BACKGROUND:Kinesio taping is commonly used,but there is a lack of rigorous and scientific research,especially in biomechanics and exercise.OBJECTIVE:To overview the biomechanics characteristics of the ankle joint after treatment with kinesio taping,and to summarize the biomechanics difference in kinematics,kinetics,and electromyography of the ankle joint between non-kinesio and kinesio taping.METHODS:Ovid Medline,Elsevier SDOL,PubMed and CNKI databases were retrieved for the Chinese and English literatures concerning the biomechanics and exercise performance of kinesio taping published before December 2015.Subsequently,all literatures were classified according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Most of literatures support the viewpoint that kinesio taping can improve ankle joint stability,increase the arch height and decrease the external load of key muscles of the ankles and feet.Some studies have suggested that during landing,kinesio taping shortened the duration of the peak of support reaction forces,reduced the flexion force,and increased the loading rate of lower extremities,thereby resulting in an increased risk for injury.Other studies have shown that kinesio taping increases the recruitment of motor units and changes the order of neuromuscular contraction,but it cannot improve the athletic performance,and even decrease the athletic performance in most cases.Whether kinesio taping improves muscular force,increases the muscular performance,and increases the power of lower extremities is under discussion;hence,in-depth studies are needed in the future.

BACKGROUND: Downhill running has been found to cause a significant change in the stiffness of the support leg, thus affecting the magnitude and speed of the center of pressure travel. If the stiffness cannot effectively adjust the impact of exercise, sport performance will be weakened and even induce sport injuries. OBJECTIVE: To understand the stiffness to be as the mechanical parameters of human movement, and to assess the mechanisms underlying musculoskeletal system regulating stiffness. METHODS: Medline and CNKI databases were retrieved for relevant articles using the keywords of "landing, spring-mass model, stiffness, human body movement" in English and Chinese, respectively. The stiffness model, stiffness assessment, as well as the role of stiffness during human movement and its influencing factors were reviewed, thereby revealing the significance of stiffness during human movement. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: When the human body interacts with the ground, the visual information is different, and the neuromuscular system generates coordinated control to arrange appropriate muscle activity of the lower extremities, such as stiffness regulation. The movement settings, working condition, and individual factors all make effects on the stiffness during human movement, and the stiffness efficacy can be controlled by changing the dynamic and kinematic parameters during movement. Appropriate adjustment of the stiffness can promote the human movement performance, and avoid or reduce sport injuries. Running and jumping are the indispensable movements, and taking off is the key step during jumping action, and the stiffness control during taking off action combined with sports skills can improve the sport performance. These results indicate that the vertical stiffness and leg stiffness will be changed with the human actions, accompanied with changes in the stiffness of hip, knee, and ankle joints. In addition, the spring-mass model is helpful for understanding the movement performance and preventing exercise injuries.

AIM:To predict and identify an HLA-A3 supertype-restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocyte(CTL) epitope derived from MAGEC2,which is utility in epitope design for the development of HLA-based vaccines and immuno-therapeutics.METHODS:HLA-A3 epitopes from MAGEC2 protein were predicted by BIMAS, SYFPEITHI and IEDB. The binding affinity of the peptides to HLA-A*03 molecule was evaluated by T2A3 cell binding assay.ELISPOT assay was used to investigate the ability of the peptides inducing specific restricted CTLs to release interferon -γ(IFN-γ).The ability of the peptides to induce T-cell response was investigated by cytotoxicity assay in vitro.RESULTS:The candidate peptides P147,P167, P196, P229 and P251 showed moderate affinity toward HLA-A3 molecule.ELISPOT assay showed that P167,P196 and P251 were able to induce specific CTLs and higher levels of IFN-γwere released.The CTLs induced by P196 and P251 were able to lyse target cells.CONCLUSION:The peptides P196 and P251 have higher binding affinity with HLA-A3 and retain immunogenicity.They are excellent HLA-A3-restricted CTL epitopes from tumor antigen MA-GEC2,which could serve as new candidates towards antitumor peptide vaccines.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of secreted interferon in treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSA multi-center randomized open-label controlled clinical trial was carried out. The patients of the study group were treated by secretory human interferon alpha-2a, and the patients of the control group were treated with an ordinary interferon.

RESULTSALT normalization rate in the secreted interferon group was 48.3% and it was higher at the end of treatment than that of the control group, but there was no difference between the two groups at the end of the follow-up. HBV DNA dropped more in the study drug group, but there was no difference in the normalization rate between the two groups. HBeAg seroconversions in secreted interferon group and in the control interferon group were 19.0% and 18.4% respectively. The safety of the two types of interferon was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSSecreted interferon was superior to ordinary interferon in ALT normalization and HBV DNA drop at the end of treatment in chronic hepatitis B patients, but there was no difference at the end of the follow-up. There was also no difference in HBeAg negative and HBeAg seroconversion between the two groups.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B virus ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Proteins ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) has been widely used on clinic; however, there are still few reports addressing rhBMP-2-induced osteogenesis in intervertebral disc.OBJECTIVE: To verify the effect of rhBMP-2 to induce interbody fusion in rabbits.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Randomized controlled animal study and multi-level evaluation, which was performed in Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University from February to July 2007.MATERIALS: 24 adult New-Zealand rabbits weighing 3.5-4.5 kg were used to expose L4-5 and L5-6 intervertebral disc; rhBMP-2 (1 mg/ampoule, purity≥95%) was provided by Beijing Bailingke Biological Products Co., Ltd.METHODS: 24 rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group and control group with 12 rabbits for each. In the experimental group, saline (20 μL, containing 200 μg rhBMP-2) was injected into nucleus pulposus of L4-5 intervertebral disc; equivalent saline was inserted into nucleus pulposus of L5-6 intervertebral disc as controls. Rabbits in the control group were injected with saline (20 μL) into nucleus pulposus of L4-5 intervertebral disc.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphological changes of injected segments were observed by hand-feeling check together with histological and imaging tests at 10, 30, 60, and 90 days postoperatively.RESULTS: 24 rabbits were included in the final analysis. ①In the experimental group, the motion range of L4-5 segment was not limited at 10 days postoperatively, and lightly limited at 30 days, but severely limited at 60 days postoperatively; L4-5 segment was fixed tightly at 90 days postoperatively. Moreover, motion range of L5-6,segment and articular motion range in the control group were not changed remarkably. ② L4-5 interbedy space was narrowed at 10 days or even disappeared at 90 days postoperatively, and then osteogenesis fusion was formed. Transmittance of intervertebral space in the L5-6 segment and in the control group was not changed obviously. ③ Nucleus pulposus was gradually shrunk at 10 days postoperatively; partial cartilage endplate transformed into mature woven bone, and collagen fiber structure of annulus fibrosus gradually disappeared at 90 days postoperatively. A lot of mesenchymal cells were aggregated surrounding annulus fibrosus at 10 and 30 days postoperatively. Moreover, mature woven bone was formed in annulus fibrosus near to cartilage endplate at 90 days postoperatively. However, histological and morphological changes were not found in the control group at those four time points.CONCLUSION: rhBMP-2 can induce intervertebral disc osteogenesis so as to achieve interbody fusion.

Objective To present our initial experience in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy performed through an umbilical incision using a home-made multichannel port. Methods From August 2009 to March 2010, we performed single-port laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in 11 patients with localized prostate cancer. A home-made multichannel port was inserted extraperitoneally through a 3-cm umbilical incision. The single port extraperitoneal procedures included obturator fossa lymphadenectomy, radical prostatectomy and urethro-vesical anastomosis, while the urethro-vesical anastomosis was performed by a slip-knot running suture technique. Data were collected and analyzed prospectively. Results All cases were completed successfully, without conversion to a standard laparoscopic approach or open surgery except adding an additional port in one case. The average operative time was 256 minutes (range195-315), and the mean blood loss was 90 ml (range 20- 180), without any blood transfusion. The postoperative hospital stay was 15.4 days (range13- 24), and the Foley catheter was removed 12 days after surgery. No intraoperative complications occurred. One patient developed a vesico-rethralanastomosis leakage, 2 had lymphatic leakage and 1 had urinary tract infection,all of the cases were managed successfully with conservative treatment. Histopathological results showed negative surgical margine and negative lymph node dissection. All patients had no biochemical relapse after an average follow-up of 7 months. Conclusions Single-port laparoscopic radical prosta tectomy is feasible, cosmetic and minimally invasive with a low complication rate and good short-term outcome. Additional investigation is needed to evaluate the long-term safety and oncologic adequacy of this new approach.

BACKGROUNDAlthough the computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) have been well documented, the consecutive imaging changes of this disease in each PNM stage (parasite lesion, neighboring organ invasion, metastases) were not described accurately. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between imaging type and PNM stage and diameter of AE lesions, and to explore the development features of this disease.

METHODSA total of 87 patients with AE were examined using CT and MRI before medical management. Imaging features including the maximum diameter, calcification pattern, and imaging type of lesion were retrospectively assessed. The correlation of imaging type with PNM stage, diameter and calcification pattern was analyzed.

RESULTSLesions (n=111) in 87 patients were divided into three types based on imaging characteristics; solid type (33.3%, 37/111, a solid lesion without liquid necrosis or only small patches of necrosis), mixed type (41.4%, 46/111, solid component surrounding large and/or irregular liquid necrosis area), and pseudo-cystic type (25.2%, 28/111, large cyst without visible solid component). Lesion calcification in the alveolar echinococcosis was categorized into three patterns; mild calcification (45.1%, 50/111, i.e. inconspicuous calcification or punctuate scattered calcification), moderate calcification (46.8%, 52/111, coastline calcification located at the periphery of the lesion, with or without the central dot-calcification) and abundant calcification (8.1%, 9/111, large calcified deposits). Significant differences were found between pseudo-cystic type and other two types in PNM stage, maximum diameter and calcification (P <0.05), but there was no significant difference between solid type and mixed type in those mentioned aspects (P >0.05). No correlation was observed between calcification patterns and maximum diameter (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSolid and mixed type lesions showed some similarities during the course of the disease and accounted for the major form of advanced AE. Pseudo-cystic type represented neither earlier nor advanced stage of AE, but a special presentation during AE development.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Echinococcosis, Hepatic ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Objective To clone and sequence the cysteine protease inhibitor gene of periodic Brugia malayi(BmCPI) and predict B-cell epitopes in amino acide sequence of BmCPI in order to provide basis for further study the expression of BmCPI and its function. Methods Total RNA was extracted from periodic Brugia malayi.A couple of specific primers were designed on the basis of known sequences of cysteine protease inhibitor gene from BmCPI. The desired gene was amplified by PCR technique from cDNA. The PCR products were purified and cloned into plasmid pGEM-T by T-A cloning method, transformed into Escherichia coli(E, coli) strain DH5α. The recombinant plasmids were screened and identified by digestion with restriction enzyme and PCR amplification. Five parameters and methods were used to predict B-cell epitopes in amino acide sequence of BmCPI. Results For RT-PCR, a specific band of around 621 bp was amplified. The same band was obtained by double restriction of recombinant plasmids or PCR using recombinant plasmid as template. The result of DNA sequencing showed that BmCPI shares 99% nucleotide sequence identity with that of published sequence. It showed that B-cell epitopes were probably at or adjacent to 23 - 32, 50 - 79 and 117 - 126 in its amino acide sequence. Conclusions pGEM-BmCPI is successfully constructed and sequenced, anticipated objective is reached and conditions is provided for further study of BmCPI expression and its function.

Objectives To explore the characteristics of status and different populations of prehospital death associated with acute coronary events among young adults in Beijing.Methods Data of acute coronary events of hospitalization or death were obtained from the Hospital Discharge Information System from Beijing Public Health Information Center and Death Register System from Beijing Center for Disease Control in Beijing.The total case fatality rate of acute coronary events and proportion of prehospital coronary heart disease (CHD) death were compared upon gender,area,occupation and marital status among people aged between 25-45 years old.Results A total of 3489 cases were identified during 2007 to 2009 with acute coronary events ( male:3183,female:306),with a mean age of (40.5 ± 4.3 ) years old.The 3-years' overall mortality was 26.0％,with female's higher than male's (51.0％ vs 23.6 ％,P ＜ 0.05 ) ; and it was higher in rural area than in urban areas (28.9％ vs 22.9％,P ＜0.05).Ninety-five percent of death due to acute coronary events occurred prehospital,with the proportion of 95.2％ in male and 94.2％ in female. Among the people with different occupations, self-employed people had the highest rate of prehospital death.Majority of prehospital deaths (64.8％ ) occurred at home.Conclusion More than 90％ of deaths caused by acute coronary events among young adults aged between 25-45 years old occurred before been admitted into hospital,and the site of prehospital deaths was mainly at home.

It is an important morphological research method to reconstruct the 3D imaging from serial section tissue images. Registration of serial images is a key step to 3D reconstruction. Firstly, an introduction to the segmentation-counting registration algorithm is presented, which is based on the joint histogram. After thresholding of the two images to be registered, the criterion function is defined as counting in a specific region of the joint histogram, which greatly speeds up the alignment process. Then, the method is used to conduct the serial tissue image matching task, and lies a solid foundation for 3D rendering. Finally, preliminary surface rendering results are presented.
Algorithms ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Microtomy ; methods