Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of ginger-partitioned moxibustion in improving blood flow velocity in lower limbs of post-stroke patients.Methods Ninety post-stroke patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 45 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by ginger-partitioned moxibustion, while the control group was by conventional acupuncture. Before and after intervention, the blood flow velocity in lower limbs, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) were evaluated.Results After 4-week treatment, the maximum blood flow velocity (Vmax) was significantly changed in the treatment group (P<0.05), and there was a significant difference in comparing the Vmax between the two groups after intervention (P<0.05); the NIHSS and MBI scores were significantly changed after intervention in the treatment group (P<0.05), and there was a significant difference in comparing MBI score between the two groups after intervention (P<0.05).Conclusions Ginger-partitioned moxibustion can accelerate the blood flow velocity in lower limbs of the post-stroke patients, improve blood circulation and the activities of life.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of valproic acid in preventing astrocyte proliferation around the central canal of rats following spinal cord injury.Methods Forty-five Wister rats were divided into normal control group (n =5),injury group (n =20) and treatment group (n =20) according to random number table.Animal models of acute spinal cord injury were produced at T10 using Allen' s method by dropping a 10 g weight from a 15 mm height.Rats in treatment group received intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (300 mg · kg-1 · d-1 in two divided doses) at 30 minutes postinjury.Instead,rats in injury group were injected with an equal volume of saline in the same way.Hindlimb function was evaluated using BBB scoring system at 1,3,7,and 14 days postinjury.Astrocytes proliferation around central canal and expression of glial fibrous acid protein (GFAP) were examined.Results In normal control group,few astrocytes around spinal central canal and a low expression of GFAP were detected.In injury group,astrocytes began to increase at 24 hours postinjury; fluorescence intensity for GFAP was 24.6 ± 3.6 at 24 hours,reached a peak of 69.2 ± 6.4 at 3 days,maintained a high level of 56.7 ± 5.6 at 7 days,and reduced to 35.4 ± 4.3 at 14 days,a level that remained higher than that in normal control group (11.2 ± 1.6).Whereas in treatment group at 3 and 7 days,astrocyte proliferation around spinal central canal was lower than that in injury group; GFAP expressions (47.8 ± 5.3 and 42.2 ± 6.7) were lower than those in injury group (F =177.6,P ＜ 0.05).At 3,7,and 14 days,BBB scores in treatment group (7.80 ± 0.83,12.00 ± 1.58,and 16.60 ± 1.12 respectively) were significantly higher than those in injury group (4.60 ± 0.54,6.65 ± 0.67,and 9.40 ± 1.14 respectively) (F =1 113.6,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion After spinal cord injury,valproic acid reduces astrocyte proliferation around central canal via inhibiting GFAP expression to promote functional recovery.

AIM: To study the mechanism responsible for ONOO --induced the airway epithelial injury. METHODS: Effects of 3-aminobenzamide(3-AB), a poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase(PARP) inhibitor, and Ac-DEVD-CHO, a caspase-3 inhibitor, on LDH release and apoptosis of cultured rat tracheal epithelial (RTE) cells induced by ONOO - were examined. The cleavage of PARP was analysed by Western blot. RESULTS: 3-AB inhibited the release of LDH induced by ONOO - partially, and had no effect on the apoptosis of RTE cells. Caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO obviously prevented the apoptosis of RTE cells induced by ONOO - in a dose-dependent manner. The cleavage of PARP was observed in the process of apoptosis of RTE cells induced by ONOO -. CONCLUSIONS: PARP activation represents one of the pathways of ONOO --mediated epithelial injury, and the excessive activation of PARP contributes to the necrosis in RTE cells induced by ONOO -. Cleavage of PARP by activated caspase-3 plays a crucial role in the apoptosis of RTE cells induced by ONOO -.

Objective To calculate the effects of thermoplastic mask on X-ray surface dose.Methods The BEAMnrc Monte Carlo Code system, designed especially for computer simulation of radioactive sources, was performed to evaluate the effects of thermoplastic mask on X-ray surface dose.Thermoplastic mask came from our center with a material density of 1.12 g/cm2. The masks without holes,with holes size of 0. 1 cm× 0. 1 cm, and with holes size of 0. 1 cm × 0. 2 cm, and masks with different depth (0.12 cm and 0.24 cm) were evaluated separately. For those with holes, the material width between adjacent holes was 0. 1 cm. Virtual masks with a material density of 1.38 g/cm3 without holes with two different depths were also evaluated. Results Thermoplastic mask affected X-rays surface dose. When using a thermoplastic mask with the depth of 0. 24 cm without holes, the surface dose was 74. 9% and 57.0% for those with the density of 1.38 g/cm3 and 1.12 g/cm3 respectively. When focusing on the masks with the density of 1.12 g/cm3, the surface dose was 41.2% for those with 0.12 cm depth without holes;57.0% for those with 0. 24 cm depth without holes;44. 5% for those with 0. 24 cm depth with holes size of 0.1 cm ×0.2 cm;and 54.1% for those with 0.24 cm depths with holes size of 0.1 cm ×0.1 cm.Conclusions Using thermoplastic mask during the radiation increases patient surface dose. The severity is relative to the hole size and the depth of thermoplastic mask. The surface dose change should be considered in radiation planning to avoid severe skin reaction.

BACKGROUND:Displacement of the distal fracture fragment is one of the most important facts that lead to cubitus varus fol owing pediatric supracondylar humeral fracture. Mainstream technique emphasized the restoration of posterior-ulnar deviation of the distal fragment. However, there is an absence of supportive evidences from biomechanical studies. OBJECTIVE:To establish models of extension-ulnar type of supracondylar humeral fracture and investigate the mechanical stability of reduced fracture with residual displacements within functional restoration standard, so as to provide mechanic evidences supporting the empirical rule of manipulative reduction-“better anterior than posterior, better radial than ulnar”. METHODS:The fresh cadaveric bone of right upper extremity from a 7-year-old child was scanned using CT. Models of supracondylar humeral fracture differing in contact area of the fracture site and displacement direction of the distal fragment were established and underwent loading tests. Stress in both anterior and posterior margin of the fracture site and Baumann angle were recorded, and data were analyzed and compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In comparison of stress in the posterior margin, the value was significantly greater in the posteromedial-displacement group than the others. Stress value in fracture with 75%contact area was significantly greater than the other three groups. In comparison of stress in the anterior margin, a significantly greater value was obtained in the posteromedial-displaced group. Stress value in fracture with 85%contact area was significantly greater. When comparing stress in posterior margin and anterior margin, the absolute increment of stress value was greater in posterior displacement group than in anterior displacement group. Baumann angle increased significantly when fragment displaced medial y. Above findings indicated that displacement direction altered the location of stress concentration. Stress augmentation was greater in posterior displacement group. Stress in related area significantly increased constantly when contact area of the fracture site reduced. Baumann changed obviously when fragment displaced medial y. The results preliminarily verify the hypothesis that displacement of the distal fragment was the main contributor to cubitus varus fol owing supracondylar humeral fracture. These findings provided certain evidences supporting the empirical rule“better anterior than posterior, better radial and ulnar”.

Objective To study the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on the cardiac function and arrhythmias of patients with chronic heart failure and left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony. Methods Thirty-two cases of patients with chronic heart failure and left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony underwent CRT therapy. And LEVESV, LVEDV, LVEF, LVEDD, MRA, LAA, MRA/LAA were detected by echocardiography while the cardiac function was kept stable. Then the left ventricular systolic 12 segment peak time (Ts) was measurements by tissue doppler in all patients, the poor (Ts-maxD) and standard deviation (Ts-SD) were also calculated. The 24-hour ambulatory 12-lead ECG was took postoperation. All the patients were treated by anti-heart failure drugs after CRT pacemeker implantantion. All these indicators were assessed again at 12 weeks later. Results Compared with the previous CRT pacemaker implantation, LVEF, LV dp/dpsignificantly increased (P < 0.05). LEVESV, Ts-maxD, Ts-SD, MRA, MRA/LAA markedly declined (P < 0.05). But no statistical significance was found between the preoperative and postoperative CRT (P>0.05). Atrial premature beats and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia were significantly reduced in the preoperative CRT (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in atrial fibrillation, ventricular premature beats and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia between the preoperative and postoperative CRT (P > 0.05). Conclusion CRT resynchronization therapy can improve left ventricular systolic function, and reduce the MRA and Ts. The mechanism may be associated with the improvement of left ventricular synchrony, reducing mitral regurgitation, and reducing the occurrence of atrial arrhythmias.

Objective To express the N protein of middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus ( MERS-CoV) in prokaryotic expression system and evaluate the immunogenicity of the purified recombinant N protein.Methods The gene encoding N protein of MERS-CoV was synthesized and cloned into the vector pET30a to construct the recombinant expression plasmid pET30a-MERS-CoV-N.The transformed E.coli BL21 ( DE3) strains carrying expression plasmid were induced by IPTG to express N protein.The expressed protein was purified by using affinity chromatography.SDS-PAGE and Western blot assays were used to iden-tify the expressed N protein and evaluate its immunogenicity.Results The recombinant N protein was suc-cessfully expressed in soluble form with the size of 46×103 .The results of Western blot assay showed that the recombinant N protein could specifically react with rabbit serum samples positive for antibodies against N protein B-cell epitope peptide and mouse anti-His tag antibodies.No positive band against N protein was found when primary antibody was used with thirty adult serum samples from Beijing in 2008.Conclusion N protein of MERS-CoV was successfully expressed in prokaryotic expression system.The successful expres-sion of N protein laid the foundation for immunological diagnosis of N protein of MERS-CoV and researches on its immunogenicity.

Objective To measure the parameters of ealeaneal quantitative ultrasound(QUS)in nomal Hubei Yichang subjects.which were compared between different age groups after standardization by body mass index(BMI).Methods Calcaneal parameters were measured by UBIS5000 in 2912 normal Hubei Yichang subjects,from 20 to 82 years old women 1450,men 1462).Results The peak values of broadband ultrasound attenuation(BUA)and stiffness(STI)of the calcaneal were both in 45-49 year group for women.The peak value of BUA was in 50-54 year group for men.Standardized by BMI,the peak value of BUA、STI and sound of speed(SOS)were both in 20-24 year groups for women and men.Conclusion BUA、SOS and STI of the calcaneal may change with age.After the influence of body mass is eliminated,the change still exists obviously,and the parameters may gradually reduce with increasing age.

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of down-regulating Silt2/Robo 1 signaling pathway on rabbit iliac artery after angioplasty restenosis. Methods The 30 male New Zealand white rabbits were divided randomly into 3 groups , namely the blank group , the control group , and the experimental group , 10 rabbits in each group. Hign-fat feeding , the rabbits were produced endothelial denudation of iliac artery stenosis model. Another 4 weeks of feeding , percutaneous balloon angioplasty was performed. Then R5 antibody was injected into the abdominal cavity. After 4 weeks of feeding ,angiography again. The results of angiography was analysied by image workstation. The concentrations of Slit2 and Robo1 was detected by ELISA. The iliac artery tissue examined by HE staining. Results The rabbit iliac artery after angioplasty restenosis animal model was set up successfully. Compared with the control group and the experimental group , the serum concentration of Slit2 and Robo1 were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the blank group. But in the experimental group, the Slit2 and Robo1 serum concentrations were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05) after R5 antibody intervention. The area ratio stenosis and diameter stenosis rate of iliac artery were reduced that confirmed by angiography. Conclusion The expression of Slit2/Robo1 was significantly higher in the rabbit model of vascular restenosis. R5 antibody can effectively inhibit the expression of Slit2/Robo1. Down regulation of Slit2/Robo1 signaling pathway in the treatment of restenosis after angioplasty in rabbits.

Objective To investigate the effect of combined treatment of microwave and antibiotics for chronic prostatitis. Methods A total of 90 patients with the diagnosis of chronic prostatitis were divided into two groups. The study group (n=45) received combined treatment of pulse microwave and minocycline, and the control group(n=45)only received the minocycline therapy. Results The curative effect of the study group was much better than that of the control group after a therapy of 5 weeks, based on the NIH-CPSI and the counting of WBC in prostate fluid. Conclusions Combined treatment of pulse microwave and minocycline is effective to ameliorate the symptoms of pain and dysuria, increase the quality of lives, decrease the counting of WBC in the prostate fluid. Therefore it is a useful treatment to improve the rate of cure and utility.