Interpretation of congenital malformation aiding project / 中华整形外科杂志

To further improve the prevention and treatment of birth defects and reduce the chance of disability caused by congenital malformations, the Department of Maternal and Child Health from National Health Commission have jointly launched the Congenital Malformation Aiding Project with the March of Dime Birth Defects Foundation of China in 2017. The Congenital Malformation Aiding Project aims at 72 types of congenital malformations in 6 major categories and provides funds to support poor sick children who are under 18 years old and registered residence in the targeted province(district, city) covered by this project. The Congenital Malformation Aiding Project is working to make sure the children affected by congenital malformation can receive timely treatment, and chances of disability caused by congenital malformation are reduced. This article explained the rules and policies of the Congenital Malformation Aiding Project and showed the achievement of Congenital Malformation Aiding Project from many different standpoints, such as social benefits, financial benefits, targeted poverty alleviation, and so on. Besides that, the future development of the Congenital Malformation Aiding Project is also explained. The Congenital Malformation Aiding Project has been implemented for three years. During the past three years, the Congenital Malformation Aiding Project reduced the burden of many families, effectively increased the social welfare, reflected the public care towards vulnerable groups and helped to build a harmonious well-to-do society.

Restauración del patrón biomecánico de la marcha en niños cubanos / Restoration of the biomechanical pattern of walking in Cuban children

Introducción: La biomecánica en Cuba no está ajeno a la realidad internacional. Pese a las dificultades tecnológicas, los avances en materia de investigación sobre la biomecánica de la marcha humana generan mayor aporte a la medicina, hecho que reporta investigaciones de valioso impacto aplicable a la medicina física y de rehabilitación. Objetivo: Proponer la aplicación de un modelo matemático que contribuya a la recuperación del patrón biomecánico de la marcha, en la articulación de la cadera en niños con parálisis cerebral diparesia espástica. Métodos: Se realizó una exploración funcional y mecánica de dicha articulación en condiciones de normalidad, que comprendió los huesos, músculos y ligamentos, así como los movimientos que esta experimenta, y conforman el ciclo de la marcha bípeda normal. Se realizó una revisión de la parálisis cerebral (tipo diparesia espástica) desde su concepto y generalidades que describen el comportamiento de dicha patología y su manera de afectar el ciclo de la marcha normal. Resultados: El planteamiento de la ecuación que describe el movimiento tuvo sus bases en la dinámica lagrangiana, o sea, en la expresión Euler-Lagrange, y para darle funcionalidad a dicho modelo. Se realizó un estudio videográfico, el cual proporcionó los parámetros cinemáticos necesarios. Conclusiones: Parámetros cinéticos y antropométricos, dieron lugar a la obtención de las curvas de aceleración angular contra tiempo para los pacientes, estableciendo un marco comparativo de gran importancia para la toma de decisiones en el campo de acción de la medicina física y de rehabilitación, logrando mayor eficacia en la recuperación de estos pacientes o bien para el desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías(AU)

Introduction: Biomechanics in Cuba is not alien to international reality. Despite the technological difficulties, advances in the field of research on the biomechanics of human walking generate greater contribution to medicine, a fact that reports research of valuable impact applicable to physical medicine and rehabilitation. Objective: To propose the application of a mathematical model that contributes to the recovery of the biomechanical pattern of gait, in the hip joint in children with cerebral palsy, spastic diparesia. Methods: A functional and mechanical exploration of the joint was performed under normal conditions, which included the bones, muscles and ligaments, as well as the movements that it undergoes, and make up the cycle of normal bipedal gait. A review of cerebral palsy (type of spastic diparesia) was made from its concept and generalities that describe the behavior of this pathology and its way of affecting the normal gait cycle. Results: The approach of the equation that describes the movement had its bases in the Lagrangian dynamics, that is, in the Euler-Lagrange expression, and to give functionality to said model. A videographic study was conducted, which provided the necessary kinematic parameters. Conclusions: Kinetic and anthropometric parameters, resulted in obtaining angular acceleration curves against time for patients, establishing a comparative framework of great importance for decision making in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, achieving greater efficiency in the recovery of these patients or for the development of new technologies(AU)

Velocidad de la marcha como predictor de recuperación funcional en adultos mayores hospitalizados / Gait speed as predictor of functional recovery in hospitalized elderly adults

INTRODUCCIÓN. La funcionalidad es un parámetro importante en la evaluación del paciente geriátrico, que predispone a la fragilidad, institucionalización, morbilidad, discapacidad y muerte. OBJETIVO. Determinar el papel de la velocidad de la marcha como predictor de recuperación funcional en adultos mayores hospitalizados. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Estudio observacional, de corte longitudinal, prospectivo. Con un total de 167 pacientes y una muestra de 152, con criterios de inclusión: adulto mayor que requirió hospitalización, que su patología de base no les impedía la marcha, y excluidos: 13 pacientes por incapacidad para realizar la prueba de velocidad de marcha, fase final de vida o presentar deterioro cognitivo severo, 1 por fallecimiento y 1 por pérdida de datos, realizado en el Servicio de Geriatría del Hospital Quito N° 1 de la Policía Nacional, en el período Mayo a Septiembre del 2014, los datos demográficos fueron obtenidos de las Historias Clínicas Unicas, los pacientes fueron evaluados mediante las escalas de valoración geriátrica integral: Índice de Barthel, Mini-Mental Test, Escala de Tinetti; y, medición de la velocidad de la marcha en 6 metros en dos momentos; al ingreso y al alta hospitalaria. Para el análisis se utilizó el programa Microsoft Excel 2010, en la correlación bivarial, se utilizó el programa estadístico Statistical Package for Social Sciences Inc. Chicago, versión 18.0. para Windows XP. RESULTADOS. Se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa (p<0,05) con todas las variables del estudio. CONCLUSIÓN. La mejoría de la marcha tras la intervención hospitalaria fue de relevancia, su velocidad fue un predictor de estancia hospitalaria confiable, aquellos pacientes con velocidades de marcha bajas a su ingreso, permanecieron hospitalizados por más tiempo.

INTRODUCTION. Functionality is an important parameter in the evaluation of the geriatric patient, which predisposes to frailty, institutionalization, morbidity, disability and death. OBJECTIVE. Determine the role of gait velocity as a predictor of functional recovery in hospitalized older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Observational, longitudinal, prospective study. With a total of 167 patients and a sample of 152, with inclusion criteria: older adult who required hospitalization, that his basic pathology did not prevent them from walking, and excluded: 13 patients due to inability to perform the gait speed test, final phase of life or presenting severe cognitive impairment, 1 due to death and 1 due to loss of data, performed at the Geriatrics Service of the Quito Hospital No. 1 of the National Police, in the period May to September 2014, the demographic data were obtained from the Unique Medical Records, the patients were evaluated using the comprehensive geriatric assessment scales: Barthel Index, Mini-Mental Test, Tinetti Scale; and, measurement of the speed of the march in 6 meters in two moments; upon admission and hospital discharge. For the analysis the Microsoft Excel 2010 program was used, in the bivariate correlation, the statistical program Statistical Package for Social Sciences Inc. Chicago, version 18.0 was used for Windows XP. RESULTS. A statistically significant association (p <0.05) was found with all the study variables. CONCLUSION. The improvement in gait after hospital intervention was relevant, its speed was a predictor of reliable hospital stay, those patients with low gait rates at admission, remained hospitalized for longer.

Mechanisms by Which Atopic Dermatitis Predisposes to Food Allergy and the Atopic March

The Atopic march denotes the progression from atopic dermatitis (AD) to the development of other allergic disorders such as immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated food allergy, allergic rhinitis and asthma in later childhood. There is increasing evidence from prospective birth cohort studies that early-onset AD is a risk factor for other allergic diseases or is found in strong association with them. Animal studies now provide mechanistic insights into the pathways that may be responsible for triggering the progression from the skin barrier dysfunction seen in AD to epicutaneous sensitization, food allergy and allergic airway disorders. Recent large randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of early interventions targeted at AD and food allergy prevention. These show great promise for research into future strategies aimed at prevention of the atopic march.

Efeito da prática do suporte de peso corporal na função motora de crianças / Effect of the practice of body weight support in the motor function of children

Objetivo. Avaliar a influência do Suporte de Peso Corporal (SPC) sobre a função motora de crianças não deambulantes. Método. Participaram do estudo oito crianças que não apresentavam o padrão de marcha. Foi realizada a identificação do desempenho da função motora grossa por meio da Gross Motor Function Classification Measure (GMFM) e da flexibilidade por meio do Teste Flexiteste, antes e após 10 sessões e um período de retenção durante 3 meses de tratamento com SPC em esteira ergométrica. Tendo assistência de dois terapeutas que auxiliavam em pontos chaves de joelho e tornozelo simulando o padrão de marcha da criança. As sessões foram realizadas uma vez por semana, durante 30 minutos, por um período de 3 meses e o mesmo de retenção. Resultado. O GMFM apresentou aumento das pontuações obtidas pré/pós-tratamento e retenção nos itens deitar/rolar e sentar, já o item engatinhar/ajoelhar mostrou diferença significativa apenas no período pré/pós-tratamento. A variável flexibilidade apresentou diferença significativa entre o pré e pós-tratamento e no pós-tratamento com o período de retenção. Conclusão. O tratamento com SPC em esteira ergométrica pode potencializar o desempenho funcional de crianças não-deambulantes, possibilitando a evolução de sua função motora grossa e flexibilidade. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the influence of the Body Weight Support (SPC) on the gross motor in non-ambulant children. Method: Eight children participated in the study, they did not present gait pattern (GMFCS IV and V). To access the gross motor function, the Gross Motor Function Classification Measure (GMFM) test was applied, the flexibility values were collected through flexitest. Both tests were conducted before and after 10 clinical sessions and three months after the end of the treatment. The intervention were performed on a treadmill, with the subject attached to the SPC, being accompanied by two physiotherapists that helped to maintain the gait pattern by maintaining key positions of the knees and ankles. Each session had duration of 30 minutes, once per week during three months. Results: The GMGM scores for lay down/roll and sit increased after the treatment and on the retention when compared with pre tests. The crawl/kneel score only presented difference after the end of treatment. Flexibility presented higher values for post and retention in comparison with pre tests. Conclusion: The SPC treatment during treadmill gait may potentiate the functional performance of non-ambulant children, improving the gross motor skills and flexibility. (AU)

Analysis of serum specific IgE in children with allergic conjunctivitis and associated allergic diseases / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

·AIM: To investigate the distribution of serum specific IgE in children with allergic conjunctivitis and associated allergic diseases. ·METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 708 cases of allergic conjunctivitis in children, according to age divided into the infant group (2 months to 1 years old) 232 cases, the children group (>1 years to 3 years old) 255 cases and the preschool group (>3 years to 6 years old) 221 cases. A automatic in vitro detection system was used to detect serum inhaled allergens and food allergen specific IgE by immune capture method. A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the associated allergic diseases and consultation with relevant departments. ·RESULTS: The sIgE positive rate was the lowest in the infant group (87.1%). There were significant differences in the number of sIgE positive species in the infant group compared with those in the other two groups (χ2=10. 96, 21. 78; P<0. 01). The most common allergens in all three groups were milk, egg white and household dust mites, and the positive rate of SIgE in milk was higher in the infant group than in the other two groups. The positive rate of sIgE in dust mites, house dust, tree pollen, mulberry, dog fur, egg white, pineapple and mango were higher in the preschool group than in the other two groups. The positive rate of 3-6 grade sIgE in household dust mites and house dust were higher in preschool group than that in the other two groups (P<0. 01). The infant group had the highest proportion of gastrointestinal allergy (28. 9%). The preschool group had the highest proportion of allergic rhinitis. The proportion with more than three kinds of allergic diseases in children group was higher than that of the other two groups(P<0. 01). ·CONCLUSION: With the increase of age, the positive rate and types of allergen in children with allergic conjunctivitis increased gradually. House dust mites become the primary inhalation allergen from infancy. Allergic diseases associated with allergic conjunctivitis in children are consistent with allergic march.

TSLP Polymorphisms in Atopic Dermatitis and Atopic March in Koreans

BACKGROUND: Atopic march (AM) is the progression from atopic dermatitis (AD) to allergic rhinitis and asthma. The development of AD is as high as 20% in children worldwide and continues to increase. AD seems to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Recently, polymorphisms of the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) gene associated with allergic disorders were reported in ethnic groups from various countries. OBJECTIVE: Identification of TSLP polymorphisms in Koreans with AD or AM. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 20 AD and 20 AM patients. RESULTS: Nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TSLP were detected (rs191607411, rs3806933, rs2289276, rs2289277, rs2289278, rs139817258, rs11466749, rs11466750, rs10073816). These SNPs have been correlated with susceptibility to allergic diseases in ethnic groups from China, Japan, Turkey, and Costa Rica in previous studies. Remarkably, one of 20 patients in the AD group lacked all SNPs, compared to six of 20 patients in the AM group. Odds ratios showed that Korean patients without the nine TSLP variants had an 8.14 times higher risk of moving from AD to AM. Two haplotype blocks were validated in 60 AD and 59 AM patients using Sanger sequencing. The haplotype blocks (rs3806933 and rs2289276) and (rs11466749 and rs11466750) were in high linkage disequilibrium, respectively (D′=0.97, D′=1). CONCLUSION: The increase of major allele frequency of respective nine TSLP variants may enhance the risk of AM. These data will contribute to improved genetic surveillance system in the early diagnosis technology of allergic disease.

Characteristics of Atopic Dermatitis in a Post-childhood Atopic March Group / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Little knowledge is available on the characteristic differences between patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) with and without atopic march after childhood. OBJECTIVE: To observe and compare the phenotypes of patients with AD in regards to atopic march tendency at a single point. METHODS: We enrolled patients with AD aged between 10 and 30 years. The patients were divided into the atopic march and non-atopic march groups on the basis of an investigator-designed survey questionnaire, and their serum-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels or results of the skin prick test were compared. RESULTS: In a total of 182 patients enrolled in the study, 93 patients with atopic march and 89 patients with non-atopic march were observed. When their serum-specific IgE levels or results of the skin prick test were compared between the two groups, there was no significant difference, except for a in the atopic march group. Analysis of AD severity, family history of allergic diseases, and total IgE levels between the two groups showed no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that although no apparent phenotype characteristics could differentiate the presence of atopic march, the history of the patient's allergic diseases should be revalidated, and clinicians should watch out for future developments of atopic march when a patient shows a high-class sensitization rate to dust mite.

Effect of group mind-games and group counseling on training burnout among soldiers stationed on plateau for the first time / 军事医学

Objective To explore the effect of group mind-games and group counseling on training burnout among soldiers who quickly marched to the plateau for the first time .Methods Totally 399 soldiers who quickly marched to the plateau for the first time were divided randomly into to the control group ( n=201 ) and test group ( n=198 ) .The test group had particinated in group mind-games and psychological counseling twice a week for a total of 5 weeks, while the control group received no counseling .Soldier training fatigue questionnairs were used to compare the difference between the two groups before and after group mind-games and psychological counseling .Results ①The total scores of training burnout and the scores of all the factors of soldiers before counseling in the two groups was of no statistical significance (P>0.05). After counseling , the total scores of training burnout and the scores of all factors in test group were remarkably lower than those in control group,and the difference was of statistical significance (P<0.05).The total scores of training burnout and the scores of physical and psychologica exhaustion and alienaties decreased significantly after training in test group ( P<0.05), but the change was of no statistical significance in control group (P>0.05).②Soldiers who had served 1 to 2 years or over 9 years had significant difference in the scores of training burnout , physical and psychologica exhaustion ( P<0.05).Soldiers who had served 3 to 8 years had significant difference in the scores of training and the scores of each factor after counseling(P<0.05).Conclusion Group mind-games and psychological counseling can effectively help alleviate the training burnout of soldiers who quickly march to the plateau for the first time.

Estudo comparativo prospectivo para a avaliação da reabilitação de usuários de próteses com amputações transtibiais / Prospective comparative study for the evaluation of prosthetic rehabilitation users with transtibial amputation

Resumo Indivíduos com amputações transtibiais apresentam dificuldades em realizar marcha e manter-se em equilíbrio, afetando diretamente a sua qualidade de vida. A utilização de próteses pode possibilitar a reabilitação do indivíduo, mas questiona-se o quão eficiente são para determinadas tarefas e como ainda podem melhorar. Objetivando avaliar as próteses para amputações transtibiais, foi realizado um estudo comparativo com dois grupos: Amputados e NÃO Amputados. Com o auxílio da tecnologia de Captura de Movimentos, realizou-se mensuração dos ângulos de equilíbrio estático, velocidade de marcha e pontuações na execução de atividades diárias. Os resultados indicam que as maiores dispersões dos ângulos de equilíbrio estático pertencem ao grupo de amputados. Em relação às médias de Velocidade de Marcha e nas pontuações das Atividades Diárias, constatou-se melhor desempenho para o grupo dos NÃO amputados. A partir disso, foi identificado ainda que as características técnicas das próteses transtibiais podem impactar na reabilitação de seus usuários.

Abstract Individuals with transtibial amputations have difficulties in performing march and stay in balance, directly affecting their quality of life. The use of prostheses can enable the rehabilitation of the individual, but we question how effective are for certain tasks and how they can still improve. To evaluate the prosthesis for transtibial amputation, a comparative study was conducted with two groups: Amputee and NOT Amputees. With the help of Motion Capture technology was held measuring the angles of static balance, walking speed and scores in the execution of daily activities. The results indicate that dispersions of larger static equilibrium angles belonging to the group amputees. In terms of average speed march and in scores of Daily Activities, there was better performance for the group of NOT amputees. From this it was also identified that the technical characteristics of transtibial prosthetic could impact rehabilitation of its members.

Effect of barracks military training and field long march on freshmen' mental health in military university / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective To study the effect of field long march comprehensive training on freshmen' mental quality and mental health in military university. Methods Mental quality questionnaire for army men (MQQA), symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and trait anxiety inventory (TAI) were carried out on 330 freshmen at various stages on their military training. All data were analyzed by paired-sample t test. Results ①As compared with pre-training, all SCL-90 factor scores except depression factor decreased significantly (P0.05). Conclusion Filed long march effectively improved mental health of military university recruits and relived their anxiety as well as depression.

Pathogenesis of foot blisters caused by weight-bearing march / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To analyze the related factors of foot blisters caused by long-distance weight-bearing march and to explore the pathogenesis of foot blisters to provide a useful way for the prevention and treatment.Methods After the 300 km march,counted the number who had accomplished the march,and then recorded the number of foot blisters,location of blisters,and abrasion of sole.Collected the data of gender,age,body mass index (BMI),hand dominance,and whether had bliters before the march through questionnaire.And the data were coded for analysis with SPSS 13.0 statistical package.Results The 7 cases who complete the whole march and 17 cases who already had foot blisters before the march were ruled out of the final statistics.Among the remaining 590 cases,there were 554 cases (93.9%)suffered from foot blisters.And there were 1 282 blisters in total,among which the plantar blisters occupied 98% (1 257 cases).The analysis showed that the incidence of foot blisters had no significant correlation with gender,left/right foot,hand dominance,BMI and age.The predilection sites of blisters were the second and third metatarsals (28.2%),the hallux (21.3%),the fifth metatarsal (18.1%),and the calcaneus (15.8%)of the left foot.The predilection sites of blisters were the second and third metatarsals (33.3%),the hallux (22.4%),the fifth metatarsal (18.6%),and the calcaneus (14.5%)of the right foot.In terms of the abrasion of sole,the lateral heel was worn out the most (34.6% on the left and 34.2% on the right).Conclusion The study confirmed that the incidence of foot blisters had no significant correla-tion with gender,left/right foot,hand dominance,BMI and age,which may be affected by the particularity of this march.Most of the foot blisters occurred in the planta,and the predilection sites of blisters were in accord with sites of of the abrasion of sole and the distribution of plantar shear force,which demonstrated the shear force is the most critical factor on the pathogenesis of foot blisters.

Progress on the allergic march and prevention / 国际儿科学杂志

While the term atopic march has been used to imply a natural progression of a cascade of symptoms from eczema to asthma and rhinitis through childhood, this developmental profiles at an individual level are not accurate.Only a small proportion of children(7％) follow this profile.There are increasing evidences from longitudinal studies suggesting that there exist other allergic phenotypes.Through the development of internal and external mechanism of allergic disease, we could do something to help earlier diagnosis and facilitate novel approaches to disease prevention, such as human breast milk, solid food, environmental control, pharmacotherapy, etc.This review aims to summarize recently published articles in order to highlight novel research findings,clinical trial results and guidelines to assist in identifying prevention strategies to arrest the atopic march.

Desempenho da marcha de idosos praticantes de psicomotricidade / Walking performance of elderly practitioners of psychomotricity / Desempeño de la marcha de ancianos practicantes de la psicomotricidad

Estudo quase experimental realizado com quinze idosos, desenvolvido na Clínica Escola de Fisioterapia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, em 2011. Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho da marcha de idosos praticantes de atividades psicomotoras. Foi realizada uma entrevista estruturada centrada em dados sociais, clínicos e funcionais, com o intuito de poder correlacionar diversas informações que sustentassem o objetivo do estudo. A média no desempenho cognitivo foi de 19,4, na primeira avaliação e de 23,2, na segunda. A média no desempenho de atividades relacionadas à marcha foi de 11,6, na primeira avaliação, e de 15,5, na segunda, logo após a prática de atividades psicomotoras. Constatou-se uma melhora significativa no desempenho das atividades relacionadas à marcha, com irregularidades que persistiram na altura e na continuidade do passo, bem como no desvio da linha média.

Quasi-experimental study conducted with fifteen elderlies, developed at the Physiotherapy Clinical School, Federal University of Paraíba, in 2011. The study aimed to evaluate the performance of gait in elderly practitioners of psychomotor activities. It was conducted a structured interview focusing on social, clinical and functional data, in order to be able to correlate various information which supported the aim of the study. The average cognitive performance was 19.4 at the first assessment and 23.2 in the second. The average performance of activities related to the gait was 11.6 at the first assessment, and 15.5 in the second, after the practice of psychomotor activities. It was found a significant improvement in the performance of activities related to the gait, with irregularities persisting in height and continuity of the step, as well as in the midline deviation.

Estudio casi experimental realizado con quince ancianos, desarrollado en la Clínica Escuela de Fisioterapia de la Universidad Federal de Paraíba, en 2011. Objetivó-se evaluar el desempeño de la marcha de ancianos practicantes de actividades psicomotoras. Con el fin de correlacionar informaciones diversas para apoyo al objetivo del estudio, se llevó a cabo una encuesta estructurada centrada en datos sociales, clínicos y funcionales. El rendimiento cognitivo promedio fue de 19,4 en la primera evaluación y 23,2 en el segundo. El rendimiento promedio de las actividades relacionadas con la marcha fue de 11,6 en la primera evaluación, y 15,5 en la segunda, después de la práctica de actividades psicomotoras. Se percibió una mejora significativa en el desempeño de actividades relacionadas con la marcha, persistiendo irregularidades en la altura y en la continuidad del paso, y en el desplazamiento de la línea media.

The Antimicrobial in Vitro Effects of Different Concentrations of Some Plant Extracts Including Tamarisk, March, Acetone and Mango Kernel.

The present study was aimed to assess the plants antimicrobial effects such as Tamarisk, March, acetone and mango kernel. The aqueous and ethanol extract of the plants and also its smoke was prepared in concentrations of 50 and 25 mg/mL. The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis were cultured by linear method. Impregnated extract discs were seeded onto the medium and the diameter of inhibition zone was measured following incubated for 24 h. The mango kernel extract by ethanol showed maximum inhibition zone diameter. Despite the weak antibacterial effect of aqueous and ethanol extract of Tamarix, Smoke extract of this plant shows good antimicrobial properties. Different extracts of March showed antimicrobial effects only on Candida albicans. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of acetone did not show significant effects.

The Long March of TCM Development Overseas--Review the World Congress of Chinese Medicine in the Last Ten Years / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

The international road of Chinese medicine can be comparable to the Long March of the Red Army. The article reviews the history, global impact and achievements of the World Congress of Chinese Medicine (WCCM) on its way to the TCM's globalization in the past decade. It also discusses the great significance of WCCM's effort. The article concludes by bringing up a scheme for further developing the WCCM and envisioning its promising future.

Impact of Admission Month on Outcomes in Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Evidence Against the March Effect

OBJECTIVE: We attempted to identify the presence of a so called 'March effect (or phenomenon)' (which had long been known as a 'July effect' in western countries), a transient increase in adverse outcomes during an unskilled period for new interns and residents in a teaching hospital, among a cohort of patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (sSAH). METHODS: A total of 455 consecutive patients with sSAH from our department database from 2008 to 2010 were enrolled retrospectively and the admission month, patient demographics and clinical characteristics, treatment modalities and discharge outcomes were analyzed. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine whether unfavorable discharge and in-hospital mortality showed a significant increase during the unskilled months for new interns and residents (from March to May) in a pattern suggestive of a "March effect". RESULTS: Among 455 patients with sSAH, 113 patients were treated during the unskilled period (from March to May) and the remaining 342 patients were treated during the skilled period (from June until February of the next year). No statistically significant difference in demographics and clinical characteristics was observed between patients treated during these periods. In addition, the mortality and unfavorable discharge rates of the un-skilled period were 16.8% and 29.7% and those of the skilled period were 15.5% and 27.2%, respectively. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between them. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of our study suggest that there was no 'March effect' on the mortality rate and unfavorable discharge rate among patients with sSAH in our hospital during the study period.

Análise da marcha em portadores de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica / Analysis of the march in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introdução: O conhecimento da marcha nos portadores de Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC)e a identificação de variáveis podem promover o desenvolvimento de estratégias de reabilitação, com vistaà manutenção e preservação da autonomia. Objetivo: Avaliar o padrão de marcha do portador de DPOC,a partir da análise bidimensional com o software Simi Motion®. Método: Delineamento transversal, estudode casos, com seis portadores de DPOC, sexo masculino, 64,00 ± 8,07 anos, IMC 22,28 ± 2,46 kg/m2, volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) 35,17 ± 25,79 por ciento predito, capacidade vitalforçada (CVF) 64,83 ± 17,84 por ciento predito. Para dados cinemáticos utilizou-se videografia bidimensional, SimiMotion®, acoplado à câmera de vídeo digital. Registros em 60 frames por segundo e tempo de aquisição de ciclo de marcha. Resultados: Os dados cinemáticos encontraram-se variados; cada indivíduo apresentoupeculiaridades sobrepostas aos padrões básicos. Observou-se forte correlação negativa entre cadência e PImax (p = 0,002 e r = - 0,96), entre comprimento de passo e PEmax (p = 0,007 e r = - 0,93). Para a qualidadede vida (SGQR), associações diretas, qualidade de vida total (QVT) e percentual da fase de apoio (p= 0,086 e r = 0,75); qualidade de vida impacto (QVI) e percentual da fase de apoio (p = 0,09 e r = 0,74).Conclusão: Avaliar a marcha do portador de DPOC possibilitou inferir objetivamente, delineando intervençõesterapêuticas. Os benefícios esperados da pesquisa, tanto para o indivíduo quanto para a sociedade, é uma nova maneira de avaliar e incrementar a marcha, elemento fundamental para manutenção da independência funcional e qualidade de vid.

Reference Dosimetry according to the New German Protocol DIN 6800-2 and Comparison with IAEA TRS 398 and AAPM TG 51*

The preceding DIN 6800-2 (1997) protocol has been revised by a German task group and its latest version was published in March 2008 as the national standard dosimetry protocol DIN 6800-2 (2008 March). Since then, in Germany the determination of absorbed dose to water for high-energy photon and electron beams has to be performed according to this new German dosimetry protocol. The IAEA Code of Practice TRS 398 (2000) and the AAPM TG-51 are the two main protocols applied internationally. The new German version has widely adapted the methodology and dosimetric data of TRS-398. This paper investigates systematically the DIN 6800-2 protocol and compares it with the procedures and results obtained by using the international protocols. The investigation was performed with 6 MV and 18 MV photon beams as well as with electron beams from 5 MeV to 21 MeV. While only cylindrical chambers were used for photon beams, the measurements of electron beams were performed by using cylindrical and plane-parallel chambers. It was found that the discrepancies in the determination of absorbed dose to water among the three protocols were 0.23% for photon beams and 1.2% for electron beams. The determination of water absorbed dose was also checked by a national audit procedure using TLDs. The comparison between the measurements following the DIN 6800-2 protocol and the TLD audit-procedure confirmed a difference of less than 2%. The advantage of the new German protocol DIN 6800-2 lies in the renouncement on the cross calibration procedure as well as its clear presentation of formulas and parameters. In the past, the different protocols evoluted differently from time to time. Fortunately today, a good convergence has been obtained in concepts and methods.

The Atopic March: Progression from Atopic Dermatitis to Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory disease characterized by pruritic skin lesions. The pathogenesis of AD may include disrupted epidermal barrier function, immunodysregulation, and IgE-mediated sensitization to food and environmental allergens. AD is also part of a process called the atopic march, a progression from AD to allergic rhinitis and asthma. This has been supported by multiple cross-sectional and longitudinal studies and experimental data. Research on the mechanisms of AD has been centered on the adaptive immune system with an emphasis on the T-helper 1 (Th1)-Th2 paradigm. Recently, the conceptual focus has largely shifted to include a primary defect in the epithelial barrier as an initial event in AD providing a significant insight into the disease initiation and pointing to a complex secondary interplay of environmental and immunological sequelae with barrier disruption. Further understanding of AD will help the development of more effective treatment for AD and ultimately, preventative algorithms for the atopic march. In this review we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of AD and the atopic march.