Biomechanical evaluation of neck muscles has important significance in the diagnosis and treatment for cervical spondylosis, the neck muscle strength and soft tissue stiffness test is two aspects of biomechanical testing. Isometric muscle testing operation is relatively simple, the cost is lower, which can evaluate the muscle force below grade 3. However, isokinetic muscle strength testing can assess the muscle strength of joint motion in any position. It is hard to distinguish stiffness difference in different soft tissues when the load-displacement curve is used to evaluate the local soft tissue stiffness. Elasticity imaging technique can not only show the elastic differences of different tissues by images, but also quantify the elastic modulus of subcutaneous tissues and muscles respectively. Nevertheless, it is difficult to observe the flexibility of the cervical spine by means of the analysis of the whole neck stiffness. In a word, a variety of test method will conduce not only the biomechanical evaluation of neck muscles, but also making an effective biomechanics mathematical model of neck muscles. Besides, isokinetic muscle testing and the elasticity imaging technology still need further validation and optimization before they are better applied to neck muscles biomechanical testing.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Humans ; Muscle Strength ; Neck Muscles ; physiology

1.2 had no significant difference between the unilateral MCA-M1 stenosis group and the control group.Conclusion Transcranial Doppler can help us to analyze collateral flow on the foundation of NVUE,and can also determine the qualitative and the semi-quantitative information of collateral flow.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of peripheral lymphocytic subsets and cytokines in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis( PBC) and their changes after therapy. Methods Eighty two patients with untreated PBC were divided randomly into three groups. Group U (28 patients) were treated with ursodeoxycholic acid ( UDCA) , group UP (27 patients) were treated with UDCA and prednisonlone, while group UA (27 patients) were treated with UDCA and azatharaprine. Levels of peripheral lymphocytic subsets and cytokines were monitored at 0, 3, 6 months after therapy. Twenty healthy people were included as healthy control ( HC). Results Compared with HC, the percentage of CD/ T cell (P = 0. 044) increased in PBC; the levels of IFNγ(P = 0. 001), IL-2 (P =0. 000) , IL-4 (P =0. 010) , IL-6 (P = 0. 029) , tumor necrosis factora ( TNFα ) ( P = 0. 000) , IL-1β ( P = 0. 008 ) and transforming growth factorβ(TGFβ) (P =0. 069) increased in PBC. The level of TNFa in peripheral was correlated with those of ALT (P=0.005), AST (P=0.002), total bilirubin(Tbil) (P=0.001), direct bilirubin( Dbil) (P=0. 002) , and mayo risk score(MRS) (P=0. 020). The percentage of CD_4~+T cell decreased in group U. In group U, the levels of IFNγ,IL-4,IL-6 all decreased after therapy at the third month, but rebounded thereafter. In group of UP and UA, the levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6 were suppressed below the levels of baseline after therapy.Levels of TNFa and IL-2 decreased in all three groups after therapy. Conclusions Levels of both Thl and Th2 related cytokines are abnormal in the peripheral blood of patients with PBC. The abnormal levels of Thl related cytokine indicated that PBC is a cell immunity based autoimmune disease. IFNγ,TNFα are directly related to the disease. The three treatments have different effects on the adjustment of the immune system.

Objective To study the clinical value of laparoscopic operation in the treatment of interstitial tubal pregnancy. Methods Clinical data of 21 cases of interstitial tubal pregnancy treated by laparoscopic operation were retrospectively studied. Results Operations in all the 21 cases were conducted successfully,without conversions to open surgery and intra- or post- operative complications.The operation time was 25 ～ 90 min (mean,40 min),and the postoperative hospital stay was 3 ～ 6 d (mean,4.5 d). Conclusions Laparoscopic operation for the treatment of interstitial tubal pregnancy is feasible.

Objective To evaluate the MR manifestation to provide guidance for the clinical diagnosis of adenomyosis.Methods The MR images of 43 cases of adenomyosis which were proved by operation and pathology were reviewed.Results Among the 43 cases of adenomyosis,26 cases were of diffuse adenomyosis and 17 of focal adenomyosis.Leiomyoma(21 cases),intra-pelvic cavity chocolate cyst (17 cases)and ovarian cyst(15 cases)were concurrently found in this group of patients.The MRI of diffuse adenomyosis demonstrated an enlarged uterus and widened uterine junction zone with ill-defined margin between junction zone and myometrium.The adenomyosis lesions showed iso-signal intensity on T_1 weighted images and iso-signal or slight low signal intensity on T_2 weighted images with scattered hyper- intense foci.The uterine cavities were irregularly narrowed due to compression of thickening junction zone.The lesions showed mild con- trast enhancement on contrast-enhanced MR images.The MRI of focal adenomyosis displayed localized myometrial masses with ill-defined margin with widening of junction zone.The lesions were round or oval in shape with iso-signal intensity on T_1 weighted images and inho- mogeneous slightly low signal on T_2 weighted images.Multiple scattered hyperintense foci could be found in the mass on the T_2 weighted images.The lesions had mild contrast enhancement on contrast-enhanced MR images.The concurrent leiomyoma,intra-pelvic cavity choc- olate cyst and ovarian cyst were also displayed by MR imaging.Conclusion The widened junction zone is the characteristic change of ade- nomyosis.MRI can demonstrate the types,size and concurrent changes in adenomyosis,and is a useful noninvasive imaging method for the diagnosis of adenomyosis.

BACKGROUND:5-Fluorouracil occupies an important position in the treatment of gastric cancer, but its long-term use can easily induce adverse reactions such as myelosuppression and leukopenia. Polylactic acid and its copolymers have a higher biocompatibility, and their decomposer cannot gather in the body.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the in vitro cytotoxicity mechanism of 5-fluorouracil-loaded polylactic acid nanoparticles on gastric cancer cel lines.
METHODS:Ten mice were selected in this study. 5-fluorouracil-loaded polylactic acid nanoparticles (1×10-7, 1×10-6, 1×10-5, 1×10-4 mol/L) were prepared using ultrasonic emulsification method. Kiling effect of polylactic acid nanoparticles on gastric cancer cel lines in vitrowere detected. Then, the inhibition rate was calculated at different concentrations.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Under the transmission electron microscope, 5-fluorouracil-loaded polylactic acid nanoparticles had good shape and relatively evenly distributed with no adhesions. After drug administration, the drug concentration was 50% at 24 hours and 62.9% at 72 hours. After 48 hours co-culture with single 5-fluorouracil or 5-fluorouracil-loaded polylactic acid nanoparticles, the viability of gastric cancer cels showed a decrease trend with the increase of drug concentrations, and moreover, 5-fluorouracil-loaded polylactic acid nanoparticles had a better cel inhibition ability than the single 5-fluorouracil (P < 0.05). The IC50value of 5-fluorouracil-loaded polylactic acid nanoparticles was significantly lower than that of 5-fluorouracil (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that polylactic acid nanoparticles as good drug carriers have a strong drug loading capacity and increase drug concentration in the body, but cannot reduce the biological activity of 5-fluorouracil, which provide new ideas for the treatment of gastric cancer.

AIM: To explore the feasibility of using vector-based small interfereing RNA(siRNA) to inhibit the expression of MDR1 mRNA and P-glycoprotein and to reverse the multidrug resistance of drug-resistant ovarian cancer cell line.METHODS: An adriamycin-resistant human ovarian cancer cell subline OVCAR/AR was established by stepwise inducement.Another mutidrug-resistant human ovarian cancer cell subline OVCAR/MDR was established by transfecting multidrug resistant gene 1(MDR1) into ovarian carcinoma cell line OVCAR-3.Transfection of MDR1 mRNA specific siRNA expressing plasmids(pSN/mdr1a and pSN/mdr1b) into OVCAR/AR and OVCAR/MDR cells was performed using liposome transfection reagents.MDR1 mRNA expression level was quantified using real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(real time RT-PCR).Flow cytometry(FCM) was performed to assess the expression of p-glycoprotein(P-gp).Multidrug resistant to anticancer agents was evaluated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay.RESULTS: Basal MDR1 mRNA expression level in drug-resistant cell line OVCAR/MDR was higher than that in OVCAR/AR cell line,and was both higher than that in its parent cell line OVCAR-3.The expression of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp protein in both OVCAR/AR and OVCAR/MDR cells was inhibited dramatically by transfecting with pSN/mdr1a and pSN/mdr1b.The reversal rate of chemoresistance to adriamycin in OVCAR/AR and OVCAR/MDR transfected with pSN/mdr1a and pSN/mdr1b was 79.5% and 93.9%,compared with control group.CONCLUSION: MDR1 expression in the drug-resistant cell lines is partially inhibited by treatment with vector-based MDR1 specific small interference RNAs at the mRNA and protein level,which increases the chemotherapy sensitivity of these drug resistant ovarian carcinoma cell sublines.

Objectives To analyze the relationship between phosphorylation of serine-3 of cofilin1 and Taxol resistance of ovarian cancer and to evaluate the prognostic value of cofilin1 phosphorylation in estimating ovarian cancer survival using clinical samples.Methods Wild type (WT) plasmids with over-expression of wild cofilin1,S3L plasmids with over-expression of cofilin1 and inhibited phosphorylation at serine-3,and siRNA-C plasmids with down-regulation of cofilin1 were constructed using molecular biology techniques.After the SKOV3 and SK-TR30 cell-lines were transfected with these plasmids,changes in biological characteristics and drug resistance after instant transfection were compared.Fifty-one elderly female patients with microscopically confirmed ovarian cancer,who had received chemotherapy with Taxol and cis-platinum (TC)after surgery,including 30 chemo-sensitive and 21 chemo-resistant cases,were recruited in this study.Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expression of cofilinl and phosphorylated cofilin in tissue sections from the two groups.Progression free survival(PFS)was analyzed.Results Compared with the control group,the proportion of cells increased at the G0/G1 phase(P=0.034)and decreased at the S phase (P=0.031),and the apoptosis rate decreased(P=0.020),in SKOV3 cells with high expression of cofilin1.However,these characteristics disappeared when the wild type was replaced with the inactive mutant S3L.When cofilin1 expression was down-regulated in SK-TR30 cells,the proportion of cells at the G0/G1 phase decreased(P=0.020).The expression of cofilin1 was detected in 56.7 ％ (17/30)and 57.1％ (12/21),respectively,sections of ovarian tumor tissues of the chemo-sensitive and chemoresistant groups,and there was no statistic difference (x2=0.332,P =0.943)between the two groups.The expression of phosphorylated cofilin was much higher in the chemo-resistant group (85.7％ or 18/21)than in the chemo-sensitive group (53.3％ or 16/30),and the difference was statistically significant(x2=5.829,P=0.016).The higher expression of phosphorylated cofilin was also correlated with shorter PFS(x2 =21.440,P＜0.01,95％ CI:0.068-0.883),especially in the chemo-sensitive group.Conclusions Serine-3 phosphorylation status of cofilin 1 is associated with paclitaxel resistance in ovarian cancer,but the underlying mechanisms of regulation need further investigation.

Objective To evaluate the antineoplastic effect of laser immunotherapy in mice with multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).Methods Normal immunocompetent hairless SKH-1 mice were consecutively irradiated by ultraviolet rays to establish mouse models of multiple CSCC.Then,20 CSCC-bearing mice were randomly and equally divided into 4 groups:laser group irradiated with an 808-nm near-infrared laser (1 W/cm2,10 minutes) once every two weeks for a total of 3 sessions,laser immunotherapy group irradiated with an 808-nm nearinfrared laser as above and topically treated with imiquimod cream once a day for 3 days before and after each session of irradiation,imiquimod group treated with imiquimod cream as in the laser immunotherapy group,and control group receiving no treatment.The volume of tumors was calculated,and their morphology as well as the survival of mice were observed after the treatment.The t test and Mantel-Cox log-rank test were used to compare the volume of tumors on the dorsum and survival rates of mice,respectively,on days 27 and 60 after the start of treatment.Another 12 CSCC-bearing mice were randomly and equally divided into the 4 groups mentioned above,and tumor tissues were resected from these mice for histopathological examination on day 5 after the first treatment.Results On day 27,the volume of tumors significantly increased in the control group and imiquimod group (both P ＜ 0.05),but experienced no significant increase in either of the other two groups compared with that before the start of treatment (both P ＞ 0.05).Moreover,the volume of tumors in the control group was slightly larger than that in the imiquimod group (P ＞ 0.05),but significantly larger than that in the laser group and laser immunotherapy group (both P ＜ 0.05).The volume of tumors in the laser group increased,and was significantly larger than that in the laser immunotherapy group on day 60 (P ＜ 0.05).Mice all died within 40 days in the control group,and within 50 days in the imiquimod group;one mouse died on days 52 and 53 separately,and the other mice all survived longer than 60 days in the laser group;no mice died within 60 days in the laser immunotherapy group.By day 60,the survival time of mice was slightly longer in the imiquimod group (P ＞ 0.05),significantly longer in the laser group and laser immunotherapy group compared with the control group (both P ＜ 0.05),but similar between the laser group and laser immunotherapy group (P ＞ 0.05).Histopathological examination showed that 5-day topical application of imiquimod cream did not cause death of tumor cells,but numerous tumor cells died in the laser group and laser immunotherapy group.Multiple inflammatory cells were observed around the tumors,and the number of the inflammatory cells was obviously larger in both the laser group and laser immunotherapy group,especially in the latter group,compared with the control group.Conclusion Laser immunotherapy is a new effective and safe treatment for CSCC in mice,and has potential value especially in the treatment of multiple or metastatic CSCC.

Ultrasonography can clearly show pelvic anatomic structures,as well as the location and length of mesh after pelvic floor reconstructive operation.The consistency of ultrasonic diagnosis of severe pelvic organ prolapse with pelvic organ prolapse quantitation is good.Furthermore,ultrasonography can provide imaging basis for evaluating the safety and efficacy of pelvic floor reconstruction.The progresses of ultrasound in diagnosis of severe pelvic organ prolapse and postoperative evaluation of pelvic floor reconstruction were reviewed in this article.