Objective To study the effectiveness of personalized rehabilitation treatments based on threedimensional gait analysis (3DGA) for improving the walking function of children with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodsA total of 21 spastic CP children with diplegia or hemiplegia,IQ scores ＞60,and an average age of 8.5 years received 3DGA.They then received personalized rehabilitation treatment designed according to the 3DGA results.After four weeks of treatment the children accepted 3DGA again.Their gait descriptors before and after treatment were compared. ResultsAfter the personalized rehabilitation the subjects'clinical foot dorsiflexion angle,clinical popliteal fossa angle,walking velocity,stride length,step length,peak ankle dorsiflexion in prime stance,peaking ankle plantar flexion in last stance,peak back ground reaction forces (GRFs) and peak vertical GRF in stance all had improved significantly.The cadence,total support time,swing phase,initial double support time,peak knee extension in stance and the peak forward GRF were not,however,significantly different compared with before the personalized rehabilitation treatment.Conclusion Under the guidance of 3DGA,the walking function of spastic CP children improved significantly after 4 weeks of personalized rehabilitation treatment.3DGA can play an important role in formulating personalized rehabilitation protocols and guiding rehabilitation treatment for CP children.

OBJECTIVEHematologic relapse remains the greatest obstacle to the cure of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), especially T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) in children. Recent studies have shown that patients with increased risk of relapse can be identified by measuring residual leukemic cells, called minimal residual disease (MRD), during clinical remission. Current polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, however, for measuring MRD are cumbersome and time-consuming. To improve and simplify MRD assessment, the author developed a real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) assay for the detection of leukemic cells that harbor the tal-1 deletion. In addition, the author discussed the significance of MRD levels at different stages in treatment and prognosis of children with T-ALL.

METHODSA total of 50 consecutively enrolled patients with T-ALL were analysed for detection of leukemic cells harboring the most common tal-1 deletion. Serial dilutions of leukemic DNA were studied to find the sensitivity of detection with RQ-PCR assay. The MRD of 28 samples in clinical remission from 10 patients were quantified by RQ-PCR assay and limiting dilution assay. The results detected by both methods were compared statistically with correlation analysis.

RESULTS(1) A total of 10 patients presented tal-1 deletion involving the sildb1 breakpoint rearranged to tal1db1 in 50 cases with T-ALL. The breakpoints of relapsed samples are the same as those of the corresponding diagnostic samples; (2) The RQ-PCR assay had a sensitivity of detection of one leukemic cell among 100,000 normal cells. In 24 samples, MRD levels > 10(-5) could be detected with both methods. The percentages of leukemic cells measured by the two methods correlated well (r = 0.898, P < 0.001); (3) The MRD levels of 3 patients out of the 8 cases undergoing disciplinary regimen were over 10(-4) at the end of induction chemotherapy. They all relapsed in bone marrow during chemotherapy. The higher the MRD levels, the earlier the relapse. The other 5 patients with MRD levels < 10(-4) had been relapse-free survival (RFS) for 4-59 months, one of whom with increased MRD levels > 10(-4) for twice at the continuation stage had been RFS for 27 months till now.

CONCLUSIONSThe sildb1-taldb1 deletion presents in 20% of T-ALL, and is an ideal PCR marker for its specificity, uniform and stability; The tal-1 RQ-PCR can be used for the rapidly, sensitively and accurately quantitative assessment of MRD in T-ALL with the tal-1 deletion. MRD levels at different stages of chemotherapy have different significance in prognosis and treatment.

Adolescent ; Base Sequence ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; genetics ; mortality ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; T-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Protein 1

A simple, rapid and sensitive colorimetric loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method was established to detect HPV6 and HPV 16 respectively. The method employed a set of four specially designed primers that recognized six distinct sequences of HPV6-E6 or HPV16-E7 for amplification of nucleic acid under isothermal conditions at 63 degrees C for one hour. The amplification process of LAMP was monitored by the addition of HNB (hydroxy naphthol blue) dye prior to amplification. A positive reaction was indicated by a color change from violet to sky blue and confirmed by real-time turbidimeter and agarose electrophoresis. Thirteen cervical swab samples having single infection with 13 different HPV genotypes were examined to evaluate the specificity. A serial dilution of a cloned plasmid containing HPV-E6 or HPV-E7 gene was examined to evaluate the sensitivity. The results showed that no cross-reaction with other HPV genotypes was observed. The colorimetric LAMP assay could achieve a sensitivity of 1000 copies, 10-20 times lower than that of real-time PCR. The assay was further evaluated with 62 clinical specimens and consistent results were obtained compared with the detection using Kai Pu HPV Genotyping Kit. We concluded that this colorimetric LAMP assay had potential usefulness for the rapid screening of the HPV6 or HPV16 infection in the laboratories and hospitals of provincial and municipal region in China.
Colorimetry ; methods ; DNA Primers ; chemistry ; genetics ; Genotype ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Human papillomavirus 6 ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Papillomavirus Infections ; virology

The distribution information of Cistanche deserticola was collected by interview investigation and field survey, and 55 related environmental factors were collected, the habitat suitability study was conducted based on geographic information system (GIS) and Maximum entropy model. The AUCs of ROC curve were both above 0.9, indicating that the predictive results with the maxent model were highly precise. The results showed that 14 major environmental factors have obvious influence on ecology suitability distributions of C. deserticola, including vegetation type et al, the suitable distribution areas are mainly concentrated in the central of Alxa Youqi, the north of Alxa Zouqi and the south-east of Ejin Banner, including Tamusu towns, Alateng towns et al, The zoning results basically coincide with the genuine producing areas, and further afford new suitable distribution areas, which can provide reference for the siting of introduction and cultivation of C. deserticola.
China ; Cistanche ; growth & development ; Ecosystem ; Environment ; Geographic Information Systems ; Rain ; Soil ; chemistry ; Temperature

Objective To explore the efficacy and complications of small insicion surgical treatment and the routine microscopic surgical treatment for children with tight filum terminale type of tethered cord syndrome.Methods According to the clinical manifestations and imaging findings,a total of 43 children with tethered cord syndrome were classified into two groups.Namely the control group (30 cases) who underwent the routine microscopic surgery and the observation group (13 cases) who underwent the small insicion surgical treatment.The difference including prognosis,complications,hospital stays,size of the wound between the two groups were analyzed.Results The 43 children were followed up for 3 to 24 months with an average of 9 months.The results indicated that the postoperative effective rate of the control group was 93.3％,while it was 100％ in the observation group.The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(P ＞ 0.05).The rate of complications of the control group was 6.67％ whlie it was 0.00％ in the observation group,and the difference of the two groups was statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05).The difference of hospital stays and the size of the wound between the two groups were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The small insicion surgical treatment could guarantee the surgical effect for children with tight filum terminale type of tethered cord syndrome,and it can reduce the surgical trauma,post operation hospitalization duration,incidence of complications and intraoperative scar tissues.

Objective To evaluate the role of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 ( SOCS3) in the spinal cord of chronic sciatic constriction injury ( CCI) mice. Methods Part one:four Kunming mice were selected to receive the CCI operation by sciatic nerve ligation. Seven days after operation the mice were sac-rificed and L4～6 segments of the spinal cord were removed. The co-expression of SOCS3 with NeuN ( for neurons),GFAP (for astrocytes),or IBA1 (for microglia) in spinal were detected by immunohistofluores-cence. Part two:thirty-two Kunming mice were divided into 4 groups according to random number table:sham operation group (group SH),CCI group (group BP),CCI+Lenti-SOCS3 group (group BS),CCI +Lenti-vector group (group BV). Group BS were intrathcal injected of Lenti-SOCS3 (2 μl) and group BV were intrathcal injected of Lenti-vector (2 μl) on 7 d,8 d,9 d after operation. Paw withdrawal latency ( PWL) and paw withdrawal threshold ( PWT) were measured at 1 d before operation and 5,7,10,12,14 d after operation. Mice were then sacrificed and L4～6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determina-tion of GFAP,IBA-1 by Western blot and IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α by Elisa on 14 d. Results SOCS3 was dis-tributed in dorsal horn,and expressed in astrocytes and microglia,but hardly colocalized with neurons. Com-pared with group SH,the PWL and PWT of group BP and BV were significantly decreased after operation (all P<0. 05),and the expression of GFAP,IBA-1,IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α was significantly increased (all P<0. 05). Compared with group BV,the PWL (5. 1±0. 9,7. 5±0. 8,7. 2±1. 4) and PWT (6. 1±1. 4,8. 9± 1. 1,8. 2±2. 1) of group BS was significantly increased on 10,12,14 d (all P<0. 05),and the expression of GFAP (1. 69±0. 45),IBA-1(1. 76±0. 25),IL-6 (181±8),IL-1β (151±7),TNF-α (216±9) was signifi-cantly downregulated (P<0. 05) . Conclusion SOCS3 alleviates neuropathic pain by inhibiting the glial ac-tivation and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the possible causes of BPH surgery-related urethral stricture and summarize the experience in its clinical management.

METHODSThe clinical data of 37 cases of BPH surgery-related urethral stricture were analyzed retrospectively. The patients averaged 68.5 years in age, of whom 12 had the history of open surgery, and 25 transurethral surgery. Anterior urethral stricture was found in 6 cases, and posterior urethra in stricture 31. Thirty-five cases were treated by holmium laser urethrotomy (HLU) or a combination of HLU with transurethral resection of the scar in the stenotic segment, and the results were evaluated based on the maximum flow rate (Qmax).

RESULTSTwo cases of full penile urethral stricture were treated by urinary diversion, and all the rest by urethral stricture surgery. Catheters were indwelt in 4 cases of urethral stenosis for 5-7 days post-operatively, and smooth urination was achieved after their removal, with a Qmax of > 15 ml/s. Another 31 cases of membranous urethral stricture received catheter indwelling of 2 -4 weeks and were followed up for 1 - 21 (mean 11. 5) months, of whom 23 experienced satisfactory voiding, with an average Qmax of 14.3 ml/s, and the other 8 poor voiding, with a Qmax of < 8 ml/s.

CONCLUSIONHLU or a combination of HLU with transurethral resection of the scar in the stenotic segment is an effective method for the treatment of BPH surgery-related urethral stricture. And conscientiously performed BPH surgery can reduce the incidence of urethral stricture.

Aged ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Urethra ; Urethral Stricture ; etiology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo screen the gene expression profiles of IFN-alpha antiviral proteins based on a low-density cDNA Macroarray, and to explore the relationship between the expression of antiviral protein and the HBV replication.

METHODSThe HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells were treated with various concentrations of IFN-alpha (0 IU/ml, 100 IU/ml, 1000 IU/ml) of IFN-alpha for 6 h, and then the low-density cDNA Macroarray was used for analysing the expression profiles of antiviral genes and screening differential expressions of antiviral proteins. Meanwhile, the HepG2 cells were transiently transfected with HBV core protein-expressed plasmid pHBc-EGFP, and the expressions of antiviral proteins were analysed by RT-PCR assay. Moreover, the HepG2.2.15 cells were also transfected with the antiviral protein-expressed plasmid pcDNA3.1-Flag-MxA. ELISA was used for analysing the secreted HBV antigens, while dot blot and Southern blot were applied for analysing the extracellular HBV DNA and intracellular replicative intermediate HBV DNA in HepG2.2.15 cells. All data were presented as mean+/-SD and analyzed using the t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in the experiments.

RESULTSThe Macroarray results suggested that the expression of IFN-alpha antiviral genes like 6-16, IFITM1, IFITM2, IFITM3 and RING4 in HepG2.2.15 cells were partially inhibited. More importantly, it was found, in this research, the expression of antiviral protein MxA in HepG2.2.15 cells was completely suppressed. RT-PCR analysis indicated that the expression of MxA was also significantly decreased in HepG2 cells transfected with pHBc-EGFP plasmid. Although HepG2.2.15 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-Flag-MxA plasmid could not inhibit extracellular HBV DNA and intracellular replicative intermediate HBV DNA, the MxA exerted some antiviral activities as it effectively suppressed the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg in HepG2.2.15 cells.

CONCLUSIONSHBV and its antigen components probably influence the expression of antiviral proteins. IFN- resistance may be related to the down-regulation of antiviral proteins expression.

Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Plasmids

OBJECTIVETo screen and compare the specific transcription factors that repress the epithelial phenotype in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in two different human prostate cancer models LNCaP/HIF1alpha and ARCaP.

METHODSWe established two different prostate cancer EMT models, LNCaP/HIF1alpha and ARCaP, cultured LNCaP, LNCaP/HIF1alpha, IF11 and IA8 cells in vitro, and detected the five transcription factors Snail, Slug, ZEB1, SIP1 and Twist1 in these cells by RT-PCR.

RESULTSDifferent levels of Snail, Slug, ZEB1, SIP1 and Twist1 were detected in both LNCaP and LNCaP/HIF1alpha cells, with significant differences only in the expressions of Slug and Twist1 between the two cells. The expression of Slug was increased, but that of Twist1 decreased in the LNCaP/HIF1alpha cells. All the five transcription factors but Twist1 were expressed in both the IF11 and IA8 cells, but only the express- sions of ZEB1 and Slug were increased significantly in the IA8 cells.

CONCLUSIONThere are different mechanisms underlying transcriptional regulation in different prostate cancer EMT models. Slug may be one of the key transcription factors involved in the HIF1alpha-induced EMT of LNCaP cells, while ZEB1 and Slug may play an important role in repressing the epithelial phenotype of the ARCaP model.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Phenotype ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism