DNA ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Neonatology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; alpha-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; genetics

Objective To explore the best vibration frequency for activating human muscles.Methods Nineteen healthy college students accepted vibration stimulation at frequencies between 10 and 50 Hz.Surface electromyograms (sEMG) were recorded.The subjects were sitting,standing,squatting (knee flexion 30°) and recumbent.Their left anterior tibial muscles and the medial heads of the gastrocnemius were targeted as test muscles.The vibration stimulation point was on the surface of the left distal tibia.The sEMG characteristics of the calf muscles were analyzed under vibration stimulation at different frequencies. ResultsThe leg muscles were activated significantly at all vibration frequencies,but the sEMG values of the anterior tibialis were significantly different at different frequencies,except for among 30 Hz,40 Hz and 50 Hz in any position.The gastrocnemius sEMG values were not significantly different at different frequencies. ConclusionVibration at 30 to 50Hz may be the normal human muscle activation frequency.

Objective To explore the efficacy of transplantation of a U-shaped ilioinguinal flap in the re pair of skin and soft tissue defects of the extremity.An axial flap based on the superficial iliac circumflex artery and trimmed to a subdermal vascular network flap was used for the procedures.Methods Seven patients with skin and soft tissue defects treated between June,2009 and May,2014 were studied.The patients were 22-45 years of age (mean,32 years),and included 5 males and 2 females.Four patients had punch-press injuries,1 patient had a hot-crush injury,and the remaining 2 patients were injured in the accidents.The wound sizes were 14.0 cm × 10.0 cm to 6.0 cm × 5.0 cm,with a varying extent of exposed tendons and bones.Repairs were performed using free ilioinguinal flaps,which were 15.0 cm × 11.0 cm to 7.0 cm × 5.0 cm in size.The axial flap was trimmed to a U-shaped subdermal vascular network flap and transplanted to the recipient site with anastomosis of blood vessels.Results All transplanted flaps survived.Four patients were followed for 1-6 months,with a mean duration of follow-up of 4 months.The trimmed flaps showed gradual reddening immediately after surgery,and the capillaries were recovered with a flat surface.Re-examination 3 months after surgery showed that the flaps were thin and flexible and met the aesthetic demand.No obvious pigmentation occurred,and the donor site was sutured directly,leaving only linear scars.Conclusion Repair of skin and soft tissue defects of the extremity using a U-shaped trimmed ilioinguinal flap has the advantages of a hidden donor site,small scar,and conformity to aesthetic requirements.The trimmed flaps are preferred over untrimmed flaps in terms of color and texture.The former flap is thinner,meets the aesthetic demand,and achieves a better efficacy.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of electroencephalograph(EEG)biofeedback on clinical symptoms and cognitive function of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).Methods Twenty children aged(10.4?2.2)years old who were diagnosed as ADHD according to American Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders the 4th ed received EEG biofeedback treatment.The treatment was administered by Autogenic A620 machine,? wave(4-8 Hz)was suppressed and sensory motor rate wave was strengthened(12-15 Hz)at the same time.The treatment was total 40 times.Before and after treatment,Conner's Behavior Rating Scale-parent questionnaire was administered to assess the clinical symptoms,wechsler memory scale(WMS)to assess the long-term memory,short-term memory and instantaneous memory,number cancellation test and stroop test were used to assess the cognitive process speed and selective attention,and continuous performance test(CPT)was administered to assess the attention and impulsiveness.The children in healthy control group who compared with ADHD children by one to one came from the primary or middle school near the hospital,the age difference between ADHD child and healthy control group was within 6 months.All the measurements were administered to the healthy control group.Results After the EEG biofeedback treatment,the score of behavior factor in Conners Scale decreased significantly(P0.05).Conclusions Forty sessions EEG biofeedback can improve clinical symptoms,attention,memory,selective attention and cognitive process speed of ADHD children significantly,some indicators even become normal.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of blood activating wind dissipating acupuncture (BAWDA) on blood pressure (BP) of prehypertension (PHT) patients.

METHODSTotally 60 PHT patients were assigned to the control group and the acupuncture group according to random digit table, 30 in each group. All patients were intervened by life style. BAWDA was additionally performed in patients in the acupuncture group for 6 weeks (30 times). The improvement of BP after intervened by acupuncture was observed. BP success rates and the proportion of PHT progressing to hypertension (HT) were also observed after 6-week intervention of acupuncture and at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTSSystolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased after 6-week intervention in the acupuncture. The BP control rate was 56.7% (17/30 cases) in the acupuncture group vs.10.0% (3/30 cases) in the control group with statistical difference (chi2 = 14.70, P < 0.01). At 1-year follow-up BP success rate was 36.7% (11/30 cases) in the acupuncture group, remarkably higher than that of the control group [13.3%, (4/30 cases)] (chi2 = 4.36, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBAWDA showed BP regulating roles in a gradually stable decreasing tendency. It also could elevate BP success rate of PHT, and reduce the risk of PHT progressing to HT.

Acupuncture ; methods ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Prehypertension ; therapy ; Wind

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of ilioinguinal conjoined perforator flap transplantation pedicled with the superficial circumflex iliac artery,the anterior fourth lumbar artery or the posterior intercostal artery.Methods Between April,2005 to August,2015,6 patients diagnosed as large skin defects in the upper extremity were treated with ilioinguinal conjoined perforator flap transplantation pedicled with the superficial circumflex iliac artery,the anterior fourth lumbar artery or the posterior intercostal artery.The proximal flap blood supply was offered by the superficial circumflex iliac artery,and the distal flap blood supply was provided by the anterior fourth lumbar artery or the posterior intercostal artery.The maximal size of the flap was measured as 35.0 cm×15.0 cm,and the minimal size was 25.0 cm×9.0 cm.The donor sites of the flap were directly sutured.All cases were implemented by postoperative followup visit in hospital for observation of appearance,texture,functions and donor site of flaps.Results Postoperatively,all flaps survived.The follow-up time endured for 6 to 24 months.The flap thickness was appropriate with normal shape and soft texture.Protective sensation and perspiration function of the flap were restored.Linear scars alone were observed in the donor sites of the flap.Conclusion Ilioinguinal conjoined perforator flap transplantation pedicled with the superficial circumflex iliac artery,the anterior fourth lumbar artery or the posterior intercostal artery can extend the excision scope of the flap and provides sufficient blood supply for the flap.The flap texture is soft and can be directly sutured.This technique is an ideal option for repairing of large soft tissue defects of the upper extremity.

OBJECTIVETo observe the relation of androgen levels and atherosclerosis (AS) in elderly males.

METHODSBoth carotid arteries and arteries of lower extremity were examined with Doppler ultrasonography. Those with arteriosclerosis and much atheromatous plaque were designated as case group, and those with normal results formed control group. Total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT) and estradiol (E2) were measure by radioimmunoassay, HDL-C, LDL-C, TC and TG were assayed by colorimetry, vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) were determined by ELISA.

RESULTFT was significantly lower in case group than in control group (P<0.01), no differences were found in TT, E2. HDL-C in control group was higher than that in case group (P<0.01), TC and TG were higher in case group than those in control group (P<0.05). HDL-C was correlated positively and LDL-C was negatively with FT level, while both TC and TG in case group had negative relation with FT. VEGF was higher in case group (P<0.05), and it had negative relation with FT in both groups. TNF-alpha and IL-6 were significantly higher in case group (P<0.05), and they had negative relation with FT. sICAM-1 was significantly lower in control group than it in case group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe normal androgen levels, especially FT, have beneficial effect in AS development in elderly males. Low FT level may be an independent risk factor in AS development.

Aged ; Androgens ; blood ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Testosterone ; blood ; Ultrasonography, Doppler

OBJECTIVETo explore the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc including sequence and parameters of the film imaging modalities by means of 3T MRI. To provide morphological and functional reference images for clinical study of temporomandibular joint disc lesions.

METHODSFifteen normal volunteers and seven patients with TMJ soft tissue injuries after condylar fractures were imaged by using GE Signa HD 3T MRI system and bilateral TMJ surface coils with oblique sagittal and oblique coronal section. Oblique sagittal and oblique coronal images of mouth close were performed with FSE-XL/T1WI, FLAIR/T1WI, FSE-XL/PDWI, FSE/PDWI+FS, FRFSE-XL/T2WI, FRFSE/T2WI+FS, and oblique sagittal images of mouth open with FSE-XL/T1WI, FSE-XL/PDWI. All MRI findings were analyzed by three senior radiologists and three senior surgeons respectively.

RESULTSPDWI showed the best effect in showing articular disc and surrounding structures clearly. T2WI showed articular disc lesions best, including articular disc injury, split, perforation, fluidify of articular capsule. For the displace of articular disc, PDWI showed the best effect.

CONCLUSION3T MRI can clearly show changes of articular disc during exercise and disease involvement, and play an important role in diagnosis of soft tissue injuries of TMJ in condylar fractures. T1WI, PDWI and T2WI should be routine scan method.

Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc

OBJECTIVETo study the roles of type II 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD2) and it's signaling factors in the lung tissue in pathogenesis of persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH) in neonatal rats.

METHODSSix Sprague-Dawley rats on the 19th day of pregnancy were randomly divided into PPH and control groups (n=3 each). The PPH group was intraperitoneally injected with indomethacin (0.5 mg/kg) twice daily and exposed in 12% oxygen for three days, in order to prepare a fetal rat model of PPH. The control group was intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline and exposed to air. Neonatal rats were born by caesarean section from both groups on the 22nd day of pregnancy. In each group, 15 neonatal rats were randomly selected and sacrificed. 11β-HSD2 expression in the lung tissue of neonatal rats were observed by Confocal laser technology, and serum cortisol levels and prostacyclin, renin, angiotensin and aldosterone in the lung tissue of both groups were measured using ELISA.

RESULTS11β-HSD2 protein was widely expressed in the lung tissue of the control and PPH groups. The levels of 11β-HSD2 and prostacyclin in the lung tissue were lower in the PPH group than in the control group, while serum cortisol levels and renin, angiotensin and aldosterone in the lung tissue were higher in the PPH group than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS11β-HSD2 and it's signaling factors play roles in pathogenesis of PPH in neonatal rats.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 ; analysis ; physiology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Female ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; enzymology ; etiology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUNDIt is important to identify the multiple sites of leptin activity in obese women with breast cancer. In this study, we examined the effect of exogenous human leptin on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and in a breast carcinoma xenograft model of nude mice.

METHODSWe cultured MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and established nude mice bearing xenografts of these cells, and randomly divided them into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was treated with human leptin, while the control group was treated with the same volume of normal saline. A real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed to quantify the mRNA expression of HSP70 in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and in tumor tissues. Western blotting analysis was applied to quantify the protein expression of HSP70 in the MCF-7 cells. Immunohistochemical staining was done to assess the positive rate of HSP70 expression in the tumor tissues.

RESULTSLeptin activated HSP70 in a dose-dependent manner in vitro: leptin upregulated significantly the expression of HSP70 at mRNA and protein levels in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in expression of HSP70 mRNA in the implanted tumors between the leptin-treated group and the control group (P > 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference in tumor HSP70 expression between the leptin-treated group and the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA nude mouse xenograft model can be safely and efficiently treated with human leptin by subcutaneous injections around the tumor. HSP70 may be target of leptin in breast cancer. Leptin can significantly upregulate the expression of HSP70 in a dose-dependent manner in vitro.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leptin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays