OBJECTIVE: To study the application of isokinetic muscle testing in identification of the faked paralysis to provide scientific data for establishing a standard system of muscle strength in forensic medicine identification. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with bone fracture or nerve damage as damaged group and 128 normal subjects pretended paralysis as faked paralyzed group were included in this study. Isokinetic muscle testing was performed on bilateral knees of all subjects in the two groups. The peak torque (PT) and peak torque angle (PTA) were compared between both sides in each group. The features of torque-time graph of two groups were classified. RESULTS: In the damaged group, the differences of PT between two sides of flexors and extensors were statistically significant (P<0.05), while the dif- ferences of PTA were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In faked paralyzed group, the differences of PT and PTA between two sides of flexors and extensors were both statistically significant (P<0.05). The torque-time graph of damaged knee presented mostly as single lead peak, while torque-time graph of the faked paralyzed knee presented mostly as multiple peaks. CONCLUSION The feature of torque-time graph could be useful to identify the faked paralyzed extremities in forensic authentication.
Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint/physiopathology* ; Male ; Muscle Strength ; Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology* ; Muscles ; Torque

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of total flavones of Epimedium leptorrhizum (YYH-C) on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.

METHODOvariectomized female rats were randomly divided into the model group, YYH-C lower, middle and high dose (0.7, 1.4, 2.8 g x kg(-1)) groups, the positive drug Bujiale (0.15 mg x kg(-1)) group, and the sham group. The rats were orally ad-ministrated with drugs for three months. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), procollagen I N-terminal peptide (PINP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium (Ca) and phosphrous (P) in serum were detected. Femur bones and vertebrae bones of left side were collected to determined bone metrological indexes, including bone mineral density (BMD), bone Ca, and bone ash weight/dry weight percentage. Femur bones of right side were collected to for a morphological observation of bone.

RESULTCompared with the sham group, the model group showed significantly higher PTH and ALP content but obviously lower PINP and Ca content. The three YYH-C 3 groups could resist the decrease of PINP. Specifically, low and middle dose groups could remarkably inhibit the increase of PTH, and the high dose group could increase the Ca content in serum, but without significant effect on the rise in ALP. There was no significant difference in P content in serum in each group. BMD, ash weight/dry weight percentage, Ca and P content of the model group were significantly lower than those in the sham group. The high dose YYH-C group could significantly increase BMD. All of the three YYH-C groups could notably increase ash weight/dry weight percentage and Ca, P content in femur bones and vertebrae bones. YYH-C could significantly increase average thickness, area, area percentage of bony trabeculae, cortical bone area percentage of femoral shaft and the number of osteoblasts on the surface of bony trabeculae, and decrease the number of osteoclasts.

CONCLUSIONYYH-C can effectively control the bone mass loss of rats with ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis, prevent the changes in bone microstructure, and inhibit bone absorption, so as to resist high turn-over osteoporosis after ovariectomy. [Key words] total flavones of Epimedium leptorrhizum; ovariectomized rat; osteoporosis

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Female ; Flavones ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Ovariectomy ; Parathyroid Hormone ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To explore the effects of lower esophageal leiomyoma on esophageal dynamics.Methods A total of 25 patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma,31 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and 16 healthy controls were selected.The differences of high resolution esophageal manometry results were compared among the groups.The t-test or one way analysis of variance was performed for normally distributed measurement data comparison.Rank sum test was used for non-normally distributed measurement data comparison.Results Among 25 patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma,14 patients accompanied with acid reflux,heartburn,chest pain or other GERD symptoms.In the group of patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma,the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP),the lower esophageal sphincter relaxation rate (LESRR),low esophageal body pressure and peristaltic contraction percentage were (9.00 ± 6.30) mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa),53.0 ％ (0,334.0％),(34.66±18.33) mmHg and 55.6％ (0,100.0％),respectively,which were lower than those of the healthy control group ((16.25 ± 3.71) mmHg,86.5％ (49.0％,103.0％),(57.75 ± 22.49) mmHg,100.0％ (80.0％,100.0％)),and the differences were statistically significant (t=-4.150,Z=-2.353,t=-3.601,Z=-3.798; all P＜0.05).However there were no significant differences in esophageal dynamics indexes between patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma accompanied GERD symptoms and without GERD symptoms (all P＞0.05).There were no significant differences in esophageal dynamics indexes between the GERD patients and patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma accompanied GERD symptoms (all P＞0.05).LESRR level of patients with lower esophageal leiomyoma (71.4％(45.5％,150.0％)) increased after endoscopic submcosal dissection (Z=-2.194,P=0.028).Conclusions Lower esophageal leiomyoma may affect esophageal motor function,which contributed to anti-reflux esophageal function decline.Lower esophageal leiomyoma combined with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms are not uncommon.

AIM:To investigate the gene expression profile of human lung squamous cell carcinoma in early stage.METHODS:The mRNA was extracted from cancer tissue and normal lung tissue.The mixed probes were labeled and hybridized with chip containing 480 carcinoma related genes,then analyzed by SuperArray Image software to study the gene expression patterns in lung squamous cell carcinoma.RESULTS:192 genes associated with lung squamous cell carcinogenesis were found,which were grouped into transporter,adhesion molecules,cytoskeleton proteins,transcription regulator,genes associated with metabolism and immune response according to functions.127 gens were positive to lung squamous cell carcinogenesis and 65 genes were negative to lung squamous cell carcinogenesis.CONCLUSION:The screen of gene expression profile of human lung squamous cell carcinoma provides valuable information for the research of molecular mechanism of the lung squamous cell carcinogenesis.

Objective To enhance the solubility and bioavailability of curcumin (CUR).Methods A novel curcumin nanoparticles were prepared.The CUR-PGD nanoparticles were prepared by the method of ultrasound precipitation combined with high-pressure homogenization using codendrimer PAMAM-co-0.25OEG (PGD) as stabilizer.The stability of CUR-PGD nanoparticles was measured in 0.9% sodium chloride solution,5% glucose, PBS and plasma.Results The drug loading capacity (DL%) of CUR-PGD nanoparticles was 41.2%, the solubility of CUR was increased to 1.5 mg·mL-1 (50 times of CUR bulk powder).The mean diameter of the nanoparticles was 438.0 nm with spherical morphology and the zeta potential was 41.4 mV.The nanoparticles was stable in 0.9% sodium chloride solution,5% glucose, PBS and plasma and there was no hemolytic phenomenon, which meant they were suitable for intravenous administration.The DSC and XRD spectra of CUR-PGD nanoparticles showed that the CUR was presented as crystal morphology in the nanoparticles.The CUR released from nanoparticles was detected in different releasing medium and presented obvious controlled release behavior.Conclusion PGD may be an effective stabilizer for the preparation of CUR-PGD nanoparticles and CUR-PGD nanoparticles are a promising drug delivery system for CUR application in clinic.

The longitudinal study sought to examine the dynamic development of cognitive skills for reading among elementary-level students in Mainland China.Two groups of students in first (n=164,mean age=6.65 years at first test) and second grade (n=202,mean age=7.73 years at first test) were followed on orthographic awareness,morphological awareness and rapid automatized naming (RAN) for two years.The children exhibited significant improvement in orthographic awareness,morphological awareness and RAN from grades 1 to 4.More importantly,to the orthographic and morphological awareness,while the children took a leap from grade 1 to 2 and grade 3 to 4,the progress developed at relatively slow rates from grade 2 to 3.In order to assure children's development of orthographic and morphological awareness,evidence-based orthographically and morphologically enhanced instruction is needed for Chinese children in the early elementary years,especially for those at the stage from grade 2 to 3.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor t-AUCB on foam cell formation and cholesterol efflux in macrophage.

METHODSMouse macrophages RAW264.7 were cultured and stimulated with ox-LDL (80 µmol/L) in the absence (group A) or presence of t-AUCB (1, 10, 50, 100 µmol/L, group B) or t-AUCB (100 µmol/L) pretreated with PPARγ antagonist GW9662 (5 µmol/L, group C). The foam cell was identified by oil red O staining. The cholesterol efflux rates of (3)H-cholesterol in cells were measured by liquid scintillation counter. mRNA and protein expressions of ABCA1 were detected by real-time PCR or Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSOil red O staining showed that t-AUCB (100 µmol/L) significantly inhibited foam cell formation which could be significantly reversed by GW9662 (all P < 0.05). t-AUCB dose-dependently increased cholesterol efflux rates in mouse macrophage [(5.91 ± 0.18)% in group A, (7.03 ± 0.33)%, (8.05 ± 0.32)%, (9.04 ± 0.14)%, (10.06 ± 0.85)% in 1, 10, 50, 100 µmol/L t-AUCB groups, all P < 0.05 vs. group A], which could be reversed by pretreatment with GW9662 [(6.33 ± 0.15)% in 100 µmol/L t-AUCB + GW9662 group].t-AUCB also upregulated ABCA1 mRNA and protein expressions in a dose-dependent manner which could be significantly attenuated by pretreatment with GW9662.

CONCLUSIONt-AUCB could inhibit foam cell formation by improving cholesterol efflux through activating PPARγ-ABCA1 pathway in macrophage.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; metabolism ; Animals ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Epoxide Hydrolases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Foam Cells ; drug effects ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Urea ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

To investigate the effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on JAK2-STAT3 pathway and the growth of gastric cancer cell lines at different GHR expression status, the eukaryotic expression vector targeting human GHR (pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shGHR and pGPU6/GFP/Neo-scramble) was constructed and transfected into MGC803 cells by Lipofectamine 2000. Stable expressive cell lines were obtained by G418 screening. The expression of GHR was analyzed by Western blotting. After being stimulated with rhGH, cell growth was detected by MTT assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry. The components of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway were detected by Western blotting. There is no significant difference of GHR expression between MGC803 and pGPU6/GFP/Neo-scramble-transfected cells (named as MGC803-NC) (P > 0.05). Compared with MGC803, the GHR expression in pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shGHR-transfected cells (named as MGC803-shGHR) decreased significantly (protein decreased 50%). The cells were treated with rhGH at 0, 150 and 300 ng x mL(-1), the growth rate of MGC803 and MGC803-NC increased significantly, PI and the number of G2/M phase cells all increased significantly, and apoptosis decreased significantly. Western blotting revealed that the expression of pJAK2 and pSTAT3 was up-regulated after being treated with rhGH in MGC803 and MGC803-NC cells. In contrast, similar change was not observed in MGC803-shGHR cells. Knockdown of GHR gene may decrease the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to rhGH, and down-regulating of components of the expression of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway may be the potential mechanisms.
Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Human Growth Hormone ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptors, Somatotropin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Transfection

Objective To investigate the expression of inregrin?_3 and integrin?_1 in breast cancer and its bio- logical significance.Methods Immunohistochemical assay was used to determine the expression of integrin?_3 and integrin?_1 in the breast cancer(32 cases).Results In normal breast tissue,the positive expression rates of integrin?_3 and integrin?_1 were 0 % and 25 %.In the breast cancer tissue,the positive expression rates of integrin?_3 and inte- grin?_1 were 36 % and 81%.Conclusion The integrin?_3 and integrin?_1 are close associated with the biological sig- nificance of breast cancer.To examine its expression is useful to evaluate the aggressive degree,metastatic potential and prognosis in patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia program to alleviate type 2 diabetes insulin resistance has been recommended, but this program is still questioned because of the risk of osteoporosis caused by hypoxia in patients with diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of vibration training on bone mineral density, bone structural mechanics, bone metabolism and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic osteoporosis rats under hypoxia environment. METHODS: Ninety clean Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, and subjected to high-fat diet (n=60), or normal diet (n=30), for 8 weeks. High-fat rats were given the injection of streptozotocin to establish the rat model of type 2 diabetic osteoporosis. The control rats were subdivided into normoxia control and hypoxia control groups; the model rats were subdivided into hypoxia modeling group, hypoxia modeling vibration group, normoxia modeling group, normoxia modeling vibration group. Hypoxia and vibration program was performed by hypoxia tank and vibration platform (PowerPlate?) for 12 weeks. Glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, bone metabolism and bone mineral density and modeling were detected at 4 weeks after modeling and 12 weeks after vibration training. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 12 weeks after intervention, the fast insulin level, fast blood glucose, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in the hypoxia modeling vibration group were significantly superior to those in the hypoxia modeling, normoxia modeling, and normoxia modeling vibration groups (P < 0.05). The bone mineral density, maximum stress, maximum load, breaking load and elastic modulus in the normoxia modeling vibration and hypoxia modeling vibration groups were significantly lower than those in the normoxia control and hypoxia control groups (P < 0.05). After vibration training, all indexes were significantly increased (P < 0.05). These results suggest that hypoxic environment can promote the insulin sensitivity, improve glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats, but can lead to a decrease in bone mineral density and increase bone resorption. Vibration training not only can significantly enhance the insulin sensitivity, but also can avoid the decreased bone mineral density, bone metabolism disorder, and biomechanical properties induced by hypoxia.