Mathematical three-dimensional solid modeling of biventricular geometry

The characterization of regional myocardial stress distribution has been limited by the use of idealized mathematical representations of biventricular geometry. State-of-the-art computer-aided design and engineering (CAD/CAE) techniques can be used to create complete, unambiguous mathematical representations (solid models) of complex object geometry that are suitable for a variety of applications, including stress-strain analyses. We have used advanced CAD/CAE software to create a 3-D solid model of the biventricular unit using planar geometric data extracted from anex vivo canine heart. Volumetric analysis revealed global volume errors of 4.7%, −1.3%, −1.6%, and −1.1% for the left ventricular cavity, right ventricular cavity, myocardial wall, and total enclosed volumes, respectively. Model errors for 34 in-plane area and circumference determinations (mean ±SD) were 5.3±6.7% and 3.8±2.7%. Error analysis suggested that model volume errors may be due to operator variability. These results demonstrate that solid modeling of theex vivo biventricular unit yields an accurate mathematical representation of myocardial geometry which is suitable for meshing and subsequent finite element analysis. The use of CAD/CAE solid modeling in the representation of biventricular geometry may thereby facilitate the characterization of regional myocardial stress distribution.     

Predicting Skull Loading: Applying Multibody Dynamics Analysis to a Macaque Skull

Evaluating stress and strain fields in anatomical structures is a way to test hypotheses that relate specific features of facial and skeletal morphology to mechanical loading. Engineering techniques such as finite element analysis are now commonly used to calculate stress and strain fields, but if we are to fully accept these methods we must be confident that the applied loading regimens are reasonable. Multibody dynamics analysis (MDA) is a relatively new three dimensional computer modeling technique that can be used to apply varying muscle forces to predict joint and bite forces during static and dynamic motions. The method ensures that equilibrium of the structure is maintained at all times, even for complex statically indeterminate problems, eliminating nonphysiological constraint conditions often seen with other approaches. This study describes the novel use of MDA to investigate the influence of different muscle representations on a macaque skull model (Macaca fascicularis), where muscle groups were represented by either a single, multiple, or wrapped muscle fibers. The impact of varying muscle representation on stress fields was assessed through additional finite element simulations. The MDA models highlighted that muscle forces varied with gape and that forces within individual muscle groups also varied; for example, the anterior strands of the superficial masseter were loaded to a greater extent than the posterior strands. The direction of the muscle force was altered when temporalis muscle wrapping was modeled, and was coupled with compressive contact forces applied to the frontal, parietal and temporal bones of the cranium during biting. Anat Rec, 291:491–501, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Combined finite element and multibody dynamics analysis of biting in a Uromastyx hardwickii lizard skull

Lizard skulls vary greatly in shape and construction, and radical changes in skull form during evolution have made this an intriguing subject of research. The mechanics of feeding have surely been affected by this change in skull form, but whether this is the driving force behind the change is the underlying question that we are aiming to address in a programme of research. Here we have implemented a combined finite element analysis (FEA) and multibody dynamics analysis (MDA) to assess skull biomechanics during biting. A skull of Uromastyx hardwickii was assessed in the present study, where loading data (such as muscle force, bite force and joint reaction) for a biting cycle were obtained from an MDA and applied to load a finite element model. Fifty load steps corresponding to bilateral biting towards the front, middle and back of the dentition were implemented. Our results show the importance of performing MDA as a preliminary step to FEA, and provide an insight into the variation of stress during biting. Our findings show that higher stress occurs in regions where cranial sutures are located in functioning skulls, and as such support the hypothesis that sutures may play a pivotal role in relieving stress and producing a more uniform pattern of stress distribution across the skull. Additionally, we demonstrate how varying bite point affects stress distributions and relate stress distributions to the evolution of metakinesis in the amniote skull.     

雄激素应答元件陷阱DNA抑制PSA基因启动子的作用并诱导LNCaP细胞凋亡(英)

目的：研究雄激素应答元件陷阱DNA（ARE decoy）对前列腺特异抗原（PSA）基因启动子的抑制作用及其对前列腺癌细胞LNCaP细胞生长活性的影响，为前列腺癌的基因治疗寻求新的策略。 方法:联合运用报告基因和陷阱DNA策略，构建含PSA基因5’侧启动子区640 bp DNA的荧光素酶表达载体pGL3-PSA， ARE陷阱DNA共转染前列腺癌细胞株PC3-M。应用双荧光素酶测定系统，检测荧光素酶的表达活性。然后，应用2 mg/L ARE decoy转染LNCaP细胞，通过相差显微镜观察细胞超微结构变化，MTT比色法检测细胞生长活性，DNA ladder和流式细胞技术（FCM）检测细胞凋亡以研究ARE decoy DNA对前列腺癌细胞LNCaP细胞生长活性的影响。同时提取LNCaP细胞核蛋白，应用电泳迁移率变动分析(EMSA)检测ARE decoy DNA与雄激素受体的特异结合。结果:ARE decoy DNA显著抑制报告基因荧光素酶的表达，抑制率可达95%。EMSA显示ARE decoy DNA能特异与核蛋白中雄激素受体结合。LNCaP细胞转染ARE decoy DNA后，镜下观察部分细胞出现凋亡形态学的改变，细胞体外生长受到抑制，染色体DNA凝胶电泳可见明显梯形条带。转染48h的凋亡率为22.4%。 结论:实验表明ARE decoy DNA能竞争结合雄激素受体(AR)，阻断AR的作用而诱导LNCaP细胞凋亡，有可能为前列腺肿瘤的治疗提供新的策略。     

应激相关的热休克信号转导通路的研究进展

随着社会的发展和医疗技术的不断进步与完善,人们的健康水平有了大幅度的提高。但急性梗塞(如脑梗、心梗)、感染性疾病(如败血症)等仍有较高的发病率和死亡率。特别是随着我国社会和经济的发展,老年人群的结构比例明显增高,心脑血管疾病和感染引起的疾病将进一步增加。而且随着     

有限元分析法研究脊柱生物力学的新进展

近20年来,有限元分析法在脊柱生物力学研究领域中已得到日益广泛的应用.本文就近10年来国外学者用有限元法研究脊柱生物力学的新进展作以综述.详细介绍了椎体、后部结构、间盘、韧带、肌肉组织在生理及病理情况下的生物力学特性,及不同术式、内固定器械对脊柱生物力学的影响;介绍了用有限元法研究某些疾病发病的力学机制的新成果;展望了有限元法应用于脊柱生物力学研究的前景.     

金属基3D打印支架的构建与功能化研究进展

金属基3D打印支架是用来治疗骨缺损的重要方式。随着科学技术的发展，近年来金属基3D打印支架开始演变出各种功能，主要包括抗菌、载药与药物控释及诱导成骨。为了使金属支架达到不同的功能，需要特定的构建工艺与方式，如改进拓扑结构、微弧氧化、纳米修饰、表面涂层等。本文就目前金属基3D打印支架的构建与功能化在骨科的研究进展做出综述。     

Finite element solution of steady state temperature distribution in the human torso

A finite element model of the steady state temperature distribution in the human torso is developed. The torso is approximated by a circular cylinder of core surrounded by a layer of muscle and insulating layers of fat and skin. The model is simplified by neglecting longitudinal heat flow. The region occupied by a circular cross-section of the torso is discretized into a mesh of triangles and the boundary of the torso, that is, the skin surface, is consequently approximated by a polygon. The elliptic partial differential equation governing the steady state temperature distribution, together with the associated boundary conditions, are expressed in equivalent variational form. Linear basis functions are used and the resulting integral is minimized over the region bounded by the approximating polygon. Results for two numerical experiments are determined by solving systems of linear equations.     

Evidence for a calcium regulated, bidirectional intronic promoter in the murine TCR V{alpha}1 gene

Previous studies of the TCR chain gene have located promoterelements 5' to the start of the various V genes. The only fullycharacterized enhancer for the entire chain gene (V, J andC genes) has been located {small tilde}3 kb from the 3' endof C. We now report the existence of additional regulatory elementslocated in the introns of several murine V genes (V1, V3 andVB6.2.16). In the case of V1, this element appears to be a promoterwith bidirectional activity that is not T cell specific. Interestingly,upstream of the promoter in the antisense strand, an open readingframe has been found that codes for a small molecular weightprotein ({small tilde}60 amino acids) that contains a prollne-richregion and a tyrosine-isoleucine motif that has homology toIgß (the B29 gene product). A rabbit antiserum madeagainst this sequence has confirmed its existence by Westernblot and immunoprecipitation. Thus this V1 intronic promoterhas the potential not only to induce the formation of a truncatedV1 gene product, but also regulates the expression of a smallmolecular weight protein that may be involved in lymphocyteantigen receptor signaling. The activity of this promoter isregulated by changes in intracellular calcium. In the presenceof ionomycin the promoter is down-regulated in the sense directionand its activity is enhanced in the antisense direction. Thisresult suggests that this promoter can act differentially toproduce two very different gene products. The bidirectionalV1 promoter appears to be the first in the Ig superfamily toinduce potentially functional proteins in both directions.     

基于CT的三维数字化导航技术在肺癌介入微波消融治疗中的应用价值

目的 在肺癌微波消融治疗中探究基于CT的三维数字化导航技术的应用价值。方法 回顾性分析我院收治的92例肺癌患者,随机进行三维数字化导航微波消融或传统CT引导下微波消融,分为三维导航组和传统组,依据肿瘤位置、大小（最大径差值≤2 mm）及微波消融条件不同两两配对,共46对,比较2组手术时间、微波针穿刺次数、CT剂量指数、术中并发症发生率、术后病灶控制情况。结果 三维导航组与传统组的手术时间分别为（30.07 ± 6.36）min、（47.20 ± 9.65）min、穿刺次数分别为（1.72 ± 0.69）次、（7.13 ± 3.00）次、CT剂量指数分别为（11.16 ± 2.20）mGy、（26.67 ± 8.72）mGy、术中并发症发生率分别为10.87%、34.78%,以上3个指标三维导航组均低于传统组,三维导航组治疗有效率（93.48%）高于传统组（71.74%）,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。结论 CT引导下利用三维数字化导航技术行肺癌微波消融治疗,使介入穿刺手术的操作更加精准安全。