05). Conculsion The three operative methods have some their superiority, but the replacement of artificial bipolar femoral head is more suitable for the senile unstable intertrochanteric fracture because of simply procedure, short operation time, less blood loss and early ambulation.