AIM :To investigate the impact of alendronate on bone resorption of normal and ovariectomized rats at the bone-screw interface through radiographic and histologic findings.METHODS :Thirty-two female Wister rats with a mean body weight of 332 g(287-351 g)were divided into four groups at random.Rats in group C and D were ovariectomized.8 weeks later,the proximal one-third of the left tibia of all rats were inserted into self-drilling mini cortical screws.After operations,alendronate were used in group A and C and saline were given in group B and D.The rats were euthanized at 5 weeks after screws having been attached.Radiographic and histologic findings subsequently were analyzed.RESULTS :Radiographs confirmed that no osteolytic area was present around screws immediately after insertion,whereas 5 weeks after insertion,a wide and low-density area corresponding to the screw hole was evident in the saline groups compared with the alendronate groups.On histologic observation,the width of the fiber membrane and the number of TRAP-positive cells were decreased in the alendronate groups than those in the saline groups,and the difference was statistically significant.CONCLUSION :Alendronate effectly inhibits bone resorption of either normal or ovariectomized rats at the bone-screw interface in rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of ginsenosides Rg 3 on vasculogenic mimicry of pancreatic cancer xenograft through the establishment of pancreatic cancer cell line SW -1990 subcutaneous xenograft model .Methods After pancreatic cancer xenograft in nude mice model beening established , All the mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and treated intraperitoneally ( IP) with saline and various concentrations (5,10,20 mg/kg) of ginsenosides Rg3.To observe the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on tumor growth.Immunohisto-chemical-PAS staining was used to detect the effects of ginsenosides Rg 3 on vasculogenic mimicry of pancreatic cancer xenograft .and mRNA and protein expression of MMP 2、MMP9 were respectively evaluated by FQ -PCR and Western blot .Results The ginsenosides Rg3 can inhibit the growth of the tumor xenografts in nude mice .The inhibitory effect is the most obvious the 20 mg/kg of ginsenosides Rg3 group.The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 were down-regulated compare with the control group , and the difference was signifi-cant;the Immunohistochemical -PAS staining showed the number of vasculogenic mimicry (+) and CD31 (+) were less than that in the control group .Conlusion Our results demonstrate that pancreatic vascular mimicry formation can be suppressed by Ginsenoside Rg 3 though reducing the expression of MMP -2, MMP-9 in our vivo experiments ,

68 such cases of diabetes were randomly divided into treating group (Xianzhen Tablet), control group (placebo). Indices on activity and contents of RBC -SOD, LPO, blood lipids, blood glucose, and clinical symptoms were examined. Results revealed that decreased activity of SOD, increased LPO content were more remarkable in the treating group, with significant difference (P

Objective To study the clinical features of spontaneous rupture of the right cardiac atrium. Methods Two cases of spontaneous rupture of right cardiac atrium were reported, and related literature was reviewed. Results Spontaneous rupture of the right cardiac atrium which was a rare disease, presented symptoms including stifling sensation in the chest, chest pain and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The diagnosis should be differentiated with by ultrasonic examination and CT from cardiac infarction, cardiac rupture caused by external injury and dissecting aneurysm of aorta. Conclusion Spontaneous rupture of right cardiac atrium is rare disease, and an early diagnosis and prompt operation are necessary.

Objective To introduce a novel modified CT severity index based on the assessment of extrapancreatic inflammation and pancreatic necrosis on CT index (EPIPN) and to evaluate its effect in predicting the severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis. Methods Seventy-seven consecutive patients diagnosed as acute pancreatitis (AP) from August 2006 to December 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical data included age, sex, cause, the C-reactive protein(CRP) level with in 72 hours of onset of symptom, Ranson signs, the APACHE I1 score, the disappearing time of the abdominal pain, the presence of organ failure, the length of hospital stay, etc. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced multisection CT scan after admission of 48-72 hours. The CT severity index (CTSI) and EPIPN scores were obtained. The severity of pancreatitis for each patient was then categorized as severe if CTSI≥7 or EPIPN>5. The diagnostic value of EPIPN in predicting the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) was compared with that of CTSI using ROC curve. The correlation of EPIPN or CTSI with clinical coutcome was conducted. Results Of 77 patients, 34 were males and 43 were females with mean age of 51.79 years (age range 22-92 years). The causes of AP were gallstones (63 cases), hyperlipemia (6 cases), alcohol (1 case) and idiopathic (7 cases). Organ system failure was present in 14 (18.2%) of the 77 patients. The area under the ROC curve of CTSI in predicting the SAP was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.59-0.88) with sensitivity of 80.4% and specificity of 55% when CTSI≥7, and that in EPIPN was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.73-0.91) with sensitivity of 91.3% and specificity of 63% when EPIPN >5. EPIPN was well correlated with hospital stay, APACHE Ⅱ score and CRP levels. Conclusions The EPIPN allows accurate estimation of disease severity and prognosis in AP patients. The diagnostic effect of EPIPN for predicting SAP is superior to CTSI. The EPIPN index is-both convenient and practical, and has clinical value.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic labeling of stem cells is a recently developed stem cell in vitro labeling technique. Through in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it can monitor transplanted stem cells in vivo. OBJECTIVE: To identify the method of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) labeling pig bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), to investigate the characteristics of stem cells labeled by various SPIO following MRI, and to determine the minimum amount of labeled cells fer MRI. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A control observation was performed at the laboratories of Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical College of Soochow University, and Medical Imaging Centre, First Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University between September 2006 and March 2007. MATERIALS: Fresh porcine iliac bone marrow was collected from Taihu Meishan pigs. SPIO nanometer particles were purchased from Schedng, Germany. Ultramicro SPIO (USPIO) nanoparticles were provided by School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Soochow University. For such particles, crystal nucleus surface was coated with dextran, and following coating, they were named 1#, 2#, 3# for short according to particle size. METHODS: Following isolation, purification, and culture, BMSCs were in vitro labeled by various kinds of SPIO nanoparticles. The labeled cells were subjected to Prussian blue staining and fluorescence microscope observation. The cell growth was observed using MTT method and the growth curve was plotted. For Feridex-labeled cells, 1×106), 5×105, and 1×105 three cell amount groups were set, for unlabeled cells, a 5×105 cell amount group was included, and for 1#, 2#, and 3# SPIO-labeled cells, only 5×105 cell amount group was used. MRI was conduced for measurement of signal intensity of cells labeled by different scanning sequences, followed by statistical analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Detection of SPIO nandparticles-labeled cells by Prussian blue staining; Growth curves of SPIO nanoparticles-labeled cells; Detection of cellular apoptosis by double staining; Determination of signal intensity of cell masses from different Ependoff tubes using MRI with T1WI, T2WI, and fast field echo (FFE) sequences. RESULTS: BMSCs could be labeled with SPIO and the labeling efficiency was 100%. Different amounts of blue-stained Fe particles could be observed in the cytoplasm by Prussian blue staining. SPIO labeling caused a significantly lower signal attenuation effect in T2WI and FFE (T2*WI) images than in T1WI images. In a labeling concentration of 25 mg/L Fe solution, the minimum cell amount for MRI was 1 x 105. The signal intensity exhibited significant difference in 2#, 3#USPIO- and Feridex-labeled cells in no matter T2WI or T2*Wl images(P < 0.01). But no significant difference was found between 1#USPIO- and Feridex-labeled cellss in no mater T2WI or T2*WI images(P > 0.05). There was significant difference in signal intensity of Feridex-labeled BMSCs between T2WI, T2*WI and T1Wl images (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: BMSCs can be easily and efficiently labeled by SPIO nanoparticles without interference, at proper concentrations on cell viability and proliferation. MRI visualization of SPIO-labeled BMSCs is feasible in both T2WI and T2*WI images.

Objective To compare the image quality of portal venous system in the patients with live cirrhosis and portal hyper-tension using two different inj ection methods,so as to investigate the optimization of imaging techniques.Methods Single-phase in-jection (group A)or biphasic injection (group B)was applied by random on 40 patients for portal venous system vascular imaging, and subsequently image quality and technical advantages between the two groups were compared and analyzed respectively.Results 1.There was no significant difference in image quality between the two groups(P>0.05),while contrast agent dosage (90 mL)in group B is less than group A(100 mL).2.The CT value of Portal vein,liver parenchyma and P-L discrepancy in group B were slightly lower than those in group A,however,no statistical difference was noted(P>0.05).After 45 second,the P-L discrepancy of group B was larger than that of group A.The peak times of portal vein,liver parenchyma and the P-L discrepancy in group B were longer than those in group A(P<0.05).3.The graph of P-L discrepancy demonstrated:the threshold interval of P-L discrep-ancy in group B was longer than that in group A.Conclusion Biphasic inj ection methods could not only afford reliable imaging quali-ty on portal venous system vascular imaging in the patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension,but also lead to a less total dose of contrast agent.Therefore,it could be used as an optimal choice of imaging technology for portal venous system vascular ima-ging.

Objective To explore the musculoskeletal MR findings in dermatomyositis and to evaluate the role of MR in diagnosis of dermatomyositis. Methods Twenty patients with early dermatomyositis and 25 patients with active disease confirmed by pathology underwent T 1-weighted (SE 450/20), T 2-weighted (FSE 4000/100), and fat-suppressed MR images. MR findings in these 45 patients were analyzed. Results Within all the myositis, MR showed symmetrical slight high patchy signals on T 2-weighted and STIR images in the muscles of bilateral thighs, but the morphology of muscles appeared normal in 26 patients, while limited high signals only appeared on STIR image in 19 patients. There was correlation between serum muscle enzymes and the signal intensity as well as affected field of myositis. The myositis often affected gluteus and the external lateral muscles in the lower part of thighs. Inflammatory changes in the subcutaneous fat in 18 patients with active dermatomyositis were the severe appearance of the disease. Inflammatory fascia in 17 patients was found in both early and active cases. 5 patients had skin damage. Conclusion MR features of dermatomyositis are multiple myositis, fascia and subcutaneous inflammation, with the latter being an appearance of severe period of the disease. Early affected location of dermatomyositis is gluteus and the external lateral muscles in the lower part of thighs. MR is an efficient examination and STIR is a sensitive sequence in the diagnosis of dermatomyositis.

The evidence-based Guidelines of Clinical Practice with Acupuncture and Moxibustion are based on extesiv evidene of literature an compiled by eperience of experts, so the recommended acupoints present special thoughts and laws of compatibility. It is found the traditional acupoint combination methods predominate, such as distal-local acupoint combination, syndrome differentiation-based acupoints combination and symptom-based acupoints combination, etc., and are combined with research achievements of modern medical science;
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; standards ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; methods ; standards ; Humans ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

Objective To investigate the effect of plasmid pEGFP- hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-C1 on rat acute ischemia of hindlimb.Methods The eukaryotic expressed plasmid pEGFPHGF-C1 carrying human HGF cDNA was constructed.The transfection efficiency and the expression level of HGF were evaluated by transfecting pEGFP-HGF-C1 into primary rat skeletal muscle cells.Ligation-induced ischemia of femoral artery of one hindlimb in Wistar rats was performed.The plasmids (200 μg/500 μl) were injected once directly into the ischemic limb muscle (5 sites around ligation position) immediately after ligation.HGF expression was detected in the muscle tissue of rats on days 3,6 and 9 by immunochemical stain and Western blot.At day 24,the muscles were removed and stained with CD31 to assess histologically the capillary formation.Results The primary rat skeletal muscle cells could be transfected 0efficiently with pEGFP-HGF-C1 using LipofectamineTM2000 (0.8％),and secreted HGF which peak concentration was (5402.0±227.9) ng/L at 4 d.HGF expression was detected clearly in muscle tissue on days 3,6,9 in pEGFP-HGF-C1 groups.Western blot semi-quantitied analysis showed the levels of HGF expression were higher than control groups on days 3,6,9(P＜0.05).A significant increase in capillary density was found in rats transfected with human HGF(10.81±2.35) as compared with sham group (6.11±0.90) and control group (5.45±0.90) at 24 d(P＜0.01).Conclusions Intramuscular injection of naked human HGF plasmid may induce therapeutic angiogenesis in rat ischemic hindlimb models,as potential therapy for peripheral arterial disease.