Objective To study the characteristic surface myoelectric signals generated by children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) during maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) of the wrist flexors and extensors.Methods Sixty-eight children with HCP 2 to 14 years of age were assessed with surface electromyography (sEMG).The electrodes were applied on the skin over the wrist flexors and extensors.The integrated EMG signals (iEMGs),root mean square amplitudes (RMSs) and co-contraction ratios during MIVC were recorded and analyzed.Results In a MIVC,the RMS,iEMG and co-contraction ratio were all significantly different between the involved and uninvolved hands,though the iEMGs of the wrists of the two hands were strongly correlated.The RMSs of the wrists of the involved and uninvolved hands were also strongly positively correlated when grasping maximally using the involved hand.Conclusions The involved hand of children with HCP has excessive co-activation of the wrist flexors,poor muscle recruitment and little isolated selective control of movement.It may be very important to facilitate wrist extensor contraction,inhibit wrist flexor co-activation and induce involved hand use to improve the hand function of children with HCP.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects of patients with non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ( AIDS )-related cryptococcal meningitis treated with fluconazole and flucytosine.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted including 52 cases of non-AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis,which were divided into two groups:the amphotericin B combined with flucytosine group (n =32) and the fluconazole combined with flucytosine group (n =20 ). The comparison between groups was done by t test and chi-square test.ResultsThe intracranial pressure of the amphotericin B combined with flucytosine group and the fluconazole combined with flucytosine group were (221.9±76.2) and (213.4±99.2) mm H2O,respectively (t=0.302,P＞0.05) ; the cryptococcus counts in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were (351 ± 1180) and (508 ± 943)/mL,respectively (t=- 0.473,P＞0.05) ; the CSF protein levels were (0.754 ± 0.726) and (0.649 ±0.308) g/L,respectively (t=0.578,P＞0.05) ; the CSF white blood cell (WBC) counts were (16±25) × 106/L and (28±32) × 106/L,respectively (t=-1.348,P＞0.05).The cured rates were 59.38％ (19/32) and 35.00％ (7/20),respectively in the amphotericin B combined with flucytosine group and the fluconazole combined with flucytosine group,and the improved rates were 6.25％(2/32)and 25.00％ (5/20),respectively,the uncured or mortality rates were 34.38％ (11/32) and 40.00％ (8/20),respectively,and the difference were not significant of cured rates (x2 =2.925,P＞0.05) and uncured or mortality rates (x2 =0.168,P＞0.05) between two groups.ConclusionFluconazole combined with flucytosine also has a good effect on the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.

Objective To explore the efficacy of sequential or combined amphotericin B (AmB) and fluconazole (FCZ) therapy on a 5 flucytosine based regimen in non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related cryptococcal meningitis.Methods A tatal of 117 cases of non-AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis treated with 5-flurocytosine-based regimens were retrospectively divided into five groups:AmBgroup (n=38),FCZ group (n=25),FCZ and AmB sequential group (n=18),AmB and FCZ sequential group (n=15),AmB and FCZ combination group (n=21).The number in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the five groups were compared.Statistical analyses included t test,oneway analysis of variance,K-independent samples test and chi-square test.Results Intracranial pressure of AmB group,FCZ group,FCZ and AmB sequential group,AmB and FCZ sequential group,AmBandFCZ combination group were (208.6±75.1),(191.5±94.5),(185.0±76.3),(201.9±69.7) and (223.1±89.3) mm H2O (1 mm H2O=0.0098 kPa),respectively,and the differences were not statistically significant (F=0.611,P =0.656).Median cryptococcus counts in CSF of the five groups were 0,10,0,3 and 0/mL,respectively,with no statistical significance (x2 =7.638,P-0.090).CSF protein levels of the five groups were 0.55,0.69,0.67,0.53 and 0.96 g/L,respectively,with no significant differences among groups (F=7.063,P=0.133).The cure rates of the five groups were 55.3％ (21/38),32.0％ (8/25),9/18,6/15 and 47.6％ (10/21),respectively;progression rates or mortality of the five groups were 28.9％ (11/38),44.4％ (11/25),5/18,4/15and 23.8％ (5/21),respectively; and the differences among cure rates (x2 =3.638,P=0.457) and progression rates or mortality (x2-2.785,P =0.604) were not statistically significant.Conclusion FCZ or AmB alone,sequential or combined therapy were all effective in the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis.

BACKGROUND: Differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into cardiomyocytes in vitro has been studied in great detail in the world. However, much of what is currently known about cardiomyocyte differentiation from ES cells has been learned from studies on mouse in China, few studies are on human ES cells.OB JECTIVE: To investigate the differentiation effcacy of human ES cells into functional cardiomycytes with the human H14 ES cell line.DESIGN: Suspending method was used to form pseudo-embryo proper of human ES cells so as to observe ratio of pseudo-embryo proper with rhythmic contraction and expression of specific gene of myocardium in various differentiated phases.SETTING: Molecular Biology Laboratory of Stanley Ho Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, the Chinese University of Hong Kong.MATERIALS: Human ES cell line H14 was obtained from WiCell Research Institute (Wisconsin, USA) with a license agreement.METHODS: The experiments were carried out in the Molecular Biology Laboratory of Stanley Ho Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, the Chinese University of Hong Kong from August to December of 2006.The H14 ES cell colony was used to form embryoid bodies (EBs) by using suspending method. Four days later,pseudo-embryo proper was cultured in gelatin-coating 6-well culture plate (5-10 embryo proper/well) and spontaneously differentiated into moving pseudo-embryo proper. Rhythmic contraction was observed under microscope and RT-PCR was used to detect expression of special genes of myocardium.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ratio of pseudo-embryo proper with rhythmic contraction and expression of specific gene of myocardium in various differentiated phasesRESULTS: Spontaneously contracting cells appeared as cluster and were identified in approximately 2% of EBs at differentiation day 8 and increased to as many as 10% of the EBs by day 16. The beating rate of contracting cells arranged at 70-100 beats per minute. RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that cells isolated from spontaneous beating areas within the EB expressed the cardiac transcription factors GATA-4 and Nkx2.5, cardiac progenitor gene Isl-1 and cardiomyocyte marker gene α-MHC.CONCLUSION: This is the first time to report human ES cells can effectively differentiate into functional cardiomyocytes in China.

BACKGROUND:After different metal fixation materials areimplanted into the human body, peripheral tissue inflammatory response to varying degrees wil appear in the early stage. Poor biocompatibility of the corresponding materials wil lead to prolonged duration of inflammatory reaction.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the inflammatory factor level changes and biocompatibility of cancelous bone screw fixation in treatment of unstable pelvic fractures.
METHODS:A total of 61 patients with unstable pelvic fractures were randomly divided into the observation group (29cases) and the control group (32 cases). The 29 patients in the observation group underwent cancelous bone screw fixation. The 32 patients in the control group underwent conventional therapy. During 12 months of folow-up, Majeed function score and inflammatory factor level changes and adverse events were observed and compared between the two groups.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Majeed function scores were significantly higher in both groups after treatment as compared with that preoperatively (alP< 0.05). The Majeed function scores were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group 12 months after treatment (P< 0.05). (2) Inflammatory factor levels: Interleukin 6, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were significantly lower in both groups after treatment as compared with that preoperatively (alP< 0.05). No significant difference in above indexes was found between the two groups before and after treatment (P> 0.05). (3) Adverse events: one case affected incision infection after operation in the observation group. In the control group, four patients experienced incision infection. One suffered from nonunion, and one had bone necrosis. Above patients were treated in time, and were cured, so there wereno deaths. There were significant differences in the incidence of adverse events between the 2 groups (P< 0.05). (4) The research results show that cancelous bone screw fixation for unstable pelvic fractures can obtain satisfactory clinical results, andhave good biocompatibility.

The purpose of this research work is to find out the longitudinal distribution of the preganglionic neurons which project to the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (SCSG). Experiments were performed on 12 adult rabbits and a monkey. Under sodium pentobarbital anesthesia, 20 microliters of 10% HRP were injected slowly into the rabbit's SCSG. In the monkey, 20 microliters of 15% HRP was injected.After a postoperative survival time of 3～6 days, the animals were perfused through,the ascending aorta with a cold fixative mixture composed of 2% paraformaldehyde and 1.25% glutaraldyhyde in 0.1mol phosphatebuffer at pH 7.4. The spinal cord segments C_1～L_3 were cut serially in transverse plane on a cryostat at 48 micra.The HRP reaction product was demonstrated according to Mesulam's (1976) benzidine blue reaction method, and counterstained with neutral red.HRP labeled neurons in the spinal cord were located exclusively on the side ipsilateral to the injected SCSG. The total number of labeled cells were 7908 in 12 rabbits, but the number of labeled cells varied from animal to animal. The highest amount was 1690 (423~#) and the lowest amount was 71 (425~#). The longitudinal distribution of the labeled cells in 12 rabbits was 12 segaments of the spinal cord (C_6～T_9), but the largest proportion (86.18%) of them was concentrated from T_1 to T_4, especially at the level of T_2 and T_3 (56.22%), and with a peak at T_2 (29.10%).In cross section of the spinal cord. HRP-labeled cells were concentrated in four cell groups, they are: nucleus intermediolateralis pars principalis (ILp), nucleus intermediolateralis pars funicularis (ILf), nucleus intercalatus (IC) and nucleus intercalatus pars paraependymalis (ICpe). The latter is subdivided into dorsal portion and ventral portion. HRP positive cells were mainly located in the ILp, In 12 rabbits about 92.99% cells were located in it. A small portion of labeled cells(6.25%) were seen in the ILf. A few labeled neurons could be detected within,the IC (0.68%) and ICpe (0.08%). Furthermore, occasionally, very few labeled cells were found at the dorsol portion of the anterior horn.In the monkey, generally speaking, the pattern of the distribution of labeled cells was the same as the rabbit.

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of miR-125b in patients before and after treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with different types.Methods The levels of miR-125b were measured by using real-time fluorescence quantification PCR (qRT-PCR) in 65 AML patients (all AML samples from the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University,and the control samples isolated from cord blood which were obtained after normal full-term delivery of babies) before and after treatment,and then the relationship between the levels of miR-125b and patients＇ sex,age,peripheral blood cells,type clinically,relapse and therapeutic effect were analyzed.Results Of newly diagnosed AML patients and the control samples,miR-125b positive rate was 100％.The miR-125b expression levels in the control group was 1.50,and its expression in AML was 11.06,and the difference was significant (P =0.036 6).In complete remission (CR) group of acute promyelocytic leukemia (M3),the expression of miR-125b after induction therapy was significantly reduced,and CR rate of miR-125b decreased group was 91.3％,while that of the increased group was 50.0％,and the difference was significant (P =0.042 6).The miR-125 b expression level was decreased from 29.7 ± 4.9 to 19.2 ± 6.0 after chemotherapy,and the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.036 6).In non-M3 AML,CR rate of miR-125 b decreased group was 86.7 ％,while that of the increase group was 42.1％,and the difference was significant (P =0.021 5).There was no correlation between miR-125b expression and patients＇ gender,age and peripheral blood cells.Conclusions The differences in expression of miR-125b is very important in disease occurrence and progress.Using qRT-PCR to dynamically detect the expression of miR-125b dynamically in AML patients before and after therapy may predict outcome more precisely and has the potentials as an effective biomarker in determining prognosis,monitoring the risk of recurrence,and guiding the treatment.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of children′s recurrent abdominal pain(RAP) with gastroscopy and analyze the etiology.Methods Three hundred and thirteen children were investigated with gastroscopy.Gastric antrum mucosa was taken for histo-pathology and the determination of helicobacter pylori(Hp) antibody.Results Ninty-nine point six eight percent of the cases had lesions under the gastroscope.The former 4 cases had chronic superficial gastritis(CSG),CGS and bile reflux,CGS and duodenitis,CGS and bulb ulcer,and Hp infection rate was 31.36%,25%,38.64%,60.61%.Hp infection rates of active gastritis and inactive gastritis were 92% and 23.19%,which showed significant differences in 2 groups(P

The central corneal thickness (CCT) in age 48 years or less of Chinese was characterized and its relationship with gender, age, refraction and intraocular pressure (IOP) was investigated. Right eyes of 1669 participants were included in this study (880 men, 52.7% and 789 women, 47.3%). Mean age of the samples was 23.8 +/- 5.9 years. After the examination of corneal topography and refraction, Goldman applanation tonometry was carried out by one physician. Tonometric values were the mean of three consecutive readings. Subsequently, another physician carried out ultrasonic pachymetry with the DGH 2000 AP ultrasonic pachymeter. Six measurements were made at the center of the cornea of each eye. The mean value was used for analysis. The results showed that mean CCT of male participants was 551.33 +/- 34.62 microm, 5.79 microm more than that of female participants. Linear regression analyses revealed that CCT was negatively related with age only in female and no association was found between refractive status and CCT. IOP was positively related to CCT, and there was a difference in IOP of 1.5 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) per 100 microm difference in CCT. Ocular hypertension group was prone to have thicker cornea than average. The results indicated that in adult Chinese CCT tended to decrease with aging in female only. IOP measured by Goldmann tonometry was positively related with CCT so that CCT should be measured along with IOP.
Age Factors ; China ; Cornea/*anatomy & histology ; Corneal Topography ; Intraocular Pressure ; Reference Values ; Sex Factors ; Tonometry, Ocular