OBJECTIVE: Extension stiffness of knee joint is always treated by the quadricepsplasty, but the main deficiency of this method is that patient feels weakness of lower limb and easily kneels down. The aim of this article is to explore the method to resolve the complications after quadricepsplasty. METHODS: Since 1978 to 1997, on the basis of traditional procedures of quadricepsplasty, sartorius muscle was used to reinforce the extension of knee joint. The lower 2/3 of sartorius muscle was fully dissociated only with its insertion intact. A tendon-periosteal-bone flap, about 2 cm in width, was managed on the anterior surface of patella, with its pedicle on the medial edge of patella. The tendon-periosteal-bone flap was used to fix the dissociated sartorious into patella to reinforce the extension of knee joint. The very lower part of sartorius was mainly aponeurosis, with the help of an aponeurosis bundle of iliotibial tract, it was fixed into the insertion of patellar ligament, through a bony tunnel chiseled adjacent to the insertion of patellar ligament. By now the movement of knee joint extension was strengthened by the transferred sartorius muscle. Postoperatively, every patient was required to extend and flex knee joint actively and/or passively. Altogether 12 patients were treated, 9 of them were followed up with an average of 14 months. RESULTS: The average movement was increased from 15 degrees to 102 degrees, and the average myodynamia was improved from grade II to grade IV. CONCLUSION: Traditional quadricepsplasty co-operated with transfer of sartorius muscle can strengthen the myodynamia of knee joint extension. It is simple method and can really achieve good function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of tissue interface stiffness change on the spreading, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and to find the suitable stiffness range for stem cell differentiation. MethodsBone marrow of male Sprague Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were selected to isolate and culture BMSCs by whole bone marrow cell adherent method. The third generation BMSCs (1×105 cells/mL) were inoculated into the ordinary culture dishes covered with polyacrylamide hydrophilic gel (PA) which elastic modulus was 1, 4, 10, 40, and 80 kPa (cells seeded on PA), and ordinary culture dish (75 MPa extreme high elastic modulus) as control. Spreading of cells in different stiffness of PA was observed under light microscope. The elastic modulus values of 4, 10, and 40 kPa PA were selected as groups A, B, and C respectively; the ordinary culture dish (75 MPa extreme high elastic modulus) was used as control group (group D). Cell counts was used to detect the growth conditions of BMSCs, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) kit to detect the concentration of ALP, alizarin red staining technique to detect calcium deposition status, and real-time quatitative PCR technique to detect the expressions of bone gla protein (BGP), Runx2, and collagen type I mRNA. ResultsWith increased PA stiffness, BMSCs spreading area gradually increased, especially in 10 kPa and 40 kPa. At 1 and 2 days after culture, the growth rate showed no significant difference between groups (P > 0.05); at 3-5 days, the growth rate of groups B and C was significantly faster than that of groups A and D (P < 0.05), but difference was not statistically significant between groups A and D (P < 0.05); at 5 days, the proliferation of group C was significantly higher than that of group B (P < 0.05). ALP concentrations were (53.69±0.89), (97.30±1.57), (126.60±14.54), and (12.93±0.58) U/gprot in groups A, B, C, and D respectively; groups A, B, and C were significantly higher than group D, and group C was significantly higher than groups A and B (P < 0.05). Alizarin red staining showed that the percentages of calcium nodules was 20.07%±4.24% in group C; group C was significantly higher than groups A, B, and D (P < 0.05). The expression levels of BGP and collagen type I mRNA were significantly higher in groups A, B, and C than group D, and in group C than groups A and B (P < 0.05). The expression level of Runx2 mRNA was significantly higher in groups B and C than group D, and in group C than group B (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups A and D (P > 0.05). ConclusionPA elastic modulus of 10-40 kPa can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and the higher the stiffness, the stronger the promoting effect.
Objective To investigate effectiveness of rotator cuff repair with manipulation release and arthroscopic debridement for rotator cuff tear with shoulder stiffness. Methods A retrospectively study was performed on the data of 15 patients with rotator cuff tear combined with shoulder stiffness (stiff group) and 24 patients without stiffness (non-stiff group) between January 2014 and December 2015. The patients in the stiff group underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with manipulation release and arthroscopic debridement while the patients in the non-stiff group only received arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The patients in the stiff group were older than the patients in the non-stiff group, showing significant difference (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in gender, type of rotator cuff tear, side of rotator cuff tear, and combined with diabetes between 2 groups (P>0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and range of motion (ROM) were used to evaluate the effectiveness after operation. Results All incisions healed by first intention without any complication after operation. The patients were followed up 13-31 months in the stiff group (mean, 19.2 months) and 13-23 months in the non-stiff group (mean, 20.3 months). There was no significant difference in follow- up time between 2 groups (t=–0.573, P=0.570). The VAS score in the stiff group was higher than that in the non-stiff group before operation (t=–2.166, P=0.037); there was no significant difference between 2 groups at 3, 6, 12 months and last follow-up (P>0.05). The forward flexion and external rotation were significantly lower in the stiff group than those in the non-stiff group before operation and at 3 months after operation (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between 2 groups at 6, 12 months and last follow-up (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the internal rotation was beyond L3 level in 2 groups. The preoperative UCLA score was significant lower in the stiff group than that in the non-stiff group (P=0.037); but there was no significant difference in UCLA score at last follow-up between 2 groups (P=0.786). There was no significant difference in pre- and post-operative ASES scores between 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Satisfactory effectiveness can be achieved in the patients with rotator cuff tear combined with shoulder stiffness after rotator cuff repair with manipulation release and arthroscopic debridement, although the patients with shoulder stiffness had slower postoperative recovery of ROM until 6 months after operation.
ObjectiveAntiviral treatments could benefit chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with the regression or improvement of liver fibrosis. However, the degree of dynamic change of liver fibrosis for patients who had not received antiviral treatment remained to be studied. The current study aimed to observe the long-term variation of liver stiffness measurement (LSM), virological and biochemical response on patients without standard antiviral therapy.MethodsA total of 220 patients who were diagnosed with chronic HBV infection, who had not reached the standard of antiviral therapy, and completed a follow-up date of over 2 years in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from 2012 to 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. According to the changes of LSM in baseline and follow-up period, the patients were divided into regression group, non-progressive group, and progressive group. The virological and biochemical characteristics of each group were analyzed.ResultsAmong the 220 patients, 153 patients (69.5%) had no progress in LSM degree. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV DNA, and HBsAg in a few patients increased or slightly decreased, while the vast majority remained in a relatively stable state. 89.5% (137/153) of the non-progressive patients were in grade F0. In addition, 58 patients showed spontaneous improvement with a decreasing rate of 0.460 kPa per year. Patients with ALT of 1-2 ULN had a statistically significant decrease in LSM improvement compared to patients with normal ALT. 82.8% of the LSM-improving patients showed baseline LSM of F1-F3. Only 9 patients showed LSM deterioration, however, which could not be explained by virus replication or necroinflammatory activity. ConclusionsFor patients unsatisfying standard antiviral therapy, most patients with baseline LSM of F0 grade fail to progress, and patients with baseline LSM of F1-F3 show a decrease during follow-up, LSM progression occurs in 4.1% of patients.
Objective To systematically evaluate the association between liver stiffness and the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang, and CNKI databases for relevant literatures about the association between liver stiffness and the prognosis of HCC patients. Then we selected eligible literatures according to the including and excluding criteria, and we used Revman 5.3 software to perform statistical analysis. Results A total of 18 articles with 3 152 HCC patients were included. Meta results showed that HCC patients with higher liver stiffness had shorter recurrence free survival time [HR=1.09, 95%CI (1.04, 1.14), P<0.000 1], lower 5-year recurrence free survival rate [OR=2.67, 95%CI (2.08, 3.44), P<0.000 01], higher 5-year recurrence rate [OR=0.19, 95%CI (0.09, 0.38), P<0.000 01], shorter overall survival time [HR=2.42, 95%CI (1.45, 4.03), P=0.000 7], and lower 5-year overall survival rate [OR=2.89, 95%CI (2.18, 3.83), P<0.000 01]. Conclusion Liver stiffness measurement can predict the prognosis of HCC patients.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the level of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), internal carotid artery stiffness index, and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) with macular edema (ME). MethodsA retrospective study. A total of 202 patients with NAION diagnosed by ophthalmic examination in Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University from January 2023 to January 2025 were included in the study. Based on the presence or absence of ME, the patients were divided into the NAION+ME group and the NAION group, with 94 and 108 cases respectively. A prediction model was constructed based on the influencing factors. To comprehensively evaluate the predictive value of SDF-1 level and carotid artery stiffness index for NAION with ME, a multidimensional analytical approach was employed. The diagnostic performance of individual and combined markers was assessed by constructing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calculating the area under the curve (AUC). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine their independent predictive value. Stratified subgroup analyses were conducted to explore predictive differences across various populations. Cox proportional hazards regression models were established to evaluate long-term predictive value. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was applied to reveal potential nonlinear dose-response relationships. Mediation effect models were constructed to analyze the mediating role of carotid artery stiffness index in the association between SDF-1 level and NAION with ME. ResultsIn the NAION+ME group, systolic blood pressure (t=6.066), body mass index (t=2.804), disease duration (t=2.552), intraocular pressure (t=2.574), high-density lipoprotein (t=2.729), fasting blood glucose (t=2.022), glycosylated hemoglobin (t=7.235), SDF-1 level (t=14.319), and internal carotid artery stiffness index (t=2.633) were higher than those in the NAION group, while diastolic blood pressure was lower (P＜0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of SDF-1 level combined with internal carotid artery stiffness index in predicting the risk of adverse prognosis was 0.894 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.803-0.945], with a sensitivity of 87.98% and a specificity of 95.69%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant independent correlations between SDF-1 level (OR=1.682, 95%CI 1.156-1.986), internal carotid artery stiffness index (OR=1.826, 95%CI 1.369-2.648), and the risk of ME in NAION patients (P＜0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that elevated SDF-1 level and internal carotid artery stiffness index were associated with a higher risk of NAION with ME (Pfor trend＜0.05). RCS analysis demonstrated a nonlinear dose-response relationship between the continuous changes in SDF-1 level and internal carotid artery stiffness index and the risk of NAION with ME (P＜0.05). Mediation effect model analysis showed that internal carotid artery stiffness index played a mediating role between SDF-1 level and the risk of NAION with ME. ConclusionsSDF-1 level and internal carotid artery stiffness index are independent risk factors for ME in NAION patients. The combined detection of these two indicators holds significant value in predicting disease progression.
To investigate the influence of the preload and supporting stiffness on the hearing compensation performance of round window stimulation, a coupling finite model composed of a human ear, an actuator and a support was established. This model was constructed based on a complete set of micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) images of a healthy adult’s right ear by reverse engineering technology. The validity of the model was verified by comparing the model’s calculated results with experimental data. Based on this model, we applied different amplitude preloads on the actuator, and changed the support’s stiffness. Then, the influences of the actuator’s preload and the support’s stiffness were analyzed by comparing the corresponding displacements of the basilar membrane. The results show that after applying a preload on the actuator, its hearing compensation performance was increased at the middle and high frequencies, but was deteriorated at low frequencies; besides, compared with using the fascia as the actuator’s support in clinical practice, utilizing the titanium alloy to fabricate the support would enhance the hearing compensation performance of the round window stimulation in the whole frequency range.
ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness of open release combined with distal radius fixation hinged external fixation for the treatment of elbow stiffness.MethodsA total of 77 patients with elbow stiffness caused by trauma were enrolled in this study between October 2014 and October 2015. The patients were divided into control group (39 cases) and observation group (38 cases) by random number table method. The patients in the observation group were treated with elbow joint opening and release combined with distal radial fixation hinged external fixation, while the control group was treated with traditional release. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease causes, original damage diagnosis, the time from injury to operation, preoperative flexion and extension activity of elbow joint, and preoperative Mayo elbow joint function score between 2 groups (P>0.05). After operation, the function of elbow joint was evaluated by the flexion and extension activity of the elbow joint and the Mayo elbow joint function evaluation standard.ResultsThe incisions healed by first intention in 2 groups. In observation group, there were 1 case infection of nail tract, 2 cases ulnar nerve symptoms, 1 case elbow ossification, and 1 case moderate pain in the elbow; while in control group, there were 2 cases of infection of nail tract, 2 cases of ulnar nerve symptoms, and 3 cases moderate pain in the elbow. The patients in 2 groups were followed up 6 weeks to 12 months, with an average of 6 months. The flexion and extension activity of elbow joint and Mayo elbow joint function score at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); at last follow-up, the flexion and extension activity of elbow joint and Mayo elbow joint function score in observation group patients were significantly better than those in control group (P<0.05). According to the Mayo elbow function evaluation standard, the results were excellent in 27 cases, good in 10 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 97.4% in observation group; and the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 21 cases, fair in 4 cases, and poor in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 84.6% in control group; showing no significant difference between 2 groups (P=0.108).ConclusionOpen release combined with distal radius fixation hinged external fixation can significantly improve the elbow function of patients with traumatic elbow stiffness, its recovery of elbow function was superior to the traditional release.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive scar-forming disease with a high mortality rate that has received widespread attention. Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important part of the pulmonary fibrosis process, and changes in the biomechanical properties of lung tissue have an important impact on it. In this paper, we summarize the changes in the biomechanical microenvironment of lung tissue in IPF-EMT in recent years, and provide a systematic review on the effects of alterations in the mechanical microenvironment in pulmonary fibrosis on the process of EMT, the effects of mechanical factors on the behavior of alveolar epithelial cells in EMT and the biomechanical signaling in EMT, in order to provide new references for the research on the prevention and treatment of IPF.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release in the treatment of non-traumatic elbow stiffness. MethodsThe clinical data of 15 patients with non-traumatic elbow stiffness treated with arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release between April 2019 and September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 males and 9 females with an average age of 46 years ranging from 34 to 56 years. The causes included rheumatoid arthritis in 3 cases, gouty arthritis in 2 cases, loose bodies in 3 cases, and elbow osteoarthritis in 7 cases. There were 4 cases with ulnar neuritis and 3 cases with synovial osteochondromatosis. The duration of elbow stiffness ranged from 6 to 18 months, with an average of 10 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The effectiveness was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, range of elbow motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), Mayo score, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) elbow score. ResultsThe operation time was 60-90 minutes, with an average of 65 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 40-100 mL, with an average of 62 mL. All patients were followed up 13-18 months, with an average of 14 months. There was no complication such as vascular and nerve injury, poor wound healing, collateral ligament injury, elbow joint space narrowing, osteophyte proliferation, or loose body formation around the joint. At last follow-up, the elbow range of motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), VAS score, and Mayo score significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The HSS elbow score was 85-95, with an average of 92; 12 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. ConclusionArthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release is an effective way to treat non-traumatic elbow stiffness, which has the advantages of small trauma, short operation time, and good effectiveness. It can carry out early elbow rehabilitation training and significantly improve elbow function.