Objective To evaluate the effects of an intervention programme of health education and life style modification on postmenopausal osteoporosis women. Methods A total of 120 postmenopausal osteoporosis women were enrolled in this one-year randomized controlled follow-up study and assigned to the intervention group ( Group A, n = 60) or the control group ( Group B, n = 60). Both groups were treated with alendronate sodium. In Group A, education program was performed once a season in the form of face-to-face consultation or group session. In Group B, no additional intervention was used. The primary outcome was patients' compliance in follow-up. The secondary outcomes were change in bone mineral density (BMD).BMD was measured by dual-X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on lumbar spine and hip at baseline and 12 months after the intervention. Results After one-year intervention,51 subjects in Group A and 38 in Group B completed the follow-up. Groups A showed better compliance. BMD on lumbar spine and hip was significantly increased in both groups when compared with baseline. The changes of BMD on lumbar (0.042+0.067 vs 0.026±0.070,P=0. O29) or Words region (0.029 +0. 129 vs 0.023±0. 143,P=0. 041 ) showed statistical significance between the two groups. Conclusion For alendronate sodium treatment, health management ensures the effectiveness of the therapy and improves the compliance of the patients.

Objective To determine the test-retest reliability of functional squat system (FSS) isometric muscle strength tests for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods The isometric muscle strength of thirty patientswith knee osteoarthritis (21 males and 9 females; age 45 to 89 years, mean age 68.73 ± 12.19 years) was tested twice within 1 week by the same tester. Three test results were obtained: maximum isometric extension strength, the time to initiate isometric extension and the average isometric extension strength. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the three tests were computed to evaluate their retest reliability. Results The ICCs of the maximum isometric extension strength and average isometric extension strength of the uninvolved and involved extremities were respectively 0.87, 0.88, 0.92 and 0.89. The ICCs of the initiation time for the uninvolved and involved legs were respectively 0.25 and 0.41. Conclusion In these tests of patients with knee osteoarthritis using the functional squat system, both the maximum isometric extension strength and the average isometric extension strength had very good test-retest reliability. These two test results could be used as reliable guidance for treatment and rehabilitation of osteoarthritic knees.

Objective To evaluate the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) targeting optimal oxygenation on local gas distribution and inflammation in dogs with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods ARDS was induced by saline alveoli-lavage and oleic acid intravenous. The animals were mechanical ventilated 4 h at optimal PEEP titrated by oxygenation. Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed before and after induction of ARDS and at the end the study. NF-κB was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), IL-6 and IL-10 were assessed by ELISA.Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Pathological changes were examined under optical microscope. Results (1) Compared to baseline, total lung volumes decreased and nonaerated areas increased significantly after the induction of ARDS in both groups (P ＜ 0.05 ). Compared with ARDS models, PEEP titrated to achieve optimal oxygenation resulted in greater lung recruitment but was accompanied with hyperinflation, hyperinflation occurred in non-dependent lung. Compared with oleic acidinjured ARDS, the changing of hyperinflated lung areas was increased markedly in saline lavage-injured ARDS (P＜0.05). (2) Compared with right lung ventral lower lobe, lung injury score was lower in right lung upper lobe. Histological injury in right lung dorsal lower lobe was severer than that in right lung upper lobe and right lung ventral lower lobe. NF-κB activation of right lung dorsal lower lobe was markedly higher than right lung upper lobe (P ＜ 0.05 ). MPO and MDA were much higher with right lung dorsal lower lobe than right lung upper lobe and right lung ventral lower lobe ( P ＜ 0.05 ). Compared with right lung upper lobe and right lung ventral lower lobe, IL-6 and IL-10 increased markedly in right lung dorsal lower lobe ( P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusions Alveolar hyperinflation and aggravated lung injury in non-dependent region were occurred at PEEP targeting optimal oxygenation. Hyperinflation was more common in saline lavage-injured ARDS.

Objective To determine the inhibitory effect of a synthetic hexa-peptide GGWSHW (G peptide) derived from thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) on TGF-? activation induced by angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) in cultured human renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods Human proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2) was cultured in vitro, untreated HK-2 cells were acted as normal control group. HK-2 cells were then stimulated by Ang Ⅱ for 1-24 hours (Ang Ⅱ stimulation group),so that optimal dosage and duration could be chosen.One hour prior to induction,HK-2 cells were pretreated with 10 ?mol/L peptide G (G peptide treated group)or losartan (losartan treated group), the blocker of I type receptor of Ang Ⅱ was acted as inhibitory control.The mRNA and protein levels of TSP1,TGF-?1,FN and PAI-1 were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were performed to detect the presence of TSP1, TGF-?1 and co-positive expression of two protein, respectively.The concentrations of total and active TGF-?1 as well as FN and PAI-1 in cell culture supematants were measured by ELISA. Additionally, the expression of Smad2 and p-Smad2 was also examined for the bioactivity of TGF-?1 signaling protein. Results Ang Ⅱ enhanced the expression of TSP1 and TGF-?1 in a temporal-spatial dependent manner. The optimal dosage and duration were 1 ?mol/L and 6 hours,for TSP1,and 0.1 ?mol/L and 12 hours for TGF-?1 respectively.Comparing with untreated HK-2,the co-expression of TSP1 and TGF-?1 induced by A Ⅱ showed a increase of 5.4 folds.In addition,the protein level of p-Smad2 was elevated remarkedly, the mRNA level of FN and PAI-1 was up-regulated by 3 and 1.5 folds, and the concentration was increased by 2.0 and 1.9 folds respectively. Peptide G had less effect on the expression of TSP1 and TGF-?1,whereas it significantly reduced the secretion of active TGF-?1,though total level of TGF-?1 remained up-regulated. Furthermore,comparing with losartan treated group, p-Smad2 expression was reduced by 28.9%, the mRNA level of FN and PAI-1 was decreased by 34.5% and 26% respectively,and the protein levels were reduced by 11.0% and 8.9% respectively. Conclusion The inhibitory peptide derived from TSP1 effectively suppresses TGF-?1 activation through a competitive mechanism and also reduces the secretion of FN and PAI-1 associated with fibrosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the test-retest reliability about the lower extremities static joint position sense which was tested with the Tetrax balance-test-training system, and the dynamic joint position sense which was tested with the Functional Squat System; and to investigate the relationship between the static and the dynamic joint position sense of lower extremities of the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods30 patients with knee osteoarthritis were tested with the lower extremities static and dynamic joint position sense twice within 7 d with the Tetrax balance-test-training system and the Functional Squat System. ResultsThe intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the sum of the coefficient of medium-to-high-frequency in postural sway was 0.95 (P<0.001). The ICC of the reposition accuracy error mean of the unaffected/mild or affected/severe extremity were respectively 0.59 and 0.60 (P<0.001). The Pearson correlation coefficients of the sum of the coefficient of medium-to-high-frequency in postural sway and the reposition accuracy error mean of the unaffected/mild or affected/severe extremity were respectively 0.40 and 0.54 (P<0.05). ConclusionThe lower extremities static joint position sense test of the Tetrax balance-test-training system is well reliable, as well as the dynamic joint position sense of the Functional Squat System. They can be used together to evaluate the lower extremities proprioception in the patients with knee osteoarthritis.

ObjectiveTo examine the the inter-rater reliability of the Chinese version of Lequesne index as the effective treatment evaluation of patients with knee osteoarthritis.Methods30 patients with radiological findings and clinical symptoms of knee osteoarthritis were evaluated the Chinese version of Lequesne index twice by two staff who passed the Lequesne index formal training within 24 hours. Inter-rater reliability was assessed by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland & Altman method.ResultsInter-rater reliability was excellent with ICC=0.94. The Bland & Altman analysis revealed no systematic errors between inter-raters.ConclusionThe Chinese version of Lequesne index has high inter-rater reliability in subjects with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective To confirm the effects of statin therapy on mortality of patients with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS). Methods PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science andCochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for articles using the terms acute lung injury, ALI,acute respiratory distress syndrome, ARDS, statin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin updated to November 17,2015. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) or observational cohort studies investigating the effects of statin therapy onmortality in patients with ALI or ARDS were all identified, without date or language restriction. The control group wasgiven conventional treatment, while the experimental group was treated with statins additionally. The primary outcomewas in-hospital mortality. Meanwhile, ventilator-free day, intensive care unit (ICU)-free day, ICU length of stay (LOS)and ICU mortality were also analyzed. RevMan 5.2 and STATA 13 software were used for systematic review and Metaanalysis, and funnel plot was used to analyze the publication bias. Results A total of five trials including threerandomized controlled trials and two observational studies were included. Among 1636 patients enrolled in the study,there were 739 patients in experimental group, and 897 in control group. It was shown by Meta analysis that there was nosignificant difference in in-hospital mortality between experimental group and control group [relative risk (RR) = 0.96,95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.79-1.15, P = 0.63]. The subgroup analysis based on RCT and cohort study, or thesubgroup analysis of different statins showed that there was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality betweenthe experimental group and the control group (both P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in ventilator-freedays [mean difference (MD) = 1.41, 95%CI = -0.32-3.13, P = 0.11], ICU-free days (MD = -0.23, 95%CI = -1.61-1.15,P = 0.75), ICU length of stay (MD = -1.03, 95%CI = -6.55-4.50, P = 0.72), or ICU mortality (RR = 0.88, 95%CI =0.68-1.14, P = 0.33) between the experimental group and the control group. It was shown by funnel plot that there was nopublication bias in in-hospital mortality. Conclusion The systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that statin may not be associated with a significant reduction in mortality, ventilator-free day, ICU-free day and ICU length of stayin patients with ALI/ARDS.

Objective: To explore the changes and signiifcance of serum level of salusins in patients with essential hypertension (EH), obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and OSAHS complicated hypertension.
Methods: Our research included 4 groups: EH+OSAHS group,n=50, EH group,n=60, OSAHS group,n=35 and Control group,n=31 healthy subjects. Blood pressure, AHI index, body weight, height and routine biochemical examination were conducted and recorded in all subjects, serum levels of salusin-α and salusin-β were detected by ELISA, the relationship between each variable and OSAHS complicated hypertension was studied by multivariate Logistic regression analysis.
Results:①Serum levels of salusin-α were reduced accordingly as in Control group (7.438±1.626) pg/ml, in OSAHS group (6.186±1.200) pg/ml, in EH group (5.938±1.287) pg/ml and in EH+OSAHS group (5.299±1.398) pg/ml; for difference between OSAHS group and EH group,P>0.05 and for differences between other groups, allP<0.01.②Serumlevels of salusin-βwere decreased accordingly as in Control group (10.575±1.791) pg/ml, in OSAHS group (10.279±0.530) pg/ml, in EHgroup (9.698±0.344) pg/ml and in EH+OSAHS group (9.070±0.586) pg/ml; for differences between OSAHS group and Control group, EH group, bothP>0.05 and fordifferences between other groups, allP<0.05.③Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that serum level of salusin-α was independently and negatively related to OSAHS complicated hypertension (OR=-0.736,P<0.05); serum level of salusin-β was independently and negatively related to OSAHS complicated hypertension (r=-0.731,P<0.05).
Conclusion: Low serum levels of salusin-α and salusin-β were related to OSAHS complicated hypertension.

Objective To investigate the role of basophils in the imbalance of Th 1/Th2 response in mouse models of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA).Methods 4-6-weeks old C57/BL6 mice were immunized with collagen at multiple points on the back and foot twice (0 and 3 weeks) to establish a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis.Blood samples were collected before the first immunization and 1, 3, 6 and 9 weeks after immunization , and cells from lymph nodes were collected.Flow cytometry and ELISA were employed to detect the levels of basophils and IL-4, and the joint swelling was scored.Results Mouse model of CIA was successful established .The ratio of IL-4/IFN-γof the CIA group was significantly lower than that in the mice before CIA modeling and the control group , indicating a Th2-dominant response .At the same time, the peripheral basophils counting and percentage of IL-4 positive basophils of the CIA group were significantly higher than those of the control group .While, the IL-4/IFN-γratio of the CIA group was significantly higher than that of the control group , indicating a Th1-dominant response .The peripheral basophils counting of the CIA group was slightly lower than that of the control group .Conclusion Basophils may participate in the development of CIA in mouse models through affecting the imbalance of Th 1/Th2 response.

BACKGROUND:Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging can display the dispersion changes of peripheral nerve injury and be used to conduct quantitative research, so it has good application prospects in displaying the nerve injury and regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the possibility of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging of rabbit acute sciatic nerve traction injury, and to figure out the value of diffusion tensor parameters in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve injuries and to reveal the pathologic basis. METHODS:The right hind limb sciatic nerves of 32 New Zealand white rabbits were selected to make the regeneration and repair models, the left hind limb nerves as the sham-operation side. Diffusion tensor imaging examination of sciatic nerves were performed at 1 and 3 days, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after operation with 1.5 T MRI. Fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient were measured through diffusion tensor tracing
reconstruction, and then the pathological examination was performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Diffusion tensor imaging revealed only the proximal nerve, injured nerve as wel as the middle of the distal nerve at 1 day after traction injury. At 1 week, the nerve of distal portion appeared thinner and shorter fiber bundle. At 2-6 weeks after operation, the fiber bundle was increased and thickened. At 8 weeks after operation, the distal nerve fibers had nearly restored to the level before injury. There was significant difference in the fractional anisotropy value of traction portion and distal portions between traction injury and sham-operation group at 1 day-8 weeks after operation (P<0.05). While there was significant difference in the fractional anisotropy value of proximal traction portion between traction injury and sham-operation group 1 day-1 week after operation (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the apparent diffusion coefficient values between traction injury and sham-operation group at 1 day-8 weeks after operation. Fal of fractional anisotropy value in the early stage of nerve traction injury was the result of myelin sheath broke down and axonal disintegrated;recovery of fractional anisotropy value resulted from myelin sheath proliferated and myelin sheath grew slowly to mature. Diffusion tensor tracing can show the abnormal change of the sciatic nerve with traction injury in rabbit clearly and early, and the measurement of fractional anisotropy value can be used as the sensitive method to monitor the degeneration and regeneration after nerve traction injury.