Objective To investigate the effect of local injection of Botulinum toxin type A(BTXA) on spasticity and function of the affected upper limb in stroke patients.Methods A total of 32 stroke patients were re- cruited and randomly divided into two groups:a BTXA group and a control group.All the patients had spasticity of upper limb muscles,which scored grade 2 to 3 with the Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) ,and decreased elbow joint range of motion.The 16 patients in the BTXA group received BTXA injection in the biceps brachii muscles and flexor muscles of forearm on 10～15 points,while those in the control group did not.All the patients in both groups were treated with rehabilitation training techniques.The MAS,Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel In- dex were employed to evaluate the changes of muscle tone,upper limb function and activity of living (ADL)perform- ance of the patients before injection and at 1st,2nd,6th 12th weeks after injection.Results The therapeutic effect between the BTXA group anti control group was significantly different in terms of biceps muscle tone,the scores of Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel Index.Compared with preinjection,muscle tone was de- creased significantly and ADL performance was improved after injection in BTXA group.The effects of BTXA lasted more than 12 weeks.Conclusion Intramuscular muhipoint injection of BTXA was useful in reducing muscle spas- ticity,and was helpful for increasing motor ability of the affected upper limb and ADL performance of the stroke pa- tients.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate off-indication use of oral chemical drugs medical orders by the standards of CFDA and FDA,and to compare the differences between the two standards,analyze reasons and rationality of drug use,so as to pro-vide reference for establishing off-indications use management system. METHODS:The oral chemical drugs medical orders of inpatients were analyzed statistically during Jan.-Jun. 2016. Off-label uses was judged according to the standards of CFDA and FDA. RESULTS:Totally 507 oral chemical drugs medical orders were collected,the percentage of off-indications use were in high level,being 58.58% and 55.82% respectively by the standards of CFDA and FDA. The incidence of off-indication use of quetiapine and aripiprazole by the CFDA standards were significantly higher than the results of FDA standards,with statistical significance(P<0.05). Magnesium valproate(54.03%),escitalopram oxalate(10.45%)and quetiapine(10.15%)occupied the top 3 places in the list of constituent ratio. Among off-indication medical orders,7 orders had no evidence-based medicine,ac-counting for 2.36% of total. CONCLUSIONS:Most off-indication medical orders of our hospital could provide the basis and lit-erature support,while there are still a few off-indication use with insufficient evidence. The corresponding management system of the hospital should be formulated to guarantee the medication safety of the patients and legitimate rights and interests of the doctors.

OBJECTIVETo optimize scan delay time of multi-slice spiral CT portal venography (MSCTP) using test bolus injection.

METHODSSixty individuals with no hepatic diseases were randomly divided into 4 groups (A, B, C and D). The time-density curves (TDC) of the portal vein (PV) were acquired by test bolus (15 ml, 5 ml/s) at the level of liver hilus. In the 4 groups, the MSCTP were delayed for 4, 6, 8 and 10 s according to the peak time of TDC, respectively. The maximum CT value of the portal vein and liver parenchyma were recorded. The maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume rendering (VR) were employed for three-dimensional reconstruction and the image quality of the 4 groups was estimated.

RESULTSThe average peak time of healthy individuals ranged between 24 and 32 s (95% confidence interval) by means of the test bolus (15 ml). Group C (delay time of 8 s) had a much better image quality of the portal vain than the other groups, and the small branches of the portal vein (6th and 7th orders) were clearly visualized; the major portal vein branches (1st to 4th orders) were also enhanced with sharp edges. Although the hepatic vein was also observed in the portal venous phase in group D, the details of the portal vein on the hepatic edge were distinct and well defined.

CONCLUSIONAt the injection rate of 5 ml/s, the optimum scan time delayed is 8 to 10 s in normal individuals according to the peak time of the test bolus.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phlebography ; methods ; Portal Vein ; diagnostic imaging ; Reproducibility of Results ; Time Factors ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

AIMTo examine the effects of pHi on [Ca2+]i, cell length and Ca2+ sensitivity of myofilaments in rat myocyte.

METHODSWe used microscopic spectral imaging approach to monitor simultaneously [Ca2+]i, pHi and cell length with fluorescent indicator indo-1 and SNARF-1 in isolated single rat myocyte.

RESULTSExposure of cell to 20 mmol/L Sodium Propionate induced an intracellular acidosis which increased slightly systolic and diastolic [Ca2+]i, decreased the cell shortening (CS) and Ca2+ sensitivity of myofilament (P < 0.01). Exposure of cell to 15 mmol/L NH4Cl induced an intracellular alkalosis which decreased systolic and diastolic [Ca2+]i, increased the cell shortening and Ca2+ sensitivity of myofilament (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIn the early time of acidosis, [Ca2+]i, as well as cell length increases respectively. While alkalosis, [Ca2+]i and cell length decreases respectively. The effect of acidosis and alkalosis on Ca2+ sensitivity presents non-linear relationship, i.e. the effect of acidosis on sensitivity, caused by pHi change, is less than that of alkalosis.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Size ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

The genus Xestospongia is one of the most widespread genera of sponges, containing abundant secondary metatolites with novel structures and potent bioactivities. The main structure types of secondary metatolites found in this genus are alkaloids, quinines, terpens, steroids, lipids, polyketones, etc. These metatolites exhibit a variety of bioactivities, such as cytotoxic, antibacterial and antiviral activities. This paper reviews the progress in the chemistry and pharmacological activities of the second metabolities from sponges of Xestospongia, especially for recent five years, with the aim for further research.
Animals ; Secondary Metabolism ; Xestospongia ; chemistry

Objective To examine how stroke affects muscle coordination and whether muscle function will be improved after rehabilitation.Methods Ten stroke patients with mild hemiparesis and six age-and sex-matched controls were investigated at baseline.Velocity-encoded phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (VE-PC MRI) and surface eleetromyography (sEMG) were performed to evaluate muscle coordination of thigh muscles during knee extension and flexion and the effect of rehabilitation. Results Using VE-PC MRI,we found that the peak velocity of rectus femoris was lower in the affected limb (P

A fused functional gene of human OPG and Mhsp65 was amplified by PCR,and cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a.The BL21(DE3) strain of E.coli was transformed using the recombinant plasmid pET-28a-OPG-HSP65 and the expected protein was expressed by induction with IPTG.Result of SDS-PAGE indicated that the expected recombinant protein of 23 kDa was expressed with high yield as inclusion body.The fusion protein could be specifically recognized by both the anti-His antibody and anti-human OPG monoclonal antibody in Western blot analysis.The purified and refolded fusion protein could inhibit osteoclast proliferation and bone absorption in vitro.The results of mouse ear swelling assay and expressions of TNF-?,IFN-? and IL-17 mRNAs detected by real-time quantitative PCR demonstrated that the fusion protein had an anti-inflammation activity.The results suggest that the fusion protein of human OPG and Mhsp65 may act as a potential therapeutics for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of different HbA1C cutoff points for diabetes diagnosis in high risk outpatients in Harbin.Methods A total of 2 122 high risk outpatients(male 1 032 and female 1 090)for diabetes screening in the Fourth affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from April 2013 to February 2015 were included in this study, with the average age of(49.26±13.00)year. Oral glucose tolerance tests(OGTT)were conducted and HbA1C levels were examined in these patients. The sensitivity and specificity of different HbA1C cutoff points were calculated and a receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve was then built.Results The average level of HbA1C in these subjects was(6.45±1.72)%. The prevalence of diabetes was 41.85%. The area under ROC curve(AUC)was 0.89 with the optimal cutoff point of HbA1C 6.0% and 0.68 for the highest Yonden index. The sensitivity and specificity of HbA1C 6.0% were 84.01% and 83.67% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of HbA1C 6.5% were 62.84% and 95.92%, respectively. The AUC of HbA1C≥6.5% was 0.732. Conclusion HbA1C works well as the diagnostic standard for diabetes in high risk outpatients of Harbin city. The cutoff point of HbA1C 6.0% is suitable for screening diabetes in high risk population, and HbA1C 6.5% is appropriate for diabetes diagnosis, with high sensitivity and specificity.

OBJECTIVETo provide scientific basis for the selection of agrotype and property fertilization for Rumex gmelini cultivated in compliance with good agricultural practice (GAP).

METHODHPLC method was applied to determinate the content of seven active constituents (resveratrol, polydatin, chrysophanol 1-glucoside, nepodin, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion) of annual R. gmelini. And the correlation between soil nutrients and content of active constituents in the root of R. gmelini were analyzed by stepwise regression analysis.

RESULTSeven regression equation were established. The statistic significance was found in three of them.

CONCLUSIONThe soil with high total K level is not suitable for R. gmelini cultivation. But the higher available N, available P, available K level of soil is suitable.

Anthraquinones ; analysis ; Ecosystem ; Emodin ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Fertilizers ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Nitrogen ; analysis ; Phosphorus ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Potassium ; analysis ; Regression Analysis ; Rumex ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Soil ; analysis ; Stilbenes ; analysis

Little is known about the factors that control the initiation of growth of primordial follicles. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of c-erbB₂ on the onset of primordial follicle development, and whether c-erbB₂ mediates the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in this process. We synthesized three pairs of siRNAs targeting the c-erbB₂ mRNA and transferred them into the newborn rat ovary cultured in vitro with Metafectene. After siRNAs transfection, the efficiency of siRNAs was tested by examining c-erbB₂ mRNA and protein levels. The level of c-erbB₂ mRNA was reduced by 49.6%, 46.7% and 82.6% respectively after transfecting siRNA1, siRNA2 and siRNA3, and the level of ErbB₂ protein also reduced remarkably after siRNA3 transfection. c-erbB₂ siRNA3 significantly inhibited the primordial follicle initiation and development; EGF augmented primordial follicles formation, but the effect was abolished by c-erbB₂ siRNA3. All of these results suggest that c-erbB₂ plays an important role in primordial follicle development and folliculogenesis initiation, and mediates the effect of EGF on primordial follicle development.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Female ; Organ Culture Techniques ; Ovarian Follicle ; growth & development ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Rats ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; physiology