Objective To establish and evaluate a hydrocephalus model in dogs. Methods Twelve healthy adult male mongrel dogs (weight, 10-15 kg) were randomly divided into the control group (n=6) and the experimental group (n=6). All the dogs were given CT and neurological examination to exclude congenital ventricular enlargement and neurological abnormity before they received hydrocephalus induction. Surgical procedures included the exposing of the foramen magnum area, the opening of the atlantooccipita anadesma, and the injecting of silicone oil (0.3 ml/kg) into the fourth ventricle through a silicone tube. Normal saline was injected in the control group. The Tarlov neurological fitness assessment and the Evan’s ratio were used to evaluatethe degree of hydrocephalus at 3, 14 and 56 days after operation. Results In the experimental group, the dogs were dull and unsteady in walking,and they drank and ate less. The lateral ventricle began to expand 3 days afteroperation, and then the temple horn of the lateral ventricle and the third ventricle were also affected 14 days after operation. The ventricles were enlarged progressively after operation. The Tarlov scores measured at 3, 14 and 56 days afteroperation had a significant difference at the same time point between the control group(5.83±0.75，6.50±0.55，6.00±0.63) and the experimental group (4.00±0.89，4.83±1.17，4.50±1.05，P＜0.01), but had no significant difference within the same group at different time points (P＞0.05). The Evan’s ratios measured at 3, 14 and 56 days after operation were 0.33±0.04,0.39±006，0.44±0.03，respectively,in the experimental group; and were 0.27±0.06，0.25±0.09, 0.26±0.05,respectively,in the control group. There was a significant difference atthe same time point between the two groups, and at different time points within the experimental group (P＜0.05).Conclusion The dog model of hydrocephalus induced by the injecting of silicone oil into the fourth ventricle has a highsuccess rate, and the model is appropriate for the studies on diagnosis and therapy of hydrocephalus.
To improve the performance of brain-controlled intelligent car based on motor imagery (MI), a method based on neurofeedback (NF) with electroencephalogram (EEG) for controlling intelligent car is proposed. A mental strategy of MI in which the energy column diagram of EEG features related to the mental activity is presented to subjects with visual feedback in real time to train them to quickly master the skills of MI and regulate their EEG activity, and combination of multi-features fusion of MI and multi-classifiers decision were used to control the intelligent car online. The average, maximum and minimum accuracy of identifying instructions achieved by the trained group (trained by the designed feedback system before the experiment) were 85.71%, 90.47% and 76.19%, respectively and the corresponding accuracy achieved by the control group (untrained) were 73.32%, 80.95% and 66.67%, respectively. For the trained group, the average, longest and shortest time consuming were 92 s, 101 s, and 85 s, respectively, while for the control group the corresponding time were 115.7 s, 120 s, and 110 s, respectively. According to the results described above, it is expected that this study may provide a new idea for the follow-up development of brain-controlled intelligent robot by the neurofeedback with EEG related to MI.
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of core stable training on cervical vertebrae pain, cervical function and balance ability in patients with neck type cervical spondylopathy (NTCS).MethodsFrom January to August 2018, 98 patients with NTCS were treated. According to the odd and even bed numbers, 49 patients were enrolled in the observation group and 49 were in the control group. The patients in the control group was given Kinesio tape treatment, and the observation group was given core stability training based on the treatment of the control group. Cervical vertebrae pain was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Clinical Assessment Scale for Cervical Spondylosis (CASCS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI); cervical vertebra activity were used to assess the cervical; the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to assess patients’ balance before intervention and at the 4th week of intervention. The incidence of complications during the intervention and the effective of treatment 4 weeks after intervention were recorded. The recurrence rate 6 months after the intervention was recorded.ResultsThere were no significant difference in CASCS, NDI, VAS, and BBS scores between the two groups before intervention (P>0.05). At the 4th week of the intervention, the CASCS and BBS scores of the two groups were higher than those before the intervention, and the VAS and NDI scores were lower than those before the intervention (P<0.05); and the CASCS and BBS scores in observation group at the 4th week of the intervention were higher than that of control group, and VAS and NDI scores were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the activity of the cervical vertebrae before intervention in both of the two groups (P>0.05). At the 4th week of the intervention, the activity of the cervical vertebrae in all directions was bigger than that of before the intervention in both of the two groups (P<0.05), and that in observation group were bigger than that of the control group (P<0.05). The effective rate at the 4th week in the observation group (95.92%) was higher than that in the control group (81.83%)(P<0.05). The recurrence rate 6 months after intervention in the observation group (6.38%) was lower than that in the control group (22.50%) (P<0.05).ConclusionCore stability training can relieve cervical spondylosis in NTCS patients, and improve the cervical function and patients’ balance; it has high safety and stable efficacy.
Multi-modal brain-computer interface and multi-modal brain function imaging are developing trends for the present and future. Aiming at multi-modal brain-computer interface based on electroencephalogram-near infrared spectroscopy (EEG-NIRS) and in order to simultaneously acquire the brain activity of motor area, an acquisition helmet by NIRS combined with EEG was designed and verified by the experiment. According to the 10-20 system or 10-20 extended system, the diameter and spacing of NIRS probe and EEG electrode, NIRS probes were aligned with C3 and C4 as the reference electrodes, and NIRS probes were placed in the middle position between EEG electrodes to simultaneously measure variations of NIRS and the corresponding variation of EEG in the same functional brain area. The clamp holder and near infrared probe were coupled by tightening a screw. To verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the multi-modal EEG-NIRS helmet, NIRS and EEG signals were collected from six healthy subjects during six mental tasks involving the right hand clenching force and speed motor imagery. These signals may reflect brain activity related to hand clenching force and speed motor imagery in a certain extent. The experiment showed that the EEG-NIRS helmet designed in the paper was feasible and effective. It not only could provide support for the multi-modal motor imagery brain-computer interface based on EEG-NIRS, but also was expected to provide support for multi-modal brain functional imaging based on EEG-NIRS.
Objective To explore the effects of intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on improving pain, joint function, and muscle strength of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods From March 2017 to August 2019, 100 cases of KOA diagnosed and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University were selected. They were divided into intervention group and control group with 50 cases in each group by random number table method. The patients in the intervention group were given intra-articular injection of PRP (5 mL/time, 1 time/week, 6 times in total) combined with isokinetic strength training (2 times/d, 3 d/week, for 12 consecutive weeks) treatment, and the patients in the control group were given intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate (2 mL/time, 1 time/week, for 12 consecutive weeks) combined with isokinetic strength training (2 times/d, 3 d/week, for 12 consecutive weeks). The incidence of adverse reactions during the treatment process and the clinical efficacy at 12 weeks of treatment and 6 months after treatment were recorded, and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scoring system was used to evaluate the knee joint function. When the isokinetic strength training instrument measured an angle of 90°/s, the knee joint flexor and extensor peak torque (PT), total work (TW), and average power (AP) were recorded. Results Forty-nine patients of each group completed the study. The between-group differences in WOMAC pain, stiffness, and joint function scores, and extensor and flexor PT, TW, and AP before treatment were not statistically significant (P>0.05). At 12 weeks of treatment and 6 months after treatment, the WOMAC scores of pain, stiffness, and joint function in the two groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the extensor and flexor PT, TW, and AP were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). Six months after treatment, the WOMAC scores of pain, stiffness, and joint function in the intervention group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the extensor and flexor PT, TW, and AP in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the effective rate between the two groups at 12 weeks of treatment (95.9% vs. 89.8%, P>0.05). The effective rate in the intervention group was higher than that in the control group 6 months after treatment (93.9% vs. 79.6%, P<0.05). No serious adverse reaction occurred in the two groups during the treatment. Conclusion Intra-articular injection of PRP can reduce pain, improve muscle strength, and improve joint function in patients with KOA, and the long-term effect is better than that of conventional drugs.
Objective To establish a three-dimensional finite element analysis model of the knee joint in fresh frozen cadavers, to verify the validity of the model and to simulate the stress distribution characteristics of the patellofemoral joint after combined proximal and distal knee extension rearrangement surgery for recurrent patellar dislocation. Methods One male and one female fresh frozen cadavers (4 knees in total), using voluntary body donations, were used to measure the maximum pressure on the patellofemoral articular surface at each passive flexion angle (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°) of the normal knee joint and the model after combined proximal and distal knee extension rearrangement surgery for recurrent patellar dislocation with tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) value >2.00 cm using pressure-sensitive paper, respectively. Then, the 2 freshly frozen cadavers were used to construct three-dimensional finite element models of normal knee joints and postoperative knee joints, and the maximum pressure on the patellofemoral articular surface was measured at various passive flexion angles. The maximum pressure was compared with the measurement results of the pressure-sensitive paper to verify the validity of the three-dimensional finite element model. In addition, the maximum pressure on the patellofemoral joint surface measured by three-dimensional finite element was compared between the normal knee joint and the postoperative knee joint at various passive flexion angles, so as to obtain an effective three-dimensional finite element model for the simulation study of the stress distribution characteristics of the patellofemoral joint after combined proximal and distal knee extension rearrangement surgery for recurrent patellar dislocation. ResultsThe maximum pressure on the patellofemoral joint surface measured by pressure-sensitive paper and three-dimensional finite element measurements were similar at all passive flexion angles in the normal knee joint, with a difference of −0.08-0.06 MPa; the maximum pressure on the patellofemoral joint surface measured by pressure-sensitive paper and three-dimensional finite element measurements were also similar at all passive flexion angles in the knee after combined proximal and distal knee extension rearrangement surgery, with a difference of −0.04-0.09 MPa. The maximum pressure on the patellofemoral joint surface measured by three-dimensional finite elements were also similar between the normal knee joint and the knee joint after combined proximal and distal knee extension rearrangement surgery at all passive flexion angles, with a difference of −0.50-−0.03 MPa. ConclusionThe three-dimensional finite element model of the normal knee joint and the knee joint after combined proximal and distal knee extension rearrangement surgery can accurately and effectively quantify the change in the maximum pressure on the patellofemoral joint surface; for recurrent patellar dislocations with TT-TG value>2.00 cm, the combined proximal and distal knee extension rearrangement surgery can achieve a maximum pressure of the patellofemoral joint surface similar to that of the normal knee joint.
Objective To explore the mid-term effectiveness of combined knee extensor mechanism realignment with bone anchor for recurrent patella dislocation. Methods Between August 2017 and May 2019, 21 patients with recurrent patella dislocation underwent combined knee extensor mechanism realigament with bone anchor and followed up more than 3 years. There were 8 males and 13 females with an average age of 19.4 years (range, 13-26 years). All 21 patients had a history of recurrent patellar dislocation for 2-5 times (median, 3 times), and the disease duration was 1-16 years (mean, 5 years). The preoperative Lysholm score was 67.5±6.3 and the Kujula score was 64.1±7.0. The defect of meniscus, anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, and medial and lateral collateral ligaments were excluded by MRI examination; CT examination showed that the tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance was 2.05-2.56 cm, with an average of 2.16 cm; X-ray examination showed that lower limb force line was abnormal. The effectiveness were evaluated by Lysholm score and Kujula score before operation and at 3 years after operation, and Insall evaluation standard at 3 years after operation. Results All the incisions healed by first intention, and there was no surgical complication such as lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, incision infection, and nerve injury. All 21 patients were followed up 3.0-3.5 years, with an average of 3.2 years. Anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films of the knee joint at 3 years after operation showed that the position of the patella was normal, and the axial X-ray films of the patella (30°, 60°, 90°) showed that the patellofemoral joint had a good relationship. During the follow-up, there was no anchor drop or fracture, no obvious pseudarthrosis formation, and no epiphyseal injury in the minor patients. The Lysholm score was 91.5±7.1 and the Kujula score was 88.1±7.6 at 3 years after operation, which were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (t=11.57, P=0.00; t=12.78, P=0.00). According to the Insall evaluation criteria, 12 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, 4 cases were fair, and 1 case was poor, with an excellent and good rate of 76.2%. ConclusionCombined knee extensor mechanism realignment with bone anchor is a simple and reliable way to treat the recurrent patella dislocation, with a satisfactory mid-term effectiveness and less complications; however, its long-term effectiveness needs further follow-up.