ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the content and psychometric properties of measurement tools for children's gross motor function and activity. Methods Six measurement tools for children's gross motor function and activity were selected,including Gross Motor Function Measure(GMFM),Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Second Edition(BOT-2),Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-Second Edition(PDMS-2),Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition(MABC-2),Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition(TGMD-3)and Functional Movement Screen(FMS).International Classification of Functioning,Disability,and Health(ICF)linking rules,categories and coding were used to analyze the content of measurement dimensions and items of these six tools,and their psychometric properties were explored. Results For the body function,the content of these six tools primarily addressed neuromusculoskeletal and movement-re-lated functions(b7),such as mobility of joint functions(b710),stability of joint functions(b715),muscle power functions(b730),motor reflexes functions(b750),control of voluntary movement functions(b760),supportive functions of arm or leg(b7603)and gait patterns functions(b770).For the activities and participation,the content primarily addressed mobility(d4),such as changing and maintaining body positions(d410,d415),transferring oneself(d420),walking(d450),running(d4552),and jumping(d4553).GMFM was good in inter-rater and test-retest reliability;BOT-2 was good in inter-rater reliability,test-retest reliability and internal consistency;PDMS-2 was good in inter-rater and test-retest reliability;MABC-2 was good in test-retest reliability and internal consis-tency with an excellent model fit;TGMD-3 was good in internal consistency and test-retest reliability;and FMS was good in internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Conclusion The six tools for motor and activity function measurement primarily concern neuro-musculoskeletal and movement-related functions(b7)for ICF body function,and mobility(d4)for activities and participation.PDMS-2 is suggested for a comprehensive evaluation of children's motor functions and activities;TGMD-3 and GMFM for gross motor functions;and BOT-2,MABC-2 and FMS for motor development,coordination and functional movement patterns.BOT-2,PDMS-2,MABC-2 and TGMD-3 are norm-referenced measures,whereas GMFM and FMS are criterion-referenced.Norm-referenced tools,due to their established norms tailored for various ob-jectives,boast superior psychometric properties and wider applications.All the six tools exhibit good to excellent reliability,and internal consistency coefficients ranging from moderate to excellent.Their validity also spans from moderate to excellent.
ABSTRACT
Objective To establish an improved type Ⅱ cardio-renal syndrome rat model and evaluate it.Methods Twenty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham and model groups with 7 rats in the sham group and 13 rats in the model group.The model group received the method of squeezing the heart under a small animal anesthesia machine to permanently ligate the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery to cause myocardial infarction.One week later,unilateral nephrectomy(right nephrectomy)was performed.The rats underwent cardiac echocardiography,pathological staining,and blood and urine tests at 6 weeks to verify model establishment.Results Compared with the sham group,the cardiac function assessed by echocardiography and the endogenous creatinine clearance rate in the model group rats were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the levels of brain natriuretic peptide,blood creatinine,urea nitrogen,and 24 h urine protein in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01).HE staining revealed a disordered myocardial arrangement,glomerular atrophy,and inflammatory cell infiltration in model group rats.Picric acid-Sirius red staining showed a significant increase in myocardial collagen fibers,an irregular arrangement of renal tubules,and a large amount of collagen deposition in model group rats.The positive staining area ratio was also significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusions This improved modeling method provided a typeⅡcardio-renal syndrome rat model with s simple operation,minimal surgical trauma,and low mortality rate.This model simulates the early onset of cardiac and renal function damage and pathological changes in type Ⅱ CRS,laying the foundation for systematic and in-depth research on the pathogenesis and pathological mechanism of type Ⅱ cardio-renal syndrome.
ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo systematically analyze the content and health benefits of structured physical activity programs for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). MethodsPublished literature related to structured physical activity for children with ASD and its health benefits were searched in Wanfang database, CNKI, Embase, EBSCO and PubMed from January, 2013 to July, 2023. A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. ResultsSeven literatures were finally included, from China, USA, Germany, Italy and Turkey. The publication dates concentrated after 2019. The study designs were all randomised controlled trials with 193 children with ASD, aged three to 14 years. Structured physical activity intervention sites included community sports halls, special education schools, rehabilitation wards of children's hospitals, and rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities. The intervention attributes were generally treatment, rehabilitation and health promotion. The content of physical activity mainly included motor skill-based activities (e.g., running, jumping, kicking, hitting, throwing), traditional yoga activities (e.g., breathing, mimicking postures and relaxation, as well as appropriate socialization activities such as encouragement of greeting/farewell songs, touch/contact games and expressive games), and a combination of multiple types of exercises integrated with school-based curricula such as aerobic exercises (walking), endurance exercises (jumping) and neuromuscular exercises (throwing paper airplanes), mindfulness for emotions and body, and judo. The frequency of the intervention ranged from 40 to 90 minutes, one to four times a week; the intensity ranged from mild to vigorous; and the duration ranged from eight to 40 weeks. The physical and behavioral health benefits were reflected in three aspects. In terms of body composition, it could reduce fat and body mass, increase muscle strength, and improve cardiorespiratory function. In terms of function, it could improve children's language and communication function, cognitive and executive function, and motor function. In terms of physical activity-related health behaviors, it could enhance children's motivation to exercise, reduce sedentary behavior, increase social and interactive behavior, improve emotional regulation, and reduce the risk of problematic behaviors. ConclusionThe physical and behavioral health benefits of structured physical activity for children with ASD can be reflected in the areas of body composition, function, and physical activity-related health behaviors.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To observe the clinical efficacy of Fuzheng Xiaoliu Granules in the treatment of stage II primary liver cancer and to explore its mechanism of action from the perspective of metabolomics. METHODS: Sixty patients with stage II primary liver cancer who achieved complete remission (CR) after comprehensive interventional therapy were randomly divided into treatment group and placebo group, with 30 patients in each group. They were treated for one year and observed for one year. The one-year recurrence rate, traditional chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, alpha-fetoprotein and child-pugh grade were compared between the two groups. The serum metabolites of the two groups before and after treatment were screened by ultra-high liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technology, and the metabolic pathways and related biological pathways were analyzed. RESULTS: The one-year recurrence rate of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group, and the overall improvement rate of TCM syndrome score was significantly better than that of the placebo group (P0.05). Metabolomics results showed that there were 39 and 33 different metabolites in the treatment group before and after treatment and in the two groups after treatment, respectively. After enrichment analysis and topological analysis of the different metabolites, it was found that Fuzheng Xiaoliu Granules could affect amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and purine metabolism and other metabolic pathways. Before and after treatment in the treatment group and after treatment in the two groups, there were the same differential metabolites and metabolic pathways in the two comparison results. The same differential metabolites with FOLD CHANGE>1 include Stearic acid, Hypoxanthine, Kynurenic acid, Arachidonic acid, and N-Arachidonoyl Dopamine. The same metabolic pathways with Impact>0.1 include Arachidonic acid metabolism and Histidine metabolism. CONCLUSION: Fuzheng xiaoliu granules can effectively reduce the recurrence rate of stage II liver cancer patients after comprehensive intervention and improve the TCM syndrome. It may inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathways by regulating the content of metabolites involved in metabolic pathways such as amino acids and fatty acids, thereby delaying tumor recurrence.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze characteristics of muscle activity and changes of corresponding kinematic parameters of the lower limbs for the elderly carrying heavy objects under synchronous stop modes, and explore the effects of hand weight-bearing and stop modes on gait stability and body balance of the elderly. Methods The ankle, knee, hip joint angles and surface electromyography (EMG) signals of bilateral lower limbs were collected under the condition of emergency stop and planned stop by loading 0 kg, 2.5 kg on both hands and 5 kg on right hand. Results Under different weight-bearing modes, the ankle and hip angles of bilateral lower limbs were significantly different (P<0.05), while the knee angles did not change significantly, and different stop modes significantly affected the angle changes in each joint (P <0.001); the average EMG of tibia anterior muscle, lateral femoral muscle, and biceps femoris in braking leg showed higher muscle activity during emergency stop. Conclusions In order to cope with the instability caused by weight-bearing and emergency stop, the elderly will have a corresponding balance mechanism in the lower limbs. During an emergency stop, braking the tibialis anterior muscle of the leg requires a higher muscle activity level to control flexion angle of the ankle joint, thereby reducing amplitude of the ankle joint fluctuation. The single-handed load increases the muscle performance differences between the braking leg and trailing leg, resulting in the lateral instability.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the factors leading to the increased risk of falls when the elderly cross obstacles with different load distributions in their hands, and to explore the gait strategies to prevent falls for elderly people with different load distributions during obstacle crossing. Methods Twelve young healthy (control group) and 12 elderly healthy participants performed walking tasks with or without obstacle crossing at their daily speed under different load distributions. Surface electromyography (sEMG) signals were collected from both sides of the lateral femoris, rectus femoris and medial femoris. Then the average sEMG was analyzed and compared. The numbers of contact incident during obstacle touching were also recorded. Results Age, weight carrying and obstacle all had significant influences on the activity level of lower limb muscles in elderly people. A total of 9 contact incidents occurred in 1 152 obstacle crossing tests. In addition, the contribution of right vastus medialis muscle was the greatest in the elderly and young adults when they completed the weight carrying and obstacle crossing tasks. Conclusions The elderly people had the lowest risk of falling down by taking advantage of the dominant side of the leg to take the lead in obstacle crossing under the uniform distributions of load. The research findings provide references for systematic assessment of fall risk in the elderly and have certain guiding significance for lower limb exercise or rehabilitation training in the elderly.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the relationship between the level of mental stimulation and the suicide attempts of rural residents in Shandong Province.@*Methods@#A 1:1 matched case-control study was designed to collect 1 200 cases from a survey of three suicide attempts in rural areas of Shandong Province. Controls were selected according to the following matched factors: age difference within 3 years, same gender, same village or neighboring village, no blood relationship, no suicide history. The basic characteristics of all subjects were collected through the questionnaire, and the level of mental stimulation of life events was measured. Multivariate conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the level of mental stimulation of life events and suicide attempts.@*Results@#The mean age of the case group and the control group was both (36.6±0.3) years old, and 35.8% (430/1 200) were males in each group. The low-medium level of mental stimulation of negative life events in the case group was 16.7% (200/1 200) and 61.7% (740/1 200), respectively, which was higher than that in the control group, about 2.5% (30/1 200) and 29.3% (352/1 200) (all P values <0.05), respectively. A total of 11.1% (133/1 200) of the case group had positive life events, which was lower than that of the control group [16.8% (201/1 200)] (all P values<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that after the adjustment of gender, age, place of residence, education level, marital status, occupation, family income, somatic disease, mental disorders, family history of suicide, and opposite life events, the low-medium and high level of mental stimulation of negative life events were risk factors for suicide attempts, with OR (95%CI) as 5.88 (4.53-7.64) and 13.94 (8.15-23.86), respectively. Mental stimulation of positive life events was protective factor of suicide attempts, with OR (95%CI) as 0.58 (0.41-0.82).@*Conclusion@#Mental stimulation of negative and positive life events were risk and protective factors for suicide attempts.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents appeared prevalent and multifactorial. This study was to examine the associations between exposure to suicidal behaviors and NSSI in the Chinese adolescents.@*Methods@#Participants included for analyses were 5 154 adolescent students who participated in the baseline survey in 2015 and the first follow-up survey in 2016 of the Shandong Adolescent Behavior and Health Cohort, but with no history of NSSI at the baseline survey. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, behavioral and emotional problems, lifetime and last-year NSSI. Data on the history of exposure to suicide attempt or death of a family member, friend, or close acquaintance were also collected. Multivariate logistic regression methods were used to examine the associations between exposure to suicidal behaviors and NSSI.@*Results@#In the baseline survey, mean age of the 5 154 participants was (14.49±1.48) years, with 48.5% of the participants as girls. Of the participants, 9.0% reported having been exposed to suicidal behaviors, including 6.0% reported to suicide attempt, 4.9% to suicide death, 7.3% to suicidal behaviors of friends/close acquaintances, and 3.1% to suicidal behaviors of relatives. The prevalence rates of NSSI in the last year were significantly higher in adolescents who had been exposed to suicidal behaviors than those who had not (P<0.05). Results from the multivariate logistic regressions showed that exposure to suicide death (OR=1.91, 95%CI: 1.22-3.01) or to suicidal behaviors of relatives (OR=1.79, 95%CI: 1.02-3.12) were both significantly associated with the increased risk of NSSI.@*Conclusions@#Experiences related to exposure to suicide-death or suicidal behaviors of relatives were associated with increased risk of NSSI in adolescents. After the suicide events, psychological counseling and health education programs set for high-risk groups were helpful in promoting physical and mental health and preventing the attempt of self-injury in teenagers.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of dexamethasone on proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of adult human osteoblasts in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Iliac trabecular bone specimens were obtained from adult patients undergoing necessary surgery. After the bone pieces were digested with collagenase-trypsin, osteoblasts were released and incubated at 37 degrees C in a relative humidity of 95% and 5% CO2. Then, the cells were purified, and their passages were given DMEM-F12 and fetal bovine serum medium. Subsequently, 10(-8) mol/L dexamethasone was added into the culture medium to incubate the osteoblasts for three days, and the cells from control groups were incubated without any drugs. All cells were observed continually with phase contrast microscope and transmission electron microscope. Finally, apoptosis was detected by the use of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and biochemical indices, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) were used to determine the effects of dexamethasone on proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of adult osteoblasts in vitro.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the adult osteoblasts obtained by collagenase-trypsin digestion, it achieved high survival, stable biochemical indices and excellent purification. Under the condition of dexamethasone 10(-8) mol/L and osteoblasts 10,000/ml, there was significant promotion of ALP and OCN secretion without cell apoptosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Dexamethasone has a significant effect on the proliferation and differentiation of adult osteoblasts in vitro without apoptosis, and dexamethasone at the suggested concentration can be used as positive control in drug studies for osteoporosis treatment.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Apoptosis , Cell Differentiation , Cell Division , Cells, Cultured , Dexamethasone , Pharmacology , In Situ Nick-End Labeling , Osteoblasts , Cell BiologyABSTRACT
The innervation in the thymus was observed by silver stain and acetylcho linesterase (AChE) histochemical method. It was shown by silver stain that nerve fibers constituted a complex network in the thymic medulla. In the cortex and medulla there were AChE-containing nerve fibers. which terminated near or encircled the thymocytes. AChE-containing nerve fibers contacted with mast cells. Some mast cells had AChE-containing substance. This study suggests that the cortex and medulla of thymus are innervated by parasympathetic cholinergic nerve fibers, which may regulate the thymocytes and mast cells.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the morphologic changes of the epithelial cells in the thymic cortex in diabetes rats, and its possible mechanism of thymocyte apoptosis and thymus involution. Methods The ultrastructure changes of the epithelial cells in the thymic cortex in diabetes rats were observed under electron microscope. Results The type 2 epithelial cells had four kinds of the changes on ultrastructure:1 the endocrine disorder like changes with a large number of the degenerative cystic vacuoles;2 the degenerative like changes with lots of the abnormal secretory vacuoles and myelin like bodies and bulky tonofilament bundles; 3 the phagocyte like changes with a great number of the dense lysosome like granulae and the phagocytosed apoptotic cells and bodies; 4 the apoptosis like changes with the early morphologic changes of apoptosis. The type 3 epithelial cells had two kinds of the changes on ultrastructure:1 degenerative like changes with groups of dense granulae which secrete peptide hormones;2 the proliferative like changes with numerous collage fibrils in the vicivity of their perikarya. In addition, a lot of the apoptotic thymocytes and the reduction of thymocyte number were found in thymic cortex.Conclusion The varied ultrastructure changes of the epithelial cells in rat thymic cortex could be induced by diabetes, which might be the one of major mechanisms on influencing the thymocyte development and causing the thymocyte apoptosis and thymus involution.\;[