T polymorphism of TGF-?1 gene related with the degree of L_(4?5) and L_5S_1 disc degeneration.

Objective To investigate the harmonization of results of Prothrombin time(PT),International Normalized Ratio(INR),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),fibrinogen(FIB)and thrombin time(TT)with different coagulation analyzers in different or sanle clinical laboratory.Methods PT,INR,Am,FIB and TT for the same quality control material were detected with 14 different coagulation analyzers,which are distributed in 12 clinical laboratories and classified into A,B and C group.MeaJlwhile,PT,INR,APTT,FIB of 139 samples were detected with two different coagulation aJlalyzers in the same laboratory.Results There was no significant difference for detection of level 3 of both INR and TT among the three group analyzers(P＞0.05),but there was significant difference for other tests (P＜0.05).The comparison between groups showed that there was high percentage(66.7%)of consistency for detection of INR,FIB-C and TT between group B and C.The results of two different coagulation analvzers ( ACL Futura and CA 510)in same laboratory showed that there was no significant difference(P＞0.05)for detection of PT,INR,PT-FIB and FIB-C between them,and there was good eorrelation for them in detecting PT,INR,APTT,PT-FIB and FIB-C(r＞0.975).Analysis of bias showed that the bias of PT,INR,PT-FIB and FIBC between the two different coagulation analyzers was acceptable according to CLIA'88.Conclusion There are good agreement for the results between different coagulation analyzers based upon the similar Drinciple in coagulation analysis.

AIM:To investigate whether ginsenoside Rg1 attenuates high-fat diet ( HFD)-induced non-alcoho-lic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD) by improving β-oxidation.METHODS: SD rats ( n=60) were randomly divided into control group ( CON ) , HFD group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose ginsenoside Rg1 groups ( LDG, MDG and HDG) and positive drug ( sodium ursodeoxycholate) treatment group ( PDT) .High-fat diet was given for 8 weeks to suc-cessfully establish an NAFLD model.The animals were treated with the appropriate medications for 4 weeks and 8 weeks af-ter modeling, and sacrificed to collect the liver tissues for observing the pathologic changes with HE staining and for detec-ting liver functions and lipid levels.The expression of hepatic acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (CoASH1), carnitine acyltransferase I (CATI) and acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot-ting.RESULTS:After 4-week treatment, the fatty infiltration of the liver tissues in PDT group, LDG group and MDG group was not attenuated except HDG group.After 8 weeks of treatment, a small number of fat particles was observed in PDT group and LDG group, while no infiltration of lipid droplet was found in MDG group and HDG group.Compared with HFD group, the levels of AST, ALT, AKP, TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly decreased after 4-week treatment in PDT group, LDG group, MDG group and HDG group (P<0.05), these indexes were further reduced after 8-week treatment. After 4-week treatment, HDL-C was significantly increased in the 4 treatment groups and almost restored to the level of CON group after 8-week treatment.The levels of CoASH1, CACTI and ACOX1 in the liver tissue of the 4 treatment groups were significantly increased after 4-week treatment (P<0.05) and much improved after 8-week treatment, and those in MDG group and HDG group were better than those in PDT group (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Ginsenoside Rg1 regulatesβ-oxidation-related enzymes to improve the fat metabolism, thus playing a therapeutic role in liver injury in the rats with NAFLD.

Objective To discuss the effects of Modic II changes on clinical outcomes of discectomy for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with low back pain associated with unilateral sciatica. Methods Sixty-five cases of LDH with low back pain associated with unilateral sciatica received single segment discectomy during January 2007 to January 2009.There were 30 cases with Modic Ⅱ changes in group A, 35 cases without Modic Ⅱ changes in group B. Assessed the clinical outcomes by using MacNab analyzing system and visual analog scale (VAS). Results Two groups of the postoperative clinical symptoms had significant relief, the follow-up of 12 - 36 months, average (20.6 ± 7.5) months. MacNab efficacy evaluation by group A of optimal 10 cases (33.33%), good 17 cases (56.67%), general 3 cases (10.00%). Group B optimal 28 cases (80.00%), good 5 cases (14.29%), general 2 cases (5.71%), there was significant difference in fine rate (P<0.05). Preoperative group A VAS was ( 8.67 ± 0.30) scores, group B was (8.60± 0.32 ) scores (P>0.05). Postoperative group A VAS was (2.63 ± 1.30) scores,group B was (1.09 ±0.50) scores (P< 0.05). Conclusion Modic Ⅱ changes may be one of the reasons which cause the residual low back pain after the discectomy for LDH.

Objective To establish a new multiplex-PCR assay to improve the detection rate of mutations in the DMD gene in Chinese patients. Methods A retrospective review of DMD deletion spectrum of 355 DMD patients with deletions all over the gene was performed. All deletions were confirmed by " one-step approach" diagnostic procedure and MLPA analysis. The exons with high frequency of mutations were identified to constitute the amplification system and the PCR conditions were optimized. Results Two new multiplex-PCR assays were established. Assay one was used to detect 10 exons including exon 5, 8, 17, 44, 45, 47, 49, 50, 51 and 52 of DMD gene, in two PCR sets. The theoretical detection rate would be 92% (326/355). Assay two was used to detect 5 exons including exon 12, 19, 35, 43 and 54, which could be used to screen additional 5% (17/355) deletion cases. The method was validated in other 22 DMD patients. Multiplex-PCR results were completely identical to the MLPA results in all 22 DMD patients. Conclusions The two multiplex-PCR assays were established based on the analysis of 355 Chinese DMD patients with gene deletions. It is believed that the new approach would be more applicable for deletion detection on the Chinese DMD patients since the DMD cases involved were from the whole country.

Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of cervical vertebral reconstruction using titanium mesh and nano-hydroxyapatite and polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) mesh as two different kinds of artificial vertebrae. Methods From January 2008 to June 2009 had surgically treated 37 cases of cervical spondylosis with anterior corpectomy for decompression, and artificial vertebrae implanted combined platescrews fixation for cervical reconstruction and fusion. As a vertebral substitution, titanium mesh were implanted in 25 cases ( group A ), and the others (12 cases, group B) were implanted with n-HA/PA66 mesh. The height of fusion space immediately postoperatively and the implanted condition were observed. The fusion rate and the JOA score were recorded to compare the clinical outcomes. Results Two groups received 6-20 ( 15.4 ±4.2 )months follow-up. When follow-up to the end grafts were already fusion. The preoperative JOA score in group A,B [(8.40 ±0.96) scores vs. (8.33 ±1.07) scores(P ＞ 0.05)] were increased to (14.36 ±0.86)scores and (14.83 ±0.71) scores after postoperatively (P＞ 0.05),but there were statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative each group (P＜0.05). There were 6 cases artificial vertebrae in group A and 1 case in group B subsided asymptomaticly with 100% choiceness rate. Conclusion These two kinds of artificial vertebrae could show similar outcomes in cervical vertebral reconstruction, but the n-HA/PA66 mesh has a lower subsidence rate.

β- N-Acetyl- D-glucosaminidase ( NAGase, EC3.2.1.52) is a composition of the chitinases and cooperates with endo-chitinase and exo-chitinase to disintegrate chitin into N-acetylglucosamine. Pacific White Shrimp (P. vannamei) NAGase is involved in digestion and molting processes. Some pollutants in seawater affect the enzyme activity causing loss of the biological function of the enzyme, which affects the exuviating shell and threatens the survival of the animal. The effects of acetic anhydride on the enzyme activity for the hydrolysis of pNP-NAG have been studied. The results show that acetic anhydride can lead to reversible non-competitive inhibition at appropriate concentrations, and the IC50 is estimated to be 9.0 mmol/L. The equilibrium constants have been determined for acetic anhydride binding with the enzyme and/or the enzymesubstrate complexes. Inhibition kinetics of acetic anhydride on the enzyme has been studied using the kinetic method of the substrate reaction. The results suggest that at pH 6.2, the action of acetic anhydride on the enzyme is first quick equilibrium binding and then slow inhibition. The microscopic rate constants have been determined for inhibition and reactivation. The results show that k + 0 is much larger than k - 0, indicating the enzyme is completely inactivated at sufficiently large modificator concentration.

Objective To investigate the effect of different intrathecal doses of meperidine on shivering during cesarean delivery under spinal-epidural anesthesia.Methods Sixty parturient women,ASA grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ grade,scheduled for cesarean delivery were enrolled in four groups by random digits table with 15 cases each group.All patients underwent combined spinal-epidural anesthesia.Spinal anesthesia consisted of isobaric bupivacaine 0.5％ (10 mg) in the standard group (group A),isobaric bupivacaine 0.5％ (10 mg) plus 5 mg meperidine in group B,isobaric bupivacaine 0.5％ (10 mg) plus 10 mg meperidine in group C,isobaric bupivacaine 0.5％(10 mg) plus 15 mg meperidine in group D.The signs and symptoms were recorded 10,20,30,60 min after anesthesia respectively.Results All patients were successfully operated,not unexpected.Four groups at each time point of vital signs,nausea and vomiting,and the number of cases of neonatal 1,5 min Apgar scores was no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Group A of shivering and the third grade shivering were significantly more than the number of group B,C,D(11 cases vs.2,1,1 cases;4 cases vs.0,0,0 cases,P＜ 0.01).Conclusion Epidural anesthesia,intrathecal meperidine 5-15 mg can effectively prevent shivering in cesarean section.

BACKGROUND:Animal modeling has reported that psychological stress can lead temporomandibular joint disease in rats, and there wil be pathological changes.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of psychological stress on the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-β1 in rat temporomandibular joint condylar chondrocytes
METHODS:Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group, 6 rats in the experimental group and 12 rats in the control group. Thirty-six Wister male adult rats in the experimental group were subjected to the fol owing stimulating factors, such as electroshock, keeping stil ness, climate change and food tempting in order to make them under psychological stress. Then, the experimental group rats were executed at 3 weeks after stimulation (3 weeks stimulation group), 6 weeks after stimulation (6 weeks stimulation group) and 6 weeks normal feeding after 6 week stimulation (recovery group), 12 rats were sacrificed at each time point. The 12 rats in the control group were executed at the same time as the last experimental group. The temporomandibular joint specimens were taken to produce slices.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The vascular endothelial growth factor-positive rate of recovery group was significantly larger than that of the 3 weeks stimulation group and the control group (P<0.05);transforming growth factor-β1 positive rate in the 6 weeks stimulation group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). It indicated that vascular endothelial growth factor was related with the new blood capil aries repairing tissue, and transforming growth factor-β1 might play a role that stimulates bone resorption in psychological stress.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Tiao Ren Tong Du (regulating the Conception Vessel and unblocking the Governor Vessel) needling method plus bloodletting at the Jing-well points in treating post-stroke spastic state. Method Sixty-seven eligible patients were randomized into a group to receive Tiao Ren Tong Du needling plus bloodletting at the Jing-well points (treatment group) and a rehabilitation group (control group). For the two groups, the treatment was given once a day, 6 times as a treatment course, for 4 courses in total. The Modified Ashworth Scale was used to evaluate the spasticity intensity, and the Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) for post-stroke spastic hemiplegia was used to measure the patients from the following four aspects:subjective symptoms, objective symptoms, mental state, and social function. Result After intervention, the scores of spasticity, and physiological, mental, social, and environmental factors were significantly improved in both groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). Compared to rehabilitation, Tiao Ren Tong Du needling plus bloodletting at Jing-well points can more significantly release the muscular spasticity and reduce the PRO score (P<0.01). The recovery plus markedly-effective rate was 70.6% in the treatment group versus 42.4% in the control group. Conclusion Tiao Ren Tong Du needling plus bloodletting at Jing-well points can effectively improve post-stroke spastic state and the quality of life.