ObjectiveTo investigate the application of surface electromyography (sEMG) in patients with lumbar disc herniation. Methods44 patients with chronic lumbar disc herniation were divided into mild pain group (group A) and moderate to severe pain group (group B) according to their scores of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Their sEMG at erector spinae and gastrocnemius were collected, and the average EMG (AEMG), slope of median frequency (MFs) were analyzed. ResultsCompared with those in the healthy side, AEMG of erector spinae and gastrocnemius reduced significantly (P<0.05) in affected side in both groups, while the MFs (absolute value) increased (P<0.05). Compared with those in group A, the MFs (absolute value) in affected side significantly increased in group B (P<0.05). The ratio of healthy/affected side of AEMG increased in group B (P<0.05), but the ratio of MFs was no significantly difference between 2 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionSurface EMG, of both the erector spinae and gastrocnemius, can be used as a non-invasive tool in detecting neuromuscular function of lumbar and lower limb in patients with lumbar disc herniation. The sEMG imbalance may respond with the severity of pain.

Objective To explore the quadriceps muscles function in patients with unilateral knee injury.Methods 23 unilateral knee injured patients with joint dysfuntion were assessed with isometric EMG activity of vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis obliques (VMO) and rectus femoris(RF) of both thighs during three 5-s maximal isometric voluntary contractions at a knee joint angle of 30° (0° - full knee extension), and the torque were recorded at same time. Results The average amplitude (AEMG), mean power frequency (MPF), and median frequency (MF) of VL, VMO and RF in affected knees were significantly lower than those in unaffected knees（P＜0.01）, as well as the torque（P＜0.01）. In the unaffected side, the AEMG, MPF of VL were higher than VMO and RF（P＜0.05）, and RF than VMO（P＜0.05）. In the affected side, the AEMG, MPF of RF are higher than VMO and VL（P＜0.05）, and VL than VMO（P＜0.05）. Conclusion sEMG can provide quantitative measurements of muscle function. The isometric strength and neuromuscular activation lever are lower in affected limb, RF may be affected less than VL and VMO in knee injured patients with knee dysfunction.

Animals ; Genome, Viral ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; Swine ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Viral Structural Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Virulence ; genetics

In order to reveal feasibility of different concentrations of Ca2+ and SA on Platycodon grandiflorum under high temperature stress, the effects of Ca2+ on physiological index and related photosynthetic parameters were studied. Pot cultured P. grandiflorum leaves under the same outdoor conditions were sprayed with CaCl2 and SA separately, and then placed in the high incubator [35 degrees C/25 degrees C (day/night), light intensity 3 600 lx], and sprayed with distilled water at 25 degrees C and under high temperature stress were set as the control. The related photosynthesis, relative conductivity, contents of proline, malondialdehyde, soluble protein, activities of SOD and CAT, ASA and GSH content were measured. The results show that the 6 mmol x L(-1) CaCl2 and 1.5 mmol x L(-1) SA enhanced the activities of SOD and CAT, the contents of proline and soluble protein, and effectively reduced the damage of heat stress on cell membrance. At the same time, the exogenous Ca2+ and SA increased the contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid, the efficiency of leaf photosynthesis and ASA and GSH content, and thus effectively resisted the oxidative stress caused by high temperatures, but with the increasing concentration of spraying, P. grandiflorum decreased the ability to resist high temperature stress. In conclusion, the foliage spraying CaCl2 and SA could reduce the damage of high temperature stress on P. grandiflorum leaves.
Calcium ; metabolism ; Hot Temperature ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Leaves ; metabolism ; Platycodon ; metabolism ; Salicylic Acid ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological

The complete genomic sequence of Duck hepatitis virus 1 (DHV-1) ZJ-V isolate was sequenced and determined to be 7 691 nucleotides (nt) in length with a 5'-terminal un-translated region (UTR) of 626 nt and a 3'-terminal UTR of 315 nt (not including the poly(A) tail). One large open reading frame (ORF) was found within the genome (nt 627 to 7 373) coding for a polypeptide of 2 249amino acids. Our data also showed that the poly (A) tail of DHV-1 has at least 22 A's. Sequence comparison revealed significant homology (from 91.9% to 95.7%) between the protein sequences of the virus in the Picornaviridae family, its genome showed some unique characteristics. DHV-1 contains 3copies of the 2A gene and only 1 copy of the 3B gene, and its 3'-NCR is longer than those of other picornaviruses. Phylogenetic analysis to do sequence homology based on the VP1 protein sequences showed that the ZJ-V isolate shares high sequence homology with the reported DHV-1 isolates (from 92.9% to 99.2%), indicating that DHV-1 is genetically stable.

Background and Objective: Elevated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been found in multiple carcinoma tissues.MMP-26 is highly expressed in prostate and breast cancer tissues,and promotes the invasion of human prostate cancer cells not only through the cleavage of fibronectin and type Ⅳ collagen but also by the activation of pro-MMP-9,a powerful gelatinase. This study was to present a comprehensive protein expression profile of MMP-26 in multiple human cancer tissues. Methods: The protein expression pattern of MMP-26 was examined using immunohistochemistry and multiple-tissue microarray. MMP-26 mRNA expression in coronary artery smooth muscle cells was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results: The expression of MMP-26 in breast,colon,lung, brain, head and neck, prostate cancer, and melanoma tissues was significantly elevated when compared with parallel normal tissues (P＜0.05), while not significantly elevated in kidney cancer,ovarian cancer,and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (P＞0.05).MMP-26 was also detected to express in gastric,rectal,thyroid, esophageal,and pancreatic cancers.MMP-26 protein was expressed in smooth muscle cells of the prostate and associated blood vessels. MMP-26 mRNA was also detected to express in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells. Conclusions: MMP-26 expression may be associated with multiple human carcinomas,and it may serve as a molecular marker for the early diagnosis of these carcinomas.MMP-26 may also contribute to smooth muscle function in the human prostate and cardiovascular system.

Objective To explore the correlation between thyroid nodules and uric acid levels and to find their gender differences.Methods A total of 68 056 subjects in a regional medical physical examination center of Shanxi Province from January 2013 to June 2015 were enrolled in this study.All the participants′ general information and parameters were recorded.Thyroid nodules were detected by color Doppler ultrasonography.Results The total prevalence of thyroid nodule was 35.5%, 30.7% in males and 40.0% in females.The prevalence of single nodule was 50.1%, and multiple 49.9%.Compared with no nodule group, thyroid nodule group tended to be older, with higher BMI, and with a worse metabolic status(all P<0.01).The uric acid levels were lower[(352.37±78.14 vs 357.70±77.51) μmol/L, P<0.01] in thyroid nodule group in male and higher[(260.22±61.91 vs 253.91±59.18) μmol/L, P<0.01] in female.Conclusion Thyroid nodules may be associated with metabolism and inflammation.In males, hyperuricemia group had lower, while in females, hyperuricemia ones were with a higher prevalence of thyroid nodules.

OBJECTIVETo review the current evidence that links smoking to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to discuss some potential mechanisms proposed for these links.

DATA SOURCESWe searched PubMed and Medline to identify studies investigating the interaction between smoking and OSA.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles regarding the relationship between smoking and OSA were selected. Studies considered smoking as a confounding factor were excluded.

RESULTSThe association of smoking and OSA has been confirmed in several studies. The effects of smoking on the pathophysiology of OSA may include smoking-induced upper airway inflammation, stimulant effects of nicotine on upper airway muscles, and a "rebound effect" due to nightly short-term nicotine withdrawal, or all of the above. In addition, the coexistence of OSA and smoking may have more widespread implications for cardiovascular dysfunction in patients with OSA. Finally, OSA might be responsible for the addiction to nicotine.

CONCLUSIONSSmoking may act as a risk factor for OSA and join with OSA in a common pathway to increase the risk of systematic injury. OSA, in turn, may be a predisposing factor for smoking. Thus, smoking cessation is recommended when considering treatment for OSA, and treating OSA may be a necessary precondition for successful smoking cessation.

Asthma ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Bronchi ; drug effects ; Humans ; Nicotine ; pharmacology ; Risk Factors ; Sleep ; physiology ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; epidemiology ; etiology

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology

Objective To observe the polluted Ruhof lubricating oil with two kinds of cleaning ml, only then tested them after the examination aseptic situation. The 400 recycling of surgical instruments were randomly divided into hand washing group and machine washing group (each group was 200 ), The recycling of surgical instruments were respectively soaked into the oil for 30s after hand washing and machine washing to oil.Adapting Ruhof lubricating oil made bacterial culture by setting people and time to check the sample, and compared the results. Results The hand washing group:percent of pass was 78.5 %, no bacterial growth was 23 times;The machine washing group: percent of pass was 50%, no bacterial growth was 9 times. There was significant difference between the two groups (P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusions Hand washing is better than machine washing, it can extend the life cycle of Ruhof lubricating oil, save consumption and reduce costs.