Objective To explore early diagnostic methods for ulnar impaction syndrome on the basis of suggested criteria.Methods From December 1998 to December 2004,123 cases complained of ulnar pain.They were checked and diagnosed according to the criteria of Yu-dong Gu,and especially,the results of wrist MRL Forty-eight of them were diagnosed as ulnar impactinn syndrome.A retrospective study was done to analyze the char- acteristies of X-ray and MRI in examining ulnar impaction syndrome,clinical symptoms of the wrist,and the association between Chun & Palmer's scoring systems and imaging manifestations.Results Most of the cases of ulnar impaction syndrome had positive lunar variance (68.8%).Carpal avascular necrosis was found in about 27.1% of the cases through X-ray examination of the wrist,64.7% of whom were lunar osteonecrosis.Abnormal changes in signal intensity occurred in the MRI findings of the syndrome cases.The carpal necrosis was always located at the ulnar side of lunare or (and) at the waist and bottom of triquetrum.There was a close relationship between clinical symptoms and Chun & Palmer's grading systems and carpal imaging,MRI in particular Conclusion Early diagnosis of ulnar impaction syndrome can be made easily on the basis of deep understanding of the syndrome,clinical symptoms,and findings of imaging,especially MRI.

Objective To determine the conditioning regimen suitable for mice allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods Twelve BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 2 equal groups to undergo X-ray irradiation by linear accelerator at the dose of 7.0 Gy (pure X-ray group) or 60Co source irradiation at the dose of 7.0 Gy (pure γ-ray group).Thirty mice were randomly divided into 2 equal groups to undergo X-ray irradiation and then infusion of bone marrow from donor mice via caudal vein (X-ray + transplantation group) or γ-ray and then infusion of bone marrow via caudal vein (γ-ray + transplahtation group).3,5,7,10,15,20,and 30 d later peripheral blood samples were collected to calculate the number of white blood cells (WBCs) and detect the chimeric rates of lymphocytes by flow cytometry.5,10,and 20 d after irradiation 15 mice were killed with their lung,liver,small intestine,spleen,and femurs taken out to undergo pathological examination.Results The survival rates during the period 5-15 days of the γ-ray + transplantation group were all significantly higher than those of the X-ray + transplantation group.The pathological changes of organs of the X-ray +transplantation group were all more severe than those of the γ-ray + transplantation group.Since the fifth day after transplantation cells originating from the donor began to appear in the peripheral blood.The chimeric rate of the γ-ray + transplantation group 10 days after transplantation was (95.53± 2.57) %.The chimeric rates 5,10,and 20 days after transplantation of the γ-ray + transplantation group were all significantly higher than those of the X-ray + transplantation group (t = 15.263,3.256,P < 0.05).The WBC count of both irradiation groups decreased to the lowest level 5 d later and began to increase 10 days after transplantation and the WBC counts of the γ-ray + transplantation group 10 and 20 days aftertransplantation were both significantly higher than those of the X-ray + transplantation group (t = 3.624,6.695 ,P < 0.05).The chimeric rats of the peripheral lymphocytes 10 and 20 days after transplantation of the γ-ray + transplantation group were both significantly higher than those of the X-ray + transplantation group (t = 12.317,8.295,P < 0.05).The homogeneity rate of transplantation of the γ-ray +transplantation group was better than that of the X-ray + transplantation group.Conclusions As a conditioning regimen in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation γ-ray irradiation causes milder injury and accelerated reconstitution of hematopoiesis and immunity,in comparison with X-ray irradiation.

OBJECTIVE: Metatarsophalangeal joint is an important joint for daily weight-bearing walking. Osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis of the metatarsal head, rheumatoid arthritis can often cause the destruction of 2-5 metatarsophalangeal joint, leading to pain, limited joint movement and toe deformities, severely affecting the forefoot function. The purpose of this study is to report the results of middle-long term follow-up after performing Swanson double-stem silicon implant arthroplasty in patients with diseases of 2-5 metatarsophalangeal joint. METHODS: From January 2010 to October 2015, 21 patients with 2-5 metatarsophalangeal joint replacement were performed with Swanson double-stem silicone prosthesis. In the study, 16 cases were successfully followed up, 2 men and 14 women with an average age (66.7±5.5) years. There were 9 cases diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, 5 cases with severe osteoarthritis and 2 cases with osteochondrosis of the metatarsal head. The American Association of foot and ankle surgery Maryland foot scoring system and visual analogue score (VAS) were used to evaluate the walking function, metatarsophalangeal joint mobility and pain degree before and after surgery. RESULTS: The follow-up time ranged from 17 months to 5 years, with an average of 3.2 years. According to Maryland foot scoring system of the American Association of foot and ankle surgery, the preoperative score was (60.69±6.12) points and postoperative score was (88.13±5.84) points. Range of motion of metatarsophalangeal joint: preoperative: back extension 5.4°±3.1°, plantar flexion 4.4°±2.7°; postoperative: back extension 15.7°±4.5°, plantar flexion 12.2°±4.3°, the motion of 2-5 metatarsophalangeal joint after operation was significantly improved compared with that before operation (P < 0.01). The preoperative VAS was (6.8±0.9) points and the last follow-up was (2.3±0.8) points, the pain symptom of metatarsophalangeal joint was improved obviously after operation. The postoperative score was significantly higher than the preoperative score according to Maryland foot scoring system (P < 0.01), the excellent rate was 81.3%. CONCLUSIONS With the advantages of alleviating pain, preserving the length and alignment of metatarsophalangeal joint, improving the function of walking, and correcting the deformity, Swanson double-stem silicon implant arthroplasty is a reproducible and safe option for the reconstruction of the 2-5 metatarsophalangeal joint. However, there is still some probability of adverse reactions and still room for improvement.
Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Arthroplasty ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joint Prosthesis ; Male ; Metatarsophalangeal Joint/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the relationship between IL-1?-511C/T and IL-1?+3953C/T site polymorphisms and the susceptibility of pediatric epilepsy.Methods Under the case-control study,IL-1?-511C/T and IL-1?+3953C/T site polymorphisms in 117 patients with pediatric epilepsy and 95 healthy individuals controls(healthy control group) were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction restriction and fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP),the relationship between IL-1?-511C/T,IL-1?+3953 C/T site polymorphisms and the risk of pediatric epilepsy were analyzed.SAS 8.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results Multiple variate logistic regression analysis revealed that compared with healthy control group,there was no relationship between the IL-1?-511C/T site polymorphisms and the susceptibility of pediatric epilepsy individuals,carrying at least one +3953T variant allele(CT and TT genotypes) had a significantly increased risk for pediatric epilepsy(adjusted OR=2.46,95%CI 1.03-5.87),compared with the wild-type genotype(+3953CC).Furthermore,individuals with epilepsy or febrile seizures family history had a significantly higher risk(adjusted OR=4.12,95%CI 1.28-29.34),compared with those with both CC genotypes.Conclusions These findings support the hypothesis that IL-1?-511C/T site polymorphisms have no relationship with epilepsy,but the IL-1?+3953C/T polymorphism may contribute to the risk of developing pediatric epilepsy.

Objective To study effect of eleetromyograghie(EMG) biofeedback training on three kinds of u- rinary ineontifienee.Methods Nineteen patients with urinary incontinence were treated by means of EMG biofeed- back training twice a day for six weeks.The treatment was performed with a device,which can detect the EMG ampli- tude of the pelvic muscle and deliver electric stimulation accordingly.Results After 6 weeks of treatment,the inci- dence of uretbrorrhea was reduced by 41%,and the frequency of micturition was decreased by 38% ,while the fre- quency of urination in one day reduced to 9 to 13.The general subjectively rated improvement rate of patients was 53% ,while the general objectively one was 58%.Conclusion Biofeedback training has significant therapeutic: eftects on patients with urinary incontinence.

The SRY gene from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) genome was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) with primers based on the sequence of Hostein SRY gene. The amplified fragment was 2005 bp include 5UTR ( 1 - 504bp) and 3'UTR(1196 - 2005bp). And the amplified fragment was cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that the coding region of SRY gene (505 - 1195bp) from buffalo was highly homologous with those of other bovine counterpart genes (96% homology) , especially in the HMG box region (99%homology). It was found that there were only signal on male buffalo genome on Southern blot,which indicate SRY gene are highly conservative on evolves.

Objective To investigate the characters of the COL3A1 gene polymorphisms in Chinese population of Hunan region and the relationship between the COL3A1 gene polymorphisms and ischemie stroke.Methods Objects examined were composed of 70 healthy controls,110 patients with acute cerebral infarction.The frequencies of the genotypes were detected by using PCR-SSLP techniques and correlated PCR segements were analyzed by directly sequence to detect the COL3A1 gene polymorphisms.Result There were significant differences in the distribution of VNTR with COL3A1 genotype polymorphism between the patients of acute cerebral infarction and healthy controls,the former being 0.93,the latter 0.43,with a significant difference(P

The objective of this study was to screen out the effective shRNA which can inhibit the gene expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), to construct the recombinant plasmid and to determine its sequence so as to provide the new approach for searching gene therapy of TNF-alpha related diseases. The primary macrophages were added into 15% DMEM, then cells were adjusted as 2 x 10(7) cells/L and were inoculated in 6-well plate with 3 ml/well, and were cultured at 37 degrees C in a fully humidified atmosphere with 5% CO(2). Cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the concentration of TNF-alpha in the supernatant at different time points was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The 5 synthesized DNA sequences which can be transcripted into shRNA were transfected into cells with lipofectamine 2000, then the cells were stimulated with LPS for 24 hours. The concentration of TNF-alpha in the supernatant and the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA were determined by ELISA and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively. The most effective shRNA was inserted into plasmid, and the recombinant plasmid was identified by sequence analysis. The results showed that the concentration of TNF-alpha in the supernatant reached peak after the stimulation with LPS for 24 hours. In the RNA interference group, the shRNA 1 was the most effective one, which could inhibit the expression of TNF-alpha by 59.46% and the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA by 61.2%. The recombinant plasmid was cloned and the sequence of interest was obtained. In conclusion, the most effective shRNA targeting TNF-alpha was successfully screened out and the recombinant plasmid was constructed. The recombinant plasmid may be helpful to search new gene therapy for TNF-alpha related disease.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plasmids ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic ; Transfection ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe whether adenosine Al receptor (Al R) mediated neuroprotection of Shenmai Injection (SI) on rat cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

METHODSThe focal cerebral I/R model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Totally 60 successfully modeled rats was divided into 5 groups according to randomized block principle, i.e., the model group, the SI group, the SI + AlR antagonist (1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine, DPCPX) group, the AlR antagonist control group, and the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) control group, 12 in each group. Besides, a sham-operation group was set up (n =12). SI at 15 mL/kg was peritoneally injected to mice in the SI group immediately after cerebral I/R. Equal volume of normal saline was injected to mice in the model group and the sham-operation group. DPCPX at 1 mg/mL was peritoneally injected to mice in the Al R antagonist control group 30 min before peritoneal injecting SI. DPCPX at 1 mg/kg and DMSO at 1 mL/kg were peritoneally injected to mice in the AlR antagonist control group and the DMSO control group 30 min immediately before cerebral I/R. Rats' neurobehavioral scores were assessed after 24 h reperfusion. The volume of cerebral infarction and Bcl-2 protein expression of cerebral infarction penumbra were also detected. Results Compared with the sham-operation group, neurobehavioral scores, the volume of cerebral infarction, and Bcl-2 protein expression increased (all P <0. 05). Compared with the model group, neurobehavioral scores and the volume of cerebral infarction obviously decreased, but Bcl-2 protein expression increased in the SI group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the SI group, neurobehavioral scores increased, the volume of cerebral infarction was obviously enlarged, and Bcl-2 protein expression was obviously reduced in the A1R antagonist control group (all P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSSI's neurobehavioral scores could be partially reversed in the Al R antagonist control group, the volume of cerebral infarction and Bcl-2 protein expression improved. AlR might possibly meditate neuroprotection of SI on MACO mire

Adenosine ; Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Mice ; Neuroprotection ; physiology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Adenosine A1 ; metabolism ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; Xanthines

OBJECTIVETo investigate the steroid 21-hydroxylase gene (CYP21) mutations in families with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD).

METHODSThe CYP21 gene mutations were detected in four patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency and their relatives. The genomic DNA of the patients was isolated from whole blood.Two pairs of primers were used to amplify the CYP21 gene. The amplified PCR products were purified by agarose gel and then directly sequenced.

RESULTSSix kinds of mutations were found. In the first family, the patient was a compound heterozygote carrying four different mutations (cluster E6, Q318X, A391T, P459H) onCYP21 gene, three mutations (cluster E6, Q318X, A391T) were on her maternal allele, a novel mutation was found:P459H. It located at codon 459 in exon 10 and changing a proline (CCC) to a histidine (CAC), and A391T was a rare mutation. In the second family, two kinds of mutations were found:cluster E6 and R483W. R483W was also a rare mutation. In the third family, the sequencing of the CYP21 gene of two patients revealed a homozygous T to A transition in codon 172 leading to substitution of isoleucine by asparagine (I172N).

CONCLUSIONSix kinds of mutations were found in three families with 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Using DNA sequencing we have identified a novel mutation (P459H) and two rare mutations (A391T, R483W) of the CYP21 gene. Although microconversion events are the main cause of mutations in the CYP21 gene, random mutations can also be the cause of 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; genetics ; Amino Acid Substitution ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Multigene Family ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase ; genetics