This paper presents a novel tactile feedback device in biofeedback. With apparent motion of tactual sense applied, the device gives the patient the ability to perform biofeedback in tactile and visual ways, and thus makes the patient more relaxed than other cases. With various types of feedbacks, the device can be satisfying and effective.

Objective To evaluate the function of IRISiQ200 full automated urine analyzer and its clinical application of user re-classification function.Methods The reproducibility,linearity and mutual infection rate of IRISiQ200 were detected.116 fresh urine specimen were obtained from outpatient and inpatient at random.After the specimen were detected with IRISiQ200,the doubtful urine sediment images were discriminated repeatedly by user reclassification.The microscopic quantitation in uncentrifuged samples was used as reference.Results IRISiQ200 showed good reproducibility,linearity and lower mutual infection rate.The performances by using iQ-200 were: erythrocytes Y=0.596X+11.353,R2=0.834;leukocytes Y=0.468X+5.745,R2=0.708;epithelial cells Y=0.524X-2.649,R2=0.815.The performances after reclassification: erythrocytes Y=0.895X-3.328,R2=0.997;leukocytes Y=0.786X-1.880,R2=0.976;epithelial cells Y=0.911X-5.502,R2=0.992.Conclusion IRISiQ200 full automated urine analyzer shows excellent performance.There is fine correlation between iQ-200 and microscopic quantitation in uncentrifuged samples,and the urine sediment can be observed intuitively by using reclassification function.The doubtful urine sediment images can be discriminated.It can degrade the instrument error and increase the detection accuracy greatly.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2008,29(2):82-83,85]

AIM: To observe the effect of hypoxia on cardiaomyocytes apoptosis and the role of ALDH2 in the process. METHODS: Cultured cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats were used. Hypoxia was imposed to the cardiomyocytes with or without daidzin pretreatment. ALDH2 activity was measured by the method of acetaldehyde metabolism. Apoptosis was measured by Hoechest 33324 staining, fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and the DeadEnd~ TM fluorometric TUNEL system. RESULTS: ALHD2 enzyme activity in myocytes was inhibited by daidzin (24 h, 60 ?mol/L) without induction of apoptosis. When exposed to hypoxia, however, the apoptisis was significantly increased in the cells pretreated with daidzin compared to those without the pretreatment. CONCLUSION: The reduction of ALDH2 activity might increase the susceptivity of myocytes to apoptosis following hypoxia, suggesting a protective role of ALDH2 in hypoxia-induced myocardial injury.

BACKGROUND:Shear stress can directly mediate the expression of endothelial cells, especially some cytokine genes whose codes are related to angiogenesis. Otherwise, flow shear stress of blood plays an importantly biological role in regulating vascular structure and function.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of laminar flow shear stress on the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and the expression of protooncogene c-myc in human cerebral arteriovenous malformation.DESIGN: Randomized controlled study.SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, Shenyang General Hospital of Military Area Command of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Neuromedical Institute, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from November 2006 to February 2007. Fresh samples of human cerebral arteriovenous malformation were derived from 20 patients who were of grade Spetzler Ⅱ -Ⅲ and received resection of human cerebral arteriovenous malformation in the Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA in 2006. All cases were diagnosed with whole-brain angiography before operation. The main reagents and equipments were detailed as follows: M199 culture media (Gilbco BRL), quality fetal bovine serum (HyClone), endothelial cell growth supplement (ECGS; Sigma, USA), CO2 incubator (Forma Scientific, USA), flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle kit (BD Company), flow cytometer (FACS Calibur, BD Company), rat-anti-human c-myc monoclonal antibody (Santa Cruz Company, USA), and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kit (Promega).METHODS: Tissue explants adherent method was used to culture vascular endothelial cells of human cerebral arteriovenous malformation, and then the cells were classified into 4 groups based on degree of shear stress, including control group, low shear stress group, moderate shear stress group and high shear stress group. Cultured endothelial cells of human cerebral arteriovenous malformation were put in a parallel plate flow chamber. In addition, cells in the low,moderate and high shear stress groups were stressed by low, moderate and high shear stress for 8 hours, respectively.However, shear stress in the control group was 0 Pa. Flow cytometry was used to measure proliferation index, and the expression of c-myc protein and c-myc mRNA were determined by immnocytochemistry and RT-PCR analysis respectively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expressions of c-myc protein and c-myc mRNA and proliferation index in endothelial cells under various degrees of shear stress.RESULTS: ① Proliferation index: Proliferation index was higher in the moderate and high shear stress groups than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05, 0.01). ② Expression of c-myc protein: Immuneposjtjve expression of c-myc protein was gradually increased with the increase of shear stress and there were significant differences in the three shear stress groups as compared with control group (P ＜ 0.05-0.01). ③ Expression of c-myc mRNA: Proliferation index of endothelial cells was higher in the low and moderate shear stress groups than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Flow shear stress can induce expression of c-myc and activate expression of c-myc gene based on gene transcription so as to promote the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells in human cerebral arteriovenous malformation

BACKGROUND:Antisense gene therapy offers immense promise for the management of human cerebral arteriovenous malformation through inhibiting expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and angiogenesis in endothelial cells.OBJECTIVE: To observe the inhibitory effect of vascular endothelial growth factor-antisense oligonucleotide (VEGF-ASODN) on the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells in human cerebral arteriovenous malformation.DESIGN: Observational contrast study.SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Neuromedical Institute, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from August to December 2006. A total of 18 patients with human cerebral arteriovenous malformation were selected from Department of Neurosurgery, Shenyang General Hospital of Military Area Command of Chinese PLA. There were 12 males and 6 females and their mean age was 40 years. Cerebral arteriovenous malformation was classified based on Spetzler grade: grade Ⅱ (n =10) and grade Ⅲ (n=8). All cases were diagnosed with whole cerebral angiography before operation and they provided the confirmed consent. Main reagents were detailed as follows: endothelial cell growth supplements (ECGS, Sigma, USA), 391 DNA automatic synthetic device (Shanghai Shenggong Liyong Company, PE, USA), anaerobic incubator (DY-1, Zhejiang), human vascular endothelial growth factor enzyme-linked kit (TBD Company, Beijing), 96E enzyme-labeling device (ERMA, INC), cell cycle analytical reagent kit (BD Company), and flow cytometer (FACS Calibur, BD Company).METHODS: ①Experimental procedure: Tissue explants adherent method was used to culture vascular endothelial cells from human cerebral arteriovenous malformation. The third generated cells were used and randomly divided into antisense group, sense group and control group with four bottles of cells in each group. Sense and antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides of artificial vascular endothelial growth factor selected from the antisense group and the sense group were covered with positive liposomes, and then they were used to transfected vascular endothelial cells cultured from human cerebral arteriovenous malformation; however, cells in the control group were not dealt with any treatments. Cells in the three groups were incubated in anaerobic incubator (including 0.95 volume fraction of N2 and 0.05 volume fraction of CO2) at 37 ℃ for 2, 4 and 8 hours, respectively. ② Experimental evaluation: Cell cycles were measured, protein content of vascular endothelial growth factor was measured, and mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was also detected.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expression of mRNA and protein of vascular endothelial growth factor and proliferation exponent at different times of hypoxia.RESULTS: ①mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor: At 2, 4 and 8 hours after hypoxia, mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was higher than that before hypoxia in the control group (P ＜ 0.05);however, mRNA expression was lower in the antisense group than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05). ② Protein content of vascular endothelial growth factor: At 2, 4 and 8 hours after hypoxia, protein content of vascular endothelial growth factor was higher than that before hypoxia in the control group (P ＜ 0.05); however, protein content was lower in the antisense group than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05). ③ Proliferation exponent: At 4 and 8 hours after hypoxia,proliferation exponent of endothelial cells cultured from human cerebral arteriovenous malformation was higher than that before hypoxia in the control group (P ＜ 0.05); however, proliferation exponent was lower in the antisense group than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Hypoxia may induce gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in endothelial cells at the transcriptional level. Antisense vascular endothelial growth factor can obviously inhibit gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor cultured from human cerebral arteriovenous malformation and proliferation under hypoxic conditions.

Objective: To explore the relationship among sexual assault experience,interpersonal trust and psychosexual health in middle school girls,and to provide a reference for psychological counseling for the diagnosis of sexually assaulted individuals. Methods: A sample of 499 middle school girls from 5 middle schools in Shaoguan city of Hunan Province were assessed with the Sexual Assault Questionnaire, Interpersonal Trust Scale and Adolescent Psychosexual Health Scale. Results: The rate of sexual assault was 36.87% while the non-contact sexual assault was 34.87%, and the rate of sexual touching was 8.82% whlie the rate of rape was 1.20%. There were negative correlations among sexual assault experience, sexual values, sexual adaptation and psychosexual health(r=-0.21,-0.10,-0.13,P<0.01).The interpersonal trust modified the relationship between sexual assault experience and sexual awareness, sexual values, sexual adaptation, psychosexual health (95%CI=-0.05--0.01,-0.05--0.01,-0.04-0.00,-0.04--0.02,P<0.05). Conclusion Interpersonal trust plays a moderating role in the association between sexual assault experience and psychosexual health.The adverse effects of sexual assault on psychosexual health might be relieved through improving interpersonal trust among middle school girls.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP+ ) colon cancer, and the significance of CIMP status in the diagnosis and prognosis prediction in defective mismatch repair (dMMR) colon cancer.Methods:The keywords "colorectal cancer" "patient" and "CpG Island Methylator Phenotype" were used to search the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the GSE39582 was obtained, which included the clinical data of 585 patients with colorectal cancer and the sequencing data of the whole transcriptome of the tumor tissues. After excluding 72 cases with missing CIMP values, 513 cases were included for further analysis, including 278 males and 235 females, with a mean age of (67±13) years. According to the CIMP status, they were divided into CIMP+ group ( n=93) and CIMP-group ( n=420), then compare the differences in clinical characteristics, the Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to compare the overall survival and disease-free survival; 71 dMMR cases were divided into CIMP+ group ( n=43) and CIMP-group ( n=28), and the K-M curves were plotted to analyze the differences in overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS). Comparisons between groups were performed by t-test, χ2 test or Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test, and the difference in survival curves was tested by Long-rank test. Results:Patients in the CIMP+ group were significantly older than those in the CIMP-group [(70.84±12.60) years vs (66.21±13.08) years, t=3.18, P=0.002]. Right colon tumors originating from the CIMP+ molecular pathway were 9.3 times more likely to be CIMP+ than those of the left colon cancers ( OR=9.3, 95% CI: 5.2-17.9). BRAF mutant colon cancer originating from CIMP+ was 215.2 times more common than BRAF wild-type colon cancer originating with CIMP+ ( OR=215.2, 95% CI: 53.2-1906.7); and patients with dMMR colon cancer originated 12.8 times more common than patients with pMMR ( OR=12.8, 95% CI: 7.0-23.9). The difference between the CIMP+ and CIMP-groups was not statistically significant in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival ( P=0.590, 0.220). In the dMMR colon cancer subgroup, CIMP status did not correlate with patients′ overall survival and disease-free survival ( P>0.05). Conclusions:CIMP+ colon cancer patients were mostly of advanced age, with tumors originating from the right colon, mostly combined with BRAF gene mutations, and manifested as mismatch repair-deficient colon cancers. CIMP status had no correlation with TNM stage and survival of colon cancers patients. There was no significant difference in the survival between dMMR colon cancers caused by CIMP+ and those caused by MMR gene mutations.

Hearing impairment (HI) affects 1/1000 children and over 2% of the aged population. We have previously reported that mutations in the gene encoding gap junction protein connexin-31 (C×31) are associated with HI. The pathological mechanism of the disease mutations remains unknown. Here, we show that expression of C×31 in the mouse inner ear is developmentally regulated with a high level in adult inner hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons that are critical for the hearing process. In transfected cells, wild type C×31 protein (C×31wt) forms functional gap junction at cell-cell-contacts. In contrast, two HI-associated C×31 mutants, C×31R180X and C×31E183K resided primarily in the ER and Golgi-like intracellular punctate structures, respectively, and failed to mediate lucifer yellow transfer. Expression of C×31 mutants but not C×31wt leads to upregulation of and increased association with the ER chaperone BiP indicating ER stress induction. Together, the HI-associated C×31 mutants are impaired in trafficking, promote ER stress, and hence lose the ability to assemble functional gap junctions. The study reveals a potential pathological mechanism of HI-associated C×31 mutations.
Animals ; Connexins ; genetics ; Ear, Inner ; metabolism ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; physiology ; Gap Junctions ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Golgi Apparatus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hearing Loss ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mutation ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Protein Transport ; genetics ; Stress, Physiological