In Vivo Kinematics of Functional Ankle Instability Patients and Lateral Ankle Sprain Copers During Stair Descent

Patients with mechanic ankle instability experience increased tibiotalar and subtalar joint laxity. However, in vivo joint kinematics in functional ankle instability (FAI) patients and lateral ankle sprain (LAS) copers, especially during dynamic activities, are poorly understood. Ten FAI patients, 10 LAS copers, and 10 healthy controls were included in this study. A dual fluoroscopic imaging system was used to analyze the tibiotalar and subtalar joint kinematics during stair descent. Five key poses of stair descent were analyzed. Kinematic data from six degrees of freedom were calculated utilizing a solid modeling software. The range of motion and joint positions in each degree of freedom were compared among the three groups. The tibiotalar joints of FAI patients and LAS copers were significantly more inverted than those of healthy controls during the foot strike (p = 0.016, = 0.264). The subtalar joints of FAI patients were significantly more anteriorly translated (pose 2, p = 0.003, = 0.352; pose 3, p < 0.001, = 0.454; pose 4, p = 0.004, = 0.334), inverted (pose 4, p = 0.027, = 0.234; pose 5,p = 0.034, = 0.221), and externally rotated (pose 4, p = 0.037, = 0.217; pose 5; p = 0.004, = 0.331) than those of healthy controls during the mid‐stance and the heel off. The FAI patients showed excessive tibiotalar inversion and subtalar joint hypermobility during stair descent. Meanwhile, the LAS copers maintained subtalar joint stability, and only showed excessive tibiotalar inversion in foot strike. These data provide insight into the mechanisms behind the development of FAI after initial LAS. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1860–1867, 2019     

The effect of optical design on micromanipulator spot size using CO2 laser irradiation

Objective: The study goal was to compare the laser spot size created using reflective and refractive micromanipulators with a CO₂ laser and to determine the sensitivity of spot size to laser power. Study Design and Setting: A CO₂ laser and operating microscope (400-mm focal length) was coupled to either a reflective (Cassegrain-like) or refractive micromanipulator. Laser spot size was determined by measuring the region of ablation created by laser irradiation of wood (dry tongue depressors), exposed photographic film, and agar gel using optical micrometry. Laser power varied from 0.5 to 20 W with pulse durations of 0.1 and 0.5 second. Results: The reflective micromanipulator demonstrated overall smaller spot sizes for a given laser power and lower incremental change in spot size with increasing power. The reflective design demonstrated less sensitivity to increases in laser power. Conclusions: Micromanipulator optical design can result in significant differences in laser spot size. The reflective device used in this study demonstrated less sensitivity to increasing laser power. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;126:593-597.)     

Nerve growth factor and tyrosine kinase A in human salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma: expression patterns and effects on in vitro invasive behavior.

PURPOSE: Perineural invasion is a frequent occurrence in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and may prevent complete surgical resection. Studies have indicated that nerve growth factor (NGF) and its high-affinity receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) may play a role in perineural invasion in several malignancies in which perineural invasion is observed. The present study was conducted to investigate the expression of NGF and TrkA in salivary ACC and to examine the effects of NGF on adhesion, migration and invasion capacities of a salivary ACC cell line (SACC-83) in vitro. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression of NGF and TrkA was explored using immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded tissues of 32 cases of salivary ACC. The effects of NGF on in vitro adhesion, migration, and invasion capacities of the SACC-83 cell line were examined using an MTT assay and a modified Boyden chamber assay respectively. RESULTS: In ACC specimens, 31 (96.9%) and 32 (100%) tumors showed immunoreactivity for NGF and TrkA respectively. Significant correlations were found between NGF/TrkA expression levels and perineural invasion (P < .05). In cell adhesion assay, the percent adherences of SACC-83 cells co-cultured with 25 ng/ml NGF at 1.5 hours and 5, 25 ng/ml NGF at 6 hours were significantly higher than that co-cultured with 0 ng/ml NGF (P < .05). However, high concentration of NGF (500 ng/ml) resulted in a significant inhibition of invasion (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Overexpression of NGF and TrkA in human salivary ACC tissues may constitute a reason for perineural invasion in salivary ACC.     

The epidemiology and surveillance of blood lead in Taiwan (R.O.C.): A report on the PRESS-BLL project

 To monitor the lead hazards in industries and to investigate the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in lead-exposed workers, a lead surveillance system (PRESS-BLLs) has been established and operated in Taiwan, Republic of China, since July 1993. A cohort of lead-exposed workers who received a periodic annual health examination at 55 accredited hospital laboratories was constructed. A total of 9807 separate BLL measurements were reported to the system in 1994. The mean BLL was 15.8 μg/dl in male workers and 11.6 μg/dl in female workers. The mean BLL of lead-exposed workers was significantly (P<0.05, z-test) higher than that of the general Taiwanese population (8.6 μg/dl for males and 6.7 μg/dl for females). In addition, the BLLs of 983 (10.0%) workers exceeded the regulatory action level (40 μg/dl for males; 30 μg/dl for females). The workplaces and homes of 57% of the workers with elevated BLLs were thoroughly investigated to determine the sources of lead contamination. These actions identified the causes of elevated BLLs and set up strategies to reduce workers’ lead exposure. The establishment of this occupational lead surveillance system represents a method for monitoring of lead hazards from occupational and environmental settings to prevent lead poisoning. The information acquired from the system can help in the setting up of a priority of prevention and the development of control measures. It is also useful for further monitoring of changes in the BLLs of the lead-exposed-worker cohort. The Health Department of Taiwan can use this information to evaluate the effectiveness of current industrial hygiene practice. Subjects with elevated BLLs have been medically treated and placed on long-term follow-up for sequelae. Received: 2 September 1996/Accepted: 29 November 1996     

血管内氧合器的研制

为了探索呼吸辅助的新方法，我们采用国产聚丙烯中空纤维，自行设计、制造模具，研制出一种血管内氧合器。该氧合器是一个小的、细长的可经单侧股静脉或颈静脉切开，置入腔静脉内的装置。氧合器有效长度４０ｃｍ，膜交换面积０．０９ｍ＾２。经负压调节通过血管内氧合器的氧流量，以防止纤维破裂造成的血管内气栓的危险。一根双腔导气管使气体经同一静脉切开部位循环，气体经内芯管流经血管内氧合器尖端，然后经中空纤维束流出。目前     

老年2型糖尿病患者胰岛素抵抗相关指标的检测和意义

目的:探讨老年2型糖尿病胰岛素抵抗(IR)及其相关性,为老年2型糖尿病的合理防治提供临床依据。方法:选择120例老年2型糖尿病患者,按胰岛素敏感指数(HOMA)胰岛素抵抗(HOMA-IR)50百分位点将患者分为两组:胰岛素相对敏感组(HOMA-IR<3.56)和胰岛素相对抵抗组(HOMA-IR≥3.56),比较体重指数(BMI)、腰/臀比(WHR)、血压、血生化学检查等指标。用年龄>40岁,<60岁的2型糖尿病患者做对照组。结果:两组老年患者在年龄、性别、舒张压、空腹血糖、胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白、糖化血红蛋白、HOMA胰岛β细胞功能方面无差异;但BMI、WHR、收缩压、甘油三脂、空腹胰岛素、HOMA-IR差异具有显著性。多线性回归分析后,只有腰/臀比、收缩压、甘油三脂、HOMA-IR存在统计学差异。老年患者与对照组相比,IR发生率明显增加,且两者腰/臀比、收缩压、甘油三脂方面也差异显著。结论:IR与老年2型糖尿病密切相关,是临床防治糖尿病的重要靶点。