Objective To investigate the effects of mirror visual feedback (MVF) and electromyographic biofeedback (EMGBF) on upper extremity function in hemiplegic patients after stroke based on task-oriented training. Methods 90 patients with hempiplegia after stroke were randomly divided into control group (n=30), EMGBF group (n=30) and MVF group (n=30). All patients accepted routine rehabilitation and task-oriented training once a day for 8 weeks. The EMGBF group also accepted EMGBF, and the MVF group accepted MVF in addition. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and the Upper Extremity Function Test (UEFT), and their integrated electromyogram (iEMG) of affected upper extremities were recorded before and after treatment. Results All the groups improved in scores of FMA and UEFT, as well as the iEMG after treatment (P<0.05), and ranked as the MVF group, the EMGBF group and the control group from improving more to less (P<0.05). Conclusion Mirror visual feedback combined with electromyographic biofeedback may further promote the recovery of upper limb function in patients with hemiplegia after stroke based on task-oriented training.

Objective: To investigate the role of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase in the development of uterine cervical squamous carcinoma. Methods: From January 2008 to December 2008, 116 uterine cervical carcinoma specimens and 18 metastatic lymph node specimens from patients with CIN Ⅰ-Ⅲ and uterine cervical squamous carcinoma were evaluated for iDO expression by immunohistochemistry. Twenty normal cervical specimens and 20 normal lymph node specimens were used as the controls. Results: The expression of IDO was not found in normal cervix and CIN Ⅰ. In CIN Ⅱ, IDO expres-sion was weakly positive in 2 cases (2/10, 20%) and negative in 8 cases (8/10, 80%). In CIN Ⅲ, IDO expression was weak-ly positive in 8 cases (8/13, 61.5%), positive in 1 case (1/13, 7.7%) and negative in 4 cases (4/13, 30.8%). The positive ex-pression rate of IDO in cervical cancer stage Ⅰ -Ⅳ was 100% (83/83). In cervical cancer stage Ⅰ A and Ⅰ B, the positive ex-pression rate of IDO was significantly higher than that in CIN Ⅱ and CIN Ⅲ (P<0.01). The positive expression rate of IDO in cervical cancer stage Ⅱ A-Ⅳ B was significantly higher than that in Ⅰ A and Ⅰ B. IDO expression was associated with cervi-cal cancer progression (OR=0.807, P<0.01). IDO expression in primary lesions with lymph node metastasis was significant-ly higher than that in those without lymph node metastasis. IDO expression rate was 100% in metastatic lymph nodes. The IDO expression was not associated with cervical squamous carcinoma differentiation degree (OR=-0.139,P>0.05). Conclu-sion: In CIN Ⅱ, escape mechanisms that stimulate cervical squamous carcinoma progression is gradually developed. IDO expression in metastatic lymph nodes is possibly associated with immune tolerance. IDO expression is not associated with differentiation degree of cervical squamous carcinoma. IDO may be a prognostic factor for uterine cervical squamous carci-noma and a therapeutic target for treatment.

Objective:To elucidate the relationship between HLA-DQB1 allele polymorphism as well as the expression level of Th1/Th2 cytokines with familial clustering of hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) to provide some evidence for the seeking susceptibility gene or resistant gene of HCC in Guangxi yao,China.Methods:With the same sexuality,age ±5 year,40 members whose families have had two or more HCC patients( high-occurrence families) were selected as the case group,and 40 members whose families have no any cancer patient were selected as the controls.Peripheral blood samples were collected to extract DNA,PCR-SSP was used to detect HLA-DQB1 alleles and ELISA was used to detect IL-2,IL-4 and IL-10.Results:(1) The gene frequency of the HLA-DQB1*02/09 alleles in the case group was higher than that in the controls(P<0.05);but the gene frequency of the HLA-DQB1*04/05/06/07/08 alleles were never significant difference between two groups ( P>0.05 ).( 2 ) The gene frequency of alleles HLA-DQB1 in HBsAg positive group and HBsAg negative group were never significant difference (P>0.05).(3)The expression levels of IL-4,IL-10 in the case group was higher than that in the control ( P<0.05 ).( 4 ) The expression level of IL-10 in the positive group of the HLA-DQB1*02 allele was higher than that in the negative group of the HLA-DQB1*02 allele ( P<0.05 ).( 5 ) The expression level of IL-4 in the positive group of the HLA-DQB1*09 allele was higher than that in the negative group of the HLA-DQB1*09 allele( P<0.05) .Con-clusion:(1) HLA-DQB1*02/09 seem to be susceptibility genes of hepatocellular carcinoma in high HCC incidence areas of Guangxi yao.(2) There may be not significant correlation bewteen HLA-DQB1 alleles and the susceptibility of HBV infection in high HCC incidence areas of Guangxi yao.( 3 ) The imbalance of IL-4, IL-10 might be associated with familial clustering of hepatocellular carcinoma in Guangxi yao.(4)The imbalance of IL-10 might be due to the carrying of HLA-DQB1*02;the imbalance of IL-4 might be due to the carrying of HLA-DQB1*09.Through the same approaches,these might lead to the phenomenon of familial aggregation of HCC in Guangxiyao.

Objective To investigate a Chinese pedigree suffering from Leydig cell hypoplasia ( LCH) based on clinical data and genetic diagnosis. Methods The patient was diagnosed by means of clinical data, hormone profiles, and human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCC) test. The luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor(LHCGR) gene of the patient and family members was amplified and sequenced. Results The patient presented with male pseudohermaphroditism, low level of testosterone, which did not respond to hCG. Genetic analysis of the LHCGR revealed two novel mutations: a missense mutation located in exon 5, resulting in Ile replaced by Thr in the extracellular domain; and a splice site mutation in the 3' terminal of intron 6( IVS6-3 C→A). Proband's sister (46, XX) who lacked clinical manifestations showed the identical genotype with the patient. Conclusions A mutation in the consensus sequence of 3' splice site, in addition to a missense mutation (Ile 152Thr)in the extracellular ligand-binding domain is the cause of inactivation of the LHCGR gene in patient with Leydig cell hypoplasia.

In order to explore new ways in restraining the ascending blood pressure, this paper reports a research on the effects of multi-mode audio frequency pulse modulating laser irradiation with electrical stimulation on the hemorrheology and blood pressure of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Forty male SHR were randomly divided into four groups: Group A (control), Group B (treated with electrical stimulation on stomach 36 point (ST-36)), Group C (treated with low level pulse laser irradiation on Erjian acupuncture point), Group D (low level laser irradiation together with electrical stimulation on Erjian acupuncture point and ST-36). Laser irradiation lasted for 45 min/ day, while electrical stimulation lasted for 30 min/day. After 10 days' treatment, we compared the hemorrheology and blood pressure of the rats in the four groups. The results were that values of hemorrheology in group A and group C were obviously improved compared with those in the other two groups. Meanwhile, the blood pressures in the three treated groups (B, C, and D) were lower than in the control group after the treatment, and the value of the rats in group A was the lowest. In conclusion, the treatment the laser irradiation combined with electrodes stimulation on spontaneously hypertensive rats brought better results of hemorrheology and blood pressure in the tested rats.
Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Blood Viscosity ; Electric Stimulation ; Electroacupuncture ; Hemorheology ; physiology ; Hypertension ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR

Objective: Empirical findings confirmed that autistic and schizotypal traits are associated with attentional function as well as include various dimensions. So far, no study has reported which dimension of these traits relates to attentional networks. This study aimed to find out whether there are associations between attentional networks and autistic traits; and between attentional networks and schizotypal traits. Methods: A total of 449 volunteers was included in this study, and autism-spectrum quotient (AQ), schizotypal personality questionnaire (SPQ), and attention network test (ANT) were used to measure autistic traits and schizotypal traits. The three independent attentional networks, including alerting network, orienting network, and executive control network, were also measured. Results: Autistic traits were associated with the orienting network, whereas schizotypal traits were associated with the orienting network and executive control network. Furthermore, attentional networks could be predicted by specific dimensions of autistic and schizotypal traits. AQ-attention switching [0.104 (-1.175– -0.025), p=0.041] and AQ-attention to detail [-0.097 (-0.798– -0.001), p=0.049] were significant predictors of orienting network and gender were significant predictor of executive network (Beta=0.107; 95% CI=-0.476–10.139; p=0.031). Whereas, schizotypal dimension “interpersonal” was a significant predictor of all three attentional networks [Alerting: 0.147 (-0.010–0.861), p=0.045; Orienting: 0.147 (0.018–0.733), p=0.040; Executive: 0.198 (0.215–1.309), p=0.006]. Conclusion This study demonstrated that autistic and schizotypal traits were associated with attentional networks. The specific dimensions of autistic and schizotypal traits could predict attentional networks. Nevertheless, the attentional networks predicted with these two traits were different.

Objective: Empirical findings confirmed that autistic and schizotypal traits are associated with attentional function as well as include various dimensions. So far, no study has reported which dimension of these traits relates to attentional networks. This study aimed to find out whether there are associations between attentional networks and autistic traits; and between attentional networks and schizotypal traits. Methods: A total of 449 volunteers was included in this study, and autism-spectrum quotient (AQ), schizotypal personality questionnaire (SPQ), and attention network test (ANT) were used to measure autistic traits and schizotypal traits. The three independent attentional networks, including alerting network, orienting network, and executive control network, were also measured. Results: Autistic traits were associated with the orienting network, whereas schizotypal traits were associated with the orienting network and executive control network. Furthermore, attentional networks could be predicted by specific dimensions of autistic and schizotypal traits. AQ-attention switching [0.104 (-1.175– -0.025), p=0.041] and AQ-attention to detail [-0.097 (-0.798– -0.001), p=0.049] were significant predictors of orienting network and gender were significant predictor of executive network (Beta=0.107; 95% CI=-0.476–10.139; p=0.031). Whereas, schizotypal dimension “interpersonal” was a significant predictor of all three attentional networks [Alerting: 0.147 (-0.010–0.861), p=0.045; Orienting: 0.147 (0.018–0.733), p=0.040; Executive: 0.198 (0.215–1.309), p=0.006]. Conclusion This study demonstrated that autistic and schizotypal traits were associated with attentional networks. The specific dimensions of autistic and schizotypal traits could predict attentional networks. Nevertheless, the attentional networks predicted with these two traits were different.

To investigate the clinical features, genetic diagnosis, and treatment of a patient with Prader-Willi syndrome(PWS). For a case with clinically suspected PWS, methylation specific PCR(MSPCR)amplification was applied to CpG islands of SNRPN(exon α)gene locus in the 15q11-q13. Furthermore, the diagnosis was comfirmed by the method of bisulfite sequencing PCR(BSPCR). Metabolic status before and after the operation of sleeve gastrectomy were compared. Absence of amplification of paternal allele on chromosome 15q11-q13 was detected in the case by MSPCR, different from the normal control. Results of BSPCR further proved a full methylation of CpG islands in the SNRPN gene locus. Four months after sleeve gastrectomy, systemic metabolic status and ventricular function were improved. MSPCR and BSPCR were both consistent with genetic diagnosis of PWS. Weight loss surgery is expected to be a major therapy of this disease.

Objective To investigate the adrenal steroidogenic function in genotype-proven heterozygotes carrying mutations in CYP17A1 gene in vivo. Methods Eight patients and 14 family members from 5 families with 17-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency (17OHD) were recruited. The mutations of the CYP17A1 gene in these individuals were screened by direct sequencing of PCR products. The hormonal response to ACTH was evaluated in the 14 genotype-proven carriers and 45 age- and sex-matched normal subjects. Results Three mutations were found in 5 unrelated families. 14 carriers with CYP17A1 mutation were identified, including 7 heterozygotes with D487_F489del, 6 with Y329fs, and 1 for H373L. Compared to the normal subjects, the carriers exhibited lower basal and ACTH-stimulated cortisol levels, but higher ACTH-stimulated corticosterone level. The ratios of corticosterone to cortisol in the genotype-proven heterozygotes were higher than those of normal individuals at baseline and following ACTH-stimulation. Similarly, progesterone level and ratios of progesterone to 17-hydroxyprogesterone in the male heterozygotes were also higher than that of normal individuals before and after stimulation. No significant differences were observed in the hormone levels between two genotypes (D487_F489del vs Y329fs). Conclusions Genotype-proven carriers of 17OHD without apparent clinical symptoms exhibit decreased enzyme activity,analogous to mildly impaired adrenal 21-hydroxylase activity in the carriers of CYP21 A2 gene mutation.