大鼠产后压力性尿失禁模型的建立与探讨

目的 应用在大鼠阴道内放置水囊模拟产伤破坏大鼠盆底组织的方法建立产后压力性尿失禁( postpartum urinary incontinence,PPUI)的动物模型,并对此模型进行初步研究.方法 对40只SD雌性大鼠进行持续8h水囊扩张阴道,随机选取PPUI模型建立成功的大鼠25只并与对照同龄大鼠5只分别于模型建立后1d、1周、2周、4周、8周进行喷嚏实验以及尿动力学测定,张力换能器测定盆底肌肉肌力强度,采用JSCC标准化对应法测定血清生化指标(LDH,CK),应用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测caspase-3基因表达,胆碱酯酶染色法计数盆底肌肉乙酰胆碱受体数量.结果 建模后喷嚏实验阳性率明显升高,阳性率为72.5％(29/40),尿动力学检测最大膀胱容量及漏尿点压力均降低,盆底肌肉收缩力下降,血清LDH、CK水平上升,盆底耻尾肌乙酰胆碱受体数量减少,与对照组比较均差异有显著性(P＜0.05).耻尾肌组织中caspase-3基因表达在建立模型当日达到最高,与对照组差异有显著性(P＜0.05),之后逐渐下降.结论 大鼠阴道内放置8h水囊的方法可以成功模拟产后压力性尿失禁,引起尿动力以及盆底肌肉的相关损伤指标发生改变.     

An approach on determining the displacements of the pelvic floor during voluntary contraction using numerical simulation and MRI

The present study was conducted in order to establish a methodology based on the finite element method to simulate the contraction of the pelvic floor (PF) muscles. In the generated finite element model, a downward pressure of 90 cm H₂O was applied, while actively contracting the PF muscles with different degrees of muscular activation (10, 50 and 100%). The finite element methodology of the active contraction behaviour proposed in this study is adequate to simulate PF muscle contraction with different degrees of muscular activation. In this case, in particular, for an activation of 100%, the numerical model was able to displace the pubovisceral muscle in a range of values very similar to the displacement found in the magnetic resonance imaging data. In the analysed case study, it would be possible to conclude that an intensity contraction of 50% would be necessary to produce enough stiffness to avoid possible urine loss.     

Biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscles of continent and incontinent women using an inverse finite element analysis

Pelvic disorders can be associated with changes in the biomechanical properties in the muscle, ligaments and/or connective tissue form fascia and ligaments. In this sense, the study of their mechanical behavior is important to understand the structure and function of these biological soft tissues. The aim of this study was to establish the biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscles of continent and incontinent women, using an inverse finite element analysis (FEA). The numerical models, including the pubovisceral muscle and pelvic bones were built from magnetic resonance (MR) images acquired at rest. The numerical simulation of Valsalva maneuver was based on the finite element method and the material constants were determined for different constitutive models (Neo-Hookean, Mooney-Rivlin and Yeoh) using an iterative process. The material constants (MPa) for Neo-Hookean (c₁) were 0.039 ± 0.022 and 0.024 ± 0.004 for continent vs. incontinent women. For Mooney-Rivlin (c₁) the values obtained were 0.026 ± 0.010 vs. 0.016 ± 0.003, and for Yeoh (c₁) the values obtained were 0.031 ± 0.023 vs. 0.016 ± 0.002, (p < 0.05). Muscle displacements obtained in the numerical simulations of Valsalva maneuver were compared with the muscle displacements obtained through additional dynamic MRI. Incontinent women presented a higher antero-posterior displacement than the continent women. The results were also similar between MRI and numerical simulations (40.27% vs. 42.17% for Neo-Hookean, 39.87% for Mooney-Rivlin and 41.61% for Yeoh). Using an inverse FEA coupled with MR images allowed to obtain the in vivo biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscles, leading to a relationship between them for the continent and incontinent women in a non-invasive manner.     

Pelvic Floor Muscle Biofeedback in the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence: A Literature Review

Biofeedback is efficacious in the training of the pelvic floor musculature in order to enhance continence. This article reviews the anatomy and physiology of micturition as the underlying rationale for pelvic floor muscle biofeedback in the treatment of urinary incontinence. It critically reviews 28 studies published in peer reviewed journals from 1975 to 2005 that were prospective, randomized studies with parametric statistical analyses, operationally defined patient selection criteria, treatment protocols and outcome measures. The overall mean treatment improvement for patients undergoing biofeedback for urinary incontinence was 72.61%. In 21 of 35 (60%) paired comparisons, biofeedback demonstrated superior symptomatic outcome to control or alternate treatment groups. Larger studies and a standardization of technology and methodology are required for more conclusive determinations.     

探讨女性盆底功能障碍性疾病的相关因素及盆底超声测定压力性尿失禁SUI的临床意义

目的:探讨女性盆底功能障碍性疾病的相关因素及盆底超声测定压力性尿失禁SUI的临床意义。方法:选取我院2019年-2020年共收治的63例盆底功能障碍性疾病患者作为研究对象,将其分为研究组,另取同期来我院进行体检的63例健康女性作为对照组,对所有女性应用盆底超声检测,对比两组女性静息状态下和Valsalva状态下的盆底超声检查指标,对通过问卷调查方式,调查两组女性的一般临床治疗,对于女性盆底功能障碍性疾病的相关因素进行单因素分析与多因素分析,最终得出盆底肌功能障碍性疾病的相关因素。结果:在静息状态下通过盆底超声发现,研究组与对照组膀胱尿道后角、肛提肌裂孔面积、尿道倾斜度对比差异显著(P<0.05),两组女性膀胱颈位置、膀胱位置对比无明显差异(P>0.05);在Valsalva状态下通过盆底超声发现,研究组与对照组膀胱尿道后角、肛提肌裂孔面积、尿道倾斜度、膀胱颈位置、膀胱位置对比差异显著(P<0.05);两组女性年龄、BMI、孕次、产次、绝经情况以及白带清洁度是否≥Ⅲ度情况对比差异显著(P<0.05),两组女性子宫肌瘤史情况对比无显著差异(P>0.05);logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄、绝经情况、子宫肌瘤史和白带清洁度≥Ⅲ度不是盆底功能障碍性疾病的独立危险因素(P>0.05),BMI、孕次、产次为盆底功能障碍性疾病的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论:盆底肌超声在对盆底功能障碍性疾病患者压力性尿失禁的诊断中具有重要价值,在静息状态下和Valsalva状态下发现患者的膀胱经移动情况与尿道倾斜情况。年龄、BMI、孕次、产次、绝经情况以及白带清洁度是否≥Ⅲ度可能与盆底功能障碍性疾病具有一定关系,BMI、孕次、产次为盆底功能障碍性疾病的独立危险因素。     

An interactive surgical simulation tool to assess the consequences of a partial glossectomy on a biomechanical model of the tongue

Oral cancer surgery has a negative influence on the quality of life (QOL). As a result of the complex physiology involved in oral functions, estimation of surgical effects on functionality remains difficult. We present a user-friendly biomechanical simulation of tongue surgery, including closure with suturing and scar formation, followed by an automated adaptation of a finite element (FE) model to the shape of the tongue. Different configurations of our FE model were evaluated and compared to a well-established FE model. We showed that the post-operative impairment as predicted by our model was qualitatively comparable to a patient case for five different tongue maneuvers.     

A shell finite element model of the pelvic floor muscles

The pelvic floor gives support to the organs in the abdominal cavity. Using the dataset made public in (Janda et al. J. Biomech. (2003 Janda, S., van der Helm, F.C.T. and de Blok, B. 2003. Measuring morphological parameters of the pelvic floor for finite element modelling purposes. J. Biomech., 36(6): 749–757. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) 36(6), pp. 749–757), we have reconstructed the geometry of one of the most important parts of the pelvic floor, the levator ani, using NURB surfaces. Once the surface is triangulated, the corresponding mesh is used in a finite element analysis with shell elements.

Based on the 3D behavior of the muscle we have constructed a shell that takes into account the direction of the muscle fibers and the incompressibility of the tissue. The constitutive model for the isotropic strain energy and the passive strain energy stored in the fibers is adapted from Humphrey's model for cardiac muscles. To this the active behavior of the skeletal muscle is added.

We present preliminary results of a simulation of the levator ani muscle under pressure and with active contraction. This research aims at helping simulate the damages to the pelvic floor that can occur after childbirth.     

Expression of stress proteins (HSP-70 and HSP-90) in the rabbit urinary bladder subjected to partial outlet obstruction

Partial obstruction of the rabbit bladder outlet induces a rapid hypertrophy characterized by increased bladder mass, increased smooth muscle content, and increased collagen deposition. In addition, partial outlet obstruction induces decreased contractile responses to both field stimulation and postsynaptic receptor stimulation. Although the morphological and contractile responses to partial outlet obstruction have been well characterized, there is little information on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of these changes. In a previous study, we demonstrated that one of the earliest genes to be expressed following partial outlet obstruction in rabbits was the gene expressing stress protein-70 (HSP-70). In order to further define the genetic and molecular basis of these responses, the expression of stress gene products HSP-70 and HSP-90 in rabbit urinary bladder subjected to partial outlet obstruction has been quantitatively evaluated by Western blot coupled with laser densitometry using anti-HSP-70 and-90 monoclonal antibodies. The data show that stress gene products HSP-70 and HSP-90 are constitutively expressed in control rabbit bladder tissue and transiently increased following partial outlet obstruction. Increased content of HSP-70 was detected at 6 hr after obstruction and reached a maximum (2.7-fold over the control level) at 24 hr. Increased HSP-90 was also detected at 6 hr but reached a maximum (4.5-fold over the control level) at 12 hr. By 7 day post-obstruction, the content of these two proteins returned to the control levels. This study suggests that alterations of stress gene expression resulting in increased HSP-70 and 90 may play an important role in the response of the bladder to partial outlet obstruction.     

受损常绿阔叶林生态系统退化评价指标体系和模型

为了对受损常绿阔叶林生态系统退化程度进行定量评价,在浙江天童亚热带常绿阔叶林生态系统研究的基础上,以地带性顶级群落——栲树林为参照,选取不同退化程度的次生类型：木荷林、马尾松＋木荷林、马尾松林、灌丛以及裸地,从轻到重分别代表5种不同退化程度。根据对这5种退化阶段群落的观测结果,从生态系统的组成结构、功能和生境3方面选取了43项指标,再运用主成分分析、无重复双因素方差分析等数学分析方法经过两轮筛选,得到了一个包含13项指标的常绿阔叶林生态系统退化程度诊断的指标体系。根据层次单排序的结果,进行层次总排序,在得到各级指标的权重基础上,构建了常绿阔叶林生态系统退化综合评价模型,并就模型分析结果,用生态退化指数将常绿阔叶林的退化程度分为5级：Ⅴ级——极端退化（〉0．75）,Ⅳ级——重度退化（0．59—0．75）,Ⅲ级——中度退化（0．52—0.59）、Ⅱ级——轻度退化（0．18—0．52）和Ⅰ级——正常（〈0．18）。再利用鼎湖山国家自然保护区有关退化植被的研究数据对模型进行了验证,评价结果与模型所给出的退化评价标准较为符合,表明了本评价指标体系和模型的适用性。     

A stochastic bio-economic pig farm model to assess the impact of innovations on farm performance

Recently developed innovations may improve the economic and environmental sustainability of pig production systems. Generic models are needed to assess the impact of innovations on farm performance. Here we developed a stochastic bio-economic farm model for a typical farrow-to-finish pig farm to assess the impact of innovations on private and social profits. The model accounts for emissions of greenhouse gases from feed production and manure by using the shadow price of CO₂, and for stochasticity of economic and biological parameters. The model was applied to assess the impact of using locally produced alternative feed sources (i.e. co-products) in the diets of finishing pigs on private and social profits of a typical Brazilian farrow-to-finish pig farm. Three cases were defined: a reference case (with a standard corn–soybean meal-based finishing diet), a macaúba case (with a macaúba kernel cake-based finishing diet) and a co-products case (with a co-products-based finishing diet). Pigs were assumed to be fed to equal net energy intakes in the three cases. Social profits are 34% to 38% lower than private profits in the three cases. Private and social profits are about 11% and 14% higher for the macaúba case than the reference case, whereas they are 3% and 7% lower for the co-products case, respectively. Environmental costs are higher under the alternative cases than the reference case suggesting that other benefits (e.g. costs and land use) should be considered to utilize co-products. The CV of farm profits is between 75% and 87% in the three cases following from the volatility of prices over time and variations in biological parameters between fattening pigs.     

A non‐invasive method to assess the impact of electronic tag insertion on stress levels in fishes

The present study investigated, for the first time, a non‐invasive technique for monitoring cortisol levels in fishes that had been implanted with electronic transmitters. This technique involved the measurement of cortisol released into the water by individual fish. Carp Cyprinus carpio and roach Rutilus rutilus that had been tagged with miniature dummy acoustic transmitters responded to the surgical implantation of the tags with an immediate (1 to 4 h) increase in cortisol concentrations in the water. These amounts of cortisol were higher than in 'handled only' and 'handled and anaesthetized' groups. Estimated cortisol release rates for both species correlated well with the direct measurements in the water. In both species, water cortisol concentration and cortisol release rates returned to pre‐stress levels within 12 h of tag‐insertion, and remained low for the remainder of the experiment. The calculation of cortisol release rates highlighted a difference of a factor of about four between peak release rates in carp and roach. There was no evident long‐term cortisol stress response to the presence of a tag in the body cavity in either species.     

A model evaluating the contribution of environmental factors to the production of resting eggs in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis

The production of resting eggs by the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis was tested at four salinities (9, 18, 27 and 36\%) and six concentrations of the alga Chlorella stigmatophora (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 × 10⁶ cells ml^–1). The results indicated that resting eggs were produced only at two salinities (9\% and 18\%) and that their number was affected by the amount of food provided. A model consisting of two generalized linear sub-models was built to evaluate the contribution of each of the tested food concentrations at the two salinities. The sub-models were used to distinguish between two different components of resting egg production: one related to the presence or absence of resting egg production, and the other to the number of resting eggs produced, given that production had occurred. Besides indicating the best combination of salinity and food concentration for obtaining large numbers of resting eggs, they revealed the contribution of internal population factors that were not controlled in the course of the experiment. The model identified the positive contribution of the relative number of females to males, and the negative association between high rotifer densities and the production of resting eggs. The results of the present study help in defining the optimal conditions for mass production of resting eggs, which are of potential importance in aquaculture.Deceased, September 1991.     

A biomechanical model to simulate the effect of a high vertical loading on trunk flexural stiffness

A human trunk model was developed to simulate the effect of a high vertical loading on trunk flexural stiffness. A force–length relationship is attributed to each muscle of the multi-body model. Trunk stiffness and muscle forces were evaluated experimentally and numerically for various applied loads. Experimental evaluation of trunk stiffness was carried out by measuring changes in reaction force following a sudden horizontal displacement at the T10 level prior to paraspinal reflexes induction. Results showed that the trunk stiffness increases under small applied loads, peaks when the loads were further increased and decreases when higher loads are applied. A sensitivity analysis to muscle force–length relationship is provided to determine the model's limitations. This model pointed out the importance of taking into account the changes in muscle length to evaluate the effect of spinal loads beyond the safe limit that cannot be evaluated experimentally and to predict the trunk instability under vertical load.     

A syngeneic glioma model to assess the impact of neural progenitor target cell age on tumor malignancy

Human glioma incidence, malignancy, and treatment resistance are directly proportional to patient age. Cell intrinsic factors are reported to contribute to human age-dependent glioma malignancy, but suitable animal models to examine the role of aging are lacking. Here, we developed an orthotopic syngeneic glioma model to test the hypothesis that the age of neural progenitor cells (NPCs), presumed cells of glioma origin, influences glioma malignancy. Gliomas generated from transformed donor 3-, 12-, and 18-month-old NPCs in same-aged adult hosts formed highly invasive glial tumors that phenocopied the human disease. Survival analysis indicated increased malignancy of gliomas generated from older 12- and 18-month-old transformed NPCs compared with their 3-month counterparts (median survival of 38.5 and 42.5 vs. 77 days, respectively). This study showed for the first time that age of target cells at the time of transformation can affect malignancy and demonstrated the feasibility of a syngeneic model using transformed NPCs for future examination of the relative impacts of age-related cell intrinsic and cell-extrinsic factors in glioma malignancy.     

A model of stomatal conductance to quantify the relationship between leaf transpiration, microclimate and soil water stress

A model of stomatal conductance was developed to relate plant transpiration rate to photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), vapour pressure deficit and soil water potential. Parameters of the model include sensitivity of osmotic potential of guard cells to photosynthetic active radiation, elastic modulus of guard cell structure, soil‐to‐leaf conductance and osmotic potential of guard cells at zero PAR. The model was applied to field observations on three functional types that include 11 species in subtropical southern China. Non‐linear statistical regression was used to obtain parameters of the model. The result indicated that the model was capable of predicting stomatal conductance of all the 11 species and three functional types under wide ranges of environmental conditions. Major conclusions included that coniferous trees and shrubs were more tolerant for and resistant to soil water stress than broad‐leaf trees due to their lower osmotic potential, lignified guard cell walls, and sunken and suspended guard cell structure under subsidiary epidermal cells. Mid‐day depression in transpiration and photosynthesis of pines may be explained by decreased stomatal conductance under a large vapour pressure deficit. Stomatal conductance of pine trees was more strongly affected by vapour pressure deficit than that of other species because of their small soil‐to‐leaf conductance, which is explainable in terms of xylem tracheids in conifer trees. Tracheids transport water by means of small pit‐pairs in their side walls, and are much less efficient than the end‐perforated vessel members in broad‐leaf xylem systems. These conclusions remain hypothetical until direct measurements of these parameters are available.     

A hierarchical matrix model to assess the impact of habitat fragmentation on population dynamics: an elasticity analysis

To better understand the role of habitat quality and boundaries on population dynamics at the landscape scale, we develop a model combining a spatially implicit approach, a spatial population Leslie-type model and an implicit model of habitat fragmentation. An original approach of elasticity permits to identify which types of element and boundary influence the most population viability according to the wood fragmentation degree. The studied species is a corridor forest insect sensitive to fragmentation (Abax parallelepipedus, Coleoptera, Carabidae). We show that a single large patch of wood is better than several small patches for the population viability.     

Embryogenesis of Heliconius erato (Lepidoptera,Nymphalidae): A contribution to the anatomical development of an evo‐devo model organism

This study reports on the embryogenesis of Heliconius erato phyllis between blastoderm formation and the prehatching larval stage. Syncytial blastoderm formation occurred approximately 2 h after egg laying (AEL) and at about 4 h, the cellular blastoderm was formed. The germ band arose from the entire length of the blastoderm, and rapidly became compacted occupying approximately two‐thirds of the egg length. At about 7 h AEL, protocephalon and protocorm differentiation occurred. Continued proliferation of the germ band was followed by penetration into the yolk mass, forming a C‐shaped embryo at about 10 h. Approximately 12 h AEL, the gnathal, thoracic and abdominal segments became visible. The primordium of the mouthparts and thoracic legs formed as paired evaginations, while the prolegs formed as paired lobes. At about 30 h, the embryo reversed dorsoventrally. Approximately 32 h AEL, the protocephalon and gnathal segments fused, shifting the relative position of the rudimentary appendages in this region. At about 52 h, the embryo was U‐shaped in lateral view and at approximately 56 h, the bristles began evagination from the larval cuticle. Larvae hatched at about 72 h. We found that H. erato phyllis followed an embryonic pattern consistent with long‐germ embryogenesis. Thus, we believe that H. erato phyllis should be classified as a long‐germ lepidopteran. The study of H. erato phyllis embryogenesis provided a structural glimpse into the morphogenetic events that occur in the Heliconius egg period. This study could help future molecular approaches to understanding the evolution of Heliconius development.     

A model to predict and assess the impacts of hydrologic changes on terrestrial ecosystems in The Netherlands,and its use in a climate scenario

Current water management policy in The Netherlands aims to serve a multitude of land use functions, such as agriculture, industry, shipping, and drinking water supply. To attune this policy to the diversity of functions, computer models are used to predict the consequences of various policy options as a part of PAWN: the government's Policy Analysis of Water management for The Netherlands.Nature conservation and development is a relatively new aspect of water management policy. This article describes the PAWN model DEMNAT, which is designed to predict the impact of hydrologic changes on terrestrial ecosystems in The Netherlands. The main components of the model are explained and the predicted effects of an assumed climatic change are discussed.     

A 3D thermal model to analyze the temperature changes of digits during cold stress and predict the danger of frostbite in human fingers

The existing computational models of frostbite injury are limited to one and two dimensional schemes. In this study, a coupled thermo-fluid model is applied to simulate a finger exposed to cold weather. The spatial variability of finger-tip temperature is compared to experimental ones to validate the model. A semi-realistic 3D model for tissue and blood vessels is used to analyze the transient heat transfer through the finger. The effect of heat conduction, metabolic heat generation, heat transport by blood perfusion, heat exchange between tissues and large vessels are considered in energy balance equations. The current model was then tested in different temperatures and air speeds to predict the danger of frostbite in humans for different gloves. Two prevalent gloves which are commonly used in cold climate are considered for investigation. The endurance time and the fraction of necrotic tissues are two main factors suggested for obtaining the response of digit tissues to different environmental conditions.