Narrow Results

The purpose of this scoping review was to outline the current gait interventions used in biomechanics-based research focused on persons with autism spectrum disorder. A review of articles was conducted using the PRISMA methodology for reporting guidance with an a priori PICO framework. The selected articles were identified, reviewed, evaluated for risk of bias, and used to group biomechanics-based gait interventions that have been implemented in research involving persons with autism spectrum disorder. Titles and abstracts of 573 articles were reviewed; seven articles describing gait interventions met the inclusionary criteria. The interventions reported in the literature were hippotherapy, weighted vests, and exercise programs. Additional orthopedic interventions (serial casting and foot orthoses) were utilized for individuals who primarily walk on their forefoot. Findings from this review reveal changes in spatiotemporal characteristics post-hippotherapy, changes in ground reaction forces and foot pressures after participation in exercise intervention programs, and no change in parameters via weighted vests. For persons with autism spectrum disorder who are forefoot strikers, the use of serial casting and foot orthoses reportedly improved the overall kinematic and spatiotemporal parameters during gait.

Peri-implant debris certainly lead to osteolysis, necrosis, pseudotumor formation, tissue granulation, fibrous capsule contractions, and even implant failure. For the three-dimensional (3D) printed cage, impaction during cage insertion is one of the most potential sources of fracture debris. A finite-element study was carried out to reduce the impact-induced debris of the 3D-printed cage. This study focused on the design strategy of solid and cellular structures along the load-transferring path. Using the finite-element method, the cellular structure of the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) cage was systematically modified in the following four variations: a noncellular cage (NC), a fully cellular (FC) cage, a solid cage with a cellular structure in the middle concave (MC) zone, and a strengthened cage (SC) in the MC zone. Three comparison indices were considered: the stresses at the cage-instrument interfaces, in the MC zone, and along the specific load-transferring path. The NC and FC were the least and most highly stressed variations at the cage-instrument interfaces and in the MC zone, respectively. Along the entirely load-transferring path, the FC was still the most highly stressed variation. It showed a higher risk of stress fracture for the FC cage. For the MC and SC, the MC zone was consistently more stressed than the directly impacted zone. The further strengthened design of the SC had a lower peak stress (approximately 29.2%) in the MC zone compared with the MC. Prior to 3D printing, the load-transferring path from the cage-instrument interfaces to the cage-tissue interfaces should be determined. The cage-instrument interfaces should be printed as a solid structure to avoid impact-induced fracture. The other stress-concentrated zones should be cautiously designed to optimize the coexistence strategy of the solid and cellular structures.

National Science and Technology Prizes.

Virologist Hou Yunde won the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award.

Highlights from the State Natural Science Award.

Highlights from the State Technological Invention Award.

Breakthrough: Chinese researchers cloned monkeys using Dolly’s cloning method.

Chinese GM rice approved by U.S. FDA.

Chinese Government supports TCM innovations.

First bio-safety level four lab put into operation in Wuhan.

New way to develop flu vaccines.

New genome research project in China.

Chinese scientists enhance e-skin sensory capability.

Gene technology start-up offers genetic testing to trace ancestry.

Genetic basis for biological motion perception and linkage to autistic traits.

Novel drug efflux pump in gram-positive bacteria.

China FDA approves new once-weekly Bydureon to improve glycemic control in patients with Type-2 Diabetes.

Illumina and KingMed Diagnostics partner to develop next-generation sequencing technology for Chinese FDA approval.

Varian and Ping An sign MoU to expand access to high quality cancer care in China.

Eisai completes construction of oral solid dose production facility at new Suzhou plant in China.

Ping An Technology sets world records in international medical imaging evaluation.

Marken opens new kit building facility in Shanghai.

ASLAN Pharmaceuticals announces shortened timeline to commercialisation for varlitinib in China.

ASLAN Pharmaceuticals appoints Stephen Doyle as head of China.

HKUST Scientists reveal how human brains keep balance.