Objective To apply a hand function laserimager to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on hand dysfunction after stroke. Meth-ods From January to June, 2016, 18 stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction were divided into control group (n=9) and acupuncture group (n=9). The control group received routine medication and rehabilitation, while the acupuncture group received acupuncture in addi-tion. They were assessed with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of upper limb motor function and modified Bathel Index (MBI) before and after three-week treatment, while the region of interest (ROI) of their hands was tested with the hand func-tion laserimager. Results The scores of MAS and FMA improved after treatment in both groups (t>4.44, P<0.01), and improved in the score of MBI in the acupuncture group (t=3.95, P<0.01). The scores of MAS, FMA, and MBI improved more in the acupuncture group than in the control group (t>3.17, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the scores of ROI decreased in the affected hands after treatment (t>7.78, P<0.001), and de-creased more in the acupuncture group than in the control group (t=-2.23, P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the scores of ROI of the unaffected hands (t=-0.11, P>0.05) between groups. Conclusion The hand function laserimager, which responds to the blood perfusion of the hand, can be used as a tool to evaluate the hand function.

Sperm ultrastructural abnormalities are often associated with sperm motility, the integrity of genetic material, and the fertilization potential. The investigation of sperm ultrastructural abnormalities is based on the evolution of microscopy techniques. In his paper, we review the improvement of the microscopy techniques and the ultrastructure of several specific morphological defects and he apoptotic spermatogenic cells in order to expound the significance of sperm ultrastructural observation in clinical practice. We deem it necessary to analyze the sperm ultrastructure before exploring the pathology and adopting assisted reproductive technology for some special patients with teratozoospermia.
Humans ; Male ; Microscopy ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities ; ultrastructure

Objective To investigate the changes of serum osteocalcin and bone micro-structure in ovariectomized mice exposed to low-iron environment.Methods Twenty-four 12-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were divided equally into sham operation (SHAM) group,model(OVX) group,and low iron(OVX+DFO) group.In low-iron group,deferoxamine(DFO) was injected 3 times per week for 5 weeks after operation ; the other groups were injected with the same dose of 0.9％ normal saline for 5 weeks.The serum,left femur,uterus were harvested after five weeks of treatment.The serum osteocalcin and ferritin levels were measured by ELISA kit,the weight of the uterus was recorded by analytical balance.A high resolution micro-CT was used to scan the left femur for cortical bone and cancellous bone analysis.Results (1) The serum osteocalcin and serum ferritin levels in low-iron group were significantly lower than those in the other 2 groups (P＜0.01) ; (2) Compared with the sham group and ovx group,there were significant decrease of the BMD、BV/TV and Tb.N,but increase of Tb.Th and Tb.Sp in low-iron group (P＜0.01).Conclusion A certain dose of DFO (30 mg/kg) can decrease the serum ferritin levels as well as the bone formation index in ovariectomized mice.

Objectives To investigate the ameliorative effect of cannabinoid 2 receptor(CB2R)agonist JWH-015 on the cog-nitive impairment of Alzheimer' s disease(AD)model mice and to assess the correlation with microglial phenotype transformation. Methods Twenty adult male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups:C57BL/6J solvent group,JWH-015 control group,AD model group,and AD model treated with JWH-015 group. Amyloidβ1-42 oligomers of 4μg and the same volume of saline were intraventricularly administered to construct the AD mouse model and the solvent groups. CB2R agonist JWH-015 or the corre-sponding vehicle at a dose of 0.5 mg/(kg·d)was administered by intraperitoneal injection for 3 weeks. Non-spatial learning and memo-ry was measured using novel object recognition task. Furthermore,the mRNA expression levels of M1 microglia marker inducible ni-tric oxide synthase(iNOS)and M2 microglia marker chitinase-3 like protein(Ym1/2)in brain samples of cortex and hippocampus were evaluated using real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR). In the meantime,fifteen CB2R knockout(CB2RKO)mice and five CB2R wild-type(CB2RWT)littermates were assigned to identify the specificity of CB2R in the research. Based on the genotype and different treatment,the animals were divided into four groups:CB2RKO solvent group,CB2RKO AD model group,CB2RKO AD model treat-ed with JWH-015 group and CB2RWT solvent group. Results Compared with solvent group,there was a significant decrease in nov-el object recognition index in C57BL/6J AD model group(P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of M1 phenotype microglia marker iNOS in cortex and hippocampus were significantly up-regulated(both P<0.05)and the mRNA expression levels of M2 phenotype mi-croglia marker Ym1/2 were significantly down-regulated(both P<0.01). Interestingly,administration of JWH-015 could reverse the impairment of novel object recognition index(P<0.05);compared with C57BL/6J AD model group,administration of JWH-015 also decreased the iNOS mRNA expression levels(both P<0.05)and increased the Ym1/2 mRNA expression levels(both P<0.05)in cortex and hippocampus;compared with CB2RKO solvent group,the novel object recognition index of CB2RKO AD model group was decreased(P<0.05);the mRNA expression levels of iNOS in cortex and hippocampus were significantly up-regulated(both P<0.05),the mRNA expression level of Ym1/2 in cortex was significantly down-regulated in cortex(P<0.05);compared with CB2RKO AD model group,administration of JWH-015 had no effect on novel object recognition index and the mRNA expression level of M1/M2 in cortex and hippocampus,respectively. Conclusion JWH-015 improves the cognitive impairment of Aβ-induced AD mice by the specific activation of CB2R,the mechanism of which is related to the direct regulation of CB2R on the M1/M2 microglial phenotype transformation and microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in brain.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of ultrasonography guided percutaneous core needle biopsy in pancreatic lesions. Methods Thirty-four patients with 36 pancreatic lesions in Shanghai First People′s Hospital Afifliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University from February 2012 to November 2013 underwent conventional ultrasound-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy using automatic gun and 18-gauge biopsy needles. The site, size, internal and surrounding vascularity, the sampling number of the lesions, and whether the specimens′ quality was satisfied were recorded. Then specimens were sent for pathological examination, and all above observations were compared with the ifnal diagnosis. Results The number of lesions with 2, 3 and 4 samplings was 32, 2 and 2, respectively. The average number of sampling was 2.2 (mean, 2.17;standard deviation, 0.51) and the acquisition rate of satisifed specimens was 89%(32/36). The pathological results of biopsy were malignant in 31 of 36 lesions including 27 cases of ductal adenocarcinoma, 2 cases of lymphoma, 1 case of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and 1 case of uterine leiomyosarcoma metastasis. The other 5 lesions were non-malignant including 3 cases of benign lesion, 1 cases of atypical hyperplasia and 1 cases of granulation tissue. The 36 lesions were ifnally diagnosed as 34 cases of pancreatic malignancy, 2 cases of non-malignant neoplasm. The sensitivity, speciifcity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of ultrasonography guided percutaneous core needle biopsy in pancreatic lesions were 91%(31/34), 100%(2/2), 92%(33/36), 100%(31/31) and 40%(2/5), respectively. Youden index was 0.91. Two patients had mild upper abdominal pain and 1 patient had transient elevated serum amylase. No pancreatitis, pancreatic fistula, peritonitis, bleeding or dispersion of malignant cells along the penetrating channel or other serious complications occurred. Conclusion Ultrasonography guided percutaneous core needle biopsy is a simple, rapid, safe and effective diagnostic method in pancreatic lesions with high clinical value.

In order to authenticate the components of antler powder in the market, DNA barcoding technology coupled with cloning method were used. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were obtained according to the DNA barcoding standard operation procedure (SOP). For antler powder with possible mixed components, the cloning method was used to get each COI sequence. 65 COI sequences were successfully obtained from commercial antler powders via sequencing PCR products. The results indicates that only 38% of these samples were derived from Cervus nippon Temminck or Cervus elaphus Linnaeus which is recorded in the 2010 edition of "Chinese Pharmacopoeia", while 62% of them were derived from other species. Rangifer tarandus Linnaeus was the most frequent species among the adulterants. Further analysis showed that some samples collected from different regions, companies and prices, contained adulterants. Analysis of 36 COI sequences obtained by the cloning method showed that C. elaphus and C. nippon were main components. In addition, some samples were marked clearly as antler powder on the label, however, C. elaphus or R. tarandus were their main components. In summary, DNA barcoding can accurately and efficiently distinguish the exact content in the commercial antler powder, which provides a new technique to ensure clinical safety and improve quality control of Chinese traditional medicine
Animals ; Antlers ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Deer ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Powders ; Quality Control

In order to authenticate the components of antler powder in the market, DNA barcoding technology coupled with cloning method were used. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were obtained according to the DNA barcoding standard operation procedure (SOP). For antler powder with possible mixed components, the cloning method was used to get each COI sequence. 65 COI sequences were successfully obtained from commercial antler powders via sequencing PCR products. The results indicates that only 38% of these samples were derived from Cervus nippon Temminck or Cervus elaphus Linnaeus which is recorded in the 2010 edition of "Chinese Pharmacopoeia", while 62% of them were derived from other species. Rangifer tarandus Linnaeus was the most frequent species among the adulterants. Further analysis showed that some samples collected from different regions, companies and prices, contained adulterants. Analysis of 36 COI sequences obtained by the cloning method showed that C. elaphus and C. nippon were main components. In addition, some samples were marked clearly as antler powder on the label, however, C. elaphus or R. tarandus were their main components. In summary, DNA barcoding can accurately and efficiently distinguish the exact content in the commercial antler powder, which provides a new technique to ensure clinical safety and improve quality control of Chinese traditional medicine

The medicinal fungi, which are of great importance in traditional medicine, are facing the problems of wild resources scarcity and low concentration of bioactive compounds. Velvet family and LaeA global regulator play a vital role in secondary metabolism and developmental programs, which are found in a wide variety of fungi ranging from Chytridiomycota to Basidiomycota. This review elaborates the structures and functions between Velvet family and LaeA protein. The Velvet family which shares the Velvet protein domain, including VeA (Velvet), VelB (Velvet like B), VosA (viability of spores A) and VelC (Velvet like C), acts on the regulation function is secondary metabolism and developmental programs such as asexual and sexual development. Furthermore, the function is affected by environmental factors such as light and temperature. LaeA protein which owns S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase domain, coordinately regulates development and secondary metabolism by regulating and modifying the Velvet proteins. The regulation of LaeA is mediated by light receptor proteins. Therefore, clarifying the mechanism of Velvet and LaeA proteins in medicinal fungi will pave the way for nurturing medicinal fungi and improving production of bioactive compounds.
Fungal Proteins ; metabolism ; Fungi ; chemistry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; Genes, Regulator ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Secondary Metabolism ; Structure-Activity Relationship

Objective Surgical approech differs between China and western countries in the treatment of middle/lower aegment thoracic esophageal cancer. This study was designed to compare the effects of different surgical modalities on traumatic reaction, heal-ing process and lymph node dissection.Methods Fifty-nine petients,diagnosed with middle/lower segment of thoracic esophageal cancer, were enlisted and had undergone curative RO esophagectomy.The patients were categorized based on different approaches as the following three groups:group of Ivor-Lewis operation,group of McKeown operation and group of esophagectomy through left tran-sthoracic approach.Clinical data was summarized and malyzed.Results (1)No surgical death was reported in this study.(2)There were no statistical difference among the three groups in tenms of postoperative hospital stay,diration of systemic inflammatory re-sponse syndrome and total body fluid loes (P=0.287,0.641,0.355).(3) The number of total lymph nodes harvested from the above three groups was 22.5(11-39),26(14-56).and 17(7-44)(P=0.005),respectively.The number of abdominal lymph nodes harvested from the above three groups was 10(5-26),12(4-32),and 8(3-19)(P=0.021),respectively.No statistical difference was found to the number of thoracic lymph nodes among three groups.(4)Lymph node metastasis occurred most frequently in the station of pericardial lymph nodes,followed by middle thoracic paraesophageal nodes along the left gastric ar-tery.The range of metastasized lymph nodes dissected through left transthoracic approach was much limited compated with right tran-sthoracic approach.Conchuslon The was no difference between left and right transthoracic approach in terms of surgical trauma and overall rehabilitation.The number of lymph nodes harvested from right transthoracic approach surpassed that from the left approach, which might be due to the extent of abdoominal lymphadenectomy.Considering wide range of lymph node metastasis,We recommedn a more extended lymph node dissection for middle/lower segment of thoracic esophageal cancer for the purpose of better local control control and survival benefit.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of dynamic neutralization system (K-Rod) in treating multisegmental lumbar degenerative disease.

METHODSFrom October 2011 to October 2013, 20 patients with multisegmental lumbar degenerative disease were treated with dynamic neutralization system (K-Rod). There were 8 males and 12 females with an average age of 45.4 years old (ranged from 31 to 65) and an average course of 3.8 years (ranged from 9 months to 6.25 years). All patients had the history of low back and legs pain. Among them, 10 cases were far lateral lumbar disc herniation, 7 cases were lumbar spinal stenosis, 3 cases were lumbar spondylolisthesis (degree I in 2 cases and degree II in 1 case). Every patient had only one responsible segment which causing the symptom would have to be rigidly fixed during operations, and the adjacent intervertebral disc of the responsible segments at least 1 segment has already obvious degenerated. All patients underwent the operation to relieve compressed nerves and reconstruct spinal stability with K-Rod system (the responsible segments were fixed with interbody fusion, and the adjacent segments were fixed with dynamic stabilization). Visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (JOA) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to evaluate the clinical effects. Imaging data were used to analyze the range of motion (ROM), intervertebral disc height and intervertebral disc signal (according to modified Pfirrmann grading system) in degenerative adjacent segment.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for more than 1 year, and preoperative symptoms obviously relieved. There were significant differences in VAS, JOA, ODI between preoperative and postoperative (postoperative at 1 week and 1 year) (P<0.05). Radiological examination showed that all responsible segments had already fused, and no looseness, displacement and breakage of internal fixations were found. Postoperative at 1 year, the ROM of adjacent segments were decreased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in intervertebral disc height between preoperative and postoperative at 1 year (P>0.05). According to modified Pfirrmann grading system to classification for the 25 disks of adjacent segment, 8 disks (32%) got improvement, 15 disks (60%) got no change and 2 disks (8%) got aggravation at 1 year after operation.

CONCLUSIONDynamic neutralization system (K-Rod) combined with interbody fusion could obtain short-term clinical effects in the treatment of multisegmental lumbar degenerative disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Spinal Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spinal Stenosis ; surgery ; Spondylolisthesis ; surgery