Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique that can activate cortical motor areas and the corticospinal tract without causing the subject discomfort. Since TMS was introduced, numerous applications of this technique have been developed for the evaluation of neurologic diseases. They allow the evaluation of cortex excitability and motor conduction in the central nervous system and have been proved useful in monitoring motor abnormalities and the recovery of motor function. TMS also gives informations on the pathophysiology of the processes underlying the various clinical conditions and contribute to investigate the mechanisms of diseases. In addition, therapeutic use in depression, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, spinal cord injury and stroke has raised great interest over the past decade. Theapplication of TMS has great potential both as an investigational and as a therapeutical tool in neurology and psychiatry. However, as an infant techniology, there should be further investigation and large randomized trials to be conducted.

Banana streak virus (BSV),a member of genus Badnavirus,is a causal agent of banana streak disease throughout the world.The genetic diversity of BSVs from different regions of banana plantations has previously been investigated,but there are relatively few reports of the genetic characteristic of episomal (non-integrated)BSV genomes isolated from China.Here,the complete genome,a total of 7722bp (GenBank accession number DQ092436),of an isolate of Banana streak virus (BSV) on cultivar Cavendish (BSAcYNV) in Yunnan,China was determined.The genome organises in the typical manner of badnaviruses.The intergenic region of genomic DNA contains a large stem-loop,which may contribute to the ribosome shift into the following open reading frames (ORFs).The coding region of BSAcYNV consists of three overlapping ORFs,ORF 1 with a non-AUG start eodon and ORF2 encoding two small proteins are individually involved in viral movement and ORF3 encodes a polyprotein.Besides the complete genome,a defective genome lacking the whole RNA leader region and a majority of ORF1 and which encompasses 6525bp was also isolated and sequenced from this BSV DNA reservoir in infected banana plants.Sequence analyses showed that BSAcYNV has closest similarity in terms of genome organization and the coding assignments with an BSV isolate from Vientam (BSAcVNV).The corresponding coding regions shared identities of 88％ and ～95％ at nucleotide and amino acid levels,respectively.Phylogenetic analysis also indicated BSAcYNV shared the closest geographical evolutionary relationship to BSAcVNV among sequenced banana streak badnaviruses.

Objective To find a preferable cryopreservative solution and enhance the viability further.Methods Donor hepatocytes were isolated from hybrid pig weighting 5～8 kg by means of collagenase.Then the hepatocyte suspension was put into a liquid nitrogen container for one month with three different cryoprotectants (only use DMSO,combined use of DMSO+HES and combined use of DMSO+HES+1.3 mmol/L Ca 2+).The samples were thawed rapidly and detected in the viability and morphology after a month.Fractional hepatocytes were cultured five days in containing Ca 2+ and uncontaining Ca 2+ culture media to observe the expression of function.Results Porcine hepatocytes,which were preserved in different culture media,show the different viability and morphology manifestation.Among the total the method of only uses DMSO show worst effect.Then is the DMSO+HES group.Combined cryopreservative method with HES+DMSO+1.3 mmol/LCacl 2 has a best effect and functional expression.Hepatocytes were cultured in culture media containing Ca 2+is better than those were cultured in culture media uncontaining Ca 2+.Conclusion The combined cryopreservative system in which HES+DMSO+1.3 mmol/LCacl 2 as the cardinal component can improve the preservative quality significantly.

China ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Physical Fitness ; Students

BACKGROUND: The treatment strategy for femoral neck fractures has not been confirmed, and choosing internal fixation or arthroplasty remains controversial. After internal fixation, the occurrence of bone nonunion and osteonecrosis of femoral head makes its long-term treatment outcomes far from satisfactory. Can we improve the functional recovery through high-quality reduction, accurate fixation and active postoperative exercise? If so, it may be favorable for the elderly with femoral neck fractures, especially for those combined with other serious diseases.OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of life in the elderly with femoral neck fractures after internal fixation and hemiarthroplasty.METHODS: 148 patients with femoral neck fractures aged more than 60 years old in the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2010 to December 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The operation time,intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, mortality rate, reoperation rate and postoperative quality of life were compared between internal fixation and hemiarthroplasty in the patients with undisplaced femoral neck fractures (Garden type I or II) displaced femoral neck fractures (Garden type III or IV), respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Among 148 patients, 137 cases completed follow-up, and the follow-up rate was 92.6%. (2) The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization time in the internal fixation group were significantly superior to those in the hemiarthroplasty group in patients with displaced or undisplaced femoral neck fractures (P < 0.05). (3) There was no significant difference in the mortality rate between two groups, and the reoperation rate in the internal fixation groups was slightly higher than that in the hemiarthroplasty group. (4) The Harris and SF-36 scores in both groups were increased with time, and the difference between two groups was decreased with time, which became equal at 2.5 years postoperatively (P > 0.05). Besides, the time of the patients with undisplaced femoral neck fractures in the internal fixation group achieving the same quality of life with the hemiarthroplasty group was earlier than that of displaced ones. (5) These results suggest that internal fixation holds short operation time, simple operation skills and less trauma in the treatment of femoral neck fractures, and with the development of technology, it can achieve the early functional recovery. Thereafter, it is an effective method for senile femoral neck fractures.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in treatment of chronic urticaria and the change in the content of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), and to discuss the effect of acupuncture on the imbalance of T helper (Th)1/Th2 cell function via observing the changes in the contents of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Methods: Ninety patients meeting the inclusion criteria of chronic urticaria were randomized into an acupuncture- medication group, an acupuncture group and a Western medication group by the random number table method. The acupuncture-medication group was intervened by acupuncture, cupping, collateral-pricking bloodletting and oral administration of cetirizine hydrochloride tablets; the acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture, cupping and collateral-pricking bloodletting; the Western medication group only received oral administration of cetirizine hydrochloride tablets. Before treatment and after 6-week treatment, the changes in the symptom scores and the contents of serum IgE, IFN-γ and IL-4 in the three groups were observed. Results: There were no significant differences in the total effective rate among the three groups (all P>0.05), but the cured and markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the acupuncture-medication group than that in the Western medication group (P<0.05). After treatment, the total symptom score decreased in the three groups (P<0.05), and the improvement of total symptom score in the acupuncture-medication group was more significant than that in the Western medication group (P<0.05). The component symptom scores all decreased after treatment in the three groups (all P<0.05); the improvements of the scores of itch intensity, and skin lesion size and number were more significant in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group (all P<0.05); the improvement of the skin lesion size score was more significant in the acupuncture group than in the Western medication group (P<0.01). The contents of IgE and IL-4 dropped (all P<0.05) and the content of IFN-γ increased (P<0.05) after treatment in the three groups; the post-treatment changes in the serum contents of IgE and IFN-γ were more significant in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group (both P<0.05). The incidence rate of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the acupuncture-medication group and acupuncture group than in the Western medication group (both P<0.05), and the relapse rate was significantly lower in the acupuncture-medication group than in the Western medication group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Combined acupuncture and medication can enhance the cured and markedly effective rate in treating chronic urticaria. Acupuncture is equivalent to cetirizine hydrochloride tablets comparing the clinical efficacy in treatment of chronic urticaria. Acupuncture plus medication and acupuncture alone both can effectively mitigate the clinical symptoms, with low incidence of adverse reactions. The relapse rate is low when using acupuncture together with medication. Acupuncture plus medication can work better in regulating the contents of IgE and IFN-γ and improving the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cell function.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on injury of human immortalized hepatocytes (HHL-5 cells ) induced by sodium arsenite and possible mechanisms.Methods After cultured for 48 h,HHL-5 cells were divided into four groups:normal group,ATRA group,sodium arsenite group and ATRA + sodium arsenite group.HHL-5 cell viability was tested by using cell proliferation experiment (WST).Superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) activity,malondialdehyde(MDA) content,and aspartate aminottransferase (AST) activity in each group were determined by biochemical method.The microstructure of HHL-5 cells in each group was observed under transmission electron microscopy.ResultsHHL-5 cell viability(0.57 ± 0.02) of sodium arsenite group was compared with that of normal group(0.70 ± 0.01 ),the difference was statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05).Levels of SOD,GSH-Px,MDA and AST[ (153.84 ± 2.35),(0.08 ±0.02)U/mg Prot,(4.15 ± 0.50)nmol/mg Prot,(265.43 ± 4.62) × 103 U/L] of sodium arsenite group were compared with that of normal group[(237.41 ± 18.30),(0.93 ± 0.02)U/mg Prot,(2.26 ± 0.40)nmol/mg Prot,(177 ± 9.85) ×103 U/L],and the difference was statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).HHL-5 cell viability (0.65 ± 0.04) of ATRA + sodium arsenite group was compared with that of sodium arsenite group, and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Levels of SOD,GSH-Px,MDA and AST[ (286.85 ± 3.39),(0.56 ± 0.09)U/mg Prot,(3.36 ± 0.37)nmol/mg Prot, (220.02 ± 1.07) × 103 U/L] of ATRA+ sodium arsenite group were compared with that of sodium arsenite group,the difference was statistically significant(all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with normal group and ATRA group,the surface microvilli of HHL-5 cells of sodium arsenite group decreased,double-membrane structure was unclear,vacuolar degeneration was seen in the cytoplasm,and glycogen was aggregated.The damage level of ATRA + sodium arsenite group was decreased.ConclusionsATRA plays a protective role through increasing intracellular antioxidant enzyme activity of HHL-5 cells,removal or reduction of oxygen free radicals produced by sodium arsenite.

Objective To observe the influences of different doses of sodium arsenite on mRNA transcription of keratinizing related and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2) genes in HaCaT cells.Methods Cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8) assay after the HaCaT cells were exposed to 0.00,3.13,6.25,12.50,25.00,50.00,75.00,100.00 μ mol/L sodium arsenite for 48 h,respectively.Based on the previous results of cell proliferation,0.00(control),6.25,12.50,and 25.00 μmol/L of sodium arsenite were selected to treat HaCaT cells for 48 h,respectively.The mRNA expression of keratin 1,keratin 10,involucrin,loricrin and Nrf2 were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.ResultsCompared with the control group (100.05％),HaCaT cell proliferation rates(83.06％,51.04％,39.52％,24.51％,16.99％ and 9.04％) were significantly lower in 6.25,12.50,25.00,50.00,75.00 and 100.00 μ mol/L of sodium arsenite groups and the 50％ inhibiting concentration was 12.38 μmol/L.Compared with the control group( 1.06 ± 0.28,1.00 ± 0.12,1.00 ± 0.08),the mRNA expression of keratin 1,involucrin and loricrin (0.08 ± 0.04,0.13 ± 0.12,0.05 ± 0.03;0.47 ± 0.11,0.21 ± 0.09,0.10 ± 0.15; 0.50 ± 0.27,0.31 ± 0.10,0.57 ± 0.23) were significantly decreased(all P ＜ 0.05) in HaCaT cells treated with 6.25,12.50,25.00 μmol/L sodium arsenite,respectively.But keratin 10 mRNA expression showed a rise trend and the 6.25 μmoL/L sodium arsenite group (1.83 ± 0.45) was significantly higher than that of the control( 1.07 ± 0.14,P ＜ 0.05 ).The Nrf2 mRNA expressions of HaCaT cells in 12.50,25.00 μmol/L sodium arsenite groups(0.13 ± 0.07,0.69 ± 0.33) were significantly lower than that of the control ( 1.00 ± 0.09,all P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionsThe cellular proliferation and keratinization are decreased when HaCaT cells are exposed to sodium arsenite,which may be regulated by lowering Nrf2 mRNA transcription.

Objective To study the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance urography (MRU) in the urinary tract obstruction(UTO) in children.Methods 65 children with UTO underwent intravenous pyelography(IVP),B-ultrasound(BUS) and MR urography(MRU) ,MRU using hearvily T_2-weighted fat suppression turbo echo sequence.MRU features were compared with that of operation.The accurate rate in diagnosis of UTO with MRU was analysed comparatively with that of IVP and BUS.Results The lesions diagnosed with MRU included stricture of ureteropelvic junction in 36 children,and duplication of renal pelvis in 3 children (diagnostic error in 1),primary megaloureter in 9,narrowing of cystic inlet of ureter in 4,cysts of cystic inlet of ureter in 3,solitary kidney in 2,nephrolith in 5,nervous bladder in 2 and congenital renal dysplasia in 1.The accuracy was 98.5% in defining the UTO with MRU(64/65),which was superior to that with IVP and BUS(P＜0.05).Conclusion MRU is of great value in the diagnosis of upper urinary tract obstruction in children.

Objective To study the features of CT and MRI diagnosis of intracranial germ cell tumors ,and to improve the un-derstanding of its imaging findings .Methods Fifteen cases of intracranial germ cell tumors proved by pathology and follow-up were retrospectively analyzed .Results Among the 15 cases with intracranial germ cell tumors ,9 cases in pineal body , tumours showed like-round masses,the margin of the masses were well defined .CT was slightly high density,MRI revealed isointense or hypointense signals on T1 weighted and homogeneous hyperintense signals on T 2 weighted image without edema around tumors and homogeneous en-hancement.One cases in CSF spread.Four cases were identified in the saddle-up area, among the 2 cases was cystic,1 cases was sol-id-cystic and 1 cases was solid,CT was isointense or high density in solid,low density in cystic,without edema around tumors.MRI re-vealed slight-hypointense signals on T 1 weighted and hyperintense signals on T 2 weighted image clearly enhanced in solid , cystoid with-out enhance .In the other 2 cases of intracranial germ cell tumors in the basal ganglia region ,CT was inhomogeneous high density ,inho-mogeneous signals on T2 and T1 weighted image, inhomogeneous enhancement .Conclusions Intracranial germ cell tumors show char-acteristic manifestations on CT and MRI,according to location,shape,signal,age characteristic,which is helpful in diagnosis and differ-ential diagnosis and guide treatment plan .