OBJECTIVETo evaluate the intramuscular loads of the upper limb during static postures and repetitive work by surface electromyography.

METHODSTwenty-six male college student volunteers were recruited for the experiment. The surface electromyography (SEMG) singal were recorded from the brachioradialis, biceps brachii, deltoid and trapezius of right arm during static postures including forward elevating, abducting, extending and a repetitive performance at different height of the bench, and root mean square (RMS) values were educed from the singal.

RESULTSThe SEMG amplitudes from forward elevating and abducting were in direct proportion to the angle of the elevating and abducting (r > 0.9, P < 0.01). The maximal voluntary electrical activation (MVE) of the deltoid were 6.4%, 10.1%, 12.6%, 16.2% and 20.8% while the arm elevated forward at an angle of 0 degrees , 45 degrees , 90 degrees , 135 degrees and 180 degrees respectively. The repetitive work showed that the height of the bench and the duration had more effects on deltoid and trapezius than the other muscles. The MVE% of the deltoid were 13.0%, 14.4% and 15.6% while the bench was 74, 79 and 84 cm in height respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEMG which is suitable for determining and reflecting the muscle strain during static postures and repetitive work may be a reasonable indicator for the assessment of manual workload and the ergonomic design.

Arm ; physiology ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; physiology ; Posture ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo clarify three-grade criteria of curative resection for primary liver cancer (PLC) and evaluate their clinical significance.

METHODSCriteria of curative resection of PLC were summed up to three grades. Grade I: complete removal of all gross tumors with no residual tumor at the excision margin. Grade II: on the basis of Grade I, there was no extrahepatic metastasis, no hilar lymph node metastasis, no tumor thrombus in the main trunks and their primary tributaries of the portal vein, common hepatic duct, hepatic vein and vena cava inferior, and the tumor was not more than two in number. Grade III: in addition to the above criteria, AFP dropped to normal level (in patients with elevated AFP before surgery) within 2 months after operation, and no residual tumor upon diagnostic imaging. A total of 354 cases with PLC who had their liver resected was reviewed. Patients in each grade were divided into two portions depending on whether the treatment was curative or palliative.

RESULTSThe survival of patients receiving curative treatment was better than those receiving palliative treatment (P < 0.01). This was true for patients whose treatment belonged to anyone of the three-grade criteria. The survival was improved along with the promotion of curative criteria used. The 5-year survival rate of Grade I, II and III patients undergone curative resection was 43.2%, 51.2% and 64.4%, respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION1. The three-grade criteria may be used for judging the radicality of tumor resection for PLC. 2. The more stringent the criteria used, the better the survival would be. 3. Adopting high-grade criteria to select cases, to guide operation and postoperative follow-up would improve the results of liver resection for PLC.

Female ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) in enhancing the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to 3-bromopyruvate (3-BrPA).

METHODSThe inhibitory effect of 3-BrPA on the proliferation of breast cancer cells was assessed with MTT assay, and brominated propidium bromide single staining flow cytometry was used for detecting the cell apoptosis. An ELISA kit was used to detect the intracellular levels of hexokinase II, lactate dehydrogenase, lactate, and adenosine triphosphate, and Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of MCT1. MDA-MB-231 cells were transiently transfected with MCT1 cDNA for over-expressing MCT1, and the effect of 3-BrPA on the cell proliferation and adenosine triphosphate level was deteced.

RESULTS3-BrPA did not produce significant effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells, and the cells treated with 200 µmol/L 3-BrPA for 24 h showed an inhibition rate and an apoptosis rate of only 8.72% and 7.8%, respectively. The same treatment, however, produced an inhibition rate and an apoptosis rate of 84.6% and 82.3% in MCF-7 cells, respectively. In MDA-MB-231 cells with MCT1 overexpression, 200 µmol/L 3-BrPA resulted in an inhibition rate of 72.44%, significantly higher than that in the control cells (P<0.05); treatment of the cells with 25, 50, 100, and 200 µmol/L 3-BrPA for 6 h resulted in intracellular adenosine triphosphate levels of 96.98%, 88.44%, 43.3% and 27.56% relative to the control level respectively.

CONCLUSIONMCT1 can enhance the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to 3-BrPA possibly by transporting 3-BrPA into cells to inhibit cell glycolysis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of real-time harmonic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of atypical liver abscesses.

METHODSWe used Technos DU8 system with CEUS technique to examine 32 patients with suspected liver masses. Mechanical index was set at 0.08- 0.11. The contrast agent SonoVue was injected as a bolus (2.4 ml, < 5s) in the antecubital vein.

RESULTSA total of 36 lesions were studied in 32 patients, including 30 patients with single nodule and 2 patients with multiple nodules. All lesions with liver abscess were confirmed by biopsy. The whole-enhanced pattern in all lesions was clearly displayed in the arterial phase after the administration of SonoVue. The mean time of the beginning enhancement was (14.48 +/- 3.62) s, the mean peak enhancement time was (22.92 +/- 4.35) s, and the mean time of hypoechoic appearance of lesion was (80.30 +/- 35.30) s. The lesions with hypoechoic pattern (37.5%, 12/32) and isoechoic pattern (62.5%, 20/32) in the portal phase were detected by CEUS. The characteristic sign with honeycomb pattern on CEUS was shown in 30 (93.8%) liver abscess lesions.

CONCLUSIONCEUS is valuable in the diagnosis of atypical liver abscesses.

Contrast Media ; Humans ; Liver Abscess ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo establish rabbit model of scoliosis induced with stable asymmetric lumbar loads.

METHODSScoliosis was induced in 10 two-month-old New Zealand rabbits using 316L stainless steel springs placed between the unilateral transverse processes of L2 and L5. Serial radiographs were documented before and at 1, 4, 8, 9 and 12 weeks after the operation. At weeks, the rabbits were randomly divided into SR group (n=5) with the spring removed and SK group (n=5) without spring removal.

RESULTSAll the rabbits survived the experiment with Cobb angle all greater than 10 degree at the end of the experiment. Significant changes were found in the Cobb angles and kyphotic angles at 1, 4 and 8 weeks after the operation (P<0.05). At 8 weeks, the Cobb angle, the kyphotic angle and the length of the spring were similar between SR and SK groups (P>0.05), and in the 4 weeks following spring removal in SR group, the Cobb angle and the kyphosis decreased significantly compared with those in SK group (P<0.05). Micro-CT showed that the BV/TV of the concave side was greater than that of the convex side. The length of the spring did not show obvious changes during the experiment (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAsymmetric lumbar loading is a convenient, time-saving, and highly reproducible approach for establishing rabbit models of scoliosis.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Rabbits ; Scoliosis ; physiopathology ; Spine ; pathology

Objective To evaluate the multiplex nucleic acid testing (NAT) assays for HBV,HCV and HIV in detecting HBV DNA in plasma samples. Methods 534 plasma samples collected form several areas were detected with Abbott Architect i2000 HBsAg, ani-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc and anti-HBc IgM diagnostic kits. HBV DNA levels of those samples were detected with Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/ COBAS TaqMan HBV Test. Two kinds of multiplex NAT assays for HBV, HCV and HIV were used to test HBV DNA of those 534 samples. Results of serology-markers and quantitative HBV DNA levels with results of NAT were compared. Results HBV DNA was positive in all 81 HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBc positive samples,detected by both of NAT assays. HBV DNA was positive in 11 and 19 of 200 HBsAg negative samples when detected with the two kinds of NAT assays separately. Compared with the quantitative results detected by Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HBV Test, the HBV DNA positive rates were 96.9% and 94.3% in 193 samples of HBV DNA levels over 500 IU/ml while 40.2% and 45.3% in 117 samples of HBV DNA levels below 500 IU/ml while 99.3% and 96.0% in 151 samples of DNA negative HBV. Conclusion There are some occult low level HBV DNA carriers with HBsAg negative results in China. NAT assays for HBV, HCV and HIV may be useful to improve the transfusion safety.

Objective To study the analytical sensitivity on 31 HBsAg enzyme immunoassy (EIA) test kits.Methotis Thirty one HBsAg EIA kits produced by domestic or overseas manufactories and applied for approval during May 2007 to May 2008,were evaluated using the national reference panels.The hyperbolic curve of the log A value and log concentration for the national sensitivity standards was established.The cut-off value of each kit was substituted into the curvilinear equation to determine the analytical sensitivity which was compared between different HBsAg EIA kits.Results Twenty seven(351 lots) domestic and 4(27 lots) overseas kits were compared.Among 378 lots of the 31 HBsAg EIA kits,only 2 lots of the domestic kits had a lower sensitivity when tested with the national HBsAg reference panels,with an average approvalr ate of 99.43%(349/351).The mean analytical sensitivity of the domestic kits for adr,adw,ay serotypes were 0.307,0.419,0.513 ng/ml,respectively.There was a significant difierence between serotypes (F=97.30,P<0.01).The mean analytical sensitivity of the overseas kits for adr,adw,ay serotypes were 0.054,0.066,0.050 ng/ml respectively,with no significant difference between serotypes(F=0.65,P>0.05).The analytical sensitivity of the overseas kits for all the three serotypes was higher than that of the domestic kits(P<0.01).There was no significant difference found between the analytical sensitivities of the kits produced by the same manufactory using 30- or 60- minute incubation of detection(P>0.05).In contrast,there was significant diffefence noticed between the analytical sensitivities of the kits produced by the same manufactory when tested for 10 or 15- minute coloration of the results(P<0.01).Conclusion Analytical sensitivity of the HBsAg EIA domestic kits should be further improved,especiatry for detecting adw and ay serotypes.

BACKGROUNDConventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred neuroimaging method in the evaluation of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between clinical and immunological features with MRI abnormalities in female patients with NPSLE, to screen for the value of conventional MRI in NPSLE.

METHODSA total of 59 female NPSLE patients with conventional MRI examinations were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients were classified into different groups according to MRI abnormalities. Both clinical and immunological features were compared between MRI abnormal and normal groups. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score for MRI abnormalities. Multivariate logistic regression analysis investigated the correlation between immunological features, neuropsychiatric manifestations, and MRI abnormalities.

RESULTSThirty-six NPSLE patients (61%) showed a variety of MRI abnormalities. There were statistically significant differences in SLEDAI scores (P < 0.001), incidence of neurologic disorders (P = 0.001), levels of 24-h proteinuria (P = 0.001) and immunoglobulin M (P = 0.004), and incidence of acute confusional state (P = 0.002), cerebrovascular disease (P = 0.004), and seizure disorder (P = 0.028) between MRI abnormal and normal groups. In the MRI abnormal group, SLEDAI scores for cerebral atrophy (CA), cortex involvement, and restricted diffusion (RD) were much higher than in the MRI normal group (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P = 0.038, respectively). Statistically significant positive correlations between seizure disorder and cortex involvement (odds ratio [OR] = 14.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-151.70; P = 0.023) and cerebrovascular disease and infratentorial involvement (OR = 10.00; 95% CI, 1.70-60.00; P = 0.012) were found.

CONCLUSIONSMRI abnormalities in NPSLE, especially CA, cortex involvement, and RD might be markers of high systemic lupus erythematosus activity. Some MRI abnormalities might correspond to neuropsychiatric manifestations and might be helpful in understanding the pathophysiology of NPSLE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; immunology ; pathology ; Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System ; immunology ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of postoperative adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with residual tumor.

METHODSThe patients were classified into intervention group (with adjuvant TACE) and control group (without adjuvant TACE) who were further stratified to those with high risk (patients with single tumor > 5 cm in diameter, or with multiple tumors, invasion to blood vessels), and low risk factors. Univariate analysis and Cox model were used to analyse prognostic factors.

RESULTSIn low risk patients with residual tumor, the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-year survival rate was 97.2%, 78.0%, 66.5% and 66.5% in the intervention group, and 91.2%, 81.4%, 70.3% and 54.4% in the control group, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in survival (log-rank P = 0.7667). Comparing with the control group, the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-year survival rate was 89.5%, 73.4%, 59.2% and 53.8% in the intervention group, and 70.5%, 61.9%, 46.8% and 46.8% in the control group, respectively. Postoperative adjuvant TACE significantly prolonged the survival in high risk patients with residual tumor (P = 0.0029). Cox model revealed that the benefit of adjuvant TACE was significantly increased by the high risk factors in HCC patients with residual tumor.

CONCLUSIONThe beneficial effect of postoperative TACE was only observed in high risk patients with residual tumor but not in the low risk patients with residual tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; mortality ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo assess the accuracy of detection by automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) in diagnosis of high-risk and small breast lesions.

METHODSOne hundred and twelve patients with solid high-risk and small breast lesions were identified by ABVS. The patients were divided into benign lesion group and cancer group after pathological examination. The clinicopathological findings and ultrasonographic features of the lesions were compared.

RESULTSAmong the 112 lesions there were 49 benign and 63 malignant lesions. The mean size on ABVS and pathology were (1.59 ± 0.52) cm and (1.52 ± 0.58) cm. There was no significant difference in tumor sizes determined by ABVS and pathology (P = 0.194). The mean age of patients with benign lesions was (38.5 ± 7.4) years and that of malignant lesions was (52.4 ± 13.6) years, showing a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001) . The mass shape, orientation, margin, lesion boundary, echo pattern, calcification, BI-RADS category and retraction phenomenon were significantly different of the malignant and benign masses (P < 0.05). But there was no significant difference in the location of lesions and posterior acoustic features (P > 0.05) . Retraction phenomenon was significantly associated with pathological type and histologic grade of the breast cancer (P < 0.01). The specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of retraction phenomenon were 100% (46/46), 73.0% (46/63), and 84.8% (95/112), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSABVS provides advantages of better size prediction of high-risk and small breast lesions. Furthermore, the retraction phenomenon in coronal plane shows high specificity and sensitivity in detecting breast cancer.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Fibroadenoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tumor Burden ; Ultrasonography, Mammary ; methods ; Young Adult