Objective To examine the association between vitamin D and alendronate response,and to investigate the proper vitamin D levels for the efficacy of alendronate treatment of osteoporosis.Methods In this retrospective study,559 post-menopausal women with osteoporosis were devided into two groups:non-responders and responders,based on the European Study of Forsteo (EUROFORS).Demographic and clinical data including mean 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels between dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans were obtained.Mean 25-OHD levels were compared between responders and non-responders and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with non-response.Results There were 437 (75.5％) responsers to alendronate therapy and 142 (24.5％) non-responders.Responders with a mean serum 25-OHD level of (59.96 ±12.56) nmol/L,obtained a more favorable result than non-responders,whose serum 25-OHD level was (47.50 ±9.92) nmol/L (P＜0.01).25-OHD level was significantly associated with response.Conclusion Patients with a mean 25-OHD ≥50 nmol/L had a substantially greater likelihood of maintaining bisphosphonate response.

Objective To examine the relationship of body mass index (BMI) with levels of vitamin D,parathyroid hormone (PTH),and bone turnover markers among women in Shanghai area.Methods Altogether 810 Chinese women aged 45 year and older were enrolled to study the associations by multiple linear regression analyses.Bone mineral density was measured by a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar,Prodigy,GE),Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25 (OH) D],PTH,C-telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen (CTX),osteocalcin (BGP),and bonespecific alkaline phosphatase (BSALP) were measured.Results (1) 25 (OH) D,BGP,BSALP,and CTX levels were significantly lower in obesity group than in control group ; PTH level was significantly higher in obesity group than in control group.(2) In multiple linear regression analyses,BMI was significantly associated with lower 25 (OH) D (β =-0.017,P =0.006),BGP (β =-0.077,P =0.019),and higher PTH (β =0.025,P =0.000).Conclusions (1) There were siginificant associations between higher BMI and lower 25 (OH) D among women in Shanghai.(2) Serum osteocalcin was associated not only with bone metabolism but also with energy metabolism.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Acidolysis kinetics on the process of the hydrolysis acidification by using glucose as the only energy sources was researched.It was concluded that the acidolysis kinetics constants are V_(max)=8.45d~(-1) and K_s=1089mg/L,under the circumstances of a temperature 37℃?0.5℃and the influent pH value 6.5.The results show that the rate of anaerobic acidification process is greater than that of completed an- aerobic or anoxic process.

Objective To study early changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover for prodicting the bone mineral density(BMD) response to alendronate therapy in Chinese men with osteoporosis. Methods Seventy-eight men aged 60 to 82 years with osteoporosis [mean age (69.8 ±11.8) years]were treated with alendronate sodium 70 mg/week for 12 months. Serum bone gla-protein (BGP) and serum pyridinoline-eross-linked earboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) level were measured by chemiluminescence (equipment is Roche E170). Serum BGP, ICTP and BSALP levels were measured before and 3 months and 12 months after treatment. BMD in lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (GE PRODIGY Inc. ) at L1-4 and at the left hip(total hip,trochanter,Ward's area and femoral neck)before and 12 months after treatment. Results After 3-months and 12-months treatment, the percent reductions of serum ICTP levels were 45.8% and 51.6%, serum BGP level 32.0% and 37.5%, serum BSALP level 35. 3% and 39.9% ,respectively. After 12-months treatment, the percent increase of lumbar BMD was 11.8%, femoral neck BMD 11.4 %. The percent reductions of serum ICTP level at months 3 and 12 after treatment were positively correlated to the percent increase of lumbar BMD (r=0.28, 0.295,P <0.05 and P<0.01)and of fermoral neck BMD at 12 months after treatment(r=0.262, 0.333, P＜0.05 and P<0.01)respectively. The percent reductions of serum BGP level at months 3 and 12 after treatment were positively correlated to the percent increase of lumbar BMD (r=0. 322, 0.401,all P<0.01) and of fermoral neck BMD at 12 months after treatment (r=0.277,0.284, all P＜0.05)respectively. The percent reductions of serum BSALP level at months 3 and 12 after treatment were positively correlated to the percent increase of lumbar BMD (r=0.133,0.231,all P＜0.05) and of fermoral neck BMD at 12 months after treatment(r=0.248, 0.317, all P＜0.01)respectively.Conclusions Early changes in biochemical markers of bone turnover rates can predict BMD response to alendronate in Chinese men with osteoporosis.

Objective To explore therapeutic effects and mechanisms of radical scavenger edaravone on experimental cerebral hemorrhage.Methods Two hundred-forty male SD rats were divided randomly into four groups:control group,cerebral hemorrhage group,edaravone treatment group before operation (A) and edaravone treatment group after operation (B).Experimental cerebral hemorrhage model was made according to the method reported by Rosenberg.Water quantity contained in brain and nervous missing sign were observed,meanwhile the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain tissue were measured.Results Compared with cerebral hemorrhage group,nervous missing sign and water quantity contained in brain obviously changed in edaravone treatment group (P

ObjectiveToinvestigatetheinflammatoryresponseandapoptosisof peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and their regulation by triptolide(TP) in IgA nephropathy(IgAN) patients.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 29 IgAN patients and 16 healthy individuals.TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were measured by ELISA and NO concentration by Griess reagent in the plasma of samples.PBMCs were isolated from IgAN patients and cultured in vitro,and subsequently activated by PHA(10 mg/L).The cytotoxicity of different TP concentrations was assayed by MTT and two non-toxic concentrations (12.5 μg/L or 25.0 μg/L)were selected for treatment.TNF-α,IL-6 and NO concentrations were measured in the culture media collected from PBMCs cultures activated by PHA (10 mg/L) and treated with TP (12.5 μg/L or 25.0 μg/L).The PHA-activated,TP-treated cells apoptotic rate was analyzed by FACS using Annexin V-FITC staining.The expression of Bcl-2,Bax,caspase-9 and caspase-3 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting from lyses of PHA-activated with or without TP-treated cells.ResultsThe serum concentrations of TNF-α[(131.57±50.61) ng/L vs(30.24±18.93) ng/L,P＜0.01],IL-6[(76.36±25.21) ng/L vs(35.08±16.59) ng/L,P＜0.01] and NO[(46.36±12.93) μmol/Lvs (26.61 ±10.87) μmol/L,P＜0.01] were significantly increased in IgAN patients compared to healthy individuals.PBMCs viability in culture decreased after TP treatment in a dose-dependent manner.TP also inhibited TNF-α,IL-6 and NO levels in the media of PHA-activated PBMCs in culture and induced PBMCs apoptosis.The expression of Bcl-2 decreased markedly and Bax,caspase-9 and caspase-3 increased significantly after TP treatment (all P＜0.05).Conclusions The PBMCs from IgAN patients are in a highly activated state,and have a high apoptotic rate.TP treatment induces benificial effects in IgAN patients by inhibiting the activation of PBMCs by activating pro-apoptotic pathway.

Objective To study the cell toxicity of thrombin in astrocytes in vitro and the protective effect of hirudo extract liquid (HEL) on the injured astrocytes. Methods Astrocytes were isolated from Wistar rats' cerebral cortex and cultured in vitro, and observed under a phase contrast microscope for growth status. Cell activity was measured with MTT assay. The survival of astrocytes was investigated after exposed to a selected concentration of thrombin ranging from 0.1 to 100 U/mL or to HEL ranging from 0.25 to 4 mg/μL by observing cell morphology under an inverted phase-contrast microscope and measuring the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity (a marker of cell death) in cell supernatant. Expressions of HSP70 and TGFβ-1 protein in astrocytes were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Results (1) Thrombin (1-100 U/mL) had toxicity on astrocytes in vitro in a dose-dependent manner (F=118.65, P=0.000). (2) HEL (0.25-4 mg/μL) could significantly reduce the cell toxicity of 10 U/mL thrombin in astrocytes (F=156.08, P=0.000). With the increasing concentration of HEL, the protection of HEL was accordingly enhanced, and it even increased the expressions of HSP70and TGFβ-1. Conclusions HEL could accelerate the proliferation of astrocytes, enhance the expressions of HSP70 and TGFβ-1 protein, so as to significantly depress the cell toxicity of thrombin to astrocytes.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between the stage of hepatic fibrosis and ultrasonographic findings of the liver, spleen and gallbladder and establish a sensitive ultrasonographic semi-quantitative scoring system for screening compensated liver cirrhosis.

METHODSTotalling 248 patients with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection underwent liver biopsy and ultrasonic examination. The images of the liver surface, parenchymal echo, intrahepatic vessels, gallbladder, spleen and diameter of portal vein were analyzed.

RESULTSThe stages of hepatic fibrosis were not correlated to ultrasonographic findings of the liver surface or diameter of portal vein, but hepatic fibrosis of different stages showed significant differences in parenchymal echo, intrahepatic vessels, gallbladder and splenomegaly. In cases with normal liver parenchymal, intrahepatic vessels, gallbladder and spleen, the negative predictive value of the ultrasonographic semi-quantitative scoring system for diagnosing compensated liver cirrhosis amounted to 96.3%. The sensitivity of a score not lower than 5 was 90% for detecting compensated cirrhosis. With a score not lower than 7, the diagnostic accuracy and specificity was 85.9% and 95.2%, respectively, but the sensitivity was lowered to 37.5%.

CONCLUSIONThe ultrasonic images of the liver parenchyma, intrahepatic vessels, gallbladder and spleen in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis vary significantly in patients with hepatic fibrosis of different stages, and this ultrasonographic scoring system allows for a sensitive diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis.

Female ; Fibrosis ; Gallbladder ; diagnostic imaging ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; Humans ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; virology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spleen ; diagnostic imaging ; Splenomegaly ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analyze and evaluate the acceptability of mifepristone compatible with misoprostone versus conventional surgical abortion among women under unwanted early pregnancy, so as to help the unexpected pregnant women to choose the satisfactory abortion, and to provide the evidence for clinicians to make a proper clinical decision.

METHODSSix medical databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, CBMdisc, CNKI and VIP, together with twelve journals hand-searched, and references of included studies additionally searched. Two qualified reviewers reviewed the original articles, evaluating qualities of articles, and extracting data independently. After heterogeneity test, the data was pooled using Revman software if capable, or descriptive analysis was applied.

RESULTSIn total, nine original clinical controlled trials were included, containing 3565 cases. Before abortion, more unwanted pregnant women chose the medical abortion because they believed medical abortion was less painful than surgical abortion (OR = 466.51, 95% CI: 91.37 - 2381.88), but medical abortion was less time-consuming than surgical abortion (OR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.01 - 0.06). After abortion, satisfaction with medical abortion was similar to that with surgical abortion, with insignificant difference (P = 0.89). However, second choice and recommendation rates of medical abortion were much higher than those of surgical abortion with OR and 95% CI as 2.72, 2.13 - 3.47 and 4.19, 2.16 - 11.16, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSMedical abortion was less painful than surgical abortion and the rate of second choice and recommendation to others were all also higher than those of surgical abortion. However, the process of medical abortion was not as quick as surgical abortion but the satifacation of both methods seemed similar. Therefore, the two artificial abortion methods were not recommended to replace each other at the present time.

Abortifacient Agents ; adverse effects ; Abortion, Induced ; adverse effects ; methods ; Choice Behavior ; Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Mifepristone ; Misoprostol ; Pain ; etiology ; Patient Satisfaction ; statistics & numerical data ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Unwanted