Investigation of suitable starting doses of narrowband UVB in Asian vitiligo patients: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Phototherapy is the preferred treatment modality for active and generalized vitiligo. One of the widely accepted consensus on starting dose of phototherapy is using a uniform dose of 280 mJ/cm2 regardless of patients' Fitzpatrick skin phototype (SPT). However, in many clinical experiences with Asian vitiligo patients, the protocol seems suboptimal. OBJECTIVE: To gather more evidence on establishing a higher starting dosage for Asian vitiligo patients undergoing phototherapy. METHODS: We enrolled generalized vitiligo patients with lesions sized adequate enough for phototest. Minimal erythema dose (MED) of vitiligo lesion and non-lesion was measured along with melanin index (MI). RESULTS: Relatively, a wide range of MED and MI was observed even among patients with similar SPT. The range of MED for lesional skin was 300-700 mJ/cm2 and the MED for non-lesion was 500-800 mJ/cm2 . Correlation was noted between lesional MED and non-lesional MI (Spearman correlation, ρ = 0.664 [P < 0.036]) and mean lesional MED was approximately 65% of mean non-lesional MED. CONCLUSION: Results from phototest and tolerability of patients to doses higher than 280 mJ/cm2 may indicate that higher starting doses might be appropriate for Asian vitiligo patients.

Detection of aminoglycoside resistance related genes in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from a single institute of Shanghai, China.

AIM: Aminoglycoside resistance is common in Acinetobacter baumannii. We investigated aminoglycoside resistance genes in clinical multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from the Chinese population. METHODS: One-hundred-and-seven strains of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii were isolated from Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, China. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of amikacin, kanamycin, tobramycin, gentamicin, netilmicin and neomycin for these strains were determined with agar dilution method. 16S rRNA methylase genes and eight aminoglycoside modifying enzyme genes were tested via polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: We found MICs of amikacin, kanamycin, tobramycin, gentamicin, netilmicin and neomycin in these strains with doses of ≥64 µg/mL, ≥64 µg/mL, ≥128 µg/mL, ≥128 µg/mL, ≥32 µg/mL and ≥8 µg/mL, respectively. Most of those strains showed a high-level resistance to aminoglycosides. ArmA was found in 90% (97/107) of the strains. Six modifying enzyme genes, including aac(6')-Ib, aac(6')-II, aac(3)-II, aac(3)-I, aph(3')-I and ant(3")-I were found with a positive rate of 47%, 50%, 28%, 31%, 93% and 96%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii is highly resistant to aminoglycosides. Resistant genes could coexist in one strain, therefore, strict implementation of infection control measures is essential to avoid the rapid spread or outbreaks of these multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in healthcare-associated facilities.

Protection of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to hemorrhagic brain injuries and its involved mechanisms: effects of vascular endothelial growth factor and aquaporin-4.

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has protective effects on many neurological diseases. Here, we aimed to test G-CSF's effects on perihematomal tissue injuries following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and examine whether the effects were functionally dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4). We detected the expression of perihematomal VEGF, VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) and AQP4 at 1, 3 and 7days after ICH. Also, we examined the effects of G-CSF on tissue injuries by ICH in wild type mice, and tested whether such effects were VEGF and AQP4 dependent by using VEGFR inhibitor - SU5416 and AQP4 knock-out (AQP4(-/-)) mice. Furthermore, we assessed the related signal transduction pathways via astrocyte cultures. We found G-CSF highly increased perihematomal VEGF, VEGFR-2 and AQP4. Importantly, G-CSF led to neurological functional improvement in both types of mice by associating with reduction of brain edema, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and neuronal death and apoptosis and statistical analysis suggested AQP4 was required for these effects. Besides, except BBB leakage alleviation, the above effects were attenuated but not counteracted by SU5416, suggesting involvement of VEGF. G-CSF up-regulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) as well as VEGF and AQP4 proteins in cultured astrocytes. The latter was inhibited by ERK and STAT3 inhibitors respectively. Our data suggest the protective effects of G-CSF on perihematomal tissue injuries after ICH are highly associated with the increased levels of VEGF and AQP4, possibly act through C-Jun amino-terminal kinase and ERK pathways respectively.

Morbidity and mortality among a cohort of HIV-infected adults in a programme for community home-based care, in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania (2003-2005).

Community home-based care (CHBC) plays an integral role in the care of HIV-infected patients living in resource-limited regions. A longitudinal cohort study has recently been conducted, in the Kilimanjaro Region of northern Tanzania, in order to identify the components of an effective CHBC programme. Structured questionnaires were administered to clients over two census rounds, one in October 2003-February 2004 and the other in January 2005-October 2005. In the second round, follow-up interviews were completed for 226 (87.9%) of the 257 clients included in the first round. The clients included in the first round had a median (range) age of 38 (20-66) years and 182 (75.2%) of them were female. Although only 27 (12.9%) of them were using antiretroviral therapy (ART) when first interviewed, 108 (44.6%) were taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) prophylaxis. By the time of the follow-up interviews, 102 (45.1%) of the clients included in the first round had died, giving a mortality of 51/100 person-years of observation. The primary cause of death for 87 (85.3%) of the clients who had died was respiratory and/or gastro-intestinal infection, and the most common contributory causes of death were malnutrition (81.4%) and anaemia (42.2%). On bivariable analysis, the following first-round conditions were found to be significantly associated with death by the second census round: weakness for >1 month [odds ratio (OR)=2.64; P=0.008]; oral thrush (OR=2.31; P=0.015); painful swallowing (OR=2.02; P=0.036); staying in bed for part of the day over most of the previous month (OR=1.94; P=0.017); fever for >1 month (OR=1.95; P=0.016); and severe bacterial infections (OR=1.80; P=0.036). The high mortality was associated with advanced, symptomatic HIV disease for which antiretroviral therapy was indicated. Clients who were in the advanced stages of HIV disease (as defined by the World Health Organization's criteria) in the first census round were significantly more likely to have died by the time of the second round than the other clients investigated (log-rank chi(2)=8.115; P=0.044). The high level of morbidity observed in this study, and the causes of mortality that were identified, emphasise the need for CHBC programmes to provide HIV-infected patients with improved access to basic resources such as SXT and isoniazid prophylaxis, clean water, oral rehydration therapy, and micronutrient supplementation, in addition to increased access to ART.

Effects of music on gastric myoelectrical activity in healthy humans.

The aim was to study the effects of listening to music on gastric myoelectrical activity in healthy humans. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded using surface electrogastrography from 17 healthy volunteers before and for 30 min after they listened to music. All subjects listened to the same music. Ten perceived the music as enjoyable and seven did not. The percentages of normal slow wave, dominant frequency and dominant power did not differ significantly between baseline and during music intervention. An analysis of covariance model that included the subjects' feelings about the music and dominant power showed significantly higher dominant power during music intervention in subjects who enjoyed the music (p < 0.01). In the individuals who enjoyed the music, dominant power (55.0 +/- 9.2 dB) was significantly higher during music intervention than at baseline (49.5 +/- 6.8 dB, p = 0.03). In the subjects who did not enjoy the music, dominant power was significantly lower during music intervention than at baseline (48.8 +/- 6.8 and 55.7 +/- 6.2 dB, respectively; p < 0.01). Listening to enjoyable music increases the amplitude of gastric myoelectrical activity in healthy humans. Music therapy may improve gastric motility and may be used to stimulate gastric emptying.

YY1 is regulated by O-linked N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-glcNAcylation).

YY1 is a zinc finger DNA-binding transcription factor that influences expression of a wide variety of cellular and viral genes. YY1 is essential for the development of mammalian embryos. It regulates the expression of genes with important functions in DNA replication, protein synthesis, and cellular response to external stimuli during cell growth and differentiation. How YY1 accomplishes such a variety of functions is unknown. Here, we show that a subset of the nuclear YY1 appears to be O-GlcNAcylated regardless of the differentiation status of the cells. We found that glucose strongly stimulates O-linked N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) on YY1. Glycosylated YY1 no longer binds the retinoblastoma protein (Rb). Upon dissociation from Rb, the glycosylated YY1 is free to bind DNA. The ability of the O-glycosylation on YY1 to disrupt the complex with Rb leads us to propose that O-glycosylation might have a profound effect on cell cycle transitions that regulate the YY1-Rb heterodimerization and promote the activity of YY1. Our observations provide strong evidence that YY1-regulated transcription is very likely connected to the pathway of glucose metabolism that culminates in the O-GlcNAcylation on YY1, changing its function in transcription.

YY1-DNA interaction results in a significant change of electronic context as measured by capacitance.

The detailed mechanism behind the processes of DNA-dependent RNA transcription initiation is largely unknown. When transcription initiation factors bind DNA, a significant change in the electrostatic state of the complex can result. Using electrical capacitance measurements of solutions of the YY1 zinc finger transcription initiation factor and the adeno-associated viral P5 promoter DNA, we observed a specific dielectric change when a protein-DNA complex was formed. We propose that complexation results in electrostatic changes that may trigger the markedly different electrical behavior, and offer a possible explanation for our results.

The kinetics of catalytic incineration of C2H5SH and (CH3)2S2 over a Pt/Al2O3 catalyst.

Catalytic incineration is one of the cost-effective technologies to solve the troublesome VOCs. However, some sulfur containing VOCs, such as ethyl mercaptan and dimethyl disulfide, may deactivate the Pt catalyst that is commonly used in the catalytic incineration process. The catalytic incineration of these compounds over a Pt/Al2O3 catalyst was carried out in a bench scale catalytic incinerator. Three kinetic models, such as power-rate law, Mars and Van Krevelen model, and Langmuir-Hinshelwood model were used to analyze the results. A differential reactor design was used for best fit of kinetic models in this study. The results show that the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model is feasible to describe the catalytic incineration of both C2H5SH and (CH3)2S2. This suggests that the chemical adsorption of O2 molecule is important in the process of catalytic incineration of C2H5SH and (CH3)2S2.

The catalytic incineration of (CH3)2S and its mixture with CH(3)SH over a Pt/Al(2)O(3) catalyst.

Catalytic incineration is one of the cost-effective technologies to solve the troublesome volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, some sulfur containing VOCs, such as dimethyl sulfide, may deactivate the Pt catalyst that is commonly used in the catalytic incineration process. This paper provides information on the poisoning effect of (CH3)2S. The catalytic incineration of (CH3)2S, typically emitted from the petrochemical industry, over a Pt/Al(2)O(3) fixed bed catalytic reactor was studied. The effects of operating parameters including inlet temperature, space velocity, (CH3)2S concentration, O2 concentration and catalyst size were characterized. Catalytic incineration on a mixture of (CH3)2S with CH(3)SH was also tested. The results show that the conversions of (CH3)2S increase as the inlet temperature increases and the space velocity decreases. The higher the (CH3)2S concentration is, the lower its conversion is. The O2 concentration has a positive effect on the conversion of (CH3)2S. (CH3)2S has a poisoning effect on the Pt/Al(2)O(3) catalyst, especially at lower temperatures. The conversion of (CH3)2S is significantly suppressed by the existence of CH(3)SH.

Hormonal integration of neurochemical and sensory signals governing female reproductive behavior.

This review focuses on findings from our laboratory regarding mechanisms by which the ovarian steroid hormones, estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P), act in the hypothalamus (HYP) to regulate the expression of lordosis, an important component of female reproductive behavior in rats and many other species. The first section summarizes recent work suggesting that cGMP, perhaps via P-receptor activation, may be an intracellular mediator of the facilitatory actions of a variety of hormones and neurotransmitters on lordosis behavior in E2-primed rats. In the second section, we focus on E2 and P regulation of norepinephrine (NE) neurotransmission in the HYP. We review evidence that ovarian hormones act both peripherally and centrally to determine whether NE is released in the HYP in response to copulatory stimuli. We also suggest that the steroid milieu determines the cellular responses of hypothalamic neurons to released NE, favoring the activation of pathways implicated in the facilitation of both lordosis behavior and the preovulatory gonadotropin surge. It is likely that E2 and P have similar actions on other neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems, thereby maximizing the probability that females are sexually receptive during the periovulatory period.

Ovarian hormone dependence of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor activation of the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway: relevance for hormonal facilitation of lordosis behavior.

The ovarian hormones estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P) facilitate rat lordosis behavior in part by regulating the expression of and signal transduction by adrenoceptors in the hypothalamus (HYP) and preoptic area (POA). The major adrenoceptor subtype mediating E(2) and P facilitation of lordosis is the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor. In the present studies, we tested the hypotheses that (1) alpha(1)-adrenoceptors in the HYP enhance lordosis responses by activating the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP signaling pathway, and (2) coupling of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors to this signal transduction pathway is hormone-dependent. Basal levels of cGMP were significantly higher in HYP and POA slices from animals treated with E(2) and P when compared with slices from ovariectomized controls or females treated with only E(2) or P. When slices of HYP and POA from ovariectomized female rats were incubated with norepinephrine or the selective alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine, cGMP accumulation was observed only if slices had been derived from females treated with both E(2) and P before experimentation. Moreover, alpha(1)-adrenoceptor stimulation of cGMP synthesis was blocked by an inhibitor of NO synthase, confirming that these receptors act by NO-mediated stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase. Behavioral studies demonstrated further that the cell-permeable cGMP analog 8-bromoadenosine-cGMP reverses the inhibitory effects of the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin on lordosis behavior in E(2)- and P-treated female rats. Thus, the NO-cGMP pathway mediates the facilitatory effects of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors on lordosis behavior in female rats, and previous exposure of the HYP and POA to both E(2) and P are required to link alpha(1)-adrenoceptors to this pathway.

Regulation of serotonin-2C receptor G-protein coupling by RNA editing.

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) elicits a wide array of physiological effects by binding to several receptor subtypes. The 5-HT2 family of receptors belongs to a large group of seven-transmembrane-spanning G-protein-coupled receptors and includes three receptor subtypes (5-HT2A, 5-HT(2B) and 5-HT(2C)) which are linked to phospholipase C, promoting the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids and a subsequent increase in the intracellular levels of inositol phosphates and diacylglycerol. Here we show that transcripts encoding the 2C subtype of serotonin receptor (5-HT(2C)R) undergo RNA editing events in which genomically encoded adenosine residues are converted to inosines by the action of double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminase(s). Sequence analysis of complementary DNA isolates from dissected brain regions have indicated the tissue-specific expression of seven major 5-HT(2C) receptor isoforms encoded by eleven distinct RNA species. Editing of 5-HT(2C)R messenger RNAs alters the amino-acid coding potential of the predicted second intracellular loop of the receptor and can lead to a 10-15-fold reduction in the efficacy of the interaction between receptors and their G proteins. These observations indicate that RNA editing is a new mechanism for regulating serotonergic signal transduction and suggest that this post-transcriptional modification may be critical for modulating the different cellular functions that are mediated by other members of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily.

Cross sectional study of use of alternative medicines in Chinese cancer patients.

The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of alternative medicine consumption in Chinese cancer patients on active conventional treatment. A cross sectional survey of 100 consecutive advanced cancer patients admitted to a cancer clinical trial referral unit were personally interviewed by their assigned oncology research nurse using a specially designed questionnaire. The results showed that 64% of our patients used indigenous Chinese medication. In all age groups except the over-70s (P = 0.043), > 50% took such medication, more female (76%) than male (57.6%) patients (P = 0.323). Patients of all educational levels (P = 0.062) and religious backgrounds (P = 0.08) consumed alternative medicines. Duration of alternative medication consumption was less than three months in 50% of patients, with costs between US$40 and 2000/month for 70% of patients. Reasons cited for alternative medication consumption was hope that it might be of some benefit to their well being or disease control, and maybe even result in a miracle cure. Sources of advice on medication were mostly from strangers (by word of mouth), family, friends, the media, and infrequently from qualified professional Chinese doctors. Reasons for discontinuing such treatment were mostly given as lack of positive effect. In conclusion, Chinese cancer patients, willingly, rampantly and non-selectively seek out and consume alternative medications, with almost total ignorance of the medication consumed, oblivious to any potential side effects, and with little subjective benefit.

A potential role of cyclic GMP in the regulation of lordosis behavior of female rats.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been suggested to play a crucial role in the regulation of lordosis behavior via stimulation of guanylyl cyclase to synthesize cyclic GMP. Whalen and Lauber (1986, Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 10, 47-53) hypothesized that hormones and pharmacological agents known to facilitate lordosis in estrogen-primed rodents act through cyclic GMP. The compound 1H-[1,2, 4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) has been shown to selectively inhibit NO-stimulated cyclic GMP production. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ODQ on lordosis behavior. Female rats were implanted with a guide cannula aimed at the lateral or third ventricles by stereotaxic surgery, and their ovaries were bilaterally removed. Five days later, animals were injected subcutaneously with 2 microg estradiol benzoate at 48 and 24 hr, and 200 microg progesterone 4 hr before behavioral testing. ODQ or vehicle (1 microl) was administered at the time of progesterone treatment or 20 min before lordosis testing. ODQ significantly decreased lordosis quotients and the quality of lordosis at both intervals of drug infusion. Locomotor activities, measured by line crossing and rearing, were not affected by ODQ. ODQ also inhibited cyclic GMP accumulation in response to NMDA stimulation in hypothalamic and cerebellar slices in vitro. We conclude that cyclic GMP produced by NO generation is an important modulator of female rat sexual behavior.

Effects of nitric oxide on stimulated release of norepinephrine from female rat hypothalamic slices.

Norepinephrine (NE) is an important neurotransmitter involved in ovarian steroid hormone regulation of female reproductive function in rats. Nitric oxide (NO) has also been suggested to be an essential mediator of gonadotropin-releasing hormone release and of lordosis behavior of female rats. These studies used a superfusion system to investigate the hypothesis that NO regulates [3H]NE release in the preoptic area (POA) and hypothalamus (HYP), brain regions that mediate ovarian steroid effects on reproductive function. The NO synthase inhibitors N-nitro-L-arginine and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester did not modify either basal or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-stimulated NE release in either brain region of ovariectomized, hormone-treated or control animals. The NO precursor L-arginine (L-Arg) reduced NMDA-stimulated NE release in POA but had no effect on KCl- or electrically-stimulated release. L-Arg did not influence basal or evoked release of [3H]NE from HYP slices. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO-generating compound, blocked the release of NE in response to NMDA stimulation but not in response to KCl or electrical stimulation. Thus, SNP is probably reducing NE release by acting as an NMDA antagonist rather than via NO production. There was a tendency for administration of both estrogen and progesterone to ovariectomized females to facilitate NMDA-stimulated NE release, particularly in the POA. Our data suggest that NO does not mediate basal or NMDA-stimulated NE release in rat POA and HYP. Therefore, NO regulation of lordosis behavior and gonadotropin release in female rats is probably not exerted at the level of NE release.

Hibiscus protocatechuic acid protects against oxidative damage induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide in rat primary hepatocytes.

Hibiscus protocatechuic acid (PCA), a simple phenolic compound isolated from Hibiscus sabdariffa L., was studied for its protective effects against oxidative damage induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) in a primary culture of rat hepatocytes. It had been reported that exposure of isolated hepatocytes to t-BHP results in leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alanine transaminase (ALT), peroxidation of cellular lipids, and depolarization of mitochondria. The present investigations showed that PCA at concentrations of 0.05 mg/ml and 0.10 mg/ml significantly decreased the leakage of LDH (P < 0.01) and ALT (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) and the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA; P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) induced by 30-min treatment with t-BHP (1.5 mM) in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. PCA also attenuated t-BHP (0.10 mM) induced mitochondrial depolarization as determined by a retention test of rhodamine 123 and DNA repair synthesis as evidenced by unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS). In addition, PCA exhibited an effective ability to quench 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH). In conclusion, PCA demonstrated protective effects against cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of hepatocytes induced by t-BHP. One of mechanisms of PCA's protective effect may be associated with its property of scavenging free radicals.

Secondary screening system for preclinical testing of human lung cancer therapies.

The National Cancer Institute has instituted a primary screening system for testing new agents against cultured cancer cell lines. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using a nude rat orthotopic (organ-specific) human lung cancer model system as an in vivo secondary screen for general evaluation of new anticancer agents and therapies active against lung cancer. To make this determination, we tested whether this system allows measurement of uptake and tumoricidal activity of anticancer therapies. Tumor-bearing lungs from 53 Rowett nude rats with orthotopically implanted human large-cell undifferentiated lung carcinoma (NCI-H460) were perfused ex vivo for 1 hour with or without each of two anticancer modalities. Lungs were perfused with blood-free perfusate alone (untreated control), perfusate with 100 micrograms/mL doxorubicin (treated positive control), or perfusate with lymphokine-activated killer cells plus human recombinant interleukin-2 (LAK/rIL-2). Weight gain during perfusion was the criterion used to quantitate lung injury. Treatment efficacy was measured by clonogenic assay after enzymatic disaggregation of the perfused tumors. Doxorubicin levels in the tumor and in the uninvolved lung were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Both treatment groups showed only slight increases in lung weight compared with that in the untreated control group, suggesting good lung tolerance of the procedure. Lung and tumor levels of doxorubicin were 320 +/- 21 ng/mg of tissue and 32 +/- 5 ng/mg of tissue (means +/- SE), respectively. Clonogenic assay demonstrated a fivefold to 10-fold reduction in the surviving fraction of tumor cells with doxorubicin but no change with LAK/rIL-2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Photochemotherapy of dominant, diffuse, cutaneous mastocytosis.

Diffuse, cutaneous mastocytosis is a rare variant of cutaneous mast cell infiltration that can arise in neonates or infants as a generalized bullous eruption. The mode of transmission is suggested as autosomal dominant. We report four infants from two unrelated families with diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis whose cutaneous disease was not controlled by initial therapies. Treatment of the four infants with photochemotherapy dramatically reduced or eliminated symptoms. One course of therapy resulted in improvement, and retreatment has not been required two to six years later.

[A electromyographical observation on the treatment of poliomyelitis sequelae with series electroacupuncture].

We observed the changes of quadriceps femoris EMG before and after treatment on treatment 41 cases of poliomyelitis sequelae with series electroacupuncture. In 41 patients muscles strength of quadriceps femoris before treatment in 35 cases was below 0 degree and 1 degree. The changes of EMG, Most had no motor unit potential, some only a few but duration was long, and amplitude decreased markedly. A few had fibrillation or positive sharp wave. The changes in EMG accorded with the diagnosis of poliomyelitis sequelae. After 3 month treatment, tee EMG findings were decreasing or there was loss of fibrillation, appearance of motor unit potentials, increase of the amount of motor unit potentials, prolongation of duration and increasing of amplitude of motor unit potentials, appearance of polyphasic potentials etc. Through analysis of EMG, 32 among 41 cases were improved, effective rate was 78%, P less than 0.01. EMG indices indicate the efficacy of series mg electroacupuncture in treating the sequelae of poliomyelitis and confirm the clinical therapeutic effect of the treatment. The indices indicate that the pathological changes of damaged anterior horn cells of the spinal cord were decreased and partial recovery of nervous function. The EMG changes paralleled those in clinical therapeutic effect of treatment and changes of muscle strength.