Implant wear induces inflammation, but not osteoclastic bone resorption, in RANK(-/-) mice.

Signaling of RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B) through its ligand RANKL appears critical in osteolysis associated with aseptic loosening (AL). The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of RANK in a murine osteolysis model developed in RANK knockout (RANK(-/-)) mice. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) debris was introduced into established air pouches on RANK(-/-) mice, followed by implantation of calvaria bone from syngeneic littermates. Wild type C57BL/6 (RANK(+/+)) mice injected with either UHMWPE or saline alone were included in this study. Pouch tissues were collected 14 days after UHMWPE inoculation for molecular and histology analysis. Results showed that UHMWPE stimulation induced strong pouch tissue inflammation in RANK(-/-) mice, as manifested by inflammatory cellular infiltration, pouch tissue proliferation, and increased gene expression of IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and RANKL. However, the UHMWPE-induced inflammation in RANK(-/-) mice was not associated with the osteoclastic bone resorption observed in RANK(+/+) mice. In RANK(+/+) mice subjected to UHMWPE stimulation, a large number of TRAP(+) cells were found on the implanted bone surface, where active osteoclastic bone resorption was observed. No TRAP(+) cells were found in UHMWPE-containing pouch tissues of RANK(-/-) mice. Consistent with the lack of osteoclastic activity shown by TRAP staining, no significant UHMWPE particle-induced bone resorption was found in RANK(-/-) mice. A well preserved bone collagen content (Van Gieson staining) and normal plateau surface contour [microcomputed tomography (microCT)] of implanted bone was observed in RANK(-/-) mice subjected to UHMWPE stimulation. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence that UHMWPE particles induce strong inflammatory responses, but not associated with osteoclastic bone resorption in RANK(-/-) mice. This indicates that RANK signaling is essential for UHMWPE particle-induced osteoclastic bone resorption, but does not participate in UHMWPE particle-induced inflammatory response.     

Efficacy and safety of herbal medicines for idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a systematic review.

The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines (HMs), as a monotherapy or adjunct therapy, compared to placebo or conventional approaches in the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials from both conventional and alternative medicine sources. Outcome measures were overall improvement, quality of life, reduction of levodopa dose, and adverse events. Nine studies were included, each testing a different HM. Six of the trials had limited internal validity due to major flaws in design, including the lack of proper randomization; insufficient blinding; unclear inclusive criteria in terms of diagnostic criteria, baseline staging, and duration of disease; lack of proper sample size calculation; and insufficient data analysis. Imbalances in gender and ethnicity among the patients in the included trials were observed. No major adverse events emerged, and no specific pattern was detected from the trials describing such data. In addition to major methodological defects, heterogeneity in (1) HM tested, (2) control treatment, and (3) outcome measure hindered in-depth data analysis and synthesis. Current evidence is insufficient to evaluate the efficacy and safety of various HMs. Further studies with improved trial design and reporting, with assessment on cost-effectiveness, quality of life, and qualitative data are warranted.     

胸膜腔造影和注射粘连剂对难治性气胸的诊治

目的：为更清晰地显示顽固性气胸的漏气部位和性质，为不能耐受手术者摸索一种新的治疗手段。方法：选择１８例患者，先用７６％泛影葡胺行胸膜腔造影，而后在局部注入少量粘连剂。结果：造影后发现多发性肺大泡８例，单发性肺大泡６例，肺大泡伴粘连带４例。病变分别位于左上肺，右上肺，中下肺野及叶间裂。注射粘连剂后，１５例一次成功，３例第二次成功。随防６～１８个月，未见复发。结论：该方法易掌握，无明显副作用。病变显示明显，易被患者接受，具有明显的临床效果和推广价值     

Adrenergic signalling between rat taste receptor cells

In taste buds, synaptic transmission is traditionally thought to occur from taste receptor cells to the afferent nerve. This communication reports the novel observation that taste receptor cells respond to adrenergic stimulation. Noradrenaline application inhibited outward potassium currents in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition was mimicked by the β agonist isoproterenol and blocked by the β antagonist propranolol. The α agonists clonidine and phenylephrine both inhibited the potassium currents and elevated intracellular calcium levels. Inwardly rectifying potassium currents were unaffected by adrenergic stimulation. Experiments using the RT-PCR technique demonstrate that lingual epithelium expresses multiple α (α1a, α1b, α1c, α1d, α2a, α2b, α2c) and β (β1, β2) subtypes of adrenergic receptors, and immunocytochemistry localized noradrenaline to a subset of taste receptor cells. Collectively, these data imply strongly that adrenergic transmission within the taste bud may play a paracrine role in taste physiology.     

医用钛合金在三种不同生理电解液中的耐腐蚀行为研究

利用电化学方法研究医用钛合金在0.9%NaCl生理盐水，模拟人工唾液，模拟人工体液中的腐蚀情况，分析腐蚀电位和腐蚀电流密度，扫面电镜观察腐蚀表面形貌，CA-A型接触角测试仪测试钛合金表面被腐蚀后接触角的变化。实验表明：钛合金在三种生理电解液中的腐蚀情况依次是：模拟人工唾液〉模拟人工体液〉0.9%NaCl生理盐水。扫面电镜观察表明，医用钛合金在0.9% NaCl生理盐水腐蚀后，表面出现了许多腐蚀孔，经模拟人体体液腐蚀后，表面变得粗糙不平整，腐蚀孔数目变化不大，钛合金经人工唾液腐蚀后，腐蚀孔数目增多，部分腐蚀孔孔径明显增大。经三种生理电解液腐蚀后，钛合金表面接触角都减小。结论：医用钛合金在人工唾液中的腐蚀最严重，在临床应用中应给予相应的防范措施。     

多节段髓内星形细胞瘤的临床研究

目的 探讨不同年龄段、恶性程度不同的多节段髓内星形细胞瘤患者的诊治特点.方法 21例多节段(3个椎体节段以上)髓内星形细胞瘤患者均行后正中入路显微镜下肿瘤切除术,以UOA分值差(术后UOA和术前UOA差值)评估手术效果.以Logistic回归和多元线性同归分析统计学数据.结果 肿瘤性质直接影响肿瘤的切除程度(X2=10.41,P=0.03),高度恶性肿瘤只能大部切除或减压.年龄(X2=12.53,P=0.01)、肿瘤性质(X2=16.44,P=0.002)和部位(X2=27.12,P=0.04)影响近期手术效果(UOA分值差);青少年患者、低度恶性肿瘤手术效果较好,单纯累及胸段的患者手术效果差.结论 低度恶性或青少年多节段髓内星形细胞瘤患者应尽早手术,术后疗效满意.     

多媒体辅助于中药学教学存在的问题及对策

中药学理论源远流长,知识要点繁杂,涉及学科面广。中药学教学对植物药、动物药、矿物药的形象展示、真伪鉴别,地道药材确定以及加工、炮制、煎煮方法的情景呈现有特殊要求,而多媒体课件丰富的色彩、直观的形象,尤其是妙趣横生的音频、视频及动画效果可弥补传统教学的缺憾,为中药学教学提供了新的手段和方法。回顾中药学教学历程,辩证地分析多媒体辅助中药学教学存在的问题,探索解决问题的方法和措施,以期寻求更好的教学策略。     

Parental education and children's online health information seeking: Beyond the digital divide debate

Research has shown that increasing numbers of teenagers are going online to find health information, but it is unclear whether there are disparities in the prevalence of online health seeking among young Internet users associated with social and economic conditions. Existing literature on Internet uses by adults indicates that low income, less educated, and minority individuals are less likely to be online health seekers. Based on the analysis of data from the Pew Internet and American Life Project for the US, this study finds that teens of low education parents are either as likely as or even more likely than teens of high education parents to seek online health information. Multiple regression analysis shows that the higher engagement in health seeking by teens of low education parents is related to a lower prevalence of parental Internet use, suggesting that some of these teens may be seeking online health information on behalf of their low education parents. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the issues of the digital divide and digital empowerment.     

Kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols

Two samples of kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols were examined in two time points in one academic year. About 85% of Chinese five year olds (mean = 5 years 10 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 30 or larger. At the end of the kindergarten year, 94% of Chinese six year olds (mean = 6 years 4 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 100 or larger. Some Chinese six year olds had problems in representing written addition and subtraction tasks. Children's ability to represent written number symbols, ability to represent written addition and subtraction formula and their performance on written addition and subtraction were closely related. The performance of children in a university-affiliated childcare center was better than that of the center serving working-class families in Time 1, but the performance reversed at the end of the kindergarten year.