Objective To investigate the effects of ultrasound irradiating hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT)-loaded microbubbles on apoptosis in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells, and to clarify its probable mechanism. Methods The SMMC-7721 cells were randomly divided into six groups as follows: control group, blank liposome microbubbles plus ultrasound, HCPT-loaded microbubbles, HCPT, HCPT plus ultrasound,and HCPT-loaded microbubbles plus ultrasound. Apoptosis was ascertained by Annexin V-Fire/ PI and TUNEL methods. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein was detected by immunocytochemistry staining technique. Results In the group of HCPT-loaded microbubbles plus ultrasound,the apoptosis rate at early term was found to reach (12.18 ± 1.38)% by Annexin V-Fitc/PI assay, brown-colored positive apoptotic cells were observed and the apoptosis rate at advanced term was found to reach (34.25 ± 1.83)% with TUNEL method. The expression of Bcl-2 was found to decrease,the expression of Bax increase,and the ratio of Bcl-2/bax significantly decrease by immunocytochemistry staining technique in the same group. Differences with other groups were significant. Conclusions The method of ultrasound irradiating HCPT-loaded microbubbles can notability induce human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells apoptosis. The decrease in the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax might be responsible for cells apoptosis.

Objective To compare the effects of BOSU ball exercise and treadmill walking on lower limbs function in patients after stroke. Methods 40 patients more than 6 months after stroke were randomly divided into BOSU ball group (n=20) and treadmill group (n=20), who accepted BOSU ball or treadmill exercise on the basis of routine rehabilitation. They were assessed with Berg Balance Scale (BBS), 30-s chair stand (CS-30), sit and reach (SR), 6 minutes walk test (6MWT) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and 12 weeks after treatment. Results The scores of all the assessment improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), and the socres of BBS and MBI improved more in the BOSU ball group than in the treadmill group (P<0.05). Conclusion BOSU ball exercise can improve more of the balance and activities of daily living in post-stroke patient than treadmill walking.

Heart ; Heart Transplantation ; Humans ; Lung

Objective:To compare the reliability and validity of the Standard Swallowing Function Assessment Scale (SSA) with those of the GUSS Swallowing Function Assessment Screen (GUSS) in screening for and evaluating dysphagia among stroke survivors.Methods:Forty-seven stroke survivors had their swallowing function evaluated using the GUSS scale and the SSA scale. The results were compared with those of endoscopic swallowing function examinations.Results:Both scales delivered good reliability and validity. The SSA scale′s test-retest reliability had an ICC value=0.828 and an inter-evaluator reliability with an ICC value=0.909. Those were better than the GUSS scale′s values, but the latter had better intrinsic reliability (Cronbach′s α=0.939). Both scales showed good structural and calibration validity, with the sensitivity of the GUSS scale (72.73%) superior to that of the SSA scale, but the GUSS scales′ specificity, Jordan index and area under the operating characteristics curve were inferior to the SSA scale′s values. Combining the two scales in dysphagia screening could produce an area under the curve of 0.77.Conclusion:Both the SSA and GUSS scales have good reliability and validity in screening for swallowing disorders after a stroke. In clinical practice, the SSA alone or the two in series can improve diagnoses so as to prevent aspiration after a stroke.

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder mainly caused by homozygous deletions that include exon 7 of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. A nearby paralog gene, SMN2, obstructs the specific detection of SMN1. We optimized a duplexed real-time PCR approach using locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified primers to specifically detect SMN1. Methods: An LNA-modified primer pair with 3´ ends targeting SMN1 specific sites c.835-44g and c.840C was designed, and its specificity was examined by real-time PCR and Sanger Sequencing. A duplexed real-time PCR approach for amplifying SMN1 and control gene albumin (ALB) was developed. A randomized double-blind trial with 97 fresh peripheral blood samples and 25 dried blood spots (DBS) was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the duplexed approach. This new approach was then used to screen 753 newborn DBS. Results: The LNA-modified primers exhibited enhanced specificity and 6.8% increased efficiency for SMN1 amplification, compared with conventional primers. After stabilizing the SMN1 test by optimizing the duplexed real-time PCR approach, a clinical trial validated that the sensitivity and specificity of our new approach for detecting SMA patients and carriers was 100%. Using this new approach, 15 of the screened 753 newborns were identified as carriers via DBS, while the rest were identified as normal individuals. These data reveal a carrier rate of 1.99% in Hunan province, South Central China. Conclusions We have developed a novel, specific SMN1 detection approach utilizing real-time PCR with LNA-modified primers, which could be applied to both prenatal carrier and newborn screening.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics and death risk factors of the patients with fall-related injuries in parts of Kashgar Prefecture during 2019-2020.Methods:The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of the 894 patients with fall-related injuries who had been admitted to Department of Trauma Center, The First People's Hospital of Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2019 to December 2020. Recorded were the patient's gender, age, location of fall, month of fall, fall height, major injury site, injury severity score (ISS) and Glasgow score (GCS). The clinical characteristics and death risk factors of the fall patients were analyzed.Results:Of the 894 patients, 72.3%(646/894) were male and 86.9%(777/894) fell from a height from 1 to 6 meters. Their ages ranged mainly from 15 to 59 years old (74.3%, 664/894). Home was the most frequent site for falls (60.2%, 538/894) and the patients who fell in summer months (from June to August) were the most (32.3%, 289/894). Twenty-one patients (2.3%, 21/894) died. There were significant differences in the major injury site, blood transfusion, ISS score and GCS score between the dead and survival patients ( P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the injury to the head, face and neck [ OR=10.936, 95% CI: 1.177 to 101.627, P=0.035] and GCS score ≤12 [ OR=5.640, 95% CI: 2.658 to 11.968, P< 0.001] were the death risk factors for the patients with fall-related injuries in parts of Kashgar Prefecture during 2019-2020. Conclusions:In the patients with fall-related injuries in parts of Kashgar Prefecture during 2019-2020, males aged from 15 to 59 years old were the high-risk group of falls. Months with a high incidence of falls were from June to August. The fall patients with injuries to the head, face and neck and with a GCS score of ≤12 were at a high risk of death.