BACKGROUND: Alendronate has been recently used for treating osteoporosis by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts, but further clinical observation is necessary to compare its therapeutic effect with exclusive use of calcium supplement.OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of oral alendronate (tianke tablet) on the clinical symptoms and bone mineral density (BMD) of middle-aged and elderly patients for comparison with calcium gluconate.DESIGN: A self-controlled study and controlled trial with concurrent patients.SETTING: Department of Orthopedics, Shenzhen Hospital, Peking UniversityPARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight middle-aged and elderly patients with osteoporosis were admitted in the Department of Orthopedics, Shenzhen Hospital of Peking University between July 1999 and July 2000. From these patients 62 at the age over 45 years without secondary osteoporosis were selected for this study, who were randomly divided into oral alendronate group (n=32) and oral calcium gluconate group (n=30).INTERVENTIONS: On the basis of comprehensive therapies, the patients in the alendronate group were given 10 mg alendronate daily and those in calcium gluconate group had 20 mL oral calcium gluconate solution (containing 100 mg calcium gluconate, equivalent to 9 mg calcium in every 10 mL) three times daily for three months. According to bodily pain relief, occurrence of new fracture and improvement in BMD, the therapeutic effect was assessed in three grades.RESULTS: Thirty patients in the alendronate group and 26 in the calcium gluconate group completed the study. Alendronate treatment for 3months significantly increased BMD of the patients [(0.716±0.082) g/cm2in comparison with that before treatment [(0.667±0.083) g/cm2, t= 2.473,P ＜ 0.01], whereas the BMD underwent no obvious changes after treatment with calcium gluconate [(0.671±0.081) g/cm2 before vs (0.680±0.073) g/cm2after treatment, t=1.812, P ＞ 0.05]. Significant difference in BMD after treatment was noted between the two groups (t=2.384, P ＜ 0.01). The effective rate was significantly higher in alendronate group than in calcium gluconate group (X2=14.9, P=0.005), but 7 patients complained of abdominal discomfort in the former group and the patients in calcium gluconate group reported no adverse effects.CONCLUSION: Alendronate can inhibit bone absorption, promote the recovery of bone matrix, and increase the bone mass, producing better effect than exclusive use of calcium gluconate oral solution in treatment of the osteoporosis in the middle-aged and the elderly.

ObjectiveTo assess the microscopic features of alopecia areata(AA) by using in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM).MethodsBetween January 2010 and May 2011,26 male and 20 female patients diagnosed with AA were enrolled in this study.AA lesions and perilesional normal skin were examined by means of in vivo CLSM.Tissue specimens were obtained from the lesions and perilesional normal skin of 10 out of the 46 patients and subjected to routine histopathologic examination.ResultsThe number of hair follicles per unit area(cm2) was decreased in lesions of progressive AA and resting AA compared with normal perilesional skin(134.856 ± 18.301 and 147.159 ± 17.536 vs.301.613 ± 35.317,both P ＜ 0.05).Although the quantity of hair follicles increased in lesions of recovery AA((227.778 ± 16.861 )/cm2),but was still less than that in the normal perilesional skin (P ＜ 0.05).There was a lack of hair shaft in follicles,as well as an inflammatory infiltration in hair follicles,around hair follicles and capillaries in superficial dermis in lesions of progressive AA.The inflammatory infiltration was attenuated in lesions of resting AA.In lesions of recovery AA,the infiltration was further attenuated with an apparent growth of lanugos and terminal hairs.ConclusionsAs far as AA lesions are concerned,CLSM images are consistent with histopathological findings.CLSM may serve as a promising tool for monitoring efficacy and predicting prognosis based on hair growth cycle,hair follicle number,and inflammatory infiltration degree.

Objective To study the effects of podophyllotoxin solid lipid nanoparticles (POD-SLN) on the proliferation of human epidermal cells in vitro. Methods POD-SLN was prepared by using microemulsion technique, the morphology of POD-SLN was examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM), and its particle size and Zeta potential were studied by Zetasizer analyzer. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to determine the entrapment efficiency of podophyllotoxin (POD) in the nanoparticles, and its stability was observed. Human epidermal cells were treated with different concentrations (0.1-1 000 ?g/L) of POD-SLN, and the proliferation of human epidermal cells was studied at different time points after exposure (6h, 12h, 24h, 48h). The cytotoxic effects of POD-SLN, POD liposome, free POD, blank solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and control groups on human epidermal cells were assessed using a colorimetric MTT cell viability assay. Results POD-SLN displayed spherical or elliptical in shape, and it was stable. The average particle size of POD-SLN was 87.2?10.3nm, Zeta potential was 25.3?0.8mv and the entrapment efficiency of POD in the nanoparticles was 83.2%?2.5%. POD-SLN inhibited the proliferation of human epidermal cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. At the same concentration, the effect of PDP-SLN on anti-proliferation was stronger than that of POD liposome and POD. The inhibition of human epidermal cells after 48h exposure to PDP-SLN, POD liposome, and POD reached 91.05%, 77.02% and 68.46% respectively, at the highest concentration of 1000?g/L, and the IC50 were 2.11?g/L, 16.65?g/L and 101.42?g/L, respectively. Blank SLN had no effect on the proliferation of human epidermal cells. Conclusion This formulation and technology are stable and practical. POD-SLN can significantly inhibit the proliferation of human epidermal cells in vitro and the inhibitory effect was better than that of POD liposome and POD.

Objective To search the clinical manifestations,data of laboratory examination, features of CT and MRI, therapy, prognosis in order to evaluate the progress in therapy of patients with crypotococcus meningitis(CM).Methods The findings of clinical features were analyzed and summarized for therapy of 43 CM cases identified with India-ink capsule staining.Results Primary positive rates of India-ink capsule staining were 58 1%(25/43), secondary positive rates were 30 2%(13/43),7 0%(3/43),patients diagnosed with cultivate positive. Clinical cure was achieved in 22 of 32 patients (68 7%) treated with amphotericin B, 4 patients of without efficacy using amphotericin B were cured by liposomal amphotericin B treatment.6 patients was died from cerebral hernia.Conclusions It is indicated that amphotericin B and fluconazole are effective and well tolerated in treatment of crypotococcus meningitis. If amphotericin B should inefficiency therapy of CM,liposomal amphotericin B would be consider.

Objective To explore the best formula of the 0 5% liposome podophyllotoxin chitosan film. Methods Chitosan,acetic acid and gelatin were selected as three factors to prepare film, each factor including three levels, and 0 5% liposome podophyllotoxin served as blank factor. The films of different formula were prepared according to orthogonal design. The evaluation was made on the basis of the characteristics of conglutination and dissolution, then the best formula was determined finally. Results The results showed that the conglutination and dissolution of the film which was made of 2% chitosan, 1%acetic acid, 2% gelatin and 0 5% liposome podophyllotoxin chitosan was the most perfect. Conclusion The film designed according to orthogonal experiment was coincidenced with the requirements in aspect of conglutination and dissolution, and its appearance was perfect.

Objective To evaluate feasibility, effectiveness , safety, and complications of superselective bronchial artery embolization with coaxial microcatheter system for hemoptysis. Methods 32 times of superselective bronchial artery embolization were performed for 29 cases with hemoptysis resulted from a variety of causes, age grade from 35 to 71(mean 54) year old. The causes of hemoptysis included bronchiectasis (9 cases), tuberculosis (12 cases), and pulmonary carcinoma (8 cases). All studies were performed with standard percutaneous transfemoral catheterization. Results The success rate of superselective catheterization was 96 9% (32/33). Hemoptysis control was achieved in 96 9% (31/32), with complete control rate of 65.6% (21/32) and partial control rate of 31.3% (10 /32),inefficacy case:only one.One patient with bronchiectasis, 6 patients with pulmonary carcinoma and 3 patients with chronic fibrosis tuberculosis were included in the partial control group. Rebleeding occurred in 7 patients (4 patients with pulmonary carcinoma and 3 patients with chronic fibrosis tuberculosis) during 2 months to 32 months followed-up period. No severe complications occurred in the procedure. Conclusions Superselective bronchial artery embolization for hemoptysis with coaxial microcatheter is a safe, effective way to control hemoptysis, has excellent long term efficacy, and without severe complications.

Objective To study the expression of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the influence of prolactin (PRL) upon it. Methods The level of serum PRL in quiescent condition was examined by electrochemiluminescence-meter in 30 patients with SLE and 20 healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were separated from all the subjects by gradient centrifugation density, and cultured with or without the presence of recombinant human PRL (rhPRL) for 24 hours. The expression of IRF-1 gene in cultured PBMC was detected by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) with gel image scanning. Results The relative value of IRF-1 gene expression was significantly higher in SLE patients than in normal controls (0.89±0.21 vs 0.78±0.18, P=0.026), and in SLE patients with high PRL than in those with normal PRL (1.06±0.26 vs 0.82±0.21, P=0.005). However, there was no significant difference between SLE patients with normal PRL and healthy controls in regard to the expression of IRF-1 gene (P=0.514). The stimulation with rhRPL significantly elevated the relative expression of IRF-1 gene in SLE patients with normal PRL (0.99±0.22 vs 0.82±0.21, P=0.036), but had no obvious effect on that in the normal controls. Conclusion The study reveals a high expression of IRF-1 gene in SLE patients, which may be related to the high level of PRL.

The study aims to investigate the incidence of bacterial vaginitis(BV) in female patients with condyloma acuminatum. In eighty-seven female patients with condyloma acuminatum, the incidence of BV was 37.93%. The incidence of relapse of condyloma acuminatum was markedly higher in patients with complication of BV compared with those without BV. The results suggested that vaginal infection may contribute to relapse of condyloma acuminatum.

Objective　To investigate the role of suramin in inhibiting the angiogenesis of lung cancer. Methods　The protei n expression of VEGF and its receptor fms-like tyrosine kinase(Flt), kinase ins ert domain-containing receptor(KDR) in lung cancer cell A549 and ECV-304 was studied with immunohistochemical technique. The anti-angiogenesis effect of su ramin was evaluated with immunohistochemical technique and cell culture. Results　Suramin showed no effect on the production of lung cancer cel ls and their secretion of VEGF. No possitive expression of Flt, KDR in A549 was found in the suramin interfered group and non-interfered group, but VEGF w as e xpressed in both groups. The Flt and KDR expressions in ECV-304 cells were decr eased significantly after the treatment of suramin at 0.25 ng/ml and 2.5 ng/ml r espectively. There was no effect on proliferetion of A549 and ECV-304 after sur amin in terference. Conclusion　The mechanism of inhibiting-angiogenes is of suramin is pro bably due to reducing the VEGF receptor expression in vascular endothelial cells and inhibiting the binding of VEGF and its receptors.

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the disinfection effectiveness and properties of acrylic resin via microwave irradiation. Methods Forty acrylic resin base dentures fabricated in a standardized procedure were chosen and divided into Group A,B,C and D randomly. Group A,B and C were immersed in 200ml distilled water and submitted to microwave irradiation at 700W for 3,4,5 minutes individually. Group D was used as positive control. Bacteria specimens from each group were got for culture and numbers were calculated. Then the four groups were tested for the flexural strength and impact strength by universal test machine before and after microwave irradiation sterilization. Results The germicidal ratio of Group B was more than 90% ,while the ratio of group C was 100%. There was no significant difference in flexural strength and impact strength between group C and group D. Conclusions Microwave irradiation for 5 minutes at 700W produced sterilization of dentures contaminated with all bacteria whereas the denture strength is not affected. Microwave irradiation at 700W solution for 5 minutes was effective to sterilize acrylic resin base dentures.