This study was aimed to observe the clinical effect of Du-Huo Ji-Sheng (DHJS) decoction with low frequency ultrasonics in treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by evaluating the visual analogue scale (VAS), Lysholm score and the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3). A total of 60 KOA outpatients were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with DHJS decoction and low frequency ultrasonics therapy, while patients in the control group were treated with ibuprofen and low frequency ultrasonics. The treatment was given once a day for two weeks. The pretreatment and posttreatment VAS, Lysholm score and expression levels of TGF-β and MMP-3, which were detected by ELISA, were recorded. The results showed that compared with the control group, DHJS decoction with low frequency ultrasonics therapy could alleviate pain as well as improve the activity of joint function among KOA patients. It could also increase the content of TGF-βin serum, and suppress the level of MMP-3. It was concluded that low frequency ultrasonics could enhance the transdermal absorption of DHJS decoction, relieve the clinical symptoms of KOA patients.

Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) is an exciting growing field in cardiovascular medicine.With the sophisticated improvement of biomedical engineering,development of PPVI offers people a new way of less invasive techniques to treat these groups of patients with pulmonary valvular regurgitation over the past several years.New stent designs and operative and interventional hybrid approaches are under investigation.This nonsurgical approach has been proven to be feasible and holdpromise,although many obstacles still exist.At the present time,PPVI has been widely used in clinical in the United States and European countries,but in our country,only a small number of cases reports have been published.With wider application and development of PPVI,cumulative experiences and long-term follow-up of PPVI therapies,better criteria will be established for patient election.Complications will be reduced and safer and more effective treatment results will be achieved.PPVI therapies will be applied to a larger subset of patients and become an important alternative to future conventional pulmonary valve replacement.

Circulatory support devices play important roles in maintaining the hemodynamic stability in patients with cardiac insufficiency.Percutaneous circulatory support devices have been developed rapidly,as they avoid cardiac surgery and are easy to be inserted.This article reviews recent advances in the research of percutaneous circulatory support devices.

AIM: To evaluate the relationships between maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels and middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) in pregnancies with fetal anaemia and to compare the sensitivities of MSAFP and MCA-PSV for the predicting the risk of fetal anaemia. METHODS: Fifty-five measurements of MSAFP and MCA-PSV were carried out in 32 women at risk of fetal anaemia (4 cases of alloimmunisation, 11 cases of thalassemia, 10 cases of parvovirus infection and 7 cases of placental chorioangioma). The relationship between MSAFP and MCA-PSV was studied, and 19 fetal blood samples, in which MCA-PSV measurements were abnormal, were taken and the fetal heamoglobin were tested in order to evaluate the correlation of MSAFP and MCA-PSV. RESULTS: A correlation between MSAFP and MCA-PSV (n=55, r=0.57, P<0.01) was observed, in which 15 cases of fetal anaemia and 4 cases false positive (non-anaemia) were detected among the 19 fetal blood samples. The MSAFP levels of 4 false-positive cases were normal. The MSAFP levels in 15 fetal anaemia cases were higher than those in non-anaemia. The elevation of MSAFP level was 15-20 d earlier than that of MCA-PSV in the cases of alloimmunisation and thalassemia, and it was 10-12 d later in the cases of parvovirus infection and placental chorioangioma significantly (P<0.05). Both MSAFP (r=-0.87) and MCA-PSV (r=-0.67) were significantly correlated with fetal heamoglobin level. CONCLUSION: The MSAFP level is significantly correlated with both MCA-PSV measurements and fetal haemoglobin. The time and process of the elevations of MSAFP indicate that MSAFP is more sensitive than MCA-PSV to predict and monitor the pregnancies at the risk of fetal anaemia.

After 160 cases of chronic type Ⅲ prostatitis were divided into the treatment group (n= 80) and control group (n = 80), in the treatment group, first Zhibian (BL 54) was punctured toward Shuidao (ST 28) and then Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Shuidao (ST 28)Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Sishencong (Ex-HN 1), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) were punctured, and at the same time, digital computerized microwave apparatus was inserted into the anus for microwave treatment. Afterward, moritatherapy was applied for psychological consultation for the patients. In the control group, compound sinomin and Phenoxybenzamine Hydrochloride Tablets were used orally. The results showed that the therapeutic effects were respectively 92.5% and 68.8% in two groups, with statistic significance (P ＜ 0.01).

Objective To study the effects of short-term and long-term exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic field(ELFEMF)on Morris learning and memory among rats. Methods Both younger(2-3 months old)and adult(18 months old)male SD rats were exposed to 50 Hz uniform ELFEMF with continuously adjusted intensities(0.1,1.2,1.6 mT) developed by Helmholtz coil pair for 10 days to 8 months. The levels of escape latency and the crossing annulus coefficients reflecting the behavioral changes in place navigation ability and spatial probe ability were examined by Morris water maze after exposure to ELFEMF among rats. Results The escape latency was shortened and the crossing annulus coefficients were increased compared with those of control group when the younger rats were exposed to 0.1,1.2 and 1.6 mT ELFEMF for 10 days respectively,and only revealed significant differences in 1.2 and 1.6 mT ELFEMF exposure groups compared with those of control group. In the younger rats of 1.6 mT ELFEMF exposure group with 10-day exposure ,their escape latencies were prolonged and the crossing annulus coefficients were decreased gradually and showed no significant differences compared with those of control group after the 30-day blank exposure period without ELFEMF.The younger rats of 1.2 mT ELFEMF exposure group showed significantly longer escape latency and lower crossing annulus coefficient compared those of control group after continuous 90-day exposure to 1.2 mT ELFEMF. The escape latency of adult rats in 0.1 mT ELFEMF exposure group showed no significant difference after 10-day exposure,was prolonged after 4-month exposure,and was significantly prolonged further more after 8-month exposure. Conclusion The learning and memory ability could be promoted by short-term ELFEMF exposure and impaired by long-term ELFEMF exposure for the young rats,and could be obviously inhibited by long-term ELFEMF exposure for the adult rats.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Calcitriol soft capsules combined with Telmisartan tab-lets in the treatment of early diabetic nephropathy(DN),and the effect on the levels of inflammatory factors. METHODS:Totally 110 patients with early DN were randomly divided into observation group and control group. The control group was orally given Telmisartan tablets with the initial dose of 40 mg,qd,and the maximum dose was 80 mg,qd;the observation group was orally giv-en Calcitriol soft capsules 0.25μg based on the treatment of control group,qd. The course was 1 month. The clinical data was com-pared,including the clinical efficacy and 24 h urinary protein,serum creatinine(Scr),urinary albumin excretion rate(UAER),se-rum C reactive protein (CRP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) before and after treatment. The adverse reactions were observed. RESULTS:After treatment,the total effective rate in observation group was significantly higher than con-trol group,with significant difference (P<0.05);the 24 h urinary protein,Scr,UAER,and levels of CRP,TNF-α and IL-6 in observation group were significantly lower than control group and before treatment,with significant differences(P<0.01 or P<0.05). There were no obvious adverse reactions in 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS:Calcitriol soft capsules combined with Telmisartan tablets has better efficacy than only Telmisartan tablets in the treatment of DN,and can more effectively improve the levels of CR, TNF-αand IL-6,which is helpful to delay progression of patients.

Objective To explore relationship between the changes of mononuclear cells (MNCS) apoptosis and the levels of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). Methods The apoptotic rates of MNCS in 32 patients with SLE and 10 healthy subjects were detected with flow cytometry, and the plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines(IL-8, IL-6,TNF-? and NO) and adhesion molecules(P-Sel, ICAM-1) were assayed with ELISA. Results The percentage of MNCS apoptosis in the patients with active stage of SLE was obviously higher than that in healthy subjects and patients with remission stage of SLE, and there was no significant difference in the percentage of MNCS apoptosis between healthy subjects and patients with remission stage of SLE. The levels of plasma IL-8, TNF-?, IL-6, NO, P-sel and ICAM-1 in patients with active stage of SLE were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects and the patients with remission stage of SLE, and were positively correlated with the percentage of MNCS apoptosis and the severity of SLE.There was no significant difference in the levels of plasma inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules between patients with remission stage of SLE and healthy subjects. Conclusion The apoptotic rate of MNCS increased in the patients with active SLE, and was closely associated with the severity and efficacy of SLE. The high expressions of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules may be the reason of MNCS apoptotic increase. Appropriately regulating the expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules, and moderately controlling the apoptosis of MNCS may improve the prognosis of SLE.

Objective To investigate the blood-retinal barrier(BRB)function of porcine retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)cells cultured in vitro. Methods Primary porcine RPE cells were cultured,and the third generation were inoculated in a microporous filter with the filter membrane of polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP)-free polycarbonate membrane.After 1,2,3 and 4 weeks of culture,the surface of filter membrane was observed by light microscope,and after 2 weeks of culture,the section of filter membrane was observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope.Transepithelial electrical resistance(TER)was detected and the permeability was measured with fluorescein sodium(FS)and horseradish peroxidase(HRP). Results Primary porcine RPE cells were cultured successfully.RPE cells converged1week after inoculation; 2 and 3 weeks after inoculation,the density of RPE cells did not changed obviously; 4 weeks after inoculation,the density of RPE cells decreased.The characteristics of polarized growth of monolayer were found in RPE cells on the surface of filter membrane; 2 weeks after inoculation,the TER of RPE cells was(97.44?11.36)?/cm~2 which maintained till the 3rd week after inocubation.After incubated for 30 minutes,only 0.27% of FS and 0.17% HRP reached the inferior filter membrane,and the permeability rate of SF with low molecular weight was higher than which of HRP with high molecular weight. Conclusions The filter with PVP-free polycarbonate membrane may be used to set up the model of RPE cells with polarized growth of monolayer and investigate the barrier function of RPE cells.

[Objective]To compare spontaneous correction of the unfused thoracic curves after selective anterior versus posterior fusion in Lenke5 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS). [Method]A total of 72 Lenke5 AIS patients were rescruited from May 1997 to October 2005.Out of them,40 received selective anterior fusion(group A) and 32 received selective posterior fusion(group B).All had a minimum of 2-year follow-up.[Result] No complication were found in both groups at the latest follow-up.The thoracic curve was corrected from 30? to 16? for group A,33? to 18? for group B.Both groups had a better spontaneous correction of the unfused thoracic curves.The correction rate had no significant difference between groups.However,the thoracic curve was increased in four patients(2 in each group;group C),which resulted in trunk imbalance.The thoracolumbar/lumbar thoracic(TL/L:T) Cobb's ratio averaged 1.09 in the four patients whereas 1.59 in other 68 patients(group D).The flexibility of the thoracic curve had significant difference in group C and D(34.2% vs 57.3%).[Conclusion]Both of the surgical treatments can get a better spontaneous correction of the unfused thoracic curves.It is important to evaluate the.thoracolumbar/lumbar–thoracic(TL/L:T) Cobb's ratio and the flexibility of the thoracic curve before selective fusion.