BACKGROUND:With increasing freeze-drying time,the water content of allogeneic bone reduces along with the bone mechanical strength.The suitable dehydration degree that maintains mechanical strength of allogeneic bone and allows long-term preservation at room temperature remains controversial.OBJECTIVE:To detect the mechanical properties of bovine bone nail following different degrees of dehydration using the three-point bending mechanics tests.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:Biomechanical analysis,comparative observation.The experiment was performed at the Mechanical Laboratory of Southern Medical University between May 2007 and May 2008.MATERIALS:Bone nails,50 mm length and 3 mm diameter,made from healthy adult bovine femoral cortical bone were divided into control and freeze-drying groups (8,12,24 hours,respectively) with 20 samples in each group.METHODS:The water content of bone nails with or without freeze-drying was measured by SH10A Moisture Quick Determination Meter.Three-point bending mechanics tests were performed using MTS 858 Mini Bionix.The parameters included load range 0-2000 N,resolution 0.01 N,cross beam replacement resolution 0.001 mm,span 50 mm and loading speed (cross beam replacement speed) 2 mm/min.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Water content,maximal load and elasticity load.RESULTS:The water content of control group was 7%-9%,and following freeze-drying for 8 hours,the water content was 5.5%-6%,which met the standard of freeze-drying bone;Compared with control group,the maximal load and elasticity load reduced respectively 0.004% and 0.000 8% (P＞0.05).Following freeze-drying for 12 and 24 hours,the water content was 3.5%-4% and 1%-1.5%;the maximal load reduced 21% and 37% and the elasticity load reduced 22.5% and 39% compared with control group (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Freeze-drying for 8 hours is the best time of dehydration.The mechanical load and elastic modulus reduce with increasing freeze-drying time.

Objective To study the effect of surface electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation on lower limb function in hemiplegic stroke patients. Methods Thirty hemiplegic stroke patients were divided into a treatment group ( 15 cases) and a control group ( 15 cases). Both groups were given conventional rehabilitation training.Additionally, the treatment group was given surface electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation training, while the control group was given common low frequency electrical stimulation. Brunnstrom's recovery stages, the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and electromyographic parameters were assessed before and after 3 courses of treatment. Results After treatment both groups had significantly higher Brunnstrom and FMA scores and better integrated electromyograms(iEMG), but the effects in the treatment group were significantly better than in the control group. Conclusions Surface electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation training can provide satisfactory rehabilitation of lower limb function in hemiplegic stroke patients.

To compare the effects of immune enhancement, anti-fatigue and anoxia tolerance on mice of four kinds of dodder seeds in Shandong Province.

Objective: To study the contents of hyperoside in Semen Cuscutae,which grew in different host and different environment.Methods: Hyperoside was determined by HPLC.Results: The content of hyperoside is 0.28%-0.65% in the semen Cuscutae growing in different conditions in Shandong.The content is higher in semen of C.chinensis in Linyi,whose host is Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi.The content of hyperoside is lower in semen of C.australia which grew in Humulus scandens(lour.) Merr.The content has no obvious difference between C.chinensis and C.australis.Conclusions: The content of hyperoside in semen Cuscutae has relation with the hosts.The content increased with the seed mature degree.

Objective: To compare the effects of invigorating the kidney and strengthening yang on four kinds of Semen Custutae. Methods: Sexual organs of juvenile rat and shen yang deficiency rat were weighed to analyze its contents of SOD and MDA. Results: Alcohol extracts of four kinds of Semen Custutae have conspicuous effects on increasing weight of sexual organs. Water extracts of Semen Custutae have better effects on raising the contents of SOD and MDA and increasing weight of immune organs of shen yang deficiency rat. Conclusion: The effects of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. and C.australis R. Br. have better than that of C. japonica Choisy and C.lupuliformis Krockr in invigorating the kidney and strengthening yang.

Objective To construct the human osteoblast-like cell model with estrogen receptor α(ERα)subunit gene knocked down. Methods According to the computer-aided design(CAD),ERα-specific small interference RNA(siRNA)gene was synthesized and cloned into the expression vector pSilencer 4.1-CMV. The recombinant ERα siRNA plasmid was transfected into human osteoblast-like cell line MG63 by lipofectin,the cloned MG63 ceils were selected by hygromycin,and the cloned MG63 cell was cultured more than 20 passages after transfection.The expression of ERα mRNA in MG63 cells was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The expression and location of ERα protein were identified by immunocytochemistry.Compared with control groups,proliferation rate,growth cycle and expression did not show significant difference.Results The recombinant eukaryote plasmid vector was constructed.Furthermore,the recombinant plasmid knocked down ERα protein in human osteoblast-like cells. Conclusions The human osteoblast-like cell model with RNAi-knocked down ERα gene is constructed successfully.This model appears to be very useful for the future research on ERα biological characters and on molecular mechanism of bone metabolism.

Objective To investigate the effect of point Zusanli acupuncture on serum creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) in high-intensity military training soldiers and explore its possible antifatigue mechanism.Methods Sixty healthy soldiers were randomly allocated to groups A and B, 30 each. Group A received acupuncture at point Zusanli and group B, no treatment. After two weeks of treatment, two groups of soldiers separately did 5 km high-intensity running training and fulfilled the requirement of army examination. CK and CK-MB were measured in two groups before and after training and five days after training.Results In the two groups, there were statistically significant differences in serum CK and CK-MB contents between before training and after or five days after training (P<0.05). After or five days after training, there were statistically significant differences in serum CK and CK-MB contents between groups A and B (P<0.05).ConclusionsAcupuncture at point Zusanli can effectively improve bodily antifatigue ability and reduce myocardial and skeletal muscle injury caused by high-intensity exercise in military training soldiers.

Objective To investigate the effects of different acupuncture therapies on serum branched-chain amino acids (BAC and free tryptophan (F-Trp) in high-intensity military training soldiers. Methods Ninety healthy soldiers were randomly allocated to groups A, B and C, 30 soldiers each. Group A received treatment with electroacupuncture at Zusanli; group B, treatment by cupping on Zusanli;group C, no treatment. The three groups did a high-intensity 5 km running exercise after two weeks of treatment. Serum BACC and F-Trp contents were measured in the three groups before and at the end of treatment and at five days after treatment. Results It can be seen from table 2 that there were no statistically significant pre-treatment differences in serum BACC and F-Trp contents between the three groups of soldier subjects (P>0.05); there were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in serum BACC and F-Trp contents in the three groups of soldier subjects (P＜0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in serum BACC content between group A or B and group C (P＜0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in serum F-Trp content between group A or B and group C at the end of treatment and at five days after treatment (P＜0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture therapy can effectively improve bodily anti-fatigue ability and reduce high-intensity exercise induced muscular injury in military training soldiers.

Objective To observe the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the functional with hemiplegic patients of traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods 186 TBI cases were allocated to the HBO group (94 cases) and control group (92 cases). The control group was subjected to rehabilitation treatment, while the HBO group received HBO in addition to the rehabilitation treatment.Results Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) scores in both groups were significantly increased after treatment(P<0.05). FMA and MBI scores in the HBO group were significantly better than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion HBO is effective to improve the motor function and activities of daily living with hemiplegic patients of traumatic brain injury and can improve the curative effects.

Objective To investigate the effect of bed rest on acute nonspecific low back pain(ANLBP).Methods87 cases were randomly divided into bed rest group (42 cases) and free activity group (45 cases).The bed rest group would be proper activity indoor and step up activity outdoor after absolute in bed for a week.The free activity group would be prescribed free activity.At the same time,all of them received physiotherapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).The visual analogous scale (VAS) were measured before and 2 weeks after treatment.The Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ) were measured before and 2,6 weeks after treatment.ResultsThe difference of VAS and RMDQ scores between these 2 groups were not significant before treatment (P>0.05),but were significant 2 weeks after treatment(P<0.05).Further more,the difference of RMDQ scores between these 2 groups were not significant 6 weeks after treatment (P>0.05).ConclusionThe bed rest about patients could not promote,but delay the improvement of the pain and disability in the early period or later period recovery of ANLBP.