Objective To explore the value of a new electrodiagnostic approach for evaluating motor nerve root function in patients with S1 radiculopathy. Methods Thirty healthy subjects and 30 patients with clinical mani-festations of unilateral S1 radiculopathy were recruited. Bilateral compound muscle action potentials evoked by magnetic stimulation of the first sacral nerve root were recorded from the soleus of all the subjects. F wave and M responses to electrical stimulation of the bilateral tibial nerves at the popliteal fossa were also recorded. The peripheral motor conduction time (PMCT) and the motor root conduction time (MRCT) were calculated and compared between the two groups. In addition, needle electromyographic examination (NEE) was performed on the affected side to detect any possible EMG abnormalities. Results The norm established with the normal subjects was 3.45±0.39 ms for the MRCT, and 0.28±0.15 ms for the inter-side difference in the MRCT. In the 30 patients, the mean MRCT and PMCT values on the affected side were prolonged. Of the 23 patients who received NEE, 6 had EMG abnormalities. The agreement between the NEE and MRCT diagnoses was 82.6%. Conclusion MRCT can be used reliably for non-invasive estimation of motor nerve root function and to help diagnose the S1 radiculopathy.

Objective To investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of nocodazole on the inhibition of rVSMCs proliferation. Methods rVSMCs were divided into four groups, group A (normal culture), group B (serum-free culture for 24 h) , group C ( 18 h normal culture after 48 h of serum-free culture ) , and group D ( nocodazole treatment for 12 h after thymidine treatment for 12 h) . Flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy, and metabolism measurements were performed and mitofusin-2 ( Mfn-2 ) expression was detected. Results Flow cytometry analysis showed rVSMCs of group B、C、D were arrested to G0/G1 , S and G2/M phases, respectively. Less and smaller mitochondria were observed in group D by transmission electron microscopy in nocodazole-treated rVSMCs. Compared with groups A and C, there were significant decreases in glucose and L-amino acid metabolism, levels of ATP, and marked increase in NADH in group D(P<0. 05). Western Blot showed that G2/M cell cycle arrest and nocodazole could induce up-regulation of Mfn-2 in rVSMCs(P<0. 05). Conclusion Nocodazole can block the energy metabolism and proliferation in rVSMCs, which is probably associated with the role of Mfn-2 on anti-atherosclerosis.

Objective To explore a new electrodiagnostic approach using the H reflex elicited by magnetic stimulation of the S1 nerve root and F waves to evaluate sensory nerve root function in patients with S1 radiculopathy.Methods Thirty normal subjects and 30 patients with unilateral S1 radiculopathy were recruited in this study.H reflex and M response were recorded from the bilateral soleus of all the subjects by magnetic stimulation of S1 nerve roots.F and M wave responses elicited by electrical stimulation of bilateral tibial nerves at the popliteal fossa were also recorded.The sensory root conduction time (SRCT) was calculated.Correlations of age and body height with SRCT in the healthy subjects,and between SRCT and pain in the patients with S1 radiculopathy were analyzed.Results The mean values of normal subjects were 3.10 ± 0.44 ms for SRCT,and 0.13 ± 0.19 ms for inter-side SRCT differences.In the 30 patients with S1 radiculopathy,H reflex could not be elicited from 4 patients.Among the remaining patients,the SRCT of the affected side was prolonged significantly (3.90 ±0.65 ms),and the mean value of the inter-side difference increased significantly (0.90 ±0.50 ms).A regression equation correlating SRCT with height was developed,but no significant correlation between SRCT and age in the normal subjects was revealed.There was positive correlation between SRCT and the severity of pain among the patients.Conclusion SRCT can be used as a new electrodiagnostic index in estimating sensory nerve root function in patients with S1 radiculopathy.

Objective To analyse the effect of progesterone on peripheral blood corticotropin releasing hormone ( CRH ) and delivery time in women with premature rupture of membranes ( PROM ) .Methods 80 patients who were diagnosed with PROM in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical University were collected.Randomly divided into dexamethasone (DEX) group, dexamethasone plus progesterone (DEX+P) group, progesterone ( P) group and control group, three groups were detected on admission, admission 24 h, 48 h on peripheral white blood cell count, C-reaction protein, CRH level and time of delivery, neonatal weight, and analysis of CRH the level of the correlation and delivery time.Results Compared with the other three groups, the level of CRH in peripheral blood of DEX group were higher (P<0.05);CRH (P<0.05) increased faster;shorter delivery time (P<0.05); the level of CRH was negatively correlated with delivery time (r=-0.832, P<0.05).The results were statistically significant.Conclusion Dexamethasone treatment can make the premature rupture of fetal membranes of peripheral blood CRH levels rise, shorten the delivery time, progesterone can inhibit this process.

OBJECTIVE:To establish the Microbial limit test(MLT) for Danggui funing drop pills.METHODS:The recovery rates of 5 tested strains treated by Danggui funing drop pills were detected and the MLT method for the control bacteria was validated.RESULTS: Danggui funing drop pills exhibited strong inhibitory effect on staphylococcus aureus and bacillus subtilis,but showed no effect on escherichia coli,candida albicans and aspergillus niger.CONCLUSION: By membrane-filter procedure,the antibacterial effect of Danggui funing drop pills can be eliminated and the bacterial count can be conducted;however,by routine method,the test of control bacteria is feasible.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell apoptosis during liver cold ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)in rats. Methods Thirty-two SPF healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 200-250 g,were divided into 2 groups(n=16 each)using a random number table:sham operation group(group S)and liver cold I/R group(group I/R).In group I/R,the liver was perfused through the portal vein with 4 ℃ lactated Ringer′s solution 6-8ml/min for 30min after liver ischemia,and the liver blood flow was restored after the end of perfusion. At 6 h of reperfusion in group I/R or at 6 h after peritoneum closure in group S,blood samples from the inferior vena cava were collected for determination of serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase concentrations. After blood sampling,liver tissues were obtained for examination of pathological changes and for determination of malondialdehyde content(by thiobarbituric acid method),superoxide dismutase activity(using xanthine oxidase method),cell apoptosis(using TUNEL),expression of endoplasmic reticulum protein 46(ERP46),immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein(BiP)and caspase-12(by immunohistochemistry),and expression of ERP46,BiP and caspase-12 mRNA(using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction).The pathological changes were scored. Apoptosis rate was calculated. Results Compared with group S,the serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase concentrations,pathological scores,malondialdehyde content and apoptosis rate were significantly increased,the activity of superoxide dismutase was decreased,and the expression of ERP46,BiP and caspase-12 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in group I/R(P<0.05).Conclusion The mechanism of cell apoptosis during liver cold I/R may be related to excessive activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats.

Objective To study the effects of two fungal elicitors on the growth of Dendrobium candidum protocorms cultured on the solid medium.Methods The medium for propagation of protocorms was selected and the growth curve on that medium was obtained.According to the curve,the two fungal elicitors were added at the different growth stages of protocorms.The fresh weight(FW) and dry weight(DW) of protocorms were measured.Results The medium for propagation of protocorms was 1/2MS+20% potato extract+3% sucrose+0.8% agar.Compared with the control MF23 elicitor added at weeks 11 and 13 could significantly increase the FW by 16.4%(P

Objective To establish a method for determining the content of Naringin and Hesperidin in Zengshi Keli by HPLC. Methods The Kromasil C18 column with acetonitrile-water-phosphoric acid (20∶80∶0.02) as the mobile phase was used. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, the detective wavelength was 283 nm, the temperature of column is 35 ℃. Results The calibration curve were linear in the range of 0.178 5～0.892 5 ?g for Naringin and 0.073 68～0.368 4 ?g for Hesperidin (r=0.999 9) respectively. The average recovery was 97.24% (RSD=1.21%) and 96.95% (RSD=1.49%) respectively. Conclusion The method was simple, accurate, reproducible and can be used for quality control of Zengshi Keli.

0.05),while there was significant difference among other groups(P

Objective To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on the endoplasmic reticulum stress during liver cold ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods Twenty-four SPF healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 200-250 g,were divided into 3 groups (n=8 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),liver cold I/R group (group I/R) and hydrogen-saturated lactated Ringer's solution group (group HL).After occlusion of the liver blood flow,livers were perfused through the portal vein with 4 ℃ hydrogen-saturated lactated Ringer's solution 6-8 ml/min for 30 min.The liver blood flow was restored after the end of perfusion.At 6 h of reperfusion in I/R and HL groups or at 6 h after peritoneum closure in group S,blood samples from the inferior vena cava were collected for determination of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) concentrations.After blood sampling,liver tissues were obtained for examination of pathological changes and for determination of cell apoptosis (using TUNEL),malondialdehyde (MDA) content (by thiobarbituric acid method),superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (using xanthine oxidase method),expression of endoplasmic reticulum protein 46 (ERP46),immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP) and caspase-12 (by immunohistochemistry),and expression of ERP46,BiP and caspase-12 mRNA (using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction).The pathological changes were scored.Apoptosis rate was calculated.Results Compared with group S,the serum ALT and AST concentrations,pathological scores,apoptosis rate and MDA content were significantly increased,the SOD activity was decreased,and the expression of ERP46,BiP and caspase-12 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in I/R and HL groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group I/R,the serum ALT and AST concentrations,pathological scores,apoptosis rate and MDA content were significantly decreased,the SOD activity was increased,and the expression of ERP46,BiP and caspase-12 protein and mRNA was down-regulated in group HL (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which hydrogen reduces cell apoptosis may be related to inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress during liver cold I/R in rats.