Objective To observe the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine plus movement therapy in treating upper limb spasticity in hemiplegic patients. Methods Sixty-six patients were divided randomly into two groups. Thirty-five patients in the therapy group were treated with Chinese herbal medicine and movement therapy, and 31 patients in the control group were treated with movement therapy alone. The modified Ashworth scale and sur- face electromyography were applied to evaluate spasticity. Results The total effectiveness rates were 94.3% in the therapy group and 64.5% in the control group. After treatment, the average integrated electromyogram (IEMG) val- ue in the therapy group was lower than that in the control group. The difference in IEMG values before and after treat- ment in the therapy group was significantly larger than in the control group. Conclusion Chinese herbal medicine plus movement therapy is more effective than movement therapy alone in relieving spasticity.

Objective:This study was aimed to investigate the influence of CDK7 siRNA on the sensitivity of endometrial carci-noma cell line HEC-1-A to cisplatin (DDP)-based chemotherapy. Methods:Different CDK7 siRNA fragments were synthesized based on the designs of the CDK gene sequence and were transfected into HEC-1-A. Real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reac-tion (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were employed to demonstrate the effects of transfection. The best CDK7 siRNA was chosen to specifically silence CDK7 expression in HEC-1-A.The sensitivity of the cells to DDP therapy before and after transfection was deter-mined by methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry, and Hoechst/PI double-staining fluorescence microsco-py. Results:A total of four different CDK7 siRNA segments were designed and successfully transfected into HEC-1-A cells. The inter-ference effect in each group was confirmed by real time RT-PCR and Western blot assays. CDK7-423 was determined as the best per-forming CDK7 siRNA (over 70%) to transfect into HEC-1-A cells. MTT cytotoxicity test showed that IC50 of DDP decreased to a range from 45.122 μg/mL and 3.200 μg/mL after inhibition of CDK7 expression. DDP toxicity to the endometrial carcinoma cells sig-nificantly increased (P<0.05). Flow cytometry revealed that the average cell apoptosis rate significantly increased after the inhibition of CDK7 expression (11.66%to 37.57%, P<0.05). Similar results were observed using Hoechst/PI double-staining fluorescence microsco-py, and the number of apoptotic corpuscle demonstrated an apparent increase in the low CDK7-expressing group compared with the pa-rental cells. Conclusion:After the downregulation of CDK7 expression by CDK7 siRNA transfection, DDP chemotherapy sensitivity and apoptosis of endometrial carcinoma cells significantly increased. Further research is anticipated on the use of CDK7 as a new treat-ment target for endometrial carcinoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Garlic ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Pharyngitis ; therapy ; Young Adult

Objective To examine the effects of IL-10 on cardiac fibroblasts ( CFBs) proliferation and phenotype transformation to myofibroblasts (MyoFbs) induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1);and to investigate the regulating pathways .Methods Cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from cardiac ventricles of neonatal SD rats . The passage 2~4 were used and divided into the following groups for treatment:1) control group, 2) IL-10 reac-tion group, 3) TGF-β1 reaction group, and 4) IL-10 plus TGF-β1 reaction group (TGF-β1 treatment followed with IL-10 pretreatment ) .Cells proliferation was assessed by MTT assay and immunocytochemistry staining for prolifera-ting cell nuclear antigen (PCNA);the phenotype transformation into MyoFbs was assessed by immunocytochemistry of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA);extracellular signal related kinase ( ERK1/2) and P38 kinase pathways were assessed by western-blot.Results TGF-β1 (10 μg/L) treatment boosted the proliferation and the expression ofα-SMA significantly (P<0.01), while IL-10 (10, 50 or 100 μg/L) plus TGF-β1 co-treatment induced lower cell proliferation and expression of α-SMA than treating with TGF-β1 alone ( P<0.05 ) , with the inhibitory effect of IL-10 being concentration dependent .TGF-β1 could significantly stimulate the ERK 1/2 and P38 kinase phospho-rylation ( P<0.01 ) , however IL-10 (100 μg/L) plus TGF-β1 co-treatment failed to down-regulated the phospho-rylation of ERK1/2 and P38 kinase compared with TGF-β1 alone ( ERK1/2:P<0.05;P38:P<0.01 ) .Conclu-sions IL-10 can attenuate TGF-β1-induced CFBs proliferation and phenotype transformation to MyoFbs .The in-hibitory effects may explained by a mechanism of inhibiting the activation of ERK 1/2 and P38 kinase .

Objective To investigate the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy (DNP) and the correlation of NGF level with,sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and duration of DNP.MethodsThe 41 patients with DNP,35 diabetics without DNP and 33 healthy controls were enrolled.And the serum level of NGF was measured with ELISA,the SNCV of left medial nerve,ulnar nerve,peroneal nerve and tibial nerve were measured too. Then the correlation analysis was completed. ResultsThe serum level of NGF was significantly lower in DNP patients [(665.18±188.32) ng/L] than in healthy controls [(976.44±159.07)ng/L] and in diabetics without DNP [(943.32±167.33) ng/L,F=9.316,P<0.001].The NGF level of DNP patients was positively correlated with SNCV of left medial nerve (r=0.810,P<0.001 ),left peroneal nerve (r=0.760,P<0.001) and duration of DNP (r=0.542,P<0.001).Conclusions The serum level of NGF is lower in DNP patients than in healthy controls.The decrease of the production of NGF may play a role in the pathogenesis of DNP.

Medical research has entered the era of mega-science.The multidisciplinary collaboration has attracted great attention.besides studies on genes and the environment interaction,multidisciplinary research between natural sciences has received widespread recognition.However muhidisciplinary researches on the interaction between the gene and social factors or behavioral factors on health science deserve more emphasis.This article described development of multidisciplinary research and its features;analyzed importants of conducting multidisciplinary research between natural and social disciplines,and finally provided suggestions on research organization reform in order to promote the multidisciplinary research.

ObjectiveTo evaluate prognostic factors affecting local tumor progression after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsA total of 246 HCC patients (343 lesions) underwent RFA treatment in our department and were enrolled into this study.The average tumor size was 3.7 cm ( range 0.9 ～ 3.7 cm).Regular follow-up with enhanced CT was performed to evalutate the treatment results.Kaplan-Meier model and log-rank test were used in univariate analysis and COX regression model was used in multivariate analysis to identify risk factors for local tumor progression.ResultsThe local tumor progression rate was 11.4％ (39/343 lesions),and the average time from initial RFA to local tumor progression was 12.0 months.Univariate analysis indicated tumor size ( P ＜0.001 ),close to intrahepatic vessels ( P ＜0.001),tumor boundary ( P =0.020),pathological grade( P =0.010) and CEUS before RFA ( P =0.001) as risk factors for local progression.The following factors were identified as independent prognostic factors for local tumor progression by multivariate model:tumor size (P ＜ 0.001),isolated or close to intrahepatic vessels( P ＜0.001) and CEUS before RFA(P =0.018).ConclusionsTumor size,CEUS before RFA and close to intrahepatic vessels are the most important factors for local progression after RFA.Being awaring of possible risk factors for local tumor progression may increase the treatment efficacy and help to promote the use of RFA technique.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of sexual dysfunction in male patients with obstructive sleep apnea and hypoventilation syndrome (OSAHS).Methods One hundred and twenty-one OSAHS male patients aged 22-50 years were stratified into two groups based on scores on the rating scales of international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5).Patients' characteristics and polysomnography data of the sexual dysfunction group (n =56) were compared with that of the normal group (n =65).Continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) treatment was carried out in some patients with abnormal sexual function.Results There were significant differences between the two groups in body mass index (BMI),history of hypertensive disease and diabetes mellitus,the rise of morning blood pressure,respiratory disturbance index (RDI),the longest apnea time(Tmax),the lowest oxygen saturation(LSpO2),percentage of recording time with oxygen saturation of 90％ or less(T90％),slow wave sleep(S1 + S2) over total sleep time(TST),rapid wave sleep (S3 + S4) time over TST,and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep time over TST in bivariate analysis (P ＜ 0.05).There were statistical significance of the history of diabetes mellitus,slow wave sleep (S1 + S2) over TST,RDI,and LSpO2shown in Logistics regression analysis,and ORs were 2.10 (1.17-5.01),3.52 (1.33-5.97),1.45 (1.08-2.95),and 0.86 (0.67-0.93) respectively (P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,20 OSAHS patients with sexual dysfunction were revaluated after the CPAP treatment in two months,and 14 patients returned to the normal scores.Conclusion The history of diabetes mellitus,slow wave sleep (S1 + S2) over TST,RDI,and LSpO2 were independent risk factors for sexual dysfunction in male patients with OSAHS,and treatment with CPAP could significantly improve sexual function in male patients.

Objective To investigate the inheritance principle of the expanded GAG repeat allele and the clinical features of spinocerebellar ataxias 3 (SCA3) in a consanguinity family with first cousin marriage.Methods The CAG repeats of SCA3 gene were amplified by means of polymerase chain reaction.Fragment analysis with laser-induced fluorescence in capillary electrophoresis were performed for the positive samples detected by agarose gel electrophoresis.Furthermore,the clinical features were analyzed carefully.Results Fragment analysis revealed that the proband carried 2 alleles with 56 and 72 CAG repeats separately.The proband' s father carried 28 and 66,and the expanded CAG repeat allele inherited from his grandfather.The proband' s mother carried 33 and 56,and the expanded CAG repeat allele inherited from his grandmother.The proband' s son carried 27 and 85 and presented with dystonia besides ataxia.Conclusions The proband' s parents have the common ancestors.Their alleles with expanded CAG repeats probably come from the same allele of their ancestor.The GAG repeat is more unstable in the paternal inheritance than in the maternal inheritance.The 71-year-old asymptomatic family member carry the allele with 56 CAG repeats,which indicates the 56 CAG repeats may be not associated with the disease.The patients within this family have variable clinical features,especially the juvenile-onset case presents with apparent dystonia.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological features of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).Methods From December 1956 to August 2012,the clinicopathological features of RCC were studied in 705 cases and related literatures were reviewed.Results The diameter of RCC ranged from 0.6 to 18.0 cm,which the average size was 4.6 cm.The proportions of the clear cell,papillary,multilocular clear cell,chromophobe and unclassified histologic subtype were 88.9％ (627/705),4.1％ (29/705),3.3％ (23/705),1.3％ (9/705) and 2.4％ (17/705),respectively.According to the Fuhrman grading system,the proportions of grade 1,2,3,4 were 19.0％ (116/612),58.3％ (357/612),18.1％ (111/612)and 4.6％ (28/612),respectively.The rates of invasion into the renal pelvis,perirenal fat and vascular were 10.9％ (66/603),10.6％ (64/603) and 4.8％ (29/603),respectively.Of 705 cases,464 (76.6％)cases were in T1,65 (10.7％) cases in T2,73 (12.0％) cases in T3,and 4 (0.7％) cases in T4.As to the lymph node and distant metastasis,the rate was 2.8％ (17/606) and 3.5％ (21/606).The percentages of stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ RCC were 74.3％ (450/606),9.9％ (60/606),11.7％ (71/606) and 4.1％(25/606),respectively.The 3-,5-,10-and 15-year disease-specific survival rate for RCC was 92.8％,86.9％,76.8％ and 55.5％,respectively.To those patients with clear cell RCC,the disease-specific survival at the same time point was 92.8％,88.1％,77.4％ and 55.4％,respectively.Multivariate analysis showed that the stage was the only independent prognostic factor for RCC.Conclusions Tumor stage of RCC is the independent prognostic factor for disease-specific survival.The evaluation of renal sinus invasion and lymph node should be noted in the diagnosis of RCC.