Orientation and mobility outcome measures

Despite orientation and mobility (O&M) being a significant factor determining quality of life of people with low vision or blindness, there are no gold standard measures or agreement on how to measure O&M performance. In the first part of this systematic review, an inventory of O&M outcome measures used by recent studies to assess the performance of orientation and/or mobility of adults with vision impairment (low vision and blindness) is presented. A wide variety of O&M outcome measures have been implemented in different fields of study, such as epidemiologic research and interventional studies evaluating training, assistive technology, vision rehabilitation and vision restoration. The most frequent aspect of outcome measures is efficiency such as time, distance, speed and percentage of preferred walking speed, followed by obstacle contacts and avoidance, and dis/orientation and veering. Other less commonly used aspects are target identification, safety and social interaction and self-reported outcome measures. Some studies employ sophisticated equipment to capture and analyse O&M performance in a laboratory setting, while others carry out their assessment in real-world indoor or outdoor environments. In the second part of this review, the appropriateness of implementing the identified outcome measures to assess O&M performance in clinical and functional O&M practice is evaluated. Nearly a half of these outcome measures meet all four criteria of face validity (either clinical or functional), responsiveness, reliability and feasibility and have the potential to be implemented in clinical or functional O&M practice. The findings of this review confirm the complicated and dynamic nature of O&M. Multiple measures are required in any evaluation of O&M performance to facilitate holistic assessment of O&M abilities and limitations of each individual.     

Comparison of outcomes between minimally invasive and median sternotomy for double and triple valve surgery: A meta-analysis

Background

Limited data exists demonstrating the efficacy of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) compared to median sternotomy (MS) for multiple valvular disease (MVD). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare operative and peri-operative outcomes of MIS vs MS in MVD.

Methods

PubMed, Ovid, and Embase were searched from inception until August 2019 for randomized and observational studies comparing MIS and MS in patients with MVD. Clinical outcomes of intra- and postoperative times, reoperation for bleeding and surgical site infection were evaluated.

Results

Five observational studies comparing 340 MIS vs 414 MS patients were eligible for qualitative and quantitative review. The quality of evidence assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was good for all included studies. Meta-analysis demonstrated increased cardiopulmonary bypass time for MIS patients (weighted mean difference [WMD], 0.487; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.365-0.608; P < .0001). Similarly, aortic cross-clamp time was longer in patients undergoing MIS (WMD, 0.632; 95% CI, 0.509-0.755; P < .0001). No differences were found in operative mortality, reoperation for bleeding, surgical site infection, or hospital stay.

Conclusions

MIS for MVD have similar short-term outcomes compared to MS. This adds value to the use of minimally invasive methods for multivalvular surgery, despite conferring longer operative times. However, the paucity in literature and learning curve associated with MIS warrants further evidence, ideally randomized control trials, to support these findings.

     

Endoscopic ultrasonography and small‐bowel endoscopy: Present and future

Over the last decade, impressive technological advances have occurred in ultrasonography and small‐bowel endoscopy. Nowadays, endoscopic ultrasonography is an essential diagnostic tool and a therapeutic weapon for pancreatobiliary disorders. Capsule endoscopy and device‐assisted enteroscopy have quickly become the reference standard for the diagnosis of small‐bowel luminal diseases, thereby leading to radical changes in diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. We herein provide an up‐to‐date overview of the latest advances in endoscopic ultrasonography and small‐bowel endoscopy, focusing on the emerging paradigms and technological innovations that might improve clinical practice in the near future.     

双球囊与缩宫素用于促宫颈成熟以及引产的效果比较

目的比较双球囊与缩宫素用于促宫颈成熟并引产的临床效果。方法选取于2017年7月—2018年7月在本院分娩的足月妊娠孕妇100例为研究对象,随机平均分为观察组和对照组各50例,观察组采用双球囊引产,对照组采用缩宫素进行引产,对比2组孕妇的总产程、宫颈成熟度、引产成功率和新生儿Apgar评分、并发症发生率等。结果观察组促宫颈成熟有效率(100%)、引产成功率(96%)均高于对照组(82%,74%),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),治疗后新生儿Apgar评分、并发症发生率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);宫颈Bishop评分观察组(9.12±1.42)高于对照组(7.92±1.56),观察组总产程(8.23±2.54)h,对照组(13.45±3.77)h,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论双球囊用于妊娠引产效果显著,能明显促进宫颈成熟、缩短产程,保障分娩的顺利进行,安全可靠,值得在临床中推广。     

针药并用治疗双心疾病的应用

随着对于双心疾病研究的加深,西医疗法的弊端也开始显现。而中医因其理论架构中早就有对于“心主血脉”和“心主神明”的认识,因此在双心疾病的治疗上有着先天的优势。同时近些年中医疗法的结合应用也取得不错的成绩,本文通过对于双心疾病的病例分析,来研讨这种治疗手段的合理性和先进性。     

Exploration of D022-Type Al3TM(TM = Sc,Ti, V,Zr, Nb,Hf, Ta): Elastic Anisotropy,Electronic Structures,Work Function and Experimental Design

The structural properties, elastic anisotropy, electronic structures and work function of D0₂₂-type Al₃TM (TM = Sc, Ti, V, Y, Zr, Nb, La, Hf, Ta) are studied using the first-principles calculations. The results indicate that the obtained formation enthalpy and cohesive energy of these compounds are in accordance with the other calculated values. It is found that the Al₃Zr is the most thermodynamic stable compound. The mechanical property indexes, such as elastic constants, bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and Vickers hardness are systematically explored. Moreover, the calculated universal anisotropic index, percent anisotropy and shear anisotropic factors of D0₂₂-type Al₃TM are analyzed carefully. It demonstrates that the shear modulus anisotropy of Al₃La is the strongest, while that of Al₃Ta is the weakest. In particular, the density of states at Fermi level is not zero, suggesting that these phases have metal properties and electrical conductivity. More importantly, the mechanisms of correlation between hardness and Young’s modulus are further explained by the work function. Finally, the experimental design proves that D0₂₂-Al₃Ta has an excellent strengthening effect.     

经穹隆结膜入路埋线法重睑成形术应用探讨

目的:通过分析重睑形成原理,综合比较多种重睑成形的方法,讨论埋线法重睑成形术的优点和可行性。方法:对387例患者行经穹隆结膜入路间断缝合埋线法重睑术。其中88例为其他方法埋线后重睑线消失的患者。结果:手术方法可靠,术后所形成的重睑外形良好,重睑维持时间长。最长随访时间38个月。结论:此方法因符合重睑形成原理,可以充分的将较多的上睑提肌腱膜与上睑皮肤结扎固定、故术后所形成的重睑牢固。且在直视下经穹隆结膜入路,降低了对眼球组织损伤的危险性。是埋线法重睑成形术一种可靠的手术方法。     

p21WAF1与p27KIP1真核双表达载体的构建鉴定及在胃癌细胞中的表达

目的 构建p21WAF1与p27KIP1真核双表达载体,体外转染胃癌7901细胞,观察其在胃癌细胞中的表达及相关特性.方法 提取人全血总RNA,利用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)扩增p21WAF1和p27WAF1基因并将其分别克隆到真核双表达载体pIRES中构建重组质粒pIPES-p27KIP1-p21WAF1,经酶切和测序鉴定重组质粒.脂质体介导重组质粒plRES-p27KIP1.p21WAF1"转染胃癌7901细胞,收集并提取转染后12、24、48、72 h和5 d各细胞的总RNA,逆转录成cDNA,荧光定量聚合酶链反应(FQ-PCR)检测各细胞中p21WAF1和p27KIP1在RNA水平的表达.带有绿色荧光蛋白的pIRES-EGFP作为对照.结果 RT-PCR扩增分别获得约500和600 bp大小的产物,重组质粒pIRES-p27KIP1.p21WAF1经酶切和测序鉴定证实为p21WAF1和p27KIP1基因.转染胃癌7901细胞48 h时转染率为68%.与空质粒对照组比较,重组质粒转染胃癌7901细胞12、24、48、72 h和5 d后FQ-PCR证实p27KIP1的Ct值(cycle threshold,Ct)分别减少8.2、10、10、7.4和6.7,p21WAF1的Ct值分别减少7.4、8.2、8.2、6.3和5.70其中24 h和48 h的Ct值减少最大.结论 真核双表达载体pIRES-p27KIP1.p21WAF1构建成功并能在胃癌7901细胞内高效表达.