Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the combination of upper limb rehabilitation robots(ULRR)and ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave(ESW)in the treatment of mild to moderate rotator cuff injuries.Methods A total of 90 patients with mild to moderate rotator cuff injuries,who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between January 2023 and March 2024,were selected and randomly assigned to three groups:Group A(basic rehabilitation),Group B(basic rehabilitation+ESW),and Group C(basic rehabilitation+ESW+ULRR),with 30 patients in each group.Before and after treatment,shoulder pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale(VAS).Proprioception was evaluated based on shoulder joint position reproduction error.The integral electromyography(iEMG)and root mean square(RMS)values of the median tract,supraspinatus,infraspinatus,and deltoid muscles on the affected side were measured using surface electromyography(sEMG).The active range of motion(AROM)for external rotation,abduction,and forward flexion of the affected shoulder was measured using a standard goniometer.Overall shoulder function was evaluated using the Constant-Murley Shoulder Score(CMS).The clinical efficacy rate and patient satisfaction levels were compared among the three groups.Results After treatment,the VAS score and shoulder position reproduction deviation angle in all three groups significantly decreased.Additionally,the iEMG and RMS values of the middle deltoid,supraspinatus,and infraspinatus muscles;the AROM of shoulder external rotation,abduction,and forward flexion;and the CMS scores(including pain,activities of daily living,active range of motion,and muscle strength)all showed significant improvement.Furthermore,the degree of improvement in all evaluated parameters in Group C was significantly greater than that observed in Groups A and B(P<0.05).Moreover,Group C demon-strated a significantly higher clinical response rate and greater patient satisfaction compared to Groups A and B(P<0.05).Conclusion For patients with mild to moderate rotator cuff injuries,the integration of an upper limb rehabilitation robot with extracorporeal shock wave therapy demonstrates superior therapeutic outcomes,effectively alleviating pain,enhancing motor function and proprioception,and increasing overall patient satisfaction.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the combination of upper limb rehabilitation robots(ULRR)and ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave(ESW)in the treatment of mild to moderate rotator cuff injuries.Methods A total of 90 patients with mild to moderate rotator cuff injuries,who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between January 2023 and March 2024,were selected and randomly assigned to three groups:Group A(basic rehabilitation),Group B(basic rehabilitation+ESW),and Group C(basic rehabilitation+ESW+ULRR),with 30 patients in each group.Before and after treatment,shoulder pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale(VAS).Proprioception was evaluated based on shoulder joint position reproduction error.The integral electromyography(iEMG)and root mean square(RMS)values of the median tract,supraspinatus,infraspinatus,and deltoid muscles on the affected side were measured using surface electromyography(sEMG).The active range of motion(AROM)for external rotation,abduction,and forward flexion of the affected shoulder was measured using a standard goniometer.Overall shoulder function was evaluated using the Constant-Murley Shoulder Score(CMS).The clinical efficacy rate and patient satisfaction levels were compared among the three groups.Results After treatment,the VAS score and shoulder position reproduction deviation angle in all three groups significantly decreased.Additionally,the iEMG and RMS values of the middle deltoid,supraspinatus,and infraspinatus muscles;the AROM of shoulder external rotation,abduction,and forward flexion;and the CMS scores(including pain,activities of daily living,active range of motion,and muscle strength)all showed significant improvement.Furthermore,the degree of improvement in all evaluated parameters in Group C was significantly greater than that observed in Groups A and B(P<0.05).Moreover,Group C demon-strated a significantly higher clinical response rate and greater patient satisfaction compared to Groups A and B(P<0.05).Conclusion For patients with mild to moderate rotator cuff injuries,the integration of an upper limb rehabilitation robot with extracorporeal shock wave therapy demonstrates superior therapeutic outcomes,effectively alleviating pain,enhancing motor function and proprioception,and increasing overall patient satisfaction.

Objective:To explore any myogenic effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on shoulder joint contracture.Methods:Sixty-eight patients with shoulder contracture were enrolled and randomly divided into a conventional therapy group ( n=34) and an ESWT group ( n=34) for this clinical trial. The conventional therapy group received standard rehabilitation treatment, while the ESWT group received additional extracorporeal shock wave therapy. In addition, 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a blank control group, a model group, a natural recovery group, or an ESWT animal group, each of 6. All of the groups except the blank control group had contracture modeled using plaster cast immobilization of the left shoulder joint. After successful modeling, the natural recovery group was routinely raised for two weeks, while the ESWT animal group received two weeks of extracorporeal shock wave intervention. In both the clinical and animal experiments, ESWT was administered twice weekly (every Tuesday and Friday) for two consecutive weeks. Before and after the treatment, the patient groups were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, shoulder range of motion (ROM), and the root mean square (RMS) values of the surface electromyographs of the peri-shoulder muscles. Shoulder ROM was assessed in all four of the rat groups after the ESWT treatment, and histological analysis of the supraspinatus muscle was performed. Results:After the treatment, both patient groups showed significant improvements in their average VAS scores, active and passive shoulder ROM, and RMS values. On average, the ESWT group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the conventional therapy group in active forward flexion, passive forward flexion, active abduction, passive abduction, and the RMS values of the deltoid, biceps brachii, and triceps brachii muscles. After the treatment the left shoulder abduction angle had been reduced significantly in the model group (to 96.00±2.37)°, the natural recovery group (103.00±4.05)° and the ESWT animal group (121.33±4.89)° compared to the blank control group (154.50±2.35)°. Both the natural recovery group and the ESWT animal group had significantly greater shoulder abduction angles than the model group, and the ESWT animal group also demonstrated a significantly larger abduction angle than the natural recovery group. After the treatment, significant differences between the model group and the blank control group were observed in the cross-sectional area of left supraspinatus muscle fibers and the proportion of collagen. The ESWT animal group too exhibited significantly improved muscle fiber cross-sectional area and collagen proportion compared to the natural recovery group.Conclusions:Shoulder joint contracture is accompanied by significant myopathic changes (muscle atrophy and fibrosis). ESWT effectively ameliorates these problems while enhancing muscle strength and functional recovery.

Objective: To investigate the effect of intraarticular hemorrhage on extending knee joint contracture model in rats . Methods: 18 mature male SD rats were divided into 3 groups by random number table method . The control group ( group C) was not immobilized and was killed after 4 weeks of feeding . In the simple fixation group( M1 group) , the left lower limb knee joint was immobilized in straight position for 4 weeks . The blood fixationgroup (M2 group) was injected into the knee cavity with body blood and immobilized in a straight position for 4 weeks . The knee joint motion of each group was measured by the joint motion measuring instrument under a stand⁃ard torque . The contracture degree was calculated by the joint range of motion of the knee joint before and after muscles separation . HE staining and Masson staining were used to detect the number of cells and collagen deposi⁃tion in the anterior joint capsule . The protein expressions of transforming growth factor 1 (TGF⁃ β1) , wingless⁃type MMTV integration site family , member 1 ( Wnt1) and beta⁃catenin ( β⁃catenin) in the anterior articular capsule were detected by Western blotting . Results: Compared with group C , total knee contracture and arthrogenic con⁃tracture of rats in M1 and M2 groups increased , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . At the same time , the degree of total contracture and arthrogenic contracture in M2 group was higher than that in M1 group , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . Compared with group C , the number of anterior joint capsule cells and collagen deposition in M1 and M2 groups increased , and the difference was statistically sig⁃group were higher than those in M1 group , and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) . Compared with group C , the protein expressions of TGF⁃ β1 , Wnt1 and β ⁃catenin in the anterior articular capsule of rats in M1 expressions of TGF⁃ β1 , Wnt1 and β ⁃catenin in the anterior articular capsule of the knee joint in M2 group were sig⁃nificantly higher than those in M1 group , with statistical significance (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion Joint immobiliza⁃ tion can lead to joint contracture , and joint bleeding aggravates the degree of joint capsule fibrosis induced by im⁃mobilization .

Objective:To explore any myogenic effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on shoulder joint contracture.Methods:Sixty-eight patients with shoulder contracture were enrolled and randomly divided into a conventional therapy group ( n=34) and an ESWT group ( n=34) for this clinical trial. The conventional therapy group received standard rehabilitation treatment, while the ESWT group received additional extracorporeal shock wave therapy. In addition, 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a blank control group, a model group, a natural recovery group, or an ESWT animal group, each of 6. All of the groups except the blank control group had contracture modeled using plaster cast immobilization of the left shoulder joint. After successful modeling, the natural recovery group was routinely raised for two weeks, while the ESWT animal group received two weeks of extracorporeal shock wave intervention. In both the clinical and animal experiments, ESWT was administered twice weekly (every Tuesday and Friday) for two consecutive weeks. Before and after the treatment, the patient groups were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, shoulder range of motion (ROM), and the root mean square (RMS) values of the surface electromyographs of the peri-shoulder muscles. Shoulder ROM was assessed in all four of the rat groups after the ESWT treatment, and histological analysis of the supraspinatus muscle was performed. Results:After the treatment, both patient groups showed significant improvements in their average VAS scores, active and passive shoulder ROM, and RMS values. On average, the ESWT group demonstrated significantly greater improvements than the conventional therapy group in active forward flexion, passive forward flexion, active abduction, passive abduction, and the RMS values of the deltoid, biceps brachii, and triceps brachii muscles. After the treatment the left shoulder abduction angle had been reduced significantly in the model group (to 96.00±2.37)°, the natural recovery group (103.00±4.05)° and the ESWT animal group (121.33±4.89)° compared to the blank control group (154.50±2.35)°. Both the natural recovery group and the ESWT animal group had significantly greater shoulder abduction angles than the model group, and the ESWT animal group also demonstrated a significantly larger abduction angle than the natural recovery group. After the treatment, significant differences between the model group and the blank control group were observed in the cross-sectional area of left supraspinatus muscle fibers and the proportion of collagen. The ESWT animal group too exhibited significantly improved muscle fiber cross-sectional area and collagen proportion compared to the natural recovery group.Conclusions:Shoulder joint contracture is accompanied by significant myopathic changes (muscle atrophy and fibrosis). ESWT effectively ameliorates these problems while enhancing muscle strength and functional recovery.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of internal fixation maintenance after fracture-related infection (FRI).Methods:Retrospectively analyzed were the data of 81 patients with deep FRI after 6 weeks of internal fixation who had been treated with hardware maintenance at Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital Affiliated to School of Medicine, Zhejiang University between 2013 and 2021. They were 61 males and 20 females, aged from 11 to 73 years (average, 11 years). After admission, the patients received bacterial culture, thorough debridement, negative pressure suction, soft tissue repair, and local and intravenous antibiotics. If a joint was affected by FRI, its cavity was cleaned and drained. Infection control and fracture healing were regularly observed in all patients. A treatment was considered successful when the internal fixation was maintained until fracture union, and considered as unsuccessful when the internal fixation was removed before fracture union. Risk factors associated with treatment failure were identified from gender, age, smoking, diabetes, fracture type, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, methicillin-susceptible staphylococcus (MSSA) infection, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, Escherichia coli infection, infection by two kinds of bacteria, negative bacterial culture, early infection (within 2 weeks) and local use of antibiotics.Results:All patients were followed up for an average of 30 months (from 6 to 84 months). Fracture union was achieved in 62 (76.5%) patients with infection control and internal fixation retained. Masquelet technique was used to treat bone defects in 2 patients; a muscle flap or skin flap was used to reconstruct soft tissue coverage in 11 cases; fracture union was achieved by antibiotics and dressing changes in 2 patients with sinus tract. Amputation was performed in one unsuccessful case due to uncontrollable infection, and internal fixation was changed to external fixation in the other 18 unsuccessful cases, of which 3 achieved final bone union after application of Masquelet technique, 7 achieved final bone union after application of bone transfer technique, and 3 achieved soft tissue coverage after reconstruction with flap technique. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, open fractures and FRI for more than 2 weeks were high risk factors for failure in internal fixation maintenance ( P<0.05). Conclusions:If internal fixation is still stable and effective, hardware maintenance should be tried first in the patients with FRI within 6 weeks after fracture internal fixation. Muscle flap or skin flap surgery should be performed as soon as possible to effectively control infection and promote fracture union in the patients with soft tissue defects after thorough and effective debridement. History of open fracture, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, and FRI for over 2 weeks may be risk factors for failure in internal fixation maintenance.

Objective To explore the treatment methods and prognosis of early infection and delayed infection after intramedullary nail fixation.Methods Data of 22 cases of postoperative infections after intramedullary nail from January 2013 to August 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 18 males and 4 females aged from 20 to 72 years old,with an average age of 46.8 years.14 cases were tibias and 8 cases were femurs.In the early infection group,6 cases showed swelling,heat and pain in the affected area with drainage and pus.In the late infection group,12 cases showed sinus formation and 4 cases showed no sinus tract.According to whether the infection occurred within six weeks,it was divided into early infection and delayed infection groups.Of 6 patients in early infection group,there was 1 case of septic shock which underwent removal of intramedullary nails,debridement and antibiotic bone cement stick implantation.5 cases were retained intramedullary nail and underwent local debridement treatment.Late infection occurred in 16 patients.One patient with tibia infection was given partial dressing to heal the fracture.Then the intramedullary nail was removed and intramedullary debridement was performed.Two patients with poor general condition,the intramedullary nails were removed and debridement was performed.Calcium sulphate cement was implanted and fixed with external fixation.The remaining 13 cases were treated with debridement and antibiotic cement stick implantation.We compared the differences between early and late infections of internal fixation,infection control,fracture healing,and secondary fracture fixation.Results Of the 6 patients with early infection,1 patient with septic shock removed intramedullary nails to control infection.After infection controlled,the fracture was treated with intramedullary nailing.Of the 5 patients with retained intramedullary nails,2 patients' infection were controlled and 3 were uncontrolled.After removal of the intramedullary nails the infection was control.The success rate of retaining intramedullary nails was 33.3％ (2/6).Late infection occurred in 16 cases and infection was all controlled.The fractures healed in 22 patients.The fracture healing time of 6 patients with early infection was 2-6 months,with an average of 3.67±2.08 months.The fracture healing time of 16 patients with late infection was 2-4 months (average 3.2±0.79) months.Conclusion Patients with early bone infections after femoral and tibial intramedullary nail surgery may attempt debridement therapy with retained intramedullary nails,but the failure rate is high.If the intramedullary nail fails to remain,follow the treatment of patients with delayed bone infection.For patients with delayed bone infection,because the fracture has not yet healed,thorough debridement is used after the removal of internal fixation,then calcium sulfate or antibiotic bone cement stick should be implanted and fixed with external fixation.For the second phase,we may choose plate,intramedullary nail or external fixation to fix the fractures according to the soft tissue condition.All of the fixation methods could provide good fracture healing.

To analyze the mutations of F12 genein one pedigree with congenital factor FXII (FXII) deficiency , and investigatethe molecular mechanisms of FXII deficiency . Methods Activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),Prothrombin time(PT), FXII activity(FXII:C), FXII antigen(FXII:Ag) and other coagulant parameters were tested in the proband and his family members .5'and 3'UTR,all exons and their exon-intron boundaries of F12 gene were analyzed by direct sequencing .The detected mutations were confirmed by reverse sequencing .100 healthy persons were as normal controls .Results The proband showed a markedly prolonged APTT (106.4s), the FXII:C and FXII:Ag were 2.0% and 1.0%, respectively .Hissecond daughter and granddaughter had slightly prolonged APTT , and other family members are normal.The FXII:C and FXII:Ag of family members were also decreased ( his son, 23.0% and 21. 0%;his elder daughter , 23.0%and 23.0%;his second daughter ,24.0%and 23.0%;hisgranddaughter , 23.0%and 23.0%).The phenotype of all members is consistent with cross -reactive material negative . Nucleotide sequencing analysis showed that the proband had missense mutations in the F 12 gene, including one homozygous mutationc.1556T >G ( p.Leu519Arg) and a commonly reported single nucleotide polymorphism site within the promoter region of the F 12 gene (46T/T) .Sequencing results from the proband 'children demonstrate them as carriers of a heterozygous missense mutation .The proband 's wife is normal and with 46C/C in the promoter region .Conclusion The c.1556T>G in exon 13 is a novel mutation .This mutation affects FXIIcatalytic function , associated with a reduced level of FXII .

To control and prevent the Echinococcus in the place ,we established a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid detection of Echinococcus species specific DNA from dog faeces .Four primers which recognizing 6 dis-tinct regions on the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene of Echinococcus granulosus were designed and used for LAMP assay .The specificity of LAMP assay was evaluated using DNA extracted from Echinococcus granulosus , Taenia saginata , and other dog intestinal parasites .In addition ,the sensitivity of LAMP assay was compared with that of conventional PCR using recombinant plasmid carrying Echinococcus granulosus ND2 gene fragment as standard template DNA after 10-fold serial dilution .Furthermore ,we extracted DNA from 46 canine fecal samples collected from endemic areas ,and tested the copro-DNA samples using LAMP and necropsy method .Results showed that E .g ND2 primer sets could differentiate Echinococcus granulosus from Echinococcus multilocularis without cross reaction among other parasites detected .Furthermore ,the LAMP assay with primer sets to the ND2 gene could detect 4 × 101 copies of target gene ,demonstrating 103 times higher sensitivity than that of conventional PCR methods .The LAMP assay with primer set to ND2 gene showed good sensitivity and specificity to detect copro-DNA samples extracted from fecal samples of 46 dogs tested in endemic areas .There was no statistically signifi-cant difference among LAMP and necropsy .In this study ,a sensitive ,specific and rapid copro-DNA detection LAMP assay was developed successfully for diagnosis of dogs infected with Echinococcus granulosus .Due to its rapidity ,simplicity ,speci-ficity and sensitivity ,the LAMP assay is a promising new tool for rapid detection of dogs infected with Echinococcus spp .dur-ing the field survey or in poor-equipped laboratories .

Objective To explore the changes and clinical significance of serum human cartilage glycoprotein-39(HC gP39),osteopontin (OPN) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods Serum HC gP39,OPN levels were measured by ELISA in 98 patients with RA and 98 healthy controls.Serum RF was detected by nephelometric immunoassay.Results The serum HC gP39,OPN and RF levels of RA group were significantly higher than the healthy control group (t =20.25,32.71,36.34,all P ＜ 0.01),and serum HC gP39,OPN and RF levels in active phase patients were higher than the inactive phase patients (t =24.22,45.62,50.15,all P ＜0.01).The levels of serum HC gP39,OPN increased gradually with the increase of the staging severity(F =18.48,12.36,all P ＜0.05).The serum level of RF was positively correlated with the levels of HC gP39,OPN in patients with RA (r =0.682,0.656,all P ＜ 0.01),the serum level of HC gP39 was positively correlated with the level of OPN (r =0.608,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The HC gP39,OPN and RF reflect situation of RA patients and have close relationship with the clinical progression of RA,which can be used as one of important indexes to judge RA activity and different staging.