Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Lockdown on Back Pain Intensity, Prevalence and Associated Risk Factor Among Adults in Malaysia

@#Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) that leads to a variety of negative consequences. The prevalence of LBP was found to be high worldwide. Individuals have been forced to remote studying or working conditions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, exposing them to the risk factors of LBP to a greater extent. This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 623 adults and aimed to assess LBP intensity and prevalence among adults in Malaysia before and during the COVID-19 lockdown and to identify the association between demographic, physical and psychological factors with LBP. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire composed of 36 questions regarding demographic characteristics, physical activities and psychological aspects was distributed to the public. Pearson’s Chi-square and Fisher Exact tests were performed using collected data to assess the association between LBP intensity and various risk factors. Results: The prevalence of LBP increased from 64.4% before the lockdown to 83.5% during the lockdown. LBP intensity significantly increased during the lockdown. Before lockdown, factors associated with LBP intensity included gender and stress level. While during the lockdown, age, gender, occupation, time spent on computer use, ergonomics as well as stress level affected the intensity of LBP. Conclusion: The present study showed that the COVID-19 lockdown has contributed to the increase in both the prevalence and intensity of LBP among Malaysians. The identified risk factors include age, gender, occupation, duration of sitting and computer use, adherence to ergonomic recommendations, and stress level.

Prevalence and major risk factors of peripartum thromboembolic disease in different regions of Guangdong province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence and major risk factors of peripartum thromboembolic disease in different regions of Guangdong province.Methods Data from 169 218pregnant women in different regions of Guangdong province from January 2005 to June 2010 were analyzed retrospectively.The prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of thromboembolic disease during pregnancy or puerperium were investigated.Results Of the studied population,( 1 )20 l cases ( 1.3‰ ) suffered from thromboembolic disease during pregnancy or puerperium including 128 cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT),68 cases of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) and 5pulmonary embolism,the prevalence rates were 0.8‰,0.4‰,and 0.02‰ respectively.(2) Risk factors in different regions showed that,in the Pearl River Delta area,the major risk factors for DVT would include previous or family history of thrombosis,pregnancy complications,with medically involved diseases,prolonged bed rest and pregnancy weight gain ＞ 15 kg etc.While in castern,western,northern parts of Guangdong,the major risk factors for DVT would include pregnancy weight gain ＞ 15 kg,prolonged bed rest,preeclampsia,cesarean section and complications during pregnancy.In Pearl River Delta region,the major risk factors for CVT would include eclampsia,preeclampsia,pregnancy complications,prolonged bed rest ＞3 days,past history or family history of thrombosis.While eclampsia,preeclampsia,advanced age or younger age,pregnancy weight gain ＞15 kg,complications during pregnancy were the major risk factors for CVT in the eastern,western or northem parts of Guangdong.Conclusion Prevalence and major risk factors of peripartum thromboembolic disease in different regions of Guangdong were different.It was crucial to take effective measures in pregnant women with different epidemiological characteristics and risk factors to prevent and reduce the incidence of peripartum thromboembolic disease.

Establishment of liver fibrosis in rabbit model and quantitative study on hepatic perfusion with dynamic whole-liver 3D MR imaging / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the ideal approach in creating rabbit model of hepatic fibrosis and to evaluate the feasibility and value of dynamic whole-liver 3D magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) in the quantitative study on the staging of hepatic fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rabbit model of hepatic fibrosis was created by intraperitoneal injection of 5% and 100% carbon tetrachloride (0.1 ml/kg, once a week) respectively. MR perfusion weighted imaging was performed at the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th week since injection. The time of peak (TOP), the time to peak (TTP), the maximum slope of increase(MSI) and the maximal relative signal increase (MRSI) of portal vein and hepatic parenchyma were analyzed quantitatively, and were compared with pathological results. Comparison of different concentrations of CCl4 was analyzed using chi-square test. Inter-group comparison of perfusion parameters was analyzed using one-way ANOVA P less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>40% of the rabbits treated with 5% carbon tetrachloride developed hepatic fibrosis, while 75% of the rabbits treated with 100% carbon tetrachloride developed hepatic fibrosis; the mortality rate is significantly different between these two groups (X2=5.013, P less than 0.05). PWI examination was successfully achieved in 31 rabbits, liver perfusion baseline was stable, and good TIC curve was obtained. With the progress of hepatic fibrosis, TOP and TTP of portal vein and hepatic parenchyma were increased, and MSI and MRSI were decreased. There were significant differences among stage of S0-S2, S3 and S4.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The method (100% carbon tetrachloride intraperitoneal injection, 0.1 ml/kg, once a week) has high success rate of creating rabbit model of hepatic fibrosis. The stage of hepatic fibrosis could be evaluated quantitatively with dynamic whole-liver 3D MR perfusion-weighted imaging.</p>

Establishment of liver fibrosis in rabbit model by injecting carbon tetrachloride intraperitoneally and drinking ethanol water / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To explore an ideal approach to establish rabbit model of hepatic fibrosis suitable for radiological and serological research.Methods Totally 40 rabbit models of hepatic fibrosis was established by intraperitoneally injecting 5% carbon tetrachloride in oil solution or 100% carbon tetrachloride(both groups,0.1 ml/kg,once a week),and drinking 5% ethanol water.Another 8 rabbits who drank normal water and received a peritoneal injection at 0.1 ml/kg served as control.The rabbits(5 or 2 per time for model group and control) were killed at 6,8,10 and 12 weeks respectively after first injection.Their livers were resected for gross and morphological observation with HE and Masson staining.Results Death of the models usually happened within 4 weeks after first injection and became stable after 6 weeks.Mortality of 5% carbon tetrachloride group was 60%,but 25% in 100% carbon tetrachloride group.Macroscopy and microscopy indicated that liver fibrosis was observed in rat models.Conclusion Long-term intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride results in rabbit hepatic fibrosis.Injection of 100% carbon tetrachloride intraperitoneal,at 0.1 ml/kg,once a week,combined with and 5% ethanol as drinking water is a suitable approach to establish rabbit model of hepatic fibrosis with low mortality and high success rate.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor: report of 2 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To recognize the characteristics of desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) and improve the standard of diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data on the treatment of 2 patients with DSRCT in terms of their conditions, tissue sources, pathologic characteristics, immunohistochemical methods, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Clinical manifestations were complicated. The 2 patients were mis diagnosed before operation. Their tumors consisted of irregular nests of small and round cells, with nuclear hyperchromatism and scant cytoplasm embedded in a plenty of fibrous connective tissues. The edge of the nest was clear, with different sizes and shapes. Immunohistochemically, the 2 patients were positive for CK or EMA, NSE, des and vim of the epithelium, nerve, muscle and interstitial. They died 9 months after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The tumor may occur in the abdomen, pelvic cavity and other sites, with different clinical manifestations. Routine examination should be replaced by immunohistochemical test for correct diagnosis of the tumor. Prognosis of most patients is not good.</p>