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Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of modern rehabilitation techniques combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) external application in the treatment of knee stiffness.Methods:Prospective cohort study. A total of 80 patients with knee stiffness meeting the entry criteria admitted to the People's Hospital of Bozhou from January 2019 to December 2021 were selected and divided into the observation group ( n=40) and the control group ( n=40) according to the random ball touching method. Both groups were given routine physiotherapy. The control group was treated with TCM external application on the basis of the physiotherapy, and the observation was treated with modern rehabilitation techniques on the basis of the treatment of the control group. The goniometer was used to measure the knee flexion and extension before and after treatment, and the VAS scale was used to assess the knee pain. Fug l-Meyer motor function score was used to evaluate lower extremity motor function. Results:After treatment, the knee flexion [(96.43 ± 4.63) ° vs. (89.58 ± 4.67) °, t=6.59] in the observation group was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.01), and the extension [(8.32 ± 2.03) ° vs. (11.69 ± 2.37) °, t=6.83] in the control group was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.01); VAS score (2.06 ± 0.49 vs. 3.65 ± 0.76, t=11.12) was lower than that of the control group ( P<0.01), and Fugl Meyer motor function score (28.97 ± 3.76 vs. 20.43 ± 3.04, t=11.17) was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:The application of modern rehabilitation techniques combined with TCM external application in the treatment of knee stiffness can improve the range of motion of the knee joint, reduce the VAS score of pain, and improve the motor function.
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ObjectiveTo compare the accelerating effect of topical recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) and recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (rb-bFGF) on wound healing after fractional CO2 laser therapy.MethodsTwenty male guinea pigs were included in this study.After hair removal and irradiation with fractional CO2 laser,the back of each guinea pig was divided into 4 regions to be topically treated with rhEGF of 10 μg/cm2 (rhEGF group),rb-bFGF of 262.51 IU/cm2 (rb-bFGF group),the combination of rhEGF and rb-bFGF (combination group),or normal saline (control group),twice daily until the healing of wound.Skin physiology parameters including elasticity index and melanin index were detected before the irradiation,7,14 and 28 days after the irradiation,and compared between the 4 groups by analysis of variance.Tissue specimens were obtained from 4 mice at the above time points and subjected to pathological examination for the observation of collagen fibers and quantification of fibroblasts.ResultsAfter fractional CO2 laser therapy,the crusts fall off completely in growth factor-treated regions,while partly in the control regions,within 3 to 7 days; the wounds healed completely in 14 to 28 days in all the groups,with the regenerating tissue being more tender and redder compared with the surrounding unirradiated tissue.The wound surface was smaller in area and redder in color in the 3 growth factor-treated groups than in the control group.At 28 days after the irradiation,the elasticity index was 262.29 ± 62.40 in the combination group,202.00 ± 65.62 in the rhEGF group,188.86 ± 35.02 in the rb-bFGF group,167.14 ± 42.49 in the control group.Statistical difference was observed in elasticity index,but not in skin melanin index among the 4 groups.Pathological examination showed a dense and organized arrangement of collagen fibers in the combination group but a sparse and disorganized arrangement of collagen fibers in the control group.ConclusionThe combined application of rhEGF and rbbFGF can accelerate the healing of wound and increase the elasticity of regenerating tissue after fractional CO2 laser therapy.
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ObjectiveTo study the roles of aquaporin 3(AQP3),Caspase 14 and bleomycin hydrolase(BH) in skin barrier in patients with chronic eczema and to tackle the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of narrow-band ultraviolet B(NB-UVB) on eczema.MethodsTransepidermal water loss (TEWL)and water content of skin were detected by a muhi-functional skin tester in lesions and non-lesional skin of 30 patients with chronic eczema.The protein expressions of AQP3,Caspase 14 and BH were detected by immunohistochemistry in tissue specimens from lesioual and non-lesional skin of these patients.Cultured keratinocytes were irradiated with 3 different doses(400,800,1200 mJ/cm2) of UVB,and Western blot was performed to quantify the protein expressions of AQP3,Caspase 14 and BH at 24 hours after the irradiation.ResultsThere was a significant decrease in water content of skin(11.32 ± 5.25 vs.49.68 ± 8.62) but an increase in TEWL (86.28 ± 16.35 vs.14.62 ± 6.68) in lesional skin compared with non-lesional skin from the patients with chronic eczema(both P ＜ 0.05).The protein expression levels of AQP3,Caspase 14 and BH in lesional skin were 5.3 times,4.2 times and one-third of,those in non-lesional skin from the patients,respectively,and significant differences existed between the lesional and non-lesional skin in the 3 parameters (all P ＜ 0.05 ).After irradiation with NB-UVB at 400,800 and 1200 mJ/cm2,the expression level of AQP3 in keratinocytes was decreased by 52％,77％ and 84％,respectively,and that of Caspase 14 was decreased by 18％,22％ and 78％,respectively,compared with unirradiated keratinocytes (all P ＜ 0.05).A marked decrease(by 66％) was also observed in the expression of Caspase 14 in keratinocytes after irradiation with NB-UVB at 1200 mJ/cm2(P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionsThe impairment of skin barrier function in chronic eczema may be related to the downregulated expression of BH and upregulated expression of Caspase 14 and AQP3.The therapeutic effect of NB-UVB on chronic eczema may be partly attributed to the diminished expression of AQP3,Caspase 14 and BH.
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ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of large-spot and low-energy Q switched Nd:YAG laser on melasma,and to observe the changes of melasma lesions with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) before and after the laser treatment.MethodsTotally,45 patients aged from 24 to 48 years and diagnosed with facial melasma were included in this study,and treated with large-spot and low-energy Q switched Nd:YAG once a week for 10 or more sessions.CLSM was used to estimate the melanin content in melasma lesions before each irradiation and after the last irradiation.ResultsAmong the 45 patients,8 ( 17.78％ ) were nearly cured,25 (55.56％) markedly improved,11 (24.44％) improved,and only 1 (2.22％) unimproved after the laser irradiation.The total response rate was 73.33％.As CLSM showed,there was an increment in melanin granules in melasma lesions compared with the normal skin surrounding melasma lesions,but a reduction in melanin granules was induced by the laser treatment in melasma lesions.ConclusionsLarge-spot and lowenergy Q switched Nd∶YAG laser is substantially effective and highly safe for the treatment of melasma,and CLSM can be used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of laser on melasma.
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Objective To clarify the effectiveness of QS Nd ∶ YAG laser on melasma in Chinese patients.Methods A group (n=45) of patients previously diagnosed as facial melasma were treated with QS Nd ∶ YAG laser at approximately 1 week intervals.Eleven to twenty treatments were per formed for each patient.The treatment efficacy of QS Nd ∶ YAG laser was evaluated by patients and doctors,respectively,at various time point such as before treatment,5 weeks and 10 weeks after treatment and end of the treatment.The skin melanin index and the transepidermal water loss were e valuated by the skin multifunction tester at different time point,respectively.Results Compared with untreated,the melanin index of melasma areas decreased significantly after the laser treatment for 5 weeks,10 weeks and the end of treatment.But there was no significant difference in the melanin index of normal skin areas with or without laser treatment.Compared with untreated,the transpidermal water loss of melasma areas increased significantly after the laser treatment for 5 weeks,10 weeks and end of treatment.The patients' skin became smooth,delicate,pores shrink and more flexible.In 45 melasma patients treated by QS Nd ∶ YAG laser,8 cases basically cured (17.78 ％),25 cases were markedly effective (55.56 ％),12 cases improved (24.44 ％) and only 1 case was uneffective (2.22 ％).Theoverall effective rate was 73.33 ％.Conclnsions QSNd∶ YAG laser is a useful treatment modality for Chinese women who have melasma with precise efficacy,less side effects and high safety.
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Objective To investigate the dose-effect relationship between Q-switch ruby laser and skin pigmentation in Guinea pigs. Methods Ten Guinea pigs were included in this study, and the back of each pig was divided into 5 areas, negative control area receiving no UVB irradiation or laser treatment, positive control area receiving UVB irradiation but no laser treatment, low-, middle- and high-dose areas receiving UVB irradiation followed by the treatment with laser at an energy density of 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 J/cm2 for 4, 2, and 1 session, respectively, with an interval of 1 week. Melanin content index (MCI) was determined, and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and histopathology were performed to observe melanin granules and melanocytes in the skin tissue from Guinea pigs before the initial laser treatment, 2 and 4 weeks after the final laser treatment. Results The best response was observed in the low-dose areas, and there was a complete clearance of hyperpigmentation in these areas, which maintained 8 weeks without recurrence, while different degrees of skin pigmentation recurred in the middle- and high-dose areas. Moreover, the low-dose areas showed a significantly lower melanin content index (MCI) compared with the middle- and high-dose areas (F = 4.2,P < 0.05), together with a marked reduction in the extent of pigment deposition, melanin granules, melanocyte number and density. Conclusions The efficacy of Q-switched ruby laser on skin pigmentation in Guinea pigs is correlated with the energy density and treatment frequency, and, low intensity and high frequency are often associated with a better treatment outcome.
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Two cases of nevus of Ota resistant to multiple sessions of Q-switched laser treatment are reported.Both of the patients were females,who developed beige or blue patches on the left side of the face (zygomatic region,cheek)several months after birth.No conjunctiva or sclera was involved.The lesions spread to the left retroauricular region and posterior neck during pregnancy in one patient.Histopathological examination of the lesions showed scattered melanocytes and melanophages in lower dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue as well as apparent proliferation of collagen.Immunostaining for CD34 showed no abnormality in the distribution of vascular endothelial cells in these tissues.No obvious improvement was observed in either of the patient after more than 10 sessions(12 sessions in 1 case,and 13 sessions in the other case)of treatments with Q-switched alexandrite(755 nm)or Q-switched Nd:YAG laser(1064 nm).The immediate response of lesions to laser irradiation was unusual.Purpura or errhysis was absent in the lesions after repetitive irradiation with high-energy laser,but both were visible in the adjacent normal skin even after irradiation with low-energy laser.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The study is to investigate the associations between visibility, major air pollutants and daily counts of hospital admission in Shanghai, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Daily data on hospital admission, visibility, and air pollution during 2005-2008 were obtained from the Shanghai Insurance Bureau (SHIB), Shanghai Meteorological Bureau, and Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center, respectively. The generalized additive model (GAM) with penalized splines was used to examine the associations between daily visibility and hospital admission.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among various pollutants, PM(2.5) showed strongest correlation with visibility. Decreased visibility was significantly associated with increased risk of hospital admission in Shanghai. An inter-quartile range decrease in the 2-day (L01) moving average of visibility corresponded to 3.66% (95%CI: 1.02%, 6.31%), 4.06% (95%CI: 0.84%, 7.27%), and 4.32% (95%CI: 1.67%, 6.97%) increase of total, cardiovascular, and respiratory hospitalizations, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our analyses provide the first piece of evidence in China, demonstrating that decreased visibility has an effect on hospital admission, and this finding strengthens the rationale for further limiting air pollution levels in Shanghai.</p>
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Humans , Air Pollutants , Chemistry , Cardiovascular Diseases , Epidemiology , Pathology , China , Epidemiology , Hospitalization , Particulate Matter , Chemistry , Respiratory Tract Diseases , Epidemiology , Pathology , Risk Factors , WeatherABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the skin barrier function in patients with facial steroid dermatitis.Methods Ninety-five patients with facial steroid dermatitis were enrolled into this study along with 25 healthy volunteers as controls.Transepidermal water loss(TEWL)and skin hydration were measured in 8 facial regions.including lesional skin in forehead,nasal tip,submaxilla,both cheeks and angulus oris,and non-lesional skin in the left posteior ear.Results Compared with the healthy group,the patients with steroid dermatitis had a significant higher value of TEWL on lower mandible,both angulus oris and cheeks(t:4.90,2.60,2.57,2.54,3.77,respectively,P＜0.01),while a significant lower level of skin hydration was noted on both angulus otis,right cheek and forehead(t=3.27,3.81,2.02,2.78,respectively,P＜0.05).Among the 8 test sites in both patients and controls,TEWL value decreased in the following order:submaxilla and both angulus oris＞both cheeks and forehead＞non lesional skin on the posteroir ear,and the decrease in skin water content was highest in submaxilla and both angnlus oris,followed by cheeks and forehead,and finally by left posterior ear.Conclusions In patients with facial steroid dermatitis,skin barrier function is disturbed on submaxilla,both angnlus oris and cheeks,and TEWL value is found to be higher in perioral area,while cheeks have a lower level of skin hydration.
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Objective To treat a group of patients with port wine stains (PWS) using a variable pulse width (VPW) frequency doubled Nd:YAG 532nm with high energy long pulse green (HELP G) laser and to evaluate the clinical efficacy, side effects and different histological changes between VPW and HELP G. Methods Thirty two patients with PWS were treated in order to study the clinical improvement by transforming from 11～16 J/cm 2 at 3 mm spot size (VPW,7～10 ms) gradually to 16～24 J/cm 2 at 4～5 mm spot size (HELP G,15～50 ms). Two patients were biopsied before and after the laser treatment.Results After treatment of 1～8 times(3.19 average), very good results were achieved in 7 PWS, and excellent results were achieved in 15 PWS.Improvement was found in 68.75 % of the patients.Conclusion VPW with HELP G laser at 532 nm appears to be an effective treatment for PWS.