Effects of a lower limb walking exoskeleton on quality of life and activities of daily living in patients with complete spinal cord injury: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, lower limb walking exoskeletons have been widely used in the study of spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of a lower limb walking exoskeleton on quality of life and functional independence in patients with motor complete SCI. METHODS: This was a multi-center, single blind, randomized controlled trial. A total of 16 SCI patients were randomly assigned to either the exoskeleton-assisted walking (EAW) group (n= 8) or the conventional group (n= 8). Both groups received conventional rehabilitation training, including aerobic exercise and strength training. The EAW group additionally conducted the exoskeleton-assisted walking training using an AIDER powered robotic exoskeleton for 40-50 minutes, 5 times/week for 8 weeks. World Health Organization quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM-III) were used for assessment before and after training. RESULTS: There was an increasing tendency of scores in the psychological health, physical health, and social relationships domain of WHOQOL-BREF in the EAW group after the intervention compared with the pre-intervention period, but there was no significant difference (P> 0.05). SCIM-III scores increased in both groups compared to pre-training, with only the conventional group showing a significant difference after 8 weeks of training (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: A lower limb walking exoskeleton may have potential benefits for quality of life and activities of daily living in patients with motor complete SCI.

Relationship between gut microbiota and lymphocyte subsets in Chinese Han patients with spinal cord injury.

This study is to investigate the changes of lymphocyte subsets and the gut microbiota in Chinese Han patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). We enrolled 23 patients with SCI and 21 healthy controls. Blood and fecal samples were collected. The proportion of lymphocyte subsets was detected by flow cytometry. 16S rDNA sequencing of the V4 region was used to analyze the gut microbiota. The changes of the gut microbiota were analyzed by bioinformatics. Correlation analysis between gut microbiota and lymphocyte subsets was performed. CD4 + cells, CD4 + /CD8 + ratio and CD4 + CD8 + cells in peripheral blood of SCI patients were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in B cells and CIK cells between the SCI group and the control group. The gut microbiota community diversity index of SCI patients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls. In SCI patients, the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae (related to lymphocyte subset regulation), Ruminococcaceae (closely related to central nervous system diseases), and Escherichia-Shigella (closely related to intestinal infections) increased significantly, while the butyrate producing bacteria (Fusobacterium) that were beneficial to the gut were dramatically decreased. Correlation analysis showed that the five bacterial genera of SCI patients, including Lachnospiraceae UCG-008, Lachnoclostridium 12, Tyzzerella 3, Eubacterium eligens group, and Rumencocciucg-002, were correlated with T lymphocyte subsets and NK cells. In the SCI group, the flora Prevotella 9, Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Veillonella, and Sutterella were positively correlated with B cells. However, Fusobacterium and Akkermansia were negatively correlated with B cells. Moreover, Roseburia and Ruminococcaceae UCG-003 were positively correlated with CIK cells. Our results suggest that the gut microbiota of patients with SCI is associated with lymphocyte subsets. Therefore, it is possible to improve immune dysregulation in SCI patients by modulating gut microbiota, which may serve as a new therapeutic method for SCI.

Band structures and scattering properties of the simplest one-dimensional [Formula: see text]-symmetric photonic crystal.

We elucidate the band structures and scattering properties of the simplest one-dimensional parity-time ([Formula: see text])-symmetric photonic crystal. Its unit cell comprises one gain layer and one balanced loss layer. Herein, the analytic expressions of the band structures and scattering properties are derived, and based on these relations, we reveal and explain the following phenomena: Exceptional point pairs appear from Brillouin boundaries at a nonzero non-Hermiticity. With an increase in non-Hermiticity, each of these pairs moves toward the Brillouin center, finally coalescing into a single point at the Brillouin center at a critical non-Hermiticity value. Near the exceptional point, singular scattering is observed and explained. This refers to the phenomenon whereby transmittances and reflectances for left and right incidences reach exceptionally large values simultaneously. Moreover, these are infinite at some discrete points at which poles and zeros of the scattering matrix are attained. In forbidden gaps, unidirectional weak visibility, where transmittances are zero, is disclosed and analyzed: specifically, the reflectance for incidence from one side is very large, whereas that for incidence from the other side is very small. In this phenomenon, the eigenstates of the scattering matrix are the incident waves from the left and right sides, and their eigenvalues are the corresponding reflectances. Our results are important as new functional optical devices can potentially be developed by utilizing these novel phenomena.

[Effects of Rutin on Myocardial Enzyme and Cardiac Morphology in Diabetic Mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of rutin on myocardial enzyme in serum and myocardial morphology in diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ). METHODS: A model of type 1 diabetic mice was established in 48 male kunming mice with daily intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) 62.5 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days. 12 male Kunming mice were selected as normal group randomly. The established successfully diabetic mice were randomly divided into the model group, irbesartan group [45 mg/ (kg?d)], low-, high-dose rutin groups [50, 100 mg/ (kg?d)]. The mice in the normal and the model groups were given sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution (CMC-Na, 1 g/L) by intragastric administration respectively. After administration for 8 weeks, the levels of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzymes (CK-MB), hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum were detected by blood biochemical analyzer. The cardiac myocardial morphology was observed by HE staining, Masson trichrome staining and electron microscope. RESULTS: Compare to the normal group, the levels of the myocardial enzyme in serum evidently increased in the model group (P<0.01); Compare to the model group, the levels of the myocardial enzyme in serum decreased in low-, high-dose rutin groups; The levels of HBDH and LDH declined remarkably in the high-dose rutin group relative to the low-dose group (P<0.05); Compared to the high-dose group, the level of LDH increased in the irbesartan group (P<0.05).Moreover, relative to the model group, the morphology of myocardial tissue, the degree of fibrosis and the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue in mice were significantly improved in low-, high-dose rutin groups, and the effects were more significant in the high-dose rutin group. CONCLUSION: Rutin could decrease the levels of myocardial enzyme in serum in diabetic mice, improve the cardiac cell morphology and alleviate myocardial injury.

miR-34a regulates HDAC1 expression to affect the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

miR-34a is an important molecule that can inhibit the tumor growth. This study aimed to investigate the functional role of miR-34a in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and explore the interaction between miR-34a and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1). RT-qPCR was employed to detect the mRNA expression of miR-34a and HDAC1 in 60 HCC tissues. Results showed miR-34a expression in HCC tissues was significantly lower than in normal tissues (P<0.05), but HDAC1 expression in HCC tissues was markedly higher than in normal tissues (P<0.05). In addition, miR-34a expression was negatively related to HDAC1 expression. miR-34a mimic was transfected into HCC cell lines (HepB3 and HepG2). CCK8 assay, colony formation assay and flow cytometry showed miR-34a over-expression could inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells and induce their apoptosis. Western blotting indicated miR-34a over-expression down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2, procaspase-3, procaspase-9 and c-Myc, but up-regulate p21 expression. Bioinformatics analysis indicated HDAC1 was a target gene of miR-34a. Dual Luciferase Reporter Gene Assay and retrieval assay showed miR-34a could act at the 3'UTR of HDAC1 gene to regulate its expression. Thus, miR-34a may inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells and induce their apoptosis via regulating HDAC1 expression. Our findings provide evidence for the diagnosis and therapeutic target of HCC.

Comprehensive transcriptome and improved genome annotation of Bacillus licheniformis WX-02.

The updated genome of Bacillus licheniformis WX-02 comprises a circular chromosome of 4286821 base-pairs containing 4512 protein-coding genes. We applied strand-specific RNA-sequencing to explore the transcriptome profiles of B. licheniformis WX-02 under normal and high-salt conditions (NaCl 6%). We identified 2381 co-expressed gene pairs constituting 871 operon structures. In addition, 1169 antisense transcripts and 90 small RNAs were detected. Systematic comparison of differentially expressed genes under different conditions revealed that genes involved in multiple functions were significantly repressed in long-term high salt adaptation process. Genes related to promotion of glutamic acid synthesis were activated by 6% NaCl, potentially explaining the high yield of γ-PGA under salt condition. This study will be useful for the optimization of crucial metabolic activities in this bacterium.

[Microenvironment of positive pressure powered air purifying medical protective equipment].

OBJECTIVE: To study the filtration efficiency of a positive pressure powered air purifying medical protective equipment and the effect of the flow rate on the microenvironment of the equipment. METHODS: The filtration efficiency of high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter was measured with the biologic aerosol of simulating virus (Escherichia coli bacteriophage f(2)). The simulation work was done at the walk rate of 4 km/h in summer. The effect of the flow rate on the oxygen content, the carbon dioxide content, the temperature and the humidity of the microenvironment of the equipment was investigated. The clinical experiments were conducted in three appointed hospital for fighting against SARS. RESULTS: The HEPA filter could filtrate 99.99% simulating viruses in the air. When the flow rate ranged from 75 to 125 L/min, the microenvironment parameters of the equipment were: the oxygen content was between 19.6% and 20.1% (the physiological safety limit is more than 14.6%); the carbon dioxide content ranged from 0.43% to 0.57% (the physiological safety limit is less than 1.0%); the temperature was between 32.0 degrees C to 32.2 degrees C; the humidity ranged from 49.7% to 59.4% (the physiological safety limit is the temperature 31 degrees C and the humidity 85% or temperature 38 degrees C and humidity 50%). Each microenvironment parameter met the demand of a healthy person under the normal workload. In the clinical experiments, the doctors wearing the equipment who performed the tracheotomy for a SARS patient in a deep coma were not infected. CONCLUSION: The medical protective equipment can protect the doctor and nurse in SARS contaminated areas effectively and improve their work conditions.

Microenvironment of positive pressure powered air purifying medical protective equipment / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the filtration efficiency of a positive pressure powered air purifying medical protective equipment and the effect of the flow rate on the microenvironment of the equipment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The filtration efficiency of high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter was measured with the biologic aerosol of simulating virus (Escherichia coli bacteriophage f(2)). The simulation work was done at the walk rate of 4 km/h in summer. The effect of the flow rate on the oxygen content, the carbon dioxide content, the temperature and the humidity of the microenvironment of the equipment was investigated. The clinical experiments were conducted in three appointed hospital for fighting against SARS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The HEPA filter could filtrate 99.99% simulating viruses in the air. When the flow rate ranged from 75 to 125 L/min, the microenvironment parameters of the equipment were: the oxygen content was between 19.6% and 20.1% (the physiological safety limit is more than 14.6%); the carbon dioxide content ranged from 0.43% to 0.57% (the physiological safety limit is less than 1.0%); the temperature was between 32.0 degrees C to 32.2 degrees C; the humidity ranged from 49.7% to 59.4% (the physiological safety limit is the temperature 31 degrees C and the humidity 85% or temperature 38 degrees C and humidity 50%). Each microenvironment parameter met the demand of a healthy person under the normal workload. In the clinical experiments, the doctors wearing the equipment who performed the tracheotomy for a SARS patient in a deep coma were not infected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The medical protective equipment can protect the doctor and nurse in SARS contaminated areas effectively and improve their work conditions.</p>