ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the rehabilitative effect of combining respiratory function training with balloon dilatation for persons with cricopharyngeal achalasia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods:A total of 120 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia after radiotherapy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 60. Both groups were treated with routine functional swallowing training and balloon dilatation, while the observation group was additionally provided with respiratory function training 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Before the treatment and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, the swallowing function of both groups was evaluated using video fluoroscopy (VFSS), a functional oral intake scale (FOIS), cricopharyngeal muscle functional status and the M. D. Anderson dysphagia inventory (MDADI).Results:After 4 weeks of treatment the average VFSS, FOIS and MDADI scores of both groups were significantly better than before the treatment, and significant improvement continued over the subsequent four weeks. After 8 weeks of treatment, the average VFSS, FOIS and MDADI scores of the observation group had again improved significantly. Physiology, functioning, and their emotional state were also adjudged to have improved compared with 4 weeks earlier and compared with the control group.Conclusion:Combining respiratory function training with balloon dilatation can improve swallowing and can significantly reduce or delay swallowing disorders among patients with cyclopharyngeal achalasia after radiotherapy.
ABSTRACT
This study was aimed to detect the biomaterial-induced phosphorylation level of platelet focal adhesion kinase, a key component of signal transduction pathways. Flat tubings, made from 5 biomaterials: organotin-PVC, PU50, PU60, PU70, and PTFE,were connected to an ex vivo flow circuit with canine femoral artery and vein. After 5 min, the adherent platelets on the inner surface of the tubing were lysed, then FAK and phospho-FAK were examined, using immunoprecipitation and Western blot. The results showed a significant increase in the FAK value on the PVC and PTFE surface,compared to the PUs; among the PUs, the FAK value decreased in the following order: PU70/PU60/PU50. The phospho-FAK value on the five groups of surface decreased in the following order: PVC/PTFE/PU70, PU60, PU50; there was no significant difference among the PUs with regard to the phospho-FAK value. In conclusion, after platelet-material interaction, biomateriais may lead to the phosphorylation of FAK of platelets;the level of phosphorylation of FAK has been positively linked to the thrombogenicity of materials; the phospho-FAK value may be a valid molecular parameter of the haemocompatibility assessment; the FAK value may supply references to the haemocompatibility assessment.