MicroRNAs Involved in Anti-Tumour Immunity.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a category of small RNAs that constitute a new layer of complexity to gene regulation within the cell, which has provided new perspectives in understanding cancer biology. The deregulation of miRNAs contributes critically to the development and pathophysiology of a number of cancers. miRNAs have been found to participate in cell transformation and multiplication by acting as tumour oncogenes or suppressors; therefore, harnessing miRNAs may provide promising cancer therapeutics. Another major function of miRNAs is their activity as critical regulatory vehicles eliciting important regulatory processes in anti-tumour immunity through their influence on the development, differentiation and activation of various immune cells of both innate and adaptive immunity. This review aims to summarise recent findings focusing on the regulatory mechanisms of the development, differentiation, and proliferative aspects of the major immune populations by a diverse profile of miRNAs and may enrich our current understanding of the involvement of miRNAs in anti-tumour immunity.

Efficacy of home-based virtual cycling training on bone mineral density in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

UNLABELLED: The 12-week home-based virtual cycling training (hVCT) improved lower limb muscle strength and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) than the control program in children with cerebral palsy (CP). A muscle strengthening program, rather than general physical activity, is more specific in enhancing aBMD for these children. A novel hVCT is an effective and efficient strategy that enhances lower limb bone density in these children. INTRODUCTION: This is the first study to assess the efficacy of a novel hVCT program on bone density for children with spastic CP using a well-designed randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Twenty-seven ambulatory children with spastic CP, aged 6-12 years, were randomly assigned to the hVCT group (n=13) or control group (n=14). Outcome measures-motor function [Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66)], muscle strength (curl up scores and isokinetic torque of knee extensor and flexor muscle) and aBMD of the lumbar and distal femur-were administered before and immediately after the 12-week intervention. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance results show that the hVCT group had greater distal femur aBMD and isokinetic torques of knee extensor and flexor muscles than the control group at posttreatment (p<0.05). However, curl up scores, GMFM-66, and lumbar aBMD at posttreatment did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Analytical findings suggest that the muscle strengthening program is more specific in enhancing bone density for children with CP than general physical activity. Thus, the proposed 12-week hVCT protocol is an effective and efficient strategy for improving lower limb aBMD in these children.

The effect of thickness on the texture and magnetic properties of single-layered FePt films by rapid thermal annealing.

The single-layered FePt films with thickness in the range of 5 to 50 nm are deposited directly on Si(100) substrate without underlayer, then post annealed at 700 degrees C by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) technique. As the film thickness of FePt is over 20 nm, the L1(0) FePt(111) preferred orientation is presented and tended to in-plane magnetic anisotropy. However, the L1(0) FePt(001) texture is obtained and exhibited perpendicular magnetic anisotropy as the film thickness is decreased to 10 nm. Its perpendicular coercivity (Hc(perpendicular)), saturation magnetization (Ms) and perpendicular squareness (S(perpendicular)) are 14.8 kOe, 795 emu/cm3 and 0.79, respectively. On the other hand, both the grain size and domain size of FePt film decrease with decreasing the film thickness of FePt. The grain size for 10-nm FePt film is as small as 9.7 nm with domain size of 123 nm, which reveal its significant potential as perpendicular magnetic recording media for ultra high-density recording.

Vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis activity in open and closed kinetic chain exercises in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: an electromyographic study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the electromyographic activities of vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in open and closed kinetic chain exercises in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). DESIGN: Case-controlled study. SETTING: Rehabilitation science center in a tertiary medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Ten patients with bilateral knee pain diagnosed with PFPS and 10 healthy volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects performed open kinetic chain exercise on an isokinetic dynamometer and closed kinetic chain exercise by squat-to-stand and stand-to-squat tasks. Surface electromyography was done for the VMO and VL muscles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: VMO/VL ratios were calculated after normalization of muscle activities. RESULTS: The VMO/VL ratios of PFPS subjects were significantly lower than were those of unimpaired subjects during knee isokinetic closed kinetic chain exercises (p = .047). However, there was no statistical difference in VMO/VL ratio between subjects with and without PFPS during closed kinetic chain exercises (p = .623). Maximum VMO/VL ratio was obtained at 60 degrees knee flexion in closed kinetic chain exercise. CONCLUSION: In closed kinetic chain exercises, more selective VMO activation can be obtained at 60 degrees knee flexion. Maximal VMO/VL ratio was observed at this knee flexion angle, and muscle contraction intensity was also greatest.

Motor control assessment for rhizotomy in cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To apply motor control assessment for selection of appropriate spastic cerebral palsy children to receive selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR). DESIGN: Forty children with spastic cerebral palsy (3-16 yr) were divided into three groups: "independent ambulator," "dependent ambulator," and "nonambulator." Another 18 healthy children were selected as the control group. Both motor control (tested by using polyelectromyography (PEMG)) and clinical ambulatory capability were assessed within 1 mo before SPR and 12 mo after. PEMG patterns were classified into seven patterns according to electromyographic activities during hip/knee flexion and extension. Gait patterns, which were analyzed by computer DynoGraphy, were classified into four patterns for children with ambulatory capability. RESULTS: PEMG and gait patterns were correlated with ambulatory ability. PEMG patterns 2-3 could predict independent ambulatory ability, whereas patterns 6-7 will interfere with ambulatory ability. PEMG patterns showed significant improvement after SPR in the ambulatory groups (P < 0.05), whereas they did not improve in the nonambulator group. Children with cerebral palsy with co-contraction of proximal/distal muscles had better results after SPR, whereas those with diffuse co-contraction or reduced electromyography activities had poor results. CONCLUSIONS: PEMG patterns may allow the physician to select the appropriate children with spastic cerebral palsy to receive SPR with good results.

Balance evaluation in hemiplegic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Decreased equilibrium in standing and walking is a common problem associated with hemiplegic stroke patients. Stroke patients with balance problems are prone to falls. In addition to spatial recognition, the appropriate pattern of muscle activity to preserve balance depends on sensory and motor processes. Previous reports have mentioned that the right posterior parietal cortex seems to be predominantly involved in spatial integration. We therefore wanted to conduct a study to quantify and compare the balance control between right hemispheric stroke and left hemispheric stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty hemiplegic stroke patients (14 right, 16 left) and 15 age-matched healthy subjects were included in this study. The objective measurement of the basic components of balance control was performed using the SMART Balance Master. The motor status of the hemiplegic limbs was evaluated by Brunnstrom staging. The functional outcome of the stroke patients was evaluated by the functional independence measure (FIM). RESULTS: The balance function of stroke patients was significantly worse as compared to that of the healthy subjects especially in dynamic stability. However, different from the other reports, our right hemispheric stroke patients had better balance function than our left hemispheric patients. The locomotion and mobility scores of the FIM were also better in the right hemispheric stroke patients. CONCLUSION: This result suggested that the motor function of the healthy limbs of stroke patients may play an important role in their balance function. The results of this study may provide a guide for prescribing a more efficient rehabilitation program for stroke patients.

Effects of silicon-insole socks on pressure distribution and shear force of the foot.

BACKGROUND: Many problems of the foot are due to abnormal plantar pressure and shear force, but until now shear force could not be accurately measured. Different methods can be used to reduce foot pressure, such as foot orthosis or shoe modification. The purposes of our study were to propose a method for measuring the maximum shear force of the foot and also to investigate the effect of silicone-insole socks in reducing the peak plantar pressure and shear stress of the foot. METHODS: Twenty-two healthy subjects were included in this study, each subject underwent 2 kinds of experiments to study the peak plantar pressure, the horizontal shear reaction force, and the maximum shear force under 3 conditions: barefoot, wearing 100% cotton socks, and wearing silicone-insole socks. RESULTS: Our results showed a significant decrease in midfoot peak plantar pressure while walking, and a decrease in horizontal shear reaction force and maximum shear force while wearing cotton socks and silicone-insole socks in walking and pulling. Silicone-insole socks were more significant in decreasing horizontal shear reaction force than cotton socks. CONCLUSION: Silicone-insole socks are better than cotton socks in reducing horizontal shear reaction forces and their friction coefficients. Because only normal subjects have been tested, further study is required to prove the efficacy of silicone-insole socks on different kinds of foot pathology.

Rising from chair after total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to determine the biomechanics of chair rising by patients after successful total knee arthroplasty (TKA). DESIGN: Relative full body joint positions and ground reaction forces were measured by a motion analysis system and two force plates. BACKGROUND: Chair-rise produces increased joint forces and moments compared with level walking, and it is difficult to rise from a chair for most patients with neurological or musculoskeletal abnormalities. Previous motion studies of patients after TKA had focused on gait analysis and stair climbing. METHODS: Twelve patients after successful TKA were studied while performing sit-to-stand transfer from a chair at four chair heights without the use of arm rests. The results of this group were compared with those of 12 healthy elderly subjects and 14 osteoarthritic patients before TKA. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy elderly group during chair rising, the patients after TKA had increased horizontal mass center velocity, increased vertical hip joint forces, the maximum sound-side hip extension moment, but decreased vertical mass center velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Compensatory mechanisms of chair rising were adopted by the arthritic patients before and after TKA. The mechanisms include increased forward body bending and more weight shift on the sound side.

Removal of water produced from lipase-catalyzed esterification in organic solvent by pervaporation.

Esterification of oleic acid with n-butanol in the presence of Lipozyme(R) was carried out at 25 degrees C in isooctane with various initial water activities. Initial reaction rate as well as equilibrium conversion decreased at high initial water activity. Therefore, removal of water present in the reaction mixtures was essential. A pervaporation process was applied to the lipase-catalyzed synthesis of n-butyloleate to remove water. Pervaporation selectively separated water from the reaction mixture using a nonporous polymeric membrane, cellulose acetate. Therefore, pervaporation is potentially applicable to remove the water produced from various enzymatic processes, such as synthesis of various esters, peptides, and glycosides in a solvent system as well as in a solvent-free system. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

[Studies on longevity tea].

This paper reports the preparation, physical and chemical identification and content determination of Longevity Tea. The preparation process is advanced, the content determination is simple and accurate and thus can be taken as standards for the quality control of Longevity Tea.

Isolation of vindoline from Catharanthus roseus by supercritical fluid extraction.

Vindoline was extracted from the leaves of Catharanthus roseus over the ranges of 35-70 degrees C and 100-300 bar using supercritical carbon dioxide with and without the addition of 3 wt % ethanol as a cosolvent. The vindoline contents in the extracts were determined by HPLC and identified by LC/MS. The remarkable highest vindoline concentration, 58 wt %, was obtained at the lowest temperature, 35 degrees C, and the highest pressure, 300 bar, of this study. The use of a cosolvent only slightly improved the extraction yields or selectivities at some experimental conditions.

Improved high-performance liquid chromatographic assay of erythromycin in pharmaceutical solid dosage forms.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for the assay of erythromycins in pharmaceutical preparations is described. Detailed experimental procedures and results are given. The major erythromycins are well separated, very good recoveries were obtained and detection limits for erythromycins B and C were estimated.

Characteristics of equilibrium reaction of zolazepam.

The equilibrium reaction of zolazepam, a pyrazolodiazepinone, was studied and analyzed using the approach used previously for other pyrazolodiazepinone derivatives. The intrinsic ring closure equilibrium constant for this reaction was approximately 100 times larger than that observed for pyrazolodiazepinones studied previously. This study illustrates that the diazepinone ring can dominate in equilibrium mixtures formed at pH values far below the pKa of the corresponding form.

Stability-indicating assay for vidarabine.

A physicochemical procedure for the analysis of vidarabine in aqueous parenteral formulations was needed to assure potency and to define stability. Concurrent with the development of this method, its decomposition products and route in aqueous solution were determined. A quantitative procedure was developed to determine intact drug in the presence of decomposition products, and the results obtained were validated by microbial assay. Spectral (UV and polarimetric) and TLC evidence indicated that, in aqueous solution, hydrolysis without racemization occurs, yielding adenine and arabinose. The sensitivity of the method to decomposition is improved by ion-exchange separation of adenine and drug before UV measurement. Analysis of partially decomposed solutions of the drug by both ion-exchange and microbiological methods gave comparable results.

Equilibrium reaction of pyrazolodiazepinones in aqueous solution.

This study of the behavior of some pyrazolodiazepinones in aqueous solution at near ambient temperature indicated that they form stable equilibrium mixtures consisting of ring and opened forms. Under isothermal conditions, mixtures are produced whose composition is dependent on pH and may vary from that corresponding to essentially complete ring opening to complete closure. Ring closure equilibrium constants were calculated, and the influence of methyl substitution was determined. Substitution of a methyl group for an amido hydrogen in the open form results in a fivefold increase in this constant. Methylation of the terminal amino group, however, did not cause a corresponding increase and may not significantly affect equilibrium.