Objective To explore factors related to the development of segmental instabilities in lumbar spine. Methods Fifty-seven patients with lumbar segment instabilities at L 4～5 were selected as illness group, 22 patients with facetectomy at L 4～5 as post-operation control group, and 19 healthy subjects as normal control. X-ray plain films were taken in sagittal,flexion and extension positions. Computed tomographic scans were taken to define the axial morphology of the facet joint. Magnetic resonance scans were taken to describe disc degeneration of 36 patients in illness group. Results The facet joint was oriented sagittally in the forward translation patients in flexion. The disc degeneration was slight in the rotational instability patients. The patients with total facetectomy exited forward translation in flexion. Conclusion A more sagittally oriented facet and disc degeneration are associated with forward translation in flexion and may be the cause of degenerative spondylolisthesis, whereas ligament failure is associated with rotational instability.

Objective To use the syphilis helicoid gelatin aggregation experiment (TPPA ) method to compare the results of syphilis serological detection reagents between the ELISA method and the colloidal gold method for evaluating the clinical applica ‐bility of each detection reagent .Methods 6 291 serum samples were selected from the hospitalized patients before surgery or before blood transfusion ,and performed the preliminary screening detection by the ELISA method (reagent A and B) and the colloidal gold method ,the positive or weakly positive specimens in preliminary screening were performed the confirmation test by the TPPA method .Results In 6 291 serum specimens ,the positive cases of the reagent A ,reagent B and colloidal gold method were 66 ,64 and 56 cases respectively ,the positive detection rate of colloidal gold method had no obvious difference between the reagent A and rea ‐gent B (P> 0 .05) .The positive samples were confirmed to be 66 cases by TPPA ,including 61 cases of reagent A and reagent B positive ,and the colloidal gold method had 56 cases .5 cases of reagent A positive and 3 cases of reagent B positive were confirmed to be 3 and 2 cases by TPPA respectively ,the sensitivity of the colloidal gold method had significant difference between the reagent A and reagent B(P< 0 .05) .Conclusion ELISA method has high sensitivity and is easy to realize the automated enzyme‐linked im‐munoassay ,which is suitable for the screening of the patient sample before surgery or before blood transfusion .The colloidal gold method has low sensitivity ,but high specificity ,is simple and convenient which is suitable for large‐scale healthy physical examina‐tion and preliminary screening test before emergency surgery .In order to avoid medical disputes ,the positive samples by the ELISA method and colloidal gold method should be confirmed by the TPPA method .

Objective To evaluate the effect of the transcranial magnetic stimulation on upper-extremity function rehabilitation and changes in the excitability of cerebral cortex,and to evaluate from the viewpoint of electro-physiology the prognosis so as to guide the rehabilitation treatment of patients after stroke.Methods Forty-six patients in the early stage after a stroke were given TMS examinations of the ipsilateral brain region.Those with the motor evoked potentials (MEPs) amplitudes lower than 50 μV were classified into a motion-induced experimental negative group (the negative group),whiie those whose MEP amplitude reached 50 μV or more were classified as movement-induced positive (the positive group).Both groups were given the same treatment.Before and after 2,4 and 8 weeks of treatment the Fugl-Meyer movement function rating scale was used to assess their bilateral upper limb movement function.TMS technology was used to detect any change in the resting motor threshold (RMT) and the amplitude (Amp) of MEPs in the motor cortex.The incubation period of the cortex (CL) and the central motor conduction time (CMCT) in the contralateral motor cerebral cortex were also observed.Results After 4 weeks of treatment,the average score of the positive group on Fugl-Meyer upper movement function rating scale reached (54.99±2.76),significantly higher than before treatment and significantly higher than the negative group's average (P＜0.05).After 8 weeks of treatment,the average score in the positive group had increased further to 73.11±2.98,still significantly higher than that of the negative group (P＜0.01).After treatment,RMT decreased progressively in both groups,but that of the negative group dropped from (98.35±10.12) to (30.35±7.31) (9＜0.01),with significantly greater decline in amplitude and rate than that of the positive group (P＜0.05).After treatment,the Amp of both groups showed a gradual increasing trend.Amp increased earlier in the positive group,but there was no significant difference in the extent of the increase between the two groups (P＞0.05).After the treatment the CL and CMCT had shortened significantly in the negative group compared to before the treatment (P＜0.05),while there was no significant change in CL and CMCT after the treatment (P＞0.05).Conclusions The excitability of the contralateral motor cortex changes after a stroke.TMS can be used to characterize the MEP to monitor and predict recovery.This should help clinicians prepare more scientific rehabilitation plans.

Objective To investigate the empathic abilities and the association between empathic abilities and executive function in schizophrenic patients. Methods Empathy with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index-C (IRI-C) and executive function with Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) , Stroop Color-Word Task (Stroop), Spatial n-back Task (n-back) were applied to 74 schizophrenic patients and 69 healthy controls. Results Compared with healthy controls, schizophrenic patients showed significantly lower total scores ((46. 8 ± 10. 0) vs (51.5 ±9.7), P<0.01),and subscores in Perspective Taking ((9.5 ±4.2) vs (12.2 ±3.9) , P<0. 01), Fantasy ((12.5 ±4.2) vs (15.5 ±3.8), P<0.01) and Empathic Concern((15. 9 ±4.2) vs (17. 3 ±3.4), P< 0.05) ,but higher subscore((8.8 ±5. 1) vs (6.5 ±3.7), P<0.01) in personal distress of IRI-C. A significant difference(P<0.01) were fund on the scores of WCST, Stroop task and n-back task between schizophrenic patients and healthy controls. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the total scores of IRI-C was negatively correlated with the response administered (Ra), the number of responses errors (Re) and non-perseverative errors (nRpe) of WCST (r= -0.293, r= -0.253, r= -0.272, P<0.05) respectively, that empathic concern sub-score of IRI-C was negatively correlated with Ra, Re, perseverative responses (Rp) and perseverative errors (Rpe) of WCST (r= -0.326, r= -0.300, r= -0.294, r= -0.287, P<0.01 -0.05) respectively , but positively correlated with Rfp. of WCST (r=0.279, P<0.05), and that the fantasy subscore of IRI-C was negatively correlated with the reaction time of B part(r= -0.299, P<0.01) and C part (r= -0.322, P<0.01) of the Stroop task. Conclusion Schizophrenics have a general impairment of empathy and executive function,and affective empathy is related to the executive function, suggesting that the impairment of executive function maybe the one of pathological mechanism for the empathic deficit of patients with schizophrenia.

Objective To determine any relationship among detrusor wall thickness (DWT),bladder capacity (BC) and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD),and to study the clinical implications of using DWT to predict the risk of renal injury after spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods Forty-eight adults with NLUTD due to SCI were recruited for the SCI group,and another 41 healthy adults formed a control group.Both groups underwent urodynamic evaluation and maximum bladder capacity (MBC) detection.The DWT of all subjects was measured by ultrasound imaging of the anterior bladder wall.Thereafter,the SCI group was divided into low and high risk subgroups based on the results of the urodynamic tests.Patients with detrusor leak point pressure ＜40 cmH2O were classified as low risk.Results At MBC,the average DWT in the SCI group was (0.97 ± 0.31)mm and (0.59 ± 0.08)mm in the control group,demonstrating a significant difference in DWT between patients with NLUTD and normal adults.The average DWT among the patients with type A detrusor sphincter dyssynergia was (1.10 ± 0.34)mm,which was significantly higher than among the patients with external urethral sphincter contraction without detrusor contraction (type C).DWT was significantly correlated with detrusor leak point pressure.A DWT of 0.87 mm (sensitivity 89.5％,specificity 58.6％) could be used as a critical point for predicting risk of renal injury in patients with NLUTD.Conclusions DWT is significantly greater among SCI patients with NLUTD and it correlates positively with detrusor leak point pressure.DWT could be used as a risk predictor for renal injury in patients with NLUTD due to SCI.

BACKGROUND:At present, spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury is considered as the main reason for secondary paralysis after spinal decompression, and to control the levels of stress-related proteins and excitatory amino acids plays an important role in the treatment of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression level of protein disulfide-isomerase A3 (PDIA3) after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits. METHODS:Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were enrolled, the models of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury were established using Zivin's method, and were then randomized into six groups (n=6 per group). The rabbit abdominal aorta in control group was exposed without vascular occlusion and then the abdominal cavity was closed 30 minutes later. In experimental groups, the abdominal aorta was blocked for 30 minutes, followed by 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours of reperfusion, and then the abdominal cavity was closed. The neurological function was evaluated with a modified Tarlov score. The L3-5lumbar vertebrae were removed, and PDIA3 was screened by two-dimensional fluorescence differential gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry, and then its temporal and spatial changes in the spinal cord were detected by western blot assay and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The function of hind limbs was improved in all the experimental groups after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury, and the modified Tarlov scores reached the peak at 24 hours after schemia/reperfusion injury, and decreased slightly at 48 hours. The expression of PDIA3 in the control group showed clear imprinting, which was slightly strengthened at 0 hour, became more strengthened at 6-12 hours, significantly reduced to the minimum level at 24 hours, and returned to the level of 6-12 hours at 48 hours after ischemia/reperfusion. Immunohistochemical results showed that there was visible PDIA3 in the cytoplasm of neurons, and the expression level in the interneurons was significantly higher than that in the motor neurons. These results suggest that upregulated PDIA3 appears in the development and progression of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury, indicating that PDIA3 is closely related to spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury, which can be used as a new diagnosis and treatment target.

We summarized the epidemiological investigation results of the first case of human infection with avian influenza A(H9N2) virus in Chengdu,China,in order to provide references for dealing with similar diseases scientifically in the future.The methods of field epidemiology and laboratory testing were used to collect the H9N2 case's clinical and epidemiological data,as well as collect and test the samples of the H9N2 case and the relevant environment,so that the possible sources of infection,the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features could be analyzed.Results showed that the H9N2 case contacted with poultry within 10 days before the onset of illness and the H9N2 virus nucleic acid was detected in the patient's specimen by PCR.This case suffered from several chronic diseases for a long time,although active treatments were taken this time,she died soon after onset.Her living environment,the chicken leftovers from cooking,and surrounding poultry markets were polluted by H9 avian influenza virus.Through the investigation,we could deduce that the infection source of this case was the chicken infecting H9N2 viruses from surrounding poultry markets.This would be the first fatality associated with influenza A (H9N2) virus infections in humans.And though avian influenza A(H9N2) virus was low pathogenic,infection could cause severe symptoms or death in people with severe underlying diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the ability of QY1 bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) line cells to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, cardiac myocytes,vascular endothelial cells, and neural cells in vitro. METHODS: The QY1 cells at passage 5 were treated with the adipogenic medium, the chondrogenic medium and the osteogenic medium, 5-azacytidine, vascular endothelial growth factor and neural cell medium (revulsant 1 was 10 mmol/L beta-mercaptoethanol; revulsant 2 was 2%dimethylsulfoxide and 10(-8)mol/L dexamethasone) in culture respectively in vitro. The differentiated cells were identified by staining, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS: The differentiated cells induced by the adipogenic medium formed adipocytes and contained fat lipid droplets, which were stained positively with Sudan III after 21 days of culture. The differentiated cells induced by the chondrogenic medium formed chondrogenic nodules, which were stained positively by Alcian blue at pH 1.0 after 21 days of culture. The differentiated cells induced by the osteogenic medium formed osteogenic nodules, which were stained positively by Von Kossa staining after 35 days of culture, and the secretion of a calcified extracellular matrix as black nodules was observed. The differentiated cells treated with 10 micromol/L 5-azacytidine could beat spontaneously and formed myotube structures,which were identified by the positive immunohistochemistry staining with anti-alpha-sarcomeric antibody and anti-Cx-43 antibody. The expression of alpha-myosin heavy chain was also observed by RT-PCR. The differentiated cells treated with 50 ng/mL vascular endothelial growth factor could form vascular endothelial cells and vascular endothelial web like structure, which were identified by the positive immunohistochemistry staining with CD31 and Factor VIII. The differentiated cells induced by revulsant 1 were positive in the immunohistochemistry staining with neuron-specific nuclear protein, while the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein was negative. The differentiated cells induced by revulsant 2 were positive in the immunohistochemistry staining with glial fibrillary acidic protein, while the expression of neuron-specific nuclear protein was negative. CONCLUSION QY1 bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell line has the ability to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteocytes, cardiomyocytes, vascular endothelial cells, neurons and neural glial cells in vitro. A bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell line cell can at least differentiate into 7 types of cells, which come from mesoderm and ectoderm.
Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; cytology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Pluripotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of emodin on the contraction of jejunum smooth muscle and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSRats were randomly divided into 7 groups (n = 6): control group, emodin group (1, 5, 10, 20 micromol/L), propranolol (PRO) plus emodin group, glibenclamide (GLI) plus emodin group, NG-Nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) plus emodin group, calcium free control group and calcium free emodin group. The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the small intestine was isolated. The jejunum segment specimens were mounted on an Organ Bath System with a tension transducer. The effect of emodin on contraction of jejunum smooth muscle was measured by BL-420E+ biological signal processing system and the amplitude (AM), tension (TE) and frequency (FR) of contraction were determined.

RESULTS(1) Emodin inhibited the tension and amplitude of jejunum smooth muscle contraction in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) while the frequency was not obviously influenced. (2) PRO (P < 0.05) or GLI (P < 0.01) partly abolished the inhibitory effect of emodin on jejunum smooth muscle. (3) L-NAME had no obvious effect on the inhibitory effect of emodin. (4) Emodin attenuated the contraction of jejunum smooth muscle induced by calcium chloride application into calcium free K-H solution (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEmodin obviously inhibits the amplitude and tension, while has no influence on the frequency of jejunum smooth muscle contraction in rats. Activation of beta adrenergic receptor, open of ATP sensitive potassium channels, and inhibition of the extracellular calcium influx through calcium channels of smooth muscle cell membrane might be involved in the process.

Animals ; Calcium Signaling ; Emodin ; pharmacology ; Glyburide ; pharmacology ; Jejunum ; drug effects ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Propranolol ; pharmacology ; Rats

BACKGROUNDG-protein β-polypeptide 3 (GNB3) is a β subunit isoform of G-protein that plays important role in signal transduction of membrane G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). The GNB3 splice variant C825T (rs5443) is associated with risk for essential hypertension (EH) and efficacy of therapeutic drugs targeting GPCRs. It is unknown whether the polymorphism is associated with blood pressure (BP) response to telmisartan or amlodipine, two widely prescribed antihypertensive drugs.

METHODSA total of 93 subjects initially diagnosed as EH were recruited and underwent a 4-week treatment with telmisartan (42 patients) or amlodipine (51 patients) monotherapy. Both baseline and after-treatment BP were measured. GNB3 C825T polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTSBaseline systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were comparable among C825T genotypes in both telmisartan and amlodipine treatment groups. Patients with the CT or TT genotypes showed significantly lower body mass index (BMI) as compared with CC homozygotes in both groups (P < 0.05, respectively). GNB3 825TT homozygotes showed significantly higher after-treatment DBP and mean arterial pressure (MAP) than those carrying at least one 825C allele (P < 0.01) in the telmisartan treatment group. No difference in after-treatment SBP, DBP, and MAP levels among C825T genotypes was observed in the amlodipine treatment group. No significant difference in absolute changes in BP levels was observed among the genotypes in either treatment group.

CONCLUSIONThe GNB3 C825T splice variant is associated with the DBP-lowering effect of telmisartan but not amlodipine in Chinese EH patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Amlodipine ; therapeutic use ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzimidazoles ; therapeutic use ; Benzoates ; therapeutic use ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Genotype ; Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; genetics