Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at Huatuo jiaji points plus virtual balancing game on balance function in stroke patients.Methods Fifty patients with poststroke balance dysfunction were randomly allocated: 25 cases to the treatment group and 25 cases to the control groups. The treatment group received acupuncture at Huatuo jiaji points plus virtual balancing game-based rehabilitation training and the control group, virtual balancing game-based rehabilitation training alone. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) score, the COP offset distance indices (EO2, EC2, EOTS and EO1) and the modified Barthel Index (MBI) score were recorded in the two groups before and after treatment.Results There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the BBS score, the TUGT score, the COP offset distance indices and the MBI score in the two groups of patients (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the BBS score, the TUGT score, the COP offset distance indices and the MBI score between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at Huatuo jiaji points plus virtual balancing game is an effective way to treat poststroke balance dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as explore the relevance of its clinical significance AOPP and COPD.Methods Fifty-four patients with mild/moderate COPD (COPD group) were enrolled in this study,who were treated in the No.100th Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from Apr.2011 to Nov.2013.Thirty healthy volunteers (control group) at same period were selected as control group and the general condition of two groups were matched.AOPP,superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured.Results The serum AOPP,MDA and SOD in control group were (45.78 ± 12.54) μmol/L,(2.96 ± 0.55) μmol/L and (78.40 ± 8.37) kU/L respectively.And its were (68.93 ± 10.62) μmol/L,(6.07 ± 2.44) μmol/L and (53.66 ± 5.99) kU/L respectively in COPD group.The differences were statistically significant (t =-8.57,-9.14,14.38 ; All P values were less than 0.01).The serum AOPP,MDA and SOD in mild COPD group were (65.56 ±9.65) μmol/L,(4.21 ± 1.83) μmol/L and (62.97 ± 6.28) kU/L respectively,and (71.79 ± 11.37) μmol/L,(7.43 ± 3.12) μmol/L and (41.25 ± 5.89) kU/L respectively in moderate CODP group.The differences were statistically significant (t =-2.17,-4.80,13.00; P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion The increased levels of serum AOPP is important pathological changes in patients with COPD,which may be involved in the occurrence and development of COPD,and is the reaction of oxidative stress injury in patients with COPD early sensitive indicator.

Objective To solve the problem that the rat retina paraffin sections are easily exfoliated from the slides and each layer are easily separation and fracture,we need to find a way to improve the retina paraffin section method and evaluate the tissue fixation. Methods We used 4 fixation liquids including 10%paraformaldehyde,4%paraformaldehyde, 4% paraformaldehyde and 95% alcohol and glacial acetic acid mixed liquid (FAA fixatiue solution ) combined with paraformaldehyde to fix the retinal tissue, and observed the fixation efficacy under microscope after HE staining. Results The effects of 10%paraformaldehyde and 4%paraformaldehyde fixed samples showed moderate separation and fracture of retina,but the HE staining retinal slices pre-treated by the FAA fixafive solution had bright and uniform color,although occasionally some parts of the retina were exfoliated from the slide, but it was not easy to take off,and had complete structure without separation and rupture. Conclusion The retina paraffin section fixed by FAA ixafive solution with 4% paraformaldehyde is superior to pure paraformaldehyde, and the paraformaldehyde concentration has no obviously influence on HE staining results.

Objective To investigate the relationship between abnormal metabolism of aggrecan and joint destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods 140 RA patients with duration less than 24 months were enrolled into this study.The study also included 100 normal controls and 95 patients with other rheumatic diseases.Three monoclonal antibodies (5D4,7D4 and BC-3) of aggrecan were used to detected aggrecan catabolic fragments in serum of RA patients and the other two groups of controls by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),and the correlation of aggrecan catabolic fragments with joint damage were analyzed.Sharp evaluation of hand joints in RA patients were performed at baseline and after one year follow-up.Calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of aggrecan catabolic fragments detected in serum of RA patients.Results Both levels of 5D4 fragment and BC-3 fragment of RA group were higher than those of normal control [5D4 of RA:(5.8±2.1) ng/μl,normal control:(2.2±1.3) ng/μl;BC-3 of RA:(11.1±3.4) ng/μl,normal control:(5.0±2.1) ng/μl,F=38.65,24.07,P＜0.001).There was no difference in 7D4 fragment among three groups (F=0.589,P=0.478).Both two fragment levels of RA patients with anti-CCP positive were greater than those patients with anti-CCP negative [5D4:(5.6±1.3) ng/μl vs (4.4±1.1) ng/μl,F=21.23,P＜0.01;BC-3:(12.2±3.9) ng/μl vs (9.3±2.8) ng/μ1,F=27.14,P＜0.01].Linear Regression showed that serum fragments detected by 5D4 and BC-3,and anti-CCP positive were risk factors for Sharp deterioration after one year follow-up.The sensitivity and specificity of combined detection of two aggrecan fragments in serum of RA patients for the prediction of joint Sharp were 56.5％ and 84.2％ respectively.Positive predictive value and negative predictive value are 74.3％ and 70.6％.respectively.Application of areas of ROC to identify the best evaluation of Sharp was 0.798.Conclusion There is positive correlation between aggrecan catabolic fragments in serum and joint Sharp evaluation of RA patients.Detection of aggrecan catabolic fragments in RA patients may predict early joint destruction.

Objective To investigate the direct and indirect MRI manifestations of anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)tears and discuss its mechanism and diagnostic value.Methods The study involved 40 patients with ACL tears including 37 males and three females at age range of 16-49 years(mean age of 33 years).Arthroscopy and operation confirmed 28 patients at acute phase of ACL tears,12 at chronic phase of ACL tears,35 with complete ACL tears and five with partial ACL tears.All patients were examined on 1.5T Siemens MRI scanner,with SE,TSE or Medic sequence in multiple directions.The direct and indirect MRI manifestations of ACL tears were retrospectively and statistically analyzed by employing three experienced doctors.Results Among 28 patients with acute tears,the direct MRI signs included signal interruption or non-consecutive(86%),uneven signal(64%)and swelling and thickening ligament(36%).While in 12 patients with chronic teats,the MRI signs manifested swelling ligament(92%),signal interruption or non-consecutive(75%)and uneven signal(58%).The sign of thickening ligament was mainly seen at chronic phase of ACL tears(P ＜0.01).Of 35 patients with complete ACL tears,80% occurred in the middle part of ACL,with low incidence of upper and lower parts.All five patients with partial ACL tears occurred in the anteriomedialis bundle.The indirect MRI signs of ACL tears included 7-shaped deformity of posterior cruciate ligament(PCL)(34 patients,85%),meniscus exposure(26 patients)including 16 with lateral meniscus exposure(62%),bone injury(15 patients)including segond fracture(8 patients,53%),widened joint space(9 patients)including 78% at chronic phase,and tibia antelocation(23 patients,57%).Among 40 patients,37 patients were diagnosed correctly preoperatively,with accuracy rate of 92%.While three patients with partial ACL tears were missed diagnosis preoperatively,with inaccuracy rate of 8%.Conclusion ACL tear is relatively easy to identify preoperatively according to direct and indirect MRI signs in combination with trauma history.

Objective To investigate the changes of brain function in moderate and high myopia patients using fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF),and discuss the correlation between brain function changes and clinical data of patients with myopia.Methods Totally 21 moderate and high myopia patients (myopia group),and 21 healthy volunteers (normal control group) who were matched with myopia patients in age and gender,were selected to take rs-fMRI examination.The difference of fALFF of brain functional activity in patients with myopia and normal controls was compared,and the correlation between the changes of fALFF and clinical data of patients with myopia was analyzed,Results Compared with normal control group,the fALFF values of myopia group in the region of the left inferior frontal gyrus,putamen and right inferior frontal gyrus,putamen and insula were significantly lower (all P ＜ 0.05,AlphaSim corrected).However,in bilateral cingulate gyrus,bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus,left postcentral gyrus,left superior parietal lobule and region,fALFF values were increased (all P ＜ 0.05,AlphaSim corrected).Conclusion Patients with myopia are accompanied by abnormal neuronal activity in many brain areas,which may reflect the dysfunction of language understanding and attention control in myopic patients.

Objective To explore the association between 1425G/A single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)of protein kinase Cη gene(PRKCH)and cerebral infarction in Jiangsu Han population.Methods 255 patients with cerebral infarction and 225 controls were recruited in our case-control study.The 1425G/A in PRKCH gene was detected by direct sequencing of PCR products.Data were coded and entered in SPSS Windows(version 13.0).Results The frequencies of the GA+AA genotypes(56.86%)and A allele (36.27%)in cerebral infarct group were significantly higher than those in control group(44.44%and24.67%.χ2=7.377,P=0.007 and χ2=15.104,P<0.01).Further analysis indicated that the genotypes(63.09%)and alleles(40.27%)frequencies were statistically different between lacunar infarction subtype and controls(44.44%and 24.67%;χ2=11.744,P=0.Ol and χ2=20.445,P<0.01).Logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension,diabetes mellitus.hyperlipidemia and the A allele of 1425G/A polymorphism were independent risky factors for lacunar infarction.Conclusions The SNP 1425G/A in PRKCH is closely associated with cerebral infarction.particularly with lacunar infarction.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the level of presenilin-associated rhomboidlike protein (PARL) and the sperm motility,survival rate and deformity rate of sperm in workers exposed to aluminum.Methods A total of 162 male workers exposed to aluminum in a large aluminum enterprise in Guangxi were selected as the exposure group,and the 162 staff members of the service company were selected as the control group by matching the age and length of service.The concentration of aluminum in the working environment and the aluminum content in the blood and urine were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the level of PARL protein in sperm and sperm function was evaluated.Results The average concentrations of aluminum in the batching,electrolysis and casting of aluminum exposure group were (6.72± 1.45),(7.23± 1.50) and (7.35± 1.72)mg/m3,which were significantly higher than those of the control group (F=8.314,P＜0.001).The content of aluminum in blood and urine of exposed group were significantly higher than those of control group (P＜0.05),while the levels of PARL of exposed group were significantly lower than those of control group (P＜0.05).Moreover,the sperm survival rate and sperm motility of exposed group were significantly lower than those of the control group,and the sperm deformity rates of exposed group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation of sperm motility,sperm survival rate and protein level of PARL (rsprm motility=0.713,P=0.012;rsperm survival rate =0.628,P=0.008);while the sperm deformity rate and protein level of PARL showed a significant negative correlation (rsperm deformity rate =0.953,P =0.002).Conclusion The sperm function was significantly impaired in aluminum exposed workers,and the changes of sperm motility,survival rate and malformation rate were closely related to the protein level of PARL.

Objective:To explore the value of serum soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (sST2) in predicting prognosis of patients with connective tissue disease-related pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH).Methods:This retrospective cohort study enrolled 60 CTD-PAH patients diagnosed by right heart catheterization (RHC) during Jan 2017 and Jul 2022. Baseline and follow-up data collected including the levels of sST2, demographic data, clinical data of CTD and PAH, treatment regimen of CTD and PAH, survival status and the onset time of clinical deterioration events. The primary endpoint was the first occurring of clinical deterioration in 3-years. The t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for continuous variables com-parison between different groups, and the chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. Event-free survival rates were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and groups comparison were performed by the log-rank test. COX univariate and multivariate proportional hazard models were used to identify independent risk factors for poor prognosis. Results:Compared with the patients with sST2<35 ng/ml, CTD-PAH patients with sST2 ≥ 35 ng/ml showed higher WHO cardiac funcation class (Ⅲ-Ⅳ), mean right atrial pressure, N-terminal probrain na-triuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) and CRP levels[13/34 vs 19/26, χ2=7.19, P=0.007; 4.00(3.00, 6.00)mmHg vs 8.00(4.00, 12.00)mmHg, Z=-2.98, P=0.003; 474.30(135.70, 1 947.50) ng/L vs 2 650.50(485.33, 5 906.50)ng/L, Z=-2.72, P=0.007; 3.24(2.56,7.01)mg/L vs 9.66(3.20, 19.33)mg/L, Z=-2.50, P=0.012]; Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that event-free survival rate in 3 years was significantly lower in patients with sST2 ≥ 35 ng/ml (24.1% vs 84.0%, P=0.001). Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that sST2 was an independent predictor of clinical worsening in patients with CTD-PAH [ HR (95% CI)=1.020 (1.001, 1.039), P=0.035]. Conclu-sion:Serum sST2 is an independent risk factor for clinical deterioration in CTD-PAH patients.

A case of ichthyosis follicularis,alopecia and photophobia syndrome caused by a novel mutation c.1165C＞T in the membrane-bound transcription factor protease site 2 (MBTPS2) gene was firstly reported.The proband presented with dry skin,congenital hairlessness,follicular keratotic papules,photophobia,epilepsy,and mental and motor retardation.Next-generation and Sanger sequencing analysis confirmed that the proband and his mother both had a c.1165C＞T (p.pro389Ser) mutation in exon 9 of the MBTPS2 gene.According to the clinical manifestations of the patient and genetic characteristics of the MBTPS2 gene mutation,the patient was diagnosed with ichthyosis follicularis,alopecia and photophobia syndrome.