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Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jul 2017Mechanical biomarkers associated with cytoskeletal structures have been reported as powerful label-free cell state identifiers. In order to measure cell mechanical...
Mechanical biomarkers associated with cytoskeletal structures have been reported as powerful label-free cell state identifiers. In order to measure cell mechanical properties, traditional biophysical (e.g., atomic force microscopy, micropipette aspiration, optical stretchers) and microfluidic approaches were mainly employed; however, they critically suffer from low-throughput, low-sensitivity, and/or time-consuming and labor-intensive processes, not allowing techniques to be practically used for cell biology research applications. Here, a novel inertial microfluidic cell stretcher (iMCS) capable of characterizing large populations of single-cell deformability near real-time is presented. The platform inertially controls cell positions in microchannels and deforms cells upon collision at a T-junction with large strain. The cell elongation motions are recorded, and thousands of cell deformability information is visualized near real-time similar to traditional flow cytometry. With a full automation, the entire cell mechanotyping process runs without any human intervention, realizing a user friendly and robust operation. Through iMCS, distinct cell stiffness changes in breast cancer progression and epithelial mesenchymal transition are reported, and the use of the platform for rapid cancer drug discovery is shown as well. The platform returns large populations of single-cell quantitative mechanical properties (e.g., shear modulus) on-the-fly with high statistical significances, enabling actual usages in clinical and biophysical studies.
Topics: Animals; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Microfluidics
PubMed: 28544415
DOI: 10.1002/smll.201700705 -
Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za... May 2018To discuss the efficacy of skin stretcher applied for repair of postoperative skin and soft tissue defects in tibial fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the efficacy of skin stretcher applied for repair of postoperative skin and soft tissue defects in tibial fractures.
METHODS
Between April 2016 and March 2017, 15 cases with skin and soft tissue defects after tibial fractures fixation were treated with the skin stretcher. There were 11 males and 4 females with an age of 24-59 years (mean, 37.5 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident in 7 cases, bruise in 3 cases, falling from height in 3 cases, and falling in 2 cases; without nerve and vascular injury in all patients. These cases were followed up 1-3 months after their first surgery, consisting of 3 closed fractures treated with open reduction and plate and screw fixation, 12 open fractures treated with external fixation after debridement. The area of skin defects ranged from 14 cm×5 cm to 20 cm×7 cm, all of which were stripped or spindle shaped skin defects. First, the skin was penetrated by two Kirschner wires which were locked by skin stretchers on both sides of the skin defect longitudinally. Then, the tension of skin stretchers was timely adjusted according to the skin flap blood supply and muscle compression. Finally, Kirschner wires and skin stretchers were removed when the edge of skin contacted and been sutured.
RESULTS
All skin and soft tissue defects were covered after stretching for 6-13 days. The interrupted sutured wounds healed at 12 days. Clinical scores of wound healing decreased from 3.40±0.51 at immediate postoperatively to 1.27±0.46 at 12 days postoperatively, showing significant difference ( =12.911, =0.000). All the patients were followed up 4-12 months (mean, 6.5 months). After stretching, the skin color, elasticity, and pain and touch feeling were similar with the normal skin, and the hair growth was normal. After operation, 1 case of nail tract infection and 2 cases of calf discomfort occurred, and all were relieved after treatment.
CONCLUSION
It is an effective method for repairing postoperative skin and soft tissue defects in tibial fractures with the application of skin stretchers.
Topics: Bone Plates; Bone Wires; Debridement; Female; Fracture Fixation; Fractures, Open; Humans; Male; Postoperative Complications; Postoperative Period; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Skin Transplantation; Skin, Artificial; Soft Tissue Injuries; Surgical Flaps; Tibial Fractures; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29806349
DOI: 10.7507/1002-1892.201708072 -
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine &... Apr 2015In rowing, the parameters of injury, performance, and technique are all interrelated and in dynamic equilibrium. Whilst rowing requires extreme physical strength and...
In rowing, the parameters of injury, performance, and technique are all interrelated and in dynamic equilibrium. Whilst rowing requires extreme physical strength and endurance, a high level of skill and technique is essential to enable an effective transfer of power through the rowing sequence. This study aimed to determine discrete aspects of rowing technique, which strongly influence foot force production and asymmetries at the foot-stretchers, as these are biomechanical parameters often associated with performance and injury risk. Twenty elite female rowers performed an incremental rowing test on an instrumented rowing ergometer, which measured force at the handle and foot-stretchers, while three-dimensional kinematic recordings of the ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar-pelvic joints were made. Multiple regression analyses identified hip kinematics as a key predictor of foot force output (R(2) = 0.48), whereas knee and lumbar-pelvic kinematics were the main determinants in optimizing the horizontal foot force component (R(2) = .41). Bilateral asymmetries of the foot-stretchers were also seen to significantly influence lumbar-pelvic kinematics (R(2) = 0.43) and pelvic twisting (R(2) = 0.32) during the rowing stroke. These results provide biomechanical evidence toward aspects of technique that can be modified to optimize force output and performance, which can be of direct benefit to coaches and athletes.
Topics: Adult; Ankle Joint; Athletic Performance; Biomechanical Phenomena; Ergometry; Female; Hip Joint; Humans; Knee Joint; Lumbar Vertebrae; Models, Biological
PubMed: 25039605
DOI: 10.1111/sms.12264 -
Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) Jun 2017To analyze the influence of lying in prone position on a specially designed stretcher on the maternal-fetal hemodynamic parameters and comfort of pregnant women. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVES:
To analyze the influence of lying in prone position on a specially designed stretcher on the maternal-fetal hemodynamic parameters and comfort of pregnant women.
METHODS:
A randomized, controlled trial with 33 pregnant women divided into 2 groups: pregnant group sequence 1 and pregnant group sequence 2. The order of positions used in sequence 1 was Fowler's position, prone position, supine position, left lateral, Fowler's position 2, supine position 2, prone position 2 and left lateral 2. The order of positions used in sequence 2 was Fowler's position, prone position, left lateral, supine position, Fowler's position 2, left lateral 2, prone position 2 and supine position 2. Each woman remained in each position for 6 minutes. For the statistical analyses, we used Wilcoxon's test for 2 paired samples when comparing the prone position with the other positions. The variables are presented in graphs showing the means and 95% confidence intervals. Trial Registration: Clinical Trial No. ISRCTN41359519.
RESULTS:
All the parameters were within the standards of normality. There were no differences between positions in terms of maternal heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation and fetal heart rate. However, there were significant decreases in respiratory rate and systolic blood pressure in prone position 2 compared with left lateral 2. There was an increase in oxygen saturation in prone position compared with Fowler's position and supine position 2 in both sequences. All the women reported feeling comfortable in the prone position.
CONCLUSIONS:
The prone position was considered safe and comfortable and could be advantageous for improving oxygen saturation and reducing the systolic blood pressure and respiratory rate.
Topics: Adult; Female; Hemodynamics; Humans; Patient Comfort; Pregnancy; Prone Position; Stretchers; Young Adult
PubMed: 28658431
DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2017(06)01 -
PloS One 2023Various rescue techniques are used for the prehospital transport of trauma patients. This study compares different techniques in terms of immobilization of the cervical...
BACKGROUND
Various rescue techniques are used for the prehospital transport of trauma patients. This study compares different techniques in terms of immobilization of the cervical spine and the rescue time.
METHODS
A wireless motion capture system (Xsens Technologies, Enschede, The Netherlands) was used to record motion in three-dimensional space and the rescue time in a standardized environment. Immobilization was performed by applying different techniques through different teams of trained paramedics and physicians. All tests were performed on the set course, starting with the test person lying on the floor and ending with the test person lying on an ambulance cot ready to be loaded into an ambulance. Six different settings for rescue techniques were examined: rescue sheet with/without rigid cervical collar (P1S1, P1S0), vacuum mattress and scoop stretcher with/without rigid cervical collar (P2S1, P2S0), and long spinal board with/without rigid cervical collar (P3S1, P3S0). Four time intervals were defined: the time interval in which the rigid cervical collar is applied (T0), the time interval in which the test person is positioned on rescue sheet, vacuum mattress and scoop stretcher, or long spinal board (T1), the time interval in which the test person is carried to the ambulance cot (T2), and the time interval in which the ambulance cot is rolled to the ambulance (T3). An ANOVA was performed to compare the different techniques.
RESULTS
During the simulated extrication procedures, a rigid cervical collar provided biomechanical stability at all angles with hardly any loss of time (mean angle ranges during T1: axial rotation P1S0 vs P1S1 p<0.0001, P2S0 vs P2S1 p<0.0001, P3S0 vs P3S1 p<0.0001; lateral bending P1S0 vs P1S1 p = 0.0263, P2S0 vs P2S1 p<0.0001, P3S0 vs P3S1 p<0.0001; flexion/extension P1S0 vs P1S1 p = 0.0023, P2S0 vs P2S1 p<0.0001). Of the three techniques examined, the scoop stretcher and vacuum mattress were best for reducing lateral bending in the frontal plane (mean angle ranges during T1: P2S1 vs P3S1 p = 0.0333; P2S0 vs P3S0 p = 0.0123) as well as flexion and extension in the sagittal plane (mean angle ranges during T2: P1S1 vs P2S1 p<0.0001; P1S0 vs P2S0 p<0.0001). On the other hand, the rescue sheet was clearly superior in terms of time (total duration P1S0 vs P2S0 p<0.001, P1S1 vs P2S1 p<0.001, P1S0 vs P3S0 p<0.001, P1S1 vs P3S1 p<0.001) but was always associated with significantly larger angular ranges of the cervical spine during the procedure. Therefore, the choice of technique depends on various factors such as the rescue time, the available personnel, as well as the severity of the suspected instability.
Topics: Humans; Immobilization; Motion Capture; Cervical Vertebrae; Rotation; Stretchers; Range of Motion, Articular; Biomechanical Phenomena
PubMed: 38015902
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292300 -
Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica :... Feb 2015Acquired stenosis of the external auditory canal may be caused by a variety of insults, all sharing a common pathogenesis, namely a cascade of inflammatory changes... (Review)
Review
Acquired stenosis of the external auditory canal may be caused by a variety of insults, all sharing a common pathogenesis, namely a cascade of inflammatory changes leading to medial canal fibrosis. Previous surgery (canaloplasty or meatoplasty) and radiotherapy, especially if associated with a history of parotid surgery extended to the external auditory canal, have been implicated as possible causes. The literature offers advice on the management of stenosis consequent to otosurgery for congenital and acquired defects, but nothing on forms secondary to radiotherapy to the head and neck region. The proposed solutions are often cumbersome and difficult to fabricate, and therefore expensive. The aim of this paper, in which the cases of four patients are reported, is to present a new technique initially used for the most severe form - i.e. external auditory canal stenosis after surgery and radiotherapy - and then extended to forms due to different causes. This new technique involves the use of a series of surgical steel tubes of increasing dimension commonly used for tissue expansion in a body piercing practice called stretching and known as ear stretching tunnels or ear stretchers. This innovative approach proved effective in solving external auditory canal stenosis in our patients, with the least discomfort for the patient and the lowest cost. We consider this new solution to be feasible and practical and are convinced that it provides a new approach to an old problem. Further studies are needed to increase the number of clinical cases to verify how long the ear stretcher should be kept in place for the stenosis to stabilise, and to establish whether surgery is always necessary after ear stretcher application and, if so, the best timing for surgery.
Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Constriction, Pathologic; Ear Canal; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Otologic Surgical Procedures; Prosthesis Design; Stents
PubMed: 26015649
DOI: No ID Found -
British Medical Journal Jun 1964
Topics: Biological Transport; Equipment and Supplies; Humans; Stretchers; Transportation of Patients
PubMed: 14132090
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.5396.1491 -
British Medical Journal Oct 1964
Topics: Biological Transport; Equipment and Supplies; Humans; Mountaineering; Stretchers; Transportation of Patients
PubMed: 14185644
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.5413.873 -
British Medical Journal Jan 1965
Topics: Anesthesia; Anesthesiology; England; Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; Operating Rooms; Stretchers
PubMed: 14213120
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.5426.61-c -
Journal of the American College of... Apr 1989Although various public health preventive efforts and prescribed pharmacologic treatment methods will have long-term benefits in the reduction of coronary artery... (Review)
Review
"Crackers, breakers, stretchers, drillers, scrapers, shavers, burners, welders and melters"--the future treatment of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease? A clinical-morphologic assessment.
Although various public health preventive efforts and prescribed pharmacologic treatment methods will have long-term benefits in the reduction of coronary artery atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiac events, the immediate and short-term future in the treatment of coronary artery disease will focus on several interventional devices designed to remodel or remove causes of acute and chronic coronary artery obstruction. Certain clinical-morphologic aspects of these interventional devices or techniques that result in remodeling of the coronary lumen shape (balloon angioplasty, thermal probes, intravascular stents) or removal of obstructing material (lasers, atherectomy devices) are reviewed. Two new areas in the pathology of atherosclerotic plaque (plaque fissures, eccentric plaque) and their clinical relevance in coronary heart disease are described.
Topics: Angioplasty, Balloon; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cardiology; Constriction, Pathologic; Coronary Artery Disease; Coronary Disease; Coronary Vessels; Forecasting; Humans; Recurrence
PubMed: 2522472
DOI: 10.1016/0735-1097(89)90248-9