Objective: To observe the effect of acupoint massage plus Vitalstim electrical stimulation on deglutition function and surface electromyography (SEMG) of deglutition muscle groups. Methods: A total of 60 patients with deglutition disorder after stroke were selected and divided into an electrical stimulation group, a massage group and an integrated group according to the random number table method, with 20 cases in each group. Patients in these three groups were given the same routine rehabilitation training for deglutition. In addition, patients in the electrical stimulation group were given extra Vitalstim electrical stimulation, patients in the massage group were given extra acupoint massage on the head, face and neck, and patients in the integrated group were given extra acupoint massage plus Vitalstim electrical stimulation. Fujishima Ichiro food intake level scale (FILS) was scored before and after treatment. The swallowing duration and maximal amplitude of masseter muscle in SEMG were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: After treatment, the FILS score and the maximal amplitude of recruitment potential generated by muscular contraction of masseter muscle group in the three groups were higher than those before treatment (all P<0.05), and the swallowing duration of masseter muscle group was shortened compared with that in the same group before treatment (all P<0.05). After treatment, the FILS score in the integrated group was higher than that in the electrical stimulation group and the massage group (both P<0.05). The swallowing duration of masseter muscle group measured by SEMG was lower than that in the electrical stimulation group and the massage group (both P<0.05), while the maximal amplitude was higher than that of the electrical stimulation group and the massage group (P<0.05). After treatment, there were no significant differences in the FILS score, swallowing duration and maximal amplitude of masseter muscle group between the electrical stimulation group and the massage group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Both acupoint massage and electrical stimulation can improve the deglutition function in patients with deglutition disorder after stroke, and improve the coordination and flexibility of masseter muscle. The integration of the two is more effective.

Objective To investigate clinical significance of computed tomography (CT) scan in diagnosis of bronchial foreign body in children.Methods Twenty-one suspected children with bronchial foreign body were studied with spiral CT cross-section scan and coronal reconstruction and diagnosis was confirmed with bronchoscopy.Results The foreign body was displayed in all of 21 cases. CT scan showed foreign body was located in right main bronchial 12 cases, right middle bronchial 1 case, right inferior lobar bronchial 2 cases and left main bronchial 6 cases. Foreign bodies were extracted with bronchoscopy.Conclusion CT scan can display and locate accurately foreign body in bronchial of children,and has very important diagnostic value in patients having atypical histories, clinical and radiological findings.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of abnormal Tbx3 expression in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

METHODThe total RNA of 4 breast cancer cell lines and 5 normal breast samples was extracted by routine Trizol method. After reverse transcription of the total RNA into cDNA, Tbx3 mRNA expression was detected in these samples by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the differences in Tbx3 protein expression between 60 breast cancer samples and 34 normal breast tissue samples.

RESULTSCompared to normal breast tissue samples, the breast cancer cell lines showed markedly increased Tbx3 mRNA expression. The results of immunohistochemistry demonstrated a significant upregulation of Tbx3 protein expression in the 60 breast cancer tissues in comparison with the normal breast tissues, as was consistent with Tbx3 mRNA expressions in these tissue samples.

CONCLUSIONSThe mRNA and protein expressions of Tbx3 are markedly upregulated in breast cancer cell lines and tissue samples, suggesting that Tbx3 may serve as one of the malignant biomarkers in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Breast ; cytology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively study and analyse the immune regulatory effect of Bailing Capsule (BLC, a dry powder preparation of Cordyceps sinensis mycelia) on patients after renal transplantation, its influences on various systems of organism, and to explore its possible acting mechanism.

METHODSIn accordance with the entry criteria, 67 recipients of renal homo-allograft were assigned to two groups. The 42 cases in the control group were treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) plus cyclosporine A (CsA), or tacrolimus (FK506) plus prednisone (Pred); the 25 in the treated group treated with the chemotherapy the same as in the control group plus BLC. They were followed up for 48 weeks by checking up blood routine, urine routine, hepatic and renal function, total serum protein, serum albumin, uric acid, etc., and the dosage of immunoinhibitory used was recorded periodically.

RESULTSComparison showed no significant difference in graft survival rate, occurrence of reject reaction and renal function recovery between the two groups; but levels of urinary erythrocytes and leucocytes, blood alanine transaminase, aspartate amino transferase, uric acid, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, as well as the incidence of infection were significantly lower, and serum total protein and albumin were significantly higher in the treated group (all P < 0.01); moreover, counts of erythrocyte and leukocyte from 12 to 48 weeks, T-lymphocyte from 4 to 48 weeks after transplantation were significantly higher in the treated group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), and the recovery appeared earlier, the dosage of CsA or FK506 used 12 weeks after operation was significantly lower in the treated group than in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBLC could effectively protect liver and kidney, stimulate hemopoietic function, improve hypoproteinemia, as well as reduce the incidence of infection and the dosage of CsA and FK506 used, etc. Therefore, it is a useful drug for immunoregulation after organ transplantation.

Adult ; Capsules ; Cordyceps ; Cyclosporine ; administration & dosage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tacrolimus ; administration & dosage

Objective:To make an assessment on the genotoxicity caused by black carbon ( BC ) and ozonized black carbon (O3-BC).Methods: In this study, 74 healthy male ICR mice [weighed (28 ± 1.5) g] were randomly divided into 7 groups, including one phosphate buffer solution ( PBS) control group and six particles exposed groups by intratracheal instillation with either BC or O 3-BC at the doses of 50, 100, 200 μg/mouse, respectively.There were 12 mice in the groups of 200μg/mouse and 10 mice in others.The mice were sacrificed 24 h after four intratrachealinstillations .The activities of catalase ( CAT) in serum and the levels of malondialdehyde ( MDA) in lung tissue homogenate were measured . As the DNA damage mark , 8-hydroxyguanosine ( 8-OHdG ) in urine and serum were quantified with ELISA method.Micronucleus test was used for potential genotoxicity of BC and O 3-BC.Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to stain lung paraffin section .Results:The mice were in good condition during instillation , and the liver coefficient of the test groups was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05).The activities of CAT in serum significantly increased in the 100 μg/mouse and 200μg/mouse groups after being exposed to these two kinds of particles .The micronucleus rate in allthe BC and O3-BC exposed groups increased ( P <0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference among the groups in the levels of 8-OHdG in serum and urine and MDA in lung tissue homogenate .In-flammatory response was found in the lung tissue under the microscope after exposure to BC and O 3-BC. Conclusion:Intratracheal instillation of BC and O 3-BC induced increasing of oxidative stress and genetic damage in mice .But there was no significant difference between these two particles in toxicity .Whether the genotoxicity of O 3-BC is higher than that of BC or not is uncertain .Further research is needed .

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have attracted high attention to their various origins, capability of multi-lineage differentiation, supporting hematopoiesis and regulating immunity. Consequently, MSC show great potential for tissue engineering and cell/gene therapy. The bone marrow microenvironment plays an important role in the pathogenesis of several hematological malignancies. It was confirmed that as key components of the hematopoietic microenvironment, MSC correlated complexly with tumor microenvironment. Recent reports showed that MSC from some patients with AML, MDS, ALL and MM harboured cytogenetic alterations. In addition, the phenotype, ability of differentiation and immunoregulatory function of MSC displayed different degree of abnormalities, suggesting that MSC played a role in the pathophysiological mechanism of malignant hematopoietic diseases. Besides, MSC have been found to participate in drug resistance of antileukemic therapy. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has become an important treatment approach for the malignant hematopoietic diseases in recent years. Because of the advantages of supporting hematopoiesis and regulating immunity, MSC are used to promote the engraftment and prophylaxis/treatment of GVHD. This review summarized briefly the abnormalities of mesenchymal stem cells in malignant hematological diseases and MSC research advances on cell therapy.
Bone Marrow Cells ; pathology ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the somnipathy related factors in elderly patients with stroke and to compare effects of traditional Chinese medicine and estazolam on sleep and the followed nervous function.

METHODSThe somnipathy related factors in 336 elderly patients with stroke, 221 accompanied with somnipathy and 115 with normal sleep, were studied and analyzed. Moreover, the 221 patients with somnipathy were assigned to two groups, 112 in the treated group treated with TCM according to syndrome differentiation, and 109 in the control group treated with estazolam. Changes of scores rated by neurological deficit scale (NDS), sleep dysfunction rating scale (SDRS), Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), and treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe occurrence of somnipathy in patients with cerebral hemorrhage was significantly higher than in those with cerebral infarction; it was higher in patients with lesion in brain stem, cerebral hemisphere (frontal lobe), or basal ganglion than in those with lesion in other sites; and patients with severe neurological deficit were more liable to having somnipathy. TCM showed a significant effect in improving the insomnia symptoms in patients, with the total effective rate reaching 81.25% (91/112), which was higher than that in the control group, 65.14% (71/109, P < 0.01). Along with the improving of sleep, marked recovery of the nervous function was shown in both groups, with NDS score reduced significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe occurrence of somnipathy in stroke patients was closely related with the property and site of lesion, and the neurological deficit degree of patients. Better sleep is surely favorable for recovery of the nervous function, and TCM shows a favorable efficacy on somnipathy.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estazolam ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Stroke ; complications

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of TBX3 gene in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

METHODSThe total RNA of 51 fresh breast cancer tissues and the corresponding adjacent tissues were extracted and reverse transcribed into cDNA to detect the expression of TBX3 mRNA by real-time PCR. The correlation between TBX3 mRNA expression and the clinicopathologic parameters in relation to breast cancer metastasis was analyzed.

RESULTCompared to that in the adjacent tissues, the expression of TBX3 mRNA was markedly increased in breast cancer tissues. TBX3 mRNA expression was significantly higher in metastatic breast cancer than in non-metastatic tumors.

CONCLUSIONIncreased expression of TBX3 mRNA suggests the involvement of TBX3 in the pathogenesis and metastasis of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

White-rot fungi is a kind of basidiomycetes making wood rotten. For their particular metabolism and extracellular degrading ability, they can degrade a lot of organic pollutants, and then become the hot point of international academic research. This paper reviews the recent research progress in many aspects,such as the sort and degradation mechanism of white rot fungus, advances in applied research for white rot fungi on industry and environmental pollution disposal and so on. In addition, some suggestions on the prospective application in the composting of municipal solid waste are presented in the end.