Objective To investigate the pathogenesis in hemifacial spasm by establishing animal models of hemifacial spasm and combining with electrophysiological technique. Methods 28 New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into four groups: 13 rabbits underwent both artificial demylination and arterial compression (model group). 5 rabbits underwent only arterial compression, 5 rabbits underwent only artificial demyelination and 5 rabbits underwent sham operation control. Abnormal muscle response (AMR) and F wave changes in all groups were tested and compared at the third or sixth week after operation respectively.Results No AMR was recorded in all four groups at the third week after operation, while a clear AMR was elicited in ten animals in model group rather than in the other groups at the sixth week of postoperation. F/M amplitude ratio, the F wave duration and frequency of F wave appearance in model animals significantly increased as compared with those of the other groups ( P 0 05). Conclusion The hyperactivity of the facial motonucleus may be the pathophysiological basis of hemifacial spasm.

Objective To compare the treatment effects and toxicity of convention fractionation ra- diotherapy(CFR),late course accelerated hyperfractionafion radiotherapy(LCAFR) and whole course accel- erated hyperfractionation radiotherapy(WCAFR) for patients with middle or low thoracic esophageal moder- ately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.Methods Ninety patients with middle or low thoratic esoph- ageal carcinoma were divided into three groups:1.CFR group,patients were irradiated 2.0 Gy/f,5 times a week,to a total dose of 70 Gy;2.LCAFR group,patients were first irradiated with CFR to 40 Gy,then fol- lowed by 1.5 Gy/f bid,at more than 6 hoursinterval,5 times a week,to a total dose of 70 Gy;3.WCAFR group,patients were irradiated 1.5 Gy/f bid,at more than 6 hoursinterval,5 times a week,to a total dose of 72 Gy.Results The 1-,2-,3-year local control rate was 47%,17% and 0% in CFR group,60%,20% and 20% in LCAFR group,60%,40% and 33% in WCAFR group,respectively.The 1-,2-,3-year survival rate was 47%,20% and 10% in CFR group,63%,43% and 17% in LCAFR group,and 63% ,50% and 33% in WCAFR group,respectively.There were better results in the latter two groups(P＜0.01).The a- cute toxic effect was severer in the WCAHF and LCAF groups than in CF group.Highter grade 2-3 acute esophagitis rate was observed both in WCAHF and LCAF groups.There were no significant differences in late esophagitis rate between the three groups.The grade 1-2 acute radiation pneumonitis rates were higher in WCAHF group than in LCAF and CF groups.One patient died of radiation pneumonitis in WCAHF group. Conclusions Whole course accelerated hyperfractionation radiotherapy can significantly improve the local control rates and the 1-and 2-year survival rates of esophageal cancer,but can also increase the toxicity.

Objective To study the gait of children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) using plantar pressure measurement (PPM).Methods Twenty SCP children and 84 healthy children were recruited,and PPM was used to compare their gait cycle time,cadence,and standardized gait cycle parameters.Results Compared with the control group,gait cycle times in the SCP group were obviously prolonged,and their cadence was significantly slower.The side support phase and swing time in the SCP group were shorter,while the double support phase was longer than that of children in the control group.Conclusion PPM can be used to assess the gait of SCP children efficiently.

Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; pathology ; Wilms Tumor ; complications ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To observe the characteristics of vertical cast-off bloodstain pattern by different hitting-tools. METHODS: The regular hitting tools, a kitchen knife, a dirk, a plane set-hammer and an iron pipe, were selected. At a distance of 30 cm away from the wall, the hitting tool with 5 mL fresh chicken blood made the cast-off bloodstain from top to bottom. Then the holistic distribution characteristics (length, width and density) of cast-off bloodstain and morphology characteristics (length, width and contact angle) of first single cast-off bloodstain were analyzed. RESULTS: The distribution length of cast-off bloodstain formed by dirk was minimum (P < 0.05). The distribution width of cast-off bloodstain formed by kitchen knife was minimum (P < 0.05). Except the pair of kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, the distribution density between each two tools had statistical differences (P < 0.05). The length of first single cast-off bloodstain formed by plane set-hammer was longest compared (P < 0.05). The width of first single cast-off bloodstain had statistical differences between kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, and between dirk and plane set-hammer (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The type of hitting tool could be inferred by the specific characteristics of cast-off bloodstain pattern formed by every specific type of hitting tool in crime scene.
Blood Stains ; Computer Simulation ; Crime ; Forensic Ballistics/methods* ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans

Objective:To compare the two-dimensional electrophoresis(2-DE) maps of rat spinal cord protein extracted by two different solution systems.Methods: Adult rat spinal cord protein was precipitated with 10% trichloracetic acid in acetone and resuspended in 8 mol/L urea plus 4%CHAPS (A solution) or, 5 mol/L urea, 2 mol/L thiourea, 2%CHAPS plus 2%SB3-10 (B solution). One hundred and fifty micrograms of protein was loaded on 18 cm IPG strip holder and run isoelectric focusing electrophoresis as the first dimension, then horizontal SDS-PAGE as the second dimension. Protein spots were visualized by silver stain.Results:There were 1 059 and 1 023 protein spots in each map, of which 790 spots were matched in two maps. There were 269 and 233 spots exclusively extracted by A and B solutions, respectively. Taken together, 1292 different spots were totally obtained by A and B solutions.Conclusion: Integrating protein spots extracted by different solution systems is beneficial for achieving intact 2-DE map of tissues.

Background:Recent evidence has shown that prophylactic antibiotic treatment in patients with acute pancreatitis is not associated with a significant decrease in mortality or morbidity.The use and efficacy of prophylactic antibiotic treatment in acute pancreatitis remain controversial.This meta-analysis was conducted to assess whether antibiotic prophylaxis is beneficial in patients with acute pancreatitis.Methods:We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of prophylactic use of antibiotics using Medline (PubMed),Embase,the Cochrane Library,and Web of Science.The data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3 software.We performed pooled analyses for infected pancreatic necrosis,mortality,surgical intervention,and non-pancreatic infection.Odds ratios (ORs) from each trial were pooled using a random or fixed effects model,depending on the heterogeneity of the included studies.Sub-group analysis or sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity,when necessary.Results:Totally,11 RCTs involving 747 participants were included,with an intervention group (prophylactic use of antibiotics,n=376) and control group (n=371).No significant differences were found regarding antibiotic prophylaxis with respect to incidence of infected pancreatic necrosis (OR,0.74;95％ confidence interval [CI],0.50-1.09;P =0.13),surgical intervention (OR,0.92;95％ CI,0.62-1.38;P =0.70),and morality (OR,0.71;95％ CI,0.44-1.15;P =0.16).However,antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of non-pancreatic infection (OR,0.59;95％ CI,0.42-0.84;P=0.004).Conclusions:Prophylactic antibiotics can reduce the incidence of non-pancreatic infection in patients with AP.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of methylenetetra-hydrofolate reductase gene 1298A-->C (MTHFR 1298A-->C) and its susceptibility of esophageal cancer (EC).

METHODSWe conducted a case-control study with 141 cases of EC and 228 population-based controls in Huaian city of Jiangsu province, China. Epidemiological data were collected, and DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes was obtained from all of the subjects. MTHFR genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS(1) The frequency of MTHFR 1298AA, AC and CC genotype were 63.8%, 34.0% and 2.1% in EC and 71.9%, 28.1% and 0.0% in controls, respectively (chi(2)(MH) = 6.69, P = 0.035). The frequency of the MTHFR 1298C allele was 0.19 for EC and 0.14 for controls. (2) Individuals having MTHFR 1298C allele and smoking habit were at a significantly higher risk of developing EC (adjusted OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.57 - 7.71) compared with those who having AA genotype but no smoking habit. Individuals having MTHFR 1298C allele and habit of frequent alcohol drinking were at an increased risk of developing EC (adjusted OR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.20 - 7.08) compared with those with AA genotype and low consumption of alcohol. Individuals having MTHFR 1298C allele but no habit of tea drinking had a 3.52-fold (95% CI: 1.64 - 7.54) increased risk of developing EC compared with tea drinkers with AA genotype. As compared with subjects having AA genotype, low consumption of alcohol, no smoking habit but having habit of drinking tea, the individuals having 1298C allele, habits of frequent alcohol drinking, smoking but no habit of tea drinking had a 12.64-folds (95% CI: 1.39 - 114.65) increased risk of developing EC.

CONCLUSIONResults in the present study suggested that there was a coordinated effect between MTHFR 1298 genotypes and habits of smoking, alcohol drinking and tea consumption in the development of EC.

Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Smoking

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of gemcitabine in enhancing the radiosensitivity of hepatoma cell line HepG2 and explore its mechanisms.

METHODSClonogenic survival assay is employed to calculate the ratios of L-Q model radiation biology parameters and radiosensitization after different doses of irradiation. Flow cytometry was used to detect the changes in HepG2 cell cycle and apoptosis rate after gemcitabine treatment and radiation exposure.

RESULTSThe survival fraction at 2 Gy of HepG2 cells treated with gemcitabine was significantly lower, and the value of alpha was significantly higher than those of untreated cells. GEM treatment increased the percentage of radiation-induced G0/G1 phase cells and cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONGemcitabine can significantly enhance the radiosensitivity of HepG2 cells by enhancing radiation-induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Radiation Tolerance ; drug effects ; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents ; pharmacology

AIMTo study the relationship of neurotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and the function of glutamate transporter.

METHODSUsing in vivo microdialysis together with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect the alteration of glutamate in the striatum and extracellular fluid of the PC12 cell. The rate of apoptosis and the activity of PC12 cells are read in a flow cytometer and a photometer for enzyme-labeled assays. The function of glutamate transporter is decided by detecting the ability of L-[3H]-glutamate uptake.

RESULTS6-OHDA was shown to induce apoptosis and decrease the activity of PC12 cells. Increased release of glutamate was also found in PC12 cells and the injured striatum of the PD rats. But glutamate uptake in PC12 cells and rat striatum synaptosomes are inhibited obviously.

CONCLUSIONThe neurotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine is associated with declined function of glutamate transporters, which may be one important pathogenesis mechanisms of Parkinson's disease.

Amino Acid Transport System X-AG ; drug effects ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Corpus Striatum ; metabolism ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Male ; Oxidopamine ; toxicity ; PC12 Cells ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley