BACKGROUND: Abnormal curvature of the cervical spine reflects in large measure the degenerative changes of the cervical vertebrae. OBJECTIVE: The effect of manipulative therapy has been recognized in restoring normal cervical curvature, and aimed to further probe into the effect of this therapy on blood flow velocity in the vertebrobasilar arteries of patients with cervical spondylosis. DESIGN: A non-randomized and controlled concomitant study. SETTING: Departments of Spinal Orthopaedics and General Sugery of a University hospital, and the Outpatient Department of Orthopaedic Institute of a college of Traditional Chinese Medicine. PARTICI PANTS: From January 1999 to December 2001, 60 patients with cervical spondylosis were treated in the Department of Spinal Orthopaedics in Ruikang Hospital, Third Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Outpatient Clinic of Institute of Orthopaedics, Guangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The patients were divided into spondylosis group with abnormal curvature(30 cases) and spondylosis group without normal curvature(30 cases) . Thirty healthy subjects were also included to serve as the control group.METHODS: Manipulation was applied in these patients and the cervical curvature and blood flow velocity in the left vertebral artery (LVA) and right vertebral artery(RVA) as well as in the basilar artery(BA) were measured before and after the treatment for comparison. The correlation coefficients between them were also calculated.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① The cervical curvature before and after manipulation in spondylosis group and control group; ② The blood flow velocity in maximal systolic phase and end-diastolic phase in the specified arteries.RESULTS: The blood flow velocity in maximal systolic phase and end-diastolic phase decreased in LVA, RVA and BA in patients with abnormal cervical curvature, whose blood velocities in maximal systolic phase in these arteries was less than those in control subjects and patients with normal curvature ( P ＜ 0.05). After manipulation, the velocity in these arteries in creased apparently in patients with abnormal curvature. The changes in systolic velocity in LVA and systolic in BA were correlated to the curvature before manipulation, and after that, the maximal systolic velocity in LVA,maximal systolic velocity in RVA and BA were all related to the changes of the cervical curvature. CONCLUSION: Abnormal cervical curvature is the anatomical basis for abnormalities of the vertebrobasilar arteries. Manipulative therapy can restore the cervical curve and blood flow velocity in these arteries.

Objective To investigate the effect of different parts leukoencephalopathy on cognitive function in patients with acute cerebral infarction,and analyze the relationship between injury site of cholinergic pathways and cognitive function.Methods Ninety-seven patients with acute cerebral infarction were divided into leukoencephalopathy group (59 cases) and non-leukoencephalopathy group (38 cases)according to the cranial MRI T2 scanning.The all patients of 2 groups were evaluated by cholinergic pathways hyperintensities scale (CHIPS) and reforming Scheltens scale.The cognitive function of all patients were evaluated by Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA).The difference of the cognitive function between 2 groups was observed,and the relationship between CHIPS score,reforming Scheltens scale score and MoCA score was investigated.Results There were statistical differences in MoCA total score and visuospatial/execution,memory,attention score between leukoencephalopathy group and non-leukoencephalopathy group [(20.86 ± 4.52) scores vs.(23.47 ± 4.49) scores,(3.80 ± 1.68) scores vs.(3.11 ± 1.47) scores,(2.78 ±1.57) scores vs.(1.95 ± 1.80) scores,(4.00 ± 2.08) scores vs.(3.87 ± 2.04) scores] (P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).There were statistical differences in CHIPS score and reforming Scheltens scale score between cognitive dysfunction group (35 cases)and non-cognitive dysfunction group (24 cases)[(47.77 ± 12.36) scores vs.(39.83 ±7.98) scores,(5.14 ± 1.73) scores vs.(2.58 ±2.10) scores] (P ＜0.01).There was negative correlation between MoCA total score and frontal periventricular score,occipital periventricular score,parietal lobe score,periventricular total score,deep alba total score and reforming Scheltens scale total score (P ＜0.01).There was negative correlation between visuospatial/execution score,attention score,fixing score,MoCA total score and CHIPS score (P ＜ 0.01).There was negative correlation between attention score,fixing score,MoCA total score and reforming Scheltens scale score (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions In acute cerebral infarction patients leukoencephalopathy is probably related to cognitive function,and the severity of leukoencephalopathy correlates with the degree of cognitive function impairment.Different parts leukoencephalopathy can induce different influence on cognitive function.The cognitive function impairment caused by leukoencephalopathy correlates with the impairment of cholinergic pathways,with main effects of visuospatial/execution function,and the severity correlates with the impairment of cholinergic pathways.

BACKGROUND:Recent studies have found that stem cels can directly differentiate into mature myocardial cels or promote their regeneration, providing a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of myocardial infarction. However, the low cel transplantation rate reduces the myocardial differentiation ability and myocardial repair.
OBJECTIVE: To study the role of heat shock treatment in Sca-1+ cel transplantation for treatment of myocardial infarction in mice.
METHODS:Sca-1+ cels were isolated from the bone marrow of mice using magnetic bead sorting method, and were subjected to heat shock treatment. Animal models of myocardial infarction were made in mice, and then randomized into two groups: heat shock group and non-heat shock group, which were given 1 mL heat shock-treated Sca-1+ cels and 1 mL non-heat shock-treated Sca-1+ celsvia the tail vein, respectively. After transplantation, cel survival, heart function, myocardial cel apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis were detected. Meanwhile, the expressions of heat shock factor (HSP), HSP70 and miR-34a in the left ventricle were measured.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The expression of sry gene in the heat shock group was significantly higher than that in the non-heat shock group. (2) The left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening in the heat shock group were significantly higher than those in the non-heat shock group. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and systolic diameter in the heat shock group were significantly lower than those in the non-heat shock group. (3) The cardiac fibrosis and myocardial cel apoptosis in the heat shock group were significantly lower than those in the non-heat shock group. (4) The HSF and HSP70 expression in the left ventricle was significantly higher in the heat shock group than the non-heat shock group, and the miR-34a expression in the left ventricle was significantly lower in the heat shock group than the non-heat shock group. These findings indicate that heat shock-treated Sca-1+ cel transplantation can reduce myocardial apoptosis and infarct size, and improve heart function of mice with myocardial infarction.

Objective To investigate the species of Acaroid mites breeding in the stored traditional Chinese animal medici?nal materials and the relationship between its community and habitats. Methods A total of 30 samples of traditional Chinese animal medicinal herbs were collected from Wuhu City,Anhui Province,China. The mites were isolated by the directly micro?scopic and floatation microscopic examinations,and then identified and counted under a light microscope. Results Acaroid mites was represented in 28 of the 30 samples,and the breeding rate accounted for as high as 93.3%(28/30). Totally,13 spe?cies of Acaroid mites were identified,which belonged to 4 families and 9 genera. The densities of Acaroid mites were top in 6 Chinese herbal medicines,such as corium erinacei,aspongopus,hirudo,pheretima aspergillum,Apostichopus and huechys. The diversity parameters of these six traditional Chinese animal medicinal herbs were calculated. The highest richness indexes were in aspongopus and hirudo,the highest diversity index was in hirudo,and the highest evenness index was in Apostichopus. Conclusions There are Acaroid mites breeding in parts of the traditional Chinese animal medicinal herbs stored in Wuhu. In the storage and processing of Chinese herbal medicines,we should pay attention to the prevention and control of mites.

One hundred and sixty non-diabetic patients with cerebral ischemia of primary onset were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) group and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group according to the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Carotid atherosclerosis and carotid artery stenosis were examined with vascular Doppler ultrasonic detection. The incidence rates of carotid atherosclerosis in IGT group and NGT group were 87. 5% (70/80)and 63.8% (51/80)respectively (χ2= 12.240,P <0.001);the incidence rates of carotid stenosis in IGT group and NGT group were 63.8% (51/80) and 47. 5 % (38/80), respectively(χ2 =4. 279, P =0. 039);the degree of carotid artery stenosis in IGT group was higher than that in NGT group(χ2= 21.95, P < 0. 01). The results indicate that IGT may be related to atherosclerosis and stenosis of carotid artery in cerebral ischemic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of the change of cervical curvature on the nerve root and the vertebral artery of the patients with cervical spondylosis and the curative effect of therapeutic manipulations. METHODS: Sixty cases of cervical spondylosis with the change of cervical curvature, 60 cases of cervical spondylosis without the change of cervical curvature and 60 normal people were chosen. They were clinically observed and the cervical spondylosis was treated by manipulations and the data was processed according to the principle of statistics. RESULTS: The change of cervical curvature affected the nerve root and the vertebral artery and therapeutic manipulations produced a satisfactory curative effect. CONCLUSION: Cervical spondylosis with change of cervical curvature has special characteristics in the etiology, course and state of the disease. The change of cervical curvature produces an effect on the nerve root and the vertebral artery. Selected therapeutic manipulations produce a better curative effect.

BACKGROUND: As a candidate gene of congenital heart disease, ACTC1 gene is related to congenital atrial septal defect inhumans.OBJECTIVE: To perform a mutation screen of ACTC1 gene in 110 nuclear families of congenital heart disease.METHODS: A case-control study was conducted based on 110 nuclear families of congenital heart disease and 300 normalhuman beings with no reported cardiac malformation. Six fragments in the coding region of ACTC1 gene was amplified by PCR invitro using five primers pairs. PCR products were screened for gene mutations.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A novel G-to-A variant was found at the third nucleotide of the intron downstream from exon 5.This mutation existed in a 5-year-old female with an isolated ventricular septal defect and her 30-year-old father, who had noreported cardiac anomalies. This mutation was not detected in 300 normal controls. These findings indicate that the mutation maybe related with congenital ventricular septal defects in humans.

Objective To establish the reference intervals of serum osteocalcin (OCN), C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen (β-CTx) and total type Ⅰ procollagen N-terminal peptide (P1NP) by electrochemiluminescence assay. Methods According to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) "CA8-A" document the appropriately healthy people, who were divided into three groups (men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women) by sex and pre- or postmenopausal status were screened. The levels of fasting serum of OCN,β-CTx, tPINP were detected by Roche Modular E170 electrochemical immunoassay. Results 393 appropriately healthy people consists of 112 men between the ages of 29 and 69 years, 148 premenopausal women between the ages of 29 and 69 years, 133 postmenopausal women between the ages of 29 and 69 years. The levels of serum OCN, β-CTx, tP1NP in men group were (15.33±4.76) μg/L, (413±189) ng/L, (42.15±17.14) μg/L, respectively. The levels of serum OCN, β-CTx, tP1NP in premenopausal women group were (12.99±4.53) μg/L, 265(30-820) ng/L, (36.43±14.23) μg/L, respectively. The levels of serum OCN, β-CTx, tP1NP in postmenopausal women group were (18.96±5.15) μg/L, (513±195) ng/L, 51.40 (8.98 -118.6)μg/L, respectively. Logarithmic transformation produced normal distributions for all markers but serum β-CTx of premenopausal women group and serum tPINP of postmenopausal women group. The 95% of the distribution intervals for serum OCN, β-CTx, tP1NP in men group was 6.00-24.66 μg/L, 43-783 ng/L, 9.06-76.24 μg/L, respectively. The 95% of the distribution intervals for serum OCN, β-CTx, tP1NP in premenopausal women group was 4.11-21.87 μg/L, 68-680 ng/L, 8.53-64.32 μg/L respectively. The 95% of the distribution intervals for serum OCN, β-CTx, tPl NP in postmenopausal women group were 8.87-29.05 βg/L, 131-900 ng/L, 21.32-112. 80 μg/L, respectively. Conclusions Compared with the reference intervals provided by manufacture, the reference intervals of three serum bone turnover markers established by our laboratory have great difference. Laboratory should pay attention to the reference intervals was cited.

Objective To establish the reference interval for CA 72-4 in indirect method.Methods All results for CA72-4 that were stored in our laboratory information system of Zhongshan hospital between Jan.2010 and Dec.2012 were included in this study.Outliers were identified and omitted using Stem-and-Leaf&Box Plots in SPSS statistical software.The treated data was divided into several groups according to gender and age.Nonparametric rank sum test was used to observe the difference between male and female participants and Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between CA 72-4 and age.Nonparametric reference intervals for CA 72-4 were estimated statistically in two gender sub-groups.Results After 139 cases excluded, there were 1 548 cases of male (Median 1.7, 0.4 to 18.9) and 773 cases of female ( Median 1.8, 0.2 to 18.9 ).There was a significant difference in serum CA 72-4 between male and female participants.No significant difference was found in serum CA 72-4 among age sub-groups.Indirect reference values for CA 72-4 of male and female were respectively 0 to 8.9 U/ml and 0 to 11.6 U/ml.Conclusion Indirect method to establish biological reference interval is a relatively simple and less expensive method under the high rapid development of the hospital information network .It can be used in the periodical review and establishing the reference intervals where the direct method can not be used.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a multidrug-resistant cell line BEL-7402/5-FU of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: BEL-7402/5-FU was induced by pulse therapy combined with continuous stepwise exposure to 5-fluorouracil in vitro. MTT assay was used to determine its multidrug resistance (MDR). Biological characteristics of the BEL-7402/5-FU cell line were observed including morphological changes, cell growth curve, population doubling time, plate cloning efficiency, adherence rate, cell cycle distribution, chromosome and tumorigenicity. Accumulation amount of adriamycin (ADM) in cytoplasm was measured by flow cytometry. The protein expression of thymidylate synthase (TS) was evaluated by immuno-cytochemical method. RESULTS: The acquired MDR cell line of BEL-7402/5-FU was established successfully. The BEL-7402/5-FU cells showed cross-resistance to ADM, vincristine (VCR), methotrexate (MTX) and oxaliplatin (OHP), whereas still sensitive to hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT). The BEL-7402/5-FU cells tended to grow in clusters in vitro. It was found that the population doubling time of BEL-7402/5-FU cells was longer than that of its parental cells. The plate cloning efficiency and the adherence rate of BEL-7402/5-FU cells at the 2nd and 3rd hour were both lower than those of the parental cells. The distributing proportion of BEL-7402/5-FU cells in G(0)/G(1) phase was less than that of the parental cells, whereas the distributing proportion of BEL-7402/5-FU cells in S phase was higher than that of the parental cells. The accumulation amount of ADM in cytoplasm of BEL-7402/5-FU cells was significantly lower while the expression level of TS protein of which was highly up-regulated as compared with those of the parental cells. CONCLUSION: Establishment of the human HCC cell line BEL-7402/5-FU might be beneficial to the studies of 5-Fluorouracil acquired MDR mechanisms and the selection of reversal modifiers.