To investigate the influence of the preload and supporting stiffness on the hearing compensation performance of round window stimulation, a coupling finite model composed of a human ear, an actuator and a support was established. This model was constructed based on a complete set of micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) images of a healthy adult’s right ear by reverse engineering technology. The validity of the model was verified by comparing the model’s calculated results with experimental data. Based on this model, we applied different amplitude preloads on the actuator, and changed the support’s stiffness. Then, the influences of the actuator’s preload and the support’s stiffness were analyzed by comparing the corresponding displacements of the basilar membrane. The results show that after applying a preload on the actuator, its hearing compensation performance was increased at the middle and high frequencies, but was deteriorated at low frequencies; besides, compared with using the fascia as the actuator’s support in clinical practice, utilizing the titanium alloy to fabricate the support would enhance the hearing compensation performance of the round window stimulation in the whole frequency range.
Objective To evaluate the results of open arthrolysis by elevated the lateral and medial collateral l igament-musculature complex from the supracondylar ridge of the humerus in treatment of post-traumatic elbow stiffness. Methods From March 2003 to December 2007, 33 patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness were treated with open arthrolysis by elevated the lateral and medial collateral l igament-musculature complex from the supracondylar ridge of the humerus. There were 23 males and 10 females, aged 17-70 years old (mean 41.8 years old). According to Morrey, 15 caseswere extremely serious (less than 30° extension-flexion arc) and 18 cases were serious (30-60° extension-flexion arc). The range of motion of the elbow stiffness was (32.5 ± 28.9)° and the Mayo score was 51.9±13.1 before operation. All initial fractures were healed according to cl inical examination and X-rays films. All patients present with a post-traumatic elbow stiffness and the average period from initial trauma to elbow arthrolysis was 16.9 months (2-72 months). Results Wound infection occurred in 1 patient and cured after dressing change and anti-infectious treatment. The wounds healed by first intension in 32 cases. No patient showed sign of elbow instabil ity and debil itating pain. All patients were followed up 6 months to 5 years (mean 3.3 years). At last follow up, the Mayo score was 82.3 ± 14.4 and the range of motion of elbow stiffness was (108.8 ± 36.0)°; showing significant differences when compared with preoperation (P lt; 0.05). According to Mayo evaluation, the results were excellent in 11 cases, good in 18 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 2 cases, the excellent and good rate was 87.88%. Thirty-one patients achieve satisfactory results. Two patients were not satisfied with the result, but the satisfactory results were achieved by a second arthrol ysis. Conclusion Open elbow arthrolysis and postoperative rehabil itation for patients with elbow stiffness can improve joint function and ensure the stabil ity of elbows.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release in the treatment of non-traumatic elbow stiffness. MethodsThe clinical data of 15 patients with non-traumatic elbow stiffness treated with arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release between April 2019 and September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 males and 9 females with an average age of 46 years ranging from 34 to 56 years. The causes included rheumatoid arthritis in 3 cases, gouty arthritis in 2 cases, loose bodies in 3 cases, and elbow osteoarthritis in 7 cases. There were 4 cases with ulnar neuritis and 3 cases with synovial osteochondromatosis. The duration of elbow stiffness ranged from 6 to 18 months, with an average of 10 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The effectiveness was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, range of elbow motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), Mayo score, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) elbow score. ResultsThe operation time was 60-90 minutes, with an average of 65 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 40-100 mL, with an average of 62 mL. All patients were followed up 13-18 months, with an average of 14 months. There was no complication such as vascular and nerve injury, poor wound healing, collateral ligament injury, elbow joint space narrowing, osteophyte proliferation, or loose body formation around the joint. At last follow-up, the elbow range of motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), VAS score, and Mayo score significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The HSS elbow score was 85-95, with an average of 92; 12 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. ConclusionArthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release is an effective way to treat non-traumatic elbow stiffness, which has the advantages of small trauma, short operation time, and good effectiveness. It can carry out early elbow rehabilitation training and significantly improve elbow function.
ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness of open release combined with distal radius fixation hinged external fixation for the treatment of elbow stiffness.MethodsA total of 77 patients with elbow stiffness caused by trauma were enrolled in this study between October 2014 and October 2015. The patients were divided into control group (39 cases) and observation group (38 cases) by random number table method. The patients in the observation group were treated with elbow joint opening and release combined with distal radial fixation hinged external fixation, while the control group was treated with traditional release. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease causes, original damage diagnosis, the time from injury to operation, preoperative flexion and extension activity of elbow joint, and preoperative Mayo elbow joint function score between 2 groups (P>0.05). After operation, the function of elbow joint was evaluated by the flexion and extension activity of the elbow joint and the Mayo elbow joint function evaluation standard.ResultsThe incisions healed by first intention in 2 groups. In observation group, there were 1 case infection of nail tract, 2 cases ulnar nerve symptoms, 1 case elbow ossification, and 1 case moderate pain in the elbow; while in control group, there were 2 cases of infection of nail tract, 2 cases of ulnar nerve symptoms, and 3 cases moderate pain in the elbow. The patients in 2 groups were followed up 6 weeks to 12 months, with an average of 6 months. The flexion and extension activity of elbow joint and Mayo elbow joint function score at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); at last follow-up, the flexion and extension activity of elbow joint and Mayo elbow joint function score in observation group patients were significantly better than those in control group (P<0.05). According to the Mayo elbow function evaluation standard, the results were excellent in 27 cases, good in 10 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 97.4% in observation group; and the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 21 cases, fair in 4 cases, and poor in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 84.6% in control group; showing no significant difference between 2 groups (P=0.108).ConclusionOpen release combined with distal radius fixation hinged external fixation can significantly improve the elbow function of patients with traumatic elbow stiffness, its recovery of elbow function was superior to the traditional release.
ObjectiveAntiviral treatments could benefit chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with the regression or improvement of liver fibrosis. However, the degree of dynamic change of liver fibrosis for patients who had not received antiviral treatment remained to be studied. The current study aimed to observe the long-term variation of liver stiffness measurement (LSM), virological and biochemical response on patients without standard antiviral therapy.MethodsA total of 220 patients who were diagnosed with chronic HBV infection, who had not reached the standard of antiviral therapy, and completed a follow-up date of over 2 years in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from 2012 to 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. According to the changes of LSM in baseline and follow-up period, the patients were divided into regression group, non-progressive group, and progressive group. The virological and biochemical characteristics of each group were analyzed.ResultsAmong the 220 patients, 153 patients (69.5%) had no progress in LSM degree. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV DNA, and HBsAg in a few patients increased or slightly decreased, while the vast majority remained in a relatively stable state. 89.5% (137/153) of the non-progressive patients were in grade F0. In addition, 58 patients showed spontaneous improvement with a decreasing rate of 0.460 kPa per year. Patients with ALT of 1-2 ULN had a statistically significant decrease in LSM improvement compared to patients with normal ALT. 82.8% of the LSM-improving patients showed baseline LSM of F1-F3. Only 9 patients showed LSM deterioration, however, which could not be explained by virus replication or necroinflammatory activity. ConclusionsFor patients unsatisfying standard antiviral therapy, most patients with baseline LSM of F0 grade fail to progress, and patients with baseline LSM of F1-F3 show a decrease during follow-up, LSM progression occurs in 4.1% of patients.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and safety of open arthrolysis combined with internal fixator removal for post-traumatic elbow stiffness. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the data of 80 cases treated by open arthrolysis for elbow stiffness between January 2010 and December 2011. The patients were divided into 2 groups:no internal fixation group (group A, n=39) and internal fixation group (group B, n=41) according to whether they underwent internal fixator removal at the same time. No significant difference was found in age, gender, affected side, injury time, elbow rigidity grade, and severity of heterotopic ossification (HO) between 2 groups (P>0.05) except for original injury type (P<0.05). The effectiveness was evaluated by the occurrence of complications including ulnar nerve symptoms, HO recurrence and re-fracture, the elbow range of motion (ROM) and the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS). ResultsThe mean follow-up duration was 15.7 months (range, 12-18 months) in group A and 16.1 months (range, 12-20 months) in group B. Ulnar nerve symptoms in 5 cases (12.8%) and HO reccurrence in 1 case (2.6%) occurred in group A, while ulnar nerve symptoms in 4 cases (9.8%), HO recurrence 1 case (2.4%), and refracture in 1 case (2.4%) occurred in group B. The incidence of each complication showed no significant difference between 2 groups (P>0.05). Both the ROM and the MEPS at last follow-up increased significantly when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P<0.05). Besides, MEPS of group A was significantly higher than that of group B (t=2.36, P=0.02), but no significant difference was found in the ROM between 2 groups at last follow-up (t=0.40, P=0.69). Based on MEPS, the results were excellent in 16 cases, good in 16 cases, fair in 6 cases, and poor in 1 case in group A with an excellent and good rate of 82.1%;the results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 25 cases, fair in 4 cases, and poor in 2 cases in group B with an excellent and good rate of 85.4%. There was no significant difference in excellent and good rate between 2 groups (χ2=0.16, P=0.69). ConclusionOpen elbow arthrolysis combined with internal fixator removal for post-traumatic elbow stiffness is safe and effective. However, measures for prevention of re-fracture should always be taken into consideration.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the level of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), internal carotid artery stiffness index, and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) with macular edema (ME). MethodsA retrospective study. A total of 202 patients with NAION diagnosed by ophthalmic examination in Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University from January 2023 to January 2025 were included in the study. Based on the presence or absence of ME, the patients were divided into the NAION+ME group and the NAION group, with 94 and 108 cases respectively. A prediction model was constructed based on the influencing factors. To comprehensively evaluate the predictive value of SDF-1 level and carotid artery stiffness index for NAION with ME, a multidimensional analytical approach was employed. The diagnostic performance of individual and combined markers was assessed by constructing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calculating the area under the curve (AUC). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine their independent predictive value. Stratified subgroup analyses were conducted to explore predictive differences across various populations. Cox proportional hazards regression models were established to evaluate long-term predictive value. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was applied to reveal potential nonlinear dose-response relationships. Mediation effect models were constructed to analyze the mediating role of carotid artery stiffness index in the association between SDF-1 level and NAION with ME. ResultsIn the NAION+ME group, systolic blood pressure (t=6.066), body mass index (t=2.804), disease duration (t=2.552), intraocular pressure (t=2.574), high-density lipoprotein (t=2.729), fasting blood glucose (t=2.022), glycosylated hemoglobin (t=7.235), SDF-1 level (t=14.319), and internal carotid artery stiffness index (t=2.633) were higher than those in the NAION group, while diastolic blood pressure was lower (P＜0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of SDF-1 level combined with internal carotid artery stiffness index in predicting the risk of adverse prognosis was 0.894 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.803-0.945], with a sensitivity of 87.98% and a specificity of 95.69%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant independent correlations between SDF-1 level (OR=1.682, 95%CI 1.156-1.986), internal carotid artery stiffness index (OR=1.826, 95%CI 1.369-2.648), and the risk of ME in NAION patients (P＜0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that elevated SDF-1 level and internal carotid artery stiffness index were associated with a higher risk of NAION with ME (Pfor trend＜0.05). RCS analysis demonstrated a nonlinear dose-response relationship between the continuous changes in SDF-1 level and internal carotid artery stiffness index and the risk of NAION with ME (P＜0.05). Mediation effect model analysis showed that internal carotid artery stiffness index played a mediating role between SDF-1 level and the risk of NAION with ME. ConclusionsSDF-1 level and internal carotid artery stiffness index are independent risk factors for ME in NAION patients. The combined detection of these two indicators holds significant value in predicting disease progression.
Objective To systematically evaluate the association between liver stiffness and the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang, and CNKI databases for relevant literatures about the association between liver stiffness and the prognosis of HCC patients. Then we selected eligible literatures according to the including and excluding criteria, and we used Revman 5.3 software to perform statistical analysis. Results A total of 18 articles with 3 152 HCC patients were included. Meta results showed that HCC patients with higher liver stiffness had shorter recurrence free survival time [HR=1.09, 95%CI (1.04, 1.14), P<0.000 1], lower 5-year recurrence free survival rate [OR=2.67, 95%CI (2.08, 3.44), P<0.000 01], higher 5-year recurrence rate [OR=0.19, 95%CI (0.09, 0.38), P<0.000 01], shorter overall survival time [HR=2.42, 95%CI (1.45, 4.03), P=0.000 7], and lower 5-year overall survival rate [OR=2.89, 95%CI (2.18, 3.83), P<0.000 01]. Conclusion Liver stiffness measurement can predict the prognosis of HCC patients.
Extracellular matrix (ECM) has been implicated in tumor progress and chemosensitivity. Ovarian cancer brings a great threat to the health of women with a significant feature of high mortality and poor prognosis. However, the potential significance of matrix stiffness in the pattern of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression and ovarian cancer drug sensitivity is still largely unkown. Here, based on RNA-seq data of ovarian cancer cell cultured on substrates with different stiffness, we found that a great amount of lncRNAs were upregulated in stiff group, whereas SNHG8 was significantly downregulated, which was further verified in ovarian cancer cells cultured on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) hydrogel. Knockdown of SNHG8 led to an impaired efficiency of homologous repair, and decreased cellular sensitivity to both etoposide and cisplatin. Meanwhile, the results of the GEPIA analysis indicated that the expression of SNHG8 was significantly decreased in ovarian cancer tissues, which was negatively correlated with the overall survival of patients with ovarian cancer. In conclusion, matrix stiffening related lncRNA SNHG8 is closely related to chemosensitivity and prognosis of ovarian cancer, which might be a novel molecular marker for chemotherapy drug instruction and prognosis prediction.
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in our country is increasing, and it has been a big problem affecting the social and economic development. It has been demonstrated that early intervention of cardiovascular risk factors can effectively reduce cardiovascular disease-caused mortality. Therefore, extensive implementation of cardiovascular testing and risk factor screening in the general population is the key to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. However, the categories of devices available for quick cardiovascular testing are limited, and in particular, many existing devices suffer from various technical problems, such as complex operation, unclear working principle, or large inter-individual variability in measurement accuracy, which lead to an overall low popularity and reliability of cardiovascular testing. In this study, we introduce the non-invasive measurement mechanisms and relevant technical progresses for several typical cardiovascular indices (e.g., peripheral/central arterial blood pressure, and arterial stiffness), with emphasis on describing the applications of biomechanical modeling and simulation in mechanism verification, analysis of influential factors, and technical improvement/innovation.