Objective To compare the prediction of Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) and Berg balance scale (BBS) for fall among community-dwelling older adults aged 75~85 years old. Methods 162 older adults randomly selected from 3 communities in Beijing were evaluated with FGA and BBS. They were divided as fallers and nonfallers according to the history of fall during the last year. Results The scores of FGA and BBS increased significantly in the nonfallers compared with the fallers (P<0.001). The total scores of FGA correlated with the scores of BBS (r=0.723, P<0.001). The total scores of FGA significantly correlated with the scores of items of FGA (P<0.01), except that of walking with eyes closed (P=0.31). According to the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve, the area under the curve was 0.901 for FGA, and 0.872 for BBS. According to the Youden index, the cutoff value of FGA was 19.5, with sensitivity of 85.5% and specificity of 81.2%. The cutoff value of BBS was 48.5, with sensitivity of 78.3% and specificity of 83.3%. Conclusion FGA is more effective than BBS for predicting the fall in community-dwelling older adults, which is more sensitive and similarly specific.

This article reports the investigation of the effect of carvedilol (Car) on T-type calcium current (I(Ca,T)) of noninfarcted ventricular myocytes in rabbit models of healed myocardial infarction (HMI). Rabbits with left anterior descending artery ligation were prepared and allowed to recover for 8 weeks, as HMI group. Animals undergoing an identical surgical procedure without coronary ligation were served as the sham-operated group (sham group). Whole cell voltage-clamp techniques were used to measure and compare currents in cells from the different groups. Noting that I(Ca,T) density in HMI cells increased markedly to -2.36 +/- 0.12 pA/pF (at -30 mV) compared with cells of sham, where little I(Ca,T) (-0.35 +/- 0.02 pA/pF) was observed. Meanwhile, further analysis revealed a significant hyperpolarizing shift of steady-state activation curve of I(Ca,T) in HMI cells, where the time constants of deactivation were prolonged and the time of recovery from inactivation was shortened. Finally, the amplitude of I(Ca,T) was increased. Carvedilol (1 micromol x L(-1)) was found to decrease the amplitude of I(Ca,T) to -1.38 +/- 0.07 pA/pF through inhibiting process of I(Ca,T) activation. Furthermore, carvedilol delayed recovery from inactivation of I(Ca,T) and shortened the time constants of deactivation in HMI cells. This study suggested that the application of carvedilol in HMI cells contributes to the dynamic changes in I(Ca,T) and may account for reduction of incidence of arrhythmia after myocardial infarction.

Objective To explore the factors related with the quality of life in the elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods 92elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis were tested with short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36), visual analogue pain scale (VAS), 5times' movement of sit-to-stand, 10 m walking speed, 3 m timed-up and walking test. At the same time, the radiological grades of knees andthe total amount of chronic diseases were collected. Results The VAS of knee pain, the course of knee osteoarthritis, the total amount ofchronic diseases and 10-m walking speed were related with SF-36 score (P<0.01). Conclusion Knee pain, course of knee osteoarthritis, totalamount of chronic diseases and walking ability are related with the quality of life in the elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis, especiallyfor knee pain.

Objective To explore the relationship between the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) diversification during operation and the short term outcome of ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of cervical spine. Methods 70 OPLL inpatients from February 2008 to February 2011were included in this study. All patients received anterior cervical operation. According to the diversification of the SEP during surgery, the patients were divided into 2 groups. The preoperative and postoperative JOA scores of the OPLL patients were collected. Results There were 35 patients in the SEP no change group and 30 in SEP improved group. There was no difference in the preoperative JOA scores between them (P>0.05), but was significantly different in the postoperative JOA scores (P>0.05). Conclusion There is some relationship between the SEP diversification during operation and the short term outcome of OPLL of cervical spine.

Objective To investigate the balance function of the knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients and the clinical value about static fallindex test and dynamic fall index test for the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods The osteoarthritis patients without knee pain (controlgroup, n=30) were tested with postural stability (PS), limits of stability (LOS), dynamic fall index (DFI) and static fall index (SFI). Theosteoarthritis patients with knee pain (treatment group, n=30) accepted 10 times of diclofenac diethylamine emulge imported by pulsed ultrasoundand 6 times of massage therapy. They were also tested with above four balance tests and Western Ontario and McMaster UniversitiesOsteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) before and after treatments. Results There was significant difference in overall of PS, anterior/posterior indexand medial lateral index (P<0.05) between the control group and the treatment group before treatments, and there was very significantdifference in time to complete LOS, overall of LOS and DFI (P<0.01); but there was no significant difference in SFI (P<0.05). There wassignificant difference in WOMAC scores, overall of PS, anterior/posterior index, time to complete LOS, overall of LOS and DFI (P<0.05) inthe treatment group before and after treatments, but there was no significant difference in medial lateral index and SFI (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared with osteoarthritis patients without knee pain, KOA patients with knee pain are in poorer balance function and greater fall risk.After effective treatments, the balance function and fall risk of the KOA patients may significantly improve. Compared with SFI test, theDFI test is more sensitive to the improvement of balance function of the KOA patients.

ObjectiveTo examine the test-retest reliability and measurement error in using a Jamar dynamometer to determine grip strength for elder men. Methods40 elder men with a mean age of 82 years old volunteered to participate in this study. The grip strength was administered twice using a Jamar dynamometer by specially trained testers; subjects were re-tested at the same time of day a week later by the same testers. ResultsThe infraclass correlation coefficient（ICC） was 0.99. The standard error of measurement (SEM and SEM%) were 1.18～1.69 and 4.11%～6.41%. The smallest real difference (SRD and SRD%) were 3.27～4.68 and 11.39%～17.75%. The Bland-Altman analysis revealed no systematic errors between test and retest. ConclusionThe Jamar dynamometer is reliable and with acceptable measurement errors to determine grip strength for elder men.

ObjectiveTo investigate the age-related changes in grip strength of the elderly men and compare with the norms of overseas. Methods112 subjects were divided into six groups: 65～69 years old, 70～74 years old, 75～79 years old, 80～84 years old, 85～89 years old, and 90～95 years old. The grip strength was measured with Jamar dynamometer. ResultsThe grip strength of both sides were significantly moderate negative correlated to age (r=-0.681 and -0.68, P<0.001) and stepwise regression analysis showed the age was important clinical factor to consider in determining grip strength in the elderly men （R2=0.468, F=47.951, P＜0.001). The grip strength was declined significantly during the 75～79 and 85～89 years old. ConclusionGrip strength had declined in the elderly men and these losses were significantly related to age. The highest loss in men was in the age over 75. The norms of grip strength overseas were not applicable to Chinese older adults.

ObjectiveTo determine the test-retest reliability of isometric muscle strength measurement for the lower limb with functional squat system （FSS） in elderly people. Methods20 elderly participants were measured the isometric muscle strength in 5 s of each lower limb with FSS, and retested a week later. The maximal voluntary contraction and the average strength of each lower limb were recorded. ResultsThe intraclass correlation coefficient were 0.77～0.88 (P<0.01). ConclusionIsometric muscle strength measurement of the lower limb with FSS shows acceptable test-retest reliability in elderly.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of lower extremity muscle strength and the pain or physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods25 patients with knee osteoarthritis diagnosed with have radiological and clinical data were assessed with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and isokinetic muscle strength testing. ResultsThe lower extremity extensor muscle strength correlated with WOMAC pain scores, WOMAC activity of daily life scores, and WOMAC total scores （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe lower extremity extensor muscle strength correlated with the pain and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

ObjectiveTo apply the physical function test in evaluating the lower extremity muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods33 patients with knee osteoarthritis who had radiological diagnosis and clinical symptoms were tested with 5 times sit-to-stand, 10 m walking speed, timed up and go test and isokinetic muscle strength. ResultsThere were very high correlation among 5 times sit-to-stand, 10 m walking speed and timed up and go (P<0.001). The lower extremity extensor muscle strength correlated with 5 times sit-to-stand, 10 m walking speed and timed up and go respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion5 times sit-to-stand test reflects the walking ability and the lower extremity muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis, which can be used as a kind of assessment for knee osteoarthritis.