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Objective:To construct a testing system for the effects of plantar surface vibration stimulation on the human postural adjustments, and to explore its practicability. Methods:The mechanical device and control system providing vibration stimulation were designed and built. Twenty-five healthy teachers and students (aged 19~29 years) were recruited from our college to participate in the experimental study from 2nd to 6th, October, 2019. The amplitudes of postural response were compared following non-stimulation and stimulation at left forefoot, left heel, right forefoot, right heel, left foot, right foot, double forefoot, double heels of each subject at the 20 Hz, 40 Hz, 60 Hz and 80 Hz vibrations, respectively. Results:The amplitude of the center of pressure response under foot cutaneous stimulation increased compared with the response amplitude under non-vibration conditions (P < 0.05). Conclusion:The locations of vibration as well as different vibration parameters (such as frequency, amplitude) could be adjusted, and the information of postural response to vibratory stimulation of the plantar surface, especially the excursion of center of pressure could be collected in the system which can be applied in the experimental study on the human posture control.
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Objective To evaluate the impact of different rating instruments used by raters with different seniority in OSCEs. Methods Surgical interns were randomly divided into two groups to undertake a nine－station surgical OSCEs. Raters with different seniority were also divided into two groups with four senior raters and four junior raters in one group. OSCE results were compared. Results There was no statistical significance when comparing results from different raters using checklist rating instrument. Results from different raters using global rating scale instrument were significantly different. Correlations between raters using checklist and global rating scale instruments showed statistical significance in 81.3% of stations. Conclusion Checklist rating instrument showed high capability of repeating the results. Therefore, it is recommended to apply checklist as many as possible in OSCE exams with mixed rater seniorities. Research on design of rating instruments are to be investigated to insure the effectiveness as well as the credibility of the rating system.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the assessment and management for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)'s special distal landing zones in endovascular repair (EVAR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinic data of 66 AAA patients with complicated distal landing zones From January 2007 to December 2010 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 45 male and 21 female patients, aged from 53 to 87 years with a mean of 62 years. All patients underwent the CT angiography examination (1 to 2 mm interval) to obtain the necessary anatomical data. In this group, there were 20 cases with type I and IIA lesions, including 10 cases with narrow common iliac arteries/external iliac arteries (> 50%), 6 cases with seriously distorted common iliac arteries/external iliac arteries, 4 cases with the characters of the above, 16 cases with bilateral common iliac aneurysms, 46 cases with bilateral common iliac aneurysms combined internal iliac aneurysms (unilateral 32 cases, bilateral 14 cases). The vascular stent-grafts' usage was as follow: Metronic 46 cases, COOK 14 cases, Microport 4 cases, Lifetech 2 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean operative time was 90 min. There were significant stent-graft shortening in 22 cases (33.3%), type II endoleak in 18 cases (27.3%), type III endoleak in 5 cases (7.6%), iliac stents' stenosis (> 50%) in 2 cases (3.0%), type II combined with type III endoleak in 5 cases (7.6%), iliac stents' stenosis combined with type III endoleak in 4 cases (6.1%). Patients were followed for a mean of 22 months (range from 3 to 36 months), during the time of follow-up, the following conditions were observed: stent-graft displacement (to the remote < 10 mm) in 2 cases (3.0%), iliac stents restenosis (> 50%) 2 cases, type II endoleak healed in 18 cases (18/23, 78.3%), and no type III endoleak remained. The fatality rate was 3.0% (2/66).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Special distal landing zones increased the operative complication rate in EVAR. Being familiar with the features of stent-graft and appropriate use of various surgical management can increase the success ratio of EVAR.</p>