The effects of core stability training in nurses with nonspecific low back pain.

ABSTRACT: To investigate the effect of core stability training on nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) in nurses.The data were collected retrospectively by reviewing the patient's medical records and pain questionnaires in our rehabilitation center. A total of 40 nurses with NSLBP were included and divided into observation group and control group. Each group were given routine health education for NSLBP. Core stability training was performed in observation group for 4 weeks. Surface electromyography (sEMG) evaluation of erector spine and multifidus muscle, pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were evaluated and analyzed before and 4 weeks after intervention.There was no significant difference of NRS score and JOA score between two groups before intervention (P > .05, respectively). The NRS and JOA scores were significantly improved in both two groups after 4 weeks of intervention (P < .05, respectively). Moreover, the improvement of NRS and JOA scores in the observation group were better than those of the control group (P < .05, respectively). No significant difference of average electromyography (AEMG) or median frequency (MF) were noted between the healthy side and the affected side in both groups before or after intervention (P > .05, respectively). After 4 weeks of intervention, the AEMG of the healthy and the affected side of the two groups showed an improved trend without significant difference (P > .05, respectively). The MF of affected side was significantly higher 4 weeks after intervention than those before treatment in the observation and control group (P < .05, respectively).Core stability training can alleviate pain, improve the fatigue resistance of the core muscles and the balance of the functions of bilateral multifidus muscles in nurses with NSLBP.

Establishment and characterization of a kidney cell line from kelp grouper Epinephelus moara.

A novel cell line, Epinephelus moara kidney cell line (EMK), was established from kidneys of kelp grouper E. moara. Cells were cultured at 24 °C in Leibovitz's L-15 medium (L15) supplemented with antibiotics, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), foetal bovine serum (FBS) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). EMK cells, fibroblastic in morphology, proliferated to 100% confluency in 3-4 days and were subcultured for over 50 passages. The cells could grow from 18 to 30 °C, with optimal growth at 24 °C. Chromosome analysis indicated that the modal chromosome number was 48 in the cells at passage 42. Green fluorescent signals could be observed in EMK cells when the cells were transfected with pEGFP-N3 plasmid. Moreover, a significant cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed in the cells after infection with Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) or nervous necrosis virus (NNV), and viral replication was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). These results suggested the potential of the EMK cell line for studies of transgene and pathogenesis of SGIV and NNV.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of a novel r-spondin member (rspo2l) in Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis).

Numerous studies suggest R-spondins (Rspos) plays a role in mammalian sex development and differentiation by activating WNT signaling pathways. However, Rspos are frequently less reported in teleosts. In this study, a molecular characterization and expression analysis was conducted with a new rspondin member in the Chinese tongue sole, rspondin2-like (rspo2l). The length of rspo2l cDNA is 1251 bp with 732 bp of coding sequence. A qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the transcription of rspo2l was distributed in various tissues, with high transcription levels in the liver, skin, and gills which might indicate a possible role in immunity. We next examined a time-course of transcription levels in four immune tissues (gill, liver, spleen, and kidney) after Vibrio harveyi challenge. It was found that rspo2l was up-regulated in the gills, spleen, and kidney and down-regulated in the liver, and the greatest responses occurred at 24 and 48 h after bacterial challenge. An assessment of ß-catenin, the key regulator of the canonical WNT signaling pathway, at different time points in four immune organs revealed that its transcription profile was similar to that of rspo2l after bacterial challenge. The results suggest that tongue sole rspo2l might play a role in immune responses after bacterial challenge, while the potential link with the WNT signaling pathway still requires further investigation. This is the first report about the involvement of rspondins in fish immune responses.

[Contribution of Zhou Mei-sheng to cause of acupuncture and moxibustion].

Chief physician zhou Mei-sheng, a famous expert of acupuncture and moxibustion in our country, has made outstanding contribution to development of cause of acupuncture and moxibustion in over half a century, including paying attention to practice, concentrating attention on clinical study and creation of acupuncture and moxibustion instruments; being at good summarization, workers with original view, resolving doubts, medical skill and medical ethics passing on to later generations; believing moxibustion able to treat AIDS. In recent over 20 years, he devotes study on acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of difficult and complicated diseases and writes books to expound a theory.