Magnesium and its alloys possess the features of low density,high strength and rigidity,good biocompatibility and biodegradability.Their elastic modulus is similar to human bone,which endows them with a broad application prospect in the field of orthopedic biomedical materials.This paper reviews the current research status of magnesium and its alloys as the orthopedic implant materials and as porous scaffold materials in bone tissue engineering.Methods to improve corrosion resistance of magnesium-based metals ale briefly described as well.

BACKGROUND: To review progressions in the pharmacological study of natural plant Ficus carica L. (fig), summarize its main pharmacological effects so as to manifest values in clinical practice.DATA SOURCES: .By computer retrieval system, the relevant papers on the researches on Ficus carica were retrieved on Medline from January 1950 to September 2004 and limited at the referred word "Ficus carica" in English. Simultaneously, the relevant papers were searched by the computer on China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database from January 1999 to September 2004, focusing on the referred word "Fieus carica" in Chinese.STUDY SELECTION: Of all the relevant papers, ones focusing on the pharmacological study of Ficus carica were selected and the whole text were checked, meanwhile those had no relation with the pharmacological latex as well as various constituents and preparations. Exclusion criterion:repeated studies.DATA EXTRACTION: A total of 226 papers were checked on the study of Ficus carica, 30 papers were consistent with the standards. Among the 196 excluded papers, 189 were excluded because they were clinical experience report or repeated studies, 7 were reviews.DATA SYNTHESIS: Investigations of the fig, its leaves and latex as well as various constituents and preparations, have revealed many pharmacological effects such as: anti-tumor effects, the ability to mediate body metabolism, mediating hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and cholesterol levels, enhancing oxidation resistance, antibiotic effects, antivirus effects, the ability to mediate immunity, activating blood coagulation etc. It also may play an important role in supportive therapy in tumor treatment by reducing toxicity and side effects in actinotheraphy and chemotherapy. Several reports of anaphylaxis after fig intake have reported both in China and abroad.CONCLUSION: As an herb, fig has wide pharmacological effects and clinical practise values. The main pharmacological studies of it were focused on its anti-tumor effects and the ability to mediate body metabolism.Separation and purification of its active components and determining the interactions between them as well as the pharmacological and toxicological effects need further study. New pharmacological effect s will be found by studying various fig extracts.

Interleukin-24 (IL-24) is a novel cancer suppressor cytokine. It can suppress cancer cell growth, induce cancer cell apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis, stimulate the PBMC secretion of cytokines, and enhance the antitumor activity of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeting gene-virotherapy. It is reasonable to suggest that IL-24 may be a powerful and effective protocol for combinatorial cancer treatment in the clinic.

Objective To study the effect of Xuebijing, a Chinese traditional medicine injection, on the THP-1 cells challenged by endotoxin, and to explore whether it induces endotoxin tolerance. Methods The THP-1 cells were pretreated with Xuebijing in different concentrations (10, 25, 50 mg/mL) and times (4, 12, 24 hours), and then challenged by endotoxin. The level of TNF-α in culture supernatant was detected by ELISA assay, and the expression of TLR4 and IRAK-M mRNA were detected by Real time-PCR technique. Results There was no significant difference in TNF-α level among all the groups (pretreated with different concentrations of Xuebijing for different time) (P>0.05). Only in 50 mg/mL Xuebijing group, TLR4 mRNA was 1.547-fold increase in 24 h than in 4 h group (P<0.05). Only when pretreated for 24 h, IRAK-M mRNA was 1.349-fold increase in 50 mg/mL Xuebijing group than in control group (P<0.05). However,there was no significant difference among other groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Xuebijing can not block the release of TNF-α from the THP-1 cells challenged by endotoxin;and it does not induce endotoxin tolerance. When pretreated with high concentration of Xuebijing for long time, the expression of both TLR4 and IRAK-M mRNA is up-regulated, but its significance is not yet clear.

BACKGROUND: A variety of cages for lumbar interbody fusion have been used, which have good mechanics and clinical effects. Conventional posterior fusion requires parallel implantation of two cages, but some researchers believe that single lumbar fusion cage in oblique way is also possible.OBJECTIVE: Through in vitro biomechanical tests, to find a method with favorable effect and little trauma by combination of percutaneous lateral oblique way into the single expansive lumbar fusion cage between the fixed-line operations.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled experiment was performed at the Shanghai Institute of Biomechanical Engineering between May 2005 and May 2008.MATERIALS: Expansile lumbar interbody fusion cage was simulated from B-Twin Cage (Disc-O-Tech, Israel). Fresh calf lumbar specimens were used.METHODS: Biomechanical tests were performed in 18 specimens of calf lumbar function spinal units (FSU), which were divided into 3 groups: 6 in control group, 6 in single cage groups and 6 in two-cage groups. The biomechanical tests of two experimental groups were performed following tests of intact specimens. Stiffness tests were conducted in the WE-10A MTS,including axial compression, flexion, extension, lateral bending, and torsion.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Axial and torsion stiffness results of each group.RESULTS: The stiffness was greater in two-cage groups compared with single cage group in axial compression and extension, but significant differences were only found in axial compression and extension tests (P < 0.05). The torsion stiffness of single cage group was significantly greater than two-cage groups (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Percutanous lumbar interbody fusion by single expansile lumbar interbody fusion cage from lateral approach is feasible theoretically. Biomechanical properties of FSU with B-Twin cage are improved, which contributes a lot to lumbar stability. Compared with posterior approach of single cage, two-cage can provide better stiffness and stability but its torsion stability is lower.

Objective We aimed to study the characteristics and risk factors for blood transfusion in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). Methods Clinical data of 180 VLBWI, hospitalized from January, 2012 to June, 2016, were studied retrospectively. The infants were divided into two groups according to whether blood transfusion is administered or not. Two groups were compared with general information, diseases in hospital and treatment taken. Results Of the 180 VLBWI, 118 cases (65.6%) were diagnosed with anemia when hospitalized. 57 cases (31.7%) needed blood transfusion with a mean gestational age of 30.3±1.9 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1233.3±123.7 g, The first time to blood transfusion ranged from 2 to 5 weeks after birth, transfusion volume 20ml/Kg once. Fourty-eight (48) cases (84.2%) only took blood transfusion once. Birth weight, gestational age, basal hemoglobin, hematocrit, volume of blood taking before transfusion, duration of hospitalization, duration of continuous positive airway pressure, duration of paraenteral nutrition, duration of vasoactive drugs used, need for intubation、delivery mode, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, apnea, neonatal hypothyroidism and patent ductus arteriosus showed significant difference between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that gestational age, birth weight, basal hemoglobin, long duration of hospital stay and blood loss from laboratory testing were risk factors for blood transfusion in VLBWI (P<0.05). Conclusions The rate of blood transfusion in VLBWI was relatively high. Complex complications, critical condition, blood loss from laboratory testing and basal hemoglobin were main risk factors for blood transfusion.

Objective To study the psychological intervention combined with ritodrine hydrochloride and observe the effect of Magnesium Sulfate threatened abortion after 20 weeks of treatment. Methods 100 pregnant women with threatened abortion in our hospital from February 2015 to October 2016 were selected and randomly divided into control group and experimental group. Each group had 50 cases. the control group was treated with Magnesium Sulfate treatment, experimental group was treated with ritodrine hydrochloride treatment, psychological intervention, pay attention to mental health, strengthen the communication with patients. Results After the corresponding treatment, the SAS score of the experimental group was (40.1±6.2) points, and the SDS score was (38.4±7.9) points. The scores of SAS and SDS in the control group were (49.6±7.2) points, (48.2±8.5) points. After treatment, 5 patients in the experimental group had adverse reactions, and the incidence of adverse reactions was 10%. Adverse reactions occurred in 13 patients in the control group. The adverse reaction rate in the control group (26.0%) was significantly higher than that in the experimental group (10.0%), with statistical difference (P<0.05). The weight of the newborn, the duration of pregnancy and the onset time of the drug in the experimental group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Psychological intervention combined with ritodrine hydrochloride and Magnesium Sulfate have good clinical effect on the treatment of threatened abortion after 20 weeks of gestation, can visibly improve patients' depression and anxiety, with further clinical promotion and application significance.

Objective To assess the effect of transitional empowerment education on the quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to analyze the factors affecting the quality of life, so as to pro-vide clinicians with information on effective intervention strategy. Methods From January 2015 to June 2016, 155 IBD patients were randomly divided into traditional care group (n=78) and transitional empowerment educa-tion group (n=77). The patients in the traditional care group received clinic outpatient follow-up, and the patients in the transitional empowerment education group received follow-up led by IBD management team. IBD patients in the two groups were investigated with self-management ability questionnaire, self-efficacy scale, and quality of life questionnaire before discharge and the six month after intervention. Results After the sixth month, the total scores on self-management ability (t=7.219, P=0.000), self-efficacy (t=2.845, P=0.005) and quality of life (t=7.705, P=0.000) in the transitional empowerment education group were higher than those of the traditional care group. Conclusion The transitional empowerment education can improve self-management ability, self-efficacy, quality of life of IBD patients.

duodenum, respectively. Conclusion The absorption of tetrandrine is first-order process with passive diffusion mechanism. Tetrandrine is well absorbed at all segments of intestine in rats.

Objective To establish a method for the determination of Chrysophanol in Jiangzhiling Capsules. Methods RP-HPLC was used for samples separating on a Nova-Pak C18 column. The mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.1 %H3PO4(85 ∶15). The detection wavelength was 254 nm and the flow rate was 1 mL?min-1.Results The standard curve of Jiangzhiling Capsules was linear in the rang of 0.037 5～0.750 0 ?g (r=0.999 9) with average recovery of 98.31 %(RSD=1.36 %). Conclusion The method is simple,accurate and precise. It can be used effectively for the quality control of Jiangzhiling Capsules.