Purpose::To identify the risk factors for training-related lower extremity muscle injuries in young males by a non-invasive method of body composition analysis.Methods::A total of 282 healthy young male volunteers aged 18 -20 years participated in this cohort study. Injury location, degree, and injury rate were adjusted by a questionnaire based on the overuse injury assessment methods used in epidemiological studies of sports injuries. The occurrence of training injuries is monitored and diagnosed by physicians and treated accordingly. The body composition was measured using the BodyStat QuadScan 4000 multifrequency Bio-impedance system at 5, 50, 100 and 200 kHz to obtain 4 impedance values. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check whether the data conformed to a normal distribution. Data of normal distribution were shown as mean ± SD and analyzed by t-test, while those of non-normal distribution were shown as median (Q 1, Q 3) and analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test. The receiver operator characteristic curve and logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate risk factors for developing training-related lower extremity injuries and accuracy. Results::Among the 282 subjects, 78 (27.7%) developed training injuries. Lower extremity training injuries revealed the highest incidence, accounting for 23.4% (66 cases). These patients showed higher percentages of lean body mass ( p = 0.001), total body water (TBW, p=0.006), extracellular water ( p=0.020) and intracellular water ( p=0.010) as well as a larger ratio of basal metabolic rate/total weight ( p=0.006), compared with those without lower extremity muscle injuries. On the contrary, the percentage of body fat ( p=0.001) and body fat mass index ( p=0.002) were lower. Logistic regression analysis showed that TBW percentage > 65.35% ( p=0.050, odds ratio =3.114) and 3rd space water > 0.95% ( p=0.045, odds ratio =2.342) were independent risk factors for lower extremity muscle injuries. Conclusion::TBW percentage and 3rd space water measured with bio-impedance method are potential risk factors for predicting the incidence of lower extremity muscle injuries in young males following training.

PURPOSE: This study aims to elucidate the electrotaxis response of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) in direct-current electric fields (EFs), explore the impact of EFs on the cell fate of AECs, and lay the foundation for future exploitation of EFs for the treatment of acute lung injury. METHODS: AECs were extracted from rat lung tissues using magnetic-activated cell sorting. To elucidate the electrotaxis responses of AECs, different voltages of EFs (0, 50, 100, and 200 mV/mm) were applied to two types of AECs, respectively. Cell migrations were recorded and trajectories were pooled to better demonstrate cellular activities through graphs. Cell directionality was calculated as the cosine value of the angle formed by the EF vector and cell migration. To further demonstrate the impact of EFs on the pulmonary tissue, the human bronchial epithelial cells transformed with Ad12-SV40 2B (BEAS-2B cells) were obtained and experimented under the same conditions as AECs. To determine the influence on cell fate, cells underwent electric stimulation were collected to perform Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The successful separation and culturing of AECs were confirmed through immunofluorescence staining. Compared with the control, AECs in EFs demonstrated a significant directionality in a voltage-dependent way. In general, type Ⅰ alveolar epithelial cells migrated faster than type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells, and under EFs, these two types of cells exhibited different response threshold. For type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells, only EFs at 200 mV/mm resulted a significant difference to the velocity, whereas for, EFs at both 100 mV/mm and 200 mV/mm gave rise to a significant difference. Western blotting suggested that EFs led to an increased expression of a AKT and myeloid leukemia 1 and a decreased expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein and Bcl-2-like protein 11. CONCLUSION EFs could guide and accelerate the directional migration of AECs and exert antiapoptotic effects, which indicated that EFs are important biophysical signals in the re-epithelialization of alveolar epithelium in lung injury.
Humans ; Rats ; Animals ; Alveolar Epithelial Cells ; Lung ; Lung Injury ; Cell Movement/physiology*

Purpose::To establish a severe blast lung injury model of goats and investigate the feasibility of lung ultrasonic score in the evaluation of blast lung injury.Methods::Twenty female healthy goats were randomly divided into three groups by different driving pressures: 4.0 MPa group ( n = 4), 4.5 MPa group ( n = 12) and 5.0 MPa group ( n = 4). The severe blast lung injury model of goats was established using a BST-I bio-shock tube. Vital signs (respiration, heart rate and blood pressure), lung ultrasound score (LUS), PO 2/FiO 2 and extravascular lung water (EVLW) were measured before injury (0 h) and at 0.5 h, 3 h, 6 h, 9 h, 12 h after injury. Computed tomography scan was performed before injury (0 h) and at 12 h after injury for dynamic monitoring of blast lung injury and measurement of lung volume. The correlation of LUS with PaO 2/FiO 2, EVLW, and lung injury ratio (lesion volume/total lung volume*100%) was analyzed. All animals were sacrificed at 12 h after injury for gross observation of lung injury and histopathological examination. Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS 22.0 software. The measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The means of two samples were compared using independent-sample t-test. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted. Results::(1) At 12 h after injury, the mortality of goats was 0, 41.67% and 100% in the 4.0 Mpa, 4.5 MPa and 5.0 MPa groups, respectively; the area of pulmonary hemorrhage was 20.00% ± 13.14% in the 4.0 Mpa group and 42.14% ± 15.33% in the 4.5 MPa group. A severe lung shock injury model was established under the driving pressure of 4.5 MPa. (2) The respiratory rate, heart rate, LUS and EVLW were significantly increased, while PaO 2/FiO 2 was significantly reduced immediately after injury, and then they gradually recovered and became stabilized at 3 h after injury. (3) LUS was positively correlated with EVLW (3 h: r = 0.597, 6 h: r = 0.698, 9 h: r = 0.729; p < 0.05) and lung injury ratio (12 h: r= 0.884, p < 0.05), negatively correlated with PaO 2/FiO 2 (3 h: r =－0.871, 6 h: r =－0.637, 9 h: r =－0.658; p < 0.05). Conclusion::We established a severe blast lung injury model of goats using the BST-I bio-shock tube under the driving pressure of 4.5 MPa and confirmed that ultrasound can be used for quick evaluation and dynamic monitoring of blast lung injury.

With the increasing number of immunocompromised hosts, the epidemiological characteristics of fungal infections have undergone enormous changes worldwide, including in China. In this paper, we reviewed the existing data on mycosis across China to summarize available epidemiological profiles. We found that the general incidence of superficial fungal infections in China has been stable, but the incidence of tinea capitis has decreased and the transmission route has changed. By contrast, the overall incidence of invasive fungal infections has continued to rise. The occurrence of candidemia caused by Candida species other than C. albicans and including some uncommon Candida species has increased recently in China. Infections caused by Aspergillus have also propagated in recent years, particularly with the emergence of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus. An increasing trend of cryptococcosis has been noted in China, with Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii ST 5 genotype isolates as the predominant pathogen. Retrospective studies have suggested that the epidemiological characteristics of Pneumocystis pneumonia in China may be similar to those in other developing countries. Endemic fungal infections, such as sporotrichosis in Northeastern China, must arouse research, diagnostic, and treatment vigilance. Currently, the epidemiological data on mycosis in China are variable and fragmentary. Thus, a nationwide epidemiological research on fungal infections in China is an important need for improving the country's health.
Animals ; China ; epidemiology ; Fungi ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Genotype ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mycoses ; epidemiology ; transmission

The Mycoplasma hominis infection is a rare postoperative complication after joint replacement. Based on our knowledge, there were only two cases reported by Korea all over the world currently. A case of postoperative Mycoplasma hominis infection after total knee replacement in our hospital was reported in this article. It was confirmed through mass spectrometer and Mycoplasma cultivation and treated by the first stage debridement, polyethylene insert replacement, and then drainage and irrigation combined with sensitive antibiotics after the operation. We observed that the C reactive protein (CRP) level correlates with the development of disease, while the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) remains at a high level, indicating the relevance between the Mycoplasma hominis infection caused by knee joint replacement and CRP. This study aims to report the case and review relevant literature.

PURPOSETo evaluate the usefulness and information collecting ability of speckle tracking imaging techniques in the assessment of myocardial regional ventricular contractility in a rabbit model with blunt cardiac injury.

METHODSFifteen healthy New Zealand rabbits weighing (2.70 ±0.28) kg were anesthetized (3% pentobarbital sodium/i.v) and impacted using the BIM-II biological impact machine to induce myocardial contusion (MC). Hemodynamic parameters, such as heart rate, systolic pressure, mean arterial pressure, diastolic pressure and central venous pressure, were determined before and after MC. Further, parameters reflecting left ventricular functions, such as left ventricular end systolic pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, isovolumic pressure (IP) and the maximal increasing/decreasing rate of left intraventricular pressure (±dp/dtmax), were also determined before and after MC. Left ventricular functions were determined either by two dimensional transthoracic echocardiography or by speckle tracking imaging for segmental abnormal ventricular wall motions.

RESULTSHeart rate, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and mean arterial pressure decreased significantly but transiently, while central venous pressure markedly increased after MC. In contrast to significant changes in diastolic functions, there was no significant change in cardiac systolic functions after MC. The speckle tracking imaging demonstrated that strain values of different myocardial segment significantly decreased post impact, and that of the ventricular segment decreased from segment to segment.

CONCLUSIONSpeckle tracking imaging is useful and informative to assess myocardial regional dysfunctions post MC.

Animals ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Hemodynamics ; Male ; Myocardial Contraction ; Rabbits ; Ventricular Function ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze potential mutation of chloride channel 7(CLCN7) gene in a patient with autosomal dominant osteopetrosis II (ADO II).

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the patient and 100 healthy subjects. The DNA was used as template of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the exons of CLCN7. Then the PCR products were sequenced to detect the mutation.

RESULTSA novel heterozygous deletional mutation (c.2460delA) was detected in exon 25 of the CLCN7 gene in the patient, which has resulted in substitution of Gly residue for Arg at position 784 of the CLCN7 protein and caused frame shift of the following 28 amino acids (Arg784GlyfsX29). The same mutation was not found in the healthy subjects.

CONCLUSIONThe ADO II in the patient probably results from a Arg784GlyfsX29 mutation in the CLCN7 gene.

Base Sequence ; Chloride Channels ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Osteopetrosis ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; Radiography ; Young Adult

Objective To analyze the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in various populations and the simultaneous expression of other markers using multiple tumor marker protein chip, and to discuss the possible clinical relevance. Methods A total of 25 076 profiles of multiple tumor marker protein chip were collected in our hospital for analysis. The elevation of CEA in various populations and commonly-seen tumors was analyzed, and the combined elevation of CEA and other markers was also analyzed in tumors. Results Elevation of CEA in patients with malignant tumors was significantly more than those in patients with benign lesions and normal controls (P<0. 01), with the highest positive rate of CEA seen in the colorectal cancer (41. 85%), followed by pancreatic cancer (37. 97%) and lung carcinoma (37. 16%). CEA was always accompanied by other markers in tumor patients, with the mostly seen elevated marker being CA125, followed by CA19-9 and CA242. The CEA/CA125 was often seen in pancreatic cancer (74. 26%), ovarian cancer (69. 57%), hepatocellular carcinoma (62.13%), and lung cancer (51. 68%); CEA/CA19-9 was often seen in pancreatic cancer (77.23%) and hepatocellular carcinoma (72.34%); CEA/CA242 was often seen in pancreatic cancer(77. 23%) and colorectal cancer(57. 61%); CEA + CA19-9 + CA242 was usually seen in pancreatic cancer(76. 24%), ovarian cancer(52. 17%), and colorectal cancer (51. 32%); and CEA+CA19-9 + CA242 + CA125 was mostly seen in pancreatic cancer(61. 39%). Conclusion CEA is widely expressed in malignant tumors, but it is not specific for malignant tumors. Single elevation of CEA has high value for diagnosis of colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung carcinoma. CEA combined with CA125, CA19-9 or CA242 can help to improve the positive rate for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVETo confirm the effect of hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein on the c-met promoter activity in HepG2 cells.

METHODThe expression of c-met protein was detected by western blot in HBx-transfected HepG2 cells, the human c-met promote activity was checked by luciferase assay using five different constructs with deletion or point mutation.

RESULTSHBx protein stimulated the expression of the c-met in HepG2 cells. The enhanced expression of c-met in HBx-transfected cells was mediated by the activation of AP-2 and SP-1 transcriptional activity at the c-met promoter region (-183bp--100bp), HBx increased the invasiveness of HepG2 cells as determined by Matrigel invasion assay.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggests that HBx induces the expression of c-met through the activation of AP-2 and SP-1 activity at the promoter region; in addition, our data indicate that HBx stimulates the invasive potential of HepG2 cells.

Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genes, Viral ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; metabolism ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Transfection