Technology and Health Care - Volume 32, issue 1

Authors: Song, Xiaolong | Wang, Lei | Liu, Min | Pan, Renyou | Song, Jun | Kong, Junhong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a well-recognized risk factor for cardiovascular, which is also a critical factor in causing myocardial fibrosis (MF). OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore the effect of Atractylenolide II (ATL-II) on MF and oxidative stress in spontaneous hypertension rats (SHR). METHODS: The body weight of rats after injection of ATL-II was quantitatively analyzed. The left ventricular function of SHR was evaluated by Echocardiographic. HE staining, Masson trichrome staining, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and immunofluorescence was applied to investigate the effects of ATL-II on MF. RT qPCR was used to detect …the Collagen I, α -SMA, Fibronectin, and Vimentin mRNA expression levels in myocardial slices. The effect ATL-II on cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining and western blot. An immunohistochemistry assay was conducted to detect α -SMA protein and TGF-β 1 protein. The contents of H 2 O 2 , GSH-PX, SOD, and MDA were measured by colorimetry. RESULTS: ATL-II could dose-dependently improve the BW of SHRs (P < 0.05) and enhance myocardial function. Moreover, ATL-II effectively reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis in SHRs. Alternatively, ATL-II could inhibit the Collagen I, α -SMA, Fibronectin, and Vimentin mRNA and protein expression levels in SHRs. ATL-II could ameliorate oxidative stress by improving the activities of SOD and GSH-PX and lowering the contents of H 2 O 2 and MDA in ATL-II-treated SHRs, which reach about 80%. CONCLUSION: ATL-II could exert an inhibiting effect on MF and oxidative stress in SHRs. Hence, ATL-II may hold promise for the treatment of MF and oxidative stress in Spontaneous Hypertension. Show more

Keywords: Atractylenolide II, myocardial fibrosis, oxidative stress, spontaneous hypertension rats, apoptosis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220601

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 131-142, 2024

Authors: Zhang, Mengmeng | Du, Hongxia | Ma, Xiaoxia | Zhao, Wenxing

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pressure injury (PI) is a local injury of the skin and/or soft tissue located at the bone caused by medical or other equipment and is common in long-term bedridden patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of Urgotul foam dressing in the treatment of stage 3 ∼ 4 PI and deep tissue PI. METHODS: A total of 38 patients with stage 3 ∼ 4 PI and deep tissue PI admitted to Jinan Central Hospital from January 2016 to December 2018 were selected and randomly divided into …a control group (dressing change plus silver ion cream dressing) and an observation group (dressing change plus Urgotul Absorb non-border foam dressing), with 19 cases in each group. After 4 weeks of treatment, the pain intensity during dressing change and the treatment efficacy for PI wounds were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no differences in gender (P = 0.740), age (P = 0.130), single wound area (P = 0.673), consultation department (P = 0.972), stage (P = 0.740), presence of undermining (P = 0.721), deep tissue PI (P = 0.721), and systemic antibiotic therapy (P = 1.000) between the two groups, which were comparable. The treatment effect of the observation group was better than that of the control group (P = 0.003), and the pain score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Urgotul Absorb non-border foam dressing has a good effect in the treatment of stage 3 ∼ 4 PI and deep tissue PI and can relieve patients’ pain, and is thus worth promoting. Show more

Keywords: Pressure injury, pain intensity, Urgotul Absorb non-border foam dressing, efficacy of wound dressings, clinical effect

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220604

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 143-150, 2024

Authors: Tian, Xiao-Nan | Zhang, Li | Liu, Hong-Ran | Zhang, Xue-Song | Sun, Ying-Cai | Wang, Yong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred examination approach for patients with suspected cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of MRI spinal cord swelling on the prognosis of decompression surgery in patients with CSM. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 115 patients with CSM who underwent decompression surgery was performed. According to whether cervical MRI showed spinal cord swelling, they were divided into a spinal cord swelling group and non-swelling group. The Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (MJOA) score, MJOA improvement rate and abnormal spinal cord enhancement rate in the …two groups were compared before and after surgery. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the influencing factors of the MJOA improvement rate. RESULTS: The time from symptom onset to operation (t = 2.400, p = 0.018) and preoperative MJOA score in the spinal cord swelling group were lower than those in the non-swelling group (t = 3.253, p = 0.002). The body mass index (t = 2.895, p = 0.005), anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal (t = 4.421, p < 0.001), cross-sectional area (t = 3.136, p = 0.002), postoperative improvement rate (t = 4.277, p < 0.001) and proportion of abnormal enhancement of the spinal cord in the swelling group were higher than those in the non-swelling group (χ 2 = 3.136, p = 0.002). The preoperative MJOA score in the swelling group was lower than that in the non-swelling group (t = 2.583, p = 0.013). A multivariate linear regression model revealed that age and spinal cord swelling were independent predictors of MJOA score improvement, explaining 33.2% of the total variation. CONCLUSION: Patients with CSM with spinal cord swelling have less time from symptoms to surgery, and the degree of preoperative neurological deterioration is more obvious. Spinal cord swelling is an independent predictor of surgical prognosis in patients with CSM. Show more

Keywords: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy, spinal swelling, magnetic resonance imaging, prognosis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220614

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 151-162, 2024

Authors: Mao, Yongpo | Pan, Shengwang | Song, Yiming | Wang, Wenxiang | Li, Ning | Feng, Binbin | Zhang, Jianhai

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Jingshen Xiaoke decoction (JS) was prepared by studying the classic prescriptions of famous scholars in the past dynasties to prevent and treat diabetes. The related mechanism of JS against hyperlipidemia has yet to be revealed. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of action of JS in treating diabetes mellitus by using bioinformatics methods. METHODS: A database was used to search the active ingredients and targets of the JS and targets for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The protein interaction between the intersection targets, and the constructed the PPI network diagram was analyzed using …the STRING database. Furthermore, the gene annotation tool DAVID was used to enrich the intersecting targets for the Gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway. Finally, Maestro software was used for molecular docking to verify the binding ability of the active ingredients to the core target genes. RESULTS: A total of 45 active ingredients in JS were screened out corresponding to 239 effective targets, of which 64 targets were potential targets for treating T2DM. The analysis of PPI network diagram analysis revealed that the ingredients’ active components are quercetin, β -sitosterol, stigmasterol, luteolin, and 7-Methoxy-2-methyl isoflavone. GO functional enrichment analysis indicated 186 biological processes (BP), 23 molecular functions (MF) and 13 cellular components (CC). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed the enrichment of 59 signal pathways. The molecular docking results demonstrated that the active ingredients and core targets had a good docking affinity with a binding activity less than - 7 kcal/mol. Finally, the western blotting illustrated that JS could up-regulate the liver PI3K/AKT-signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: JS can regulate glucolipid metabolism, reduce the inflammatory response, improve insulin resistance and modulate the immune response through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway treating of T2DM and its complications effects. Show more

Keywords: Jingshen Xiaoke decoction, network pharmacology, molecular docking, type two diabetes mellitus, western blot, mechanism of action, biological activity

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220630

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 163-179, 2024

Authors: Mao, Zi-Qing | Fan, Hui-Min | Wu, Hong-Xi | You, Zhi-Peng

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Macular retinoschisis in patients with high myopia is one of the main reasons for a decline in visual function and the perceived deformation of visual objects. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of cataract phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation (FILI) combined with internal limiting membrane stripping (ILMS) in the treatment of macular retinoschisis in patients with high myopia. METHODS: A total of 52 patients (55 eyes) who had been diagnosed with macular retinoschisis with high myopia between June 2019 and June 2020 were enrolled in the present study. …Patients in the control group (25 eyes) received 23G vitreous surgery and macular ILMS and long-term inert gas (C3F8) filling of the vitreous cavity; patients in the research group (30 eyes) were additionally treated with cataract phacoemulsification and soft intraocular lens on the same treatment basis as the control group. RESULTS: The difference in average BCVA between the control and the research groups was not statistically significant before the surgery (P > 0.05) but was statistically significant 12 months after the procedure (P < 0.05). The minimum foveal thickness was significantly decreased in the two groups after the surgery compared with before the procedure (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cataract phacoemulsification and FILI further improved the therapeutic effect of ILMS in the treatment of macular retinoschisis in patients with high myopia. Show more

Keywords: High myopia, macular retinoschisis, cataract phacoemulsification, internal limiting membrane stripping

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220681

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 181-190, 2024

Authors: Song, Yu-Jie | Xu, Jiang-Qin | Chen, Xi | Hu, Yi-Wei | Xiong, Hao-Deng-Jie | Ou, Su-Jiao | Zhou, Hui-Lin | Sun, Xing-Lan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is the terminal stage of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the “hospital-to-home + online-to-offline” (H2H + O2O) care scheme was implemented for patients with CHF during vulnerable periods, and its effect was evaluated. METHODS: Patients with CHF in the cardiovascular department of a Class III/Grade A hospital in Jiangxi Province from January to December 2020 were selected using a convenience sampling method and randomly divided into a control and intervention group (n = 100 each). The …patients in the control group received routine in-hospital treatment and out-of-hospital follow-up, while in the intervention group, a multi-disciplinary cooperation team with CHF specialist nurses evaluated and stratified the patients before discharge and formulated individualized prescriptions and care plans. Based on the “Health & Happiness” chronic disease follow-up application designed for this study, the specialist nurses provided patients with one-to-one guidance. After three months, the cardiac function, heart failure knowledge, self-care behavior, and re-hospitalization rate of the patients were compared between the two groups. Cardiac function was evaluated by the serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and a six-minute walking test (6MWT). Heart failure knowledge and self-care behavior was assessed using specific questionaries. RESULTS: The level of cardiac function in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The mastery of heart failure knowledge and self-care behavior in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The re-hospitalization rate due to CHF in the intervention group was 21.0%, which was lower than that in the control group (35.0%), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The H2H + O2O care scheme can be used for the transition of vulnerable patients with CHF from the hospital to family care to improve the patients’ level of cardiac function, elevate their knowledge level and self-care abilities, and improve their overall health outcomes. Show more

Keywords: Chronic heart failure, vulnerable period, hospital-family, online and offline

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220693

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 191-200, 2024

Authors: Bai, He | Wang, Rui | Dai, Yu | Xue, Yuan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Milling operations of laminae in spinal surgery generate high temperatures, which can lead to thermal injury and osteonecrosis and affect the biomechanical effects of implants, ultimately leading to surgical failure. OBJECTIVE: In this paper, a backpropagation artificial neural network (Bp-ANN) temperature prediction model was developed based on full factorial experimental data of laminae milling to optimize the milling motion parameters and to improve the safety of robot-assisted spine surgery. METHODS: A full factorial experiment design were used to analyze the parameters affecting the milling temperature of laminae. The experimental matrixes were established …by collecting the corresponding cutter temperature T c and bone surface temperature T b for the milling depth, feed speed and different bone densities. The Bp-ANN lamina milling temperature prediction model was constructed from experiment data. RESULTS: Increasing milling depth increases bone surface and cutter temperature. Increasing feed speed had little effect on cutter temperature, but decreased bone surface temperature. Increasing bone density of laminae increased cutter temperature. The Bp-ANN temperature prediction model had best training results in the 10th epoch, and there is no overfitting (training set R = 0.99661, validation set R = 0.85003, testing set R = 0.90421, all temperature data set R = 0.93807). The goodness of fit R of Bp-ANN was close to 1, indicating that the predicted temperature was in good agreement with the experiment measurements. CONCLUSION: This study can help spinal surgery-assisted robot to select appropriate motion parameters at different density bones to improve lamina milling safety. Show more

Keywords: Lamina milling parameter, thermal damage, full factorial experiment, artificial neural network

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220812

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 201-214, 2024

Authors: Yang, Ying | Qian, Qiu-Yang | Yang, Xiao-Yan | Li, De-Sheng | Chen, De-Sheng | Shen, Mei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cardiac dysfunction accompanies acute ischemic stroke and affects the effective implementation of early rehabilitation interventions. There is a lack of reference hemodynamic data on cardiac function in the subacute phase of ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to identify appropriate cardiac parameters for exercise training utilizing a pilot study. METHODS: We used a transthoracic electrical bioimpedance non-invasive cardiac output measurement (NICOM) device to monitor cardiac function in real time for two groups [i.e., subacute ischemic stroke inpatients group (n = 10) and healthy control group …(n = 11)] using a cycling exercise experiment. The parameters of both groups were compared to highlight the cardiac dysfunction in the subacute phase in patients with ischemic stroke. RESULTS: We considered stroke volume index (SVI) and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRi) as the primary outcomes, and there was significant intragroup difference (stroke group: P < 0.001; control group: P < 0.001, using one-way ANOVA) and significant intergroup difference at each individual time segment (P < 0.01, using independent t -test). Among the secondary outcomes, i.e., cardiac index (CI), ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), and cardiac contraction index (CTI), we found significant intergroup differences in CI, EF, and CTI scores (P < 0.01, using independent t -test). Significant interaction with respect to time and group were seen only in the SVRi and CI scores (P < 0.01, using two-way ANOVA). There was no significant inter- or intra-group differences in EDV scores. CONCLUSION: SVRI, SVI, and CI values highlight cardiac dysfunction in stroke patients the most. At the same time, these parameters suggest that cardiac dysfunction in stroke patients may be closely related to the increased peripheral vascular resistance caused by infarction and the limitation of myocardial systolic function. Show more

Keywords: Cycling training, exercise, ischemic stroke inpatients, non-invasive cardiac output, poststroke cardiac dysfunction

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220823

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 215-228, 2024

Authors: Mao, Wenjuan | Jiang, Mingzhu | Chen, Wenduo | Du, Juan | Xiao, Qian

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Stress urinary incontinence is prevalent among women and the incidence increases with age. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of intelligent pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation on elderly female patients with incontinence. METHODS: A total of 209 patients with urinary incontinence who were treated with pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation at Peking University International Hospital from September 2020 to January 2022 were selected by convenient sampling. All subjects were divided into the 50–60 year old patient group (n = 51) and over 60 years old patient group according to age …(n = 158). The subjects of different age group were divided into an experimental group and a control group. The patients in the control group received routine nursing and health education, and the patients in the observation group received a combination of mobile application use and smart dumbbells. Based on this, we constructed an intervention model for intelligent, continuous pelvic floor rehabilitation. After 7 and 12 weeks, pelvic floor muscle function knowledge and exercise compliance in the two groups were evaluated. The improvement of urinary incontinence symptoms, pelvic floor muscle strength grades and quality-of-life scales were evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed that pelvic floor knowledge and exercise compliance in the experimental group were better than in the control group at 7 and 12 weeks after intervention (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life between the two groups at 7 weeks after intervention (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in pelvic floor muscle strength and quality of life between the two groups at 12 weeks after intervention (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between different age groups. CONCLUSION: The intelligent pelvic floor rehabilitation model that combines a mobile application with smart dumbbells can maintain and strengthen the clinical treatment effect for elderly patients with urinary incontinence. Show more

Keywords: Intelligent app, pelvic floor muscle training exercise, older female, urinary incontinence

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220845

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 229-241, 2024

Authors: Hu, Xiaomin | Lu, Jiachun | Wang, Yunyun | Pang, Rizhao | Liu, Jiancheng | Gou, Xiang | Bai, Xingang | Zhang, Anren | Cheng, Hong | Wang, Qian | Chang, Youjun | Yin, Jie | Chang, Cong | Xiao, Hua | Wang, Wenchun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent years, lower limb walking exoskeletons have been widely used in the study of spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of a lower limb walking exoskeleton on quality of life and functional independence in patients with motor complete SCI. METHODS: This was a multi-center, single blind, randomized controlled trial. A total of 16 SCI patients were randomly assigned to either the exoskeleton-assisted walking (EAW) group (n = 8) or the conventional group (n = 8). Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training, …including aerobic exercise and strength training. The EAW group additionally conducted the exoskeleton-assisted walking training using an AIDER powered robotic exoskeleton for 40–50 minutes, 5 times/week for 8 weeks. World Health Organization quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM-III) were used for assessment before and after training. RESULTS: There was an increasing tendency of scores in the psychological health, physical health, and social relationships domain of WHOQOL-BREF in the EAW group after the intervention compared with the pre-intervention period, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). SCIM-III scores increased in both groups compared to pre-training, with only the conventional group showing a significant difference after 8 weeks of training (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A lower limb walking exoskeleton may have potential benefits for quality of life and activities of daily living in patients with motor complete SCI. Show more

Keywords: Exoskeleton, spinal cord injury, quality of life, activities of daily living

DOI: 10.3233/THC-220871

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 243-253, 2024