Impact loading in female runners with single and multiple bone stress injuries during fresh and exerted conditions

Background:Bone stress injuries(BSIs)are common in female runners,and recurrent BSI rates are high.Previous work suggests an association between higher impact loading during running and tibial BSI.However,it is unknown whether impact loading and fatigue-related loading changes discriminate women with a history of multiple BSIs.This study compared impact variables at the beginning of a treadmill run to exertion andthe changes in those variables with exertion among female runners with no history of BSI as well as among those with a history of single or multiple BSIs.Methods:We enrolled 45 female runners(aged 18-40 years)for this cross-sectional study:having no history of diagnosed lower extremity BSI(N-BSI,n=14);a history of 1 lower extremity BSI(1-BSI,n=16);and diagnosed by imaging,or a history of multiple(>3)lower extremity BSIs(M-BSI,n=15).Participants completed a 5-km race speed run on an instrumented treadmill while wearing an Inertial Measurement Unit.The vertical average loading rate(VALR),vertical instantaneous loading rate(VILR),vertical stiffness during impact via instrumented treadmill,and tibial shock determined as the peak po sitive tibial acceleration via Inertial Measurement Unit were measured at the beginning and the end of the run.Results:There were no differences between groups in VALR,VILR,vertical stiffness,or tibial shock in a fresh or exerted condition.However,compared to N-BSI,women with M-BSI had greater increase with exertion in VALR(-1.8%vs.6.1%,p=0.01)and VILR(1.5%vs.4.8%,p=0.03).Similarly,compared to N-BSI,vertical stiffness increased more with exertion among women with M-BSI(-0.9%vs.7.3%,p=0.006)and 1-BSI(-0.9%vs.1.8%,p=0.05).Finally,compared to N-BSI,the increase in tibial shock from fresh to exerted condition was greater among women with M-BSI(0.9%vs.5.5%,p=0.03)and 1-BSI(0.9%vs.11.2%,p=0.02).Conclusion:Women with 1-BSI or M-BSIs experience greater exertion-related increases in impact loading than women with N-BSI.These observations imply that exertion-related changes in gait biomechanics may contribute to risk of BSI.

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide in cultured rabbit bone marrow stromal cells via altering the oxidative stress level and down-regulating caspase-3

Objective： To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins （PNS） on hydrogen peroxide （H2O2）-induced apoptosis in cultured rabbit bone marrow stromal cells （BMSCs）. Methods： The effects of different concentrations of PNS on proliferation and early osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs were determined by the MTT assay and an alkaline phosphatase （ALP） assay. An optimal effective concentration of PNS was determined and used in subsequent experiments. The cultured BMSCs were divided into three groups： untreated control, H2O2 treated, and PNS pretreatment of H2O2 treated. The oxidative stress level was assessed by superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） assays. Flow cytometry was used to determine BMSC apoptosis by staining with annexinV-FITC/propidium iodide （PI）. The activity of caspase-3 enzyme was measured by spectrofluorometry. Results： PNS （0.1g/L） significantly increased both BMSC proliferation rate and ALP activity, while it decreased the indicators of oxidative stress, caspase-3 activity, and the apoptosis rate of BMSCs induced by H2O2.. Conclusion： PNS, acting as a biological antioxidant, had a protective effect on H2O2-induced apoptosis in cultured rabbit BMSCs by decreasing oxidative stress and down-regulating caspase-3.

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 and transforming growth factor-beta1 mechanisms in acute valvular response to supra-physiologic hemodynamic stresses

AIM:To explore ex vivo the role of bone morphogenetic protein-4(BMP-4) and transforming growth factorbeta1(TGF-β1) in acute valvular response to fluid shear stress(FSS) abnormalities.METHODS:Porcine valve leaflets were subjected ex vivo to physiologic FSS,supra-physiologic FSS magnitude at normal frequency and supra-physiologic FSS frequency at normal magnitude for 48 h in a double-sided cone-and-plate bioreactor filled with standard culture medium. The role of BMP-4 and TGF-β1 in the valvular response was investigated by promoting or inhibiting the downstream action of those cytokines via culture medium supplementation with BMP-4 or the BMP antagonist noggin,and TGF-β1 or the TGF-β1 inhibitor SB-431542,respectively. Fresh porcine leaflets were used as controls. Each experimental group consisted of six leaflet samples. Immunostaining and immunoblotting were performed to assess endothelial activation in terms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expressions,paracrine signaling in terms of BMP-4 and TGF-β1 expressions and extracellular matrix(ECM) remodeling in terms of cathepsin L,cathepsin S,metalloproteinases(MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expressions. Immunostained images were quantified by normalizing the intensities of positively stained regions by the number of cells in each image while immunoblots were quantified by densitometry. R E S U LT S :Regardless of the culture medium,physiologic FSS maintained valvular homeostasis. Tissue exposure to supra-physiologic FSS magnitude in standard medium stimulated paracrine signaling(TGF-β1:467% ± 22% vs 100% ± 6% in freshcontrols,BMP-4:258% ± 22% vs 100% ± 4% in fresh controls; P < 0.05) and ECM degradation(MMP-2:941% ± 90% vs 100% ± 19% in fresh controls,MMP-9:1219% ± 190% vs 100% ± 16% in fresh controls,cathepsin L:1187% ± 175% vs 100% ± 12% in fresh controls,cathepsin S:603% ± 88% vs 100% ± 13% in fresh controls; P < 0.05),while BMP-4 supplementation also promoted fibrosa activation and TGF-β1 inhibition reduced MMP-9 expression to the native tissue level(MMP-9:308% ± 153% with TGF-β1 inhibition vs 100% ± 16% in fresh control; P > 0.05). Supra-physiologic FSS frequency had no effect on endothelial activation and paracrine signaling regardless of the culture medium but TGF-β1 silencing attenuated FSS-induced ECM degradation via MMP-9 downregulation(MMP-9:302% ± 182% vs 100% ± 42% in fresh controls; P > 0.05).CONCLUSION:Valvular tissue is sensitive to FSS abnormalities. The TGF-β1 inhibitor SB-431542 is a potential candidate molecule for attenuating the effects of FSS abnormalities on valvular remodeling.

From Sméagol to Gollum: Mechanical Stress and Bone Remodelling

This imaginary transformation from Sméagol to Gollum is a dramatization of the illusive repercussions of mechanical stress affecting bone. This paper presents the main ideas of mechanical stress and bone remodelling from a novel’s perspective. The object of this study is to provide evidence for new ways to explore bone’s functional adaptation to mechanical stress made through the copious interpretation and integration of new and existing literature. It tackles the underlying biology of bone cells and how they detect and react to strain stimuli. The different types of mechanical demands in daily activities are sifted through and any misconceptions found fallible in literature are refined. A personal experience of a stress fracture is reviewed to parallel the implications that lead to the incident with the findings on the link between mechanical stress and bone remodelling. Some factors regarding age, gender and ethnicity and the interplay with mechanical stress influencing bone remodelling are considered. Brief overviews of three new medical novelties in bone healing are outlined, hoping that these interventions of proper medical techniques can be a change for the better: one from Gollum to Sméagol rather than vice versa.

Age- and direction-related adaptations of lumbar vertebral trabecular bone with respect to apparent stiffness and tissue level stress distribution

The objective of this study was to study the age-related adaptation of lumbar vertebral trabecular bone at the apparent level, as well as the tissue level in three orthogonal directions. Ninety trabecular specimens were obtained from six normal L4 vertebral bodies of six male cadavers in two age groups, three aged 62 years and three aged 69 years, and were scanned using a high-resolution micro-computed tomography （micro-CT） system, then converted to micro- finite element models to do micro-finite element analyses. The relationship between apparent stiffness and bone volume fraction, and the tissue level yon Mises stress distribution for each trabecular specimen when compressed separately in the longitudinal direction, medial-lateral and anterior-posterior directions （transverse directions） were derived and compared between two age groups. The results showed that at the apparent level, trabecular bones from 69-year group had stiffer bone structure relative to their volume fractions in all three directions, and in both age groups, changes in bone volume fraction could explain more variations in apparent stiffness in the longitudinal direction than the transverse directions; at the tissue level, aging had little effect on the tissue von Mises stress distributions for the compressions in all the three directions. The novelty of the present study was that it provided quantitative assessments on the age and direction- related adaptation of Chinese male lumbar vertebral trabecular bone from two different levels： stiffness at the apparent level and stress distribution at the tissue level. It may help to understand the failure mechanisms and fracture risks of vertebral body associated with aging and direction for the prevention of fracture risks in elder individuals.

Therapeutic effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on cold stress induced changes in the hippocampus of rats

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on cold stress induced neuronal changes in hippocampal CA1 region of Wistar rats. Bone marrow mes- enchymal stem cells were isolated from a 6-week-old Wistar rat. Bone marrow from adult femora and tibia was collected and mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in minimal essential medium containing 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and were sub-cultured. Passage 3 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry for positive expression of CD44 and CD90 and negative expression of CD45. Once CD44 and CD90 positive expression was achieved, the cells were cultured again to 90% confluence for later experiments. Twenty-four rats aged 8 weeks old were randomly and evenly divided into normal control, cold water swim stress （cold stress）, cold stress ＋ PBS （intra- venous infusion）, and cold stress ＋ bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （1 x 106; intravenous infusion） groups. The total period of study was 60 days which included 1 month stress period followed by 1 month treatment. Behavioral functional test was performed during the entire study period. After treatment, rats were sacrificed for histological studies. Treatment with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells significantly increased the number of neuronal cells in hippocampal CA 1 region. Adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells injected by intravenous administration show potential therapeutic effects in cognitive decline associated with stress-related lesions.

芒果苷对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用

背景:间充质干细胞移植治疗脊髓损伤有一定效果,但仍存在局部氧化应激环境导致移植细胞存活率低、细胞移植效率不佳等问题。目的:探究芒果苷在氧化应激状态下对骨髓间充质干细胞的保护作用。方法:取第3代大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,按浓度梯度0,20,40,80,160μmol/L加入芒果苷孵育2 h,然后加入含400μmol/L H_(2)O_(2)的无血清L-DMEM培养基及相应浓度的芒果苷继续培养12 h及24 h,以常规培养的大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞为正常对照组。MTT法检测各组细胞存活情况,按照试剂盒操作方法检测细胞培养液中超氧化物歧化酶、丙二醛及过氧化氢酶水平。结果与结论:与正常对照组相比,H_(2)O_(2)组细胞的存活能力显著降低(P<0.01),超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶水平显著降低(P<0.01),丙二醛水平显著升高(P<0.01);与H_(2)O_(2)组相比,芒果苷组细胞的存活能力显著升高(P<0.01),超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶水平显著升高(P<0.01),丙二醛水平显著降低(P<0.01)。芒果苷在20μmol/L浓度以上表现出浓度依赖性的抗氧化应激保护活性,且在160μmol/L以下无细胞毒性。结果表明,抗氧化剂芒果苷可增加骨髓间充质干细胞的抗氧化活性,为骨髓间充质干细胞移植提供一种新的预处理策略。

不同骨质条件下超短种植体应用于下颌后牙区的有限元分析

背景:有研究利用三维有限元方法分析了种植体在不同皮质骨厚度中的应力情况,得出皮质骨厚度影响种植体-骨界面位移值、等效应力值及种植体各部件等效应力值的结果。目前超短种植体在不同下颌骨骨质中的临床应用还存在不确定性。目的:利用三维有限元法分析超短种植体在下颌骨不同骨质中的应力分布及骨组织的应力分布情况。方法:选取1名下颌第1磨牙缺失患者的CT影像资料,利用Mimics软件创建下颌骨第1磨牙区域的模型,根据超短种植体奥齿泰系统中5 mm×5 mm TSⅢ型号绘制出所需要的植体及上部修复体模型,使用Geomagic Studio的偏置命令获取下颌4类不同骨质的模型(Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ类),将所有模型整合并交叉组合,给予不同方向载荷,分析各类模型受力后的范氏等效应力分布。结果与结论:(1)垂直载荷时:皮质骨最大应力在Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ类骨质中相对于Ⅳ类骨更趋向于稳定,力也从分散于种植体周围到Ⅳ类骨时逐渐集中至种植体颈部与皮质骨连接处;Ⅰ类骨中最大等效应力峰值在中央螺丝区域,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ类骨中最大应力峰值则统一在种植体颈部与基台连接处。(2)侧向载荷时:皮质骨最大应力随着骨质条件的减弱呈逐渐增大的趋势;Ⅰ-Ⅳ类骨质中,最大应力峰值都集中在种植体与基台连接处,Ⅰ-Ⅲ类骨中种植体本身所受应力随着骨质的减弱表现出逐渐增大的趋势,到Ⅳ类骨时应力有所减小,此规律同样适用于修复体基台以及松质骨所受应力。(3)各类骨质中侧向载荷时所受到的最大应力值比垂直向载荷更大。

女贞子活性成分防治骨质疏松症的分子机制

背景:目前,中医药已被证实在抗骨质疏松方面具有显著作用,女贞子活性成分的抗骨质疏松有效性及作用机制逐渐得到学者们的关注。目的:分析总结女贞子活性成分在体内外发挥抗骨质疏松方面的研究进展。方法:检索中国知网及PubMed数据库收录的相关文献,中文检索词为“骨质疏松症,骨髓间充质干细胞,成骨细胞,破骨细胞,女贞子,信号通路”;英文检索词为“Osteoporosis,Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,Osteoblast,Osteoclast,Ligustri Lucidi Fructus,Signal path”,并根据研究需要确立相应的标准,对所得文献进行筛选,最终纳入82篇文献进行综述。结果与结论:女贞子活性成分在体内外发挥抗骨质疏松作用主要涉及以下几种重要成分:①红景天苷通过抑制骨硬化蛋白(SOST)和Dickkopf相关蛋白1(Dkk1)的表达,激活了Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,该激活过程增强了去卵巢大鼠和原代成骨细胞中磷酸化低密度脂蛋白受体相关蛋白6(p-LRP6)的表达,同时降低了糖原合酶激酶3β的表达。进一步地,红景天苷促进了细胞核内β-catenin、特异性转录因子2(Runx2)和骨髓细胞瘤病毒癌基因(c-Myc)的表达,从而促进了成骨细胞的骨形成能力。红景天苷可直接作用于成骨细胞,促进骨形成,为骨质疏松症的治疗提供了新的策略。②橄榄苦苷显著提高了SD大鼠的骨密度,并通过降低终末白细胞介素6和碱性磷酸酶浓度来调节骨代谢。体外实验表明,橄榄苦苷促进了成骨细胞的增殖,并上调了骨保护素蛋白和mRNA的表达,同时抑制了核转录因子κB受体活化因子配体(receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand,RANKL)蛋白和mRNA的表达。这一作用机制与调节骨保护素/RANKL系统的平衡密切相关,展现出能提高骨密度,又能通过调节骨代谢相关因子来维护骨骼健康的优势,但对Ca2+浓度无显著影响,可能限制了其在某些特定骨质疏松类型中的应用。③松果菊苷通过降低磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase,PI3K)的表达、减少蛋白激酶B(protein kinase B,Akt)的磷酸化程度和破骨特殊标记蛋白(c-Fos)的表达,有效抑制了破骨细胞中PI3K/Akt/c-Fos通路的激活。这一抑制作用降低了破骨细胞的增殖和成熟能力,从而有助于减少骨吸收,其优势能直接针对破骨细胞进行干预,为骨质疏松症的治疗提供了新的靶点,但是目前对破骨细胞的具体调控机制尚需深入研究,且其长期效果和安全性需进一步评估。④女贞子活性成分在骨质疏松方面展现出良好的治疗效果,但其作用机制复杂,涉及多个基因、蛋白和信号通路的相互作用,未来需开展大规模的临床试验以验证其有效性和安全性,同时需要进一步探索女贞子活性成分与其他药物的联合应用策略,以期获得更好的治疗效果。

叉头框转录因子O1信号通路与骨代谢

背景:在骨骼中,各种内源性或者外源性刺激会引起骨代谢失衡,导致骨量和骨强度的变化,进而引起骨关节炎、骨质疏松症等一系列骨相关疾病。在这个过程中,叉头框转录因子O1(Forkhead box transcription factor O1,FoxO1)起到了重要作用,FoxO1可以通过调节氧化应激、细胞增殖、分化和凋亡来调控骨代谢。目的:文章以FoxO1为中心,通过总结其上下游的调节机制,为未来治疗骨相关疾病提供新的思路。方法:以“FoxO1,骨”为检索词在中国知网和万方医学数据库进行检索,以“FoxO1,Bone,Skeleton”为检索词在PubMed和Web of Science数据库进行检索,排除陈旧、重复、质量较差以及不相关的文献,最终纳入56篇文献进行综述分析。结果与结论:①FoxO1通过增加Runt相关转录因子2、碱性磷酸酶和骨钙素的表达,促进骨髓间充质干细胞向成骨细胞分化,通过抑制过氧化物酶体增殖激活受体γ,将骨髓间充质干细胞由成脂分化向成骨分化转化,从而增加骨形成。此外,FoxO1还可以通过增加成骨细胞的数量来影响骨形成。②抑制骨髓单核-巨噬细胞中的FoxO1可以导致巨噬细胞集落刺激因子、核因子κB受体激活剂配体以及活化T细胞核因子1表达减少,促进破骨细胞表达更多的FoxO1,从而抑制破骨细胞分化。此外,直接激活FoxO1也可以抑制破骨细胞分化并减弱破骨细胞的活性。③增加软骨细胞内的FoxO1水平可以起到调节软骨细胞稳态、保护软骨细胞免受氧化应激损伤、促进自噬相关基因的表达和软骨细胞分泌蛋白多糖4的作用。④文章详细介绍了FoxO1在不同骨细胞中调节的分子机制,更加全面、深入地阐述了FoxO1在治疗骨相关疾病中的关键作用,为治疗骨关节炎、骨质疏松症及骨折愈合延迟等多种骨相关疾病提供新的思路。

Biomechanics associated with tibial stress fracture in runners:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Tibial stress fracture(TSF)is an overuse running injury with a long recovery period.While many running studies refer to biomechanical risk factors for TSF,only a few have compared biomechanics in runners with TSF to controls.The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate biomechanics in runners with TSF compared to controls.Methods:Electronic databases PubMed,Web of Science,SPORTDiscus,Scopus,Cochrane,and CINAHL were searched.Risk of bias was assessed and meta-analysis conducted for variables reported in 3 or more studies.Results:The search retrieved 359 unique records,but only the 14 that compared runners with TSF to controls were included in the review.Most studies were retrospective,2 were prospective,and most had a small sample size(5-30 per group).Many variables were not significantly different between groups.Meta-analysis of peak impact,active,and braking ground reaction forces found no significant differences between groups.Individual studies found larger tibial peak anterior tensile stress,peak posterior compressive stress,peak axial acceleration,peak rearfoot eversion,and hip adduction in the TSF group.Conclusion:Meta-analysis indicated that discrete ground reaction force variables were not statistically significantly different in runners with TSF compared to controls.In individual included studies,many biomechanical variables were not statistically significantly different between groups.However,many were reported by only a single study,and sample sizes were small.We encourage additional studies with larger sample sizes of runners with TSF and controls and adequate statistical power to confirm or refute these findings.

内质网应激与常见退行性骨骼疾病的发生与发展

背景:常见的退行性骨骼疾病,如骨关节炎、骨质疏松症和椎间盘退变,其具体的发病分子机制目前尚未明确,可能涉及内质网应激。目前,关于内质网应激在这些常见骨骼疾病发病机制中的系统作用和相关治疗进展的研究较为有限。目的:综述内质网应激在常见的退行性骨骼疾病中的作用,深入探讨这些疾病的分子机制并提供新的防治思路和视角。方法:检索2000-2024年相关文献,以“内质网应激,骨骼疾病,未折叠蛋白反应,骨关节炎,骨质疏松症,椎间盘退变,自噬,凋亡,铁死亡,焦亡”为中文检索词检索中国知网、万方、维普数据库;以“endoplasmic reticulum stress,bone disease,unfolded protein response,osteoarthritis,osteoporosis,intervertebral disc degeneration,autophagy,apoptosis,ferroptosis,pyroptosis”为英文检索词检索PubMed、Web of Science数据库。排除重复和较陈旧的文献,共115篇文献符合纳入标准。结果与结论:①内质网应激在细胞生理调节中具有双重效应。轻度的内质网应激有助于促进成骨分化和细胞外基质合成,然而持续过度的内质网应激则会导致细胞死亡。②内质网应激诱导的细胞自噬、凋亡等与骨关节炎、骨质疏松症、椎间盘退变密切相关。③衰老、药物不良反应、代谢紊乱、钙平衡失调、不良生活习惯等多种原因可导致内质网应激的长期激活,从而引起骨重塑紊乱、软骨损伤、髓核细胞死亡等病理表现,最终导致骨关节炎、骨质疏松和椎间盘退变的发生。④对引发内质网应激的相关机制进行干预,有望在预防和治疗骨关节炎、骨质疏松症和椎间盘退变等常见退行性骨病方面发挥作用。

Anybody仿真太极不同步法时股骨及下肢骨主要关节的应力特征

背景:Anybody骨肌建模系统,使用数学建模技术模拟人体骨骼、肌肉和环境的关系,可对人体的逆向动力学进行研究,得出下肢关节力等指标。目的:分析练习太极拳动作时下肢骨主要关节的应力分布规律,为其科学训练和锻炼价值提供依据。方法:在北京体育大学武术学院选取8名太极拳健将级运动员进行7组步法动作和右腿股骨CT的数据采集。使用BTS红外捕捉系统、Kistler三维测力台采集太极(八法五步)7组步法动作的运动和力学数据,利用Anybody 7.2骨肌模型的多体动力学仿真技术计算下肢关节动力学参数,结合Workbench 19.2对股骨进行应力计算分析。结果与结论:①利用Workbench软件分析得出了7组步法动作的股骨应力结果,7组动作的应力峰值由大至小顺序是:退步捋势(22.00 MPa)、退步採势(19.379 MPa)、左右移步挤按(9.35 MPa)、左右移步肘靠(6.30 MPa)、进步掤势(4.68 MPa)、进步挒势(2.57 MPa)、中定独立势(0.31 MPa)。②在7组步法动作中2种向后退步动作股骨应力最大(P<0.05),且在7组动作运动过程中的股骨最大应力位置均不同。③上述结果证实,在太极(八法五步)7种步法动作练习时,股骨应力阈值和最大应力位置会随着5种方向(7组动作)运动不同而变化,通过连续训练能够全面地刺激股骨体,进步动作对于股骨体正面和外侧上端影响较大,退步动作对股骨体后面和内侧影响较大,左右横向步法动作主要是股骨体两侧对称受力。④初学者要根据不同步法动作的受力特点来进行针对训练,进步动作和退步动作训练时要注重太极拳的旋转用力以及左右横移步法动作训练时的内侧对抗用力,根据自身薄弱问题,对太极拳训练步法有所侧重,进而达到更好的锻炼效果。

经皮椎体成形联合椎弓根强化治疗重度骨质疏松性椎体骨折的有限元分析

背景:椎弓根内骨水泥灌注联合椎体成形已被用于治疗Kummell病和椎弓根溶骨性转移瘤等疾病,但该手术方式对相邻椎体及椎间盘的影响尚不明确。目的:应用三维有限元模型探讨经皮椎体成形联合椎弓根强化术治疗重度骨质疏松性椎体骨折对邻近节段椎体以及椎间盘相关生物力学的影响。方法:选择1位已完成经皮椎体成形联合椎弓根强化术的重度骨质疏松性椎体骨折(L1)女性患者,并提取其术前及术后的CT文件,研究范围为T_(12)-L_(2)(包括伤椎、邻近椎体和椎间盘)。通过Mimics、SolidWorks和Geomagic等软件分别建立了术前、术后三维脊柱功能单元的有限元模型。在T_(12)上终板垂直方向加载500 N力矩和10 N·m旋转力矩,模拟前屈、后伸、侧屈和旋转等运动方位,分析手术前后相邻节段椎体终板和椎间盘的应力变化情况。结果与结论:①成功建立了术前和术后脊柱功能单元的三维有限元模型;②通过计算得出,在模拟载荷下,术后T_(12)下终板应力分布更均匀且最大应力值减小,与术前相比无显著差异(P>0.05);术后L_(2)上终板应力分布更均匀且最大应力与术前无显著差异(P>0.05);同样,术后T_(12)/L_(1)、L_(1)/L_(2)椎间盘应力分布也更均匀且最大应力值均显著减小(P<0.05);③因此,经皮椎体成形联合椎弓根强化能够有效改善术后相邻椎体终板和椎间盘的应力分布,并能够减小应力,最终降低术后再骨折风险以及显著延缓椎间盘退变。

有限元仿真分析不同矫形方式治疗青少年特发性脊柱侧凸的生物力学特征

背景:青少年特发性脊柱侧凸不对称的生物力学环境会导致椎体进一步楔形变,严重时或可影响心肺功能,压迫神经。不同侧凸程度的青少年特发性脊柱侧凸应进行运动、支具或手术治疗,然而,因患者的个体差异性,选择不同矫形方式的力学机制仍不明确。目的:基于青少年特发性脊柱侧凸患者的脊柱模型,探究不同矫形方式治疗的生物力学机制,为临床治疗方式的选择提供依据。方法:基于1例青少年特发性脊柱侧凸患儿脊柱CT图像,于Mimics软件中三维重建出脊柱侧凸模型(C7-L5),在T8/T9胸廓处施加横向侧推力,在C7椎体上方施加纵向撑开力,力的大小为20,40,60,80,100,120 N,分析两种矫形方式下椎间盘凹凸侧应力、椎体凹凸侧位移和脊柱Cobb角变化。结果与结论:①横向侧推力下,C7T1-T7T8椎间盘应力无明显变化,T7T8-L4L5节段凹凸侧应力随着侧推力的增加先减小后增大,侧推力对T8T9附近节段的矫正效果明显,随着节段延伸至头端和尾端,矫正效果减弱;侧推120 N时,胸部Cobb角由53.2°变为32.5°,腰部Cobb角由50.2°变为43.9°;②纵向撑开力下,胸椎椎间盘应力先减小后增大,腰椎椎间盘应力均减小,C7位移最明显,节段延伸至尾端,矫正效果逐渐减弱;撑开力120 N时,胸部Cobb角由53.2°变为39.4°,腰部Cobb角由50.2°变为47.6°;③提示两种矫形方式均对脊柱侧凸程度有一定改善,胸部矫正大于腰部矫正,同时凹凸侧不对称的应力分布也得到改善,这有助于骨逐渐恢复正常生长;脊柱侧凸Cobb角较大时,适合采用纵向撑开方式,脊柱侧凸Cobb角较小时,适合采用横向侧推方式;研究结果有助于理解脊柱矫形机制并为矫形方式的选择提供理论依据。

黄芪甲苷可缓解MC3T3-E1细胞氧化应激损伤并促进成骨

背景:氧化应激是导致骨质疏松症的主要原因之一,减少氧化应激水平与增加抗氧化防御是治疗骨质疏松症的重要研究方向。研究证实黄芪甲苷具有抗骨质疏松作用,但其作用机制尚不明确。目的:探讨黄芪甲苷对氧化应激条件下MC3T3-E1细胞成骨的作用。方法:将MC3T3-E1细胞分4组培养:对照组加入完全培养基,模型组加入含过氧化氢的完全培养基干预24 h后更换为完全培养基,黄芪甲苷组加入含过氧化氢、黄芪甲苷的完全培养基干预24 h后更换为含黄芪甲苷的完全培养基,抑制剂组加入含过氧化氢、黄芪甲苷、细胞外信号调节激酶(extracellular signal-regulated kinases,ERK)抑制剂的完全培养基干预24 h后更换为含黄芪甲苷、ERK抑制剂的完全培养基。过氧化氢干预48 h后,通过丙二醛含量检测黄芪甲苷对MC3T3-E1细胞氧化应激的缓解作用;过氧化氢干预48 h后进行成骨诱导培养,通过碱性磷酸酶染色、茜素红染色验证MC3T3-E1细胞成骨及矿化能力,通过RT-qPCR检测成骨相关基因的表达,Western blot检测成骨相关蛋白及ERK/腺苷酸激活蛋白激酶(AMP-activated protein kinase,AMPK)信号通路蛋白的表达。结果与结论:(1)模型组细胞内碱性磷酸酶含量与矿化结节形成均少于对照组(P<0.05),黄芪甲苷组细胞内碱性磷酸酶含量与矿化结节形成均多于模型组(P<0.05)。(2)与对照组比较,模型组细胞内丙二醛含量增加(P<0.05),骨钙素、RUNX2、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白的mRNA与蛋白表达均降低(P<0.05),AMPK mRNA与p-AMPK蛋白表达升高(P<0.05);与模型组比较,黄芪甲苷组细胞内丙二醛含量减少(P<0.05),骨钙素、RUNX2、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白的mRNA与蛋白表达均升高(P<0.05),ERK1/2、AMPK mRNA表达升高(P<0.05),p-AMPK、p-ERK1/2蛋白表达均升高(P<0.05);ERK抑制剂可部分抑制黄芪甲苷的上述作用。(3)结果表明,黄芪甲苷可通过激活ERK/AMPK信号通路促进氧化应激条件下MC3T3-E1细胞的成骨分化。

Odd couple: The unexpected partnership of glucocorticoid hormones and cysteinyl-leukotrienes in the extrinsic regulation of murine bone-marrow eosinopoiesis

Granulopoiesis in murine bone-marrow is regulated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors(including hormones, drugs, inflammatory mediators and cytokines). Eosinophils, a minor subpopulation of circulating leukocytes, which remains better understood in its contributions to tissue injury in allergic disease than in its presumably beneficial actions in host defense, provide a striking example of joint regulation of granulopoiesis within murine bone-marrow by all of these classes of extrinsic factors. We first described the upregulation of eosinopoiesis in bone-marrow of allergen-sensitized mice following airway allergen challenge. Over the last decade, we were able to show a critical role for endogenous glucocorticoid hormones and cytokines in mediating this phenomenon through modification of cytokine effects, thereby supporting a positive association between stress hormones and allergic reactions. We have further shown that cysteinylleukotrienes(Cys LT), a major proinflammatory class of lipid mediators, generated through the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, upregulate bone-marrow eosinopoiesis in vivo and in vitro. Cys LT mediate the positive effects of drugs(indomethacin and aspirin) and of proallergic cytokines(eotaxin/CCL11 and interleukin-13) on in vitro eosinopoiesis. While these actions of endogenous GC and Cys LT might seem unrelated and even antagonistic, we demonstrated a critical partnership of these mediators in vivo, shedding light on mechanisms linking stress to allergy: GC are required for Cys LT-mediated upregulation of bone-marrow eosinopoiesis in vivo, but also attenuate subsequent ex vivo responses to Cys LT. GC and Cys LT therefore work together to induce eosinophilia, but through subtle regulatory mechanisms also limit the magnitude of subsequent bone-marrow responses to allergen.

Incidence and distribution of stress fractures in recruits during basic training

Stress fracture（SF）in military recruits in China was investigated using99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy in a randomized sample of 432 injured who wereclinically screened from 1060 recruits during basic training.The relationship between SFand training intensity was discussed.It was shown that the total incidence was 32.5%.There were two peaks during 9 training-weeks:one was in the 2nd week,and the otherin the 7th.Infantry soldiers had a more intensive training and,therefore a higher inci-dence than in artillery and service troops.Although SF was found in most ofweight-bearing bones,tibia was most commonly fractured（67%）.The findings suggestthat SF is a major training-related injury in military recruits and improperly strengthenedtraining can increase the incidence.

The Effect of Drop-Landing Height on Tibia Bone Strain

Athletes and military recruits are often afflicted by stress fractures. Rigorous training programs consisting of increased repetitive mechanical loading may contribute to the high incidence of tibia stress fracture in the athletic and army populations. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of incremented height on tibia bone strains and strain rates during landing. Seven healthy college males performed drop-landing tasks from 26 cm, 39 cm, and 52 cm, respectively. Tibia bone strains and strain rates were obtained through subject-specific multi-body dynamic computer simulations and finite element analyses. One-way repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted. Both 39 cm and 52 cm conditions resulted in larger tibia bone strains and strain rates than the 26 cm condition. The 52 cm condition also resulted in greater bone strains and strain rates than the 39 cm condition. A dose-response relationship exists between incremented landing height and bone strains and strain rates. Activities consisting of high impact landings are associated with increased risk of developing tibia stress fracture. When designing training programs involved high impact activities, athletes and military recruits should consider the effect of impact loading on tibia bone health and giving enough time for bones to adapt to new trainings.

A Finite Element Study of Crack Behavior for Carbon Na-notube Reinforced Bone Cement

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is a polymeric material that is widely used as a structural orthopedic material. However, it is not an ideal material for bone grafting due to its fragility. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been introduced in order to reinforce PMMA resulting in a composite material which exhibits improved tensile properties, increased fatigue resistance and fracture toughness. This improvement is potentially due to bridging and arresting cracks as well as absorption of energy. In this study, a two-dimensional finite element model is presented for the fracture analysis of PMMA-CNT composite material. Instead of the classical single fiber model, the present work considers an ensemble of CNTs interacting with a pre-existing crack. Casca is used to produce a two dimensional mesh and the fracture analysis is performed using Franc 2D. The model is subjected to uni-axial loading in the transverse plane and the interaction between the crack and CNTs is evaluated by determining the stress intensity factor in the vicinity of the crack tips. The effects of geometric parameters of the CNTs and the material structural heterogeneity on crack propagation trajectory are investigated. Furthermore, the effects of CNT diameter, wall thickness and elastic mismatch between the matrix and the nanotubes on crack growth are studied. The results illustrate that the CNTs repel cracks during loading as they act as barriers to crack growth. As a result, the incorporation of CNTs into PMMA reduces crack growth but more importantly increases the fracture resistance of bone cement.