Objective In order to avoid potential injuries imposed to human body,it could be feasible to use the musculoskeletal models which can be reconstructed from the cadaver color cryosection(CCC)images,computerized tomography(CT)images,magnetic resonance(MR)images or other images to analyze the dynamic properties of muscles in vivo during human movement.Mothod We reconstruct the lower limb musculoskeletal model and define the uniform ioint coordinate system(JCS)on the model and the subject.The coordinate transformation of the muscle attachment points both on the model and the subject is described in detail.Results The length and the moment arm of the biceps femoris(short head)during knee flexion are calculated and analyzed.Conclusion This method plays an important role in improving the kinematics and dynamic simulation and the muscle force estimation.

OBJECTIVETo observe the time course of interleukin (IL)-21 and related cytokines expression in rats with experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM).

METHODSAntigen was prepared with an emulsion of porcine cardiac myosin in complete Freund's adjuvant, plus Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra strain. EAM model was made by hypodermic injection of myosin in hind legs of Lewis rats.mRNA expression of IL-21 and related cytokines (IL-21R, IL-17, TGF-β, IL-6) in different tissues (heart, liver, spleen, kidney) were determined at 2 weeks after immunization by RT-PCR and quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Furthermore, the time course of IL-21 and related cytokines expression in the acute phase of EAM (2 w, 3 w, 4 w) was determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, and IL-21, IL-17 protein expression was determined by Western blot and ELISA. The location of IL-21R was examined by immunohistochemistry at 2 w after immunization.

RESULTSHistopathology examination evidenced abundant mononuclear cells in the myocardium of 2 weeks EAM rats. Fibrosis and multinucleated giant cells were observed in the myocardium of 3 weeks EAM rats. Inflammation was reduced and large amount of fibrosis could be found in 4 weeks EAM rats. The heart weight/body weight ratio in normal, EAM 2 w, 3 w, 4 w group was (3.011 ± 0.117) mg/g, (4.736 ± 1.279) mg/g, (7.200 ± 0.308) mg/g and (4.622 ± 0.978) mg/g respectively. IL-21 mainly expressed in heart and spleen, IL-21R, IL-17, TGF-β mainly expressed in spleen, and IL-17, IL-6 mainly expressed in heart of EAM rats. IL-21R mainly distributed in cardiomyocytes of 2 weeks EAM rats. In line with pathological EAM course, the expression of IL-21 and related cytokines peaked at 2 weeks and then returned to normal at 4 weeks after immunization.

CONCLUSIONIL-21 and related cytokines were involved in the pathological process of EAM, upregulated IL-21 expression might promote Th17 cell differentiation and enhance Th17 cell secretion.

Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; immunology ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukin-17 ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; immunology ; Interleukins ; immunology ; Male ; Myocarditis ; immunology ; pathology ; Myocardium ; immunology ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Th17 Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; immunology

This study evaluated the clinical effect of impaction bone graft and distal press-fit fixation for the reconstruction of severe femoral bone defect in revision total hip arthroplasty. A total of 234 patients (involving 236 hips) with Paprosky III and IV femoral bone defects were treated with the revision total hip arthroplasty from June 1998 to Aug. 2006. Impaction bone graft technique was used for 112 hips, with allogeneic freeze-dried bone as bone graft and SPII as prosthesis. With 124 hips, modular distal press-fit fixation and tapered femoral stem (MP stem) were employed. After the operation, the subjects were followed up on regular basis and results were assessed by using the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Radiolucence, subsidence and loosening were observed and complications, including infection, fracture, dislocation etc. were recorded. A 6-14-year follow-up showed that prostheses failed, due to infection, in 4 patients of impaction bone graft group and that 6 patients in the press-fit fixation group experienced prosthesis failure, with the survival rates for the two techniques being 96.43% and 95.16%, respectively. One-way ANOVA showed that prosthesis survival was significantly associated with surgery-related complications (P<0.05) and was not related to the type of the bone defects (P>0.05). The rate of complications bore significant association with the type of bone defects in the two groups (P<0.05). Our study showed that the two revision methods could achieve satisfactory mid-term and long-term results for the reconstruction of severe bone defects. It is of great significance for attaining high prosthesis survival rate to select suitable operation on the basis of the type of bone defect. Careful operative manipulation and post-operative rehabilitation aimed at reducing complications are also important.

Objective In order to avoid potential injuries imposed to human body,it could be feasible to use the musculoskeletal models which can be reconstructed from the cadaver color cryosection(CCC)images,computerized tomography(CT)images,magnetic resonance(MR)images or other images to analyze the dynamic properties of muscles in vivo during human movement.Mothod We reconstruct the lower limb musculoskeletal model and define the uniform ioint coordinate system(JCS)on the model and the subject.The coordinate transformation of the muscle attachment points both on the model and the subject is described in detail.Results The length and the moment arm of the biceps femoris(short head)during knee flexion are calculated and analyzed.Conclusion This method plays an important role in improving the kinematics and dynamic simulation and the muscle force estimation.

Objective In order to avoid potential injuries imposed to human body,it could be feasible to use the musculoskeletal models which can be reconstructed from the cadaver color cryosection(CCC)images,computerized tomography(CT)images,magnetic resonance(MR)images or other images to analyze the dynamic properties of muscles in vivo during human movement.Mothod We reconstruct the lower limb musculoskeletal model and define the uniform ioint coordinate system(JCS)on the model and the subject.The coordinate transformation of the muscle attachment points both on the model and the subject is described in detail.Results The length and the moment arm of the biceps femoris(short head)during knee flexion are calculated and analyzed.Conclusion This method plays an important role in improving the kinematics and dynamic simulation and the muscle force estimation.

OBJECTIVETo determine the effects of curcumin on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

METHODOne hundred and forty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 6 groups (24 rats in each group, model group, sham group, prednisone group (0.56 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), curcumin with low dose 5 mg group, curcumin with middle dose group 10 mg and curcumin with high dose group 20 mg per 100 g of body weight). Rats in all groups except in sham group were injected with BLM intratracheally. Curcumin with different doses were given by gavage one time everyday for 7, 14 and 28 days. Prednisone were given to rats in prednisone group, po, serving as the positive treatment group. On the 7th, 14th, 28th day, the lung functions (inspiratory resistance, maximal volutary ventilation, forced vital capacity, Fev 0.2/FVC, peak expiratory flow) were determinated in experimental rats, respectively, and the concentrations of hydroxyproline in lung homogenates of each rat were assayed.

RESULTAdministration of curcumin in different doses improved lung functions of BLM-induced fibrotic rats in the all experimental days; and it decreased the concentration of hydroxyproline in lung homogenates compared with those levels in model control group; and it also lessened the hyperplasia of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

CONCLUSIONAdministration of curcumin can suppress BLM induced pulmonary fibrosis indicated by improved respiratory function, as well as companied with low content of hydroxyproline in lung tissue of rats.

Animals ; Bleomycin ; adverse effects ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Time Factors

The paper aimed to elucidate the specific impact of supramolecular chemistry on the Chinese medicine theories (CMT) in their modernization, after had summarized up the research status of supramolecular chemistry and analyzed the possible supramolecular forms of Chinese medicine (CM), as well as considered the problems in modernization of CM theories. On comparison of the classical chemistry that delt with chemical bonds among atoms, the supramolecular chemistry was rather concerned with varietes of weak noncovalent bonds intermolecules, and reflected the macro-apparent chemical properties of each molecules, and was the most appropriate chemical theories to explain the CMT and microcosmic materials. The molecules in the human body and Chinese material medica (CMM) formed supramolecules by way of self-assembly, self-organization, self-recognition and self-replication, with themselves or with complexation, composition, chelation, inclusion, neutralization etc. Meridian and Zang-fu viscera in CMT might be a space channel structure continuously consisted of unique molecules cavity that was imprinted with the supramolecularly template inside and outside of cells, through which the molecules in CMM interacted with the meridian and Zang-fu viscera. When small molecules in human body imprinted with macromolecules in meridian and Zang-fu viscera, in other words, they migrated along within imprinting channels of meridian and Zang-fu viscera on behavior of "Qi chromatography" impulsed by the heart beat, finally showed up on macroscopic the anisotropy of tissue and organ, as described namely as visceral manifestation in Chinese medical science. When small molecules in CMM interacted with imprinting channel on meridian and Zang-fu viscera, the natural properties and efficacy regularities of CMM was reflected on macroscopic. Therefore, the special representation forms of basic CMT is based on the macroscopic expression of "Qi chromatography" abided by imprinting effect regularities, and on whether the imprinted template of small molecules matched with cavity template of macromolecules in meridian and Zang-fu viscera, only is the adequate representation of supramolecular chemistry for them. The CMM materials is the mixture including single molecules and supramolecules. The compatibility for CM prescriptions can significantly change the function rules. Therefore in the study of basic CMT, we should pay special attention to the laws of supramolecular chemistry. It is the most essential differences of the CMT from the modern medicine which established by the laws of single molecular theories.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Meridians ; Nanotechnology

We examined the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on growth, fatty acid composition and enzyme activity of fatty acid oxidation in the liver of large yellow croaker. We divided 1600 fish (average initial weight 150 g) into 4 groups and reared them in 8 cages. Four dietary treatments were formulated to contain 0%, 1%, 2% and 4% (w/w) CLA, respectively. The fish were fed for 10 weeks ad libitum twice daily. We found that the dietary CLA had no effect on growth, biometric parameters and whole body proximate (P>0.05), but showed some significant effects on the fatty acid composition in both muscle and the liver. The activities of lipogenic enzymes were slightly depressed in fish fed with increasing levels of CLA when compared with control (P>0.05). Dietary CLA supplementation had no effects on liver lipid content, but significantly increased the contents of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (P<0.05) and decreased monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content in both muscle and the liver. Dietary CLA inclusion resulted in significant increases of the biologically active cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 isomers in both tissues (P<0.05). The total accumulation of CLA was higher in the liver (3.83%, w/w) than in muscle (3.77%, w/w) when fed with 4% (w/w) CLA. This study demonstrates that large yellow croakers are capable of absorbing and depositing CLA and long-chain n-3 PUFA in the liver and muscle, showing that this species fed with CLA could be an important human food source for these healthful fatty acids.
Animals ; Dietary Fats ; administration & dosage ; Dietary Supplements ; Fatty Acids ; metabolism ; Linoleic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Lipogenesis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Perciformes ; growth & development ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the images of early lesions of condylar cartilage of osteoarthritic rats in synchrotron radiation diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI).

METHODSThe animal model of temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis was established in rat following the method of partial resection of the joint disc. The changes of osteoarthritic condylar cartilage in different pathological stages were observed by DEI and compared with those in situ histopathological sections.

RESULTSWith DEI, straight and orbicular lines were detected in condylar cartilage 45 to 60 days after discs resection. The lines were confirmed by histopathology to be collagen degradation and tiny fissure formation inside the cartilage.

CONCLUSIONSDEI is capable of imaging the early stages of pathological changes of excised condylar cartilage such as collagen degradation and tiny fissure formation, and this technique is of potential value to clinical application.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Radiography ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; X-Ray Diffraction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term effect and experience of Nuss procedure on 120 cases of patients with pectus excavatum.

METHODSThoracoscopy assisted Nuss procedure with different ways of anesthesia were applied to 120 cases of patients with pectus excavatum, including 7 cases of recurrence after traditional surgical procedure (6 cases) and Nuss method (another one). The patients ranged in age from 2.5 to 43 (mean 14.1) years and in Haller index from 2.91 to 29. Of the 120, 73 had symmetric and 47 had asymmetric pectus excavatum. The Nuss procedure is performed with general anesthesia and a convex steel bar is inserted under the sternum with thoracoscopy through small bilateral thoracic incisions. The steel bar is inserted with the convexity facing posteriorly, and when it is in position, the bar is turned over, thereby correcting the deformity.

RESULTSThe operation was successfully accomplished without severe complications in all the 120 cases. The mean operative time was 58 minutes and the mean volume of blood loss was 30 ml. 103 patients had one bar inserted while the other 17 cases with more extremely diffuse depression required 2 or even 3 bars to get a satisfactory correction. Such methods as modifications to the fixing points and the shape of the bar, partial osteotomy, were developed to deal with asymmetric ones.

CONCLUSIONThe Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive technique for correction of pectus excavatum. It can lead to a satisfactory outcome and surgical time is less.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Funnel Chest ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Thoracoscopy ; Young Adult