Objective To investigate the biomechanical and pathological changes in vivo in the taut bands (TB) of biceps femoris in rats after repeated low-frequency electrical stimulation.Methods Twenty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group,an electrical intensity-dependent fatigue group,which were subject to electric intensity-dependent fatigue test,and an electrical frequency-dependent fatigue group,which were subject to electrical frequency-dependent fatigue test.After fatigue tests,the taut band of the biceps femoris and the non-taut band of the contralateral biceps femoris were harvested for pathological observation.The maximum contraction force (MCF),electrical intensity-and frequency-dependent fatigue characteristics and any pathological changes in the TBs were assessed and compared to the non-taut band region of the other biceps femoris.Results The MCF at the 15th and 20th stimulation (1.42 ± 0.28 g and 0.93 ± 0.54 g respectively) were significantly lower than that at the 1 st and 5th stimulation of the TBs.High stimulation intensity (HSI) at the 15th and 20th stimulation (3.76 ± 0.71 V and 3.44 ± 0.97 V) were also significantly lower than at the 1st TB stimulation.At the 10th,15th and 20th stimulation of the TBs,MCF and HSI were both significantly lower than in the bands which were not tight.In the frequency-dependent fatigue stimulation tests,the frequency which generated the MCF of the TBs was significantly lower than in the bands which were not tight,while the MCF of the TBs was significantly higher than that of non-TBs.After either intensity or frequency fatigue testing,more severe edema,uneven cytoplasmic death and degeneration of muscle fibers were observed in sections from TBs than from the bands which were not tight.Conclusions Taut muscle bands are significantly less fatigue-resistant than normal muscle fibers.Taut bands may contribute to the fatigue of myofascial pain syndromes.

Objective To investigate the value of lower limbs fixation methods for the treatment of intussusception in children with air enema with.Methods 2 1 1 pediatric patients with intussusception who had accepted the treatment of air enema with two dif-ferent fixation methods on lower limbs were enrolled.Comparisons of median treatment duration and therapeutic effect between the two methods were investigated.Results In 32 patients with knee-joint fixation method,27 were successful with median treatment duration 4.84 minutes.Meanwhile in other 179 ones with lower limbs fixation method,152 were successful with median duration 7.96 minutes.And the duration difference between two methods was found (P<0.05).Conclusion Knee-joint fixation may help significantly shorten the median treatment duration for the treatment of intussusception with air enema in children.

Objective To explore the application value of pulmonary artery monitoring program for intracranial and cervical artery angiography with dual-energy CT.Methods Sixty patients performed intracranial and cervical artery angiography with dual-energy CT were divided into two groups according to the random number table.Group A (optimization group,30 patients):the monitoring points were located in the main pulmonary artery,with threshold 150 HU,trigger delay time 8-9 s,pitch 0.9,and the iohexol (350 mg I/ml) 60-65 ml.Group B (conventional group,30 patients):the monitoring points were located in aortic arch,with threshold 100 HU,trigger delay time 5 s,and the iohexol (350 mg I/ml)60-70 ml.Patients with the body weight less than 75 kg were injected with the flow rate of 4.0 ml/s,and those weight greater than 75 kg or with body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 kg/m2 were 4.5 ml/s,following 40 ml saline solution with the same flow rate respectively.All images were transferred to Siemens Syngo workstation for further processing and analysis.The attenuation values were measured on axial images in the common carotid artery,internal and external carotid artery,vertebral and basilar artery,the horizontal segment of the middle cerebral artery,the subclavian vein of injection side,the proximal,middle and distal segment of jugular vein,the straight sinus and the superior sagittal sinus.Two experienced observers blinded independently evaluated the image quality of CTA,the impact of contrast material residues artifacts of subclavian vein of injected side and the affect of venous return factors on arterial image display.Images of volume rendering technique(VR),the maximum intensity projection (MIP),and curved planar reformation (CPR) were reconstructed using dual energy bone removal and Inspace and 3D software.The mean intraluminal attenuation of contrast material (HU),the volume of contrast material and the mean image quality scores were compared with t test between the two groups.Chi-square test was used to compare of image contrast agents residual artifacts,the absence segments of the root of the neck artery,and the degree of the jugular vein return in two groups.Results The mean CT values were 372-414 HU for each segment of artery showing no significant differences between two groups (P ＞ 0.05).In group A,the CT values of the jugular vein in proximal,middle,distal segment of the two sides were (95 ± 36),(95 ± 36),(131 ±58),(133 ± 57),(174 ± 68),and (180 ± 66) HU respectively.In group B,CT values were (135 ± 58),(137 ±59),(170 ±58),(181 ±58),(218 ±62),and (224 ±68) HU.The CT value of jugular venous in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (t =-3.30--2.54,P ＜ 0.05).Case numbers of contrast agent residual artifacts of injection side subclavian vein and the absence segments of root of the neck artery at the beginning in group A (5,11) were less than that in group B (12,24) (x2 =4.02,5.65,P ＜0.05).The degree of the jugular vein return in group A were lesser severely than that in group B (x2 =6.79,6.37,P ＜0.05).Below the level of carotid artery bifurcation:slight 5 patients,severe 1 patient in group A vs.slight 15 patients,severe 9 patients in group B.Above the level of carotid artery bifurcation:slight 9 patients,severe 6 patients in group A vs.slight 12 patients,severe 17 patients in group B.Image quality scores of group A (3.84 ± 0.40) was higher than that of group B (3.64 ± 0.63) (t =4.26,P ＜0.05).Conclusions Pulmonary Artery Monitoring combines with 60-65 ml contrast material optimization scheme for intracranial and cervical artery angiography with dual energy CT can significantly reduce the degree of jugular venous return and contrast material residues artifacts of subclavian vein of injected side.This technique is helpful to improve the work efficiency and image quality.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of capecitabine-based regimens in treating patients with liver metastases from breast cancer. Methods:A total of 163 patients with liver metastases from breast cancer who received capecitabine-based regimens between January 1, 2000 and Dec 31, 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of these patients were evaluated. Results:Of the 163 patients retrospectively analyzed, 109 received docetaxel plus capecitabine (TX) and 54 received vinorelbine plus capecitabine (NX). TX treatment achieved objective responses in 59 patients (54.1%), including complete response in four patients, partial response in 55 patients, and stable disease in 25 patients. In patients who received NX, the objective response and clinical benefit rates were 50.0%and 70.4%, respectively;one patient had a complete response, 26 patients had a partial response, and 11 patients had a stable disease. The safety profiles of TX treatment were more favorable and predictable compared with NX treatment, with a low incidence of grade 3/4 adverse events in hematological and non-hematological toxicities. Results showed that median overall survival after liver metastases (LMS), progression-free survival (PFS), and post-metastasis survival (MSR) were 26, 8, and 28 months in the TX arm. LMS, PFS, and MSR were longer in the TX arm than in the NX arm. Conclusion:Capecitabine-based regimens showed tolerance in patients with liver metastases from breast cancer. TX treatment had a tendency of lower toxicity and was more effective compared with NX treatment.

A novel targeting drug carrier (FA-BO-PAMAM) based on the PAMAM G5 dendrimer modified with borneol (BO) and folic acid (FA) molecules on the periphery and doxorubicin (DOX) loaded in the interior was designed and prepared to achieve the purposes of enhancing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) transportation and improving the drug accumulation in the glioma cells. 1H NMR was used to confirm the synthesis of FA-BO-PAMAM; its morphology and mean size were analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Based on the HBMEC and C6 cells, cytotoxicity assay, transport across the BBB, cellular uptake and anti-tumor activity in vitro were investigated to evaluate the properties of nanocarriers in vitro. The results showed that the nanocarrier of FA-BO-PAMAM was successfully synthesized, which was spherical in morphology with the average size of (22.28 ± 0.42) nm, and zeta potential of (7.6 ± 0.89) mV. Cytotoxicity and transport across the BBB assay showed that BO-modified conjugates decreased the cytotoxicity of PAMAM against both HBMEC and C6 cells and exhibited higher BBB transportation ability than BO-unmodified conjugates; moreover, modification with FA increased the total uptake of DOX by C6 cells and enhanced the cytotoxicity of DOX-polymer against C6 cells. Therefore, FA-BO-PAMAM is a promising nanodrug delivery system in employing PAMAM as a drug carrier and treatment for brain glioma.
Biological Transport ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Bornanes ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dendrimers ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Folic Acid ; chemistry ; Glioma ; Humans

Objective: To understand the cognition and attitudes of men who have sex with men (MSM) towards HIV testing and explore in-depth reasons preventing them from testing. Methods: The function of "opinion" in Blued, a gay geo-social networking application (GSN), was adopted to collect qualitative data of ideas and attitudes towards HIV testing of the users between December 2017 and January 2018. The data was analyzed based on grounded theory approach. Results: 28 269 Blued users participated in the activity and 1 977 posted comments. Four key themes were identified, i.e. no/low risk of contracting HIV, stigmatization of HIV testing, long-term relationship and conventional impediments of HIV testing. Conclusion The cognition and attitudes of the target population derived from the analysis of "opinion" function in Blued, such as the stigmatization of the behavior of HIV testing influencing the attitude of HIV testing, could help researchers build a more accurate detection and promotion strategy instead of a very general intervention on the public.

A rapid quantitative component analysis method for biochar based on near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology was established in this study. Near infrared spectra of 163 samples in 10000-3800 cm-1 (1000-2632 nm) range were collected, and the contents of fixed carbon (FC), volatile matter (VM) and ash of samples were analyzed. A partial least square(PLS) model for FC,VM and Ash was established in the optimized model spectral ranges. The factors were optimized and the raw spectra were pretreated by multiple scatter correction and second derivative(MSC+SD) method. Finally,the prediction performance of predictive model was evaluated. The results showed that the PLS model had a good prediction ability,and the predicted coefficient R2pof actual values vs prediction values for FC, VM and Ash were 0.9423,0.9517 and 0.9265, respectively. Root mean square errors of prediction(RMSEP) were 0.1074,0.1201 and 0.1243,and ratios of prediction to deviation(RPD) were 3.51,4.28 and 2.03,respectively. The PLS model has good accuracy and precision for both of FC and VM, and can be used as a quantitative method for FC and VM contents analysis. Nevertheless,PLS model needs to improve the precision for Ash analysis according to RPD value. The method provides a fast and effective technical means for the quantitative analysis of biochar components.

The presence of large segmental defects of the diaphyseal bone is challenging for orthopedic surgeons. Free vascularized fibular grafting (FVFG) is considered to be a reliable reconstructive procedure. Stress fractures are a common complication following this surgery, and hypertrophy is the main physiological change of the grafted fibula. The exact mechanism of hypertrophy is not completely known. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined the possible relationship between stress fractures and hypertrophy. We herein report three cases of patients underwent FVFG. Two of them developed stress fractures and significant hypertrophy, while the remaining patient developed neither stress fractures nor significant hypertrophy. This phenomenon indicates that a relationship may exist between stress fractures and hypertrophy of the grafted fibula, specifically, that the presence of a stress fracture may initiate the process of hypertrophy.
Adult ; Female ; Fibula ; pathology ; transplantation ; Fractures, Stress ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibia ; surgery ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

Objective: To collect, compare and analyze the changes in the strength and stability of the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation before and after the training in Shaolin Neigong (internal Qigong). Methods: Ninety first-year undergraduates were randomized into three groups using the random number table method, with 30 people in each group. The Gongfa (Qigong method) group received training in both Shaolin Neigong and forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation. The manipulation group only received training in forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation. The control group only received training in forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation for one week. The ZTC-1 intelligent Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) manipulation parameter detection system was used to collect the wave crest, wave trough, and crest-trough difference of the strength and frequency of the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation on the Z-axis (up and down), X-axis (left and right) and Y-axis (backward and forward) at weeks one, five and ten from the three groups. The collected data were then processed and analyzed. Results: The intra-group comparisons showed statistical significance in the Gongfa group and manipulation group (P<0.05). The strength and stability shown on the axes Z, X, and Y constantly grew with the increase of training time in the Gongfa group. The wave crest on the axes Z and Y steadily rose in the manipulation group, as well as the frequency on the axes Z, X and Y. The control group failed to show statistical significance in any of the three times of intra-group comparisons (P>0.05). The between-group comparisons showed statistical significance among the three groups at weeks five and ten (P<0.05). At week five, the wave crest on the axes Z, X, and Y, and the crest-trough difference on the axes X and Y were more prominent in the Gongfa group than in the manipulation group, showing statistical significance (P<0.05). At week ten, the wave crest, wave trough, and crest-trough differences on the axes Z, X, and Y were more prominent in the Gongfa group than in the manipulation group, presenting statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Practicing Shaolin Neigong can help the trainees reach the level of strength and frequency of Tuina clinicians in a shorter time in the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation training. It can advance the efficiency in studying the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation and promote the quality of the manipulation.