Objective To explore the anti-inflammatory effects of ambroxol hydrochloride in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease（COPD）.Methods Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups，ie.a control group，a smoking group and an ambroxol group.The rats in the smoking and ambroxol groups were exposed to cigarettes smoking for 12 weeks.Ambroxol hydrochloride was administered via intragastric gavage after 4 weeks smoking in the ambroxol group.After 12 weeks，the expiratory airway resistance(Re) and dynamic lung compliance(CLdyn) were measured.The expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B（NF-κB）and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in airway epithelium cell were observed by immunohistochemical method.Results Re was increased and CLdyn was decreased significantly in the smoking and ambroxol groups compared with the control group(all Plt;0.01).Re was lower (Plt;0.01) and CLdyn was higher(Plt;0.05) in the ambroxol group than those in the smoking group.B.The level of NF-κB and ICAM-1 in smoking and ambroxol groups were obviously increased compared with the control group (all Plt;0.05)，which was decreased in the ambroxol group compared with the smoking group(both Plt;0.05).C.The expression of NF-κB was positively correlated with ICAM-1 expression in airway epithelial cells（r=0.924，Plt;0.01）.Conclusions Smoking can increase the airway resistance，reduce the lung compliance and increase the expression of NF-κB and ICAM-1 in airway epithelium.Ambroxol hydrochloride can relieve those effects of smoking，which suggested an anti-inflammatory therapeutic role in COPD.
Objective To establish the three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of the knee joint including posterolateral complex (PLC), and to simulate the reconstruction biomechanical analysis in this model. Methods The knee of a 26-year-old healthy man was scanned by MRI to obtain the image data of the knee in the coronal, sagittal, and axial position. First, Mimics10.01 and Hyperworks 8.0 softwares were used to extract each slice profile data of the knee joint in a two-dimensional image data respectively and to establish 3D geometric model of bone, meniscus, articular cartilage, and ligament. Second, Unigraphics software NX 4.0 was used to establish a 3D finite element model of knee joint, which had the functions of Mesh, material properties, component connection, and contact definition. Third, displacement measurement on the model and reconstructing biomechanical analysis for PLC simulation were performed. Results The 3D finite element model of the knee joint including PLC was established successfully. Under 134 N forward force, the tibia forward displacement was 4.83 mm. PLC simulation reconstruction biomechanical analysis of the 3D finite element model of the knee joint showed that under 10 N·m varus and external rotation torque conditions, the knee varus and external rotation angles of simulation reconstruction were greater than those of the intact knee, and less than those of PLC missing. Conclusion The 3D finite element model of the knee joint including PLC can be established by the reverse engineering, and it is valid and can be used as the basis for the biomechanical properties to analog reconstruction of PLC.
Objective To develop an evaluation tool for the screening of high risk population for oral complications in critically ill patients, which can be performed accurately and scientifically. Methods Basing on the related foreign oral assessment scale, combined with the method of brainstorming, expert consultation, method of clinical status and so on, the item pool of the assessment scale was determined. Five nursing experts and two oral experts assessed the content validity and 50 ICU nurses were tested. Then, the screening accuracy of the assessment scale was proved by application in 100 critically ill patients selected randomly. Results The Cronbach’s a coefficient of final version of the High Risk Assessment Scale for Oral Complications in Critically Ill Patients (including seven parts contents of oral health assessment and oral pH value test) was 0.815, the content validity index (Sr-CVI/Ave) was 0.932. The results of 50 nurses to the 91.2% assessment items of the assessment scale were very important and important. For screening related indicators of oral complications in high-risk patients, the sensitivity of the assessment scale was 97.53%, the specificity was 94.11%, the positive predictive value was 98.75%, the negative predictive value was 88.89%, and the crude agreement was 95%. Conclusion There are good reliability, validity and a high accuracy of screening test in the High Risk Assessment Scale for Oral Complications in Critically Ill Patients. It can be used for screening patients at high risk for oral complications in critically ill patients, and help clinical nurses to complete the oral health status of the critically ill patients quickly.