Advances in neuromuscular medicine have ushered in a new era of discovery and research. Innovations have emerged in fascicular electrodiagnosis, high-frequency musculoskeletal ultrasound, and treatments for neuromuscular diseases. This article discusses the latest discoveries impacting neuromuscular medicine. These include the development of fascicular nerve clinics, the integration of artificial intelligence, and explorations in space medicine. In education, neuromuscular fellowships are being established to meet these evolving needs. Just as the historic journey to the moon spawned a new space race, neuromuscular medicine has entered a period of renaissance.

Objective:To discuss the efficacy of Bushen Huoxue decoction for recovery in patients with intra uterine adhesions （IUA） after trans cervical resection adhesions （TCRA） operation， and to investigate its effect on fibrosis factor. Method:The 110 patients were randomly divided into two groups by random number table （55 cases for control group and 55 cases for observation group）. The patients in both groups got TCRA， and after the operation， they got estradiol valerate tablets+progesterone capsules. The patients in control group additionally got Jinfengwan before meals， 10 g/time， 2 times/day. Patients in observation additionally got syndrome differentiation and treatment by Bushen Huoxuetang， 1 dose/day. The treatment course was 3 months in both groups， and 6 months' follow-up was recorded. Before and after treatment， menstrual volume， period and cycle were recorded. During the follow-up， pregnancy， ectopic pregnancy and abortion were also recorded. Endoscopy and vagina color Doppler ultrasound were conducted to detect endometrial thickness， uterine volume， resistance index （RI）， pulsation index （PI） and blood flow index （FI）. Scores of IUA and syndrome of kidney deficiency and blood stasis were graded. At the 6^th months after treatment， rate of intrauterine re-adhesion was recorded. Levels of transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）， connective tissue growth factor （CTGF）， matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-1 （TIMP-1）， platelet-derived growth factor （PDGF）， insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1） and matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） were detected， and safety was evaluated. Result:Total effective rate of clinical efficacy was 96.36% （53/55） in observation group， higher than 83.64% （46/55） in control group （χ²=4.959， P<0.05）. Recovery rate of menstrual volume， period and cycle were 92.73% （51/55）， 90.91% （50/55）， and 94.55% （52/55） in observation group， higher than 72.73% （40/55）， 76.36% （42/55）， and 76.36% （42/55） in control group（χ²=7.698，χ²=4.245，χ²=7.313，P<0.05， P<0.01）. During the follow-up， rate of intrauterine re-adhesions was 23.64% （13/55） in observation group， lower than 43.64% （24/55） in control group （χ²=4.927，P<0.05）. Pregnancy rate was 45.45% （25/55）， higher than 25.45% （14/55） in control group（χ²=4.807，P<0.05）. Score of syndrome of kidney deficiency and blood stasis and IUA scores in observation group were lower than those in control group （P<0.01）. Endometrial thickness， uterine volume， and FI were higher than those in control group （P<0.01）. Levels of RI， PI， TGF-β₁， CTGF， PDGF， IGF-1 and TIMP-1 were lower than those in control group （P<0.01）， while level of MMP-9 was higher than that in control group （P<0.01）. No adverse reactions related to traditional Chinese medicine were found. Conclusion:Bushen Huoxue decoction can promote the recovery of menstruation， increase the thickness of endometrium， improve the blood circulation of uterus， regulate the expression of fibrogenic factors in vivo， prevent and treat intrauterine adhesions， reduce the rate of intrauterine re-adhesions， and improve the rate of pregnancy， with a good comprehensive effect and high safety for clinical use.

BACKGROUND:The research and application of platelet-rich plasma in tissue regeneration and restoration have always been an issue of concern in the medicine and bioengineering fields.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effects of platelet-rich plasma in combination with tendon stem cells on histomorphology change and matrix metalloproteinase 1 expression of the tendon tissues in a rabbit model of Achilles tendinopathy.METHODS:Forty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into model group (n=32) and blank control group (n=8).In the model group,the animals were injected about 2 cm distant to the attachment point of the left calcaneus with prostaglandin E2 (once a week,for totally 4 weeks) to make the animal model of tendinopathy.The rabbits in the blank control group were injected the equal amount of normal saline.After 4 weeks,model rabbits were randomly divided into four subgroups:combination group,tendon stem cell group,platelet-rich plasma group and model control group,with eight rabbits in each group.Platelet-rich plasma and tendon stem cells,alone or in combination,and normal saline were injected into the corresponding group,twice with an interval of 3 weeks.At 6 weeks after injection,the tendon tissue was collected and stained for histological examination and detection of matrix metalloproteinasa 1 expression.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Hematoxylin-eosin staining:the tendon fibers in the combinationgroup were intact and arranged orderly;in the tendon stem cell group,the tendon fibers were almost arranged orderly despite some fractured fibers;in the platelet-rich plasma group,fiber breakage and loose fiber structure were observed;in the model control group,there were no intact tendon fibers,with the presence of inflammatory cell filtration.(2) Masson staining:The tendon fibers in the combination group had slight wave-shaped changes but the fibers were not cut off;in the tendon stem cell group,the tendon fibers were slightly in disorder,but with the intact structure,and obvious inflammatory cell filtration was observed;in the platelet-rich plasma group,fiber breakage,reduced collagen fibers and inflammatory cell filtration were obviously observed;in the model control group,there were no intact tendon fibers,and inflammatory cell filtration was clearly visible.(3) The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1:Compared with the blank control group,the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 was significantly higher in the other groups except the combination group (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 between the combination group and blank control group (P ＞ 0.05).To conclude,the combination of platelet-rich plasma and tendon stem cells can inhibit the vicious cycle of degeneration of collagen and extracellular matrix,reduce the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 in tenocytes,and delay inflammation responses and degeneration due to tendinopathy.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of KIT D816 mutation on the salvage therapy in relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21) translocation. Method: The characteristics of the first relapsed AML with t(8;21) translocation from 10 hospitals were retrospectively collected, complete remission (CR(2)) rate after one course salvage chemotherapy and the relationship between KIT mutation and CR(2) rate was analyzed. Results: 68 cases were enrolled in this study, and 30 cases (44.1%) achieved CR(2). All patients received KIT mutation detection, and KIT D816 mutation was identified in 26 cases. The KIT D816 positive group had significantly lower CR(2) compared with non-KIT D816 group (23.1% vs 57.1%, χ(2)=7.559, P=0.006), and patients with longer CR(1) duration achieved significantly higher CR(2) than those with CR(1) duration less than 12 months (74.1% vs 31.9%, χ(2)=9.192, P=0.002). KIT D816 mutation was tightly related to shorter CR(1) duration. No significant difference of 2 years post relapse survival was observed between KIT D816 mutation and non-KIT D816 mutation group. Conclusion: KIT D816 mutation at diagnosis was an adverse factor on the salvage therapy in relapsed AML with t(8;21) translocation, significantly related to shorter CR1 duration, and can be used for prediction of salvage therapy response. KIT D816 mutation could guide the decision-making of salvage therapy in relapsed AML with t(8;21) translocation.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Cytarabine ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Salvage Therapy

The selection of the prosthetic material determine the success or failure of hip arthroplasty. Currently, the metals, ceramics, polymer composites and carbon materials are the main prosthetic materials of artificial hip joint. They have some progresses in biocompatibility, elastic modulus,mechanical properties, useful life, but they still can't reach the ideal standard of design. In this essay, we mainly review the characteristics and applications of the current artificial hip joint materials through its classification in order to provide a reference for choosing appropriate hip joint materials in clinic and increasing characteristic of materials. We consider the polymer composites has more advantages such as biocompatibility, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and price, even if it has shortages in abrasion resistance. As the researches of polymer composites are main focus on abrasion resistance, articular surface and strength,and its performances are increased fast, it has a wide prospect in future.
Animals ; Hip Dislocation ; surgery ; Hip Prosthesis ; standards ; utilization ; Humans

Objective To compare the application value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography ( CEMRA ) in the diagnosis of carotid plaque characteristics . Methods Fourty-six patients ( 48 carotid plaques) were performed with carotid CEUS and CEMRA examination prior to carotid endarterectomy . The following characteristics of plaque including the surface of the plaque ,the presence of calcification ,the internal composition and the diameter stenosis were observed and measured ,which were compared with pathologic and digital subtraction angiography ( DSA ) results . Results There were 42 vulnerable plaques and 6 stable plaques in the 48 plaques . Fourty-seven carotid plaques had been correctly diagnosed by CEUS and CEMRA ,and one plaque had been misdiagnosed . The sensitivity ,specificity and accuracy between CEUS and CEMRA had no obvious differences in terms of the overall evaluation of plaque vulnerability ( P > 0 .05) ;CEUS and CEMRA in the diagnosion of the plaque surface situation had no statistical difference in terms of sensitivity ,specificity and accuracy compared with pathological results( P > 0 .05) ;There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy rate between two modalities ( P < 0 .05) ;In the diagnosis of plaque internal composition ,they had statistically differences in terms of specificity and accuracy ( P < 0 .05) ,while sensitivity had no obvious difference ( P > 0 .05) . With DSA examination results as the gold standard ,the accuracy of CEUS in the diagnosis of the diameter stenosis was 97 .92% (47/48) ,CEMRA was 100% (48/48) ,they had no significant difference between two groups ( P > 0 .05 ) . Conclusions CEUS and CEMRA in carotid plaques characteristic evaluation have respective advantages ,are highly complementary ,and combining two methods can systematically evaluate for plaque characteristics .

BACKGROUNDPyroptosis is the term for caspase-1-dependent cell death associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines. The role of alveolar macrophage (AM) pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of the acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) remains unclear.

METHODSC57BL/6 wild-type mice were assigned to sham, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + vehicle, LPS + acetyl-tyrosyl-valyl- alanyl-aspartyl-chloromethylketone (Ac-YVAD-CMK) and LPS + Z-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethylketone groups. Mice were given intraperitoneal (IP) injections of LPS. Drugs were IP injected 1 h before LPS administration. Mice were sacrificed 16 h after LPS administration, and AMs were isolated. Western blot analysis for active caspase-1 and cleaved caspase-3, evaluation of lung injury and a cytokine release analysis were performed. AMs were treated with LPS and adenosine triphosphate (ATP); caspase-1-dependent cell death was evaluated using flow cytometry; the apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) pyroptosomes were examined by immunofluorescence.

RESULTSThe expression of activated caspase-1 in AMs was enhanced following LPS challenge compared with the sham group. In the ex vivo study, the caspase-1/propidium iodide-positive cells, caspase-1 specks and ASC pyroptosomes were up-regulated in AMs following LPS/ATP stimulation. The specific caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CMK inhibited the activation of caspase-1 and pyroptotic cell death. Ac-YVAD-CMK also reduced the lung injury, pulmonary edema and total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In addition, Ac-YVAD-CMK significantly inhibited interleukin-α2 (IL-1α2) release both in serum and BALF and reduced the levels of IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α± (TNF-α±), High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) in BALF during LPS-induced ALI/ARDS.

CONCLUSIONSThis study reported AM pyroptosis during LPS-induced ALI/ARDS in mice and has demonstrated that Ac-YVAD-CMK can prevent AM-induced pyroptosis and lung injury. These preliminary findings may form the basis for further studies to evaluate this pathway as a target for prevention or reduction of ALI/ARDS.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacology ; Pyroptosis ; drug effects

This study discussed whether the current pharmacokinetic study method of compound Chinese medicine could meet its research ob-jectives in drug development process.The conclusion were that, firstly, because the single or multiple active ingredient often do not represent the true effect of compound Chinese medicine, its findings may be biased. Secondly, drug accumulation method, pharmacological effect method, serum pharmacological method and integration of multi-effect component classifier method often draw pharmacokinetic results by pharmacodynamic study with thrust reversers method, but these methods can not accurately reflect the true pharmacokinetics in vivo.It might be more clinical value to make pharmacodynamic studies with pharmacodynamic markers.

OBJECTIVETo describe the epidemiology and severity of illness of children hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, including those who received palivizumab prophylaxis, at Royal University Hospital (RUH), Saskatoon and Regina General Hospital (RGH) from July 2002 to June 2005.

METHODSChildren hospitalized for ≥ 24 hours with laboratory-confirmed RSV infection were enrolled, and their health records were retrospectively reviewed for patient demographics and referral patterns, use of palivizumab prophylaxis, severity of infection (length of hospitalization, need for and duration of pediatric intensive care and mechanical ventilation) and outcome of infection.

RESULTSA total of 590 children (324 males) were hospitalized over the three years. The median chronological age at admission was 5.3 months, and median hospital stay was 4.0 days. Gestational age at birth was ≥ 36 weeks in 82.4% of patients. RSV disease severity was mild to moderate in 478 patients (81.0%) and severe in 110 (18.6%). Thirty-nine patients (6.6%) required pediatric intensive care unit admission, for a median of 5.0 days. Twenty-two of these patients (56%) were mechanically ventilated for a median of 6.0 days. Two children died, not attributed to RSV infection. Twenty-two patients had received palivizumab prophylaxis before hospital admission, with 18 completing at least 2 of the monthly doses. Most of these children (17/22) had mild to moderate illness.

CONCLUSIONSRSV causes significant morbidity in Saskatchewan, affecting predominantly term infants. The majority of illness is mild to moderate. Some patients who have received palivizumab may still develop significant RSV disease.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Palivizumab ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Saskatchewan ; epidemiology ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Time Factors