OBJECTIVETo observe Smads protein expression in lung tissue of quartz exposed mice and to explore its association with pulmonary fibrosis in silicosis.

METHODSThe experimental mice were divided into control and quartz groups. 0.2 g/kg weight of quartz was injected intratracheally in quartz group. Samples were collected at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th and 28th day after injection. Immunohistochemical methods with quantitative image analysis were used to assay the protein expression of transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)), Smad 2/3, Smad 4, and Smad 7 protein levels. Protein expression level is presented by positive unit (PU).

RESULTSSmad 2/3 protein expression increased from day 3, reaching its peak level in day 14 [(42.2 +/- 2.4) PU], and decreased gradually. The elevation of Smad 4 protein level began from day 5, and the highest degree came into day 14 [(40.0 +/- 1.8) PU], decreased thereafter. The expression of Smad 7 presented a decreasing tendency at the beginning and reaching the lowest level in day 14 [(33.5 +/- 3.3) PU]. It seemed to elevate in day 28, but was still lower than the controls. There were positive correlation between Smad 2/3, Smad 4 and TGF-beta(1) (r = 0.91, r = 0.71, respectively, P < 0.05) and also between Smad 2/3 and hydroxyproline contents of lung tissue (r = 0.85, P < 0.05) except Smad 7.

CONCLUSIONSmad protein may have certain association with pulmonary fibrosis in silicosis.

Animals ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; immunology ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Quartz ; toxicity ; Smad2 Protein ; Smad3 Protein ; Smad4 Protein ; Smad7 Protein ; Trans-Activators ; immunology ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism

Objective: To observe the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) plus Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: A total of 60 patients with KOA were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group received the treatment of EA plus Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises), while patients in the control group only received EA treatment. Both groups were treated for 5 weeks. The changes of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores in the two groups were observed after treatment. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate in the observation group (92.3％) was significantly higher than that in the control group (70.0％), (P<0.05); the WOMAC and VAS scores in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment, showing statistical significance (all P<0.01); there were significant differences in the post-treatment changes in the WOMAC and VAS scores between the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion: EA plus Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) is clinically effective for KOA. This combined treatment can alleviate clinical symptoms.

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

OBJECTIVEUsing surface electromyography (SEMG) technique to evaluate repetitive lifting task-induced fatigue of back muscles.

METHODSThirteen volunteers lifted and lowered an 8 kg weight from floor to waist level for 100 times. Fatigue in the erector spinae muscles was quantified by comparing the frequency content of the EMG signal during static contractions performed before, and immediately after the 100 lifts.

RESULTSEMG average amplitude rose gradually during 100 lifts, the difference was significant at T10 right (P < 0.05) and L3 left (P < 0.01), the difference was not significant at T10 left and L3 right (P > 0.05). The median frequency intercept at T10 right, T10 left, L3 right, L3 left erector spinae muscles decreased by 2.0% (P > 0.05) 10.9% and 29.9% (P < 0.05), 27.9% (P < 0.01), respectively. The mean power frequency intercept decreased by 9% at L3 left erector spinae muscle (P < 0.05), the decrease was not statistically significant at other sites (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRepetitive lifting may induce measurable fatigue in the erector spinae muscles. Erector spinae muscle at L3 is more easily fatigued than at T10. Using the median frequency intercept to assess muscle fatigue is more sensitive than using mean power frequency intercept.

Adult ; Back ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Lifting ; Male ; Muscle Fatigue ; physiology ; Muscle, Skeletal ; physiology

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Method Sixty KOA patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group by using random number table, 30 cases each. The control group was intervened by oral administration of Celecoxib capsules, while the treatment group was given EA, 14 d as a treatment course. The changes of relevant cytokines [apelin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF soluble receptor (TNFsR)-Ⅰ, TNFsR-Ⅱ, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6] in serum of the two groups were observed.Result The intra-group comparisons of the total score, and the scores of pain, stiffness and dysfunction of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index showed significant differences in both groups (P<0.05); there were significant between-group differences in comparing the total score, and the scores of pain, stiffness and dysfunction of the WOMAC index after the treatment (P<0.05). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were changed significantly after the intervention in both groups (P<0.05); there was nosignificant difference in comparing the VAS score between the two groups after the treatment (P>0.05). The levels of IL-6, TNF-α and TNFsR-Ⅰ were significantly changed after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05); the level of IL-1β was markedly changed after the intervention in the control group (P<0.05); there was a significant change in the level of apelin after the intervention in the treatment group (P<0.05), and there was a significant difference in comparing the level of apelin between the two groups after the treatment (P<0.05).Conclusion EA can produce a satisfactory efficacy in treating KOA; it can significantly improve the symptoms and signs, and mitigate pain and symptoms through regulating the expressions of cytokines.

Objective To study the bone biomechanics of the rabbit osteoporosis models induced by dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection (DX) using a combined treatment modality of 99Tc-MDP and GuKangLing.Methods Rabbits were intramuscularly injected with DX (2 mg/kg) twice a week for 6 weeks.The animal osteoporosis model group (Group C) and normal group (Group A) were compared to confirm the model was available.Another control group (Group B),the osteoporosis control group (Group D) were set for the comparison at the end of the experiment.The 99Tc-MDP therapy group (Group E),GuKangLing therapy group (Group F) and 99Tc-MDP plus GuKangLing therapy group (Group G) were included in the study.The treatment lasted for 16 weeks.The bone biomechanics,cytopathology bone histomorphology,bone mineral density (BMD),X-ray,CT,bone scintigraphy and serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP)and P (bone gla protein) were chosen as the markers or methods to evaluate the treatment results (excellent,effective and invalid).The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were used for group comparison analysis.Results Cytopathology result indicated that there was no bone trabecula destruction in Group A.However,there was distinct bone destruction in Group C.The bone biomechanics (left femur head (265.914 ±52.773) N,L4(369.671 ±94.919) N),BMD(left femur (0.238 ±0.016) g/cm2,L4(0.236 ±0.016) g/cm2)and bone histomorphology ( (66.230 ± 10.848) ％ ) in Group C reduced clearly as compared with Group A ((405.343±55.410) N,(750.870±53.718) N,(0.294±0.017) g/cm2,(0.302±0.023) g/cm2,( 131.500 ± 21.846) ％ ) ( t ≥4.550,all P ＜ 0.01 ).Radionuclide bone scan also showed that the uptake of tracers was higher by the main arthrosis in Group C than that in Group A.Vertebra was not clearly visualized on bone scan image.There were significant differences between Group A and Group C in serum BALP and P ((45.000±7.303) vs (12.485 ±1.512) U/L,(0.168±0.018) vs (0.115 ±0.017) μg/L,t =4.126,5.476,both P ＜ 0.01 ),which indicated that the animal osteoporosis model was available.The pathological results showed an improved recovery of bone structure and trabecular in Groups E and G,but a worse recovery in Group F.Biomechanics result in Groups E and G (left femur head (386.457 ±77.077) N and (432.771 ± 17.525) N,L4(649.550 ± 126.859) N and (655.443 ±76.555) N) improved apparently,which were similar to Group B.The radiotracer uptake in Group F was lower than that in group D.The bone biomechanics,bone histomorphology,BMD,serum BALP and P after the treatment showed significant differences in Groups E,F and G (F:8.556 - 31.608,all P＜0.01 ),and the bone biomechanics result in Group G was a little better than that in Group E (t =2.625,P ＜ 0.05 ).The results of Group G and E were considered as excellent,and Group F was considered as effective.Conclusions The treatment of 99Tc-MDP combined with GuKangLing could improve the bone biomechanics of rabbit osteoporosis models and may be a potential method to increase the bone strength for resisting external force.

OBJECTIVETo investigate if heart rate variability (HRV) can be used to evaluate mental workload.

METHODSForty-six volunteers were selected to simulate mental work by inputting the random number through keyboards. ECG was recorded by Holter 8800 during the performance and transferred into digital signal. Total power (TP), low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) were analysed by Holter software.

RESULTSAlong with time, the inputting speed increased but accuracy decreased, and was positively correlated with TP, LF (r = 0.851 and 0.827 respectively, P < 0.05), showing a distinct dose-effect relationship. HRV values at rest were higher than during mental work [TP: (2 745.4 +/- 1 301.6) vs (686.2 +/- 420.7) ms(2)/Hz; HF: (670.6 +/- 393.8) vs (202.6 +/- 171.7) ms(2)/Hz; LF: (870.5 +/- 553.7) vs (206.0 +/- 187.9) ms(2)/Hz] indicating that they were decreased remarkably as the mental work started. Then, they were gradually increased with the workload (intensity and time) increased, but still at lower level.

CONCLUSIONHRV may be used as a parameter to evaluate mental workload but the change pattern of HRV needs to study further.

Adult ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; statistics & numerical data ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Processes ; physiology ; Rest ; physiology ; Workload

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect of small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting cyclin A2 gene on the growth of osteosarcoma MG-63 and human normal skin fibroblast HSF cells and to explore whether cyclin A2 siRNAs could become a useful tool in the treatment of osteosarcoma.

METHODSThree pairs of siRNAs targeting cyclin A2 mRNA and a pair of nonsense siRNA were designed according to the current criteria. SiRNAs were chemically synthesized and purified. The siRNAs were transfected into MG-63 cells and HSF cells via oligofectamine. The cells transfected with nonsense siRNA served as negative control group and those only treated with PBS as blank control group. Quantitative fluorescence RT-PCR, Western-blot, MTT assay, reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, flow cytometry and clone forming test were employed to evaluate the efficacy of RNA interference. At the same time, the mRNA expression of PCNA and cyclin B1 in siRNA-treated MG-63 cells were examined.

RESULTSAlthough all three siRNAs could reduce the cyclin A2 expression, siRNA, appeared to be the most effective. After 48 h treatment with siRNA1, cyclin A2 mRNA and protein expression in MG-63 cells was significantly reduced by nearly 80% as compared with that of the blank control group, whereas the negative and blank control groups had similar expression levels. MG-63 cells treated with siRNA1 were arrested at G0/G1 phase by 80.1% and the proliferation of these tumor cells was suppressed 48 h after transfection. Furthermore, MG-63 cells showed a decreased colony forming ability after siRNA1 treatment. In addition, the cyclin A2-depleted MG-63 cells showed decreased levels of PCNA and cyclin B1. In contrast, although cyclin A2 expression in HSF reduced by nearly 60% after treatment by siRNA1 for 48h, these cells exhibited only a slight change in cell cycling, and neither clear inhibition of proliferation nor impaired colony forming ability was observed.

CONCLUSIONCyclin A2 is critical for proliferation of MG-63 cells. Cyclin A2-siRNAs can induce obvious inhibition of cyclin A2 mRNA and protein expression in MG-63 and HSF cells, which consequently down-regulate the proliferation of MG-63 cells. There is little effect on the proliferation of siRNA-treated HSF cells. Those results indicate that siRNAs against cyclin A2 may become a potential antiproliferative tool in future antitumor therapy.

Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin A2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cyclin B1 ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Skin ; cytology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo search for an effective method of reducing intraoperative blood loss in radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).

METHODSWe performed RRP for 100 patients with prostate cancer, 50 (group A) with the Walsh or Poor method for handling the dorsal venous complex (DVC), and the other 50 (group B) through the following three additional procedures for hemostasis: first placing a #7 prophylactic suture in the distal position of DVC, then ligating the vascular bundle of the prostatic apex with continuous 4-0 Vicryl sutures, and lastly placing a 4-0 absorbable suture followed by freeing the neurovascular bundle (NVB) or freeing NVB before suturing the remained levator ani myofascia and the deep layer of Denovilliers' fascia above the rectal serosa with 4-0 Vicryl. We assessed the effects of the three hemostatic methods in RRP by comparing the volumes of intraoperative blood loss and transfusion, operation time and perioperative levels of hemoglobin.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between groups A and B in age, PSA, Gleason score, clinical stage, prostate volume, operation time and perioperative hemoglobin levels (P>0.05). The volumes of intraoperative blood loss and transfusion were markedly higher in group A ([1103.00 +/- 528.03] ml and [482.00 +/- 364.60] ml) than in B ([528.00 +/- 258.96] ml and [140.00 +/- 266.28] ml) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIntraoperative blood loss in RRP could be significantly decreased by placing a prophylactic hemostatic suture in the distal position of DVC, continuous suture of the vascular bundle of the prostatic apex after cutting off the urethra, and placing a fine absorbable suture above NVB or continuous suture of the remained levator ani mony fascia and the deep layer of Denovilliers'fascia above the rectal serosa with absorbable sutures after freeing NVB.

Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; prevention & control ; Hemostatic Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatectomy ; methods ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the gene expression of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in lung tissues of silica-treated mice.

METHODSThe experimental mice were divided into control and silica group. 0.2 g/kg body weight of silica was injected intratracheally in silica group. Samples of lung tissue were collected 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 28 d after injection. RT-PCR method was used to analyze the gene expression of TGF-beta(1) in lung tissue of silica-treated mice.

RESULTSThe expression of TGF-beta(1) gene in lung tissue elevated from the 3rd day (1.20 +/- 0.15) and the peak value was on the 7th day (1.74 +/- 0.19). Then the expression decreased from the 14th to 28th day. But there was still higher than control until the 28th day.

CONCLUSIONTGF-beta(1) may play an important role in silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Silicon Dioxide ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Time Factors ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics