Effects of movement imitation training in Parkinson's disease: A virtual reality pilot study

BackgroundHypometria is a clinical motor sign in Parkinson's disease. Its origin likely emerges from basal ganglia dysfunction, leading to an impaired control of inhibitory intracortical motor circuits. Some neurorehabilitation approaches include movement imitation training; besides the effects of motor practice, there might be a benefit due to observation and imitation of un-altered movement patterns. In this sense, virtual reality facilitates the process by customizing motor-patterns to be observed and imitated.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of a motor-imitation therapy focused on hypometria in Parkinson's disease using virtual reality.MethodsWe carried out a randomized controlled pilot-study. Sixteen patients were randomly assigned in experimental and control groups. Groups underwent 4-weeks of training based on finger-tapping with the dominant hand, in which imitation was the differential factor (only the experimental group imitated). We evaluated self-paced movement features and cortico-spinal excitability (recruitment curves and silent periods in both hemispheres) before, immediately after, and two weeks after the training period.ResultsMovement amplitude increased significantly after the therapy in the experimental group for the trained and un-trained hands. Motor thresholds and silent periods evaluated with transcranial magnetic stimulation were differently modified by training in the two groups; although the changes in the input–output recruitment were similar.ConclusionsThis pilot study suggests that movement imitation therapy enhances the effect of motor practice in patients with Parkinson's disease; imitation-training might be helpful for reducing hypometria in these patients. These results must be clarified in future larger trials.     

微波辐射对小鼠联合型学习记忆功能及海马组织结构的影响

目的 探讨微波辐射对联合型学习记忆功能及海马组织结构的影响。方法 将小鼠按随机数表法分为假辐射组和微波辐射组,各27只。采用2.856 GHz、8 mW/cm²微波辐射C57BL/6N小鼠15 min,建立微波辐射动物模型。采用Morris水迷宫和穿梭箱行为学实验,研究微波辐射对小鼠空间学习记忆和联合型学习记忆功能的影响。观察海马组织病理学变化,研究微波辐射后海马组织超微结构改变。结果 Morris水迷宫结果表明,微波辐射后小鼠反向空间探索实验跨越平台次数减少,由(3.60±0.79)次降至(2.55±0.47)次(t = 2.21,P= 0.046);穿梭箱实验结果表明,辐射后小鼠平均主动逃避率显著下降(t = 2.70,P<0.05),平均主动潜伏期和总电击时间显著延长(t = -3.09、-3.02,P < 0.05)。辐射后8 d,海马CA3和DG区部分神经元核固缩,海马CA3区神经元凋亡、突触间隙模糊、胶质细胞肿胀、血管周隙增宽。结论 微波辐射可引起小鼠空间参考记忆能力及联合型学习记忆能力下降,海马组织形态学病理改变是其功能障碍的结构基础。     

Prediction of the response to photodynamic therapy in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy based on optical coherence tomography using deep learning

PurposeTo assess the prediction of the response to photodynamic therapy (PDT) in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images using deep learning (DL).MethodsRetrospective study including 216 eyes of 175 patients with CSCR and persistent subretinal fluid (SRF) who underwent half-fluence PDT. SD-OCT macular examination was performed before (baseline) and 3 months after treatment. Patients were classified into groups by experts based on the response to PDT: Group 1, complete SRF resorption (n = 100); Group 2, partial SRF resorption (n = 66); and Group 3, absence of any SRF resorption (n = 50). This work proposes different computational approaches: 1st approach compares all groups; 2nd compares groups 1 vs. 2 and 3 together; 3rd compares groups 2 vs. 3.ResultsThe mean age was 55.6 ± 10.9 years and 70.3% were males. In the first approach, the algorithm showed a precision of up to 57% to detect the response to treatment in group 1 based on the initial scan, with a mean average accuracy of 0.529 ± 0.035. In the second model, the mean accuracy was higher (0.670 ± 0.046). In the third approach, the algorithm showed a precision of 0.74 ± 0.12 to detect the response to treatment in group 2 (partial SRF resolution) and 0.69 ± 0.15 in group 3 (absence of SRF resolution).ConclusionDespite the high clinical variability in the response of chronic CSCR to PDT, this DL algorithm offers an objective and promising tool to predict the response to PDT treatment in clinical practice.     

新疆克州静脉血栓栓塞症的危险因素及发病特征分析

目的研究克州静脉血栓栓塞症（VTE）的危险因素和发病特征。 方法分析我院近3年收治的VTE患者的临床资料。根据是否与住院及手术相关,分为医院相关性VTE（HA VTE）和社区相关性VTE（CA VTE）。调查患者的VTE危险因素,分析不同部位类型的下肢深静脉血栓形成（DVT）合并下腔静脉血栓或肺血栓栓塞症（PTE）的差异。 结果共纳入81例VTE患者,其中CA VTE 63例,HA VTE 18例,前者是后者的3.5倍。CA VTE的危险因素以肥胖（28.57%）、创伤或骨折（19.05%）、卧床（17.46%）为主,尚有15.87%的病例未能明确危险因素。HA VTE的危险因素以外科手术（66.67%）为主,其中又以骨科（6例）、妇产科手术（2例）最为常见。左下肢、右下肢、双侧下肢DVT的构成比分别为62.96%、34.57%、2.47%,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。合并PTE的概率,双侧下肢DVT为100%,右下肢为32.14%,左下肢为13.72%,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。 结论克州地区CA VTE较HA VTE常见,前者的主要危险因素是肥胖、创伤或骨折、卧床,后者为外科手术,并以骨科、妇产科手术最为常见。     

Assessment of a novel deep learning-based marker-less motion capture system for gait study

BackgroundMarker-less systems based on digital video cameras and deep learning for gait analysis could have a deep impact in clinical routine. A recently developed system has shown promising results in terms of joint center position but has not been yet evaluated in terms of gait outcomes.Research questionHow does this novel marker-less system compare to a marker-based reference system in terms of clinically relevant gait parameters?MethodsThe deep learning method behind the developed marker-less system was trained on a dedicated dataset consisting of forty-one asymptomatic and pathological subjects each performing ten walking trials. The system could estimate the three-dimensional position of seventeen joint centers or keypoints (e.g., neck, shoulders, hip, knee, and ankles). We evaluated the marker-less system against a marker-based system in terms of differences in joint position (Euclidean distance), detection of gait events (e.g., heel strike and toe-off), spatiotemporal parameters (e.g., step length, time), kinematic parameters (e.g., hip and knee extension-flexion), and inter-trial reliability for kinematic parameters.ResultsThe marker-less system was able to estimate the three-dimensional position of joint centers with a mean difference of 13.1 mm (SD = 10.2 mm). 99% of the estimated gait events were estimated within 10 ms of the corresponding reference values. Estimated spatiotemporal parameters showed zero bias. The mean and standard deviation of the differences of the estimated kinematic parameters varied by parameter (for example, the mean and standard deviation for knee extension flexion angle were −3.0° and 2.7°). Inter-trial reliability of the measured parameters was similar to that of the marker-based references.SignificanceThe developed marker-less system can measure the spatiotemporal parameters within the range of the minimum detectable changes obtained using the marker-based reference system. Moreover, except for hip extension flexion, the system showed promising results in terms of several kinematic parameters.     

Thrombotic risk assessment questionary helps increase the use of thromboprophylaxis for patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures

Background:

Pelvic and acetabular fractures have been known as one of the high risk factors for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but thromboprophylaxis for patients with such fractures remains underused despite its widely accepted benefits. Current guidelines have not been universally adopted in clinical practice. The purpose of this study is to introduce a Thrombotic Risk Assessment Questionary (assessment table) according to evidence-based guidelines and evaluate its impact on the use of thromboprophylaxis for patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 305 consecutive patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures from August 1, 2008 through September 30, 2010. The control group without using the assessment table included 153 patients admitted during the first 13 months, and the assessment group using the assessment table included 152 patients admitted during the following months. Data on clinical outcomes of DVT, the number of patients receiving prophylaxis, and the time of the first dose of anticoagulant were collected.

Results:

Compared with the control group, Patients using the assessment table were more likely to be given DVT prophylaxis (84.2% vs. 37.3%, P < 0.05) and the time of the first dose of anticoagulant was reduced (4.32 days ± 4.78 days vs. 6.6 days ± 5.96 days, P < 0.05). Patients in the assessment group had lower risk of developing DVT (8.6% vs. 20.3%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The assessment table can significantly improve the use of thromboprophylaxis after pelvic and acetabular fractures, which will likely reduce the incidence of DVT. Developing individual hospital prophylaxis strategy is an effective way to determine whether hospitalized patients should receive pharmacologic and/or mechanical prophylaxis or not.     

Routine anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism prevention following laparoscopic gastric bypass

Objective:

To compare the rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by using routine postoperative enoxaparin versus early ambulation, SCDs, hydration, and selective prophylactic pharmacologic anticoagulation.

Methods:

1,692 patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass from October 2001 to October 2008 were included and divided into 2 groups based on when they were operated upon. Group A (435 patients) received routine enoxaparin 12 hours after surgery. Group B (1,257 patients) received selective pharmacologic anticoagulation, in high-risk patients only.

Results:

Mean operating time was 144±26 minutes (Group A) and 126±15 minutes (Group B). Mean length of stay was 2.3±1.5 days for Group A and 1.4±1.2 for Group B. Intraluminal bleeding occurred in 21 patients (4.8%) in Group A and 5 (0.9%) in Group B; none required intervention. Five pulmonary embolisms occurred in Group A (1.1%) and none in Group B. Seven patients in Group A (1.7%) and 6 (0.47%) in Group B had clinically evident DVT. Two non-VTE related deaths occurred in Group A.

Conclusions:

Adequate VTE prophylaxis is achieved using SCDs, early ambulation, emphasis on hydration, and shorter operating times. Bariatric surgery can be safely performed without pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis in all but the high-risk population. Fewer bleeding complications occur without the use of anticoagulants.     

D-二聚体在深静脉血栓形成诊断中临界值的确定

目的 评估D-二聚体的临床应用价值并建立D-二聚体在深静脉血栓形成（DVT）诊断中的临界值.方法 应用免疫比浊法分别检测DVT患者108例,非DVT可疑患者94例及健康对照96例的血浆D-二聚体含量,通过绘制接受者工作特征曲线（ROC）确立本实验室D-二聚体在DVT诊断中的临界值.结果 与非DVT可疑患者相比较,DVT患者D-二聚体水平显著增加（P 〈 0.01）;与健康对照组比较,非DVT可疑患者D-二聚体水平显著增加（P 〈 0.01）,DVT患者中D-二聚体的ROC曲线下面积为0.914（SD：0.030;95%CI：0.86 ~ 0.97）,临界值为250 μg/L（敏感度0.85,特异性0.89,Youden指数0.74,阴性似然比0.17）.结论 D-二聚体有较高的临床应用价值.建立本实验室的D-二聚体临界值有助于临床对DVT的安全排除.     

银杏达莫注射液预防骨盆骨折术后下肢深静脉血栓形成的临床研究

目的观察银杏达莫注射液联合低分子肝素钙预防骨盆骨折手术后下肢深静脉血栓（DVT）形成的疗效。方法将35例骨盆骨折术后患者随机分为两组。治疗组19例应用银杏达莫注射液联合低分子肝素钙,对照组16例单独应用低分子肝素钙。检测术前、术后3天、7天以及14天时D-二聚体指标,并在术后14天常规行双下肢彩色多普勒血流显像（CDFI）检查,以评价临床疗效。结果治疗组术后3天、7天以及14天时D-二聚体指标均低于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。术前D-二聚体两组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。治疗组中1例（5.3%）发生DVT,对照组中2例（12.5%）发生DVT。两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论银杏达莫注射液联合低分子肝素钙能更有效预防骨盆骨折术后DVT的形成。     

下肢深静脉血栓形成导管溶栓术后髂静脉病变支架治疗的前瞻性对照性研究

目的观察下肢深静脉血栓形成(DVT)导管接触性溶栓(CDT)术后髂静脉支架治疗髂静脉病变的疗效。方法本研究为单中心前瞻性随机对照研究。155例下肢DVT患者经CDT治疗后,髂静脉远端主干静脉完全通畅,髂静脉残留狭窄大于50%者中的74例患者随机分为对照组和实验组:实验组45例行髂静脉支架置入,对照组29例髂静脉未置入支架。观察指标:深静脉通畅率,CEAP分类法中临床分级(C)变化,静脉临床严重程度计分(VCSS)变化及生活质量调查表(CIVIQ)评分。结果术后患者均获得随访,随访时间6～24个月。行静脉造影或彩超检查,实验组40例,对照组27例,实验组与对照组的终点通畅率比较差异有统计学意义[87.5%(35/40)vs29.6%(8/27),P<0.05];实验组与对照组的1年累积通畅率比较差异有显著统计学意义(86.0%vs54.8%,P<0.01)。实验组及对照组的CEAP分类法中临床分级(C)术前术后差值比较差异有统计学意义(1.61±0.21vs0.69±0.23,P<0.01)。随访终点实验组及对照组VCSS术后两组差值比较差异有统计学意义(7.57±0.27vs6.56±0.23,P<0.01)。实验组及对照组CIVIQ调查表终点评分比较差异均有统计学意义(22.67±3.01vs39.34±6.66,P<0.01)。结论髂静脉支架对下肢DVT导管溶栓术后治疗髂静脉病变能够提高深静脉的通畅率,提高疗效,提高生活质量。