The pelvis is one of the most likely affected areas of the human body in case of side impact, especially while people suffer from motor vehicle crashes. With the investigation of pelvis injury on side impact, the injury biomechanical behavior of pelvis can be found, and the data can help design the vehicle security devices to keep the safety of the occupants. In this study, a finite element (FE) model of an isolated human pelvis was used to study the pelvic dynamic response under different side impact conditions. Fracture threshold was established by applying lateral loads of 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 N, respectively, to the articular surface of the right acetabulum. It was observed that the smaller the lateral loads were, the smaller the von Mises stress and the displacement in the direction of impact were. It was also found that the failure threshold load was near 3000 N, based on the fact that the peak stress would not exceed the average compressive strength of the cortical bone. It could well be concluded that with better design of car-door and hip-pad so that the side impact force was brought down to 3000 N or lower, the pelvis would not be injured.
Accidents, Traffic ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Computer Simulation ; Finite Element Analysis ; Fractures, Bone ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Pelvis ; injuries ; Stress, Mechanical

We undertook this work to compare the treatment efficacies and the changes of quality of life after pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercise and the functional electrical stimulation (FES)-biofeedback treatment, both of which are being widely used as conservative treatment methods for female urinary incontinence. We randomly selected 60 female incontinence patients who visited our department and divided them evenly into two groups. They were treated for a period of 6 weeks. The subjective changes in the severity of incontinence and discomfort in daily and social life were measured using a translated version of the questionnaire by Jackson. Objective changes of pelvic muscle contraction force were measured using a perineometer. Pre- and post-treatment maximal pelvic floor muscle contractile (PMC) pressure and changes in the severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort of the two groups showed statistically significant differences (p>0.001). In particular the FES-biofeedback group showed significantly increased maximal PMC pressure and a decreased severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort compared to the intensive PFM exercise group (p>0.001). In conclusion, FES-biofeedback proved more effective than simple PFM exercise.
Activities of Daily Living ; Biofeedback (Psychology)* ; Exercise Therapy*/methods ; Female ; Human ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscles ; Pelvic Floor ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/therapy* ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/psychology ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/prevention & control ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology

We undertook this work to compare the treatment efficacies and the changes of quality of life after pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercise and the functional electrical stimulation (FES)-biofeedback treatment, both of which are being widely used as conservative treatment methods for female urinary incontinence. We randomly selected 60 female incontinence patients who visited our department and divided them evenly into two groups. They were treated for a period of 6 weeks. The subjective changes in the severity of incontinence and discomfort in daily and social life were measured using a translated version of the questionnaire by Jackson. Objective changes of pelvic muscle contraction force were measured using a perineometer. Pre- and post-treatment maximal pelvic floor muscle contractile (PMC) pressure and changes in the severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort of the two groups showed statistically significant differences (p>0.001). In particular the FES-biofeedback group showed significantly increased maximal PMC pressure and a decreased severity of urinary incontinence and discomfort compared to the intensive PFM exercise group (p>0.001). In conclusion, FES-biofeedback proved more effective than simple PFM exercise.
Activities of Daily Living ; Biofeedback (Psychology)* ; Exercise Therapy*/methods ; Female ; Human ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscles ; Pelvic Floor ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/therapy* ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/psychology ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/prevention & control ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/physiopathology

AIMTo explore the influence of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) preconditioning on anoxic resistance and anti-weariness at high altitude.

METHODS(1) SOD, MDA, NO, NOS, BLA and BUN of 20 youths living at 3 700 m altitude for half year were tested, then they were divided into group A (n=10, received HBO pretreatment twice) and group B (n=10, received HBO pretreatment 5 times) randomly. They were asked to pedal the EMG-bicycle-ergometer at the second and eighth day, and then the same items were tested. (2) 29 youth who would go to Astronomical Spot (5200 m) were randomly divided into group HBO (n=11, received HBO pretreatment once per day for 2 days at Yecheng (1400 m)) and comparison group (n=10). When they reached I Astronomical Spot, thematic biochemical index were investigated. (3) When 20 youth reached Thirty Milepost Barracks (3700 m) at the second day in their way to Immortal Gulf (5380 m) from Yecheng were randomly divided into group HBO (n=10, received HBO pretreatment once per day for 3 days) and comparison group (n=10). When they reached Immortal Gulf, the thematic biochemical index were investigated.

RESULTS(1) SOD, NO, NOS were increased and BLA, BUN, MDA were decrease in group A compared with that in group B until the eighth day, there was significant difference (P < 0.01). (2) SOD, NO, NOS were increased and BLA, BUN, MDA were decrease in group HBO compared with that in comparison that in group, there was significant difference between groups (P < 0.01, or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHBO could enhance the activity of anti-oxidase and the cleared ability of lactic acid, and the effect of anti-weariness could last for 8 days.

Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; prevention & control ; Fatigue ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; methods ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; physiology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Young Adult

INTRODUCION: Cardiovascular disease has the potential to lead to sudden in-flight incapacitation and permanent grounding. The aims of this study are to examine the relationships between lifestyle, job stress and blood lipid levels of male aircrew personnel of a Korean airline and to identify which factors influence their hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Two hundred sixteen male aircrew personnel completed a questionnaire by self-report and consented to participate in the study. The questionnaire collected data related to job stress, life style, serum cholesterol levels and general characteristics of the aircrew. The cholesterol levels of the subjects were collected from their most recent health check-up records. Subjects were divided into two groups (the desirable group and the risk group) based on their serum cholesterol level, 200 mg/dl. RESULTS: Mean age and marital status were significantly different between the two groups. More subjects in the risk group had habits of eating high lipid foods, while more subjects in the desirable group exercised more frequently than the risk group. In logistic regression analysis, after controlling age and marital status, types of working situation (domestic duty or international duty, odds ratio=.390, p=.018), diet (odds ratio=.429, p=.037), and exercise (odds ratio=.320, p=.055) were influencing factors on aircrew's serum cholesterol levels. CONCLUSIONS: The cholesterol level of aircrew personnel is closely related to their lifestyle, such as lipid diet and exercise. The type of work situations, e.g. staying in an airplane for long periods of time or staying abroad, may influence these diet patterns and exercise habits.
Stress, Psychological/*physiopathology ; Risk Factors ; Occupational Diseases/*physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Logistic Models ; *Life Style ; Korea/epidemiology ; Hyperlipidemias/epidemiology/etiology/*prevention & control ; Humans ; Cholesterol/blood ; Aerospace Medicine ; Adult

With the increase in the rescue success rate of critically ill preterm infants and extremely preterm infants, the incidence rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is increasing year by year. BPD has a high mortality rate and high possibility of sequelae, which greatly affects the quality of life of preterm infants and brings a heavy burden to their families, and so the treatment of BPD is of vital importance. At present, no consensus has been reached on the treatment measures for BPD. However, recent studies have shown that early application of caffeine can prevent BPD. With reference to the latest studies on the effect of caffeine in the prevention of BPD, this article reviews the mechanism of action of caffeine in reducing pulmonary inflammation, improving morphological abnormalities of lung injury, reducing oxidative stress injury, and improving pulmonary function.
Animals ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Caffeine ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infant, Premature ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the role of apelin in the prevention of pulmonary hypertension induced by hypoxia in rats.

METHODSThe animal model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension was established by exposing the rats to isobaric hypoxic chamber for 4 weeks (8 h/d, 6 d/ w). Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (NC), hypoxic group(HH), hypoxic with low-dose apelin (5 nmol/(kg x d) group(LA) and high-dose apelin (10 nmol/(kg x d) (HA). [pGlu]apelin-13 was administered into the rats of apelin groups by mini-osmotic pump subcutaneously. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure(mPAP) and the mean carotid arterial pressure (mCAP) were measured by either right or left cardiac catheterization, and the weight ratio of right ventricule/left ventricule plus septum (RV/(LV + S)) were calculated. The Masson's trichrome stained lung specimens were examined by light microscope to examine the vessel wall area/total area (WA/TA), vessel cavity area/total area (CA/TA) and media thickness of pulmonary arterioles (PAMT). Meanwhile, the lung homogenates were assayed for the activity of supeeroxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA).

RESULTS(1) mPAP and RV/(LV + S) of HH group were significantly higher than those of NC group. mPAP of LA and HA groups were lower than those of HH group. The RV/(LV + S) of HA group was significantly lower than that of HH group, but there was no significant difference between HH group and LA group. (2) Masson's trichrome staining revealed that WA/TA and PAMT of HH group were higher than those of NC group. Administration of apelin significantly eliminated WA/TA and PAMT in LA and HA groups. (3) CA/TA of HH group was lower than that of NC group. Administration of apelin significantly elevated CA/TA in LA and HA groups. (4) The activity of SOD and content of MDA in HH group was, respectively, lower and higher than those in NC group. Apelin treatment increased the activity of SOD in LA and HA groups while decreased the content of MDA.

CONCLUSIONSApelin could play an important role in treatment of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension of rats and the mechanisms of protection were associated with vasodilation of pulmonary artery and inhibition of oxidative stress.

Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Hypoxia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasodilation ; drug effects

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the premature infants' responses to infant massage (tactile and kinesthetic stimulation). These responses measured by weight, physiological (vagal tone, heart rate, oxygen saturation) and behavioral responses (behavioral states, motor activities, and behavioral distress). METHODS: This study was conducted using an equivalent control pretest-posttest design. The sample was divided into two groups of 13 infants with gestational age less than 36 weeks at birth, birth weight less than 2000g, and no congenital anomalies. The experimental group received the massage intervention twice daily for 10 days. The data were collected for 10 minutes prior to and 10 minutes after the massage. RESULTS: The vagal tone was significantly higher after massage than before massage in the experimental group, while no change in the control group. The experimental group had significantly higher scores for awake state and motor activity than the control group. Significantly greater awake state, more fidgeting or crying, and increased motor activity were reported after massage than before massage. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that massage therapy might enhance optimal physiological responses and behavioral organization of premature infants. Nursing staff in the NICU can use massage to promote the infant's capability to respond positively to his environment and to provide developmental support for healthy premature infants.
*Weight Gain ; Stress/physiopathology/prevention & control ; *Massage/psychology ; Male ; Infant, Premature/*physiology/*psychology ; Infant, Newborn ; *Infant Behavior ; Humans ; Female ; Autonomic Nervous System/physiology ; Analysis of Variance

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of luteolin (Chinese Traditional Medicine) on cardiac functions and mitochondrial oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

METHODSMale SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a luteolin control group, a diabetic group, and diabetic groups orally administered with a low dose (10 mg/(kg x d)) or a high dose of luteolin (100 mg/ (kg x d)) for eight weeks. The body weight, blood glucose, cardiac functions, left ventricular weight, myocardial collagen and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assayed. The cardiac mitochondrial ROS level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the mitochondrial swelling were measured.

RESULTSTreatment with luteolin had no effect on the blood glucose but reduced the losing of body weight in diabetic rats. High dose of luteolin markedly reduced the ratio of ventricular weight and body weight, increased the left ventricular develop pressure, and decreased the left ventricular end diastolic pressure in diabetic rats. The myocardial levels of ROS and collagen, the cardiac mitochondrial ROS level, and the mitochondrial swelling in diabetic rats were all markedly reduced by high dose of luteolin. Furthermore, high dose of luteolin significantly increased the mitochondrial SOD activity in diabetic rat hearts.

CONCLUSIONTreatment with luteolin for 8 weeks markedly improves the cardiac function, which may be related to reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress and mitochondrial swelling in diabetic rats.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Luteolin ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mitochondria, Heart ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Ventricular Dysfunction ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo study whether previously intravenous injection of anisodamine can prevent endotoxemia of heat stroke of rats.

METHODSExperimental animals were randomly divided into two groups, their average artery pressure, heart rate, survival time, survival rate and rectal temperature were measured at an environmental temperature of 38 degrees C-40 degrees C and 50%-60% retative humidity. Blood samples for endotoxins analyses were taken both before and after heat-stress.

RESULTSDuring heat stress, the animals of rectal temperature of the experimental and control groups continuously increased and two hours later, separately to (42.7 +/- 0.6) degree C and (43.1 +/- 0.5) degree C, without statistic difference(P > 0.05), and to (44.6 +/- 0.4) degree C and (44.2 +/- 0.3) degree C prior to death, with statistic difference(P < 0.05). Before the experiment, the contents of endotoxins of portal vein blood were (45.7 +/- 5.2) pg/ml and (42.6 +/- 5.4) pg/ml, and that of systemic blood was (14.8 +/- 4.5) pg/ml and (13.9 +/- 7.2) pg/ml, without statistic difference(P > 0.05). Two hours later, the contents of portal vein blood separately increased to (122.2 +/- 16.7) pg/ml and (49.7 +/- 10.2) pg/ml, obviously higher than that before heat-stress(P < 0.01). And there were clear statistic difference between the two groups(P < 0.01). The changing tendency of the heart rhythm is almost the same in two groups, that is, first rose and then fell. But it is without statistic difference before and two hours later(P > 0.05): before heat-stress, the average artery pressures were (13.3 +/- 0.6) kPa and (13.6 +/- 0.5) kPa, without statistic difference(P > 0.05), and two hours later, were (9.6 +/- 0.5) kPa and (8.6 +/- 0.6) kPa, with obvious statistic difference(P < 0.01). The survival time of the animals were (166.5 +/- 16.9) min and (144.5 +/- 18.2) min with obvious statistic difference(P < 0.01), the survival rate of heat stressed rats in the experimental group were obviously higher than control group(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAnisodamine can prevent endotoxemia in rats suffering heat stroke.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Body Temperature ; Endotoxemia ; prevention & control ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Heat Stress Disorders ; drug therapy ; mortality ; physiopathology ; Hot Temperature ; Rats ; Solanaceous Alkaloids ; therapeutic use ; Survival Rate