BACKGROUND:Osteoporosis and its complications severely threaten the elder’s health. Simvastatin, widely accepted as a lipid-lowering drug, is reported to potentialy promote bone formation, but it is in debate when oraly administered, and there is no evidence to support whether this is due to the region difference.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of oraly administered simvastatin on bone mass and biomechanical properties of the femur and vertebrae in osteopenia rats induced by ovariectomy (OVX).
METHODS: Twenty-four 6-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to OVX+oraly administered saline vehicle (OVX group,n=8), OVX+oraly administered simvastatin (5 mg/kg/d; intervention group,n=8) or sham surgery (sham group,n=8). After 8 weeks of treatment, al rats were sacrificed and the level of procolagen type I N-terminal propeptide in blood serum was assessed by ELISA. Bone mineral density was determined in the L5 vertebra and left femur using dual-energy X-rays. Furthermore, the biomechanical properties of the L4 vertebra and right femur, including maximum load and elastic modulus, were detected by compression testing and three-point bending test, respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The serum level of procolagen type I N-terminal propeptide in the sham group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups. OVX rats showed significantly lower bone mineral density in both the L5 vertebra and left femur than sham rats (P < 0.05). Rats in the intervention group showed higher bone mineral density than those in the OVX group, with statisticaly significant difference in the L5 vertebra (P < 0.05), but insignificant difference in the femur. Maximum load and elastic modulus of the L4 vertebra in the OVX group were significantly lower than those in the sham and intervention group. Markedly lower elastic modulus of the femur was found in the OVX group than the sham and intervention groups. These findings demonstrate that simvastatin treatment can partialy prevent bone loss in OVX rats with more notable effect on the vertebrae than the femur, and for this model, the vertebra is superior to the femur used in biomechanical test.

BACKGROUND:The technique of vacuum sealing drainage, initialy used for better wound healing, has been widely applied to al kinds of refractory wounds. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the research progress in vacuum sealing drainage for treatment of severe soft tissue injury. METHODS: An electronic retrieve was performed in Wanfang database, VIP database and PubMed database from January 1989 to August 2014 was performed for papers regarding the vacuum sealing drainage technology with the key words of “vacuum sealing drainage technology; injury; gentamicin; hyperbaric oxygen; nerve growth factor; chymotrypsin” in Chinese or English. Finaly 48 articles were involved in the final analysis according to the inclusion criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Vacuum sealing drainage is a highly effective treatment technique to promote wound healing which can promote wound blood circulation, reduce sweling, inhibit bacterial growth, stimulate growth of granulation tissue by mechanical stress, inhibit cel apoptosis, thereby helping wound healing. Compared to conventional open-dressings, vacuum sealing drainage has a faster wound healing speed, lower infection rate, and fewer dressing change frequency. With recent advances in medicine, vacuum sealing drainagetechnology cannot be simply used for treatment of skin soft tissue damage, but in combination with gentamicin, hyperbaric oxygen, nerve growth factor and chymotrypsin to achieve better therapeutic effects.

This paper was aimed to study the method of rapid determination of total flavonoids in Chrysanthemum of different processing methods by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The Chrysanthemum was dried by three different processes. The three methods were directly drying, drying after steamed and drying after fry, respectively. The determination of total flavonoids in Chrysanthemum by different processing methods was produced by using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Collecting the NIRS spectra of Chrysanthemum, the quantitative analysis model of total flavonoids content in Chrysanthemum of different processing methods was established by partial least square (PLS) and the model was validated. The correlation coefficient (R2), the root-mean-square error of calibration (RMSEC) and the root-mean-square error of prediction (RMSEP) were 0.996 19, 0.104 and 0.168, respectively. The correlation coefficient of predication (r) was 0.979 3 which state that the prediction was accurate. The method of NIRS had the advantage of fast determination, simple operation and high accuracy of prediction, and could be used for rapid determination of total flavonoids content in Chrysanthemum of different processing methods.

This paper studied the HPLC and NIRS fingerprints of Chrysanthemum with different processing methods, including directly drying, drying after steamed, and drying after fried. The method of discriminant analysis of TQ software was used to analysis the NIRS fingerprint of Chrysanthemum with three different processing methods, and the results were consistent with HPLC fingerprint similarity analysis. NIRS and HPLC fingerprints were of different characteristics, and the combination of the two methods can quickly and accurately identify Chrysanthemum with different processing methods.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Chrysanthemum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have demonstrated that simvastatin that can promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal stem cel s in vitro, is likely to be a new osteogenic drug. While it is stil unknown whether there is time-dependent stimulation of simvastatin on the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2 and col agen type I. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2 and col agen type I in rat bone marrow stromal stem cel s in vitro stimulated by simvastatin at different time points. METHODS:Passage 1 bone marrow stromal cel s were divided into control and simvastatin group, fol owed by cultured in osteogenic differetiation medium with or uithout 10-7 mol/L simvastatin. After 7-day intervention, expression of alkaline phosphatase was detected in passage 3 cel s. Passage 4 cel s were divided and cultured as described above, and afterwards, RNA and proteins were extracted at 12 and 36 hours to detect the expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2 and col agen type I using real-time PCR and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Both two groups could express alkaline phosphatase, while the rate of positive cel s significantly increased in the simvastatin group compared with the control group (P<0.05);at 12 and 36 hours after intervention, mRNA expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 2 and col agen type I in the simvastatin group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Besides, western blot assay showed:at both 12 and 36 hours, simvastatin significantly enhanced the expression of bone morphometric protein 2, while the expression of col agen type I significantly increased at 12 hours (P<0.05), but not at 36 hours. In conclusion, simvastatin can promote the expressions of bone morphometric protein 2 and col agen type I in rat bone marrow stromal cel s, with more favorable outcomes after 12-hour treatment.

Objective: To study magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) technique. Methods: An external force actuator was developed, the imaging pulse sequence of MRE was designed,and tissue simulating phantoms were constructed. The actuator controlled by the pulse sepuence produced shear waves at low frequency on the surface of the phantoms. A modified gradient echo sequence was developed with motion sensitizing gradient (MSG)imposed along X,Y or Z direction.Cyclic displacement within the medium induced by shear waves caused a measurable phase shift in the received MR signal.From the measured phase shift,the displacement at each voxel could be calculated,and the propatating shear waves within the medium were directly imaged. By adjusting the phase offsets,the dynamic propagation of shear waves in a wave cycle was obtained.The phase images were processed to aquire quantitative elasticity image using local frequency estimation(LFE)method. The experiments were implemented with 1.0% and 1.5% tissue simulating agarose gel. Shear waves at frequency of 150 Hz,200 Hz,250 Hz,and 300 Hz were applied. Results: The phase images of MRE directly imaged the propagating shear waves within the phantoms.The wavelength of shear waves varied with the change of exciting frequency and stiffness of the phantoms. The wavelength of shear waves was exactly proportional to the frequency and stiffness of the phantom. The contrast of elasticity in agarose gel with two concentrations was clearly demonstrated on elasticity images.Conclusion: The phase images of MRE can directly visualize the propagation of shear waves in the medium. The elasticity image of MRE can quantitatively image the elastic modulus of the medium

Objective To summarize the experience in application of da Vinci robotic surgical system in radical resection of rectal cancer,and investigate the proper position of trocars and operative techniques.Methods The clinical data of 13 patients who received radical resection of rectal cancer accomplished by the da Vinci robotic surgical system at the Southwest Hospital from February 2010 to February 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were in lithotomy position and received combined intravenous anesthesia.Five or 4 trocars were used.Miles procedures were performed on patients with lower tumor position,and the other patients received Dixon procedure.Results The operation was successfully performed on all patients.Five trocars were selected for the first 3 patients,and 4 trocars for the other 10 patients.Nine Dixon procedures and 4 Miles procedures were selected.The mean operation time was 217.3 minutes (range,160-260 minutes).The mean operative blood loss was 53.3 ml (range,40-70 ml) in Dixon procedure and 120.0 ml (range,90-130 ml) in the Miles procedure,and no blood transfusion was needed.The mean number of lymph nodes dissected was 13.9 (range,8-21 ),and the time to bowel movement was 3.2 days (range,2-5 days).Two patients were complicated with pulmonary infection,1 with urinary tract infection,and they were cured by antimicrobial therapy.No other morbidity or mortality was found.The results of postoperative pathological examination showed that there were no residual cancer cells at the resection margin,and the distance between the resection margin and the tumor was 6.3 cm (range,3-10 cm).There were 1 patient in stage Ⅰ,5 in stage Ⅱ and 7 in stage Ⅲ.The mean time of follow-up was 5.9 months (range,3-12 months),and no recurrence or metastasis was found during follow-up.ConclusionsRadical resection of rectal cancer with da Vinci robotic surgical system utilizing 4 trocars has the advantages of minimally invasive surgery with fast recovery as well as the ease of dissection afforded by the surgical robot.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of HBV infection and the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients with inflammatory arthritis receiving tumour hecrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors.Methods The liver function,serology of HBV and viral loads (HBV DNA) were tested before using TNFα inhibitors,at 3 months and 6 months.Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection (HBV DNA ＞ 1 × 103copies/ml) were eliminated.Results A total of 162 patients were investigated including 156 patients who finished the study.Eleven (7.05％) patients were HBsAg-positive.Two patients with HBV DNA ＞ 1 × 103copies/ml were eliminated before starting anti-TNFα therapy.Among HBsAgpositive patients,HBV reactivation was documented in only one of the 11 patients.This patient with rheumatoid arthritis developed elevation of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) and HBV DNA copies three months after infliximab therapy.Therefore lamivudine was given for three months,which translated into the fall of ALT and HBV DNA copies back to normal level.After follow-up for six months,the virology and serology remained stable.In contrast,none of the other 155 patients had demonstrated evidence of HBV infection or HBV reactivation.Conclusion The kinetics of HBV viral loads should be carefully monitored in patients with inflammatory arthritis and HBsAg-positive during anti-TNFα therapy.HBV reactivation should be treated with antiviral medicine through out the period of anti-TNFα therapy.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC),and explore the factors that can prolong the disease-free interval(DFI) after primary treatment.Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 54 patients with recurrent EOC and analyzed the clinical stage,histological subtypes,primary treatments,DFI,recurrent site,secondary treatment,and the response after secondary treatment.By Mann-Whitney test and T test,factors influent the DFI were analyzed,the relationship between DFI and the response after secondary treatment were analyzed also.Results The mean DFI for all 54 patients was 19.07 months.The DFI of patients received optimal cytoreductive surgery was longer than those received non-optimal cytoreductive surgery [(32 ± 19.10) months vs (18.77 ± 7.80) months,P ＜ 0.01];The DFI of patients with serous,mucous and clear cell tumor was [(20.16 ± 14.63) months,(14.00 ± 4.73) months and (16.67 ± 13.03) months,respectively],suggesting patients with mucous tumor might have shorter DFI.The DFI of patients with low tumor grade was longer than those with high tumor grade [(28.18 ± 16.97) months vs (16.52 ±9.46) months,respectively];The DFI of patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ disease was [(19.60 ± 12.89)months],was compared to the DFI of patients with stage Ⅲ,stage Ⅳ disease,which was [(19.22 ± 12.38) months] and [(11.67 ±5.39) months],respectively.When disease recurred,the most frequent recurrent site was pelvic (50％,n =27),with upper abdominal (29.6％) and lymph node(29.6％) followed.When recurrence was found in lymph node,the most frequent site was pelvic and para-arotic lymph node.In our study,when disease recurred,response of the tumor after the secondary treatment has no relationship with the DFI.Conclusions Patients received optimal cytoreductive surgery,patients with low tumor grade and early stage have longer DFI.Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy might be chosen during the primary cytoreductive surgery in some selected patients.

Objective Alendronate is widely used as an anti-osteoporosis agent , while simvastatin , as a lipid-lowering drug , is being considered beneficial for bone formation .The present study aims to compare the effects of simvastatin and alendronate on bone loss in ovariectomized ( OVX) rats. Methods Thirty-two female SD rats were equally randomized into a sham operation , an OVX mod-el, a simvastatin ( OVX +S), and an alendronate ( OVX +A) group.All the rats but those in the sham operation group underwent dual ovariectomy .The animals of the OVX model and OVX +S groups were treated intragastrically with vehicle and simvastatin at 5 mg per kg of the body weight per day , respectively , while those of the OVX+A group injected subcutaneously with alendronate at 70μg per kg of the body weight per week .After 12 weeks of intervention , all the rats were sacrificed for detection of the serum concentrations of PINP and ICTP by ELISA, analysis of bone mineral density and bone histo-morphometry parameters of L 4 vertebrae , determination of the maximum loading and elastic modulus of L 5 vertebrae by compression test. Results The serum concentrations of P1NP and ICTP were significantly lower in the sham operation than in the other three groups (P<0.05), and that of ICTP markedly lower in the OVX +A than in the OVX model and OVX +S groups (P<0.05).Bone mineral density was remarkably lower in the OVX model ([0.238 ±0.007] g/cm2 ) than in the sham operation ([0.276 ±0.015] g/cm2), OVX+S ([0.250 ±0.014] g/cm2) and OVX+A groups ([0.269 ±0.014] g/cm2) (P<0.05), lower in the OVX+S than in the sham operation and OVX +A groups (P<0.05), but with no statistically significant difference between the latter two (P>0.05).Bone histomorphometry showed significantly lower BV /TV in the OVX model than in the sham operation and OVX +A groups ([19.9 ±1.69]%vs [29.03 ±2.59]%and [27.05 ±1.91]%, P<0.05), but markedly higher Tb.Sp in the former than in the latter two groups ([357.33 ±26.55] μm vs [211.17 ±16.56] μm and [252.50 ±19.35] μm, P<0.05).The maximum load and elastic modulus of L5 vertebrae were significantly lower in the OVX model rats than in the other three groups (P <0.05). Conclusion Both simvastatin and alendronate can inhibit bone loss in OVX rats , with comparable effects of preventing the deteriora-tion of biomechanical properties , but the latter is evidently more effective in maintaining bone mineral density .