The apex angle of the rocker sole affects the posture and gait stability of healthy individuals

BackgroundRocker sole (RS) shoes have been linked to impaired postural control. However, which features of RS design affect balance is unclear.Research questionWhich RS design features affect standing balance and gait stability?MethodsThis study utilized an intervention and cross-over design. Twenty healthy young adults (10 males and 10 females) participated in this study. Standing balance and gait stability were measured using a single force platform and three-dimensional motion analysis system, respectively. The experimental conditions included the control shoe and five RS shoes in the combination of apex position (%) and apex angle (degree) for RS50-95, RS60-95, RS70-95, RS60-70, and RS60-110. The main outcome measures were the area surrounding the maximal rectangular amplitude, mean path length, average displacement of the center of pressure along the lateral and anterior/posterior directions, and maximal center of pressure excursion as the standing balance and lateral margin of stability as the gait stability. Statistical analyses were conducted using a two-way split-plot analysis of variance with repeated measures (with RS design as the within-subject factor and sex as the between-subject factor) and the Bonferroni post hoc test (α = .05).ResultsRegarding the mean path length, RS60-70 was significantly longer than the control shoe, and it showed a significantly increased lateral margin of stability. Thus, RS60-70 was shown to affect standing balance, limit of stability, and gait stability of the frontal plane during gait.SignificanceThese results suggest that the apex angle of the RS design feature affects standing balance and gait stability, and RS60-70 is detrimental to stability. Therefore, when RS with a small apex angle is prescribed, it is necessary to consider the patient’s balance ability.     

Does acculturation affect the dietary intakes and body weight status of children of immigrants in the U.S. and other developed countries? A systematic review

Objective: This paper reviews available studies on the relationship between acculturation and obesity among children of immigrants who have at least one foreign-born parent.

Methods: A systematic review of relevant studies was undertaken using PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychInfo.

Results: The initial search identified 1317 potentially relevant publications, of which 21 were retained after three rounds of screening. Most studies were conducted in the U.S. The majority of studies used BMI or overweight/obesity prevalence as the outcome variable, while two studies used dietary intake. Three studies used standardized acculturation scales, while most of the studies used generation, duration of residency in host country, and language as proxy measures of acculturation. The relationship between acculturation and outcomes varied between the host countries and origin countries for children of immigrants.

Conclusion: This study suggests children of immigrants with different cultural backgrounds may interact with host countries to varying degrees, ultimately influencing their diet behaviours and body weight status. Researchers are encouraged to adopt standardized acculturation scales to compare the results across countries and populations.     

心血管疾病患者健康相关生命质量及其影响因素的多水平模型分析

目的 探讨心血管疾病患者的健康相关生命质量及其影响因素,为改善患者生命质量提供参考。 方法 选取2015年中国健康与养老追踪调查(CHARLS)中符合要求的心血管疾病患者1 201例,收集患者及地区信息,基于欧洲五维健康量表(EQ-5D-3L)测量健康效用值反映其健康相关生命质量。采用K-W检验对患者和地区因素进行单因素分析。以患者水平为水平1,地区水平为水平2,建立两水平回归模型,分析患者和地区因素对心血管疾病患者健康相关生命质量的影响。 结果 健康效用值平均值为0.749±0.166。单因素分析结果显示,心血管疾病患者健康相关生命质量的影响因素包括性别、受教育水平、婚姻状况、是否患有高血压、是否患有心脏病、是否患有中风、睡眠时长、吸烟状况、饮酒状况、每周中等强度体力活动时间、社交活动频率、体质量指数(BMI)、所在地区(P<0.05)。多水平模型结果显示,对心血管疾病患者健康相关生命质量有显著影响的因素有性别、受教育水平、婚姻状况、是否患有高血压病、是否患有血脂异常、是否患有心脏病、是否患有中风、吸烟状况、每周中等强度体力活动时间、社交活动频率、BMI以及地区水平的地区因素(P<0.05)。 结论 提高心血管疾病患者的健康相关生命质量既要考虑受教育水平、吸烟状况、BMI等个体因素,还应考虑不同地区患者的异质性,从而制定不同地区的针对性策略。     

Physiology of shock and volume resuscitation

Haemorrhagic and severe hypovolaemic shock can be rapidly fatal unless identified and resuscitated quickly. Monitoring of haemodynamic and cellular end points is crucial in guiding treatment and improving outcomes. This article therefore focuses on the pathophysiology of hypovolaemic shock, volume resuscitation, haemostasis and approaches to management. Fluid resuscitation saves lives but debate remains regarding the ideal fluid type and strategy to use. Blood transfusion is also a critical therapy in the shocked, bleeding patient – strategies vary depending on the clinical situation. Coagulopathy can accompany haemorrhage, particularly in trauma, and administration of coagulation products should be guided by testing. The aim is to stabilize the patient until definitive control of haemorrhage can be achieved by intervention.     

Sleep quality in times of Covid-19 pandemic

BackgroundDue to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak, social distancing measures were imposed to control the spread of the pandemic. However, isolation may affect negatively the psychological well-being and impair sleep quality. Our aim was to evaluate the sleep quality of respiratory patients during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.MethodsAll patients who underwent a telemedicine appointment from March 30 to April 30 of 2020 were asked to participate in the survey. Sleep difficulties were measured using Jenkins Sleep Scale.ResultsThe study population consisted of 365 patients (mean age 63.9 years, 55.6% male, 50.1% with sleep-disordered breathing [SDB]). During the lockdown, 78.9% of participants were confined at home without working. Most patients (69.6%) reported at least one sleep difficulty and frequent awakenings was the most prevalent problem. Reporting at least one sleep difficulty was associated with home confinement without working, female gender and diagnosed or suspected SDB, after adjustment for cohabitation status and use of anxiolytics. Home confinement without working was associated with difficulties falling asleep and waking up too early in the morning. Older age was a protective factor for difficulties falling asleep, waking up too early and non-restorative sleep. Notably, SDB patients with good compliance to positive airway pressure therapy were less likely to report sleep difficulties.ConclusionsHome confinement without working, female gender and SDB may predict a higher risk of reporting sleep difficulties. Medical support during major disasters should be strengthened and potentially delivered through telemedicine, as this comprehensive approach could reduce psychological distress and improve sleep quality.     

Long-term changes in dietary intake and its association with eating-related problems after gastric bypass in adolescents

BackgroundRoux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is an established, effective treatment for severe adolescent obesity. Long-term dietary intake and the relationship to eating-related problems are scarcely evaluated in this population.ObjectivesAssess changes in dietary intake in adolescents after RYGB and explore associations between dietary intake and eating-related problems.Setting: Multicenter study in Swedish university hospitals.MethodDiet history, binge eating scale (BES), and Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire were assessed preoperatively and 1, 2, and 5 years after RYGB in 85 adolescents (67% female) aged 16.5 ± 1.2 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 45.5 ± 6.0 kg/m² and compared with control individuals at 5 years.ResultsFive-year BMI change was –28.6% ± 12.7% versus +9.9% ± 18.9% in RYGB patients versus control individuals (P < .001). Through 5 years, RYGB adolescents reported reduced energy intake, portion size of cooked meals at dinner, and milk/yoghurt consumption (P < .01). The BES scores were 9.3 ± 8.3 versus 13.4 ± 10.5 in RYGB patients versus control individuals (P = .04). Association between BES score and energy intake was stronger in control individuals (r = .27 versus r = .62 in RYGB patients versus control individuals, P < .001). At 5 years, lower energy intake was associated with greater BMI loss in all adolescents (r = .33, P < .001). Higher scores in BES and uncontrolled and emotional eating were associated with higher energy intake, cooked meals, candies/chocolates, cakes/cookies, desserts, and sugary drinks (r > .23, P < .04) and lower intake of fruits/berries (r = –.32, P = .044). A higher score in cognitive restraint was associated with a higher intake of cereals and fruits/berries (r > .22, P < .05) and a lower intake of sugary drinks (r = –.24, P < .03).ConclusionTo support optimization of long-term outcomes in adolescent RYGB patients, it is important to provide management strategies to reduce energy intake. Monitoring eating-related problems could identify potential individuals at risk of poor weight loss and to initiate treatment interventions.     

Effects of a projector-based hybrid virtual reality on pain in young children with burn injuries during hydrotherapy sessions: A within-subject randomized crossover trial

AimThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of a water-friendly Projector-Based Hybrid Virtual Reality (VR) dome environment combined with standard pharmacological treatment on pain in young children undergoing burn wound care in hydrotherapy.MethodsThis study was a prospective, within-subject crossover trial of 38 children aged 6 months to 7 years old (mean age = 1.8 years old). Each hydrotherapy procedure was divided into two equivalent wound care segments (No hybrid VR during one segment vs. Hybrid VR during the other segment, treatment order was randomized). Pain was measured using the 0–10 FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry Consolability scale) and the 0–10 NRS-obs (Numerical Rating Scale-obs).ResultsProjector-Based Hybrid VR significantly reduced procedural pain levels measured by the FLACC (p = 0.026) and significantly increased patients' comfort levels (p = 0.002). Patients' pain levels rated by the nurses using the NRS-obs were non-significant between both groups (p = 0.135). No side effects were reported.ConclusionProjector-Based Hybrid VR helped in reducing the pain related to hydrotherapy procedures in young children with burn wound injuries. This is the first study using virtual reality distraction with young children, and our findings are especially important because a large percentage of pediatric burn patients are very young. Additional research and development are recommended.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02986464, registered on June 12, 2016.     

甲基丙二酸血症86例患儿的神经发育特征

目的分析甲基丙二酸血症患儿神经发育特征及可能影响因素。方法设计临床调查表,对2016年2月至2018年2月于河南中医药大学第一附属医院儿科就诊的86例甲基丙二酸血症患儿进行调查,采用Gesell发育量表进行神经发育评估。结果86例患儿中男45例,女41例;年龄2.4~62.5个月,中位数8.3个月。新生儿期筛查确诊的患儿33例,发病后临床诊断的患儿53例,患儿各能区多为轻到重度发育缺陷。其中,0~6月龄患儿28例,精细运动、大运动、适应性缺陷显著;>6~12月龄患儿24例,语言、适应性、个人-社交缺陷显著;>12~36月龄患儿23例,语言、适应性、大运动缺陷显著;>36~72月龄患儿11例,语言、个人-社交、适应性缺陷显著;新生儿筛查发现的患儿在精细运动、大运动、适应性、个人-社交和语言方面发育商均不同程度高于发病后临床诊断的患儿,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。结论虽经积极规范治疗,大多数发病后诊断的甲基丙二酸血症患儿仍存在神经发育障碍,各能区存在轻到重度发育缺陷。不同年龄段患儿神经发育能区损害稍有不同,6月龄以下的患儿精细运动、大运动、适应性发育缺陷显著,6月龄以上患儿语言、适应性、个人-社交缺陷显著。经新生儿筛查发现的患儿神经损害较轻。