Objective To compare the clinical effects of palpation, ultrasound and electromyography (EMG) guided injection of botuli-num toxin type A (BTX-A) on spastic equinovarus in stroke patients. Methods Stroke patients with equinovarus were randomly assigned to palpation-guided group (n=19), ultrasound-guided group (n=21) and EMG-guided group (n=19). All of the patients received injection of BTX-A 300 U in gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis posterior, guided in their own ways. They were measured with modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Physician Rating Scale (PRS), speed of gait, passive range of motion (PROM) of ankle dorsiflexion and eversion before and 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after injection. Results Compared with the baseline, all the indexes significantly improved after in-jection in all the groups (P<0.05). Compared with the EMG-guided group, the ultrasound-guided group improved significantly MAS at 4 weeks, PROM of ankle eversion at 4 and 12 weeks (P=0.046, P=0.008, P=0.038). Compared with the palpation-guided group, the ultra-sound-guided group improved significantly in MAS (P=0.015), PRS (P=0.01), PROM of ankle dorsiflexion and eversion (P=0.003, P=0.011) at 4 weeks, in MAS (P=0.002) and PROM of ankle dorsiflexion (P=0.022) at 8 weeks, in MAS (P=0.011) and PROM of ankle ever-sion (P=0.018) at 12 weeks. Compared with the palpation-guided group, the EMG-guided group improved significantly in PRS at 4weeks, PROM of ankle dorsiflexion at 4 and 8 weeks (P=0.048, P=0.08, P=0.026). There was no significantly difference in the variations with the time among 3 groups. Conclusion The correction of equinovarus in stroke patients can be obtained by BTX-A injection with any type of guidance technique. Ultrasound-guided technique is considered a valid alternative, which has a slight advantage over EMG-guided tech-nique. Both the EMG-and ultrasound-guided techniques obtained superior results to palpation-guided technique.

Taxillus chinensis,belonging to hemiparasitic herbal medicine and featuring its wild host range,is used for relief from rheumatic conditions,reinforcement of liver and kidney,strengthening of tendon and bone,and prevention of abortion.It showed that host trees presented significant impacts on the quality of Taxillus chinensis in the modern researches.In this study,both domestic and foreign published articles over Taxillus chinensis from various host trees were reviewed to summarized its herbalogy,chemical constituents,toxicity,and pharmacological action.In regard to the influences on the quality of medicinal materials,ideas and references for the quality control of Taxillus chinensis were provided by analyzing the quality of Taxillus chinensis impacted by hosts.

AIM:To investigate the effect of N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) on the Notch signaling pathway in a model of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) damage.METHODS:HUVECs were divided into control group, ox-LDL group, DAPT group and ox-LDL+DAPT group.The morphological changes of the HUVECs with different treatments were observed under light microscope.The viability of the HUVECs was measured by CCK-8 assay.The protein expression levels of Notch1, Notch4 and Jagged1 were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:ox-LDL induced great damage to the HUVECs, evidenced by increased cell death and debris in the culture.However, the cell damage was abolished by adding DAPT into the culture.The viability of the HUVECs was increased by co-treatment with DAPT and ox-LDL.ox-LDL treatment significantly decreased the protein expression levels of Notch1 and Jagged1, and elevated Notch4.However, these changes were totally reversed by DAPT.None of these proteins showed significant change in the HUVECs co-treated with DAPT and ox-LDL as compared with control group.CONCLUSION:ox-LDL is able to induce HUVEC damage in vitro.DAPT attenuates ox-LDL-induced damage in the HUVECs by regulating the Notch signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF)and sperm morphology on the fertilization and embryo development in ICSI.Methods SDF and sperm morphology were detected in the meanwhile of taking eggs in 1 45 ICSI treatment cycle.On the basis of SDF index (DFI)divided into group A (DFI≤30%)and group B (DFI >30%).According to the normal sperm morphology divided into group C (NMSR≥4%), group D (1 %≤NMSR <4%),group E (NMSR <1 %).According to the sperm DFI and NMSR divided into group F (DFI≤30% and NMSR≥4%)and group G (DFI >30% and NMSR <4%).Statistically analyzed ICSI outcome of research group:fertilization rate,embryo utilization rate,good quality embryo rate,implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate.Results (1 )The normal fertilization rate,embryos utilization rate,good quality embryo rate,implan-tation rate in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (χ2 =6.96,8.95,5.49,3.92,all P <0.05), but clinical pregnancy rate had no significant difference (χ2 =1 .08,P >0.05).(2)The normal fertilization rate was statistically significant in group C,group D,group E (χ2 =34.5,65.8,11 .8,all P <0.05),but there were no significant differences in embryo utilization rate,good quality embryo rate,implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate (P >0.05).(3 )The normal fertilization rate,embryo utilization rate,good quality embryo rate,implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate in group F were significantly higher than those in group G,and normal fertilization rate,embryos utilization rate,good quality embryo rate had statistically significant differences (χ2 =37.5,1 1 .0,4.3,all P <0.05). Conclusion Sperm abnormal morphology has negative effect on fertilization,and the high DNA fragments have negative effects on fertilization and embryo development.

Objective To investigate the treatment outcome of modified intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)using zona pellucida(ZP)-bound sperm.Methods 82 patients with less,weak,abnormal sperm disease who were conformed to ICSI,were divided into traditional ICSI group and the group of modified ICSI using ZP-bound sperm according to ICSI case number.The results of normal fertilization rate,cleavage rate,high-quality embryo rate, planting rate,clinical pregnancy rate and early abortion rate were compared.Results The women's age,the sterility year,mature egg rate,normal fertilization rate,cleavage rate in the two groups had no statistically significant differ-ences (all P>0.05).The planting rate and clinical pregnancy rate of the observation group (46.6%,63.3%)were higher than those of the control group(38.5%,53.6%),but there were no statistically significant differences(all P>0.05).The using embryo rate and high-quality embryo rate of the observation group (73.9%,51.0%)were signifi-cantly higher than those of control group(65.8%,38.6%),the differences were statistically significant(χ2 =5.84,χ2 =11.6,all P<0.05).Conclusion Modified ICSI using ZP-bound sperm can effectively improve the embryos quality in ICSI.

Objective To explore the dynamic changes and significance of heart rate variability(HRV)during the initial phase after acute exposure to Tibet plateau by combining time,frequency domain and non-linear analysis.Methods Eighty-six healthy young men of Han nationality underwent short-term(5 min)heart rate variability(HRV)monitoring at 560 meter above sea level(plain),then were transported to Tibet plateau(3675-meter above sea level)by airplane.There,all subjects were divided into 3 groups,and A gorup(n=12)underwent HRV monitoring on the 2nd day after arrival,B group(n=48)on the 3rd day,C group(n=26)on the 4th day.Results Compared with the data obtained at plain,the standard deviation of normal to normal intervals(SDNN),high frequency(HF)and total power(TP)decreased significantly(P50 ms(PNN50)and normalized high frequency(HFnu)also decreased obviously(P

Objective To explore the extensively drug resistant mechanism and clinical treatment strategy of Klebsiella pneu-moniae .Methods The isolate was identified by Vitek2 Compact System.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted by Kirby-Bauer method.KPC-2 carbapenemase was detected by modified Hodge test.The gene encoding KPC-2 carbapenemase was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)and then sequenced.Results The strain was resistant to all antibiotics used in routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing except amikacin.Modified Hodge test showed positive result.KPC-2 gene was detected by PCR.The sequence was consistent with that of 11844849 in GenBank.After treatment for one month,no exten-sively drug resistant K.pneumoniae strain was detected from the patient.Conclusions It is necessary to strengthen the monito-ring and improve the awareness of extensively drug resistant K.pneumoniae for better control of such infections.

To evaluate the effect of aerobic and anaerobic endurance training the regulating the function of autonomic nervous system, in order to provide scientific basis for optimizing the project of physical fitness training. Fourty-one healthy young men were randomly divided into aerobic and anaerobic endurance training groups. The training period was 8 weeks. Pre-exercise, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after trained, HRV were measured compared with pre-exercise. The autonomic balance in aerobic endurance group had an increasing parasympathetic activity (HF, HFnu, RMSSD, PNN50, all P was < 0.05) and relatively decreasing sympathetic activity (LFnu). This group showed a parasympathetic predominance (LF/HF) and increase of HRV. While in the anaerobic group there was a relative stabilization with the function of autonomic nervous system. The present study shows that the effect of aerobic and anaerobic endurance training on the autonomic nervous system depends on its intensity. Proper intensity of anaerobic endurance training may be beneficial to improve the adaptability of human body for circumstances as aerobic endurance training.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Autonomic Nervous System ; physiology ; Electrocardiography ; Exercise ; physiology ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Physical Endurance ; physiology ; Running ; physiology ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; physiology ; Vagus Nerve ; physiology

Objective:To explore the association between the variability of triglyceride glucose index (TyG) and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 22 929 community-dwelling elderly (aged≥60 years) who received annual health check-ups in Kunshan city of Suzhou Municipality during 2014 to 2021 were enrolled in the study. Fasting triglycerides and blood glucose were measured during annual physical check-ups and the TyG was calculated, the standard deviation of TyG measurements in three consecutive physical check-ups was used as the indicatior of TyG long-term variability. According to the quartile of TyG long-term variability, the study subjects were divided into four groups, namely Q 1 (0-0.14), Q 2 (>0.14-0.22), Q 3 (>0.22-0.33), Q 4 (>0.33-1.90). The outcome variable was the occurrence of T2DM. The relationship between TyG variability and T2DM incidence was analyzed by multivariate Cox regression. Results:In the study cohort 11 518 (50.2%) were females and the mean age was (67.42±5.35) years. By the end of follow-up, 2 934 cases of new T2DM were diagnosed, with an oveall incidence rate of 12.8%. After adjusting for multiple confounders and average TyG, long-term variability of TyG was significantly associated with T2DM risk ( HR=1.83, 95% CI: 1.51-2.20). The risk of T2DM in Q 4 group was significantly higher than that in Q 1 group ( HR=1.33, 95% CI: 1.19-1.47). Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that long-term variability of TyG was significantly correlated with the cumulative risk of T2DM incidence ( P<0.001). Conclusions:TyG variability is an independent risk factor for T2DM, suggesting that attention should be paid not only to specific time-point TyG levels but also to TyG fluctuation for early identification of T2DM risk.

The characteristics of cardiovascular autonomic nerve system(ANS) modulation during exposure to three different altitudes were compared by time domain, spectral and nonlinear analysis of short-(5 minutes)term heart rate variability (HRV). The standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN), the square root of the mean squared differences of successive RR intervals (rMSSD), the percentage of successive interval differences >50 ms (PNN50), low frequency (LF), high frequency power (HF), and total power (TP) at 2800 m were slightly higher than those at 1856 m, but the differences were non-significant statistically. SDNN, rMSSD, LF and HF at 3040 m were significantly lower than those at 1856 m and 2800 m. These results show that parasympathetic nerve activity decreases significantly, and ANS modulation is blunted after exposure to higher altitude. This kind of change of ANS may contribute to further elucidate pathophysiology in body after exposure to high altitude.
Adult ; Altitude ; Autonomic Nervous System ; physiology ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Male