Effects of anteriorly-loaded treadmill walking on dynamic gait stability in young adults

BackgroundAnteriorly-loaded walking is common in many occupations and may increase fall risk. Dynamic gait stability, defined by the Feasible Stability Region (FSR) theory, quantifies the kinematic relationship between the body’s center of mass (COM) and base of support (BOS). FSR-based dynamic gait stability has been used to evaluate the fall risk.Research questionHow does front load carriage affect dynamic gait stability, step length, and trunk angle among young adults during treadmill walking?MethodsIn this between-subject design study, 30 healthy young adults were evenly randomized into three load groups (0%, 10%, or 20% of body weight). Participants carried their assigned load while walking on a treadmill at a speed of 1.2 m/s. Body kinematics were collected during treadmill walking. Dynamic gait stability (the primary variable) was calculated for two gait events: touchdown and liftoff. Step length and trunk angle were measured as secondary variables. One-way analysis of variance was conducted to detect any group-related differences for all variables. Post-hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction was performed when main group differences were found.ResultsNo significant differences but medium to large effect sizes were found between groups for dynamic gait stability at touchdown (p = 0.194, η² = 0.114) and liftoff (p = 0.122, η² = 0.139). Trunk angle significantly increased (indicating backward lean) with the front load at touchdown (p < 0.001, η² = 0.648) and liftoff (p < 0.001, η² = 0.543). No significant between-group difference was found related to the step length (p = 0.344, η² = 0.076).SignificanceCarrying a front load during walking significantly alters the trunk orientation and may change the COM-BOS kinematic relationship and, therefore, fall risk. The findings could inform the design of future studies focusing on the impact of anterior load carriage on fall risk during different locomotion.     

甲状腺乳头状癌前上纵隔淋巴结转移临床病理特征初步分析

目的 探讨肿瘤位置、最大直径及甲状腺外浸等临床病理特征与甲状腺癌前上纵隔淋巴结转移的关系。 方法 研究分析初次手术治疗的60例甲状腺乳头状癌患者临床及病理资料,运用检验临床病理特征与前上纵隔淋巴结阳性率的相关性。 结果 肿块位置、最大直径、数量、腺体外侵、受累腺叶数及Ⅵ区淋巴结转移等特征,以及患者年龄等相关因素中,只有VI区淋巴结对前上纵隔淋巴结状态有影响;60例患者前上纵隔淋巴结转移率为10/60(16.67%)。相关因素的前上纵隔淋巴结转移率对比:≥55岁vs <55岁(20% vs 16.36%, P<0.05);肿块位于下极 vs 上极 vs 中极(P>0.05);最大直径≥1.5 cm vs 最大直径<1.5 cm(18.18% vs 15.79, P>0.05);单灶 vs 多灶(21.88% vs 10.71%, P>0.05);单叶 vs 多叶(17.5% vs 15%, P>0.05);男性vs女性(20% vs 15.55%, P>0.05); Ⅵ区淋巴结阳性vs 阴性(24.43% vs 3.57%, P<0.05); 结论 总体来说,甲状腺乳头状癌前上纵隔淋巴结转移率较低。本研究发现VI区淋巴结状态可能与前上纵隔淋巴结转移相关,未来仍需大样本前瞻性的研究验证。     

Anatomically contoured large femoral heads can reduce iliopsoas impingement: A cadaver verification study

While use of large heads in total hip arthroplasty (THA) continues to grow, concerns have been raised regarding anterior hip pain resulting from impingement of the prosthetic head against soft-tissues like the iliopsoas. To address these concerns, a new anatomically contoured head (ACH) was developed. In this study cadaver tests were utilized to show that iliopsoas impingement/tenting caused by conventional heads is significantly relieved with the more rounded and reduced distal profile of the ACH. Thus, the ACH implant may be able to decrease the risk of soft-tissue impingement with conventional heads, particularly in the smaller hip.     

髌周去神经化预防全膝关节置换术后膝前疼痛

目的　依据髌周解剖学特点，探讨全膝关节置换术（total knee arthroplasty，TKA）中应用髌周电灼去神经化的临床效果。 方法　纳入82名诊断为骨性关节炎的患者（91膝），予行双侧或单侧不置换髌骨的TKA，按随机对照原则将病人分为两组，共有41名实验组患者（45膝）在TKA中接受了髌周去神经化处理，41名对照组患者（46膝）未做该处理。手术主刀为同一骨科医师，均使用相同的膝关节假体系统。主要评价项目包括膝关节KSS评分、Western Ontario and McMaster Universities（WOMAC）、Feller髌骨评分及VAS评分。 结果　82名患者术后均获随访，平均随访时间为12个月，两组病人的膝关节KSS评分、WOMAC、Feller髌骨评分及VAS评分均无显著统计学差异（P>0.05）。 结论　在TKA中行髌周电灼去神经化，不能显著改善病人的预后。     

Fetal anterior abdominal wall thickness between gestational diabetes and normal pregnant women

ObjectivesTo compare fetal anterior abdominal wall thickness (AAWT) between women with and without GDM during third trimester and to determine accuracy of AAWT to predict large for gestational age (LGA) infants.Materials and methodsA total of 250 pregnant women, including 125 women with GDM and 125 women without GDM, were enrolled. Tansabdominal ultrasonographic examinations were performed at 28–30, 32–34 and 36–38 weeks. In addition to standard fetal biometries, AAWT was measured. Patient characteristics and ultrasonographic measurements were compared between groups. Sensitivity and specificity of AAWT for identifying LGA were evaluated.ResultsWhile standard fetal biometries were comparable, mean fetal AAWT in GDM women were significantly higher than those without GDM at 28–30 weeks (2.8 ± 0.8 vs. 2.6 ± 0.6, p = 0.006) and 32–34 weeks (4.0 ± 0.9 vs. 3.5 ± 0.8, p = 0.042). LGA infants had significantly higher fetal AAWT at each time point only in GDM women. Using cut off values of AAWT of ≥2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 mm at 28–30, 32–34, and 36–38 weeks, sensitivity for LGA diagnosis in GDM women were 94.4%, 93.9%, and 89.3%, respectively. The use of abdominal circumference (AC) at >90th percentile showed lower sensitivity but higher specificity, regardless of GDM status. Combination of both measurements increased sensitivity to approximately 90% or higher in every time point, especially among GDM women.ConclusionSignificant increase in fetal AAWT was observed in GDM women at 28–30 and 32–34 weeks. Fetal AAWT significantly increased among LGA infants and had higher sensitivity than AC in identifying LGA during third trimester. In GDM women at 28–30 weeks, AAWT ≥2.0 mm and AC >90th percentile had 97.2% sensitivity for LGA diagnosis.