[Objective]To explore new directions for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) scientific research. [Method]Reviewing RWS overseas in recent years, with a randomized control ed trial(RCT) contrast, this study summarized the RWS features and discussed the limitations and advantages of RCT and RWS when carrying out the TCM scientific research.[Result] RWS is different from RCT in research purpose, brings into exclusion criteria, sample size, intervention and evaluation index, evaluation time, data col ection, management and statistical analysis method, etc. [Conclusion] Compared with RCT, RWS more fits the basic characteristics of TCM cal ed holistic concept and syndrome differentiation, is advantageous to the preservation of TCM, indicat-ing the new direction for TCM scientific research.

Objective To investigate the relationship between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) derived cardiac function index (Tei index) in patients with acute coronary syndrome under different plasma glucose levels and to evaluate the influence of hyperglycemia on the preciseness of cardiac function assessment with NT-proBNP.Methods Consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted to the department of cardiology in Guangdong General Hospital were prospectively enrolled.Based on their plasma fasting glucose level,patients were divided into hyperglycemia group (fasting plasma glucose ≥ 6.1 mmol/L) and euglycemia group (fasting plasma glucose ＜ 6.1 mmol/L).All the patients underwent transthoracic echocardiagraphy and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) investigations.Blood samples were obtained within 24 hours of hospitalization for measurment of NT-proBNP level.Relationship between TDI-Tei index and the level of NT-proBNP in the two groups were analyzed respectively.Results The TDI-Tei index,the systolic index and the diastolic index were all significant higher in the hyperglycemia group (n =27) than those in the euglycemia group (n =35)(0.68±0.14) vs.(0.61 ±0.10),P =0.03; (0.29±0.07) vs.(0.26±0.05),P =0.045; (0.38±0.08) vs.(0.35 ±0.050,P =0.03,respectively.In both groups,TDI-Tei and In NT-proBNP showed significant linear regression.In the hyperglycemia group,TDI-Tei =0.175 + 0.068 In NT-proBNP,R2 =0.702,P ＜ 0.01.In the euglycemia group,TDI-Tei =0.185 + 0.060 In NT-proBNP,R2 =0.405,P ＜ 0.01.Conclusions (1) Compared with patients suffering from an acute coronary syndrome with euglycemia,the global cardiac function of patients with hyperglycemia is poorer; (2) NT-proBNP correlates significantly with TDI-Tei in both hyperglycemia and euglycemia patients with acute heart syndrome.It is appropriate to assess global cardiac function with NT-proBNP in patients suffering from ACS complicated with hyperglycemia.

Objective To evaluate the standardization of Meta-analyses on nephropathy published in Chinese journals.Methods By searching in WANFANG,VIP,CNKI databases and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database(CBM) as well as related Chinese journals,eligible Meta-analyses were enrolled and analyzed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) Statement and the MOOSE (Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) Checklist.Results A total of 217 Meta-analyses were enrolled with 166 on randomized controlled trials (RCT) and 51 on observational studies.Based on the PRSIMA Statement,of the 166 Meta-analyses on RCT,51.8％(86 papers) were found with the complete research hypothesis,13.9％ (23) with the literature screening flow chart,15.7％ (26) with the subgroup analysis,53.0％ (88) with the publication bias analysis and 28.3％ (47) with the sensitivity analysis.According to the MOOSE Checklist,of the 51 Meta-analyses on observational studies,only 9.8％ (5) had done the statistical stability calculation,54.9％ (28) with the outlook of application,45.1％ (23) with the limitation of the study,2.0％ (1) with the quantitative analysis on potential bias and 17.6％ (9) with the suggestion for future studies.Conclusions Unclear hypothesis,limited methodological description,lack of in-depth analysis on heterogeneity and bias are the common defects in Meta-analyses published in Chinese journals on nephrology.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effects and mechanism of apigenin (APG) on dominant response of Th2 cells in asthma model of mice.

METHODSThirty-two 6-week-old healthy BALB/c mice, SPF grade, were randomly divided into four groups equally, the normal control group (A), the asthma model group (B), and the two APG groups (C and D) consisted of asthma model mice treated respectively with high-dose (20 mg/kg per day) and low-dose (2 mg/kg per day) APG given by dissolving in 1% dimethyl sulphoxide via intraperitoneal injection. The murine asthma model was established by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and provocation. Twenty-four hours after the last airway provocation, acetylcholine (Ach) was administered via caudalis vein for measuring airway resistance by pulmonary function detector; levels of IL- 4 and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and total IgE in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); total and differential cell counts in BALF were measured by light microscopy; the airway inflammatory infiltration was detected by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining; and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (GATA-3) in the lung tissue was determined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSAs compared with Group A, the airway hyper-reactivity, airway inflammation, cell count and eosinophil percentage in BALF, levels of total serum IgE and BALF IL-4 and IL-13, and GATA-3 protein expression in the lung tissue were significantly increased in Group B (P < 0.05). As compared with Group B, all the above-mentioned indices in Group C and D were lower, showing respective significant difference (P < 0.05), and significant difference was also shown between the two APG treated groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAPG could reduce the airway inflammation and hyper-reactivity by down-regulating the expressions of pulmonary GATA-3 and Th, cytokines, which is a potential drug for asthma therapy.

Animals ; Apigenin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-13 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Th2 Cells ; metabolism

Objective To explore the application and effects of bone lengthening growth diary in self management of patients after lower limb lengthening. Methods A total of 54 cases applying lower limb lengthening were divided into the experimental group (n=28) and the control group (n=26) with random digit table. The basic treatment was consistent, the control group was given routine guidance, the experi-mental group implemented self- management with bone lengthening growth diary. Self- recognition of disease was assessed and compared between the two groups 12 weeks after operation. Self- efficacy and self- manage ment were assessed and compared between the two groups 2 and 12 weeks after operation. Results The self- recognition of disease in the observation group was better than that of the control group, for patients with higher self- recognition degree (21 cases vs. 10 cases), χ2=8.64, P<0.05, the difference was significantly different. The total scores of self- efficacy and self- management in the observation group were higher than those of the control group,(48. 42±3.43) vs.(34.14±4.13),t=11.750, P<0.01;(55.35±2.69) vs.(42.15±3.67), t=15.130, P<0.01, the difference was significantly different. Conclusions Bone lengthening growth diary plays a beneficial role on self-management of patients with lower limb lengthening.

BACKGROUND:Skin transplantation is regarded as the most effective therapy for large-area skin defects, which is limited by donor sources and immune rejection. Therefore, it is extremely accelerate the construction of the dermis in skin tissue engineering.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels/calcium alginate gel, basic fibroblast growth factor and degradation membrane on the repair of ful-thickness skin defects.
METHODS:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels were isolated from 15 New Zealand rabbits, and then cultured, amplified, subcultured and purified. Three ful-thickness skin defects were made on the back of every rabbit, and randomly treated with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels/calcium alginate gel, basic fibroblast growth factor and degradation membrane as experimental group, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels/calcium alginate gel as control 1 group, and calcium alginate gel as control 2 group. The wounds were al covered with amniotic membrane. After 7, 14, 21 days, new wound tissues were taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry staining and image analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Dermis tissues in the experimental group were obviously thicker than those in control 1 and control 2 groups; there were more fibroblasts, vessels and colagen fibers in the experimental group. Especialy at 14 and 21 days after operation, epidermal hyperplasia was faster with a larger coverage area in the experimental group, and at 21 days, the new epidermal tissues mainly exhibited multi-layered structure, which was superior to the control 1 and 2 groups. It folows that the combination of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels/calcium alginate gel, basic fibroblast growth factor and degradation membrane for skin defects can accelerate the repair and regeneration of the dermis, and thus promote the epidermis regeneration and reconstruction.

Objective To evaluate application effects of mind map in standardized training courses for the new nurses.Method 73 new nurses who graduated for 1-3 years were random divided into an experimental group (n=37) and a control group (n=36).Nursing department organized standardized training course for 73 new nurses for one year.The control group used conventional teaching methods,while the experimental group introduced mind mapping in teaching.Effects were evaluated after one year.Results The average scores of both theory and operation examination in experimental group were better than the control group,and there was significant difference between two groups (P=0.002,0.000).The score of critical thinking ability:the total score of experimental group was (303.89 ±23.81),higher than the total score of the control group (280.36 ± 17.22),and the total score and seven dimension score difference had statistical significance(P＜0.05,for all).Besides,the total score of selfstudy ability in the experimental group (126.54 ± 5.65),was higher than those in the control group (116.58-± 6.36),and the total score and four dimension score difference had statistical significance (P＜0.05).Conclusion Using mind mapping in the standardized training courses for nurses can arouse nurses' interest in learning,improve their critical thinking skills and autonomous self-study ability,and enhance the effectiveness of training.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of posterior short-segment pedicle screw reduction and fixation without fusion in treatment of thoracolumbar mono-segmental compression fractures.Methods Thirty cases of thoracolumbar mono-segmental compression fractures admitted from January 2009 to February 2010 were assigned to single posterior pedicle screw fixation (screw group,n =15) and posterior pedicle screw fixation with posterolateral fusion (fusion group,n =15) according to random number table.Clinical results in the two groups were assessed based on Cobb' s angle,anterior vertebral body height ratio (％) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) before operation,after operation,prior to the removal of implant and at the latest follow-up.Results All the cases were followed up for average 24 months.Both operation time and blood loss were less in screw group than in fusion group [(76.58 ±12.67) min vs (116.29 ± 17.45) min,P ＜ 0.01 ; (287.54 ± 30.76) ml vs (480.34 ± 100.54) ml,P ＜0.01],whereas there were no statistical differences between the two groups in aspects of Cobb' s angle and anterior vertebral body height ratio before and after operation,prior to the removal of implant as well as at the latest follow-up.Moreover,no statistical difference of ODI was noted between the two groups prior to the removal of implant and at the latest follow-up.Conclusion Posterior pedicle screw fixation without bone grafting achieves similar effects with pedicle screw fixation with bone grafting.

This paper describes a calibration phantom system for QCT bone mineral density determination, which consists of 4-standard-solid-sample calibration phantom, a quality assurance (QA) phantom and the bone mineral density analysis software. The system adds to the new applications of CT systems, and provides a new method with a good accuracy and reliability for the examination, diagnosis, prevention, treatment of osteoporosis diseases and the observation of curative effect of drugs.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; instrumentation ; methods ; Algorithms ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Calibration ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Osteoporosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Software ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; instrumentation ; methods

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical retinoids in the treatment of acne vulgaris compared with placebo, antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide and sulfur preparation. Methods According to the Cochrane reviewer′s handbook, randomized controlled clinical trials were selected for the systematic review. Results Up to 2002, 15 clinical trials (2,439 patients) that met the inclusion criteria were selected. There were four clinical trials which showed that topical retinoids were more effective than that of placebo (RR=1.87, and 95% CI: 1.13 ~ 3.11),especially for noninflammatory lesions (RR=12.70,and 95% CI : 4.09 ~ 39.40). There were 3 clinical trials which showed that topical retinoids had better efficacy than that of sulfur preparations (RR=1.75, and 95% CI: 1.42 ~ 2.16). For 7 clinical trials of retinoids compared with benzoyl peroxide, and 3 clinical trials of retinoids compared with antibiotics, no conclusion could be drawn. All the clinical trials showed that there were local side effects, including erythema, and scaling etc in the patients using topical retinoids, but no systematic side effects were observed, however, pregnant women had to be very cautious. Conclusions Topical retinoids are effective for acne vulgaris, and has better efficacy than sulfur preparation does, but there is not enough evidence to clarify that the efficacy of topical retinoids is better than that of benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics.