Objective To investigate the influence of case environment, extracting position and method on STR typing of nail DNA. Method Decayed body nails were selected from cases. Nails nuclear DNA were extracted from different positions, digestion system and time. After phenol/chloroform extracting and PCR reaction, the STR typing had been studied. Results Nail samples from middle and root positions offer satisfactory results. Conclusion The nail is a useful sample for forensic cases.

Objective To provide the reference basis for reducing the occurrence of nutritional risk by analyzing possible risk factors for nutritional risk status and investigating the relationship between preoperative nutritional risk status and prognosis.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 894 patients(nutritional risk group of 491 cases,non-nutritional risk group of 403 cases) with esophageal cancer resection.The univariate analysis was used to analyze the relationships between nutritional risk status with postoperative complications and length of hospitalization.And the multiple Logistic regression model analysis was applied to analyze the risk factors of nutritional risk status.Results The nutritional risk group had a higher rate of postoperative complications (33.60 ％ vs.19.60 ％,U =-3.429,P =0.001),higher incidence of serious complications (23.01％ vs.8.68％,U =-3.611,P =0.000) and longer hospital stays [(37.20 ± 13.89) days vs.(31.69 ± 13.49) days,t =4.124,P =0.000] than that of non-nutritional risk group.The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative nutritional risk factors were associated with the patients' age (OR =1.58,95％ CI:1.101-2.268),number of symptoms entries(OR =7.97,95 ％ CI:6.071-10.463),symptom severity (OR =0.26,95％ CI:0.186 -0.385),and dietary intake (OR =0.62,95 ％ CI:0.482-0.813),P ＜ 0.05 for all.Conclusion The older patients with more severe symptoms and poor diet are more likely to suffer from nutritional risk.Prolonged hospital stay and postoperative complications easily happen in patients with nutritional risk.So patients with preoperative nutritional risk should be given timely and effective nutrition intervention measures,in order to reduce postoperative complications and length of hospitalization.

Objective To investigate the distribution of occupations and traditional Chinese medical syndromes of the patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis in Foshan area. Methods A multicenter retrospective investigation was carried out to analyze the characteristics of occupations and syndrome types of hypokalemic periodic paralysis in Foshan area, and the correlation of occupations with syndrome types was also explored. Results (1) The workers engaged in agriculture, forestry, animal-breeding and fishing, and the workers engaged in production & transportation were most likely to suffering from hypokalemic periodic paralysis, with the incidence being 36.8%, 34.7% respectively. (2) The damp-heat syndrome was the most commonly-seen syndrome type, accounting for 53.1%, and then followed by Qi deficiency syndrome (20.3%) and Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome(15.7%).(3) The syndromes of heavy manual labor workers such as agriculture, forestry, animal-breeding and fishing workers, production & transportation workers, and soldiers were characterized by damp-heat type, accounting for 62.5%, 69.4%, 47.0% respectively. Professionals & technicians were most likely to suffering from Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome, accounting for 44.4%; business service personnel were most likely to suffering from Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome (32.5%) and Qi deficiency syndrome (31.3%). The syndrome distribution of heavy manual labor workers differed from that of light manual labor workers and brain workers(P < 0.001). Conclusion The high-risk groups of hypokalemic periodic paralysis in Foshan area are the heavy manual labor workers who are manifested with the damp-heat syndrome. The dominated syndrome types of light manual labor workers and brain workers are Qi deficiency and Qi-Yin deficiency.

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the systemic inflammation response in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to explore HBO therapy mechanisms. Methods Seventy patients with severe TBI were randomly divided into a routine treatment group ( RT group, n = 35 ) and an HBO group (n=35). All patients received conventional treatment, but the HBO group received additional early HBO therapy. Twenty age-and sex-matched normal subjects were recruited and served as normal controls. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured by ELISA, and C reactive protein (CRP) was also measured on days 1, 7, 14 and 21 after injury. Sequential organ failure assessments (SOFAs) and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores were evaluated at the same time points. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was assessed daily. Results The concentrations of serum IL-6 and CRP increased obviously following TBI, but patients in the HBO group exhibited significantly lower levels at each time point than those in the RT group. In the HBO group fewer cases of SIRS developed,and they had a significantly shorter average duration than those in the RT group. The average SOFA score in the HBO group was significantly lower than that of the RT group at days 14 and 21 after injury, and the GCS scores had improved significantly more by day 21. Compared with the patients who were free of SIRS, the patients with SIRS showed higher levels of IL-6 and CRP, higher SOFA scores as well as lower GCS scores ( all differences statistically significant). Conclusions HBO therapy can attenuate systemic inflammation after TBI, protect the functions of important organs and improve clinical outcomes. Decreasing the level of IL-6 may contribute to the effectiveness of HBO.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of blonanserin and olanzapine in the treatment of first-episode schizophrenia, so as to provide the basis for the medication choice for the treatment of first-episode schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 98 patients with first-episode schizophrenia admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Taizhou City were selected and randomly divided into the olanzapine group and the blonanserin group for a treatment period of two months. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) were used to investigate the improvement of symptoms, sleep quality and cognitive function before and after treatment, respectively, and the level of prolactin was detected. The generalized estimation equation was used to compare the differences between the two groups. The adverse reactions of the two groups were recorded and the safety of medication was evaluated. Results: Forty-nine patients each group were included, with 29 males and a mean age of (37.22±7.17) years in the olanzapine group, and 27 males and a mean age of (37.54±7.31) years in the blonanserin group. There were no significant differences in gender, age, disease course and educational duration between the two groups (all P>0.05). The scores of positive symptom, negative symptom, general psychopathology and overall PANSS in the two groups after treatment were decreased compared with those before (all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups, and no interaction between the drugs and treatment duration (all P>0.05). The MCCB score of the blonanserin group was higher than that of the olanzapine group, while the PSQI score and the prolactin level of the blonanserin group were lower than that of the olanzapine group, and there was an interaction between the drugs and treatment duration (all P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the blonanserin group was 6.12%, which was lower than that in the olanzapine group of 20.41% (P<0.05). Conclusion Either blonanserin or olanzapine can improve psychotic symptoms inpatients with first-episode schizophrenia, while blonanserin is more effective than olanzapine in improving sleep quality, cognitive function and reducing prolactin level, and has higher safety.

Objective To investigate the effect of problem- based learning (PBL) combined with evidence- based medicine (EBM) on clinical teaching for postgraduates of spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Methods Postgraduates who studied in our ward between April 2010 to March 2012 were enrolled as control group (n=12) and received traditional teaching. Postgraduates who studied in our ward between April 2012 to March 2014 were enrolled as test group (n=12) and received PBL combined EBM in addition. Their achievement of academic and practical (case analysis) tests were compared, and they were investigated with questionnaire of satisfaction. Results There was no significant difference between the groups in achievement of academic and practical (case analysis) tests (P>0.05). The score of progressive knowledge was significantly higher in the test group than in the control group (P<0.01). The results of questionnaire showed that the level of literature retrieval, English, self-learning and analyzing-summarizing improved more in the test group than in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of improvement of clinical thinking, nor of the satisfaction about teacher and teaching method (P>0.05). Conclusion PBL combined with EBM can improve the teaching for postgraduates majored in spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

Background and purpose:It is increasingly focused on that insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 (IGFBP-4) effect cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of tumor cells, and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPPA) plays an important role in IGF-1-dependent IGFBP-4 protease mechanism that regulats tumor cells' growth. This study aimed to investigate the serum levels and clinical signiifcance of IGF-1, IGFBP-4, and PAPPA in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods:IGF-1, IGFBP-4, and PAPPA plasma levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from 82 patients with NSCLC and 40 control subjects, then the correlations between variables were assessed by Spearman correlation analysis, and associations between the IGFs variables and lung cancer risk were calculated through the odds ratio (OR) and its 95%conifdence interval (CI) with the use of unconditional logistic regression analysis. Results:Serum levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-4 and PAPPA in NSCLC patients were signiifcantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05). There was a signiifcant positive correlation between the serum IGF-1 levels and PAPPA levels (r=0.835,P=0.000), and a negative correlation with IGFBP-4 levels (r=-0.612,P=0.000). IGFBP-4 and PAPPA levels were negatively correlated(r=-0.673, P=0.000). High plasma levels of IGF-1(OR=2.28, 95%CI: 1.25-4.36,P=0.008) and PAPPA (OR=1.64, 95%CI: 0.89-3.01,P=0.046)were associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, however high plasma levels of IGFBP-4(OR=0.54, 95%CI:0.30-1.01,P=0.047)were associated with reduced risk of lung cancer. Conclusion:To detect IGF-1, IGFBP-4 and PAPPA in serum in NSCLC patients is meaningful for the clinical auxiliary diagnosis and biology behavior prediction of NSCLC. And further study of signal transduction pathways of IGFs with the occurrence and development of NSCLC is a meaningful research direction.

BACKGROUND:The majority of studies focus on the lesions of spinal cord injury, while little evidence is available on the change of morphology and structure of distal nerve, muscle and motor endplates fol owing spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the time window change of the morphology of motor neurons and skeletal muscles caudal to the lesion after spinal cord injury in rats.
METHODS:Fifty healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group (n=5;without treatment), sham operation group (n=10), and spinal cord injury group (n=35). The sham operated rats only received laminectomy. In the spinal cord injury group, rats were subject to complete T 10 spinal cord injury by total laminectomy and cord transverse resection. Then the morphological change including sciatic nerve, motor endplate and median gastrocnemius was observed for each group at 1, 2, 4, 12, 24 weeks after injury.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The myelin sheath layers of sciatic nerve were separated partial y at 4 weeks in rats with spinal cord injury, the myelin sheaths were fragmented with the regeneration of thin-myelinated and unmyelinated axons at 12 weeks. There was a decrease in myelinated axons and an increase in thin-myelinated and unmyelinated axons at 24 weeks. (2) The synaptic gutters of motor endplate, the presynaptic and postsynaptic membrane and synaptic space were distinct at 4 weeks in rats with spinal cord injury, the degenerated motor endplates coexsisted with the intact ones at 12 weeks. The motor endplate disappeared at 24 weeks. (3) There was a slight decrease in muscle cross-sectional area at 2 weeks in rats with spinal cord injury, but no structural change was found, the membrane of myocytes was partial y weakened at 4 weeks, the border of myocytes was obscure with hyperplasia of connective tissue at 12 weeks, and myocytes gathered and in fusion at 24 weeks. As natural history of completely transected spinal cord injury in rats, there were significant changes in morphology of peripheral nerve, motor endplate and skeletal muscles caudal to the lesion at 12 weeks, and the changes were destructive at 24 weeks.

Objective To evaluate the immune effects of virus-like particles ( VLPs) of VP1 pro-teins derived from norovirus GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 genotypes expressed in Hansenula polymorpha expression sys-tem. Methods SDS-PAGE and Western blot assay were performed to detect the purity of GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 VP1 proteins after purification. Morphologies of the recombinant VLPs were observed under transmission electron microscopy ( TEM) . Sizes and distributions of the VLPs were analyzed by dynamic light scattering analyzer. BT50(50% of blocking titer) was detected by HBGA (histo-blood group antigen) blocking assay in BALB/c mice immunized with different regimens. Results SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified recombinant GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 VP1 proteins showed that their purity were greater than 90%. Western blot assay con-firmed the specific bands of VLPs. TEM images showed that the sizes of purified GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 VP1 VLPs were at a mean diameter of 30-50 nm with clear border and high homogeneity, which was similar to that of wild virus. BT50 significantly increased in the groups, in which Al( OH) 3 was used as adjuvant. Con-clusion Animal studies have shown that administration of GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 VP1 VLPs in the presence of Al( OH) 3 induces detectable HBGA-blocking antibody, indicating that GⅠ. 1 and GⅡ. 4 VP1 VLPs are promising candidates for norovirus vaccine.

BACKGROUND:The reported time of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s induced to differentiate into chondrocytes is different. Few studies have observed and compared the cel s’ dynamic transformation during the induction process.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the dynamic differentiation and the mature time of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s which were directional y induced to chondroblasts for 8, 11, 14, 17, 20 days.
METHODS:Bone marrow was aspirated from the femur of New Zeal rabbits, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were isolated by gradient centrifugation. After cultivation and amplification, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s at passage 3 were directional y induced to chondrocytes by the serum-free medium containing transforming growth factor beta-1. The experiments were divided into five groups according to different induction time points:8 days, 11 days, 14 days, 17 days, 20 days. Then cel ular morphology, toluidine blue staining, typeⅡ col agen immunohistochemistry, aggrecan content in induction medium, and chondrogenic differentiation in each group were observed and compared.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s had apparently transformed in morphology at 8 days of induction, and presented obvious chondrocytes’ morphology at 14 days. The aggrecan in induction medium could be detected at a low level at 4 days, significantly increased at 8 days, and maintained slow increasing at 20 days. At 14 days, the metachromatic particles could be found by toluidine blue staining, and the col agen type Ⅱimmunohistochemistry was significantly positive in cel climbing slice. Experimental findings indicate that, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s that are monolayer cultured in a high density can be induced into chondroblasts at the effect of transforming growth factor beta-1 and other factors. There are a few chondroblasts in the early induction process, then cel s begin to have chondrocytes morphology and function after induced for 8 days, and may differentiate to mature chondrocytes at 14 days. In addition, they can keep a high biological activity in the induction process.