OBJECTIVE: To study the application of isokinetic muscle testing in identification of the faked paralysis to provide scientific data for establishing a standard system of muscle strength in forensic medicine identification. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with bone fracture or nerve damage as damaged group and 128 normal subjects pretended paralysis as faked paralyzed group were included in this study. Isokinetic muscle testing was performed on bilateral knees of all subjects in the two groups. The peak torque (PT) and peak torque angle (PTA) were compared between both sides in each group. The features of torque-time graph of two groups were classified. RESULTS: In the damaged group, the differences of PT between two sides of flexors and extensors were statistically significant (P<0.05), while the dif- ferences of PTA were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In faked paralyzed group, the differences of PT and PTA between two sides of flexors and extensors were both statistically significant (P<0.05). The torque-time graph of damaged knee presented mostly as single lead peak, while torque-time graph of the faked paralyzed knee presented mostly as multiple peaks. CONCLUSION The feature of torque-time graph could be useful to identify the faked paralyzed extremities in forensic authentication.
Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint/physiopathology* ; Male ; Muscle Strength ; Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology* ; Muscles ; Torque

Objective To observe the mitochondrial damage associated with protein-energy wasting of skeletal muscle in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) model of Goto-Kakizaki(GK) rats and evaluate the effects of low-protein diet supplemented with α-keto acids on muscle wasting.Methods Forty-five male 24-week-age GK rats were randomly divided into three groups,normal protein diet group (NPD),low-protein diet group (LPD) and LPD +or-keto group (Keto).Fifteen gender and age matched Wistar rats were served as control group (CTL).The living condition of GK rats was observed and the weight was measured once a week.Urine albumin,serum glucose,creatinine and urea nitrogen were measured at 24,32,40,48 week age.Soleus muscle was observed to calculate the muscle size and the percentage of Ⅰ and Ⅱ type muscle fiber with software after SDH and NADH staining at 48-week-age.Tissue ultrastructure was observed under the transmission electron microscopy.The activity of citrate synthase was detected by spectrophotometer.Expression of mitochondrial DNA was examined by Q-PCR.Results Compared with the CTL group,NPD,LPD and Keto groups had lower body weight,higher urine albumin,higher serum creatinine and urea nitrogen (P ＜ 0.05).The crosssectional area of muscle fibers was larger in CTL group.Compared with CTL group,the muscle fiber was partly broken,the mitochondrial morphology was obviously changed,the percentage of type Ⅱmuscle fiber was increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05),and the activity of citrate synthase and the number of mitochondrial DNA were decreased significantly in NPD,LPD and Keto groups (P ＜ 0.05).In Keto group,muscle wasting was improved compared with NPD and LPD group (P ＜ 0.05),the crosssectional area of soleus muscle increased and the percentage of type Ⅱ muscle fiber decreased,levels of urine albumin,semm creatinine and urea nitrogen decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Under transmission electron microscopy,the muscle fiber of keto group was intact and mitochondiral morphology was close to that of CTL group.The activity of citrate synthase and number of mitochondiral DNA were higher as compared to CTL group (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences between NPD and LPD group.Conclusions In DKD condition,protein degradation in the skeletal muscle is accelerated,mitochondrion is swelling,the number of mitochondrial DNA is decreased and mitochondrial function is impaired.Low-protein diet supplemented with α-keto acids can improve mitochondrial damage and muscle wasting induced by DKD.

Arteriovenous Fistula ; complications ; etiology ; Cardiac Output, High ; Femoral Artery ; Femoral Vein ; Heart Failure ; etiology ; Humans ; Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To explore the feasibility of using the quantitative reference extract of ginkgo leaf total lactones instead of single component reference for the quantitative assay of Ginkgo Folium.Methods HPLC-ELSD method was performed by using a Diamonsil C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm) with methanol-water as the mobile phase at the gradient elution mode.Flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1.The parameters of ELSD detector were as follows,the drifit tube temperature was 105 ℃,and the flow rate of nitrogen(N2) was 3 L·min-1.Results The linear ranges of ginkgolide A,ginkgolide B,ginkgolide C,and bilobalide were 0.735-5.879 μg (r=0.999 6),0.404-6.060 μg (r=0.999 6),0.296-4.439 μg (r=0.999 6),and 1.001-6.006 μg (r=0.999 7),respectively.The recoveries and RSD of the four components were 95.6% (4.0%),97.3% (4.5%),99.3% (5.0%),and 100.4% (2.1%),respectively.Conclusion The quantitative reference extract of ginkgo leaf total lactones can be used as the substitute for the determination of terpene lactones.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the pathogenic causes of lower respiratory tract infections(LRTIs) in the elderly in Guangzhou area.METHODS Pathogens obtained from 107 patients with LRTIs were performed by multiple diagnostic tools that including bacterial culture,PCR and specific immunological assays.RESULTS A bacterial cause was established in 42(68.5%) and an atypical pathogen cause in 25(31.6%) of the 107 patients.Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae remained the most important pathogens for LRTIs.CONCLUSIONS In the prescription of antibiotics in the elderly with LRTIs,not only bacteria but also atypical pathogens should be taken into account.

Objective To study a kind of quantitative diagnosis method with ultrasound tissue characterization on liver fibrosis of the patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods Measuring the gray scales of the two dimensional ultrasonography of the patients and compare the gray scales with the fibrosis degrees on histopathology of the patients and finding the differences among every two groups.Results The differences of the gray scales compared with the fibrosis degrees on histopathology were meaningful on statistics( F = 34.3, P

Objective To investigate DNA methylation in the promoter region,mRNA transcription and protein expression of glutathione-S-transferases-P1 (GSTP1) gene and their relation with arsenism.Methods In endemic coal-pollution-borne arsenism area,Jiaole village of Xinren county,Guizhou province,according to the diagnostic criteria of endemic arsenism(WS/T 211-2001),123 cases with endemic arsenism were selected and divided into three groups (mild arsenism group:42 cases,moderate arsenism group:41 cases and severe arsenism group:40 cases).Forty seven residents were selected as controls in a village about 12 km away from the endemic arsenism area.With the informed consent principle,peripheral blood of all respondents was collected in order to analyze DNA methylation and check mRNA.DNA methylation of GSTP1 gene promoter region in peripheral blood was assayed by PCR,and GSTP1 mRNA expression was assayed using real-time quantitative PCR.In addition,other cutaneous specimens originated from 53 cases with arsenism that accepted surgical treatment voluntarily were taken.Of these specimens,general pathological changes were 28 cases,precancerous 20 cases and cancerous 5 cases.Skin tissues of 15 cases of non-tumor surgery patients without abnormal pathological changes were as control group.GSTP1 protein expression in the skin tissue was detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC).Results Among different groups of arsenic poisoning,the positive rate of DNA methylation of GSTP1 gene was 28.57％(12/42) in the mild group,57.10％ (23/41) in the moderate group and 65.00％ (26/40) in the severe group.Compared with the control group (6.38％,3/47),the difference was statistically significant (x2 =7.792,26.000,33.412,all P ＜ 0.01).Among different groups of arsenic poisoning diagnosed by dermapathology,the positive rate of DNA methylation of GSTP1 gene was 21.43％(6/28) in the general pathological change group,50.00％(10/20) in the precancerous group and 80.00％(4/5) in the cancerous group.Compared with the control group(6.67％,1/15),the difference was statistically significant (x2 =3.562,7.468,10.756,all P ＜ 0.05).It showed that the positive rate of DNA methylation of GSTP1 gene increased with aggravation of the disease and dermatic lesion of arsenism (tendency x2 =38.239,x2 =13.659,all P ＜ 0.01).Compared with the control group(0.184 26),the expressions of GSTP1 mRNA in peripheral blood in moderate (0.087 77) and severe arsenic poisoning groups (0.056 93) were significantly reduced(all P ＜0.01),and that of severe group was significantly lower than that of the moderate group (P ＜ 0.01) ; compared with the control group(0.338 45) and the general lesion group(0.276 74),GSTP1 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in precancerous lesion group(0.104 81) and cancerous group(0.043 70),in which the cancerous group was significantly lower than that of the precancerous lesions.The difference of skin tissue GSTP1 protein expression rate between groups was statistically significant (x2 =20.948,P ＜ 0.05),in which the difference between the precancerous lesion group(65.00％,13/20),the cancer group (40.00％,2/5) and the control group(100.00％,15/15)was statistically significant (x2 =12.183,11.778,P ＜ 0.01).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the degree of skin lesion and the level of GSTP1 protein expression was negatively correlated (r =-0.520,P ＜ 0.05).Groups were divided according to DNA methylation of GSTP1 gene,and the mRNA and protein expression of GSTP1 in methylation group(0.038 40,57.14％) was significantly lower compared with that of unmethylated group(0.187 07,95.74％; Z =9.032,x2 =23.134,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Arsenism may lead to DNA methylation of human GSTP1 gene promoter region,thereby inhibiting expression of mRNA and protein.GSTP1 gene plays an important role in arsenism or carcinogenic process.

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of different positions in the isokinetic muscle test of knees by CON-TREX Biomechanical Test and Training System, so as to select the suitable conditions for forensic identification of muscle strength test. METHODS: Fifty-two healthy volunteers joined the isokinetic muscle strength test in unfixed and fixed position, respectively and in two kinds of angular speed (60 degrees/s and 30 degrees/s). The differences of peak torque (PT) and peak torque angle (PTA) between bilateral knee flexor and extensor were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In the unfixed position, under the two speed, there was statistically significant difference in PT between bilateral knee flexor and extensor (P < 0.05); while in the fixed position, under the two speed, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). In any kind of conditions, the PTA of bilateral knee flexor and extensor did not have statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The position of the subject influences the results of PT. So the position of subject in knees isokinetic muscle test should be regulated.
Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Muscle Strength ; Muscle, Skeletal/physiology* ; Muscles ; Posture ; Torque

This study is designed to explore the possible effects of Hemerocallis citrina baroni flavonids (HCBF) on liver fibrosis induced by CCl4 in rats. The liver fibrosis model was induced by CCl4, and HCBF were administered by gastric perfusion at 25 and 50 mg x kg(-1) qd for 50 days, while the contents of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), maleic dialdehyde (MDA) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured and the contents of PINP were measured in liver tissue, and the expression of TGF-β1 were observed by immunohistochemisty and Western blot. The pathological changes of liver tissue were examined by HE. The results showed that HCBF (25, 50 mg x kg(-1)) improved the liver function significantly through reducing the level of ALT, AST, GGT and ALP (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and increasing the content of SOD (P < 0.01), while reducing the content of MDA (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the expression of TGF-β1 (P < 0.05) and the content of PINP (P < 0.05). The results suggest that HCBF (25, 50 mg x kg(-1)) may inhibit the liver injury induced by CCl4 by decreasing the oxidative stress.
Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Hemerocallis ; chemistry ; Liver Cirrhosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; metabolism

Objective To observe the muscle wasting in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) model of type 2 and non-obese diabetes mellitus in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats,and to evaluate the effect of lowprotein diet supplemented with α-keto acids on muscle wasting.Methods Forty-five male 24-weekage GK rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal protein diet group (22％ casein diet,NPD),low protein diet group (6％ casein diet,LPD) and LPD + α-keto group (5％ casein + 1％ α-keto,Keto).Fifteen gender-and age-matched Wistar rats were served as the control group (CTL).The living condition of GK rats was observed and body weight was measured once a week.Urine albumin,serum glucose,lipids,albumin,creatinine and urea nitrogen were measured at the age of 24,32,40,48 weeks.Soleus muscle at the age of 48-week was observed to calculate the muscle size with software.Expressions of atrogin-1,MuRF-1 and MyoD,myogenin were examined by Q-PCR and Western blotting.Results Compared with the CTL group,NPD,LPD,Keto groups had lower body weight [(317.90± 13.81),(330.38±11.96),(390.44±12.25) g vs (429.43± 16.85) g,all P ＜ 0.05],higher urine albumin [(14.36±5.52),(8.12±4.61),(5.58±3.50) mg/24 h vs (0.61±0.16) mg/24 h,all P ＜ 0.05],higher serum creatinine [(81.50±7.88),(66.32±8.36),(63.44±8.21) μmol/L vs (24.43±6.15) μmol/L,all P ＜0.05] and urea nitrogen [(7.53±1.05),(5.63±1.40),(5.54±0.97) mmol/L vs (2.98±0.62) mmol/L,all P ＜0.05].The cross-sectional area of soleus muscle fibers was larger in CTL group.Compared with CTL group,the expression levels of atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 increased significantly (all P ＜ 0.05),and of MyoD and myogenin decreased significantly in NPD,LPD,Keto groups (all P ＜ 0.05).In Keto group after 40 weeks,muscle wasting was improved compared with NPD and LPD group [body weight (381.62± 15.82) g vs (331.50±17.58),(326.60± 13.43) g,all P ＜ 0.05],cross-sectional area of soleus muscle increased,levels of urine albumin,serum creatinine and urea nitrogen decreased (all P ＜ 0.05),the protein expressions of atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 decreased,and myogenin and MyoD were higher as compared to CTL group (all P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences between NPD and LPD group.Conclusions In DKD condition,protein degradation in the skeletal muscle is accelerated,the genes which control muscle atrophy are activated,and proliferation and differentiation of the muscle satellite cells are impaired.Low-protein diet supplemented with α-keto acids can improve muscle wasting induced by DKD.