Factors influencing and long-term effects of manual myotomy phenomenon during physiotherapy for congenital muscular torticollis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the factors influencing and long-term effects of manual myotomy (MM) occurring during physiotherapy for congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). METHODS: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of children with CMT receiving physiotherapy between 2008 and 2018. The children were divided into manual myotomy (MM) and non-manual myotomy (NMM) groups according to whether MM occurred during treatment. We assessed physiotherapy outcomes in children with CMT using craniofacial asymmetry parameters and the Cheng-Tang rating score. By measuring the ear-eye distance, ear-nose distance, eye-mouth distance, ear-mouth distance, half-head circumference, and half-head top at two sides to evaluate craniofacial asymmetry. Based on the Cheng-Tang assessment criteria, we recorded the range of rotation, range of lateral flexion, the status of the contracted muscle, the hardness of the mass, the extent of head tilting during activities and sleeping, the status of daily activities, face size, type of head shape, cranial changes, and subjective head tilting to assess the effectiveness of treatment. Clinical data and outcome indicators (craniofacial asymmetry parameters and Cheng-Tang rating score) were compared. RESULTS: The MM group had a significantly higher total Cheng-Tang rating score than the NMM group (P < 0.05). Age at initial physiotherapy session was the risk factor for MM during physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Children with CMT developing MM during physiotherapy generally have a good outcome, although we do not recommend MM as a goal of treatment. Physiotherapists should understand this phenomenon, assess relevant factors to predict risk, and carefully observe treatment to prevent possible complications.

Using targeted magnetic arsenic trioxide nanoparticles for osteosarcoma treatment.

The present study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the magnetic arsenic trioxide (ATO) nanoparticles against osteosarcoma in vivo tumor models. ATO was incorporated in the magnetic nanoparticles and encapsulated by poly lactic acid. Human MG-63 osteosarcoma cells were injected subcutaneously into the nude mice. After 15 days, the mice were randomly assigned to the four groups (n=6 mice): group 1: control, saline only (10 mL kg(-1) day(-1), intravenously (i.v.)); group 2: ATO alone (5 mg kg(-1) day(-1), i.v.); group 3: magnetic ATO nanoparticles at a dose equivalent to 50% of the ATO alone, with an external magnetic field on the tumor; group 4: CDDP, cisplatin (5 mg kg(-1) day(-1), i.v.). The mice were sacrificed after 21 days. In vitro release profiles showed that ATO was released rapidly from the nanoparticles. The magnetic ATO evaluation indicated that the magnetic nanoparticles might localize under the magnet in vivo. The tumor volume examination showed that the treatment with magnetic ATO nanoparticles achieved the similar inhibition effect on osteosarcoma as that of CDDP or ATO alone. Electron microscopic features typical of apoptosis were identified in the tumor tissue with the three-drug treatment. This "magnetic ATO targeting" offers an opportunity to treat osteosarcoma with a lower dose.

[Analysis and discuss of trace elements in the teeth].

OBJECTIVE: Through the analysis and discussion of some trace elements in human's teeth, many related information were offered towards the researches and the cure in teeth diseases. METHODS: Using the ICP-AES method, some trace elements such as Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn, Fe, Al and Sr were determined respectively and the interfere caused by the principal element calcium to the above elements in this determination were studied. On the other hand, the changes of these trace elements were discussed between the normal teeth and the decayed teeth and the different ages and genders. RESULTS: It was found that the content of Cu was out of and that of Al was in direct and that of others elements were in inverse proportion to one's age; the ranges of content of all determined elements in the different age groups were as follows: Sr 70-226 micrograms/g, Zn 74-157 micrograms/g, Al 37-58 micrograms/g, Fe 3.24-11 micrograms/g, Cr 3.03-6.40 micrograms/g, Mn 2-3.39 micrograms/g and Cu 0.18-1.53 micrograms/g; the content of Sr in the female's teeth was obviously and that of Fe, Mn, Zn, Al were slightly higher than in male's, whereas the contents of Cu and Cr in the two genders were mainly consistent. CONCLUSION: Trace elements in teeth are a factor to indicate sorts of teeth diseases and provide the scientific references for some researches in teeth diseases.