Nutrient Intakes of Pregnant Women and their Associated Factors in Eight Cities of China: A Cross-sectional Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>During the last 3 decades, China has dramatic changes of the dietary pattern among its citizens, particularly in urban cities. This study aimed to determine the nutrient intake status and factors associated with nutrient intakes of urban Chinese pregnant women now-a-day.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The multistage stratified random sampling method was applied in the cross-sectional study. 479 women in three trimesters of pregnancy from eight cities of China were recruited. Nutrient intakes were evaluated with one 24 h dietary recall, and compared with the Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) 2013 for available nutrients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Most pregnant women had imbalanced macronutrient distribution with excessive energy derived from fat. Intakes of Vitamin A, B 6, calcium, magnesium, and selenium were below Chinese Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) and Estimated Average Requirements (EARs) in all trimesters. Most pregnant women took more folic acid in the first trimester with a significant decrease in the second and third trimester (P < 0.05). Shortfall in iron intake was found in the third trimester whereas some women may be at the risk of excessive iron intake. Intakes of thiamin met RNI in the first trimester but were below EAR in all trimesters. Trimester phasing was positively associated with most nutrients (P < 0.05). Prepregnancy body mass index was inversely associated with energy, fat, Vitamin C, and calcium intake (P < 0.05). Educational level and household income were positively associated with folic acid intake (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Current prenatal dietary choices of urban pregnant women in China are imbalanced in the nutrient intake when compared with national DRIs 2013, particularly in intakes of energy derived from fat and micronutrients. Appropriate dietary advice to pregnant women should promote a balanced diet with emphasis on avoidance of foods of high fat content and incorporation of foods that are good sources of the key micronutrients that are usually lacking in a regular pregnancy diet. Further research is needed to understand the eating habits and food patterns that contribute to this imbalanced diet in order to be able to effectively improve prenatal women's nutrient intake status.</p>

A study of 22 displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures using locking plates with and without bone graft / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze locking plates with bone graft fusion in treating displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures and determine whether it is beneficial in maintaining restoration of calcaneal height and anatomic reduction of the articular surface.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2007 to January 2008, 22 patients with displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures were treated with locking plates with and without bone graft (divided into the bone graft group and non-bone graft group). There were 17 males and 5 females, ranging in age from 18 to 59 years with the mean of 35 years. Sanders III was in 14 cases and Sanders IV in 8 cases. Autologous iliac bone filled defects with locking plates fixation for the bone graft group; just locking plates fixation were performed for non-bone graft group. The Böhler angle and Gissane angle were measured before and after operation. The foot function of two groups were compared according to Maryland standard at the 6th month, 1, 2 years after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up with an average of 25 months. There was no significant difference in the recovery of Böhler angle and Gissane angle between two groups (P > 0.05). After the 6 months,1, 2 years, there was no significant difference in the foot function between two groups (P > 0.05), in bone graft group, excellent result was in 6, 7 ,7 cases respectively; and in non-bone graft group, excellent results in 5, 6, 7 cases respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Bone graft in the surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures is not an advantage.</p>

Establishing finite element contact model of human L1～L5 lumbar segments / 医用生物力学

Objective To establish the finite element model of L1～L5 lumbar motion segments with contact theory by self-compiled software and HyperMesh. Method Based on the spine CT continuous images of L1～L5 segments from the healthy volunteer, the three dimensional finite elements model of L1～L5 vertebrae structure was constructed applying self compiled software and HyperMesh, and added with simulating the endplates, joint cartilage intervertebral disc as well as ligament structure. The contact theory was adopted to solve the process between the high and low articular surface surface contacting. ResultsThe three dimensional finite element model with more structure integrity and good geometric similarity was obtained. The simulating results of the physical loading are matched better with the results of the vitro experiment of biomechanics. Conclusions Self compiled software and HyperMesh improved the speed and accuracy for building finite element model of lumbar motion segment, while the introduction of contact theory could enhance its reliability and authenticity.

Finite element analysis on adjacent segments for its biomechanical changes after artificial cervical disc prosthesis / 医用生物力学

ObjectiveTo study the range of movement (ROM) in adjacent vertebral segments and the changes in intervertebral disc stress after implanting artificial cervical disc. MethodA 3D finite element model for normal cervical spine was established using CT images scanned from a cadaver cervical spine. Simulation of bone graft and fusion of vertebral bodies as well as implantation of intervertebral disc prosthesis were performed between C5 and C6 . Then the ROM of adjacent functional spinal units (FSU, C4/5、C6/7) and the stress in C4/5 and C6/7 intervertabral disc were analyzed. Results（1）The model including the structures of ligaments, joint capsule and other soft tissue is built with high reality and accuracy；（2）Vertebral fusion increased movement range in adjacent FSU, and the stress in corresponding discs is significantly raised as well. The stress in nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus is increased about 70% at upper segment and 40% at lower segment; (3) After implantation of artificial disc, only the extension of cervicle spine is limited（P<0.05）; the stress in adjacent intervertebral disks is increased less than 10%. ConclusionsThe implanted artificial cervical disc can appropriately reduce the stress in adjacent vertebral segments, which is beneficial to improve the movement of the cervical spine.