BACKGROUND:There is a lack of study on material properties and parameters of foot finite element models in China. Vernier caliper is a common method for measuring the width and thickness of ligaments and tendons to calculate the cross-sectional area.
OBJECTIVE:To design a new ligament cross-sectional area measuring instrument to improve the measurement accuracy.
METHODS:The cross-sectional area of the five fresh cadaver ankle ligaments was respectively measured using the new instrument and vernier caliper, and then a comparative analysis of the two measurement methods was performend.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The cross-sectional area of anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, tibionavicular ligament and calcaneotibial ligament was (20.61±7.52), (22.38±11. 49), (33.09±9.91) and (28.20±10.88) mm2, respectively measured by the vernier caliper, and (17.59±4.03), (20.77±7.91), (28.08±8.14) and (30.39±7.98) mm2 by the new ligament cross-sectional area measuring instrument. These results suggest that this new measuring instrument is accurate, reliable and easy to operate, which can be used as a special instrument to measure ligament cross-sectional area, but further studies wil be necessary.

Objective To screen the active components of Bushen Huoxue Decoction ( BSHXD) involved in promoting the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells ( MSCs). Methods BSHXD and its subdivisions were extracted with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, water-free ethanol and water respectively. MSCs were isolated and cultured by the bone marrow adherent method. At the third passage, MSCs were identified by the specific surface markers with immunofluorescence, and their osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation were tested by alizarin red staining and oil red “O” staining. After treated with the extracts of BSHXD and its subdivisions at gradient concentrations for 24 hours, cell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay for the screening of active components and optimal concentration. MTT assay was used to describe the growth curve of MSCs treated with the most effective components, and cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Compared with the blank control group, the extracts of BSHXD and its subdivisions could protect MSCs from death to various degrees. Of all the extracts, the ethyl acetate extract of Bushen Division ( BSD) , ethyl acetate extract of BSHXD, ethyl acetate extract of Huoxue Division ( HXD) had the strongest effect, and the effect was dose-dependent, 100 μg/mL being the optimal active concentration while having no any cytotoxic reaction. The results of MTT assay revealed that BSD extracts promoted the proliferation of MSCs significantly and was the most effective component, and then came BSHXD. The results of flow cytometry indicated that BSD extract had the most strongest effect on increasing the amount of MSCs at proliferative phase, and then came BSHXD. Conclusion BSD ethyl acetate extract is the active component of BSHXD for promoting the proliferation of MSCs, showing an effect on increasing the proportion of MSCs at proliferative phase.