Objective:To investigate the relationship of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and clinical features in patients with intracranial aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation (AVM).Methods:A total of 64 patients with AVM and intracranial aneurysm,who were treated in First Hospital of Shijiazhuang from February 2011 to November 2015,were chosen as research subjects,AVM were 32 cases and intracranial aneurysm were 32 cases.The samples were sectioned for VEGF immunohistochemical staining;the location and intensity of staining were recorded;the positive indexes were computed.The VEGF expression of different age and Hunt&Hess classification in patients with intracranial aneurysms were analysed;the VEGF expression of different diameters,ages,Spetzler classification in patients with AVM were analysed.Results:There were no statistical differences in the VEGF expression of different ages in patients with intracranial aneurysms (P＞0.05);the VEGF expression of different Hunt&Hess classification in patients with intracranial aneurysms was statistical difference (P＜0.05).The positive rate of VEGF in the artery of AVM was lower than that in the vein,the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).There were no statistical differences in the VEGF expression of the different Spetzler classification,different diameters and different ages in patients with AVM (P＞0.05).Conclusion:The expression of VEGF in the vein and the artery of patients with AVM is different,the expression of VEGF is not correlated with the age of intracranial aneurysm and the size and age of AVM.VEGF cannot be used as a predictor in the patients with intracranial aneurysms and AVM.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of the timed “up and go” test (TUGT) on measuring functional mobility of stroke patients.MethodsNinety hemiparetic stroke patients participated in this study. The balance, gait speed and disability of patients were measured by Berg balance scale (BBS), maximal gait speed and functional independence measure (FIM) to find out the critical value of TUGT.ResultsA good relationship existed among TUGT and the BBS,gait speed and FIM (r=-0.926—-0.674,P<0.001).The percentage of independent walking of stroke patients whose TUGT scores <10s or>20s were 100% and 8.3%. The optimal cut off values of TUGT to predict the independent walking of patients were 15.2s, and in stroke group sensitivity and specificity of TUGT were 89.4% and 79.1%.Conclusion TUGT is a reliable instrument with adequate concurrent validity to measure the functional mobility of stroke patients.

Objective To explore the effects of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) overexpression on mitochondrial biosynthesis and function in melanocytes.Methods An immortalized human vitiligo melanocyte cell line PIG3V was used in this study.An overexpression plasmid Nrf2-pEX-1 containing the full-length Nrf2 gene was constructed.PIG3V cells were divided into 3 groups:blank group receiving no treatment,control group transfected with the pEX-1 plasmid,overexpression group transfected with the Nrf2-pEX-1 plasmid.After transfection,real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot were performed to determine the mRNA and protein levels of mitochondrial biosynthesis-related factors (including Nrf2,nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM)) respectively;RT-PCR was also conducted to measure the copy number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA),and flow cytometry to estimate mitochondial membrane potential (MMP);luciferase reporter system was used to estimate the intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level.Statistical analysis was carried out by using a two-sample t-test.Results After transfection,a significant increase was observed in the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2 and NRF1 at 24 hours (both P ＜ 0.001) and in those of Nrf2 and TFAM at 48 hours (both P ＜ 0.05),but no significant change was noted in the mRNA expression level of TFAM at 24 hours (P ＞ 0.05) or in that of NRF1 at 48 hours (P ＞0.05) in the overexpression group compared with the control group.In the case of Nrf2,NRF1 and TFAM protein levels,the overexpression group showed significant increases compared with the control group at 48 hours after transfection (all P ＜ 0.05),while no significant difference was noted between the two groups at 24 hours.Compared with the control group,MMP in the overexpression group increased by 2.313％ at 24 hours (t =5.546,P =0.005) and by 14.872％ at 48 hours (t =8.537,P =0.001) after transfection.Both the relative copy number of mtDNA and ATP level were similar between the overexpression group and control group at 24 hours after transfection (both P ＞ 0.05),but significantly higher in the overexpression group than in the control group at 48 hours (t =5.760,P =0.005;t =22.040,P =0.008).Conclusion Up-regulation of Nrf2 pathway can improve mitochondrial function and biosynthesis in PIG3V cells likely by promoting the expressions of mitochondrial biosynthesis-related genes and proteins.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between strength of the paretic lower limb and motor function, balance, walking speed, ability of daily living (ADL) in hemiparetic stroke patients.Methods85 stroke subjects, who were able to walk in the study, were evaluated in the strength of the paretic lower limb, motor function, balance, walking speed and ADL with Motricity Index, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, 10 m walking speed test and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). The levels of association between them were examined with Pearson's correlation coefficients and with multiple linear regression analyses by using the stepwise method. ResultsStrengths of the paretic lower limb were significantly positive related to motor function, balance, walking speed and ADL (r=0.592-0.811,P<0.001). The paretic ankle dorsiflexors, knee extensors, hip flexors were important clinical factor to consider in determining motor function(R2=0.377,P<0.001), balance(R2=0.321,P<0.001)and walking speed(R2=0.173,P<0.001), ADL(R2=0.42,P<0.001). ConclusionStrengths of the paretic lower limb of stroke patients may play an important role in their motor function, balance, walking speed and ADL.

Professor ZHENG Kui-shan is a famous specialist of acupuncture and moxibustion sciences, and he has obtained a lot of achievements in about 70 years' clinical treatment, scientific studies and teaching. He has advocated and devoted himself to the studies of traditional needling methods of acupuncture and moxibustion, with outstanding contributions to the development of Chinese and world's acupuncture and moxibustion. He participated in the scientific studies, clinical treatment and teaching of acupuncture and moxibustion at the early stage of founding of the China Academy of TCM. He first advocated and led "the study on channel essence", established Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Gansu College of TCM and Gansu Society of Zheng's Needling Methods. Professor Zheng's opinions and practice which emphasize on the studies of Chinese traditional acupuncture, moxibustion and needling methods indicate the direct of acupuncture and moxibustion studies in both China and world.
Acupuncture ; China ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Moxibustion

Mr. ZHENG Yu-lin is one of the most outstanding acupuncture scientists in the modern times in our country. He inherits the learning handed down in a family and is bold in making innovations, successfully combines the exercises to benefit the internal organs with Chinese traditional acupuncture needling methods, forming a set of unique Zheng's needling methods, which is used for treatment of severe ophthalmopathy with excellent therapeutic effects, and is famed the world over. Main achievements: took on scientific researches of acupuncture and moxibustion, teaching and clinical works in the first stage of establishment of China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicinel trains a large number of famous specificities of acupuncture and moxibustion for new China; advocates study on channel essence; cures stubborn diseases for leaders of friend countries undertaking the great trust of the central leaders for many times, becoming an important ties of Chinese political foreign affairs.
Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; history

Objective To construct the recombinant adenovirus vector carrying mouse β-nerve growth factor (β-NGF) labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP). Methods Adult healthy male Kunming mice, weighting (60-70) g, were chosen in our study. The full-length β-NGF cDNA was amplified from the total mRNA of mouse submandibular gland by RT-PCR, and then, this fragment was cloned into the adenovirus shuttle plasmid pAdtrack-CMV (marked with GFP); and then, the pAdeasy-1/pAdtrack-CMV-β-NGF was constructed with defective adenovirus genome pAdeasy-1 by homologous recombination in bacteria; at last, restriction analysis was performed on this adenovirus vector pAdeasy-l/pAdtrack-CMV-GFP-β-NGF.Results Amplified full-length mouse β-NGF fragment was obtained by RT-PCR; the pAdTrack-CMV-β-NGF contained the target gene; double digestion indicated that the recombinant plasmid pAdTrack-CMV-β-NGF was successfully constructed;restriction enzyme digestion analysis indicated that pAdeasy-l/pAdtrack-CMV-βNGF adenovirus vector by homologous recombination was constructed. Conclusion The recombinant adenovirus vector pAdeasy- 1/pAdtrack-CMV-GFP-β-NGF is successfully constructed.

Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Fixatives ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Tissue Fixation ; methods

BACKGROUNDIntra-articular fractures of the fingers are common problems to emergency physicians and hand surgeons. Inappropriate management of these injuries may result in chronic pain, stiffness, deformity, or post traumatic arthritis. Ideal treatment necessitates the restoration of a stable and congruent joint that will allow early mobilization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the results of intra-articular fracture of the fingers by mini external fixator combined with limited internal fixation.

METHODSFrom May 2005 to May 2007, a total of 26 patients with intra-articular fracture of the fingers were treated by mini external fixator combined with limited internal fixation. Of the 26 cases, 11 involved in metacarpophalangeal joint, and 15 interphalangeal joint in proximal interphalangeal. Kirschner wire, mini wire and absorbable suture were used for limited internal fixation. All patients were followed up and patients were accomplished with total active motion (TAM) of fingers.

RESULTSAll patients were reviewed by an independent observer. The mean follow up was 13 months (range 9 to 24 months). Subjective, objective and radiographic results were evaluated. X-ray films revealed fracture union and the average radiographic union time was 7 weeks with a range of 5 - 12 weeks and the phalange shortening or rotation in 2 cases, joint incongruity (less than 1 mm) and joint space narrowing in 3 cases respectively. Phalangeal shortening or rotation was observed in 2 cases and joint incongruity or joint space narrowing was observed in 3 cases. An artificial implant was performed on one case for traumatic arthritis 1.5 years after surgery. Based on TAM the overall good-excellent rate of joint motion function was 80.8%.

CONCLUSIONMini external fixator combined with limited internal fixation is a reliable and effective method for treatment of intra-articular fracture of the fingers.

Adolescent ; Adult ; External Fixators ; Female ; Finger Joint ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult