Objective To explore the best vibration frequency for activating human muscles.Methods Nineteen healthy college students accepted vibration stimulation at frequencies between 10 and 50 Hz.Surface electromyograms (sEMG) were recorded.The subjects were sitting,standing,squatting (knee flexion 30°) and recumbent.Their left anterior tibial muscles and the medial heads of the gastrocnemius were targeted as test muscles.The vibration stimulation point was on the surface of the left distal tibia.The sEMG characteristics of the calf muscles were analyzed under vibration stimulation at different frequencies. ResultsThe leg muscles were activated significantly at all vibration frequencies,but the sEMG values of the anterior tibialis were significantly different at different frequencies,except for among 30 Hz,40 Hz and 50 Hz in any position.The gastrocnemius sEMG values were not significantly different at different frequencies. ConclusionVibration at 30 to 50Hz may be the normal human muscle activation frequency.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathologic features of epithelioid angiomyolipoma of renal(REAML). Methods Six cases of REAML were analyzed by histopathological and clinical characteristics.Of the 6 cases,4 cases were solitary tumors and 2 cases were multiple lesions.The diameter of tumors was about 9 cm in average.One case had a family history of nodular sclerosis.Three cases were found adipose tissue in CT scan and diagnosed for RAML,the other 3 cases were diagnosed for renal cancer.All cases were undergone surgical approach,3 cases were undergone resection of tumors only and the other 3 were performed nephrectomy. Results Pathological characters:tumor was mainly composed of epithelioid cells presented with invasive hyperplasia of atypical pleomorphism,hyperchromatic nuclei with frequent mitotic figures,giant neoplasic cells and extensive hemorrhagic necrosis immunohistochemcial staining showing a positive HMB45 and negative of EMA,CK in most neoplasic cells.All cases were followed up for 10 to 44 months,5 cases did not recurrence and metastases;the other had lung metastasis after operation 18 months later,without any treatment the patient died 10 months later. Conclusions Most of REAMLs are benign and often misdiagnosed for renal cancer by CT scan.HMB45 is positive in immunohistochemcial staining available for diagnose.The minority of REMAL is malignant potentially and should be followed up closely.Operation is major method.

Objectlve To discuss the characters and management of renal sinus tumors. Methods The clinical data of 3 tumors occurring in tenal sinus were reviewed.The first patient was a 33-year-old man with the chief complaint of lumbago in the right side for 6 months.B-ultrasound showed low echo in the right pelvis and CT scan showed that a mass measured about 3.5 cm in diameter in the right kidney collective system.Intravenous urography showed the upper collective system was tompressed.He was diagnosed for renal sinus tumor.The second case was a 34-year-old woman with the chief complaint of sudden lumbago in the right for 3 d.Color ultrasonography found hyperechoic in the right kidney.CT scan showed a mass measured 8 cm×6 cm × 8 cm in the right renal sinus,its CT value was about-70 HU.Intravenous urography showed the lower collective system was compressed.She was diagnosed for renal angiomyolipoma of right kidney.The third case was a 55+year-old woman with the chief complaint of lumbago for 1 year.B ultrasound showed hyperechoic in the leftrenal hilum.CT scan showed a nlass of 8 cm×5 cm×5 am in the left renal sinus with CT value of 50 HU.Intravenous urography showed the collective system of the left kidney was compressed.Mag-netic resonance imaging showed high signal on T1 WI and T2WI but low signal in fat suppression ima-ging.She was diagnosed for lipoma of the left renal sinus. Results All the 3 cases had undergone surgical approaches.The first case underwent surgical exploration of renal sinus tumor.Fast pathologic diagnosis was benign tumor,only the tumor was resected.Postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis of angioleiomyoma.There was no recurrence during follow-up of 3 years.The second case was scheduled for tumor enucleating,but nephrectomy was perform because of serious bleeding and damaged renal pelvis.Pathological report was angiomyolipoma.The third case was scheduled for lipoma enucleating but nephrectomy was performed because of tumor encapsulated renal pedicle vascular.Pathological report was lipoma.During the follow-up for 4 years there was no relapse. ConclusionsTumors occurred in renal sinus are rare, most of which are benign.CT scan, MRI and intravenous urography are the best imaging examination methods for differential diagnosis.Surgical operation is the major approach, while for the tumor radical nephrectomy less than 4 cm watchful waiting could be a choice.Tumor resection with nephron sparing is feasible while tumor is larger than 4 cm.Radical nephrectomy should performed for the malignant tumor.

Many species of the genus Asarum plants are used as Chinese traditional or folk medicines, in Chinese which are known as "Xixin" (Asari Radix et Rhizoma) , "Bei-Xixin" , "Hua-Xixin" and "Nan-Xixin" , etc. In order to get a clear picture of resources distribution and varieties on Chinese markets of the crude drug Xixin and provide scientific basis for their resource conservation and sustainable use, during recent years we conducted field investigations and market researches many times. The results showed that the resources of both official Xixins and non-official Xixins were decreased because of the ecological environment damage and over-digging, especially species whose population size was small. Bei-Xixin derived from A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum was the most species on the Chinese markets except for a few areas of China. Hua-Xixin derived from A. sieboldii and non-official Xixins were mainly used in their producing areas. Cultivation of Hua-Xixin should be greatly developed, and wild resources of non-official species must be preserved strictly.
China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Data Collection ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; classification ; standards ; supply & distribution ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo assess the anti-nociception and anti-inflammation pharmacodynamics of Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum and A. sieboldii.

METHODBoth the writhing test and hot plate test were conducted to assess the anti-nociceptive effect of Asarum and Xylene-induced mouse ear edema was conducted to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of Asarum.

RESULTTwelve samples of A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum and A. sieboldii from different producing areas showed anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. Specifically, 27% to 61% of the seven samples of A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum showed anti-nociceptive effect and while 34% to 48% of A. sieboldi showed anti-nociceptive effect. The inflammatory inhibition rate of A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum produced in six producing areas (38%-57%) is higher than that of A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum produced in five producing areas (34%-48%). The same kind of Asarum produced in different areas showed significant differences. A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum produced in Jilin province (38%-57%) showed better anti-nociceptive effect than sample produced in Heilongjiang province (34%) in writhing test. A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum produced in Heilongjiang (43%) province showed a better anti-nociceptive effect than samples produced in Liaoning province (29%-36%) in hot plate test. A. sieboldii produced in Shaanxi province (47%-49%) showed a better anti-nociceptive effect than samples produced in Hubei province (40%) in writhing test. A. sieboldii produced in Shaanxi province (45%-59%) showed better anti-nociceptive effect than samples produced in Chongqing (40%) in hot plate test. A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum produced in Jilin province (51%-63%) showed better anti-inflammatory effect than samples produced in Heilongjiang province (50%). In totality, the results from analysis of geoherbalism showed that famous-region A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum and A. sieboldii had a better anti-nociception effect than Asarum produced in other producing areas, famous-region A. heterotropoides var. mandshuricum had a better effect than those produced in other producing areas in anti-inflammation. But famous-region A. sieboldii showed no obvious difference from those produced in other producing areas in anti-inflammation.

CONCLUSIONAll samples of Asarum showed anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, but with significant differences among Asarum produced in different areas, indicating the eoherbalism to some extent.

Analgesics ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Asarum ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Objective:To investigate the expression and its diagnostic value of long-chain non coding RNA (lncRNA) and colon cancer-related transcript-2 (CCAT2) in serum of patients with cervical cancer (CC).Methods:Serum samples of 100 CC patients, 60 CIN patients and 80 healthy people enrolled by Nantong Tumor Hospital from January 2016 to June 2017 were collected.The expression levels of CCAT2 in sera of CC patients and their corresponding postoperative patients, CIN patients and healthy controls were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The correlation between CCAT2 and clinicopathological features, as well as the traditional auxiliary diagnostic makers of CC, such as carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) was analyzed. The working characteristic curve (ROC) of the subjects was used to evaluate the CCAT2 pair in the auxiliary diagnostic value of cervical cancer.Results:The relative expression levels of serum CCAT2 in patients with cervical cancer, patients after operation, patients with CIN and healthy controls were1.689 (0.616, 4.776), 1.018 (0.227, 3.328), 0.815 (0.453, 1.266) and 0.740 (0.271, 1.670), respectively.The relative expression of CCAT2 in cervical cancer patients was significantly higher than that in post-operative patients, CIN patients and healthy controls. The difference was statistically significant( t=6.999,8.193,9.345, P<0.001).There was no significant difference in the relative expression of CCAT2 between CIN patients and healthy controls ( t=0.327, P>0.05).The relative expression of CCAT2 in serum of cervical cancer patients had no significant difference in age 1.636(1.000,2.370),1.705(1.095,2.243) (χ 2=0.137, P=0.712) and menopause 1.672(1.059,2.342),1.659(1.068,2.298) (χ 2=0.000, P=1.000), but had significant difference with tumor size expression1.189(0.916,1.725),2.019(1.537,2.497)(χ 2=17.508, P=0.000),International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) staged expression stage 0.993(0.779,1.266),2.056(1.547,2.549),3.987(3.699,4.275)(χ 2=36.075, P=0.000) and lymph node metastasis 1.434(1.007,2.251),2.019(1.731,3.098) (χ 2=8.634, P=0.003). There was no correlation between the relative expression of serum CCAT2 and CA125 ( r2=0.003, P=0.563) and SCC (r 2=0.128, P=0.000).The diagnostic efficacy of serum CCAT2, CA125 and SCC in cervical cancer patients was analyzed by ROC curve. When compared with CIN patients, the areas under the curve were 0.890, 0.549 and 0.744, respectively. When compared with healthy patients, the areas under the curve were 0.857, 0.650 and 0.758, respectively. Conclusions:The level of serum CCAT2 in patients with cervical cancer is significantly higher than that in patients with cervical cancer, CIN patients and healthy controls. Serum CCAT2 may be a relevant marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of cervical cancer.

Objective To evaluate the changes of adenosine metabolism pathway related molecules and their contribution to inflammatory injury in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).Methods The consecutive samples of 49 subjects with PBC from The First People's Hospital of Taicang and The Second People's Hospital of Changshu were recruited from October 2016 to October 2017,and 36 healthy controls were involved in this study.The expression of CD39 and CD73 on CD4+T cells and Foxp3 + regulatory T cells were assayed by flow cytometry and the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in serum was analyzed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS).The correlations between Tregs,ATP and liver function were analyzed,i.e.,alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT),alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Mayo scores.Results In the patients with PBC,low proportions of CD4+CD39+T cells were noted compared with healthy controls [(5.28 ± 1.92) ％ vs (11.0l ± 3.19) ％,t =10.25,P ＜ 0.01].The patients with PBC also had significantly low proportion of CD4+CD25 + Foxp3+ CD39+ T cells compared with healthy controls [(23.75 ± 9.48) ％ vs (54.68 ± 5.18) ％,t =13.79,P ＜0.01].No significant difference of the proportion of CD4+CD73+T or CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+CD39+T cells was found between PBC and control groups (t values were 2.235 and 1.083,P ＞ 0.05).The level of serum ATP was higher in the patients with PBC than that of healthy controls [(200.28 ± 79.41) μg/L vs (89.20 ± 33.76) μg/L,t =8.367,P ＜ 0.01].A significant correlation was demonstrated between the proportion of CD39 + Treg in total Treg cells and the levels of ATP (r =-0.413,P =0.003),GGT (r=-0.378,P=0.007) and Mayo score (r=-0.382,P=0.007).Conclusion The low proportion of CD39+ Treg cells may contribute to the down-regulation of ATP hydrolysis in the patients with PBC.No significant change of CD73 + Treg cells was found in PBC patients.

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of serum cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration and integrity for esophageal carcinoma. Methods: Venous blood samples from 68 patients with esophageal cancer, 36 patients with benign esophageal lesions and 45 healthy subjects were collected. Circulating cfDNA was verified through quantitative real-time PCR (Alu-qPCR) using Alu-115 and Alu-247 primers. DNA integrity index was calculated as the ratio of Alu-qPCR results (Alu247/115). Concentrations of carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) and squamous cell carcinoma associated antigen (SCC) were detected by chemiluminescence analyzer assay. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test and Spearman correlation test. The Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of each index to esophageal carcinoma. Results: The median absolute serum Alu115 and the Alu247/115 index (1 162.0 ng/ml, 0.57) in esophageal cancer group were significantly higher than those in benign esophageal disease group (496.7 ng/ml, 0.43) and in healthy control group (432.3 ng/ml, 0.42) (all P<0.01, respectively). The Alu115 and Alu247/115 index of serum DNA in benign esophageal disease group were no statistically different from those in the healthy control group (all P>0.05, respectively). The levels of cfDNA and its integrity were not significantly correlated with age, gender, tumor differentiation, or disease stage according to American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system in the esophageal cancer group (all P>0.05). The serum Alu247/115 index of Stage Ⅲ patients was higher than that of Stage Ⅰ~Ⅱ patients(P<0.05). The serum Alu247/115 index of Stage Ⅳ was higher than that of Stage Ⅲ(P<0.05). In the esophageal cancer group, both of serum Alu115 and Alu247/115 index had no correlation with CEA or SCC (all P>0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of Alu115 and Alu247/115 index were 0.867 and 0.854, respectively, which were both higher than that of CEA (0.622) and SCC (0.753). The addition of Alu115 or Alu247/115 index to CEA and SCC detection increased the sensitivity of the diagnosis of esophageal cancer by 95.6% and 94.1%, respectively. Conclusions The detection of serum cfDNA concentration and integrity is helpful to the early diagnosis and monitoring of esophageal cancer. Their diagnostic value of esophageal cancer is better than that of the traditional tumor markers CEA and SCC.

Objective: To explore the effect of adenoassociated virus sense transfection up-regulating the expressionlevel of the growth and differential factor 11 ( GDF11) in vivo on aortic injury in type 2 diabetic mellitus rats(T2DM). Methods: Nine-week-old male SD rats were randomly selected to establish a T2DM model by usinghigh -sugar and high-fat chow plus small-dose streptozotocin (STZ) combined induction. Both normal rats and diabetic model rats were randomly divided into five groups: blank control group ( Control group) , negative virus control group ( NC group), GDF11 adeno-associated virus group ( GDFl1 group), diabetic group ( DM group), anddiabetic + GDF11 adeno-associated virus group ( DM + GDFl1 group). After 8 weeks of feeding, the serum con-centrations of insulin ( INS ), advanced glyeosylation end products ( AGES), recombinant growth transforming fac.tor 11 ( GDF11 ), total cholesterol (T-CH0 ), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), high-density lipoproteins ( HDL-C), asymmetric dimethylarginine ( ADMA), and malondialdehyde ( MDA) were assayed inthe rats ; periodic acid-schiff stain( PAS stain) was used to observe the sites of glycogen deposition, and hematoxylin-eosin staining ( HE) was used to observe vascular damage. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observethe damage of vascular endothelial cells and vascular elastic fibers, and protein blotting and immunohistochemistrwere used to detect the expression levels of vascular injury-related proteins. Protein blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of vascular injury-related proteins. Results: The biochemical indexes showed that the serum concentrations of AGES, T-CHO, TG, LDL-C and MDA were higher in the DM groupthan those in the Control group (P <0. 05), the concentrations of INS, GDF11, HDL-C and ADMA were signifi.cantly lower than those in the Control group (P <0. 05 ), and the concentrations of AGE'S and HDL-C were not sig.nificantly lower in the DM + GDF1l group compared with the DM group ( P <0. 05). HDL-C was not significantlydilerent from the DM group, and several other data were improved ( P<0. 05 ). Pathological staining suggestedthat PAS staining in the DM group suggested that glycogen particles deposited in the endothelium and subendotheli.um of the aorta, HE staining observed thickening of the aortic mesentery, endothelial cells and elastic fibers brokeolf in an irregular alignment , and electron microscopy observed endothelial damage in the vasculature and elastic fibers broke off in the DM group, and these changes attenuated in the DM + GDFl1 group. Protein blotting and im.munohistochemistry indicated that the expression of endothelial cell-associated proteins decreased in the DM groug( P <0. 05), and mesenchymal markers elevated in the DM group ( P <0. 05 ), these proteins were regressed inthe DM + GDFl1 group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Inereasing theexpression level of GDFl1 in vivo can improve aortic vascular injury caused by diabetes mellitus, which is inferredthat it may be related to the inhibition of endothelial mesenchymal transition to protect the function of vascular endo.thelial cells and thus improve vascular injury.