Articles: function.
-
Motor impairment is common after a stroke and directly affects the function and quality of life of stroke survivors. Constraint-induced movement therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation are interventions that facilitate functional recovery of the upper extremities of a particular subgroup of stroke survivors. The objective of this study was to summarize the available evidence on the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with constraint-induced movement therapy in patients with stroke. ⋯ PROSPERO CRD42023415645.
-
The level of endothelial glycocalyx (EG) shedding is associated with morbidity and mortality, and vascular endothelial barrier dysfunction is one of the pivotal clinical problems faced by critically ill patients, so research on the protective effects of EG is of great clinical significance for the treatment of critically ill diseases. Studies have illustrated that clinical anesthesia has different degrees of effects on vascular EG. Therefore, we reviewed the effects of distinct anesthesia methods and diverse anesthetic drugs on EG, aiming to provide a brief summary of what we know now, and to discuss possible future directions for investigations in this area. So as to provide a theoretical basis for future research on potential EG-positive drugs and targets, to minimize perioperative complications and improve the prognosis of surgical patients.
-
An ankle foot orthosis (AFO) is a standard type of orthosis applied to immediately treat foot drop symptoms. Kinesiology taping (KT) is a therapeutic method used in patients with neurological diseases, such as stroke, as well as in patients after orthopedic and sports injuries. This study aimed to compare outcomes of AFO treatment with those of KT to investigate the effect on gait ability in patients with foot drop after stroke. ⋯ As a result, gait ability after treatment with KT and that after treatment with AFO showed no significant differences in cadence (P = .851), velocity (P = .865), swing time (P = .289 and .123), stance time (P = .255 and .711), step length (P = .955 and .975), and stride length (P = .711 and .690) of the affected and less-affected limbs. This study demonstrated that KT and AFO use have similar effects on gait function in patients with foot drop after stroke. Thus, treatment of foot drop with KT may be an alternative in patients for whom AFO use is contraindicated.
-
The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the correlation between serum 25-OH-VitD levels, coagulation function, immune factors, and the risk of spontaneous abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, independent risk factors for spontaneous abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy were identified. A total of 412 pregnant women who attended Hubei Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital between October 2021 and February 2022 were included in the study. ⋯ CD19 + CD3-B cells and 25-OH-VitD were correlated with spontaneous abortion (P = .005; P = .001), respectively 0R value and 95% confidence interval being -0.007 (1.002~1.012), -0.179 (1.139~1.256). Risk factors for spontaneous abortion in the first trimester (<12 weeks) of pregnancy include fasting glucose tolerance, decreased CD19 + CD3-energy B lymphocytes and 25-OH-VitD, and abnormal increase of TNF-α. Therefore, it is recommended that women with fertility needs be examined as early as possible to avoid adverse outcomes.