OBJECTIVE: To study the objectivity and reliability of needle electromyography and nerve conduction for detection of musculus extensor digitorum brevis strength, which may provide a basis for establishing a quantitative detection of muscle strength in forensic clinical study. METHODS: Forty-four healthy people were enrolled as the subjects, and during toe dorsiflexion, the following items including needle electromyography indexes, motor unit potential (MUP) amplitude, MUP count, recruitment reaction type, and nerve conduction detection indexes, compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude, CMAP latent period and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), were simultaneously detected under the cooperation and disguise condition. RESULTS: Under the cooperation condition, regardless of the same operator or different operators, there were good test-retest reliabilities in MUP amplitude, CMAP amplitude, CMAP latent period and MNCV, while there were normal test-retest reliabilities in MUP count and recruitment reaction type and the repeatability of the same operator was slightly better than the repeatability between different operators. Under the disguise condition, test-retest reliabilities of MUP amplitude, CMAP amplitude, CMAP latent period and MNCV were relatively high, while test-retest reliabilities of MUP count and recruitment reaction type were relatively low. CONCLUSION There are good test-retest reliabilities in MUP amplitude, CMAP amplitude, CMAP latent period and MNCV, which can be conducive to comparison between different operators and results at various times; MUP count and recruitment reaction type, which can be easily affected by subjectivity of operators and examinees, can be used to differentiate whether an examinee disguises or not. The indexes used to objectively judge muscle strength remain to be further investigated.
Electrodes, Implanted ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Muscle Strength/physiology* ; Muscle, Skeletal/innervation* ; Neural Conduction/physiology* ; Reproducibility of Results ; Toes

hMR-1 (Homo Myofibrillogenesis Regulator 1, AF417001) is a novel homo gene, which was firstly cloned in our laboratory. The former studies revealed that hMR-1 is a transmembrane protein which shows protein interaction with sarcomeric proteins like myomesin I, myosin regulatory light chain, alpha-enolase and some cell regulator proteins such as eukaryotic translation initiation factor3 subunit 5 (eIF3S5) and etc. In this work, we focused on cloning the homologous gene of hMR-1 from mouse C57BL/6J and exploring its expression using Pichia pastoris yeast system. Two pairs of primers were synthesized according to the hMR-1 gene homologous sequence on mouse genome chromosome 1. The mouse MR-1 gene (mMR-1) was cloned by PCR following the first round RT-PCR from mouse C57BL/6J spleen total RNA. Sequence analysis verified that mMR-1 gene and amino acids sequence showed 90.4% and 90.1% identity with hMR-1, respectively. The prediction of hydrophobic transmembrane structure of mMR-1 suggested it is also a transmembrane protein. The mMR-1 Pichia pastoris expression vector pPIC9-mMR-1 was constructed by fusion of the flanking mMR-1 ORF in the pPIC9 plasmid. After linearization of pPIC9-mMR-1 with Sal I, the 8.5kb DNA fragment was transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 strain by electroporation. GS115/Mut+ pPIC9-mMR-1 transformants were selected on minimal methanol medium. Integration of mMR-1 gene into the yeast genome in the recombinants was verified by PCR from the transformants total DNA. The mMR-1 protein was expressed by induction under the concentration of 0.5 % methanol. The specific induced protein of 25 kD molecular mass in SDS-PAGE was confirmed to be the mMR-1 protein by Western blot rsing hMR-1 polyclonal antibody. The expression level of this recombinant mMR-1 protein was about 50 mg/L. The successful expression of mMR-1 in the Pichia pastoris GS115 will facilitate the further functional analysis of the novel gene MR-1 in animal model.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Muscle Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

According to the patient examination criterion and the demands of all related departments, the DSA digital subtraction workstation has been successfully designed and is introduced in this paper by analyzing the characteristic of video source of DSA which was manufactured by GE Company and has no DICOM standard interface. The workstation includes images-capturing gateway and post-processing software. With the developed workstation, all images from this early DSA equipment are transformed into DICOM format and then are shared in different machines.
Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; instrumentation ; methods ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Software Design ; User-Computer Interface

The aim of this study is to explore the tissue distribution of PEGylated puerarin in acute myocardial ischemia model rats. Healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into two groups (30 each). Both were given PEGylated puerarin at a dose of 488 mg x kg(-1). After 5 min of medication, one group was normal rats, another group with acute myocardial ischemia was established by peritoneal injection of 50 mg x kg(-1) isoprenaline. After administration, the animals were executed at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min, then heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney were extracted. The content of puerarin in organ tissue was determined by HPLC. The results showed that the AUC of tissue distribution of PEGylated puerarin in normal rats was liver > kidney > heart ≈ spleen > lung > brain. While the AUC of tissue distribution of PEGylated puerarin in acute myocardial ischemia model rats was liver ≈ heart > kidney > lung ≈ spleen > brain. AUC(heart) of PEGylated puerarin in acute myocardial ischemia model rats was 1.7 times than that of the normal rats, and there was significant difference (P < 0.05). Thus, PEGylated puerarin had a good heart-targeting property in early myocardial infarction area, drugs could accumulate in the ischemic myocardium. It provided important information for further study and clinic use of PEGylated puerarin.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Isoflavones ; pharmacokinetics ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spleen ; metabolism ; Tissue Distribution

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in the pathogenesis of stress ulcer.

METHODSModel of stress ulcer was established with the treatment of rats with water-immersion restraint (WIR) stress. Ulcer index (UI) was macroscopically evaluated as a parameter of gastric mucosal lesions. Expression of phospho- and pan-p38 in gastric mucosa was detected using Western blot analysis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and Interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) gene expressions were analyzed by Northern blot analysis. As indicated in some experiments, rats were pretreated with intravenous injection of the specific p38 MAPK inhibitor CNI-1493 prior to WIR stress and then the changes of UI and TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA expression were examined.

RESULTSThe p38 MAPK was persistently activated in the gastric mucosa of rats with WIR stress, with maximal activation after 1 h of stress [(6.8 +/- 3.2) fold of baseline levels, P < 0.01]. Inhibition of p38 MAPK activation with CNI-1493 led to a marked decrease in UI in WIR stress rats. Similarly, the increased gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in gastric mucosa induced by WIR stress were significantly diminished by p38 MAPK inhibition.

CONCLUSIONp38 MAPK might have an important role in the pathogenesis of stress ulcer.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukin-1 ; genetics ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stomach Ulcer ; enzymology ; etiology ; genetics ; Stress, Physiological ; complications ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Yikunning (YKN, Chinese Traditional Medicine) on the expressions of bcl-2 and bax in rat ovaries during perimenopausal period.

METHODSThirty female Wistar rats during perimenopausal period were selected by unforced aging. Then the rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: YKN group, Livial control group and Aged control group. Ten young female Wistar rats were selected as young control group. Intragastric administrations were conducted for 4 weeks once daily continuously. The expressions of Bcl-2 Bax mRNAs and proteins in rat ovaries were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSThe levels of Bcl-2, Bax mRNAs and proteins in rat ovaries in YKN group were higher than those in Aged control group, which showed differences among them (P < 0.01). The Bcl-2/Bax mRNA rate and protein rate in rat ovaries in YKN group were higher than those in Aged control group, which showed differences among them (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONYKN could increase the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax mRNAs and proteins and up-regulate the Bcl-2/Bax mRNA rate, protein rate in rat ovaries during perimenopausal period, which might be one of the molecular mechanisms of YKN postponed the ovarian failure and cured perimenopausal syndrome.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Ovary ; metabolism ; Perimenopause ; drug effects ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Up-Regulation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism against the growth of human gastric carcinoma cell line HS-746T by the combination of the survivin antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) and P53 gene and its mechanism.

METHODSGastric carcinoma cell line HS-746T was treated by P53 gene and survivin antisense oligonucleotide was designed. There were four regimen groups treated by different agents:ASODN alone, P53 gene alone and the combination of ASODN and P53 gene, blank control. Cell proliferative ability and cell growth were determined by cells counting and MTT. The expression of survivin mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. Cell apoptotic index was detected by TUNEL.

RESULTSASODN alone, P53 alone and the combination of ASODN and P53 could inhibit not only the growth of gastric carcinoma cell, but also down-regulate the survivin mRNA and protein expression. The inhibitory effect was stronger, and the apoptosis index was higher in the combined transfection group than those in the other two single transfection groups.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of survivin ASODN and P53 gene is more efficient to inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis than that of agent alone.

Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the biomechanical characteristics of antegrade intramedullary fixation for metacarpal fractures.

METHODSFrom March to May 2008, both the 4th and 5th metacarpals from 25 formalin embalmed cadaver hands had three-point bending test after transverse osteotomy followed by randomly fixation with one of the following three methods: plate and screw, antegrade intramedullary K-wire, crossed K-wire. While, both the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals had torsional loading test after the same management as the 4th and 5th metacarpal had undergone.

RESULTSIn the three-point bending test, both the maximum bending moment (M(max)) and bending rigidity (EI) of the antegrade intramedullary K-wire were comparable with those of the plate and screw, and were significantly larger than those of the crossed K-wire. In the torsional loading test, the antegrade intramedullary K-wire had a statistically smaller maximum torque (T(max)) than the plate and screw, and had a comparable T(max) with the crossed K-wire; while, the torsional rigidity (GJ) of the intramedullary K-wire was statistically weaker than that of both the plate and screw and the crossed wire.

CONCLUSIONSOne single antegrade intramedullary K-wire can provide a satisfactory M(max) and EI for metacarpal fixation and shows relatively weak in the torsional loading test. The injured finger should be well protected to avoid torsional deformity in clinical practice.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Bone Wires ; Cadaver ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Metacarpal Bones ; injuries ; Osteotomy

BACKGROUNDLow-power helium-neon (He-Ne) lasers have been increasingly widely applied in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and its vasodilation effect has been proven. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of low-power He-Ne laser irradiation directed at the precardial region of Wistar rats on capillary permeability in the myocardium and the expression of myocardial vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

METHODSSixteen rats were divided randomly into control and irradiated groups (n = 8, each). A He-Ne laser (632.8 nm) was applied to the irradiated group with a dose of 60.5 J/cm(2). Ferritin was perfused into the left femoral vein and capillary permeability was examined under an electron microscope. VEGF expression in the myocardium was investigated by immunohistochemical methods, RT-PCR, and image analysis.

RESULTSThe ultrastructures of the myocardial capillaries were examined. Compared to the control group, more high-density granules (ferritin), which were present within the capillary endothelium and the mitochondrions of myocardial cells in the internal layer of the myocardium, were observed in the irradiated group. VEGF staining of the myocardium was stronger in the irradiated group than that in the control group. The optic density of the irradiated group (0.246 +/- 0.015) was significantly higher than that of the control group (0.218 +/- 0.012, P < 0.05). Finally, the levels of RT-PCR products of VEGF165 mRNA were 2.79 times higher in irradiated rats than in the control rats.

CONCLUSIONSOur study demonstrates that He-Ne laser irradiation (in doses of 60.5 J/cm(2)) increases myocardial capillary permeability and the production of VEGF in myocardial microvessels and in myocardium. Our study provides experimental morphological evidence that myocardial microcirculation can be improved using He-Ne laser irradiation.

Animals ; Capillary Permeability ; radiation effects ; Female ; Heart ; radiation effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lasers ; Microscopy, Electron ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; analysis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the distribution and chemical states of the hepatic intra- and extra-cellular sodium ion in the rats with severe burns, so as to provide guidance for fluid resuscitation at early postburn stage.

METHODSNineteen adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were employed in the study and were randomly divided into control (n = 12) and burn (n = 7) groups. The changes in the longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation times of hepatic intra-cellular and extra-cellular sodium in the two groups were studied with 23Na NMR spectroscopy and a shift reagent.

RESULTSAfter infusion of the shift reagent,the extra-cellular sodium content in rat liver decreased by 17%, with obvious increase in fast T2 component (P < 0.01), indicating an increase in the fraction of Na+ binding sites in the extra-cellular space. The characteristics of relaxation of intra-cellular sodium remained unchanged despite a 57% increment in intra-cellular sodium content.

CONCLUSIONThe deficiency of sodium as a permeable molecule might be related to the postburn movement of hypertonic sodium from extra-cellular to intra-cellular space. The results indicated that it is reasonable to administer high concentration of sodium in fluid resuscitation during the first 24 postburn hours.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Cations ; metabolism ; Extracellular Space ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium ; metabolism