The immediate effects of hallux valgus orthoses: A comparison of orthosis designs

BackgroundHallux valgus orthoses are available in a wide range of designs and materials, but the effects of their design on functional performance have not been fully investigated.Research questionThis present study aims to comprehensively analyze the immediate effects of soft and semi-rigid hallux valgus orthoses on balance, plantar pressure, hallux valgus angle, and subjective sensations.MethodsSixteen female subjects have participated in the study, including 10 subjects with healthy feet and 6 with hallux valgus. Three conditions are tested, including in the barefoot and using two types of commercially available hallux valgus orthoses. The subjects participate in static and dynamic (walking) tests with the use of the Novel Pedar® system. The peak pressure values in the hallux, lateral toes, first metatarsophalangeal joint, 2-4th metatarsal heads, 5th metatarsal head, medial midfoot, lateral midfoot and rearfoot in the various foot conditions are examined and compared. The hallux valgus angle of each subject is measured based on their footprint. Their subjective feelings towards the orthoses are also evaluated. A repeated-measures analysis of variance, and independent-sample t-test are performed.ResultsThe correction of the hallux valgus angle is statistically significant when the subjects with hallux valgus use the orthoses. In comparing the two types of orthoses, the use of the orthosis made of soft materials results in correction in the hallux valgus angle and higher wear comfort, and lower plantar pressure in hallux area.SignificanceThe results provide insights into the design of hallux valgus orthoses, thus offering practical reference for the selection of hallux valgus orthosis with compromise between functional performance and wear comfort.     

Bile acid indices as biomarkers for liver diseases I: Diagnostic markers

BACKGROUNDHepatobiliary diseases result in the accumulation of toxic bile acids (BA) in the liver, blood, and other tissues which may contribute to an unfavorable prognosis.AIMTo discover and validate diagnostic biomarkers of cholestatic liver diseases based on the urinary BA profile.METHODSWe analyzed urine samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and compared the urinary BA profile between 300 patients with hepatobiliary diseases vs 103 healthy controls by statistical analysis. The BA profile was characterized using BA indices, which quantifies the composition, metabolism, hydrophilicity, and toxicity of the BA profile. BA indices have much lower inter- and intra-individual variability compared to absolute concentrations of BA. In addition, BA indices demonstrate high area under the receiver operating characteristic curves, and changes of BA indices are associated with the risk of having a liver disease, which demonstrates their use as diagnostic biomarkers for cholestatic liver diseases.RESULTSTotal and individual BA concentrations were higher in all patients. The percentage of secondary BA (lithocholic acid and deoxycholic acid) was significantly lower, while the percentage of primary BA (chenodeoxycholic acid, cholic acid, and hyocholic acid) was markedly higher in patients compared to controls. In addition, the percentage of taurine-amidation was higher in patients than controls. The increase in the non-12α-OH BA was more profound than 12α-OH BA (cholic acid and deoxycholic acid) causing a decrease in the 12α-OH/ non-12α-OH ratio in patients. This trend was stronger in patients with more advanced liver diseases as reflected by the model for end-stage liver disease score and the presence of hepatic decompensation. The percentage of sulfation was also higher in patients with more severe forms of liver diseases.CONCLUSIONBA indices have much lower inter- and intra-individual variability compared to absolute BA concentrations and changes of BA indices are associated with the risk of developing liver diseases.     

王克穷教授参合腹诊应用大陷胸汤临证经验

《伤寒论》乃经方之祖,而其中关于腹诊论述的条文达1/4以上,是临床选方用药的重要依据,临床实践中对于经方的使用,更应该注重腹诊。大陷胸汤出自《伤寒论》,乃峻下之剂,然今之医者,恐其太过峻猛,鲜有人使用此方,近年来相关报道也较少,但若处方用药恰当,则可取得事半功倍的效果,为指导经方临床应用开阔了思路。     

不同髋关节骨病晚期“异病同证”临证探析

"异病同证"是中医学对病证关系的特殊认识,起初是指不同的病具有相同的病机,从而表现出相同的证候,反映了中医学辨证论治的特点,在临证中主要体现在一方用于治疗多种病证。随着病证结合诊疗模式的形成,"异病同证"的含义也发生了变化,多指西医诊断不同疾病在其发展的过程中出现了相同的病机,从而表现出相同的证候。股骨头坏死、髋骨关节炎、类风湿性髋关节炎是发于髋关节骨骼、软骨及滑膜的3个不同解剖组织的3种疾病,在疾病的晚期出现了髋关节疼痛、活动受限的症状和腰膝酸软、行走无力的证候,无论是症状体征或中医证候,均表现出其相似性,体现着中医学"异病同证"的思想,本文从临床症状、影像变化、中医证候特点、病因病机及临床治疗方面探析3种疾病的趋同性和差异性,结果发现,除了临床症状体征相似,3种髋关节骨病晚期均见关节软骨退变、关节间隙狭窄、关节积液、滑膜增厚、骨质增生及软骨下骨囊变等相似X射线表现;肾藏精、主骨生髓,只有肾精充足,筋骨方可得以骨髓充养,肝藏血、主筋,肝血充足筋骨才能濡养,病至晚期,3种疾病与肝肾脏腑功能失常密切相关,肝肾不足、经脉筋骨失养是3种髋关节骨病晚期的共同病机,肝肾亏虚、腰膝酸软、行走无力亦成为其共同证候。不仅为"同证"提供理论依据,也有助于"异病"的鉴别诊断、提高髋关节疾病的诊断水平、丰富中医学"异病同证"的内涵。     

临床护理路径在心血管患者静脉留置针中的研究分析

目的:提高静脉留置针使用有效期,保证心血管患者得到及时用药,有效开放静脉抢救通道。方法:建立了心血管患者静脉留置针的临床护理路径(Clinical Nursing Pathway,CNP)。选择我院2018年1-12月期间接诊的静脉留置针心血管患者为研究对象,共100例,随机分组,即对照组(50例,常规护理)与实验组(50例,在常规护理基础上辅以临床护理路径),比较两组护理效果,包括留置时间、不良反应情况、患者满意度等。结果:护理后,两组患者留置时间无明显差异,但实验组不良反应发生率、静脉炎发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);实验组满意度、一次性置管成功率高于对照组,而非计划性拔管率则低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:心血管患者静脉留置针护理中辅以临床护理路径,可减少不良反应,预防静脉炎,延长置管时间,提高护理满意度,值得优选。     

磁共振弥散张量成像技术在神经外科疾病的应用进展

磁共振弥散张量成像(MR-DTI)可以无创地测量体内水的平移运动,提供关于其在不同组织中的各向异性的信息;在组织内水分子进行自由热运动时的各向异性特点进行成像,可以观察到神经纤维束损伤后的定性及定量的变化,对神经纤维束损伤后肢体功能恢复做出比较客观的预后评估。近些年来DTI已广泛应用于神经外科疾病,对疾病的诊断与鉴别诊断、肿瘤定性与分级、降低手术风险、评估术中切除和预后等方面具有重要意义。本文就DTI在神经外科疾病的临床应用做一综述。     

Benefits of vestibular rehabilitation on patient-reported outcomes in older adults with vestibular disorders: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundChronic dizziness has a negative impact on emotional aspects, functional capacity, and quality of life of older people.ObjectiveTo compare the effects of the conventional Cawthorne & Cooksey and the multimodal Cawthorne & Cooksey protocols on patient-reported outcomes in older adults with vestibular disorders.MethodsThis is a single-blind, randomized controlled trial with three-months’ follow-up. Older adults with chronic dizziness were randomly assigned to conventional or multimodal protocols. The protocols were performed in individual 50-minute sessions, twice weekly, for two months. The primary outcome was the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the secondary outcomes were the Visual Analogue Scale, the Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale. Outcomes were collected at baseline, post-treatment and three-month follow-up; and analyzed on an intention-to-treat approach.ResultsEighty-two patients were randomized into the conventional (n = 40) or multimodal (n = 42) protocols. There was no between-group difference on DHI at post-treatment (Mean Difference (MD): −0.7; 95% CI: −9.2, 7.8) and at three-month follow-up (MD: −1.6; 95% CI: −9.5, 6.2). No between-group difference was found for the secondary outcomes. All patient-reported outcomes in the within-group analysis showed significant improvement between baseline and post-treatment, and changes were maintained between post-treatment and follow-up. Following treatment, 55% of patients in the conventional and 57% in the multimodal protocol reached DHI clinical improvement (decrease ≥18).ConclusionsThe addition of multimodal exercises to the conventional Cawthorne & Cooksey protocol did not promote extra benefits on patient-reported outcomes in older adults with chronic dizziness.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry-ANZCTR (ACTRN12610000018011), the trial was registered January 7, 2010 and the first participant was enrolled April 15, 2010. URL of the registry: https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=334985.