Research on osteoporosis diagnosis has always been a critical isuue in the field of international academia and medicine. Recent progress in quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has suggested that ultrasound, due to its obvious advantages, be considered as an effective and noninvasive tool for assessment of bone status and diagnosis of osteoporosis. This paper presents the principle and recent development in the ultrasonic assessment of bone status and osteoporosis including assessment with through-transmission and backscattering measurement, and also introduces the latest progress in ultrasonic axial transmission technique.Limitations of current research are discussed and suggestions are proposed for future research.

Objective To investigate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon (IFN)-γand anti-inflammatory cytokine interlenkin (IL)-10 in expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and their clinical significance. Methods The levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 in EPS of 20 patients with CP (type Ⅲ A, group A ), 20 patients with CPPS (type Ⅲ B,group B) and 10 healthy men (control group) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results were analyzed comparatively with NIH-chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI).Results The levels of IFN-γ in EPS of group A and group B were ( 14.92 ± 7.85 ), ( 13.74 ± 5.96) ng/L respectively, which were higher than that in control group [(7.47 ± 1.40) ng/L] (P ＜ 0.05 ). And the levels of IL-10 in EPS of group A and group B were (216.40 ± 33.65 ), (223.70 ± 45.21 ) ng/L respectively, which were higher than that in control group [( 162.10 ± 43.81 ) ng/L] ( P ＜ 0.05 ). There was no statistically significant difference between group A and group B. No correlation between NIH-CPSI and IFN- γ,IL-10 levels in EPS(P ＞ 0.05 ). Conclusion IFN-γ and IL-10 have a very important role in etiology of CP/CPPS and they can be the objective parameters in the diagnosis of CP/CPPS.

Objective To investigate whether 5 different chemotherapeutic drugs and their combination of either two drugs could further promote the inhibition on the cell growth of HCC cell line (HepG2) in vitro in the hypoxic and hyponutritional culture medium (HHCM) mimicking the different scenarios of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).Methods The cells were treated by 5 drugs for 2 h, 4 h,6 h and 24 h, which include epirubicin (EPI), cisplatin (DDP), mitomycin-C (MMC), oxaliplatin (OXA) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in four concentrations of HHCM (5％, 10％, 25％ and 50％) mimicking the scenarios during TACE and the cell viability was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.The combinations of dual drugs treated for 24 h were also tested.Results The sensitive drugs with inhibition rates more than 30％ were EPI, MMC and OXA in 4 different concentrations of HHCM.The sensitivity of the drugs treated for 24 h was significantly increased compared with that for 2 h in 5％, 10％ and 25％ HHCM.The dual combinations did not increase the chemosensitivity of HepG2 cells.Conclusions EPI, MMC and OXA exhibited cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells in various hypoxia and hyponutrition states.Prolonging the exposure time could increase the sensitivity of drug in HHCM, and the combination of dual drugs cannot enhance the cytotoxic effect.

Objective To evaluate the security and efficacy of combination of epristeride and terazosin for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Method One hundred and eighty-four patients with BPH were treated by epristeride for 6 months and terazosin for 1 month, the efficacy and complication were observed. Results After 6 months treated, compared with before treated, the common symptoms improved, the residual urine decreased 20.74ml, maximum flow rate increased 3.76 ml/s, prostate volume grown downwards 6.70cm3 and the quality of life raised apparently(Pall＜0.05 ). Condusion Combinationof epristeride and terazosin for treatment of BPH is safe and effective.

Objective To summarize and evaluate our surgical approach of tetralogy of Fallot with complete atrioventricular septal defect.Methods 11 patients underwent surgical correction at our institute between June 2007 and April 2012.All of the 11 patients received biventricular or partial biventricular repair through a combined right atrial and right ventricular outflow tract approach.Two-patch technique was used in all 11 children.To minimize the incision in the right ventricular outflow tract(ROVT),8 patients underwent a transatrial approach to close ventricular septal defect.A transannular patch was needed in 7 patients,and a monocuspid valve was inserted in 1 of these patients.Results One hospital death occurred during intensive care stay due to severe low cardiac output syndrome and one late death took place six months after operation because of pneumonia and heart failure.The mean follow-up time was (21.20 ± 19.08) months (range,3-60 months).The KaplanMeier curve for the survival rate was 79.5％ at 5 years.Several postoperative complications occurred during the first 3 months,including 1 mild RVOT obstruction and 1 pulmonary artery stenosis,2 tiny residual atrial septal defects and 1 slight residual ventricular septal defect.Moderate pulmonary valve regurgitation was present in all patients,whether transannular patch was used or not.All survivors remained in good condition in NYHA class Ⅰ or Ⅱ.Conclusion Outcomes of complete correction of tetralogy of Fallot with complete atrioventricular septal defect are favorable during follow-up time.It is feasible to close a ventricular septal defect with a 2-patch technique through a transatrial approach alone.Accurate suturing is the key to the success of the surgery.

Objective To compare the effect of using ambroxol hydrochloride combined with co-xuanju capsule,co-xuanju capsule and ambroxol hydroehloride in the treatment of semen liquefaction.Methods Sixty semen liquefaction patients were divided randomly into three groups.Clinical trials involving 20 who received ambroxol hydrochloride+co-xuanju capsule(group A),20 co-xuanju capsule(group B) and 20 ambroxol hydrochloride(group C),were carried out for 3 months.The changes of semen liquefaction time and semen quality were measured and assayed before and after treatment Results Compared withpretherapy,various parameters in the semen quality and semen liquefaction time after treatment all had a significantly difference in every group,and the patients of semen liquefaction time less than 60 minutes were 17 in group A,11 in group B and 14 in group C respectively.The results of semen liquefaction time andsemen quality in group A were significandy higher than the other groups(P<0.05),but the results between group B and group C had no significant difference.Conclusion The combination of ambroxol hydrochlorideand co-xuanju capsule can eridently improve the semen liquefaction time and semen quality and is an effective method in treating male infertility.

Objective To accurately judge the tumor-feeding artery is the most important basis for a successful treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with super-selective hepatic arterial chemoembo lization therapy. This study aims to assess the clinical value of cone-beam CT hepatic arteriography (CBCT-HA) in detecting tumor-feeding arteries during the performance of conventional transarterial chemoembo lization (TACE), and to compare the diagnostic effects between CBCT-HA and non-selective hepatic DSA. Methods Twenty-three consecutive patients with inoperable HCC were enrolled in this study. TACE was carried out in all patients. During the performance of TACE, the DSA-HA, CBCT-HA, Lipiodol-TACE and Lipiodol-CBCT were performed separately. The imaging materials, including DSA-HA and CBCT-HA, were analyzed by two experienced interventional physicians together to judge the tumor-feeding arteries. Statistic analysis was conducted by using chi square test. Results Tumor stain and lipiodol accumulation were regarded as the “gold standard” of the presence of tumor-feeding artery, based on which the tumor-feeding artery was confirmed in 75 lesions. DSA-HA demonstrated positive tumor-feeding artery in 40 lesions, among which true-positive tumor-feeding artery was seen in 32 and false-positive one in 8. CBCT-HA showed positive tumor-feeding artery in 72 lesions, which included true-positive tumor-feeding artery in 68 and false-positive one in 4. The sensitivity of CBCT-HA in judging tumor-feeding artery was 90.7% (68/75), which was much higher than that of DSA-HA (42.6%, 32/75), the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001). The positive predictive value of CBCT-HA in detecting tumor-feeding artery was also higher than that of DSA-HA (94.4% vs. 80.0%; P=0.040). Conclusion Cone-beam CT hepatic arteriography is obviously superior to DSA hepatic arteriography in identifying tumor-feeding arteries, which is very helpful in guiding super-selective TACE for HCC.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) with different negative pressures on variation of oxygen partial pressure (PtO2 ) and wound healing in the rabbits.MethodsTwelve rabbit wound models were made and randomly (random number) divided into two groups, namely vacuum group ( n =6 )in which rabbits were treated with VSD by different negative pressures ( - 75 mmHg,- 125 mmHg,- 225 mmHg and - 350 mmHg) for 7 days, and routine treatment group ( n =6). At each interval of measurement, variation of PtO2 was measured by oxygen partial pressure admeasuring device, and area of VSD dressing and surface of wound were measured by vernier caliper, and growth of anaerobic bacteria was detected by bacterial culture, and morphological change and the course of wound healing were observed under by light microscope after HE tissue staining. Meanwhile anther two groups (n =6, in each) were set for comparing, including normal group, sham operation group. ResultsAverage PtO2 value of vacuum group was in the range of ( 1.87 +0. 19) kPa to ( 1.54 ±0. 21 ) kPa which was decreased gradually in 7 days under different negative pressures. Average PtO2 value of routine treatment group and normal group were ( 2. 82 ± 0. 37 ) kPa and ( 5.79 + 0. 50 ) kPa, respectively which weresignificant higher than that in vacuum group ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). PtO2 was fell to 80. 94％ of its original value after VSD for 5 seconds, and continued the downward trend with the increasing of negative pressure at the same interval of measuring. Area of VSD dressing significantly decreased to 65. 36％ of its original area after VDS for5 minutes (P＜0.01). Surface of wound was minimized to 62. 82％ of its original area after VSD for 7 days ( P ＜ 0. 01 ), and variations of those in - 350 mmHg group were significant greater than those in other groups ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). There was no evidence of anaerobic bacteria growth in vacuum group during this experiment. ConclusionsPtO2 could be down-regulated by VSD significantly without growth of anaerobic bacteria, and minimization of VSD dressing at - 350 mmHg was significantly helpful to reduce the area of wound for promoting the healing.

Objective: To assess the effects of acute exposure to electronic cigarette ( e-cigarette ) on leukocyte and total protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF ) and pulmonary surfactant protein expression in a mouse model, so as to provide insights into the elucidation of the mechanism underlying the damages to the respiratory system caused by e-cigarette. Methods: Twenty-one C57BL/6N female mice were randomly divided into the blank control group, the solvent control group and the nicotine group. Mice in the solvent control group and the nicotine group were exposed to the solvent aerosol or e-cigarette aerosol containing 25 mg/mL nicotine for 3 hours daily, while mice in the blank control group were bred in clean air. Following 3-day exposure, mouse BALF and lung specimens were collected. The cell morphology was observed using microscopy following Wright-Giemsa staining and the leukocyte count was estimated in BALF, while the total protein expression was quantified using bicinchoninic acid ( BCA ) assay. In addition, the mRNA expression of pulmonary surfactant protein genes was detected in mouse lung specimens using quantitative real-time PCR ( qPCR ) assay. Results: All mice in three groups grew well without obvious abnormality or death seen. Wright-Giemsa staining showed a higher number of mononuclear macrophages in mouse BALF in the nicotine group than in the blank control group and the solvent control group. The leukocyte counts were ( 2.00±0.77 )×107, ( 1.79±0.99 )×107 and ( 4.00±1.35 )×107 cells/L ( F=9.199, P=0.002 ), and the total protein levels were ( 0.16±0.03 ), ( 0.12±0.02 ) and ( 0.16±0.04 ) mg/mL in mouse BALF in the blank control group, solvent control group and nicotine group ( F=3.610, P=0.048 ), and the relative mRNA expression of pulmonary surfactant protein B (SP-B) and SP-D was 1.00±0.14, 0.82±0.12 and 0.74±0.07 ( F=5.491, P=0.028 ), and 1.00±0.06, 0.90±0.02 and 0.71±0.15 in mouse lung specimens, respectively ( F=10.460, P=0.005 ). The leukocyte count was significantly higher in the nicotine group than in the blank control group and solvent control group (P=0.007, 0.003), and the total protein content was higher in the nicotine group than in the solvent control group ( P=0.060 ), while the relative SP-B mRNA expression was lower in the nicotine group than in the blank control group ( P=0.025 ), and the relative SP-D mRNA expression was lower in the nicotine group than in the blank control group and solvent control group ( P=0.004, 0.041 ). Conclusion Acute exposure to e-cigarette results in elevated intrapulmonary inflammatory responses, pulmonary capillary barrier impairment and reduced pulmonary surfactant protein expression.