Objective To establish a continuous monitoring assay of serum argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) activity with automatic biochemistry analyzer, and perform methodology validation and preliminary clinical application.Methods According to the chemical reaction catalyzed by ASL and the working characteristics of automatic biochemistry analyzer, an enzyme coupled reaction system with high specificity was set up, and the methodology validation was performed.Three hundred and nine patients with various liver diseases, 269 non-liver disease patients and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.Serum ASL, ALT, and AST level were determined in all subjects.Results A new kinetics assay of ASL activity was set up with automatic biochemistry analyzer.The methodological validation demonstratod that inter-assay and intra-assay coefficient of variation were 4.0% and 5.9% respectively and the mean recovery was 100.5%.The linear range was 0-167.7 U/L.The lowest detection limit was approximately 0 U/L.The interference test showed that there is no significant interferences while the concentration of bilirubin is less than 342 μmoL/L or commonly used anticoagulants is employed at their routine concentrations.However,interference was significant when Hb level is more than 0.06 g/L.Preliminary study of clinical application showed that there was no significant difference of serum ASL level between non-liver disease group and healthy group ( q = 0.027, P = 0.979 ), but there was significant differences for both serum ALT and AST levels (ALT:q =6.461,P =0.000;AST:q =6.481,P =0.000).Conclusions A continuous monitoring assay for the determination of serum ASL activity is successfully established. Serum ASL may be a good biomarker for liver injury.

Objective To investigate the influences on the femur cortex of the rabbit after ovariectomy and its mechanism.Methods Eighty 6 months-old female pure New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups:40 rabbits in ovariectomy group and 40 in sham-operation group.The weight averaged 2.2±0.28 kg.Four weeks and 8 weeks after operation,a series of tests were performed in both groups concerning the number,the volume,the rate and the maximal load of cortical bone porosity.The number,the length and the density of linear crack in rabbit femur cortex were documented after repetitive application of minor trauma.Results Micro-CT demonstrated that both on week 4 and 8 after operation,the number,the volume and the rate of cortical bone porosity were all significantly higher in ovariectomy group than that of the control group.Four weeks after operation,the biomechanical test showed the significantly lower average maximal load of rabbit femur in ovariectomy group (1 892.60±59.09) than that of in control group (1 949.25±53.12) (P=0.003).Eight weeks after operation,the average load of both groups decreased to some extent,which was 1 944.55±41.76 in control group and 1 692.40±85.08 in ovariectomy group respectively (P=0.000).However,the average maximal load of ovariectomy group decreased more significantly.Having application of repetitive minor trauma to the bone,the number,the length and the density of linear crack of cortical bone were 3.40± 1.67,216.80± 17.60 μm and 0.40±0.08/mm2 in ovariectomy group,and 2.00± 1.17,160.45± 16.89 μm and 0.29±0.13/mm2 in control group 4 weeks later.And after 8 weeks,they were 5.15±1.18,334.60±13.94 μm and 0.35±0.10/mm2 in ovariectomy group,and 3.10±1.37,182.10±9.80 μm and 0.24±0.09/mm2 in control group.The number,the length and the density of linear crack of cortical bone were all significantly higher in ovariectomy group than that of in control group both on week 4 and on week 8 after operation.Conclusion Ovariectomy increases the porosity of cortical bone of rabbit,destroys its biological property,accelerates the fatigued damage and delays the healing process.These changes may be attributed to fracture and delayed union after fracture.

Objective To detect quantitatively hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)mRNA expressions of bone marrow mononuclear cells(MNCs)in acute leukemia(AL)and investigate its clinical significance.Methods Total mRNA of quantitated bone marrow MNCs isolated from 67 de novo AL cases was extrated and then cDNA was synthesized.Expression of HGF mRNA was quantified absolutely using real-time fluorescence quantification PCR(FQ-PCR).Results Expressions of HGF mRNA in a group of AL were higher significantiv than these in a control group(6.936 ±1.613,0.407 ±0.170,P<0.001),but there was similafitv between a group of acute myeloid leukemia(AMI,)and group of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)(7.127±1.911,6.635±0.934,P>0.05).In AL subtypes,the expression of M5(9.998 4±1.454)was higher than that of M2,M3,M4,L1,L2 and L3(P<0.001),but there ware no differences among the latters(P>0.05). Meanwhile,there was no statistical significance on the expressions of HGF mRNA between different age and sex(P>0.05).In addition,expressions of HGF mRNA in the remission group were lower than these in the non.remission group(6.393±1.165,8.041±1.848,P<0.005).Conclusions There are statistical significances of the expressions of bone marrow MNCs HGF mRNA among the AL group and control group.As to AL subtypes,there are no statistically significant differences between AML and ALL as well as between different age and sex.Besides,lower HGF mRNA level is correlated with better curative effect.It is suggested that HGF mRNA is a suitable index for AL diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To investigate the effects of epidural spinal cord stimulation (ESCS) and treadmill training on the locomotion function and ultrastructure of spinal cord anterior horn after moderate spinal cord injury in rats. (IT, n=3). All rats received a moderate spinal cord injury surgery. Four weeks after surgery, rats in SE group received an electrode implantation procedure, with the electrode field covering spinal cord segments L2-S1. Four weeks after electrode implantation, rats received subthreshold ESCS for 30 min/d. Rats in TY group received 4cm/s treadmill training for 30min/d. Rats in SI group received no intervention, as a control group. All procedures in these three groups lasted four weeks.The open field Basso,Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scale was used before and after intervention to evaluate rats' hindlimb motor function. Result:After four weeks intervention, rats in TT group improved their open field locomotion scores to 20. In contrast, no significant improvement was observed in groups SI and SE. The morphology of synapses and neurons were similar regardless of whether rats had undergone ESCS, treadmill training or not. Conclusion:ESCS alone was not sufficient to improve the walking ability of spinal cord injured rats. ESCS or treadmill training alone might not contribute to the changes of ultrastructure in anterior horn of spinal cord that underlie the recovery of walking ability. Further research is needed to understand the contributions of combination of ESCS and treadmill training to the rehabilitation of spinal cord injured rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of epidural spinal cord electrical stimulation (ESCES) on spinal cord reflexes in normal adult rats, and to find out where and how the spinal cord reflexes are generated. Methods Ten adult female Sprague Dawley rats were anaesthetized and an electrode was placed at the S, spinal cord segment. Single electric pulses with 200 μs pulse width and voltages of 400 mV, 600 mV and 1200 mV were used in the ESCES. 1200 mV voltages with 50 Hz, 60 Hz, 80 Hz, 100 Hz frequency were also tested. EMG signals were re-corded with concentric needle electrodes in the rats' semitendinosus muscles to observe the characteristics of spinal cord reflexes. Results The voltage threshold for generating semitendinosus muscle response was 300 mV. The three ESCES voltages induced 2 kinds of spinal cord reflexes. The 400 mV and 600 mV stimulation induced spinal cord reflexes with short latency (5.27±0.36 ms and 5.19±0.67 ms respectively). The 1200 mV stimulation volt-age induced spinal cord reflexes with long latency (2.57±0.23 ms). Spinal cord reflexes could be generated by 50 Hz, 60 Hz, 80 Hz, and 100 Hz ESCES. At the higher frequencies, spinal cord reflexes declined late in the ex-periments and then appeared irregular. In some of the rats, spinal cord reflexes vanished entirely late in the stimula-tion experiments. The latency and duration of the spinal cord reflexes induced by 50 Hz ESCES were (4.46 ± 1.07) ms and (7.33±1.00)ms respectively. These were significantly different from the latency and duration initia-ted by 60 Hz, 80 Hz or 100 Hz ESCES. Conclusions Different ESCES voltages induce different spinal cord refle-xes generated differently. The long latency reflexes might be monosynaptic responses mediated by dorsal root excite-ment, while the short latency reflexes might be sarcous exciting electric activity mediated by direct excitement of mo-tor neurons or motor fibers. The irregular spinal cord reflexes induced by higher frequency ESCES might be one kind of monosynaptic response. Irregularly appearing spinal cord reflexes induced by higher frequency stimulation might due to the inhibitory effect of higher frequency stimulation.

Objective To construct quantitative standard for quantification of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mRNA and establish its real-time fluorescence quantitative(FQ)-PCR assay to estimate its clinical relevance in lymphoma.Methods Recombinant plasmid Was constructed with target cDNA obtained from isolated total RNA by RT-PCR After PCR products were identified and purified,recombined plasmids were quantitated and then acted as quantitative standard.A new real time FQ-PCR analysis system Was established with the second pair of primers and the probe after amplification condition and the concentrations of components were optimized.HGF mRNA expressions in 47 lymohoma cases[11 Hodgkin disease(HD) cases,36 non-Hodgkin lyphoma(NHL)cases.among these patients,36 patients in remission while 11 patients without remission ] were analyzed quantitatively,and its specificity and sensitivity for lymphoma diagnosis were evaluated by receiptor operation character(ROC)curve method.Results HGF mRNA quantitative standard was constructed successfully.and its real time FO.PCR analysis system Was established combined with hot.start PCR and down.touch PCR technique. According to slope of standard curve (-3.513)and correlation cofficient(0.999),amplification efficiency of the system was 92.6%.Coefficient variation of intra-assay,intra-day and inter-day-assay were 2.1%,4.0% and 6.8%,respectively.Sensitivity of FQ-PCR Was 2 eopies/μl.Expressions of HGF mRNA in lymphoma group Was higher than that in control group(6.425±2.172 and 0.317±0.192,respectively,t=15.883,P<0.001),and its expressions in remission group was lower than no remission group(6.157±1.712 and 7.59l ±1.184,respectively,t=2.768,P<0.05).However,there Was not difference of HGF mRNA level between group HD and group NHL(P>0.05).According to ROC analysis,its sensitivity and specificity were 93.6% and 100% when cutoff value for lymphoma clinical diagnosis Was 3.136.Conclusion HGF mRNA'8 quantitative standard and its real time F9-PCR analysis system have been successfully constructed,and it can be used for quantitative detection of its mRNA expression in lymphoma.

Objective To determine the effect of ostecytic TGF-β/Smad4 signaling on osteoblastic and osteoclastic differentiation in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs).Methods Mice with osteocytic TGF-β/Smad4 conditional knock down (Smad4ot CKD) were generated as previously by crossing DMP1-8kb-Cre mice with Smad4lox(ex8)/lox(ex8) mice.The osteocytes were isolated from tibial and femoral diaphysis and co-cultured with wild-type BMSCs.ALP staining, Alizarin red staining and TRAP staining were performed to show osteoblastic and osteoclastic differentiation.Then, their marker genes were detected by qPCR and proteins measured by Western blot.ResultsThe expression of Runx2 and Osterix were reduced in smad4 CKDot co-cultured with BMSCs compared with controls(P<0.01).Similarly, the specific markers of osteoblastic differentiation were decreased (P<0.01).Additionally, the expression of RANKL was not significantly changed in with BMSCs.However, OPG was highly expressed incontrol group compared with smad4 CKD in co-cultured group (P<0.05).Thus, the radio of RANKL/OPG was significantly reduced (P<0.05).Furthermore, the expression of RANK was inhibited.Conclusions The terminally-differentiated osteocytes are the cells regulating bone metabolism, while down-regulation of osteocytic-TGF-β/Smad4 inhibits BMSC osteoblastic and osteoclastic differentiation.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of nonablative 1 565-nm Er:Glass fractional laser in the treatment of striae gravidarum.Methods The left and right sides of the abdomens of 30 subjects with striae gravidarum were divided into 2 groups by simple randomization:treatment group treated with nonablative 1 565-nm Er:Glass fractional laser every 4 weeks for 3 sessions,and control group receiving no treatment.These subjects were followed up at the baseline,4th,8th and 12th week.At the same time,photos were taken,the skin flexibility was evaluated,and the width of striae was measured.Four weeks after the final treatment,clinical improvement was evaluated by 2 doctors,who were blind to the therapeutic protocol,according to clinical photos and three-dimensional (3D) images,and satisfaction scores were also evaluated.Skin biopsies were taken from the left and right sides of the abdomens of 3 subjects,and subjected to histopathological examination.Four months after the final treatment,all the subjects were telephoned for evaluation of adverse reactions and recurrence.Results A total of 27 subjects completed the whole trial.Four weeks after the final treatment,25 (92.6％) of the 27 subjects were considered to achieve an improvement by doctors.However,21 (77.8％) of the 27 subjects considered themselves to achieve an improvement.After 3 sessions of treatment,the treatment group showed a significant decrease in the largest width of striae from 4.852 mm to 3.296 mm (P ＜ 0.001) and a significant increase in skin flexibility from 0.803 to 0.878 (P ＜ 0.001).Histopathologically,the control group showed obviously atrophic epidermis and decreased collagen and elastin in the dermis,while the treatment group showed thickened epidermis and dermis,extended rete ridges,and increased collagen and elastic fibers which arranged more regularly.Immediate adverse reactions during the treatment included erythema and edema,and other adverse reactions included mild crust,itching and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).PIH was improved at 4 months after the final treatment compared with that at 4 weeks after the final treatment.Conclusion The nonablative 1 565-nm Er:Glass fractional laser can markedly improve the width and appearance of striae gravidarum,and increase skin flexibility in the treatment region.

Burn rehabilitation in China started from compression therapy in the mid-1970s, which showed the dual effects of prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scars. It not only promoted functional rehabilitation but also strengthened the confidence of patients in rehabilitation treatment. Thereafter, more therapies were brought into practice, such as intra-scar injection of triamcinolone acetonide, application of plastic splints, hydrotherapy, exercises with equipment, skin care, local therapeutic massage, active and passive exercises, as well as external use of drugs for inhibiting scars and pigments. Since the beginning of the 21st century, rehabilitation therapies have been gradually increasing. Psychological rehabilitation, occupational therapy, external use of silicone gel, wax therapy and sound, light, electricity, and radiation therapy have been carried out. Many hospitals have established foundations and held summer camps for children. As far as the whole country is concerned, compared with the huge demand, we still face a number of problems such as shortage of working staff, limited working space, capital chain rupture, lack of multi-disciplinary cooperation, untimely treatment, and incomplete rehabilitation. Nowadays, with increasing knowledge of burn rehabilitation and number of practitioners, improvement of equipment and economic situation, the pace of rehabilitation has accelerated, and the overall implementation of burn rehabilitation therapy has shown great vitality. Patients with burn injury involving over 80% total burn surface area (TBSA) of total burn area or full-thickness burn over 60% TBSA were cured and recovered in different levels of hospitals nationwide, which not only reflects the superb level of burn treatment in China but also reflects the overall improvement of rehabilitation level of the country.