Ideal operating conditions for a variable stiffness transverse plane adapter for individuals with lower-limb amputation

Transverse plane shear stress between the prosthetic socket and residual limb often results in soft tissue breakdown and discomfort for individuals with lower-limb amputation. To better understand the effects of reduced transverse plane stiffness in the shank of a prosthesis, a second-generation variable stiffness torsion adapter (VSTA II) was tested with individuals with a transtibial amputation (n = 10). Peak transverse plane moments, VSTA II deflection, range of whole body angular momentum (WBAM), ground reaction impulse, joint work, and personal stiffness preference were evaluated at three fixed stiffness levels (compliant: 0.25 Nm/°, intermediate: 0.75 Nm/°, stiff: 1.25 Nm/°) at three walking speeds (self-selected, fast and slow: +/− 20% of self-selected, respectively) while straight-line walking and performing left and right turns. Residual limb loading decreased and VSTA II displacement increased for reductions in stiffness and both metrics increased with increasing walking speed, while ground reaction impulse and joint work were unaffected. The range of WBAM increased with decreased stiffness, which suggests an increased risk of falling when using the VSTA II at lower stiffness settings. Preference testing showed no significant result, but trends for lower stiffness settings when turning and walking at self-selected speeds were noted, as were stiffer settings when walking straight and at faster speeds. These results show that a device with rotational compliance like the VSTA II could reduce loading on the residual limb during straight walking and turning activities and that factors such as walking speed, activity type and user preference can affect the conditions for optimal use.     

Application of H(N)CA,CO-E.COSY experiments for calibrating the φ angular dependences of vicinal couplings J(C′i−1,Hi α), J(C′i−1,Ci β) and J(C′i−1,C′i) in proteins

A triple-resonance NMR technique suitable for the determination ofcarbonyl-related couplings in polypeptide systems is introduced. Theapplication of three novel pulse sequences to uniformly¹³C/¹⁵N-enriched proteins yields E.COSY-likemultiplet patterns exhibiting either one of the³J(C_i–1,H_i ), ³J(C_i–1,C_i ) and³J(C_i–1,C_i)coupling constants in the indirectly detected ¹³Cdimension, depending on the passive spin selected. The experiments aredemonstrated with oxidized flavodoxin from Desulfovibrio vulgaris. On thebasis of the J-values measured and the backbone -angles derived from ahigh-resolution X-ray structure of the protein, the three associated Karplusequations were reparametrized. The root-mean-square differences between theexperimental coupling constants and those predicted by the optimized Karpluscurves are 0.41, 0.33 and 0.32 Hz for³J(C_i–1,H_i ),³J(C_i–1,C_i ) and³J(C_i–1,C_i),respectively. The results are compared with the Karplus parameters previouslypublished for the same couplings.     

Asymmetric Karplus curves for the protein side-chain <Superscript>3</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">J</Emphasis> couplings

The standard Karplus equation for calculating ³ J coupling constants from any given dihedral angle requires three empirical coefficients be determined that relate to the magnitudes of three modes of the angle dependency of ³ J. Considering cosine modes only (bimodal, unimodal and baseline component), Karplus curves are generally symmetric with respect to the sign of the angle argument. Typically, their primary and secondary maxima differ in amplitude, whereas the two minima are of equal depth. However, chiral molecular topologies, such as those surrounding the main-chain and side-chain torsions in amino-acid residues, preclude, as regards substituent positioning, exact mirror-image conformations from being formed—for any given torsion-angle value. It is therefore unlikely that ³ J couplings assume identical values for the corresponding positive and negative dihedral angles. This suggests that a better empirical fit of the torsion-angle dependency of ³ J could be obtained when removing the constraint of symmetrically identical coupling constants. A sine term added to the Karplus equation allows independent modelling of both curve minima typically located near dihedral-angle values of +90° and −90°. Revisiting an extensive ³ J coupling dataset previously recorded to determine the side-chain torsions χ₁ in the protein flavodoxin, the asymmetric Karplus model accomplishes a more accurate fit to the experimental data. Asymmetries revealed in the angle dependencies exceed the experimental precision in determining ³ J. Accounting for these effects helps improve molecular models. Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

兔附件扭转模型的建立及其意义探讨

目的 建立一种操作简单、病变典型、稳定性好的兔在体附件扭转模型并探讨保留卵巢术后卵巢的病理变化和iNOS的改变.方法 40只日本大耳白兔采用随机数字法分为附件扭转(adnexal torsion,AT)模型组(n=32)和对照组(n=8).模型组兔将左侧附件按顺时针方向扭转3周,避开血管,以4/0丝线横穿扭转形成的3个螺旋圈后固定于左侧腹壁,然后再将之分成4组,每组8只,分别于扭转24、48、72、96h后解除扭转后取双侧卵巢;对照组假手术后96h后取双侧卵巢.所有切除之右侧卵巢组织行病理学研究的内对照,左侧卵巢取1/2行病理检测,另1/2行iNOS生化水平检测.结果 左侧附件扭转3周固定左侧腹壁24 h后可见卵巢充血、炎细胞浸润、细胞水肿;48h见较多的炎细胞浸润,细胞结构紊乱;72 h见大量炎细胞浸润,结构损坏和局灶性坏死;96 h见弥漫性细胞坏死;卵巢组织病理评分呈现相同的时相性变化.各组iNOS生化检测水平(左侧vs.右侧),AT组[24 h(3.542±0.987) vs.(1.521±0.214) U/mgprot,P＜0.01;48 h(4.986±1.321) vs.(1.832±0.321) U/mgprot,P＜0.01;72 h(7.991±1.832) vs.(1.124±0.357)U/mgprot,P＜0.01;96 h(6.991±1.227) vs.(1.732±0.572)U/mgprot,P＜0.01].且AT组卵巢均有iNOS不同程度表达,72 h组表达达高峰,96 h下降.结论 成功地制备兔附件扭转模型,方法简单、病变典型、重复性好,可模拟女性附件扭转的病理生理过程,对进一步研究附件扭转具有重要意义.初步认为附件扭转72h后卵巢发生不可逆改变,是临床处理附件扭转并保留卵巢的时间临界点.     

速度向量成像技术对肥厚型心肌病左心室扭转功能和收缩功能的影响

摘要 目的：研究速度向量成像技术对肥厚型心肌病（HCM）左心室扭转功能和收缩功能的影响。方法：纳入我院从2018年1月～2019年1月收治的HCM患者30例进行研究,记作病变组,另取同期于我院进行体检的健康志愿者30例作为对照组。比较两组常规左心功能超声心动图指标、左室整体扭转和解旋运动指标、左室局部扭转和解旋运动指标、圆周应变以及应变率。结果：病变组舒张末期容积（EDV）、收缩末期容积（ESV）、每搏量（SV）均较对照组更低（P＜0.05）,而两组左室射血分数（LVEF）比较差异不显著（P＞0.05）。病变组心内膜的左心室扭转角度（LVtw）以及左心室扭矩（LVtor）均显著高于对照组,而心内膜及心外膜解扭转率（UntwR）显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）。病变组基底部心内膜旋转速率、心尖部心外膜旋转速率均显著低于对照组,心尖部心内膜旋转速率显著高于对照组,心尖部心外膜解旋速率显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）。病变组基底部心内膜圆周应变低于对照组,基底部、心尖部心外膜圆周应变高于对照组（P＜0.05）;病变组基底部、心尖部心外膜应变率均高于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论：HCM患者收缩功能降低,且局部心肌圆周方向的形变能力明显下降。     

Twist buckling of veins under torsional loading

Veins are often subjected to torsion and twisted veins can hinder and disrupt normal blood flow but their mechanical behavior under torsion is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the twist deformation and buckling behavior of veins under torsion. Twist buckling tests were performed on porcine internal jugular veins (IJVs) and human great saphenous veins (GSVs) at various axial stretch ratio and lumen pressure conditions to determine their critical buckling torques and critical buckling twist angles. The mechanical behavior under torsion was characterized using a two-fiber strain energy density function and the buckling behavior was then simulated using finite element analysis. Our results demonstrated that twist buckling occurred in all veins under excessive torque characterized by a sudden kink formation. The critical buckling torque increased significantly with increasing lumen pressure for both porcine IJV and human GSV. But lumen pressure and axial stretch had little effect on the critical twist angle. The human GSVs are stiffer than the porcine IJVs. Finite element simulations captured the buckling behavior for individual veins under simultaneous extension, inflation, and torsion with strong correlation between predicted critical buckling torques and experimental data (R² = 0.96). We conclude that veins can buckle under torsion loading and the lumen pressure significantly affects the critical buckling torque. These results improve our understanding of vein twist behavior and help identify key factors associated in the formation of twisted veins.     

Application of HN(C)N to rapid estimation of 1J(N-C(alpha)) coupling constants correlated to psi torsion angles in proteins: implication to structural genomics

We recently described a triple resonance experiment, HN(C)N, for sequential correlation of H(N) and 15N atoms in (15N, 13C) labeled proteins [J. Biomol. NMR. 20 (2001) 135]. Here, we describe an approach based on this experiment for estimation of one bond N-C(alpha) J-couplings in medium size labeled proteins, which seem to show good correlations with psi torsion angles along the protein backbone. The approach uses the ratio of the intensities of the sequential and diagonal peaks in the F(2)-F(3) planes of the HN(C)N spectrum. The reliability of the approach has been demonstrated using a short peptide wherein the coupling constants have been measured by the present method and also independently from peak splittings in HSQC spectra. The two results agree within 10%. The applicability of the procedure to proteins has been demonstrated using doubly labeled FK506 binding protein (FKBP, molecular mass approximately 12 kDa). Coupling constant estimates have been obtained for 62 out of 100 non-proline residues and they show a correlation with psi torsion angles, as has been reported before. This semi-quantitative application of HN(C)N extends the significance of the experiment especially, in the context of structural genomics, since the single experiment, not only provides a great enhancement in the speed of resonance assignment, but also provides quantitative structural information.     

Continuous representations of proteins: construction of coordinate models from curvature profiles

A representation of proteins based on the geometry of space curves is described. This representation enables the application of continuum methods to the analysis of macromolecular structure and form that cannot be applied to the more familiar discrete atomic coordinate models. It is shown that the continuous modeling method defines the geometry of the protein fold very efficiently. An analytical solution for curve construction is employed from which both continuous and coordinate models can be obtained. The method is applied to five representative test proteins which are used to assess the accuracy and efficiency of the modeling procedure.     

A complete second metatarsal (StW 89) from Sterkfontein Member 4, South Africa

The functional anatomy of the hominin foot has played a crucial role in studies of locomotor evolution in human ancestors and extinct relatives. However, foot fossils are rare, often isolated, and fragmentary. Here, we describe a complete hominin second metatarsal (StW 89) from the 2.0-2.6 million year old deposits of Member 4, Sterkfontein Cave, South Africa. Like many other fossil foot bones, it displays a mosaic of derived human-like features and primitive ape-like features. StW 89 possesses a domed metatarsal head with a prominent sulcus, indicating dorsiflexion at the metatarsophalangeal joint during bipedal walking. However, while the range of motion at the metatarsophalangeal joint is human-like in dorsiflexion, it is ape-like in plantarflexion. Furthermore, StW 89 possesses internal torsion of the head, an anatomy decidedly unlike that found in humans today. Unlike other hominin second metatarsals, StW 89 has a dorsoplantarly gracile base, perhaps suggesting more midfoot laxity. In these latter two anatomies, the StW 89 second metatarsal is quite similar to the recently described second metatarsal of the partial foot from Burtele, Ethiopia. We interpret this combination of anatomies as evidence for a low medial longitudinal arch in a foot engaged in both bipedal locomotion, but also some degree of pedal, and perhaps even hallucal, grasping. Additional fossil evidence will be required to determine if differences between this bone and other second metatarsals from Sterkfontein reflect normal variation in an evolving lineage, or taxonomic diversity.