OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tai Ji Quan (TJQ) training on strength and function of lower limbs in the aged.

METHODSSixty senile subjects were recruited and assigned to the TJQ group and the control group (imparting health knowledge)by random digit table. Patients in the TJQ group received 24-style TJQ training for 18 months (60 min each time, 5 times per week), while those in the control group were imparted with sarcopenia related causes, pathogeneses, prevention and control measures. The maximum isometric strength of bilateral iliopsoas, quadriceps femoris, tibialis anterior muscle, hamstrings; the time for 5 sitting-up tests and Time Up and Go Test (TUGT), one-leg standing time with closed eyes test; and the score of Berg balance scale were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, muscle strength increased in the TJQ group with an average increased capacity (rate) as follows, bilateral iliopsoas 5.5 kg (16.9%), quadriceps femoris 5.5 kg (26.2%), and tibialis anterior muscle 8.5 kg (36.2%) (all P < 0.05). The time for TUGT and 5 sitting-up tests was shortened by 1.3 s (16.7%) and 0.9 s (14.5%) respectively in the TJQ group. The time for one-leg standing time with closed eyes test was increased by 8.4 s (left) and 9.1 s (right) respectively. The score of Berg balance scale increased by 4.3% (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, bilateral quadriceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscle strength increased significantly (P < 0.01); the time for TUGT and 5 sitting-up tests, the time for one-leg standing time with closed eyes test, scores of Berg balance scale were all improved in the TJQ group after intervention (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTJQ training could improve strength of iliopsoas, quadriceps femoris, tibialis anterior muscle in the aged, elevate their balance and locomotor activities, and possibly prevent and treat sarcopenia.

Exercise Therapy ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle Strength ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Postural Balance ; Tai Ji

Objective:To examine the oncogenic mutations involved in melanoma in Southern China and to provide a theoretical basis for the development of melanoma molecular targeted therapy strategy. Methods:The Sequenom platform (OncoCarta Panel v1.0 and MassARRAY System) was used to determine the prevalence of oncogene mutations in 28 acral melanoma samples, 28 mucosal mel-anoma samples, and 30 non-chronic sun-induced-damage (no-CSD) melanoma samples from Southern China. Results:At least one mu-tation was detected in 33 of the 86 melanomas (38.4%) with mutations observed in BRAF (16.3%), NRAS (10.5%), KIT (5.8%), EGFR (4.7%), HRAS (2.3%), KRAS (2.3%), MET (2.3%), and PIK3CA (1.2%). In BRAF, the age of patients with mutations was significantly lower than those without BRAF mutation (45.7±15.3 vs. 55.9±12.7, P=0.01). Patients with mutations in NRAS were more likely to have ulceration compared with patients without NRAS mutations (88.9%vs. 48.1%, P=0.049). Conclusions:This study represents a compre-hensive and concurrent analysis of the major recurrent oncogenic mutations involved in melanoma cases from Southern China areas. The data have implications for both clinical trial designs and therapeutic strategies.

Objective: To observe the tolerability of Chinese melanoma patients to four-week high-dose interferon alfa-2b(INTRON A(R)，Schering-Plough)therapy. Methods:A total of 29 patients with high risk melanoma[American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging(AJCC)ⅡB-ⅢC]who received adjuvant interferon therapy in our hospital between September 2007 and May 2009 were retrospectively reviewed.Patients received 4 hours of intravenous infusion of interferon alfa-2b fdose range，22.00 million international unit(MIU)to 33.75 MIU]Ⅳ 5 days/week for 4 weeks.The adverse events were evaluated with National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria(NCI 2.0 version). Results: The average daily dose was 17.63 MIU/(m~2·d).The therapy was ended in two patients because of poor wound healing or intolerability to severe fatigue.The most common adverse events were myelosuppression.Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in 69% (20/29)patients and was rapidly reversed after conventional support interventions.Grade 1/2 abnormal hepatic function occurred in 18 cases(62%).Twenty-six patients were followed up for 3 to 22 months.Five patients developed early progression:one with local recurrence，two with regional lymph node metastasis one with in-transit metastasis in the affected limb,and one with distant metastasis. Conclusion: High-dose interferon alfa-2b regimen can be well tolerated by Chinese patients but cannot effectively inhibit subclinical lesions.

BACKGROUND: Paraquat (PQ) is an effective herbicide and is widely used in agricultural production, but PQ poisoning is frequently seen in humans with the lung as the target organ. Currently, there are many studies on lung injury after PQ poisoning. But the kidney as the main excretory organ after PQ poisoning is rarely studied and the mechanisms of this poisoning is not very clear. In this study, we observed the expression of caspase-3 and livin protein in rat renal tissue after PQ poisoning as well as the therapeutic effects of ulinastatin. METHODS: Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: control group (group A), paraquat poisoning group (group B) and ulinastatin group (group C), with 18 rats in each group. Rats in group B and group C were administered intragastrically with 80 mg/kg PQ, rats in group C were injected peritoneally with 100000 U/kg ulinastatin once a day, while rats in group A were administered intragastrically with the same volume of saline as PQ. At 24, 48, 72 hours after poisoning, the expression of livin in renal tissue was detected by Westen blotting, the expression of caspase-3 was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the rate of renal cell apoptosis was tested by TUNEL detection. The histopathological changes were observed at the same time. RESULTS: Compared to group A, the expression of caspase-3 in the renal tissue of rats in groups B and C increased significantly at any time point. Compared with group B, the expression of caspase-3 in renal tissue of rats in group C decreased. Compared with group A, the expression of livin in renal tissue in rats of groups B and C increased significantly at any time point (P<0.01), especially in group C (P<0.01). TUNEL method showed that the rate of renal cell apoptosis index was higher in group B at corresponding time points than in group A (P<0.01), and was lower in group C at corresponding time points than in group B (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: UTI has a protective effect on the renal tissue of rats after paraquat poisoning through up-regulating the expression of livin and down-regulating the expression of caspase-3, but the regulation path still needs a further research.

OBJECTIVE: To study the characters of oscillatory potentials (OPs) of electroretinogram (ERG) after methanol intoxication in rats. METHOD: The SD rat models of methanol intoxication were established and divided into control group, 3-day intoxication group, 7-day intoxication group. The changes of OPs of ERG were recorded in a dark room. RESULTS: The total amplitudes of 3-day and 7-day intoxication groups decreased approximately 50% compared with that of the control group, while the schedule delayed approximately 16% and 61%, respectively. CONCLUSION The characters of methanol intoxication in rats included delay in schedule and decline in the total amplitude of OPs.
Animals ; Electroretinography ; Methanol/poisoning* ; Rats ; Retina/physiopathology*

alphaB-crystallin is the structural protein of vertebrate lens, which is widely expressed in non-lens tissue. As one of the heat shock protein family members, alphaB-crystallin possesses biological properties of molecular chaperones and anti-apoptotic effects. Multi-factor injuries, such as retinopathy, inflammation and nervous system diseases, have a closely relationship with alphaB-crystallin. This paper reviews the research progress of the expression and mechanism of alphaB-crystallin in retina and extraocular tissues and organs.
Crystallins ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism* ; Humans ; Lens, Crystalline ; Retina ; alpha-Crystallin B Chain/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To compare the correlation between contrast vision (LV) and sweep visual evoked potential acuity (SVEP-A) among people with emmetropia, mild myopia, and moderate myopia. METHODS: The CV and SVEP-A were tested individually in 96 eyes from healthy young volunteers, including 37 eyes of emmetropia, 27 eyes of mild myopia, and 32 eyes of moderate myopia. The statistic analysis was done by ANOVA analysis and rank sum test. RESULTS: (1) With the decrease of contrast, CV and SVEP-A decreased in every group. (2) At 100% contrast, the difference of CV between emmetropia and mild myopia had statistical significance (P<0.05). At 100%, 25% and 10% contrast, the difference of CV between emmetropia and moderate myopia had statistical significance (P<0.05). (3) In the same group, the difference of 100% and 25% contrast had statistical significance (P < 0.05). So was between 100% and 10% contrast. (4) At 100% and 10% contrast, the difference of CV and SVEP-A had statistical significance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The CV of myopia relates to many factors including ametropia and fundus lesions. The correction of ametropia is important to the values of CV and SVEP-A.
Evoked Potentials, Visual/physiology* ; Eye ; Fundus Oculi ; Humans ; Myopia/physiopathology* ; Neurologic Examination ; Severity of Illness Index ; Vision Tests/instrumentation* ; Visual Acuity/physiology*

OBJECTIV: e To find the correlation between real best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and testing results of microperimetry and visual evoked potential (VEP) and to explore a new method in recording BCVA in macular disease. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with macular disease (macular disease group, 62 eyes) and eighteen healthy volunteers (control group, 36 eyes) had BCVA, microperimetry and VEP recorded. RESULTS: (1) By microperimetry, the values of retinal mean sensitivity and fixation percentage in macular disease group were lower than that in control group. The bicurve ellipse area in macular disease group was higher than that in control group. By VEP, P100 amplitude under 0.5 cpd and 2 cpd in macular disease group were significantly higher than that in control group and the latency was prolonged (P < 0.05). (2) In macular disease group, BCVA had significant positive correlation with retinal mean sensitivity, bicurve ellipse area, macular central 2 degrees and 4 degrees fixation percentage, respectively (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between retinal mean sensitivity and P100 amplitude (P < 0.05). (3) Multiple linear regression equation was y = 0.053 x1+0.008 x3+3.897 (y was BCVA, while x1 was retinal mean sensitivity and x3 was P100 amplitude under 2 cpd). CONCLUSION Combined use of microperimetry and VEP is useful in the assessment of BCVA in macular disease.
Case-Control Studies ; Evoked Potentials, Visual/physiology* ; Eye ; Humans ; Macula Lutea/physiopathology* ; Retina ; Retinal Diseases/pathology* ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity/physiology* ; Visual Field Tests/methods*

AIM:To remark the effect of Qingguang'an Ⅱ on expression of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA of rats with chronic high intraocular pressure.METHODS:Totally 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, that was:A:blank group, B:model group, C:Qingguang'an Ⅱ low dose group, D:Qingguang'an Ⅱ moderate dose group, E:Qingguang'an Ⅱ high dose group, F:Yimaikang disket group.B, C, D, E, F groups of experimental rats were established the model of chronic high intraocular pressure (IOP) by cauterizing of superficial scleral vein.Animal model was established successfully by using monitoring IOP consistently keep above 25mmHg for 8wk as cut-off criterion.Tissues of Eyes were obtained after intragastric administration for 2wk and 4wk.The expressions of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA were investigated by Real-time PCR.RESULTS:At the time-point of 2wk, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group B were statistically expressed in lower level comparing with other groups (P<0.05).Moreover, at the time-point of 4wk, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C, D and E were statistically expressed in higher level comparing with group F (P<0.05).Besides, PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C and D were statistically expressed in lower level comparing with group E (P<0.05).PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2 mRNA in group C and D were expressed in similar level(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:In summar, Qingguang'an Ⅱ and Yimaikang disket can remarkably increase the expressions of PAX6, Ngn1, and Ngn2, which suggest protecting the optic nerve of rats caused by chronic high IOP.What's more, this study indicated that, in the protection of optic nerve of rats with chronic high IOP, the high dose of Qingguang'an Ⅱ at the time-point of 4wk was the better choice.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of acupoint application with Leima type II plaster on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats and probe its mechanism.

METHODSBovine type II collagen was injected intradermally into the middle line of the back to induce CIA model with 48 Wistar rats. Then the rats were randomly divided into a model control group (group A), a matrix control group (group B), acupoint application group with plaster of low concentration (group C) and high concentration plaster group (group D), 12 rats in each group. Group C and group D were treated with low and high concentration of Leima type II plaster, and "Shenzhu" (GV 12), "Zhiyang" (GV 9) and "Mingmen" (GV 4) were selected, each application for about 15 hours, once each day for 30 days. Group B was used the same method of acupoint application except using non-drug matrix plaster, and group A was not given any treatment. The morphous and the histopathological changes of affection joint were observed.

RESULTSThe paw edema volume after 30 days treatment in group C was significantly lower than that in group B (P < 0.01), and the anti-type II collagen antibody level after 15 days treatment in group C was significantly lower than that in group A (P < 0.05), and the synoviocytes proliferation of the knee joint in group C was significantly lower than that in group A and group B (both P < 0.01). The paw edema volume after 25 days treatment, arthritic index after 20 days treatment, pathological change of the paw and the synoviocytes proliferation of the knee joint in group D were significantly lower than those in group A and group B (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the anti-type II collagen antibody level after 15 days treatment in group D was significantly lower than that in group A (P < 0.05), and the paw edema volume and the arthritic index after 25 days treatment in group D were significantly lower than those in group C (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupoint application with Leima type II plaster has a good therapeutic effect on CIA rats and the protective mechanism is related to the reduction of anti-type II collagen antibody level so as to carry out anti-inflammatory effect and immunosuppression.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; therapy ; Collagen Type II ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar