Effect of Acupuncture on Time-Dependent of Muscle Endurance in Female Elbow Joint: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Immediate characteristics of acupuncture have been confirmed by relevant studies; however, the current study on the time effect of acupuncture in improving upper limb forearm muscle endurance is still limited. The aims of this study are to explore: (1) whether real acupuncture (RA) can improve female forearm muscle endurance compared to sham acupuncture (SA) and (2) whether the changes in forearm muscle endurance after RA are time-dependent. Thirty-six healthy female students were recruited to participate in isokinetic tests of elbow flexion/extension (Flex/Ext) from maximum flexion to maximum extension as much as possible using an isokinetic dynamometer at a speed rate of 60°/sec. Participants in the RA group were stimulated at Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Hegu (LI4), Xiaohai (SI8), Tianjing (SJ10), and Waiguan (SJ5) acupoints for 20 min, while the SA group needling was near at these acupoints. The values of the isokinetic parameters and surface electromyography (sEMG) signals were recorded before and after acupuncture. After RA, the isokinetic parameters values (average torque, work, power, and speed), the sEMG values at four major muscles, and the joint stiffness of elbow Flex/Ext were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The enhancement of forearm muscle endurance lasted approximately 7-21 min (from post1 to post3/post4), indicating that the effect of RA to improve elbow Flex/Ext muscle endurance is time-dependent. Therefore, this study found that RA can immediately improve the forearm muscle endurance of healthy women compared with SA, and this effect can last approximately 7-21 min until the acupuncture efficacy decreased or disappeared.

[Comparison of the stress distribution of microtitanium and bioresorbable plates in fixation of mandibulotomy].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the stress distribution of microtitanium plate and bioresorbable plates in fixation of mandibulotomy. METHODS: Three dimensional models of different internal fixation systems in mandibular resection were established, and three dimensional finite element analysis was carried out to compare the displacement changes of fracture segments and stress distribution of titanium plates under the same stress conditions. RESULTS: The maximum stress value of titanium plate was 49.8 MPa, and that of absorbable plate was 4.42 MPa. The maximum stress value of titanium plate was far greater than that of absorbable plate. However, all the stresses were less than their yield limits. It can be seen from the relative displacement comparison that when the mini-titanium plate was fixed on the mandible, the maximum displacement value was 0.1 mm; when absorbable plate was used for fixation, the maximum displacement value was 0.2 mm, and the relative displacement of both plates was small. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the stiffness and internal strength of bioabsorbable fixation system are sufficient to support bone healing at the mandible site.

[Safety analysis of application of medical anti-adhesion modified chitosan in cardiac surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To verify the application safety of medical anti-adhesion modified chitosan (Baifeimi) in cardiac surgery. METHODS: From August to December 2010, 42 patients undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease or ischemic heart disease were selected and divided into testing (n = 22) and control (n = 20) groups. After complete intraoperative hemostasis, two sheets of anti-adhesion modified chitosan (Baifeimi) were placed on the surface of heart and vessels in the testing group and then chest was closed. And the control group underwent routine chest closing without an application of Baifeimi. The systemic and local reactions and drainage fluid were observed. The postoperative drainage fluid was subject to bacteria culture. Blood routines and laboratory tests at preoperation and Day 1 and Week 1 postoperation were performed to evaluate the changes of chemical, biological and immunological parameters. RESULTS: There was no occurrence of systemic reaction, local inflammation or exudation.Wounds were healed at Phase I. The drainage fluid of pericardium and mediastina had no significant intergroup difference. Drainage was unobstructed in the testing group. A comparison of two groups revealed that the differences of aspartate aminotransferase ( (24 ± 17) vs (40 ± 22) U/L), preoperative and postoperative immunoglobulin A( (1.9 ± 0.7) vs (2.9 ± 1.4) g/L, (2.3 ± 0.9) vs (3.3 ± 1.5) g/L) were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). But the average values of both group stayed within a normal range without clinical significance while other indices had no significant difference. The bacteria cultures of all patients in the control group were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-adhesion modified chitosan is both convenient and safe for clinical application. The duration of cardiac surgery is not extended.No systemic or local adverse event is reported. There is no interference of hepatic, renal or immune functions.