Firstly, this paper presents an orthogonal test of six factors and five levels, called the chemical mechanical polishing （CMP） process parameters experiment, for determining the best process parameters and ranking t...Firstly, this paper presents an orthogonal test of six factors and five levels, called the chemical mechanical polishing （CMP） process parameters experiment, for determining the best process parameters and ranking the influencing factors from primary to secondary. The three most important factors are the polishing pressure, the polishing liquid concentration and the relative velocity ratio of polishing disk to polishing carrier. Then, based on this analysis, the three factors and three levels of the quadratic orthogonal regression test are put forward. A math- ematical model impacting the surface roughness has also been set up. Finally, this work has achieved a polished wafer, whose material removal rate （MRR） is in the range of 70-90 nm/h and the surface roughness （Ra） is between 0.3 nm and 0.5 nm.展开更多
Our previous study revealed that early application of electrical field stimulation（EFS） with the anode at the lesion and the cathode distal to the lesion reduced injury potential, inhibited secondary injury and was ...Our previous study revealed that early application of electrical field stimulation（EFS） with the anode at the lesion and the cathode distal to the lesion reduced injury potential, inhibited secondary injury and was neuroprotective in the dorsal corticospinal tract after spinal cord injury（SCI）. The objective of this study was to further evaluate the effect of EFS on protection of anterior horn motoneurons and their target musculature after SCI and its mechanism. Rats were randomized into three equal groups. The EFS group received EFS for 30 minutes immediately after injury at T_（10）. SCI group rats were only subjected to SCI and sham group rats were only subjected to laminectomy. Luxol fast blue staining demonstrated that spinal cord tissue in the injury center was better protected; cross-sectional area and perimeter of injured tissue were significantly smaller in the EFS group than in the SCI group. Immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy showed that the number of spinal cord anterior horn motoneurons was greater and the number of abnormal neurons reduced in the EFS group compared with the SCI group. Wet weight and cross-sectional area of vastus lateralis muscles were smaller in the SCI group to in the sham group. However, EFS improved muscle atrophy and behavioral examination showed that EFS significantly increased the angle in the inclined plane test and Tarlov＇s motor grading score. The above results confirm that early EFS can effectively impede spinal cord anterior horn motoneuron loss, promote motor function recovery and reduce muscle atrophy in rats after SCI.展开更多
Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and the learning effect of an isokinetic trunk flexion-extension protocol designed to simultaneously assess trunk muscle strength and endurance.In addit...Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and the learning effect of an isokinetic trunk flexion-extension protocol designed to simultaneously assess trunk muscle strength and endurance.In addition,the effect of the participants’sex on the reliability data was examined.Methods:Fifty-seven healthy and physically active young men(n=28)and women(n=29)performed the isokinetic protocol 5 times,separated by a week between each of the first 4 sessions and by a month between the last 2 sessions.The protocol consisted of performing 4 trials of 15 maximum flexion-extension concentric exertions at 120°/s(range of trunk motion=50°).The absolute and relative peak torque and total work were calculated to assess trunk flexion and extension strength.In addition,endurance ratio,modified endurance ratio,fatigue final ratio,recovery ratio,and modified recovery ratio variables were used for the assessment of trunk muscle endurance in both directions.Results:Regarding the absolute reliability,no relevant changes were found between paired-comparison sessions for most strength and endurance variables,except for total work and relative total work variables in the flexion movement in both sexes.In addition,the typical error of the isokinetic variables was lower than 10%in both males and females,and minimum detectable changes ranged from 7%to 20%,with a tendency to be higher in females and in endurance variables.The strength variables showed high-to-excellent intraclass correlation coefficients(ICCs;>0.74);however,for the endurance variables only the endurance ratio and the modified endurance ratio obtained moderate-to-high ICC values(0.57<ICC<0.82).In addition,the analysis of the variance reported no significant differences between consecutive pairs of sessions for most variables in both sexes.Conclusion:Overall,these findings provide clinicians,trainers,and researchers with a 10-min single-session protocol to perform a reliable muscle strength and endurance evaluation of trunk flexor and extensor muscles,all within the same protocol.展开更多
The need for the continuous research of new tools for improving motor function recovery after nerve injury is justified by the still often unsatisfactory clinical outcome in these patients. It has been previously show...The need for the continuous research of new tools for improving motor function recovery after nerve injury is justified by the still often unsatisfactory clinical outcome in these patients. It has been previously shown that the combined use of two reconstructive techniques, namely end-to-side neurorrhaphy and direct muscle neurotization in the rat hindlimb model, can lead to good results in terms of skeletal muscle reinnervation. Here we show that, in the rat forelimb model, the combined use of direct muscle neurotization with either end-to-end or end-to-side neurorrhaphy to reinnervate the denervated flexor digitorum muscles, leads to muscle atrophy prevention over a long postoperative time lapse （10 months）. By contrast, very little motor recovery （in case of end-to-end neurorrhaphy） and almost no motor recovery （in case of end-to-side neurorrhaphy） were observed in the grasping activity controlled by flexor digitorum muscles. It can thus be concluded that, at least in the rat, direct muscle neurotization after both end-to-end and end-to-side neurorrhaphy represents a good strategy for preventing denervation-related muscle atrophy but not for regaining the lost motor function.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the prevalence of chronic dyspnea and its relationship to respiratory muscle function in end-stage liver disease.METHODS:Sixty-eight consecutive,ambulatory,Caucasian patients with end-stage liver di...AIM:To investigate the prevalence of chronic dyspnea and its relationship to respiratory muscle function in end-stage liver disease.METHODS:Sixty-eight consecutive,ambulatory,Caucasian patients with end-stage liver disease,candidates for liver transplantation,were referred for preoperative respiratory function assessment.Forty of these(29 men) were included in this preliminary study after applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria.Seventeen of 40 patients(42%) had ascites,but none of them was cachectic.Fifteen of 40 patients(38%)had a history of hepatic encephalopathy,though none of them was symptomatic at study time.All patients with a known history and/or presence of co-morbidities were excluded.Chronic dyspnea was rated according to the modified medical research council(mMRC) 6-point scale.Liver disease severity was assessed according to the Model for end-stage liver disease(MELD).Routine lung function tests,maximum static expiratory(Pemax) and inspiratory(Pimax) mouth pressures were measured.Respiratory muscle strength(RMS) was calculated from Pimax and Pemax values.In addition,arterial blood gases and pattern of breathing(VE:minute ventilation;VT:tidal volume;VT/TI:mean inspiratory flow;TI:duration of inspiration) were measured.RESULTS:Thirty-five(88%) of 40 patients aged(mean ± SD) 52 ± 10 years reported various degrees of chronic dyspnea(mMRC),ranging from 0 to 4,with a mean value of 2.0 ± 1.2.MELD score was 14 ± 6.Pemax,percent of predicted(%pred) was 105 ± 35,Pimax,%pred was 90 ± 29,and RMS,%pred was 97 ± 30.These pressures were below the normal limits in 12(30%),15(38%),and 14(35%) patients,respectively.Furthermore,comparing the subgroups of ascites to non-ascites patients,all respiratory muscle indices measured were found significantly decreased in ascites patients.Patients with ascites also had a significantly worse MELD score compared to non-ascites ones(P = 0.006).Significant correlations were found between chronic dyspnea and respiratory muscle function indices in all patients.Specifically,mMRC score was significantly correlated with Pemax,Pimax,and RMS(r =-0.53,P < 0.001;r =-0.42,P < 0.01;r =-0.51,P < 0.001,respectively).These correlations were substantially closer in the non-ascites subgroup(r =-0.82,P < 0.0001;r =-0.61,P < 0.01;r =-0.79,P < 0.0001,respectively) compared to all patients.Similar results were found for the relationship between mMRC vs MELD score,and MELD score vs respiratory muscle strength indices.In all patients the sole predictor of mMRC score was RMS(r =-0.51,P < 0.001).In the subgroup of patients without ascites this relationship becomes closer(r =-0.79,P < 0.001),whilst this relationship breaks down in the subgroup of patients with ascites.The disappearance of such a correlation may be due to the fact that ascites acts as a "confounding" factor.PaCO2(4.4 ± 0.5 kPa) was increased,whereas pH(7.49 ± 0.04) was decreased in 26(65%) and 34(85%) patients,respectively.PaO2(12.3 ± 0.04 kPa) was within normal limits.VE(11.5 ± 3.5 L/min),VT(0.735 ± 0.287 L),and VT/TI(0.449±0.129 L/s) were increased signifying hyperventilation in both subgroups of patients.VT/TI was significantly higher in patients with ascites than without ascites.Significant correlations,albeit weak,were found for PaCO2 with VE and VT/TI(r =-0.44,P < 0.01;r =-0.41,P < 0.01,respectively).CONCLUSION:The prevalence of chronic dyspnea is 88% in end-stage liver disease.The mMRC score closely correlates with respiratory muscle strength.展开更多
A variable camber wing driven by pneumatic artificial muscles is developed in this paper. Firstly, the experimental setup to measure the static output force of pneumatic artificial muscle is designed and the relations...A variable camber wing driven by pneumatic artificial muscles is developed in this paper. Firstly, the experimental setup to measure the static output force of pneumatic artificial muscle is designed and the relationship between the static output force and the air pressure is investigated. Experimental results show that the static output force of pneumatic artificial muscle decreases nonlinearly with the increase of contraction ratio. Secondly, the model of variable camber wing driven by pneumatic artificial muscles is manufactured to validate the variable camber concept. Finally, wind tunnel tests are conducted in the low speed wind tunnel. It is found that the wing camber increases with the increase of air pressure. When the air pressure of PAMs is 0.4 MPa and 0.5 MPa, the tip displacement of the trailing-edge is 3 mm and 5 mm, respectively. The lift of aerofoil with flexible trailing-edge increases by 87% at AOA of 5°.展开更多
Osteoarthritis of knee is a common problem in the elderly population worldwide. Physical therapy has been shown to be useful in decreasing pain and increasing mobility in this population. The aim of this study was to ...Osteoarthritis of knee is a common problem in the elderly population worldwide. Physical therapy has been shown to be useful in decreasing pain and increasing mobility in this population. The aim of this study was to study the effectiveness of slow reversal hold and isometric exercise techniques in reducing pain, increasing muscle strength, and increasing range of motion for knee flexion in patients with osteoarthritis of knee. The other aim of this study was to compare the relative effectiveness of these two interventions. 60 subjects participated in this study and were randomly assigned either to the slow reversal hold group (n = 30) or, to the isometrics exercise group (n = 30). All subjects performed their respective exercises for 3 weeks. Pain scores using the visual analog scale, muscle strength using manual muscle testing of quadriceps and hamstrings, and range of motion (ROM) for knee flexion using a goniometer were recorded both pre-treatment and post-treatment for both left and right knees. Both the interventions showed a significant decrease in pain scores, an increase in muscle strength, as well as an increase in the ROM. However, ROM was significantly increased in the slow reversal hold group as compared to the isometrics group in both knees. It was concluded that both exercise techniques could be useful in patients with osteoarthritis of knee for decreasing pain and increasing muscle strength. Slow reversal hold technique might be a better technique than isometrics for increasing ROM for knee flexion.展开更多
Pneumatic muscle （PM） of flexible actuators used in bionic robot is an active area of recent research. A novel PM with shape memory alloy （SMA） braided sleeve is proposed in this paper, and SMA is used to improve ...Pneumatic muscle （PM） of flexible actuators used in bionic robot is an active area of recent research. A novel PM with shape memory alloy （SMA） braided sleeve is proposed in this paper, and SMA is used to improve PM working characteristics. Based on the principle of virtual work, output force model of PM and relationship with braided wire inner-stress are established, and analysis of PM deformation has shown that braided wire length is the key factor of output force characteristic. Based on the crystal structure transitions, the relationship of temperature with wire shrinkage is derived. Then, the synthetic dynamics of novel PM is established. A physical prototype of PM with SMA braided sleeve is developed, and test platform that is built for the experiment. Experiment and simulation test of static isometric-length, static isobaric-pressure, and dynamic characteristics are done. The experimental results are compared with the simulation of theoretical model. Moreover, based on experiment, model of output force was improved by adding a correction factor to deal with the elastic force of rubber tube. The results analysis demonstrates that the established models are correct, and SMA wires can reinforce PM and make PM working characteristics adjustable. PM proposed in this paper has greater output force and is beneficial to achieve more accurate control that is useful for manipulating fragile things.展开更多
Understanding muscle hemodynamics using near-infrared spectroscopy is increasingly evident in the recent spinal disorders-related literature.However,none of these human studies addressed the issue of physiological lim...Understanding muscle hemodynamics using near-infrared spectroscopy is increasingly evident in the recent spinal disorders-related literature.However,none of these human studies addressed the issue of physiological limits for the lumbar muscle within the same participants during various exercise modes.The purpose of this study is to evaluate physiological limits for the lumbar muscle during dynamic and static endurance tests.On three separate days,22 healthy men and women performed three endurance protocols(static prone trunk extension,arm cranking,and pushingpulling)until volitional exhaustion.For each protocol,minimum and maximum oxygenation and blood volume responses from the right lumbar erector spinae were obtained using a continuous dual wavelength near-infrared spectroscopy(Micro-Runman,NIM Inc.,PA,USA).Statistical analysis showed that greatest reduction in oxygenation(minimum)were obtained during dynamic exercises:pushingpulling(2.1 times)and arm cranking(2.03 times)versus static test (P<0:05).Physiological change(calculated as the difference between maximum during recovery and minimum at the point of volitional exhaustion)during static test was lower[(66-75%for oxygenation)and(34-46%for blood volume)]than dynamic exercises (P<0:05).Contrary to the theory that sufficient occlusion of bloodflow to the lumbar muscle is possible with static trunk extension,it was concluded that a dynamic protocol until volitional exhaustion might be a good alternative in establishing near-infrared spectroscopy-derived physiological limits to the lumbar muscle.Further research is essential to identify an optimal calibration procedure for establishing true hypoxic values for the human lumbar muscle.展开更多
BACKGROUND Test anxiety is prevalent among medical students and leads to impaired academic performance.Test-related attentional bias has been identified as an important maintaining factor in test-anxious individuals.A...BACKGROUND Test anxiety is prevalent among medical students and leads to impaired academic performance.Test-related attentional bias has been identified as an important maintaining factor in test-anxious individuals.AIM To evaluate whether hypnosis and progressive muscle relaxation(PMR)could modify medical college students’test anxiety and attentional bias.METHODS A total of 598 medical students were screened.The participants were divided into higher and lower test anxiety groups according to their scores on the test anxiety scale(TAS).Ninety medical college students with high TAS score were randomly assigned to a hypnosis or PMR group.Another 45 students with low TAS score were included,forming a baseline control group.The intervention was conducted weekly for 6 wk,and each session lasted approximately 30 min.The total intervention time and the number of intervention sessions for the hypnosis and PMR groups were equal.Data were collected at the pretest,posttest,and 2-mo follow-up.RESULTS Hypnosis group participants had a significantly lower TAS score at posttest(t=-21.827,P<0.001)and at follow-up(t=-14.824,P<0.001),compared to that at pretest.PMR group participants also had a significantly lower TAS score at posttest(t=-10.777,P<0.001)and at follow-up(t=-7.444,P<0.001),compared to that at pretest.At the posttest level,the hypnosis group had a significantly lower TAS score than the PMR group(t=-3.664,P<0.001).At the follow-up level,the hypnosis group also had a significantly lower TAS score than the PMR group(t=-2.943,P=0.004).Clinically significant improvement was found in both the hypnosis and PMR groups(hypnosis=64.0%;PMR=62.22%).Hypnosis was more effective than PMR in reducing test anxiety among medical college students.Hypnosis could modify attentional bias toward threatening stimuli,but PMR could not.CONCLUSION These results suggest that attentional bias plays an important role in test anxiety treatment.展开更多
Relative flexibility between the hamstring and lumbar extensor muscles, which can be evaluated using lumbopelvic curvature during active knee extension in sitting, can sometimes be assessed in physical therapy. Howeve...Relative flexibility between the hamstring and lumbar extensor muscles, which can be evaluated using lumbopelvic curvature during active knee extension in sitting, can sometimes be assessed in physical therapy. However, reliability for its quantitative measure has not been established yet and its establishment was the aim of the current study. Twenty-seven individuals with clinically tight hamstring muscles were recruited. On two separate sessions, the lumbopelvic curvature was evaluated in sitting when the right knee was moved from 90° flexion to 10° flexion on 15 occasions using a flexible ruler by two examiners on Day 1 and one on Day 2. Lines drawn tangential to the lumbopelvic curvature were traced at T12 and S2 vertebral levels and the angle between the two vertical lines was calculated. Using Day 1 data, the minimum number of repetitions and inter-examiner reliability were assessed. Inter-session reliability was also examined. As a result, there was no statistical difference (P?> 0.05) in the mean absolute difference between the mean value of N-1 and N repetitions (6 ≤ N ≤ 15) in the lumbopelvic curvature angle, indicating that five was considered the minimum number of repetitions. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)(1, 5)?for the inter-session reliability and ICC(2, 5)?for the inter-examiner reliability was 0.97 and 0.93, respectively, indicating excellent reliability. The measure for the lumbopelvic curvature during active knee extension in sitting, which was established in the current study, will be a foundation for further research regarding the relative flexibility of the lumbar and adjunct regions.展开更多
Targeted muscle reinnervation has been proposed for reconstruction of neuromuscular function in amputees.However,it is unknown whether performing delayed targeted muscle reinnervation after nerve injury will affect re...Targeted muscle reinnervation has been proposed for reconstruction of neuromuscular function in amputees.However,it is unknown whether performing delayed targeted muscle reinnervation after nerve injury will affect restoration of function.In this rat nerve injury study,the median and musculocutaneous nerves of the forelimb were transected.The proximal median nerve stump was sutured to the distal musculocutaneous nerve stump immediately and 2 and 4 weeks after surgery to reinnervate the biceps brachii.After targeted muscle reinnervation,intramuscular myoelectric signals from the biceps brachii were recorded.Signal amplitude gradually increased with time.Biceps brachii myoelectric signals and muscle fiber morphology and grooming behavior did not significantly differ among rats subjected to delayed target muscle innervation for different periods.Targeted muscle reinnervation delayed for 4 weeks can acquire the same nerve function restoration effect as that of immediate reinnervation.展开更多
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between field-based simplified approaches and knee extensor muscle strength/size in young men. Knee extensor muscle thickness （MT） of 104 healthy university ...The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between field-based simplified approaches and knee extensor muscle strength/size in young men. Knee extensor muscle thickness （MT） of 104 healthy university freshmen was measured at the anterior half of thigh length; maximal voluntary isometric contraction （MVIC） was measured when subjects performed knee extension. Field-based simplified approaches [sit-to-stand, standing long jump （SLJ）, handgrip and upper-leg-50% （thigh） girth] were also measured. MVIC was correlated with SLJ （r = 0.361, P 〈 0.001）, handgrip （r = 0.523, P 〈 0.001） and thigh girth （r = 0.401, P 〈 0.001）, but not with the sit-to-stand test （r = 0.126, P 〉 0.05）. MT was correlated with handgrip （r = 0.317, P 〈 0.001） and thigh girth （r = 0.632, P 〈 0.001）, but not with SLJ （r = 0.038, P 〉 0.05） or the sit-to-stand test （r = 0.145, P 〉 0.05）. A stepwise multiple-regression analysis was applied to the predictor thigh girth to predict knee extensor MT （R2 = 0.399）. To predict knee extensor MVIC, the predictor handgrip, thigh girth and SLJ were applied （R2 = 0.381）. In conclusion, knee extensor muscle strength/size could be evaluated by the field-based simplified approaches, in particular by the thigh girth measurement, which may be major determinant to maintain activities of daily living for healthy young men. However, the 4 field-based simplified approaches appear to be still not of high impact.展开更多
In a previous study, we established reliability of a method for determining the angle of lumbopelvic sagittal alignment during active knee extension in sitting (AKEiS) using a flexible ruler and image analysis softwar...In a previous study, we established reliability of a method for determining the angle of lumbopelvic sagittal alignment during active knee extension in sitting (AKEiS) using a flexible ruler and image analysis software (2-point-Method). In addition to this method, a flexible ruler can also be used to measure lumbopelvic sagittal alignment without image analysis software. This study primarily aimed to investigate the minimum number of repetitions, inter-session reliability and inter-examiner reliability of two alternative methods of measurement in a secondary analysis of our previous study. A flexible ruler was used to measure lumbopelvic curvature during AKEiS when the knee reached 10° flexion from 27 individuals with clinically tight hamstring muscles and subsequently analyzed. Lumbopelvic sagittal alignment was evaluated for the region between T12 and S2 using the maximum depth to the curvature (Max-Method) or depth to the curvature at the middle point between T12 and S2 vertebral levels (Mid-Method). It was determined that four repetitions for the Max-Method and 11 repetitions for the Mid-Method were required for the minimum number of repetitions, respectively. Inter-session reliability and inter-examiner reliability were assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients and were 0.91 and 0.91 for the Max-Method and 0.90 and 0.91 for the Mid-Method, respectively. The current study suggests that the Mid-Method would not be recommended for use in the clinical setting as 11 repetitions of data sampling is required. The 2-point-Method or Max-Method may be promising but the ideal measurement method will be identified when the validity of these methods has been established.展开更多
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51375266)
文摘Firstly, this paper presents an orthogonal test of six factors and five levels, called the chemical mechanical polishing （CMP） process parameters experiment, for determining the best process parameters and ranking the influencing factors from primary to secondary. The three most important factors are the polishing pressure, the polishing liquid concentration and the relative velocity ratio of polishing disk to polishing carrier. Then, based on this analysis, the three factors and three levels of the quadratic orthogonal regression test are put forward. A math- ematical model impacting the surface roughness has also been set up. Finally, this work has achieved a polished wafer, whose material removal rate （MRR） is in the range of 70-90 nm/h and the surface roughness （Ra） is between 0.3 nm and 0.5 nm.
文摘【目的】早发性肌无力综合征(early onset muscle weakness syndrome,MW)是新近发现的一种荷斯坦牛遗传缺陷,患病犊牛表现为出生后趴卧不起、后肢肌肉萎缩等,其遗传机制与L型钙通道蛋白α1S亚基编码基因CACNA1S的单碱基突变相关。本研究旨在建立该遗传缺陷的分子检测方法,并探究其在国内荷斯坦牛群体中的扩散情况。【方法】基于MW致病位点特异性DNA序列,设计扩增阻滞突变系统-聚合酶链式反应(ARMS-PCR)检测引物,对317份荷斯坦牛冻精和毛囊样本进行MW遗传缺陷基因筛查,通过Sanger测序对ARMS-PCR检测结果进行验证,并利用系谱数据追溯MW突变源头。【结果】ARMS-PCR检出MW携带者21头,携带率为6.62%(21/317),未发现缺陷基因纯合子,提示该突变为隐性纯合致死。Sanger测序与ARMS-PCR所得基因型完全一致,证明该技术具有高度准确性。系谱追溯表明,MW携带者的遗传来源可追溯至1984年出生的荷斯坦公牛Southwind Bell of Bar-Lee。【结论】MW遗传缺陷已在中国荷斯坦牛群体中扩散且携带率较高,建议牧场应尽早开展MW遗传缺陷基因检测和风险评估,采取科学的选种选配措施以减少遗传缺陷导致的经济损失。
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31400717,51577183the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing of China,No.7164317the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS,No.2018172
文摘Our previous study revealed that early application of electrical field stimulation（EFS） with the anode at the lesion and the cathode distal to the lesion reduced injury potential, inhibited secondary injury and was neuroprotective in the dorsal corticospinal tract after spinal cord injury（SCI）. The objective of this study was to further evaluate the effect of EFS on protection of anterior horn motoneurons and their target musculature after SCI and its mechanism. Rats were randomized into three equal groups. The EFS group received EFS for 30 minutes immediately after injury at T_（10）. SCI group rats were only subjected to SCI and sham group rats were only subjected to laminectomy. Luxol fast blue staining demonstrated that spinal cord tissue in the injury center was better protected; cross-sectional area and perimeter of injured tissue were significantly smaller in the EFS group than in the SCI group. Immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy showed that the number of spinal cord anterior horn motoneurons was greater and the number of abnormal neurons reduced in the EFS group compared with the SCI group. Wet weight and cross-sectional area of vastus lateralis muscles were smaller in the SCI group to in the sham group. However, EFS improved muscle atrophy and behavioral examination showed that EFS significantly increased the angle in the inclined plane test and Tarlov＇s motor grading score. The above results confirm that early EFS can effectively impede spinal cord anterior horn motoneuron loss, promote motor function recovery and reduce muscle atrophy in rats after SCI.
基金the financial support of Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación(DEP2010-16493)Generalitat Valenciana(ACOMP/2011/130)+1 种基金Spain.Casto Juan-Recio and Alejandro López-Valenciano were supported by predoctoral grants given by Generalitat Valenciana(Val i+d)(ACOMP/2011/130)Ministerio de Educacion,Cultura y Deporte(FPU)(DEP2010-16493)。
文摘Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and the learning effect of an isokinetic trunk flexion-extension protocol designed to simultaneously assess trunk muscle strength and endurance.In addition,the effect of the participants’sex on the reliability data was examined.Methods:Fifty-seven healthy and physically active young men(n=28)and women(n=29)performed the isokinetic protocol 5 times,separated by a week between each of the first 4 sessions and by a month between the last 2 sessions.The protocol consisted of performing 4 trials of 15 maximum flexion-extension concentric exertions at 120°/s(range of trunk motion=50°).The absolute and relative peak torque and total work were calculated to assess trunk flexion and extension strength.In addition,endurance ratio,modified endurance ratio,fatigue final ratio,recovery ratio,and modified recovery ratio variables were used for the assessment of trunk muscle endurance in both directions.Results:Regarding the absolute reliability,no relevant changes were found between paired-comparison sessions for most strength and endurance variables,except for total work and relative total work variables in the flexion movement in both sexes.In addition,the typical error of the isokinetic variables was lower than 10%in both males and females,and minimum detectable changes ranged from 7%to 20%,with a tendency to be higher in females and in endurance variables.The strength variables showed high-to-excellent intraclass correlation coefficients(ICCs;>0.74);however,for the endurance variables only the endurance ratio and the modified endurance ratio obtained moderate-to-high ICC values(0.57<ICC<0.82).In addition,the analysis of the variance reported no significant differences between consecutive pairs of sessions for most variables in both sexes.Conclusion:Overall,these findings provide clinicians,trainers,and researchers with a 10-min single-session protocol to perform a reliable muscle strength and endurance evaluation of trunk flexor and extensor muscles,all within the same protocol.
基金supported by San Paolo Bank Foundationthe Italian Ministry of University
文摘The need for the continuous research of new tools for improving motor function recovery after nerve injury is justified by the still often unsatisfactory clinical outcome in these patients. It has been previously shown that the combined use of two reconstructive techniques, namely end-to-side neurorrhaphy and direct muscle neurotization in the rat hindlimb model, can lead to good results in terms of skeletal muscle reinnervation. Here we show that, in the rat forelimb model, the combined use of direct muscle neurotization with either end-to-end or end-to-side neurorrhaphy to reinnervate the denervated flexor digitorum muscles, leads to muscle atrophy prevention over a long postoperative time lapse （10 months）. By contrast, very little motor recovery （in case of end-to-end neurorrhaphy） and almost no motor recovery （in case of end-to-side neurorrhaphy） were observed in the grasping activity controlled by flexor digitorum muscles. It can thus be concluded that, at least in the rat, direct muscle neurotization after both end-to-end and end-to-side neurorrhaphy represents a good strategy for preventing denervation-related muscle atrophy but not for regaining the lost motor function.
文摘AIM:To investigate the prevalence of chronic dyspnea and its relationship to respiratory muscle function in end-stage liver disease.METHODS:Sixty-eight consecutive,ambulatory,Caucasian patients with end-stage liver disease,candidates for liver transplantation,were referred for preoperative respiratory function assessment.Forty of these(29 men) were included in this preliminary study after applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria.Seventeen of 40 patients(42%) had ascites,but none of them was cachectic.Fifteen of 40 patients(38%)had a history of hepatic encephalopathy,though none of them was symptomatic at study time.All patients with a known history and/or presence of co-morbidities were excluded.Chronic dyspnea was rated according to the modified medical research council(mMRC) 6-point scale.Liver disease severity was assessed according to the Model for end-stage liver disease(MELD).Routine lung function tests,maximum static expiratory(Pemax) and inspiratory(Pimax) mouth pressures were measured.Respiratory muscle strength(RMS) was calculated from Pimax and Pemax values.In addition,arterial blood gases and pattern of breathing(VE:minute ventilation;VT:tidal volume;VT/TI:mean inspiratory flow;TI:duration of inspiration) were measured.RESULTS:Thirty-five(88%) of 40 patients aged(mean ± SD) 52 ± 10 years reported various degrees of chronic dyspnea(mMRC),ranging from 0 to 4,with a mean value of 2.0 ± 1.2.MELD score was 14 ± 6.Pemax,percent of predicted(%pred) was 105 ± 35,Pimax,%pred was 90 ± 29,and RMS,%pred was 97 ± 30.These pressures were below the normal limits in 12(30%),15(38%),and 14(35%) patients,respectively.Furthermore,comparing the subgroups of ascites to non-ascites patients,all respiratory muscle indices measured were found significantly decreased in ascites patients.Patients with ascites also had a significantly worse MELD score compared to non-ascites ones(P = 0.006).Significant correlations were found between chronic dyspnea and respiratory muscle function indices in all patients.Specifically,mMRC score was significantly correlated with Pemax,Pimax,and RMS(r =-0.53,P < 0.001;r =-0.42,P < 0.01;r =-0.51,P < 0.001,respectively).These correlations were substantially closer in the non-ascites subgroup(r =-0.82,P < 0.0001;r =-0.61,P < 0.01;r =-0.79,P < 0.0001,respectively) compared to all patients.Similar results were found for the relationship between mMRC vs MELD score,and MELD score vs respiratory muscle strength indices.In all patients the sole predictor of mMRC score was RMS(r =-0.51,P < 0.001).In the subgroup of patients without ascites this relationship becomes closer(r =-0.79,P < 0.001),whilst this relationship breaks down in the subgroup of patients with ascites.The disappearance of such a correlation may be due to the fact that ascites acts as a "confounding" factor.PaCO2(4.4 ± 0.5 kPa) was increased,whereas pH(7.49 ± 0.04) was decreased in 26(65%) and 34(85%) patients,respectively.PaO2(12.3 ± 0.04 kPa) was within normal limits.VE(11.5 ± 3.5 L/min),VT(0.735 ± 0.287 L),and VT/TI(0.449±0.129 L/s) were increased signifying hyperventilation in both subgroups of patients.VT/TI was significantly higher in patients with ascites than without ascites.Significant correlations,albeit weak,were found for PaCO2 with VE and VT/TI(r =-0.44,P < 0.01;r =-0.41,P < 0.01,respectively).CONCLUSION:The prevalence of chronic dyspnea is 88% in end-stage liver disease.The mMRC score closely correlates with respiratory muscle strength.
基金Sponsored by the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education(Grant No.20102302120032)the Open Foundation of Key Laboratory of Advanced Composites in Special Environmentsthe Natural Scientific Research Innovation Foundation in Harbin Institute of Technology(Grant No.HIT.NSRIF.2012028)
文摘A variable camber wing driven by pneumatic artificial muscles is developed in this paper. Firstly, the experimental setup to measure the static output force of pneumatic artificial muscle is designed and the relationship between the static output force and the air pressure is investigated. Experimental results show that the static output force of pneumatic artificial muscle decreases nonlinearly with the increase of contraction ratio. Secondly, the model of variable camber wing driven by pneumatic artificial muscles is manufactured to validate the variable camber concept. Finally, wind tunnel tests are conducted in the low speed wind tunnel. It is found that the wing camber increases with the increase of air pressure. When the air pressure of PAMs is 0.4 MPa and 0.5 MPa, the tip displacement of the trailing-edge is 3 mm and 5 mm, respectively. The lift of aerofoil with flexible trailing-edge increases by 87% at AOA of 5°.
文摘Osteoarthritis of knee is a common problem in the elderly population worldwide. Physical therapy has been shown to be useful in decreasing pain and increasing mobility in this population. The aim of this study was to study the effectiveness of slow reversal hold and isometric exercise techniques in reducing pain, increasing muscle strength, and increasing range of motion for knee flexion in patients with osteoarthritis of knee. The other aim of this study was to compare the relative effectiveness of these two interventions. 60 subjects participated in this study and were randomly assigned either to the slow reversal hold group (n = 30) or, to the isometrics exercise group (n = 30). All subjects performed their respective exercises for 3 weeks. Pain scores using the visual analog scale, muscle strength using manual muscle testing of quadriceps and hamstrings, and range of motion (ROM) for knee flexion using a goniometer were recorded both pre-treatment and post-treatment for both left and right knees. Both the interventions showed a significant decrease in pain scores, an increase in muscle strength, as well as an increase in the ROM. However, ROM was significantly increased in the slow reversal hold group as compared to the isometrics group in both knees. It was concluded that both exercise techniques could be useful in patients with osteoarthritis of knee for decreasing pain and increasing muscle strength. Slow reversal hold technique might be a better technique than isometrics for increasing ROM for knee flexion.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50905170)Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (No. Y1090042)Open Fund of State Key Laboratory of Robotics (No. RL0200918)
文摘Pneumatic muscle （PM） of flexible actuators used in bionic robot is an active area of recent research. A novel PM with shape memory alloy （SMA） braided sleeve is proposed in this paper, and SMA is used to improve PM working characteristics. Based on the principle of virtual work, output force model of PM and relationship with braided wire inner-stress are established, and analysis of PM deformation has shown that braided wire length is the key factor of output force characteristic. Based on the crystal structure transitions, the relationship of temperature with wire shrinkage is derived. Then, the synthetic dynamics of novel PM is established. A physical prototype of PM with SMA braided sleeve is developed, and test platform that is built for the experiment. Experiment and simulation test of static isometric-length, static isobaric-pressure, and dynamic characteristics are done. The experimental results are compared with the simulation of theoretical model. Moreover, based on experiment, model of output force was improved by adding a correction factor to deal with the elastic force of rubber tube. The results analysis demonstrates that the established models are correct, and SMA wires can reinforce PM and make PM working characteristics adjustable. PM proposed in this paper has greater output force and is beneficial to achieve more accurate control that is useful for manipulating fragile things.
文摘Understanding muscle hemodynamics using near-infrared spectroscopy is increasingly evident in the recent spinal disorders-related literature.However,none of these human studies addressed the issue of physiological limits for the lumbar muscle within the same participants during various exercise modes.The purpose of this study is to evaluate physiological limits for the lumbar muscle during dynamic and static endurance tests.On three separate days,22 healthy men and women performed three endurance protocols(static prone trunk extension,arm cranking,and pushingpulling)until volitional exhaustion.For each protocol,minimum and maximum oxygenation and blood volume responses from the right lumbar erector spinae were obtained using a continuous dual wavelength near-infrared spectroscopy(Micro-Runman,NIM Inc.,PA,USA).Statistical analysis showed that greatest reduction in oxygenation(minimum)were obtained during dynamic exercises:pushingpulling(2.1 times)and arm cranking(2.03 times)versus static test (P<0:05).Physiological change(calculated as the difference between maximum during recovery and minimum at the point of volitional exhaustion)during static test was lower[(66-75%for oxygenation)and(34-46%for blood volume)]than dynamic exercises (P<0:05).Contrary to the theory that sufficient occlusion of bloodflow to the lumbar muscle is possible with static trunk extension,it was concluded that a dynamic protocol until volitional exhaustion might be a good alternative in establishing near-infrared spectroscopy-derived physiological limits to the lumbar muscle.Further research is essential to identify an optimal calibration procedure for establishing true hypoxic values for the human lumbar muscle.
基金Supported by the Anhui Natural Science Foundation,No.1808085MH291the Project of human Social Science of Anhui Province,No.SK2016A047Grants for Scientific Research of BSKY from Anhui Medical University,No.XJ201826.
文摘BACKGROUND Test anxiety is prevalent among medical students and leads to impaired academic performance.Test-related attentional bias has been identified as an important maintaining factor in test-anxious individuals.AIM To evaluate whether hypnosis and progressive muscle relaxation(PMR)could modify medical college students’test anxiety and attentional bias.METHODS A total of 598 medical students were screened.The participants were divided into higher and lower test anxiety groups according to their scores on the test anxiety scale(TAS).Ninety medical college students with high TAS score were randomly assigned to a hypnosis or PMR group.Another 45 students with low TAS score were included,forming a baseline control group.The intervention was conducted weekly for 6 wk,and each session lasted approximately 30 min.The total intervention time and the number of intervention sessions for the hypnosis and PMR groups were equal.Data were collected at the pretest,posttest,and 2-mo follow-up.RESULTS Hypnosis group participants had a significantly lower TAS score at posttest(t=-21.827,P<0.001)and at follow-up(t=-14.824,P<0.001),compared to that at pretest.PMR group participants also had a significantly lower TAS score at posttest(t=-10.777,P<0.001)and at follow-up(t=-7.444,P<0.001),compared to that at pretest.At the posttest level,the hypnosis group had a significantly lower TAS score than the PMR group(t=-3.664,P<0.001).At the follow-up level,the hypnosis group also had a significantly lower TAS score than the PMR group(t=-2.943,P=0.004).Clinically significant improvement was found in both the hypnosis and PMR groups(hypnosis=64.0%;PMR=62.22%).Hypnosis was more effective than PMR in reducing test anxiety among medical college students.Hypnosis could modify attentional bias toward threatening stimuli,but PMR could not.CONCLUSION These results suggest that attentional bias plays an important role in test anxiety treatment.
文摘Relative flexibility between the hamstring and lumbar extensor muscles, which can be evaluated using lumbopelvic curvature during active knee extension in sitting, can sometimes be assessed in physical therapy. However, reliability for its quantitative measure has not been established yet and its establishment was the aim of the current study. Twenty-seven individuals with clinically tight hamstring muscles were recruited. On two separate sessions, the lumbopelvic curvature was evaluated in sitting when the right knee was moved from 90° flexion to 10° flexion on 15 occasions using a flexible ruler by two examiners on Day 1 and one on Day 2. Lines drawn tangential to the lumbopelvic curvature were traced at T12 and S2 vertebral levels and the angle between the two vertical lines was calculated. Using Day 1 data, the minimum number of repetitions and inter-examiner reliability were assessed. Inter-session reliability was also examined. As a result, there was no statistical difference (P?> 0.05) in the mean absolute difference between the mean value of N-1 and N repetitions (6 ≤ N ≤ 15) in the lumbopelvic curvature angle, indicating that five was considered the minimum number of repetitions. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)(1, 5)?for the inter-session reliability and ICC(2, 5)?for the inter-examiner reliability was 0.97 and 0.93, respectively, indicating excellent reliability. The measure for the lumbopelvic curvature during active knee extension in sitting, which was established in the current study, will be a foundation for further research regarding the relative flexibility of the lumbar and adjunct regions.
基金supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.U1913601,81927804the Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province,No.2020B0909020004(GL)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.81960419,82260456(both to LY)。
文摘Targeted muscle reinnervation has been proposed for reconstruction of neuromuscular function in amputees.However,it is unknown whether performing delayed targeted muscle reinnervation after nerve injury will affect restoration of function.In this rat nerve injury study,the median and musculocutaneous nerves of the forelimb were transected.The proximal median nerve stump was sutured to the distal musculocutaneous nerve stump immediately and 2 and 4 weeks after surgery to reinnervate the biceps brachii.After targeted muscle reinnervation,intramuscular myoelectric signals from the biceps brachii were recorded.Signal amplitude gradually increased with time.Biceps brachii myoelectric signals and muscle fiber morphology and grooming behavior did not significantly differ among rats subjected to delayed target muscle innervation for different periods.Targeted muscle reinnervation delayed for 4 weeks can acquire the same nerve function restoration effect as that of immediate reinnervation.
文摘The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between field-based simplified approaches and knee extensor muscle strength/size in young men. Knee extensor muscle thickness （MT） of 104 healthy university freshmen was measured at the anterior half of thigh length; maximal voluntary isometric contraction （MVIC） was measured when subjects performed knee extension. Field-based simplified approaches [sit-to-stand, standing long jump （SLJ）, handgrip and upper-leg-50% （thigh） girth] were also measured. MVIC was correlated with SLJ （r = 0.361, P 〈 0.001）, handgrip （r = 0.523, P 〈 0.001） and thigh girth （r = 0.401, P 〈 0.001）, but not with the sit-to-stand test （r = 0.126, P 〉 0.05）. MT was correlated with handgrip （r = 0.317, P 〈 0.001） and thigh girth （r = 0.632, P 〈 0.001）, but not with SLJ （r = 0.038, P 〉 0.05） or the sit-to-stand test （r = 0.145, P 〉 0.05）. A stepwise multiple-regression analysis was applied to the predictor thigh girth to predict knee extensor MT （R2 = 0.399）. To predict knee extensor MVIC, the predictor handgrip, thigh girth and SLJ were applied （R2 = 0.381）. In conclusion, knee extensor muscle strength/size could be evaluated by the field-based simplified approaches, in particular by the thigh girth measurement, which may be major determinant to maintain activities of daily living for healthy young men. However, the 4 field-based simplified approaches appear to be still not of high impact.
文摘In a previous study, we established reliability of a method for determining the angle of lumbopelvic sagittal alignment during active knee extension in sitting (AKEiS) using a flexible ruler and image analysis software (2-point-Method). In addition to this method, a flexible ruler can also be used to measure lumbopelvic sagittal alignment without image analysis software. This study primarily aimed to investigate the minimum number of repetitions, inter-session reliability and inter-examiner reliability of two alternative methods of measurement in a secondary analysis of our previous study. A flexible ruler was used to measure lumbopelvic curvature during AKEiS when the knee reached 10° flexion from 27 individuals with clinically tight hamstring muscles and subsequently analyzed. Lumbopelvic sagittal alignment was evaluated for the region between T12 and S2 using the maximum depth to the curvature (Max-Method) or depth to the curvature at the middle point between T12 and S2 vertebral levels (Mid-Method). It was determined that four repetitions for the Max-Method and 11 repetitions for the Mid-Method were required for the minimum number of repetitions, respectively. Inter-session reliability and inter-examiner reliability were assessed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients and were 0.91 and 0.91 for the Max-Method and 0.90 and 0.91 for the Mid-Method, respectively. The current study suggests that the Mid-Method would not be recommended for use in the clinical setting as 11 repetitions of data sampling is required. The 2-point-Method or Max-Method may be promising but the ideal measurement method will be identified when the validity of these methods has been established.
