Traumatic tendon injuries are commonly treated with ultrasound. However, previous research has not examined the molecular mechanism of this therapeutic effect on collagen synthesis of tendon cells. This study was designed to determine the effect of ultrasound on the expression of type I and type III collagen of tendon cells intrinsic to rat Achilles tendon. Whether a correlation exits between this effect and the expression of transforming growth factor b (TGF-b), which enhances collagen synthesis, was also investigated. Tendon cells after ultrasound treatment and protein expression of types I and III collagen were determined by immunocytochemistry. The mRNA expressions of a1(I) procollagen, a1(III) procollagen, and TGF-b were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, the concentration of TGF-b in conditioned medium was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunocytochemical staining revealed that ultrasound-treated tendon cells were stained more strongly for types I and III collagen than were control cells. Upregulation of procollagen a1(I) gene, procollagen a1(III) gene, and TGF-b at the mRNA level was confirmed by RT-PCR. A dose-dependent increase in the concentration of TGF-b in conditioned medium obtained from cells treated with ultrasound was demonstrated by ELISA assay (p ¼ 0.043). In conclusion, ultrasound stimulates the expression of type I and type III collagen in a process that is likely mediated by the upregulation of TGF-b. ß

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In the early stage of recovery, the use of an anterior AFO may assist stroke patients with hemiplegia to improve their postural stability.

The transmetatarsal amputation prosthesis with a carbon-fiber plate improved gait pattern significantly in patients with transmetatarsal amputations. Drastic shoe modifications are not necessary to have the prosthesis inserted. The carbon-fiber plate functions like the spring-steel shank within the sole of the shoe. The carbon-fiber plate, the toe filler, and the total-contact insole are all mounted as a whole to ensure better foot contact. Therefore, our transmetatarsal amputation prosthesis with a carbon-fiber plate can be a good alternative choice of footwear in patients with transmetatarsal amputations.