BACKGROUND: As a method to effectively improve organic tolerance and velocity, altitude training has been gradually accepted by the coaches,and it is a problem to be solved to find the optimal altitude.OBJECTIVE: To establish rat models of stimulating altitude training, and observe the changes of myocardial cell structure in the altitude training, so as to provide scientific animal models for the physiological studies of altitude training, and provide more scientific theoretical evidence for the altitude training of athletes.DESIGN: Based on the division of altitude region in aerospace medicine,the experimental animals were divided into different altitude training groups and control groups. Morphological characters of cellular and subcellular structures were observed under electron microscope, the biochemical analysis of cardiac troponin T were performed, and then the myocardial injury was completely analyzed from two pathways of morphology and biochemistry.SETTING: Laboratory of Sports and Human Sciences, Tsinghua University.MATERIALS: The experiments were carried out in the Laboratory of Sports and Human Sciences, Tsinghua University from January 2000 to December 2002. Totally 372 male SD rats were used. The experimental materials included hypobaric oxygen chamber, Japanese H-500 transmission electron microscope and the kit for testing serum cardiac troponin T index.METHODS: After adaptive swimming training for 1 week, all the 372 rats were randomly divided into 9 groups and 54 subgroups, only 6 groups of them were analyzed in this experiment, including stimulating acute altitude hypoxia training at 4 000 m group (n=32), hypoxia without training group (n=24), stimulating acute altitude training at 4 000 m followed by reoxygen training for 1 week group (n=32), stimulating acute altitude training at 4000 m followed by reoxygen training for 2 weeks group (n=32), increasing altitude training group (n=32) and plain training control group (n=24). Rats in the plain training control group lived and trained in normal conditions,and those in the other groups all trained with swimming in the stimulating altitude environment for 4 weeks. They were trained for 7 days every week,once a day and 60 minutes for each time for 4 weeks. The serum cardic troponin T index of rats was detected and observed with enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). After stimulating acute altitude training at 4 000 m for 4 weeks followed by reoxygen training for 2 weeks, the rats were killed, and a small piece of myocardial tissue was taken from left and right ventricles, then double-stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate,and the ultrastructure of the sections was observed with Japanese H-500 transmission electron microscope.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The serum cardiac troponin T index of rats trained at different altitude, and the results of spectrum and observation of myocardial ultrastucture under electron microscope were mainly observed.RESULTS: ① Changes of body mass: The myocardial increasing rate in the hypoxia training group was significantly different from those in the hypoxia without training control group and plain training control group (P ＜ 0.01), and there was also significant difference between the latter two groups (P ＜ 0.05). The increasing rate of body mass was significantly different among the hypoxia training group, hypoxia without training control group and plain training control group (22.41％, 28.14％, 33.48％,P ＜ 0.01-0.05). ② Results of cardiac troponin T: Compared with the hypoxia without training group, the value of cardiac troponin T in the hypoxia training groups was significantly different, and significantly increased with weeks of training (P ＜ 0.01). During the hypoxia altitude training below 4 000 m for 1-4 weeks, the value of cardiac troponin T ranged in creased from 0.09 to 0.128 μg/L, and it gradually recovered to 0.09 μg/L after reoxygen training in plain for 2 weeks. ③ The results of observation under electron microscope showed that after acute hypoxia training at 4 000 m for 4 weeks, myocardial mitochondrial structure occurred mild swelling with the prolongation of training, and for the rats received reoxygen training in plain for 2 weeks, the thick and thin myofilaments of myocardial fibers formed light and dark bands were clear and distinct, and the myotomes arranged orderly, besides clustered or scattered glycogen granules, a great amount of mitochondria also existed among muscular bundles, no swelling, degeneration of vacuoles, lysis necrosis, interstitial edema and other pathological changes were observed.CONCLUSION: It is safe to train rats at any altitude below 4 000 m. The acute exercise training of great intensity directly at 4 000 m will cause the mild injury of cardiac subcellular structure, and the increase of cardiac troponin T concentration. The training by means of increasing altitude has slighter influence on the myocardial injury, and the recovery after training is also faster.

Objective To observe the effects of training on intrinsic hand muscles after digital flexor tendonrepair. Methods A total of 60 patients with digital flexor tendon repair were randomly assigned into an experimentgroup (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). Patients in the experiment group received intrinsic hand muscles train-ing, in addition to the passive mobilization of the flexor tendons and active mobilization of the extensor tendons admin-istered to those in the control group. Minnesota manual dexterity test and Purdue pegboard test were adopted to as-sessment the outcome after 3 months of training. Results After 3 months of training, there were significant differ-ences between the two groups in terms of the results of Minnesota manual dexterity test and Purdue pegboard test( P < 0.01 ). Conclusion Intrinsic hand muscles training after digital flexor tendon repair can improve fine move-ment and coordination of hand.

OBJECTIVETo explain the essence of pungent-hot herb property express according to in vivo and in vitro studies on its effect on calmodulin on the base of the observation of the adjustment in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis functions of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in rats under the state of yang deficiency.

METHODThe yang-deficient model was duplicated by intramuscularly injecting hydrocortisone sodium succinate powder injection. After the intervention with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex and bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex for seven days, TSH, T3, T4, 17-OHCS, COR, T, E2 of hypothalamus-pituitary-target gland axis and other relevant indexes were detected. The calmodulin expression in livers and L02 cells cultured in vitro was detected by using Western blot.

RESULTPungent-hot herbs Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Curculiginis Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex can significantly correct indicators of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis and calmodulin, whereas the bitter-cold herb Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex showed no obvious effect.

CONCLUSIONThe pungent-hot herb property expression may be closely related to calmodulin.

Animals ; Calmodulin ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Gonads ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the gray matter volume differences between adult hypothyroid subjects and healthy controls using voxel-based morphometry (VBM).Methods A total of 28 untreated hypothyroid patients and 28 age and gender-matched uormal controlswere recruited.The coucentrations of their freetriiodothyronine (FT3),free theroxine (FT4),and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)were testedfrom their venous blood on the day they accepted MR scanning.High resolution 3D-datawereobtained using 3.0 T MRI scanner.VBM analysis was performed to detect the volume differences between the groups by using voxel-wise two sample t test.Multiple regression analysis was employed to analyze the influence exerted upon gray matter volume by serum FT3,FT4,and TSH concentrationof hypothyroid patients.Results Compared to controls,gray matter volumes in the bilateral superior frontal gyri,left precentralgyrus and bilateral cerebellum were decreased in hypothyroid patients (voxels 211-2 142,t=3.36-3.69,P＜0.01,corrected).No significant correlation between the gray matter volume in the above-mentioned brain regions and the clinical variables (serum FT3,FT4,and TSH concentration) (P＞0.05) was found in the multiple regression analysis.Conclusions VBM analysis revealed that hypothyroid patients exhibited reduced gray matter volume in multiple brain regions.It suggests that the lack of thyroid hormones can lead to the structural abnormalities in adult brain and selective gray matter atrophy in multiple brain regions.

ZHU Lian is a deceased famous acupuncture and Moxibustion specialist, the first director and the founder of institute of Acupuncture-Moxibustion of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. This article discusses the thought and idea of education and teaching of acupuncture-moxibustion from the following three aspects: diversified education and training mode, teaching idea of new acupuncture-moxibustion with a lot of characteristics, and the founding of professional acupuncture-moxibustion college. All above have both distinct characteristics of the times and positively enlightening significance of reality.
Acupuncture ; education ; history ; Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; China ; Education, Medical ; history ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Teaching ; history

Objective Laminectomy is destructive to bone structure in spine , which affect spinal stability .This article was to investigate the effect on spinal stability after laminectomy in different segments of vertebral plate in the treatment of lumbar intraspinal tumors. Methods Retrospective analysis were made on the data of 143 patients with lumbar intraspinal tumors from January 2009 to June 2012 in 6 hospitals.All the patients underwent laminectomy with no use of inner regular apparatus during the operation .JOA evalu-ation was applied to observe short-term efficacy , while ASIA scale for long-term efficacy .Comparison was made on lumbar spinal stability before operation and in the last visiting . Results From the observation of short-term efficacy, JOA evaluation score rised from (1.12 ± 0.65)to (1.97 ±0.71).Form the observation of long-term efficacy, ASIA scale classification was as follows:4 cases of Grade I, 6 cases of Grade II, 14 cases of Grade III, 53 cases of Grade IV and 66 cases of Grade V.In the following 12-30 months′visiting, all patients were covered.In the last postoperative visiting, patients suffering spinal instability after laminectomy were as follows:2 of 45(one seg-ment), 9 of 47(two segments), 5 of 27 (three segments) and 2 of 14 (four segments).From the observation on the postoperative spinal sta-bility and the segments in laminectomy , spinal stability of one-segment group was significantly higher than that of multi-segment group ( P=0.047).No significant difference exist between the groups of less than 2 segments and more than 3 segments as well as the groups of less than 3 segments and more than 4 segments. Conclusion A single seg-ment laminectomy on lumbar intraspinal tumors showed good postopera-tive spinal stability .But laminectomy in two or more segments implied greater risk of postoperative spinal instability .

A two-step method for the purification of blocking-type anti-human CD80 monoclonal antibody 4E5 from mouse ascites was developed using anion exchange and gel filtration in combination. The ascites was first purified by anion exchange after centrifugation and filtration. The experimental parameters of sample loading and elution were optimized. The optimized loading condition was pH 8.0,50 mmol/L Tris-HCl and satisfactory results were obtained using a 0~0.5mol/L NaCl step elution. The fraction containing the protein of interest was directly loaded on gel filtration column and eluted using a 20 mmol/L phosphate buffer at pH 7.2. The purity of the obtained monoclonal antibody was up to 95% with a recovery of 61%. The purity of mAb could efficiently inhibit the growth of Daudi cells. The amplification of the method was also studied using a Bio-Scale Q5 column and the result was satisfied.

Elbow Joint ; surgery ; Humans ; Tennis Elbow ; surgery ; Traction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safe zones of screw fixations of Jumbo cup and reinforcement rings in acetabular revision surgery.

METHODSFrom December 2006 to January 2008, 11 fresh frozen human cadaver pelvises were prepared by removing all soft tissues except the medial neurovascular structures, each specimen was held in supine position with clamps. The anteroposterior radiographs were taken after the Jumbo cups or reinforcement rings were fixed in places. Left sides of acetabulum were used to create the models to evaluate the safe zones of the high hip center and Jumbo cups. Right sides were used to evaluate the safe zones of 3 different designs of acetabular reinforcement rings (Müller, Ganz, Burch-Schneider cage).

RESULTSJumbo cups: screws in the superoanterior and anteroinferior quadrants could cause neurovascular injuries. High hip center: neurovascular injuries could be expected in all quadrants except the inferoposterior and posterior half of superoposterior quadrant. Müller ring: screws placed in the intra-acetabular and extra-acetabular areas of the superoanterior quadrant could cause neurovascular injuries. Ganz ring:the screws placed in superoanterior quadrant and apex area were dangerous. The insults were confirmed in all of the specimens. Burch-Schneider cage: the medial nervous and vasculature structures were injured in all of the specimens if the screws placed in the superoanterior (intra-acetabular and extra-acetabular) quadrant. Screws for ischial fixation could cause sciatic nerve injury.

CONCLUSIONSIn revision acetabular surgery, the superoanterior quadrant, the anterior half of the superoposterior quadrant and the implant's central area are unsafe for screw fixation, especially when the exposed thread is longer than 15 mm.

Acetabulum ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Hip Prosthesis ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male

OBJECTIVEThe relationship between latent adenovirus infection and airway inflammation have not been well documented. The aim of this study is to illustrate the roles of adenovirus E1A protein on the level of glutathione (GSH) in response to oxidative stress and the effect of the oxidant/antioxidant imbalance upon the transactivation of NF-kappaB triggered by E1A protein.

METHODSRat alveolar epithelial cell stably expressing adenoviral E1A or control plasmid were developed. For isolation of nuclear extracts, 5 x 10(5) cells were plated and grown overnight in 60 mm dishes. Experiments were repeated three times. The cell model of stably expressing adenoviral E1A was stimulated by H2O2. The level of GSH were measured. E1A positive clone was stimulated by LPS or TNF-alpha and treated with L-Buthionine-sulfoximine (BSO). The expression of NF-kappaB was measured by Western blot. Differences between groups were assessed for significance by Student' t test; multiple comparisons by the one-way ANOVA.

RESULTSThere is no difference of GSH level without stimulation between E1A-positive clones and E1A-negative clones. For E1A-positive clones, the level of GSH did not increase in response to H2O2 as E1A-negative clones. The quantitation by densitometry of the NF-kappaB expression in E1A-positive clones were (79.3 +/- 4.6), (80.3 +/- 3.8) respectively without treatment and were (81.8 +/- 3.9) - (89.9 +/- 1.6) and (94.1 +/- 1.9) - (99.8 +/- 1.6) respectively under LPS or TNF-alpha stimulation, which were significantly higher than that of the control group (68.3 +/- 3.8), (69.4 +/- 4.3) respectively without stimulation and (70.1 +/- 2.8) - (80.8 +/- 3.6), (73.4 +/- 4.9) - (83.2 +/- 6.7) respectively under stimulation. The quantitation by densitometry of the NF-kappaB expression in E1A-negative clones were (1.25 +/- 0.18) and (1.69 +/- 0.19) respectively under LPS and TNF-alpha-stimulation and (1.22 +/- 0.16) and (1.75 +/- 0.13) respectively upon treatment for LPS and TNF-alpha with BSO preincubation. There did not show difference upon treatment with LPS or TNF-alpha with or without BSO in E1A-negative cell clone. The quantitation by densitometry of the NF-kappaB expression in E1A-positive clone were (1.75 +/- 0.10) and (2.26 +/- 0.21) respectively upon treatment for LPS and TNF-alpha with BSO preincubation which were significantly higher than that of LPS or TNF-alpha-stimulation alone (1.35 +/- 0.12), (1.80 +/- 0.14) respectively.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that E1A protein decreased GSH levels in oxidant stress and upregulated NF-kappaB transcription activity. The oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in rat alveolar epithelial cells enhances E1A-modulated transcriptional activation of NF-kappaB. The mechanism underlying transactivation of NF-kappaB involved by E1A may be related to oxidative stress.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; cytology ; Rats ; Transcriptional Activation