ObjectiveTo design a simple leg-sliding rehabilitation equipment for patients with lower limb dysfunction who need to exercise their leg muscles in bed at the early stage of rehabilitation. MethodsThe mechanism scheme was designed using the crank slider transmission system. The kinematic model was established and the structural dimensions were determined according to the human joint mobility, analysis and verification were then implemented; and the strutural strength of the machanism was verified, and based on the analysis, a protype was built to verify the feasibility of proposed scheme. ResultsThe range of joint activities of the proposed mechanism was in line with the normal human joint activities, the structural strength met the requirements, the prototype operated smoothly, and the actual running speed was basically consistent with the theoretical planning speed. ConclusionThis design could meet the needs of rehabilitation training for bedridden patients with lower limb dysfunction at the early stage of rehabilitation. It has the advantages of small size and light weight, which provides reference value for promoting the development of miniaturized and lightweight lower extremity rehabilitation equipment.

Objective To investigate the methods and effects in repairing fracture of the fifth metatarsal base bone with Acutrak headless compression screws.Methods From May 2006 to October 2012,75 patients with fracture of the fifth metatarsal base bone were reduced and fixed using Acutrak headless compression screws.There were 38 males and 37 females with a mean age of 36 years (range,21-65 years).Injury arose from fall from height (35 cases),road traffic accidents (23 cases),and fall of heavy objects (17 cases).Fracture of the left foot occurred in 29 cases and the right foot in 46 cases.Results were evaluated using American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and midfoot score.Results Seventy-two patients were followed up for mean 15 months (range,13 months5 years).Operative incision obtained primary healing without any complications.Mean AOFAS ankle and midfoot score increased to (93.0 ± 6.5) points (range,79-100 points) at postoperative 1 year,compared with the preoperative (28.0 ± 3.9) points (range,0-42 points) (t =7.650,P ＜ 0.05).Muscle force and valgus or abduction of mid-forefoot of the affected and unaffected sides demonstrated no significant difference after operation.Conclusion Acutrak headless compression screw system shows advantages of rigid fixation,few complications,and early healing in treatment of the fifth metatarsal base fracture.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of different cyclic strengths on expressions of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and cyclooxygenase (COX) in human tenocytes.MethodsHuman tenocytes were uniaxially stretched with different stretching intensity (4％, 8％ and 12％) under 0.5 Hz for four hours.Non-stretched tenocytes were applied to the control group.The expressions of cytosolic PLA2(cPLA2), COX1 and COX2 were measured by Western blot and RT-PCR.The secretion of secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) was measured by ELISA.Results The mRNA expressions of cPLA2, COX1 and COX2 in control group, 4％, 8％ and 12％ stretch groups showed an increase trend.But protein expressions of cPLA2 and COX1 in 4％ stretch group were increased insignificantly compared with the control group (P ＞ 0.05).Protein expressions of cPLA2 and COX1 in 8％ and 12％ stretch groups were increased more significantly compared with the control group (P ＜ 0.01).The COX2 expression in 4％,8％ and 12％ stretch groups showed statistical difference compared with that in the control group (P ＜0.01) and the difference increased with stretch intensity.There was no different expression of sPLA2 between 4％ stretch group and control group (P = 0.260).However, expression of sPLA2 was increased markedly in 8％ and 12％ stretch groups (P ＜ 0.01).ConclusionsThe expressions of human tendnocytes PLA2, COX1 and COX2 in vitro are positively correlated with stretch intensity.PLA2/COX system may be a new molecule target in clinical treatment of tendinopathy.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical results of minimally invasive ankle arthrodesis with percutaneous cannulated screws.MethodsBetween April 2005 and October 2010, 12 patients with the ankle arthrodesis for unilateral severe arthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence class Ⅲ) were prospectively analyzed, including 2 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, 8 cases of post-traumatic arthritis, and 2 cases of osteoarthritis. There were 7 males and 5 females with an average age of 42.0 years(range, 25-7 1). The average disease duration was 7.3 years (range, 1-21). The anterior median incision of 3.0-5.0 cm was made to explore the ankle joint.The cartilage of tibial-talus joint was completely debrided. Two guide pins were inserted from posterosuperior to anteroinferior, and cannulated screws were implanted to fix ankle joint. All patients were physically examined with an extended protocol of questionnaires and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle and Hindfoot Scales. Ankle fusion in all patients was evaluated by clinical examination, and conventional radiography including anterior-posterior, lateral and mortise views of the ankle. ResultsAll 12 patients were followed up postoperatively for an average of 21.5 months(range, 6-55), and were proved be bone union by clinical examination and radiology with a mean of 13.5 weeks (range, 9-21). The AOFAS rating scale improved from a mean of 42.8±8.6 points at pre-operation to a mean of 66.6±5.4 points at post-operation 6 months,showing significant difference(t=-3.075, P=O.012), and to a mean of 72.3±4.6 at the final follow-up, also showing significant difference with pre-operation (t=-8.595, P=-0.006). There was no infection,local skin necrosis, screw loosing, and so on. ConclusionThe minimally invasive ankle arthrodesis with percutaneous cannulated scews is a recommend procedure, with mini-invasion, short surgery time, high fusion rate, good clinical outcomes, few complications.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical results of peroneal tendon insertion and reconstruction with suture anchors in the treatment of avulsion fractures of the fifth metatarsal base.Methods Five patients (three males and two females) with the fifth metatarsal base fractures were in zone 1, with average seven days of duration before surgery. The result of radiological examination confirmed that all fractures were in zone 1 of the fifth metatarsal base, with some small, comminuted and obviously displaced pieces. After removal of the small comminuted fracture pieces, the peroneal tendon insertion was dissociated and sutured to the fifth metatarsal base by suture anchors (5 mm in diameter) with line. The feet were immobilized by plaster in the vagus position. The patients began to walk with weightbearing six weeks after operation. Results All patients were followed up for at least six months, which showed no deformity of the feet. The function of forefoot valgus and abduction restored to normal. There was no any loss in muscle force compared with the normal side. Conclusions Peroneal tendon insertion and reconstruction by suture anchors is very helpful to solve the problem in the fixation of the small fracture fragments. The function of the peroneal tendon recovers very well. The surgery has the advantages of easy manipulation and small area of dissection, without requirement of secondary surgery.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcome of arthroscopic percutaneous cannulated screw fixation with subtalar fusion in the treatment of post-traumatic subtalar arthritis. Methods The study involved 12 patients (five males and seven females) with severe post-traumatic subtalar arthritis admitted to our hospital from April 2006 to December 2009. The patients were at age range of 28-68 years ( mean 45.6 years). All patients had the history of conservative treatment but failed in pain alleviation.Then, the percutaneous cannulated screw fixation plus subtalar fusion was selected. The ande and hind foot of all patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system. Imaging assessment was carried out by X-ray examination.Results The patients were followed up for mean 21.2 months (range 6-48 months), which showed thatthe mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale was increased from (54.67 ± 5.28 ) points (range 43-61 points)preoperatively to (89.17 ±3.56) points (range 78-95 points) at final follow-up, with excellence rate of 93%. Eleven patients got good fusion with the mean time of 12.4 weeks (range 9-15 weeks). Only one patient had nonunion, with the pain in the lateral malleolus. The subtalar joint of the patient got union after plaster immobilization for three months, which was proved by X-ray examination. Conclusions The arthroscopic percutaneous cannulated screw fixation and subtalar fusion can acquire good clinical outcomes and hence is a recommended procedure for post-traumatic subtalar arthritis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pharmacokinetics profile of fangchinoline and tetrandrine in rats after administration of single compound and mixture with other intergradient in traditional prescription.

METHODA method for determination of fangchinoline and tetrandrine in rat plasma by using HPLC-MS has been developed and validated. The pharmacokinetics of two compounds and two compounds in the effective component group (ECG) of Xiaoxuming decoction were compared.

RESULTCompared with the single dose of compound experiment results, the t(max) of fangchinoline and tetrandrine were longer than those in the single dose of ECG experiment. At the meanwhile the rest parameter showed no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONOther components in the ECG of Xiaoxuming decoction delayed the absorption rate of fangchinoline and tetrandrine, the bioavailability of two compounds were the same as that of the single dose of compound experiment.

Animals ; Benzylisoquinolines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar