Objective To study the effects of electromyography-triggered neuromuscular stimulation on upper extremity functional recovery of acute stroke patients. Methods 60 stroke patients who lost wrist extension even in the electromyography (EMG) within 4 weeks were randomly assigned to experimental group and control group. The experimental group received electromyography-triggered neuromuscular stimulation, and the control group received neuromuscular stimulation. They were assessed with EMG, Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), Barthel index (BI) before and 4 weeks after treatment. Results The EMG, scores of FMA and BI improved in all the patients after treatment (P=0.000), and improved more in the experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electromyography-triggered neuromuscular stimulation can improve the motor function of hemiplegia, even in the patients without change of EMG.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of curcumin(Cur)on trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid(TNBS)induced colitis and to investigate cytokines change in colon mucosa,spleen and sera.Methods Colitis was induced in SD rats by intrarectal injection of TNBS(100 mg/kg).Experi- mental animals were divided into negative control group,TNBS group and Cur therapeutic group(Cur, 30 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1),intraperitoneal injection).Expression of cytokines mRNA in colon mucosa was observed by RT-PCR,intracellular cytokines of interferon(IFN)-?and interleukin(IL)-4 in splenocytes were detected by flow cytometry(FCM),concentrations of IFN-?and IL-4 in sera were determined by enzyme-link immunosorbent analysis(ELISA).Results After treatment with Cur,macroscopic scores (3.9?1.0 vs.2.2?0.7),myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity(15.0?2.6 vs.7.3?1.4),mRNA of IFN-?(1.02?0.07 vs.0.06?0.02,mRNAof IL-12(0.29?0.05 vs.0.11?0.01)and the ratio of IFN-?/IL-4(11.44?0.97 vs.0.38?0.10)in colon mucosa,proportion of IFN-?CD4~+(31.7?7.5 vs. 21.1?3.7)and the ratio of IFN-?/IL-4 CD4~+(19.9?5.1 vs.6.1?1.8)in splenocytes,concentra tions of IFN-?[(1528?159)pg/ml vs.(513?14)pg/ml] and the ratio of IFN-?/IL-4(19.5?4.1 vs. 4.2?0.6)in sera were all decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Meanwhile,mRNA of IL-4(0.09?0.01 vs.0.15?0.04)and IL-10(0.28?0.08 vs.0.63?0.12)in colon mucosa,proportion of IL-4 CD4~+ (1.6?0.5 vs.3.4?1.1)in splenocytes and concentrations of IL-4 in sera[(81?15)pg/ml vs.(124?20) pg/ml] were all increased after the treatment of Cur(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusions Cur showed ther- apeutic effects on TNBS-induced colitis,and the mechanism might be through regulating the balance of Th1/ Th2 in colon locally and systematically.

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of Acai berries(Euterpe oleraceae) on chronic alcoholic hepatic injury in rats and their mechanism.

METHODWistar rats were fed for 1 week and randomly divided into blank group, model group, Dongbao Gantai group, Acai 1.6, 0.8, 0.4 g . kg-1 groups. The blank group was given distilled water, and the other groups were orally given 56% white spirit (Erguotou) for eight weeks at the dosages of 8 mL . kg-1 in the 1st week, which increased by 0.1 mL week by week till to 15 mL . kg-1, in order to establish the chronic hepatic injury model, and observe the effect of Acai berry freeze-dried powder on hepatocyte membrane permeability, liver lipid peroxidation, changes in inflammatory cytokines and pathological changes in hepatocytes.

RESULTAcai berries could significantly reduce serum ALT and AST(P<0.05), MDA(P<0.05), TG(P<0.05) and serum TNF-α and IL-6(P <0.05) and increase GSH and SOD(P <0.05). According to liver histopathological observation, livers in the model group were dominated by steatosis, some livers suffered spotty necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration; The positive drug and Acai groups showed different changes in pathologic changes in rat livers.

CONCLUSIONAcai berries show s specific protective effect on alcoholic hepatic injury. Its mechanism may be correlated with the inhibition of such inflammatory factors as TNF-α and IL-6.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Chronic Disease ; Cytokines ; blood ; Euterpe ; chemistry ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective ① To investigate the level of the vitamin D endocrine system in peripheral relationships with bone mineral density (BMD) and the disease activity respectively. Methods The level of the 25-hydroxylate vitamin D3 (25OHD3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)D3] in plasma from 43 SLE patients and 44 normal controls were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene expression was determinied by real-time PCR in peripheral blood. BMD measurements in the lumbar spine (L1-4) and left proximal femur (femoral neck) were performed using dual X-ray absorptiometry before treatment. The relationship between the vitamin D endocrine system and the bone mass were studied. We also discussed the relationship between the vitamin D endocrine system and the disease activity. Results The levels of 25OHD3 and 1,25 (OH)2D3 were lower in the initial SLE patients than normal controls (P<0.01, P<0.01). The expressions of VDR gene were significantly increased in initial SLE compared with normal controls (P<0.01). The initial SLE patients had significantly lower BMD values, and higher frequency of osteopenia (35%) at both sites of measurement compared with matched healthy controls (P<0.01). The initial SLE patients were divided into two groups by BMD, abnormal group and normal group. There were no differences in 25OHD3, 1,25 (OH)D3 and VDR gene expression (P0.05). There was no correlation between the vitamin D endocrine system and BMD in initial SLE patients. There was no correlation between the vitamin D endocrine system and the disease activity either. Conclusion Vitamin D endocrine system may play an important role in SLE, but the level of VDR gene is not correlated with BMD and disease activity.

Objective To develop the hypothesis ‘saturated or non-saturated cytotoxicity model' and explain the various phenomena of antibody mediated immunoresponses in recipients,including rejection and accommodation.Methods The imitating complement dependent cytotoxicity.The threshold set to identify as saturated or non-saturated cytotoxicity depends on antigen-antibody complex(R)whether or not above lethal number(D)in effective time.Feasibility of the hypothesis was examined through explaining various phenomena mediated by anti-donor antibodies,especially some contradictory phenomena.Results Hyperacute rejection,accelerated rejection and acute rejection could be well explained by saturated cytotoxicity.Accommodation of ABO imcompatible transplantion,de novo antibody induced injury,change of protein profile,and C4d deposition in graft could be well elucidated by the hypothesis.Conclusion The hypothesis saturated or nonsaturated cytotoxicity model' help to interpret and interconnect various phenomena of antibodies mediated immune response,such as rejection and accommodation.

Objective To analysis the clinical manifestations of mtDNA A3243G mutation in adulthood.Methods The clinical features were investigated in 36 cases (28 patients from 5 families with the mutation and 8 sporadic cases),in whom mtDNA A3243G mutation was confirmed genetically in 23 cases (15 cases from 5 mutation families and 8 sporadic cases).Cranium radiology was performed in 14 cases.Muscal biopsies were performed in l0 cases.Results Among 28 cases in the 5 family,there were 9 cases (32.1%) with stroke like episodes,17 cases (60.7%) with diabetic mellitus and 16 cases (57.1%) with deafness.Such symptoms usually combined with each other and rarely existed alone. Cardiomyopathy and renal failure were uncommon.In the 23 cases with mtDNA A3243G mutation,14 cases (61.0%) had mitochondria] myopathy,encephalopathy,lactic acidosis,and stroke-like episodes (MELAS),mostly presenting cognitive abnormalities,dysarthria or aphasia and headache,3 cases (13.0%) were asymptomatic carriers,2 cases (8.7%) had autonomic dysfunction,2 cases (8.7%) had diabetic mellitus with or without nerve deafness,1 case (4.3%) had diabetic mellitus with infertilitas and cardiomyopathy,respectively.Cranial radiological images revealed the changes more commonly in the temporal and occipital lobes and less frequently in the frontal lobes.Ragged red fibers were confirmed in 9 of 10 cases with muscle biopsies.The proportion of mutant mtDNA A3243C was not significantly different between MEALS (28.75%?13.69%) and non-MELAS (25.08%?11.54%).Conclusions mtDNA A3243G mutation mainly results in the lesions in the central nerve system,pancreatic island and acoustic nerve in adulthood.Heart and kidney are less frequently involved.Cognitive abnormalities,aphasia and headache are the major symptoms of adult MELAS.Families have with more than 1 patient with diabetic mellitus and deafness,indicating that the mutation is other than MELAS mutation.We should pay more attention to the non-MELAS symptoms in the families with mtDNA A3243G mutation.

Objective To study the effect of misoprostol used to intenerate cervix and ease pain in hys- teroscopy.Methods 380 cases were divided into two groups randomly;260 cases of them were placed misoprostol 200?g in vagina 2 hours before hysteroscopy and 120 cases treated without drugs served as control.The diameter of cerical,hemorrhage,the rate of PAAS and bellyache were observed.Results The diameter of cerical,hemorrhage. the rare of PAAS and bellyache in the group of misoprostol were lower than those in the group of antitheses(P

Objective To investigate the expression and distribution of plasmacytoid dendritic cells(pDC) in peripheral blood and renal tissues in children with Henoch-SchSnlein purpura(HSP),and explore the role of pDCs in the pathogenesis of Henoch-Schtnlein purpura nephritis(HSPN).Methods Among the 40 children with HSP,28 cases were in the active phase(renal biopsy performed in 8 cases of them) and the other 12 in remission phase.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated,and the expression of pDC was detected by flow cytometry.The normal control group was established (n =15).Total RNA of peripheral blood was extracted and transcripted into cDNA.Sybr green dye based real-time quantitative PCR method was used to compare the expression(indicated as 2-△Ct value) of CXC motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10),CC chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5),chemokine CXC subfamily receptor 3 (CXCR3),CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) in children with HSP and those in the controls.Immunohistochemistry labeling technique was used to detect the distribution of pDC in renal tissues from renal biopsy,and the normal controls were established (n =3).Results The expression percentage of pDC in peripheral blood in active phase was 0.051 ± 0.039,significantly lower than those in remission phase (0.181 ± 0.082) and the normal controls (0.166 ± 0.079) (P ＜ 0.000 1).Chemokines genes CXCL10 and CCL5 were overexpressed in peripheral blood ceils of acute phase HSP children,but chemokine receptors CXCR3,CCR5 were lowly expressed compared with normal controls.There was almost no expression of pDC in the normal control renal tissues,while pDC was infiltrated in glomeruli of HSPN children.Conclusions The number of pDC and chemokines' expression in peripheral blood is abnormal,and the pathogenesis of nephritis may be involved with the pDC in peripheral blood to migrate to the renal tissues.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of PCNA and p27 in human benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate carcinoma (PCa) and their effect on the genesis and progression of the tumor.

METHODSThe paraffin-embedded sections of 30 cases with BPH and 37 cases with PCa were collected. The expression of p27 and PCNA protein were examined by S-P immunohistochemical method. Comparative analysis for BPH and pathological grade and clinical stage of PCa was performed.

RESULTSThe expression of PCNA in BPH (3.3%) was significantly lower than that in Pca (83.8%, P < 0.01). The expression of p27 in BPH (70.0%) was significantly higher than that in Pca (27.0%, P < 0.05). The expression of p27 was not correlated with histological grade and clinical stage in Pca (P > 0.05). An inverse correlation was found between p27 and PCNA expression in BPH (P < 0.01), while no correlation was found in Pca (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe loss or decreased expression of p27 protein may be related to the genesis of benign prostate hypertrophy, but not to the development of prostate carcinoma; the overexpression of PCNA may play an important role in the malignant behavior and progression of prostate carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

As the dilution procedure was applied, a simple, rapid and cost-effective high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for determination of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2 was successfully by performed in a total 83 samples of 10 traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), which were collected from 5 different hospital pharmacies and 5 different medical stores in Guangzhou city. Matrix effects of these 10 TCMs were ranged from 80.23% to 115.5% in low, intermediate and high concentration levels, indicating that the negative effect was overcome in this study. Meanwhile, the analysis method was proved to be stable and reliable during the whole analysis using Semen Armeniacae Amarum spiked 3 concentration levels of standard solution as quality control samples and the RSD < 6.6% was obtained. The contamination levels of 83 investigated samples were 13.89% and 17.02% in hospital pharmacies and medical stores, respectively. The result was presented to provide relevant reference and supplement to those researchers in TCMs analysis and screening.
Aflatoxin B1 ; analysis ; Aflatoxins ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Contamination ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Quality Control ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods