Objective To study the value of discriminant analysis of motor unit potential(MUP) multi-parameters in differentiation of various sorts of MUP. MethodsFrom the biceps brachii, tibialis anterior and vastus medialis muscles,the duration, amplitude, area and the ratio of area to amplitude of the MUPs were obtained by use of the spike-wave triggered average technique in 10 patients with myopathic disease, 13 patients with neurogenic disease and 22 healthy adults. The data were subject to analysis of variance and discriminant analysis. ResultsThe differences among the three groups with regard to all the parameters of the MUPs recorded from all the three muscles were statistically significant ( P

Objective To investigate the effects of ischemia reperfusion on the morphological changes of sinoatrial node(SAN) cells in rabbits in vivo . Methods Ninety healthy adult rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups with 10 rabbits in control and every subgroup: control group [a suture passed under the root section of right coronary artery(RCA) without ligation], ischemia group(occluding the root section of RCA for 10, 30, 60 and 120 min respectively), ischemia reperfusion group(10, 30, 60 and 120 min ischemia after respectively followed by 4 hours′ reperfusion). Results ① Compared with control group, abnormal structure of SAN cells was not seen in 10 min ischemia group and 10 min ischemia reperfusion group with light microscopy, except slight mitochondrial swelling of SAN cells in former group with electron microscopy. ② There were morphological changes of SAN cells in 7, 6 and 8 rabbits in 30, 60 and 120 min ischemia group, presenting mainly as cellular swelling, karyopyknosis, and focal necrosis under a light microscope, and mitochodrial swelling, cristae disorganization or break under an electron microscope. The most severe cellular damages were found in 120 min ischemia group. ③ In ischemia reperfusion group, there were morphological abnormalities of SAN cells in 6, 8 and 7 rabbits in 30, 60 and 120 min ischemia reperfusion groups. The morphologic changes were similar to those in ischemia group, but injury degree was more severe than that in ischemia group with the same ischemic time. Conclusion Ischemia and ischemia reperfusion can induce morphological changes of SAN cells in a time dependent manner in rabbits in vivo , and the injury degree is more severe in ischemia reperfusion group than that in ischemia group with the same ischemic time.

Ion channels are membrane proteins that are found in a number of viruses and which are of crucial physiological importance in the viral life cycle.They have one common feature in that their action mode involves a change of electrochemical or proton gradient across the bilayer lipid membrane which modulates viral or cellular activity.We will discuss a group of viral channel proteins that belong to the viroproin family,and which participate in a number of viral functions including promoting the release of viral particles from cells.Blocking these channel-forming proteins may be"lethal",which can be a suitable and potential therapeutic strategy.In this review we discuss seven ion channels of viruses which can lead serious infections in human beings: M2 of influenza A,NB and BM2 of influenza B,CM2 of influenza C,Vpu of HIV-1,p7 of HCV and 2B of picornaviruses.

Objective To explore the expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) in pancreatic carcinoma tissues and SW1990 cell line, and to investigate its relationship to the chemoresistance. Methods The expression of XIAP in 23 pancreatic carcinoma tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry and the relationship of XIAP expression with the clinical stage and pathological grade was analyzed. 5-FU was used to induce the chemoresistant capability of SW1990 pancreatic cell line. The XIAP expression in SW1990 was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot. The XIAP level in the cells and its chemoresistance to 5-FU were analyzed by linear regression. Results The XIAP expression was detected in 89. 6% (20/23) of pancreatic carcinoma tissues and 33. 3% (4/12) of normal pancreatic tissues,respectively. The positive rate and expression level of XIAP were higher in pancreatic carcinoma than normal pancreatic tissues. In addition, 5-FU could induce the chemoresistance (P

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is a rare biliary malignant tumor derived from the biliary epithelial cell. The primary current treat-ments for hilar cholangiocarcinoma include surgery and chemotherapy, as well as radiation and photodynamic therapies (PDT). A com-plete resection with negative margins is the only treatment with the potential for cure and the only way to maximize survival. Howev-er, over half of the patients in the advanced stage of hilar cholangiocarcinoma lost the chance for surgery. Radiotherapy and chemo-therapy can prolong patient survival;however, these lack reliable data. Most patients who cannot be treated surgically undergo biliary stenting to relieve the biliary obstruction. The PDT is a new method to treat various malignant tumors. Several clinical studies have shown its local tumor ablation capability. Thus, PDT has broad application prospects in the treatment of unresectable hilar cholangio-carcinoma.

The vertebral artery dissection may be associated with the structural abnormalities of vascular wall or enviromental factors.The symptoms are usually caused by the luminal stenosis or the formation of blood clot,including the pain in posterior neck or mastoid region with local neurological deficits.The diagnostic methods for vertebral artery dissection include digital subtraction angiogaphy,magnetic resonance imaging,CT angiograpby and color Doppler ultrasonography.Anticoagulation is the main treatment option for most patients with vertebral artery dissection.

Objective To observe the expression of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b) in pterygium and normal conjunctiva specimens,and clarify the role of NLRP3 in the development of pterygium.Methods Specimens from 20 cases of pterygium and 6 cases of normal eonjunctival were analyzed for establishing the expression of NLRP3 and IL-1b by immune-histochemistry.The level of caspase-1 and pro-caspase-1 protein were analyzed by Westernblot,gene expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) was detected by RT-PCR.Results NLRP3 was not expressed in normal conjunctival epithelial cells,but was positive in the basal part of pterygium;IL-1was not expressed in normal conjunctival tissues,but was positive in pterygium.There was no significant difference about the expression of Procaspase-1 in normal conjunctiva and pterygium (P ＞ 0.05),However,caspase-1,also known as the active form of pro-caspase-1 expressed in pterygiun was higher than that in normal conjunctiva(P ＜ 0.05).The average level of IL-18 in 20 cases of pterygium was significantly higher than that in normal conjunctiva (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion After NLRP3 signaling pathway activating in pterygium tissue,caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 are high expression abnormally,suggest that NLRP3 inflammasome and the related signaling pathways may play a role in the progression of pterygium.

N-acetyltransferase 2 is an important metabolic enzyme in the human body,participating mainly in the metabolism of medicine containing nitrogen.Presently a lot of researches have been undertaken in the respects like the determination of NAT2 genotype and drug metabolism and so on.In the recent years,more and more attention is paid to the simulation of three-dimension(solid)structure of protein,but the study is just at the outset on three-dimension structure of the NAT2 as well as its structure-function relationship when combined with drug.The research progress of construction of the three-dimension structure of NAT2 is summarized,emphasizing on its methods and tools.

Objective To explore the regularity of dynamic morphologic changes of the sinoatrial node (SAN) cells of rabbits after the constitution was damaged by formaldehyde wet dressing. Methods Sixty rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=10 in each group): the control group and 5 experimental groups observed at 2 h, 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks respectively after the operation. The SAN constitution of rabbits was damaged by 20% formaldehyde wet dressing. The constitutions of SAN were cut quickly at 2 h after wet dressing in the control group and at the corresponding time points in other experimental groups respectively. The specimens were made for light microscopical and electron microscopical observations. The apoptosis of SAN cells was detected by TUNEL method. Results Compared with those in the control group, SAN cells in all experimental groups were damaged at various degrees observed by light microscopy and electron microscopy. Distinct cell tumefaction, soak of grain cells, cytoclasis, hyperplasia of collagen fibers, and other pathological changes were detected. Electron microscopical observation showed distinct pathological changes of the super-micro construction of cells. Apoptosis was not detected in the control group, but various degrees of apoptosis in all experiment groups. The apoptotic rates in all experimental groups were significant as compared with that in the control group (P

[Objective]To present a validated two-functional spinal unit C4~7 finite element model with simulated placement of a disc prosthesis treatment to predict stresses and strains within adjacent vertebal bodies. [Methods]Two finite element models of C4~7 were generated using the CT scans taken from a male patient following placement of a disc prosthesis treatment,which were included with adjacent bodies,intervertebral discs. Simulations were conducted imposing a compression preload combined to a flexion/extension moment,a pure lateral bending moment and a pure torsion moment,and to quantify the stress levels in intervertebral discs,endplate,cancellous bone,cortical bone and adjacent bodies following placement of a disc prosthesis under clinically relevant loading conditions.[Results]The BryanTM disc prosthesis allows to correctly reproduce a physiological motion at the implanted level,and the changes in stresses and strains in levels adjacent to a placement of a disc prosthesis treatment level were minimal.[Conclusion]The artificial cervical disc prosthesis well restores the biomechanical behavior of the intact spine. Moreover,the selection of surgical indications and proper manipulations shoule bve paid more attehtion to.