Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects of electromyography feedback functional electrical stimulation (FES) on plantar pressure of stroke patients. Methods 18 subjects were included in this study, who were with drop foot resulting from stroke, but could partly dorsiflex the paretic limb's ankle (Manual Muscle Test >2). They were tested on the RS-footscan plate before and after stimulation. The plantar pressure data of paretic foot and walking velocity before and after stimulation were compared. Results The initial touchdown points of most paretic foot were changed from Meta (metatarsal) 5 to heel; the time of initial touchdown of heel medial and heel lateral significantly improved, while that of Meta 3, Meta 4 and Meta 5 significantly delayed; the peak force, impulse and contact area of the heel significantly improved after stimulation (P<0.05). At the same time, the time of initial touchdown of heel medial and heel lateral of nonparetic foot significantly improved (P<0.05). Conclusion Electromyography feedback functional electrical stimulation can improve the gait pattern and the stability of patients with stroke.

Objective To evaluate the effects of curcumin on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK) and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) in rats.Methods Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat and high-sucrose diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) 35mg/kg,and confirmed by fasting blood glucose level≥ 16.7 mmol/L in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Type 2 DNP was confirmed by the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdraw latency (TWL) measured on day 14 after STZ administration ＜ 80％ of the baseline value,and the rats with type 2 DNP were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =27 each):type 2 DNP group (group DNP),curcumin group (group Cur) and solvent control group (group SC).Curcumin and corn oil 100 mg/kg (25 mg/ml) were injected intraperitoneally once a day for 14consecutive days starting from 14 days after administration of streptozocin in Cur and SC groups,respectively.Another 27 normal rats were served as control group (group C) and were fed with common forage.MWT and TWL were measured at 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection (T1 3),and the lumbar segment 4-6 of the spinal cord and DRGs were removed at the same time for determination of the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was shortened,and the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in spinal dorsal horn and DRGs was up-regulated at T1-3 in DNP and SC groups,and at T1 in Cur group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group DNP,MWT was significantly increased,TWL was prolonged,and the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in spinal dorsal horn and DRGs was down-regulated at T2,3 in Cur group (P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the MWT,TWL and expression of p-ERK and p-CREB between DNP and SC groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Curcumin can attenuate type 2 diabetic DNP by inhibiting up-regulation of the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG in rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of hemolysis on glycated albumin (GA) determined by ketoamine oxidase method and its correction.Methods GA concentration and hemolytic parameter(optical density,A) in non-hemolytic serum and different degree hemolytic serum samples were measured.The impact of hemolysis on GA and the relationship between hemolysis and GA were analysed.A formula was developed to correct the interference of hemolysis on GA measurement using regressive Multiple analysis.Results Compared with non-hemolytic serum,hemolysis resulted in the significantly decreased concentrations of GA detected by ketoamine oxidase method(P ＜ 0.01),which were significantly associated with the degree of hemolysis (R2 =0.943 4).Y and Z represented GA concentration of non-hemolytic serum and different degree hemolytic serum,while X represented optical density of hemolytic parameter.Formulas for GA measurement were presented:Y =2.468X + Z-0.015 73,GA concentrations of hemolytic samples can be reverted to the values without statistical difference from the GA concentration in corresponding non-hemolytic samples.The bias of corrected GA was less than 10％.Conclusion Our results indicate that the level of GA measured through ketoamine oxidase method is negatively affected by hemolysis.The formula of mathematical correction of GA results in hemolytic samples should be suitable for the requirements of clinical laboratory.

Objective To explore the potential impact of low concentration of metformin on the morphology and function of mitochondria of HepG2 cells. Methods HepG2 cells in experimental group and control group were treated with or without low concentration of metformin (1mM/L), respectively. The cells were incubated for 12h in the incubator with constant temperature and humidity as well as 1% oxygen. Orange Mitoview was used to stain the mitochondria to detect the effects of the drug on its morphology and quantity. Transmission electron microscope was utilized to observe the effect of metformin on the ultrastructure of mitochondria. The mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I activity in HepG2 cell was detected by Complex I Enzyme Activity Dipstick Assay Kit (DAK). Results Orange Mitoview staining showed that low concentration of metformin had little effect on the morphology and number of mitochondria of cells in experimental group , and the difference between control and experimental group was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In addition, the result was further determined by transmission electron microscopy. However, DAK analysis showed that complex I activity of cells in experimental group was significantly lower than that in control group. Conclusion Under Hypoxia conditions, low concentration of metformin had no significant effect on the morphology and number of mitochondria of HepG2 cells, but it significantly reduces the activity of mitochondria of HepG2 cells.

Objective To evaluate the effects of curcumin on the expression of receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) in the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of the rats with type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 160-180 g,were used in this study.Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat and high-sucrose diet for 8 weeks and intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) 35 mg/kg and confirmed by fasting blood glucose level ≥ 16.7 mmol/L 3 days later.Type 2 DNPwas confirmed by the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) measured on day 14 after STZ administration less than 80％ of the baseline value.Eighty-one rats with type 2 DNP were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =27 each) using a random number table:DNP group,DNP + curcumin group (DCur group),and DNP+ solvent group (group DSC).In DCur and DSC groups,curcumin 100 mg· kg-1 · d-1 and corn oil 4 ml · kg-1 · d-1 were injected intraperitonally,respectively,for 14 consecutive days starting from the day 14 after STZ administration.Another 27 normal male Sprague-Dawley rats served as control group (group C) and were fed with normal forage.MWT and TWL were measured before STZ injection,at day 14 after STZ injection,and on 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection.RAGE positive cells were determined by immuno-histochemistry and the expression of RAGE by Western blot in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG after MWT and TWL were measured on 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection.Results Compared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased and TWL was shortened at 14 days after STZ injection and each time point after curcumin injection,the rate of RAGE positive cells in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG was increased at each time point after curcumin injection,and the expression of RAGE was up-regulated in the spinal dorsal horn at each time point after curcumin injection and in the DRG at 7 and 14 days after curcumin injection in group DNP.Compared with group DNP,MWT was significantly increased and TWL was prolonged at each time point after curcumin injection,the rate of RAGE positive cells in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG was significantly decreased at 7 and 14 days after curcumin injection,and the expression of RAGE was down-regulated in the spinal dorsal horn at each time point after curcumin injection and in the DRG at 7 and 14 days after curcumin injection in group DCur,and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group DSC.Conclusion The mechanism by which curcumin attenuates DNP may be related to inhibition of up-regulated expression of RAGE in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective To evaluate the effect of curcumin on the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rats with type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).Methods Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat and high-sucrose diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin 35 mg/kg,and confirmed by fasting blood glucose level ≥ 16.7 mmol/L in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Type 2 DNP was confirmed by the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdraw latency (TWL) measured on day 14 after streptozotocin administration ＜ 80％ of the baseline value.The rats were then randomly divided into 3 groups (n =27 each):type 2 DNP group (group DNP); curcumin group (group Cur); solvent control group (group SC).In Cur and SC groups,curcumin 100 mg/kg and corn oil 4 ml/kg were injected intraperitonally,respectively,once a day for 14 consecutive days starting from day 14 after streptozotocin administration.Another 27 normal Sprague-Dawley male rats served as control group (group C) and were fed with normal forage.MWT and TWL were measured before type 2 DNP was induced,after type 2 DNP was induced,and at 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection(T1-5).The rats were sacrificed after MWT and TWL were measured at T3-5,and the lumbar segments of the spinal cord and DRG (L4-6) were removed for determination of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased and TWL was shortened,and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG was up-regulated in DNP,Cur and SC groups.Compared with DNP group,MWT was significantly increased and TWL was prolonged,and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG was down-regulated in Cur group,and no significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in SC group.Conclusion The mechanism by which curcumin attenuates type 2 DNP may be related to up-regulation of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the spinal dorsal horns and DRG of rats.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between IL-10 and I1-17 expression levels in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) and lung function.Methods:70 patients were included in this study.According to wheezing or not,they were divided into wheezing group and non-wheezing group.Another 30 healthy children were taken as a control group.After taking fasting blood 5ml,the serum IL-10 and IL-17 expression levels were detected by ELISA.The forced expiratory volume in one second (PEV1),peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced vital capacity (FEV1 / FVC) of all subjects were detected.Results:The IL-10 expression level of the wheezing group were significantly different with that of the control group (P＜0.05) and that of the non-wheezing group (P＜0.05).The 1L-17 expression level of the wheezing group also had significant difference (P＜0.05) with that of the control group and non-wheezing group (P＜0.05).The IL-10 expression levels of wheezing and non-wheezing group all were lower than that of the control group.Whereas the IL-17 expression levels of wheezing and non-wheezing group all were higher than that in the control group.In addition,patients in wheezing group had higher PEV1,PEF,PVE1/FVC values than those in non-wheezing group,with significant difference (P＜0.05).The serum level of IL-10 expression of Mycoplasma pneumonia patients was positively correlated with PEV1,PEF and PVE1/FVC,while the serum level of IL-17 expression of Mycoplasma pneumonia patients was negatively correlated with PEV1,PEF and PVE1/FVC.Conclusion:The serum levels of IL-17 and IL-10 expression of Mycoplasma pneumonia children had close correlation with their pulmonary function.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PRDM16 gene polymorphisms were associated with dyslipidemia. Methods The polymorphisms of rs2651899, rs2236518, rs870171, and rs2282198 in PRDM16 gene in 528 participants were genotyped by the method of snapshot or ligase detection reaction. The genotype differences and the allele differences between the case group and the control group were analyzed. Linkage disequilibrium analysis was performed with SHE-sis online software. The interaction between rs2651899, rs2236518, rs870171, rs2282198 and gender, age, BMI were analyzed by MDR software. Results The frequency of allele A in rs2651899 locus was significantly higher in low HDL-C group compared with that in control group[OR(95%CI)=1.32(1.02-1.71), P=0.033]. The frequency of A/C genotype in rs870171 was significantly different between LDL-C abnormal group and control group[OR(95% CI)=1.97(1.01-3.86), P=0.037]. There may be interaction between rs2236518 and sex, which is a risk factor for low HDL-C[Model Ⅱ: OR(95% CI)=1.958(1.366-2.809), P<0.01]. There may be interactions among rs2651899, rs2236518, rs870171, and rs2282198, which seemed to be risk factors for lower HDL-C[Model Ⅳ: OR(95% CI)=3.991(2.707-5.884), P<0.01]. rs870171, rs2282198 may have interaction with age, which is a risk factor for high LDL-C [Model Ⅶ: OR(95%CI)=3.991(2.707-5.884), P<0.01]. Conclusion Allele A of rs2651899 may be a risk factor to low HDL-C. Under the codominant inheritance patterns, genotype A/C of rs870171 may be a risk factor to high LDL-C. In addition, there may be interaction between SNPs with gender and age.

Objective To evaluate the value of MRI performance for the differential diagnosis of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma from spinal hemangioma.Methods Thirteen patients of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma and 40 patients of spinal solitary hemangioma were retrospectively analyzed.Conventional MR imaging (T1WI,T2WI,and fat suppressed T2WI) and enhanced imaging were performed at 1.5T MRI.The signal intensities (SIs) of spinal lesions were qualitatively evaluated on conventional imaging and were described as hypointense,isointense,or hyperintense.The spinal lesions were qualitatively categorized into minimal enhancement,iso-enhancement,slightly hyper-enhancement,or strong enhancement on contrast-enhanced imaging.The lesions' maximum diameter was also measured and the mean value was obtained.Results The qualitative assessment of SIs on T1WI showed that 76.92％ (10/13),15.38％ (2/13) and 7.69 ％ (1/13) of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma were hypointensity,isointensity and hyperintensity respectively.The qualitative evaluation of SIs on T2WI were found that 61.54％ (8/13) of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma with hypointense,30.77％ (4/13) with isointensity and 7.69％ (1/13) with hyperintensity,respectively.About 92.31％ (12/13) of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma displayed strong enhancement on contrast-enhanced imaging.There were significant differences in SIs on T1WI,T2WI and contrast-enhanced imaging between atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma and hemangioma (all P＜0.05).The maximum diameter of atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma was significantly higher than that of spinal hemangioma (P＜0.001).Conclusion MR imaging would be practicable for differentiation between atypical solitary metastatic malignant melanoma and hemangioma in spine.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of high resolution MR T2WI combined with DWI in evaluation of pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer.Methods Totally 364 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who recieved neoadjuvant therapy and radical surgery,underwent MR scanning before and after neoadjuvant therapy,were enrolled in this study.The diagnostic efficacy of high resolution MR T2WI and high resolution MR T2WI combined with DWI in evaluation on pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer were compared.Results Finally 49 cases were demonstrated pathologic complete response.Accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of high resolution MR T2WI and high resolution MR T2WI combined with DWI in predicting on pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy were 82.69％ (301/364),40.82％ (20/49),89.21％ (281/315),37.04％ (20/54),90.65％ (281/310)and 87.36％ (318/364),65.31％ (32/49),90.79％ (286/315),52.46％ (32/61),94.39％ (286/303),respectively.Sensitivity had statiatical significant difference between two methods (x2 =4.96,P=0.03).Conclusion Compared with high-resolution T2WI,the combination of DWI and high-resolution T2WI can improve the diagnostic efficacy in evaluation of pathologic complete response of locally advanced rectal cancer.