AIM: To study the instant effect of circumstance temperature on mechanical properties of single living intact human red blood cell. METHODS: The shape, size, membrane bending elastic modulus and shear elastic modulus of single living intact red blood cell was determined with non-invasive, in situ, real time by employing a static micro-image analyzing and a dynamic micro-image analyzing system. RESULTS: The contact area and diameter of red blood cells were decreased as the temperature increased from 35 ℃ to 43 ℃. The membrane bending elastic modulus and shear elastic modulus of single living intact red blood cell were the least at physiological temperature 37 ℃. CONCLUSION: Red blood cells are easy to carry out their physiological functions such as carrying oxygen to all of the body with the best shape and mechanical deformation at 37 ℃.

Objective To evaluate the clinical,neuroimaging and electrophysiology features of 62 patients with multiple system atrophy(MSA).Methods Sixty-two cases with diagnosis of probable MSA were recruited in a retrospective studied.Clinical,neuroimage and external anal sphincter electromyography (EAS-EMG)data was retrospectively analyzed.Results In 62 cases(44 male and 18 female),the onset age was between 37 and 76.Among them,29 cases(46.8 % )were MSA-A,with orthostatie hypotension as the main clinical manifestation;24 cases(38.7 % )were MSA-C,with cerebellar ataxia ag the main chnical manifestation;9 cases(14.5 % )were MSA-P,with extrapyramidal symptoms as the main clinical manifestation.MRI showed that main lesion of MSA-A was in the cerebellum:that of MSA-C was in the cerebellum,pons and medulla;and that of MSA-P was in the putamen.Fifty-one cases did EAS-EMG and 46 cases showed neurogenie impairments.Nineteen cases were initially misdiagnosed with other diseases.Conclusions MSA is easy to be omitted or misdiagnosed at early stage.The diagnostie rate of MSA can be increased by the combination of clinical expressions,neuroimage,EAS-EMG and other necessary examinations.

Objective To assess the significance of urethral sphincter electromyography (US-EMG) and external anal sphincter electromyography (EAS-EMG) for the diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA).Methods US-EMG and EAS-EMG were performed in 9 patients who were diagnosed as MSA.Duration,motor unit action potentials amplitude,polyphasicity,as well as recruited pattern and amplitude during powerful contraction were recorded and analyzed.Results Among 9 patients who were diagnosed as MSA,7 cases showed neural injury by both US-EMG and EAS-EMG.There was significant difference of electromyographic findings between US-EMG group and EAS-EMG group (average volatility (μV):1063.44 ±499.92 vs 634.89 ±265.07; polyphasic wave:0(0,20％ ) vs 57％ (28％,63％ ) ; t =2.567,P=0.033;t =2.833,P=0.012).Conclusions Although US-EMG may be difficult to perform,US-EMG may have the same specificity as EAS-EMG for the diagnosis of MSA,especially for the diagnosis of MSA patients only with urination disorders,who are involved in Onuf neclear according to some of the abnormal indexes.

Objective To analyze diagnostic evaluation of urethral sphincter electromyography (US-EMGs) for patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA).Methods Totally 15 patients who were diagnosed as MSA were examined as treatment group while 17 non-MSA patients were examined as controls.US-EMGs were performed in the both groups.Spontaneous activities when relax,parameters of motor unit potentials(MUPs) mean duration and amplitude,percentage of polyphasic ware,satellite potential,recruitment potentials and amplitude when strong contraction were recorded and analyzed.Results USEMGs changes of various abnormalities were found in 13 cases (86.7％) in MSA group.There were significant differences of electromyographic findings between the MSA group and control group including MUPs mean duration[(12.79 ±3.18)ms vs (9.49 ± 1.51)ms] and amplitude[(828.53 ±459.89) μV vs (378.76 ± 152.26) μV] as well as recruitment potentials [(11.47 ± 21.55) ％ vs (8.23 ± 10.74) ％] and amplitude [(2.19 ± 1.24) mV vs (0.75 ± 0.42) mV] when strong contraction (all P values ＜ 0.05).Conclusions There is certain value of US-EMGs for the diagnosis of MSA.It could be used as a routine electrophysiological method for the patients who are suspected of MSA.It could be a supplement of externalanal sphincter electromyography.

Objective To evaluate the treatment of bilateral hydronephrosis caused by prostate cancer. Methods Twenty-four eases with mean age of 71 years old (ranging from 64--81 years old) were diagnosed with bilateral hydronephrosis caused by prostate cancer and treated with complete androgen deprivation. Surgical castration plus Bicalutamide 50 mg/d was offered to 18 eases and medical castration (Goserelin, 3. 6 mg/month) plus Bicalutamide 50 mg/d was offered to 6 cases. There were 19 cases developed severe lower urinary tract symptoms. Among these 19 cases, 13 cases had accepted Foley catheter and 6 cases accepted suprapubic tube drainage. Results Before and after the treatment, the prostate volume decreased from (70. 3±11.2)ml to (42.6±15.8)ml(P=0. 001). Total PSA decreased from (40. 3±27.2)ng/ml to (9.5±8.3)ng/ml(P=0.02). Of the 24 cases, hydrone phrosis improved in 18 cases, remained unchanged in 3 cases and deteriorated in 3 cases. There were 14 patients developed renal insufficiency. After the treatment, Serum urea nitrogen decreased from (12. 8±6. 5) mmol/L to (6. 3 ± 4. 2) mmol/L (P = 0. 004) and serum ereatinine decreased from (206.8±152.3)μmol/L to (85.3±43.6)μmol/L(P=0.03), respectively. For those 6 cases with hy dronephrosis unchanged or deteriorated during the treatment, 4 cases accepted percutaneous nephros tomy and 2 cases accepted chtaneous ureterostomy. Conclusion The combination of complete androgen deprivation and bladder drainage through Foley catheter or suprapubic tube is an effective option in the treatment of bilateral hydronephrosis caused by prostate cancer.

AIM: To investigate the pharmacological effects of recombined basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of rats. METHODS: Using calibrated cross-action forceps a moderate crush injury was inflicted on the nerve. After crush injury, rbFGF, saline and VB 12 were administered by retrobublar injection. Four weeks after injury , the apoptosis of RGCs was measured with flow cytometer. RESULTS: Four weeks after operation, it was shown that the rbFGF, but not saline or VB 12 injection could significantly improve the maintainance of RGCs of rats. After 800 U, 1600 U and 2400 U rbFGF injection, the injured RGCs were rescued by 24.5%, 27.3% and 28.5% respectively. Furthermore, it was also found that rbFGF injection could effectively prevent the axons from injury. The flow cytometer showed that the rate of apoptosis was reduced markedly on 7 days at rbFGF group. CONCLUSION: rbFGF can significantly promote the functional repair of injured optic nerve. [

Objective To investigate the clinical, electrophysiological and pathological features of critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy (CIPNM). Methods The clinical outcomes, electromyogram Results as well as pathological features in nerves and muscles of 3 patients with CIPNM were investigated and analyzed. Results 3 patients were all provided with assisted respiration after tracheal intubation. 7～10 d after intubation, all the patients emerged muscle strength and tendon reflexes of extremities weakening; while 14 days after that, 2 patients appeared amyotrophy of extremities. Electromyogram showed that the conduction of many motor and sensory nerves for extremities decreased, while the amplitude of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of part of motor nerves decreased. Biopsy for nerves revealed decreased medullated nerve fibers and regeneration phenomenon of auxiliary fibers; while that for muscles showed neuralgic damage and myopathy-like changes. Conclusion CIPNM can complicate after tracheal intubation. The electrophysiological and pathological examinations for nerves and muscles can be helpful for the diagnosis.

Objective To report the clinical and pathological characteristics of one patient with glycogen storage disease Ⅳ (Anderson disease). Methods The patient was received detailed clinical examinations, ultrasound, electromyography, head MRI and muscle biopsy. Results The onset of the 22 years old male patient was 7yrs. The main symptoms were intolerance and fatigue in proximal limbs muscular movement, cardiopalmus by chance. Abdominal ultrasound examinations showed cirrhosis, portal hypertension, splenomegaly. Echocardiogram showed left ventricular myohypertrophia, mild mitral and tricuspid valve insufficiency. Electrophysiology study revealed widespread myogenic changes. Cranial MRI, MRA and MRS were normal. Muscle biopsy showed basophilic intracytoplasmic material in a lot of fibers deposits, which was intensively PAS-positive material and partially resistant to diastase digestion. In the electron microscope, the storage material consisted of filamentous and finely granular material. Conclusions There was the first case of glycogen storage disease Ⅳ reported in our country, mainly involved skeletal muscle, liver, spleen and cardiac muscle.

Objective To investigate the pathological changes and pathogenesis of the MELAS syndrome (mitochondrial encephalopathy lactic acidosis strok-like episodes ) by using the method of immunohistochemical staining in the brain biopsy specimens with anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA).Methods We performed immunohistochemical staining in 3 confirmed MELAS patients' paraffin-imbed brain biopsy specimens.Results Small vessel proliferation and the uneven thickness of the wall were found in the 3 MELAS patients.A lot of brown deposits was shown in the wall of small vessels and also noted in neurons.Conclusions The main pathological change in the MELAS brain biopsy immunohistochemical staining with AMA was the small vessel proliferation,indicating that abnormal mitochondria accumulated in the vascular smooth muscle,endothelial cell and neurons of the lesion sites.This finding was consistent with the electron microscopic discovery and valuable for the diagnosis of MELAS.

Objective To investigate the special expression and diagnostic value of anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) in the muscle tissues of patients with mitochondria encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). Methods All cases including 10 cases of MELAS, which were diagnosed definitely by clinical, pathological and DNA analysis, and 2 cases of normal control and 3 cases of necrotic muscle fibers, underwent muscle biopsies in order to carry out AMA staining. At the same time the original MGT staining was observed. Results A large number of ragged brown fibers (RBF) were observed under light microscopy with AMA immunohistochemical staining in the muscle tissues of patients with MELAS. But no RBF were observed in control groups. Conclusion RBF might be the specific performance of paraplastic mitochondrial, which was similar to the ragged red fibers, so RBF might be a pathological index in evaluating abnormal mitochondrial function and in diagnosing mitochondriopathy.