In vivo application of an optical segment tracking approach for bone loading regimes recording in humans: A reliability study

This paper demonstrates an optical segment tracking (OST) approach for assessing the in vivo bone loading regimes in humans. The relative movement between retro-reflective marker clusters affixed to the tibia cortex by bone screws was tracked and expressed as tibia loading regimes in terms of segment deformation. Stable in vivo fixation of bone screws was tested by assessing the resonance frequency of the screw-marker structure and the relative marker position changes after hopping and jumping. Tibia deformation was recorded during squatting exercises to demonstrate the reliability of the OST approach. Results indicated that the resonance frequencies remain unchanged prior to and after all exercises. The changes of Cardan angle between marker clusters induced by the exercises were rather minor, maximally 0.06°. The reproducibility of the deformation angles during squatting remained small (0.04°/m–0.65°/m). Most importantly, all surgical and testing procedures were well tolerated. The OST method promises to bring more insights of the mechanical loading acting on bone than in the past.     

Effect of ACL graft material on joint forces during a simulated in vivo motion in the porcine knee: Examining force during the initial cycles

This study compared three‐dimensional forces in knees containing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft materials versus the native porcine ACL. A six‐degree‐of‐freedom (DOF) robot simulated gait while recording the joint forces and moments. Knees were subjected to 10 cycles of simulated gait in intact, ACL‐deficient, and ACL‐reconstructed knee states to examine time zero biomechanical performance. Reconstruction was performed using bone‐patellar tendon‐bone allograft (BPTB), reconstructive porcine tissue matrix (RTM), and an RTM‐polymer hybrid (Hybrid). Forces and moments were examined about anatomic DOFs throughout the gait cycle and at three key points during gait: heel strike (HS), mid stance (MS), toe off (TO). Compared to native ACL, each graft restored antero‐posterior (A‐P) forces throughout gait. However, all failed to mimic normal joint forces in other DOFs. For example, each reconstructed knee showed greater compressive forces at HS and TO compared to the native ACL knee. Overall, the Hybrid graft restored more of the native ACL forces following reconstruction than did BPTB, while RTM grafts were the least successful. If early onset osteoarthritis is in part caused by altered knee kinematics, then understanding how reconstruction materials restore critical force generation during gait is an essential step in improving a patient's long‐term prognosis. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:1458–1463, 2014.     

Aging and Diversity: An Active Learning Experience,by Chandra M. Mehorta and Lisa S. Wagner

This study evaluated a 10-week chair yoga intervention on cognition, balance, activities of daily living (ADLs), anxiety, and depression for persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Residents were assigned to three groups: (a) mild AD (n?=?6), (b) moderate AD (n?=?6), or (c) severe AD (n?=?7). There was no significant change in balance, anxiety, or cognition. ADLs showed a significant effect (p?=?.02), which suggests that yoga may have more benefit early in the progression of AD. Depression increased significantly (p < .01). Yoga over an extended period of time with a larger sample size may demonstrate benefits to persons with AD and serve as means to improve overall quality of life.     

Do low-priced ski pass owners perceive a higher quality of life? A case study of the Leisure Card Tirol

ObjectivesThe study investigated a potential correlation between owning a superregional low-cost ski and leisure card, namely the Leisure Card Tirol (LCT), and perceived quality of life (QOL).DesignA cross-sectional, quantitative approach (online questionnaire) was chosen.MethodsIn total, 1588 LCT users as well as 684 non-users (residents living in the Alpine region of Tyrol, Austria) were reached throughout the study period.ResultsCompared to non-users, LCT users reported significantly higher scores in all domains of QOL. However, the correlation was neither mediated nor moderated by the level of general physical activity (in contrast to alpine skiing in particular).ConclusionsAs superregional low-cost leisure cards were suggested as a way of facilitating access to skiing—at least according to its buyers—owning the LCT was associated with higher perceived QOL. Subsequent research should elaborate the extent to which this correlation is causal. If there is a causal link, such cards should be actively promoted to improve/maintain residents’ QOL.     

胶类中药的特点及现代研究分析

动物胶类药物在很多疾病的治疗和保健中发挥重要作用。许多古籍中均有以胶类入方治疗疾病的记载。近年来，胶类药物的相关研究逐渐增多，应用领域也在不断扩大。笔者通过对常用胶类药物的发展变化、药性归经、现代药理作用、临床应用、胶类新药开发前景、质量控制方法等方面的分析总结，整理出胶类中药的发展变迁及现代研究进展，为今后胶类药物的开发利用提供参考。