Objective To observe the surface electromyographic characteristics of the bilateral submen-tal muscles in dysphagia secondary to unilateral brainstem stroke. Methods A total of 25 subjects were recrui-ted. There were 8 stroke patients with dysphagia secondary to a left brainstem stroke and 7 stroke patients with dysphagia secondary to a right brainstem stroke. There were also 10 healthy controls matched in age and gender. The duration and peak amplitude of the submental muscle when swallowing 5 ml of warm water were recorded u-sing a surface electromyograph. Results The average amplitude of the left submental muscle in patients with a left brainstem stroke was significantly longer than that of those with a right brainstem stroke, but no significant differences in average duration were observed. Conversely, the amplitude of the right submental muscle in pa-tients with a right brainstem stroke was significantly longer than that of those with left brainstem stroke, but again there were no significant differences in duration. No significant differences were observed among the healthy con-trols. The amplitude and duration of both the affected and healthy sides of the patients were of course significantly longer or stronger than those of the healthy controls. Conclusion The swallowing function of the bilateral sub-mental muscles may be impaired among unilateral stroke survivors with dysphagia. The damage on the affected side is more severe than on the opposite side.

Assisted reproduction technologies (ART) include controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, in vitro maturation of oocytes, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, etc. They have been used for the treatment of impaired fertility but may damage the health of offspring. The ART procedures may alter the epigenetic status of these offspring and DNA methylation may be a crucial mechanism. This paper summarizes epigenetic alterations in ART embryos and offspring, and discusses the risks.
Animals ; DNA Methylation ; Embryo, Mammalian ; metabolism ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Genomic Imprinting ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis

Objective To examine the molecular mechanism involved in astrocyte migration induced by magnetic stimulation (MS),and the role of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in migration.Methods Astrocytes were isolated from the cortical tissues of 2-3 day old Sprague-Dawley rats and divided into a stimulus group given MS and a control group without MS.The stimulus group was further divided into an experimental group and a control group,with the former pre-stimulated with 10 μmol/ml U0126 for 30 minutes and no pre-stimulation for the latter.The cells in the experimental group were also randomly divided into siRNA and HMGB1-siRNA transfection groups to examine the role of HMGB1 in astrocyte migration induced by MS.The SiRNA group was transfected with HMGB1 siRNA.Western blotting was used to detect any effect of MS on HMGB1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2).The migration of astrocytes was detected using the scratch assay.Results MS (10 Hz) can promote the phosphorylation of ERK,increase the migration of astrocytes and the expression of HMGB1.After the U0126 treatment and transfection with HMGB1 siRNA,the effects of MS on expression of HMGB1 and migration of astrocytes decreased significantly.Conclusions Magnetic stimulation-mediated migration of astrocytes via activation of the ERK pathway phosphorylation and autocrine of HMGB1.

Objective To examine the effect of the inter-stimulus interval (ISI) in magnetic stimulation (MS) on astrocyte migration and its related mechanism.Methods Cultured astrocytes were treated with intermittent MS with intervals of 1,5 and 10 seconds.The PEA-15 inhibitor BisI (10 μmol/ml) and the ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 (10 μmol/ml) were administered and cell migration assays evaluated the astrocytes' migration.The expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and PEA-15 was detected using Western blotting.Results The 1 second interval significantly facilitated astrocyte migration,the phosphorylation of PEA-15 and ERK1/2,and the expression of MMP-9 (browse matrix metalloproteinase-9).The addition of Bis I significantly reduced the production of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and MMP-9,as well as astrocyte migration induced by MS.In addition,pretreatment with U0126 also significantly decreased the astrocyte migration induced by MS.Conclusion 1s-ISI MS can induce PEA-15 activation and subsequently lead to ERK1/2 phosphorylation and upregulation of MMP-9,which may contribute to the migration of astrocytes.

Objective To rapidly screen patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) infection including asymptomatic ones. Method Established a rapid detection test kit, and evaluated analytical and clinical performance of it. Result The minimum limit of detection of the reagent was 9.75×10² TCID₅₀/mL; there was no cross-reaction and interference in the high-concentration samples of 29 common respiratory pathogens tested. The diagnostic sensitivity of clinical samples was 98.56%, specificity was 99.00%, and the total coincidence rate was 98.85%; the consistency test Kappa value is 0.974 5. The stratified analysis of positive samples with different Ct values showed that the coincidence rate within each stratum was greater than 95%. Conclusion This COVID-19 antigen test kit with excellent detection performance, fast detection speed, and portable operation. It can be used as a supplementary method for existing nucleic acid detection methods for early screening of new coronavirus.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Testing ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; SARS-CoV-2