Objective:To investigate the lower limb muscle strength characteristics in amateur runners with patellofemoral pain(PFP). Method:Thirty PFP amateur runners(20 males and 10 females)were recruited as the knee pain group,and 30 matched non-injured amateur runners were recruited as the non-knee pain group.The hip abductor strength,quadriceps strength,hamstring strength,hamstring/quadriceps ratio,and bilateral limb symmetry index were col-lected for all participants.Independent sample t-tests were used to compare the differences between the groups. Result:The hip abductor strength and bilateral limb symmetry index,quadriceps strength and bilateral limb symmetry index of male PFP amateur runners were significantly lower than those of the non-knee pain group,while the hamstring/quadriceps ratio was significantly higher than that of the non-knee pain group.The hip ab-ductor strength and bilateral limb symmetry index of female PFP amateur runners were significantly lower than those of the non-knee pain group. Conclusion:PFP amateur runners exhibit different lower limb muscle strength characteristics compared to non-knee pain runners,and the lower limb strength characteristics of male and female PFP amateur runners are not consistent.Therefore,functional and gender differences should be considered in the clinical treatment and rehabilitation training of PFP.

Objective To observe the effect of sinomenine (SIN) on the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX2),alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7nAChR) and adenosine receptor(A2A) in A549 cells,and to explore the relative mechanism for cell proliferation.Methods The effect of SIN and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) on the proliferation of A549 cells was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay.The effect of SIN and NNK on the migration of A549 cells was detected by cell wound scratch assay.The effect of SIN and NNK on COX2 expression in A549 cells was determined by Western blotting method.The effect of SIN and NNK on the expression of α7nAChR and A2A mRNA and protein was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting method.Results NNK increased the proliferation and migration of A549 cells,while SIN inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 cells.COX2 expression level was increased in NNK group but was decreased in SIN group.The expression levels of α7nAChR and A2A were up-regulated in NNK group but were down-regulated in SIN group.Conclusion SIN plays a role in inhibiting the proliferation and migration of A549 cells by suppressing COX2 expression.SIN has an inhibitory effect on the expression of α7nAChR and A2A.

Objective To evaluate the tonic and health effects of Xuebijing injection,a traditional Chinese medicine injection,by means of corn low-nutritional mice model combined with benefit-damage index-general score (BDI-GS) evaluation system under a physiological dosage.Further,to investigate the scientific and practical benefits of the evaluation system in efficacy and safety re-evaluation of clinical traditional Chinese medicine injections.Methods Healthy ICR mice during growth period were randomly divided into blank control group and low,middle and high dose groups.All the mice were fed with corn diets,and treated by intraperitoneal injection once a day.The mice in the blank control group were injected with 0.4 ml 0.9％ sodium chloride injection,and the mice in the low,medium and high dose groups were injected with 0.2,0.4 and 0.6 ml Xuebijing injection,respectively,for seven days.On the 8th day,the mice were killed,dissected,and took nine kinds of organs including heart,lung,thymus,spleen,pancreas,kidney,gonad and femur.The weight BDI,index BDI and the corresponding weight BDI general score (GSw) and index BDI general score (GSI) were calculated,and the serum biochemical parameters were measured.Results Under the physiological dose,Xuebijing injection shows good safety of continuous infusion,tonic and health effects,and slight damages on the rest of organs.More specifically,the values of weight BDI and index BDI were all higher than 9.0,and values of GSw and GSI were all higher than the basic value of 9.0.Furthermore,these parameters increased in a dose-dependent manner.In addition,the total protein level of (47.6 ± 4.30) g/L in the high dose groups was significantly higher than (43.18 ± 2.60) g/L in the blank control group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The Xuebijing injection has a lower risk for conventional usage.This injection is safe under the physiological dosage and much safer in higher dosage designed in this study.The low-nutritional model combined with BDI-GS evaluation system can be used for re-evaluating the function and safety of clinical traditional Chinese medicine injections.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of amelogenin(AML)on the migration,adhesion and proliferation of periodontal liga-ment stem cells(PDLSCs).Methods:PDLSCs were cultured with AML at 0.25,50 amd 100 μg/ml respectively.The migration, adhesion and proliferation of the cells were examined by wound healing migration assay,transwell migration assay,attachment assay, MTT assay and cell counting,respectively.Results:AML induced the migration of PDLSCs in a dose-dependent manner(P <0.05), increased the adhesion and proliferation of PDLSCs(P <0.05).Conclusion:AML may promote the migration,adhesion and prolifer-ation of PDLSCs.

Objective To investigate the effect of sinomenine on the purinergic receptors A2A and P2X7 in endotoxemia mouse model and RAW264.7 macrophage model stimulated by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Methods BALB/c mice were randomly divided into blank control group, model group and sinomenine group. Thirty minutes after the rats of sinomenine group were pretreated with intraperitoneal injection of sinomenine (40, 80, 160 mg/kg), the mice were given intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg LPS to induce endotoxemia model. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) and interleukin-6(IL-6) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of purinergic receptor A2A and P2X7 in the liver and spleen were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). RAW264.7 macrophages were divided into blank control group, LPS group and sinomenine group. Sinomenine group was firstly treated with sinomenine(300μmol/L) for 2 h, and then LPS group and sinomenine group were treated with LPS (100 ng/mL) for another 8 hours. TNF-α in the cell supernatant was measured by ELISA, and the expression levels of A2A and P2X7 in RAW264.7 cells were detected by RT-PCR. Results Stimulation with LPS could induce the increase of the mouse serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 as well as the expression of A2A and P2X7 in mouse liver and spleen, and sinomenine had a counteraction on the above indexes(P<0.05) . In-vitro stimulation with LPS could induce the increase of the content of TNF-α and the expression of A2A and P2X7 in RAW264.7 cells , and sinomenine decreased TNF-α content and P2X7 expression (P<0.05) , but had an effect on enhancing A2A expression. Conclusion Sinomenine suppresses the expression of purinergic receptor P2X7 in mouse spleen and liver as well as in RAW264.7 macrophages, but its effect on the expression of A2A in various tissues and cells varies, whose related mechanism is needed further study.

Objective:To evaluate the meaning and value of high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).Methods:In this study,48 patients (unilateral hand)with CTS were analyzed.The thickness of transverse carpal ligaments at the pisiform bone was measured using high-fre-quency ultrasound.Open carpal tunnel release procedure was performed in the 48 CTS patients,and the thickness of transverse carpal ligaments at the hamate hook bone measured using vernier caliper under di-rect vision.The accuracy of thickness of transverse carpal ligaments was evaluated using high-frequency ultrasound.High-frequency ultrasound measurement of thickness of transverse carpal ligaments at the ha-mate hook bone and pisiform bone,and determination of the diagnostic threshold measurement index using receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve,sensitivity and specificity were performed and the correlation between the thickness of transverse carpal ligaments and nerve conduction study (NCS)ana-lyzed.Results:The thickness of transverse carpal ligaments in the CTS patients were (0.42 ±0.08)cm (high-frequency ultrasound)and (0.41 ±0.06)cm (operation)at hamate hook bone,and there was no significant difference between the two ways (t =0.672,P>0.05 ).The optimal cut-off value of the transverse carpal ligaments at hamate hook bone was 0.385 cm,the sensitivity 0.775,and the specificity 0.788.The optimal cut-off value of the transverse carpal ligaments at the pisiform bone was 0.315 cm, the sensitivity 0.950,and the specificity 1 .000.The transverse carpal ligaments thickness and wrist-in-
dex finger sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV),wrist-middle finger SCV showed a negative correla-tion.Conclusion:High frequency ultrasound measurements of thickness of transverse carpal ligaments is a valuable method for the diagnosis of CTS.

BACKGROUND:The enamel matrix derivative has been used in the clinical treatment of severe periodontitis; however, the mechanism(s) by which enamel matrix derivative promotes periodontal regeneration is stil obscure. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of enamel matrix derivatives on the differentiation and proliferation of periodontal ligament stem cels. METHODS:Periodontal ligament stem cels were isolated and identified from human teeth. Cloning forming efficiency, surface antigen expression and pluripotency were detected and identified. Enamel matrix derivatives with different concentrations (20, 50, 100 mg/L) were used to culture periodontal ligament stem cels for 2 and 4 weeks. Colagen synthesis and mineralized nodule formation were detected using Trichrom staining and Von Kosa’s staining, respectively; real-time RT-PCR was employed to detect expressions of colagen type I, osteocalcin, and RUX2; MTT and cel growth rate assay were used to detect the proliferation of periodontal ligament stem cels. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Periodontal ligament stem cels were spindle-shaped and showed a higher colony forming efficiency than periodontal ligament cels. The expressions of surface antigens of periodontal ligament stem cels-CD105, CD29, CD45, CD44 were respectively 99.8%, 99.7%, 1.26%, 98.8%, indicating periodontal ligament stem cels have the multilineage differentiation potential. Enamel matrix derivatives improve the colagen synthesis and mineralization nodule formation of periodontal ligament stem cels in a time-dose dependent manner. They also can improve the expression of osteogensis-related genes colagen type I, osteocalcin, RUX2 and proliferation of periodontal ligament stem cels.

Objective:To investigate sinomenine (Sinomenine,SIN) effect on RAW264.7 cells polarization to M1 or M2 phenotype induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin-4 (IL-4) .Methods:RAW264.7 cells were induced to polarize to M1 by LPS ,and to M2 by IL-4.Sinomenine effects on LPS or IL-4 induced macrophages:TNF-αand IL-10 secretion induced by different condition were detected by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA);The expression level of mRNA of Arginase1(Arg-1),Nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),suppressor of cytokine signaling protein-2(SOCS2) and suppressor of cytokine signaling protein-3(SOCS3) of M1/M2 phenotypes were detected by real time PCR respectively.Results:Sinomenine inhibited the increase of TNF-αsecretion,iNOS and SOCS3 mRNA expression level induced by LPS.Sinomenine inhibited the increase of IL-10 secretion and Arg-1 mRNA expression level induced by IL-4,but SOCS2 mRNA expression level was not affected by Sinomenine.Conclusion: Sinomenine can inhibite the macrophage polarization to M1 and M2 induced by LPS and IL-4.Sinomenine plays a regulatory role on imbalance of M1/M2,and is conducive to maintain the dynamic balance.

Objective To observe the anti-inflammatory effects of three kinds of aconine from Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata ( Fuzi) on macrophages, as well as the effects of their combination with sinomenine. Methods The effect of three monoester alkaloids from Fuzi, benzoylaconine ( BAC) , benzoylmesaconine ( BMA) and benzoylhypaconine ( BHA) , on RAW264.7 cells proliferation was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) in vitro. RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and then treated with different concentrations of BAC, BMA, and BHA. Tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) secreted by RAW264.7 cells were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . The anti-inflammatory effects of three monoester alkaloids combined with sinomenine were evaluated by Zhengjun Jin Q method. Results The concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 secreted by LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were increased significantly ( P<0.01) , and then were inhibited by BAC ( 20, 30 μmol/L) , BMA ( 40, 80, 160μmol/L) and BHA ( 40, 80, 160 μmol/L) significantly ( P<0.01) . Antagonistic effects were present when 30 μmol/L of BAC or 160 μmol/L of BMA or 160 μmol/L of BHA was respectively used together with 100 or 300 μmol/L of sinomenine (Q<0.85). Conclusion The three kinds of monoester alkaloids from Fuzi exert anti-inflammatory effect on macrophages, and the effective dose of BAC is lower than that of BMA and BHA. The combination of BAC, BMA or BHA at the analyzed dosage with sinomenine has antagonistic effect.

Objective To evaluate the effects of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1 )on migration, adhesion and proliferation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs)and explore the mechanisms of PDLSCs-induced periodontal remodeling.Methods PDLSCs were isolated and identified from human teeth.The effect of TGF-β1 on migration of PDLSCs was evaluated using transwell migration assay.Cells attachment assay was used to test the effect of TGF-β1 on the adhesion of PDLSCs.In addition,the effect of TGF-β1 on the proliferation of PDLSCs was evaluated by MTT and cell growth rate assay.Results The results showed that TGF-β1 induced the migration of PDLSCs in a dose-dependent manner,improved the adhesion and proliferation of PDLSCs.So we propose that TGF-β1 may promote periodium remodeling by inducing PDLSCs migration,following adhesion and proliferation in these areas.Conclusion This study demonstrated for the first time that TGF-β1 increases the adhesion and migration of PDLSCs in vitro .The signal pathway is involved in the TGF-β1-induced migration of PDLSCs and the mechanical-chemical interaction during the orthodontic periodontal remodeling will be researched in our further studies.