Objective To study the effect of lower limb muscle strength on balance.Methods One hun- dred eighty elderly subjects were divided into six groups by sex and muscle strength level.There were low,moderate and high muscle strength groups for males and females.The static standing balance of these subjects was performed u- sing a PH-A computerized stabilometer with their eyes open and closed.Sway index,covered area,rectangle-area, length and length/area of the destabilizing locui were assessed.Results When standing with the eyes either open or closed,sagittal and lateral sway index,covered area and rectangle-area were significantly larger in the lowest mus- cle strength groups when compared with the others.Length/area was also significantly less.There was no significant difference between the moderate muscle strength group and the highest strength group.Conclusion Lower limb strength affects balance.

Holmium ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lithotripsy, Laser ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; Ureteroscopy

OBJECTIVETo achieve high expression of human renal cell carcinoma-associated antigen G250 in Escherichia coli.

METHODSThe gene fragments encoding the protein obtained by PCR was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET32a(+) and expressed in E. coli Rosseta. The immunogenicity of the recombinant protein was evaluated by Western blotting.

RESULTSThe plasmid pET32a(+)/G250 was constructed and expressed in E. coli Rosseta successfully. Western blot analysis showed that the recombinant protein could be specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody M75.

CONCLUSIONEfficient G250 expression is achieved in prokaryotic expression system, which may facilitate further functional study of the protein and its monoclonal antibody preparation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; immunology ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Carbonic Anhydrase IX ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the predominant calcium-antagonist components of Danshen injection.

METHODThe effects of danshensu, protocatechualdehyde and Danshen injection on calcium concentration in cytoplasm of erythrocytes were examined in vitro by the fluorescent Ca+ -chelator fura-2.

RESULTEither DS182 or PCAD can decrease in dose-dependent cytosolic free calcium concentration in human erythrocytes. They had additive effect when mixed, which was similar to Danshen injection.

CONCLUSIONDS182 and PCAD may be predominant calcium-antagonist components of Danshen injection.

Adult ; Benzaldehydes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Catechols ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Lactates ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDLow back pain (LBP) is a major medical and social problem among working populations and is associated with high medical expense, loss of productivity, and disability. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of LBP among soldiers and evaluate the possible causative factors in military training. The results may provide an insight into changes needed in military training that will reduce the occurrence of LBP among soldiers.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey was conducted in a group of young soldiers in China to estimate the prevalence of LBP and evaluate possible causative factors in military training.

RESULTSThe survey was distributed to 1659 soldiers, of whom 1624 responded. LBP was reported by 425 of the 1624 (26.2%) soldiers. The prevalence of LBP was higher in the armored force (51.3%) than in the artillery (27.5%) or infantry (11.9%). A multivariate logical regression analysis identified night training, 5 km cross-country race, and grenade-throwing training as military training risk factors for LBP.

CONCLUSIONSThe relatively high incidence of LBP among soldiers was related to night training, 5 km racing, and grenade throwing. Modifications in these training methods should enhance the health of recruits and lower the incidence of LBP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; epidemiology ; Male ; Military Personnel ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Bone Diseases ; etiology ; surgery ; Chronic Disease ; Epidermal Cyst ; etiology ; surgery ; Femur ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteomyelitis ; complications

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of distal tibiofibular synostosis on ankle function.

METHODSFrom October 1998 to October 2004, a total of 281 consecutive patients underwent operations because of ankle fractures or distal fractures of the tibia and fibula. Distal tibiofibular synostosis occurred after operation in 8 patients. The duration of follow-up averaged 20.6 months (14-44 months). The ankle function was assessed on the basis of functional rating system described by Mazur.(1)

RESULTSAccording to Mazur's ankle evaluation system, 4 patients achieved an excellent result, 2 a good result and 2 a fair result. The dorsiflexion of the synostosis ankle reduced by 8.26 degrees as compared with that of the contralateral ankle, and there was little influence on the plantar flexion. All the patients had a normal gait.

CONCLUSIONThe distal tibiofibular synostosis after the operation of ankle fractures or distal fractures of the tibia and fibula usually gives rise to few symptoms and needs no specific treatment.

Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; physiopathology ; Ankle Joint ; physiopathology ; Female ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate effects of different de-cellularization methods on biomechanical properties and histological structure of annulus fibrosus in pigtails and provide experimental evidence for the construction of tissue engineering annulus fibrosus. Methods Sixty Fresh annulus fibrosus were dissected from caudal disks of pigs and randomly assigned to 4 groups with 15 in each group. Triton X-100 group(Group A): annulus fibrosus were treated with hypotonic Tris-HCl buffer for 48 hours and de-cellularized with Triton X-100, DNase Ⅰ and RNase A. SDS group (Group B): annulus fibrosus were subjected to 3 cycles of freeze-thaw and subsequently de-cellularized with SDS, DNaseⅠ and RNase A. Trypsin group (Group C): annulus fibrosus were de-cellularized with Tris buffer containing trypsin, DNase Ⅰ and RNase A. Control group: fresh annulus fibrosus underwent no treatment. After the de-cellularization process was completed, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was carried out to examine the efficacy on cell removal, and the ultrastructure of annulus fibrosus were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The collagen content, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and biomechanical parameters in each group were also detected. Results HE staining and scanning electron microscopy showed that no residual cells were found in Group A, B and C. The structure of annulus fibrosus in Group A was not disturbed, while that in Group B and C was damaged severely and slightly, respectively. There was no statistical difference in collagen content among Group A, B and C, as compared to the control group (P>0.05). But the GAG content was significantly more lower in Group A, B and C than in the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in ultimate load, ultimate stress, toughness, elastic modulus and mechanical work to fracture between Group A, C and control group (P>0.05), while these parameters of Group B were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions The Triton X-100-treated annulus fibrosus retained the major extracellular matrix composition after cell removal and preserved the major structure and mechanical strength, which is preferable for the construction of tissue engineering annulus fibrosus.

Female ; Humans ; Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal/surgery* ; Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Endometrial Neoplasms/surgery* ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Co-Repressor Proteins ; Repressor Proteins/genetics*

Spinal cord injury is a serious trauma of the spinal and nervous system, local tissue destruction and microcirculation disturbance can lead to a more serious spinal cord injury and extensive necrosis of neurons. Spinal cord injury often accompany with Inflammation reaction producing a variety of cytokines and bioactive substances, result in macrophage polarization. M1 macrophages polarization are induced by IFN-γ, LPS, TNF-α and so on, it show the damage and proinflammatory effect. M2 macrophages polarization are caused by IL-4, IL-10, IL-13 and show the recovery and anti-inflammatory effect. However, clinical treatment after spinal cord injury is very limited, inhibition of proinflammatory and promotion of anti-inflammatory by regulating the M1 macrophages and M2 macrophages is a new direction for the treatment of spinal cord injury. The article will review different phenotype and function of macrophages after spinal cord injury.