CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE OF JIAJI (EX-B2) IN THE TREATMENT OF APOPLECTIC SPASTIC HEMIPLEGIA

According to a statistical data ,the incidence of apoplexyin China is 120 ~180 per 0 .1 million,and there were about 1 .5 million of newly occurredstroke cases per year ,and the disabled rate is up to 75 %in 6 million surviving patients[1]. Apoplectic hemiplegia is one of the most commonly-encountered sequelae , severely affectsthe patients’dailyself-living abilities , and brings heavy burden to the patients’family and society. At the early stage of hemiplegia ,the acute lesion of the upper …     

An introduction to the Korean Employment Promotion Agency for the Disabled

Purpose. The main aim of this article is to provide an introduction to the Korean Employment Promotion Agency for the Disabled (KEPAD), and to provide comparative thought regarding government-based vocational rehabilitation service delivery between South Korea and the USA.

Method. Relevant literature is considered, and current issues and comparative discussion in practice are highlighted.

Results. Introductory information in terms of organization, eligibility, services and programmes are presented. In addition, practical problems associated with the KEPAD system and a cross-cultural analysis is elaborated, comparing the USA and South Korean vocational rehabilitation systems.

Conclusion. KEPAD has successfully derived public support and acknowledgement of its national responsibility in ensuring vocational rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. The KEPAD system demonstrates a unique approach in implementing vocational rehabilitation services by providing various benefits for both employers and persons with disabilities. However, considerable cautiousness in terms of cross-cultural analyses is required for international application. Furthermore, successive research of rehabilitation infrastructure is warranted.     

Anomalous artery directly connecting the external and internal carotid arteries

An anomalous artery directly connecting the external with the internal carotid artery was encountered on the right side of a 68-year-old Japanese female cadaver. This anomalous artery (5 mm in diameter, 12 mm in length) branched out from the posterior aspect of the external carotid at the level of the origin of the lingual artery, ran obliquely upward posteriorly along the course of the hypoglossal nerve, and was confluent with the anterior aspect of the internal carotid artery. No other variations were found in the morphological aspects of, or in the anatomical relationships between, the carotid arteries and their surrounding structures on either side. The carotid body-like structure was observed at the carotid bifurcation and was innervated by small branches of the glossopharyngeal, the vagus and the sympathetic trunk. Embryologically, it is conceivable that this anomalous artery may have derived from the right second branchial arch artery, although there is no abnormality in other derivative structures of the second pharyngeal arch. There may have been no effect from this anomaly on the functions of the arterial blood flow and blood supply under normal circumstances in the present case, but this report may be of embryological significance and contribute some insight into the mechanisms of the formation of the carotid circulation systems.     

Risk factors for neonatal transfers from the Sapopemba free-standing birth centre to a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil

Objectiveto identify risk factors associated with neonatal transfers from a free-standing birth centre to a hospital.Designepidemiological case–control study.Settingmidwifery-led free-standing birth centre in São Paulo, Brazil.Participants96 newborns were selected from 2840 births between September 1998 and August 2005. Cases were defined as all newborns transferred from the birth centre to a hospital (n=32), and controls were defined as newborns delivered at the same birth centre, during the same time period, and who had not been transferred to a hospital (n=64).Measurements and findingsdata were collected from medical records available at the birth centre. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. The multivariate analysis included outcomes with p<0.25, specifically: smoking during pregnancy, prenatal care appointments, labour complications, weight in relation to gestational age, and one-minute Apgar score. Of the foregoing outcomes, those that remained in the full regression model as a risk factor associated with neonatal transfer were: smoking during pregnancy [p=0.009, odds ratio (OR)=4.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–16.33], labour complications (p<0.001, OR=5.5, 95% CI 1.06–28.26) and one-minute Apgar score ?7 (p<0.001, OR=7.8, 95% CI 1.62–37.03).Key conclusions and implications for practicesmoking during pregnancy, labour complications and one-minute Apgar score ?7 were confirmed as risk factors for neonatal transfer from the birth centre to a hospital. The identified risk factors can help to improve institutional protocols and formulate hypotheses for other studies.