Background Nearly over 40 years have elapsed since the original findings of visual cortical plasticity,but none of drug has been found for curing amblyopia effectively. Objective The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of different dose of levodopa on flash visual evoked potential(F-VEP)and morphology of visual cortex cells in monocular deprivation rat and explore the possible mechanism of curing amblyopia.Methods Monocular deprivation model were established by suturing eyelids of 30 2-week-old Sprague Dawley(SD)rats for 4 weeks.The 30 SD rats were then divided into 3 groups randomly and 10 rats for each group.Normal saline.20 ms/kg levodopa,80 ms/kg levodopa were intragastrically administered once per day after modeling respectively for 4 weeks.F-VEP was recorded after establishment of model and administration of drug respectively.The rats were sacrificed and the visual cogex was obtained for histological examination,and TUNEL technique was used to assess the structural change of visual cortex.Results The latency of P1 wave was significantly longer in the deprived eye than the normal eyes(P<0.05).After administration of levodopa,the latent periods of Pl wave in the deprived eye were obviously shortened in comparison with before administration of levodopa in 20 ms/kg and 80 mg/kg levodopa group (P<0.05).The difference values of latent period of P1 wave between before and after administration of drug showed statistically significant change in three groups(P<0.05).No evidently alterations were found in the amplitude differences of N1 P1 and P1 N2 waves among three groups(P>0.05).The number and structure of neurons in contralateral visual cortex of non-deprived eye were normal.However,the numbers of neurons in deprived eye were significantly less and presented the signs of para-apoptosis in normal saline group.In 20 mg/kg levodopa groups,the alterations of number and morphology in neurons of rat visual eogex were slight.TUNEL assay revealed that the numbers of positive neurons in contralateral visual codex of non-deprived eye were 2.20±1.23.while those in deprived eye were 53.7±9.36,27.20 4±5.96 and 10.70±3.23 in normal saline group,20 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg levodopa group respectively,showing a significant difference among them(P>0.05).After usage of levodopa,the numbers of positive neurons was negatively correlated with the difference value of P,latent period of VEP(r=-0.815,P=0.000).Conclusion Levodopa has a therapeutic effect on rat deprived eye,and its possible mechanism is inhibiting the para-apoptosis of neurons and participating in the development and plasticity of visual system.

To compare the differences of the active ingredient contents and the sulfur dioxide residue in Astragali Radix before and after sulfur fumigation and provide a basis for establishing an alternative processing method. Astragali Radix, harvested at the same time in Longxi Gansu, were processed with different methods. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the contents of the active ingredients in Astragali Radix and the revised method of the pharmacopoeia of China in 2011 was applied to determine the sulfur dioxide residue. The results show that the three-fold sulfur-fumigation group has the highest level of astragaloside IV and the dried sulfur-fumigation group with 10% water has the lowest level; the content of calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside is the highest in naturally dried group and the lowest in the group of sulfur fumigating for 3 times; the sulfur dioxide residue of all sulfur-fumigation groups exceeds certain limit significantly and the group of sulfur fumigating for 3 times reaches the highest level.
Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fumigation ; adverse effects ; Sulfur Dioxide ; analysis ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To determine the effect of histotype and histodifferentiation on the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_(max)) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ~(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging.Methods Two hundred and sixty patients with NSCLc underwent ~(18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging.They were classified according to (1) histotype:as adenocarcinoma (AC),squamous cell carcinoma(SQC),adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) and other type carcinoma (OTC),and (2) histodifferentiation:as grade Ⅰ (well-differentiated),grade Ⅱ (moderate-differentiated) and grade Ⅲ (poor-differentiated).The SUV_(max) and size(long diameter)of the primary lesions were measured.Multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the SUV_(max) and variable factors including histotype,histodifferentiation,lesion size,age,sex,body height,body weight,body mass index (BMI),blood glucose level,dose,and rate of dose.Results Two hundred and sixty patients had 260 primary NSCLC tumors.There were 161 AC(15 grade Ⅰ,88 grade Ⅱ,58 grade Ⅲ),74 SQC(6 grade Ⅰ,39 grade Ⅱ,29 grade Ⅲ),15 ASC(7 grade Ⅱ,8 gradeⅢ)and OTC(8 large cell,2 carcinosarcoma).Only lesion size (F=87.046.P＜0.001),histodifferentiation (F=87.604,P＜0.001) and histotype (F=66.663,P＜0.001) were included for multivariate regression analysis with SUV_(max).After adjustment for lesion size,the SUV_(max)(mean and 95%confidence interval) in ascending order was AC Ⅰ:3.3(2.1-4.5),ACⅡ:6.0(5.5-6.6),SQCⅠ:6.1(4.2-8,0),ASC Ⅱ:6.6(4.8-8.4),SQCⅡ.7.8(7.0-8.6),OTC:8.1(6.6-9.6),AC Ⅲ:8.3(7.6-8.9),ASC Ⅲ:8.7(7.0-10.4),and SQC Ⅲ:8.9(8.0-9.8).11he SUV_(max) of AC Ⅰ was significantly lower than that of SQC Ⅰ(q=-2.786,P=0.017),same for AC Ⅱ and SQC Ⅱ(q=-1.776,P＜0.001),but no statistically significant differences were found among AC Ⅲ,ASC Ⅲ and SQC Ⅲ(q=-0.593,-0.422,0.171,P=0.288,0.642,0.860,respectively).For the same histotype lesions,the difference of SUV_(max) among AC Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅲ was statistically significant(q=-2.720,-4.943,-2.223,all P＜0.001),as also for SQC Ⅰ and Ⅲ(q=-2.751,P=0.012).Conclusion Histotype and histodifferentiation are significant correlative factors for ~(18)F-FDG uptake of NSCLC,with histodifferentiation being the factor with greater impact.

Otolaryngology ; Periodicals as Topic ; Quality of Life ; Sickness Impact Profile

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of oligochitosan in promoting intestinal absorption of protoberberine alkaloids in extracts from Corydalis saxicola total alkaloids.

METHODThe in vitro single-pass intestinal perfusion model in rats was established to study the changes in absorption kinetic parameters of dehydrocavidine, berberine hydrochloride and palmatine chloride in C. saxicola total alkaloids after the addition of different concentrations oligochitosan and evaluate the effect of oligochitosan in promoting intestinal absorption of the drugs.

RESULTThe concentration of oligochitosan had different effects on the absorption rate constant (Ka) and apparent permeability coefficient (Peff) of the three active component in rat intestines. Ka and Peff in 0.5% oligochitosan group significantly increased, indicating a stronger effect in promoting the absorption.

CONCLUSIONOligochitosan has a certain effect in promoting the intestinal absorptions of protoberberine alkaloids in C. saxicola total alkaloids.

Animals ; Berberine Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Chitin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestinal Absorption ; drug effects ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The contents of adenosine, gastrodin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, parishin and sulfur dioxide residue were compared in differently-processed Gastrodiae Rhizoma to provide the basis for a reasonable processing method of Gastrodiae Rhizoma. The analysis was performed on a Merck Purospher STAR column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and water (containing 0.1% formic acid) under gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The eluates were detected at 270 nm, and the column temperature was 35°C. The content of adenosin, gastrodin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde and parishin in processing of boiling or sulfur-fumigated were lower than that of in processing of steaming. Furthermore, the sulfur dioxide residue of sulphur-fumigated groups exceed 400 mg x kg(-1). This stable and reliable method will contribute to the quality control of different processed Gastrodiae Rhizoma.
Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Gastrodia ; chemistry ; Sulfur Dioxide ; analysis ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To evaluate the effect of health education in controlling the iodine deficiency diserders(IDD) in order to provide reference data for the further prevention and control. Methods Each village of 3 towns in Congjiang County was selected in 2007, where the health education lasting for 10 months had been implemented in the school students of 3-6 grade and the villagers. The school students of 3-6 grade and 30 housewives in the villagers were investigated for their IDD control knowledge, the salt consuming conditions as well as the sales of both rough and fine salt at a salt retail site in each village before and after the health education was implemented. Results The awareness rate of the knowledge of IDD control in the students and housewives was 91.4% (581/636) and 78.3% (282/360), respectively after intervention, which significantly increased (χ2= 532.044, 326.117, both P < 0.01) compared with the rate of 28.2% (184/652) and 11.4% (41/360) before intervention. The proportion of consuming fine salt was 91.8%(146/159) and 95.6%(86/90), significantly inereased(χ2= 236.623, 135.350, both P < 0.01) compared with 6.1%(10/163) and 7.8% (7/90) found before intervention. The selling proportion of fine salt at the salt retail site in the village was 60.0%(900/1500), significantly increased(χ2= 824.176, P < 0.01) compared with 10.0%(150/1500) before intervention. Conclusions Health education and promotion is solid foundation for effectively controlling IDD, through which the students and villagers are actively and voluntarily involved in the program and hence have formed good living and hygiene habits, thus expected effect has been obtained.

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence and spectrum of β-thalassemia mutations in Fujian province,and to provide a reference for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling in this population.Methods Two thousand three hundred and one blood samples were randomly selected from 9 different areas of Fujian province from May 2008 to December 2010.PCR and reverse dot blot hybridization (RDB) were adopted for detection of the 17 common types of mutation,and the frequency of each genotype of β-thalassemia mutations was calculated.The β-globin gene of unknown positive samples were analyzed directly with DNA sequencing.Results Three hundred and fifty-nine cases were detected with β-thalassemia mutations of the 2301 copy blood samples submitted,and the detection rate was 15.60％ (359/2301).Of the mutated genes,12 different mutations were identified,namely IVS-2-654(C→T),CD41-42(-TCTT),CD17(A→T),-28(A→G),CD27-28(+C),CD26(G→A),CD71-72(+A),IVS-1-1(G→T),CD43(G→T),-29(A→G),initiation codon ATG→AGG and CD36(-C).Mutation frequencies were 46.54％ (175/376),33.24％ (125/376),9.31％ (35/376),5.05％ (19/376),2.13％(8/376),1.33％(5/376),0.80％(3/376),0.27％(1/376),0.27％(1/376),0.27％(1/376),0.53％(2/376),and 0.27％(1/376),respectively.The most common mutations were IVS-2-654 (C→T) and CD41-42 (-TCTT),which accounted for 79.78％(300/376) of total genetic mutations.In addition,a novel β-globin gene mutation CD36 (-C) allele was detected for the first time,the deletion of a nucleotide C at code 36 within exon 2 lead to a frameshift mutation that could result in a premature termination at code 60.Conclusions β-thalassemia mutations in Fujian province are complex with significant genetic heterogeneity.We present for the first time the detection of a new β-thalassemia mutation in the population:CD36(-C),which provides valuable information for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis in Fujian province.

Objective To compare the efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT, 99Tcm-MDP bone scintigraphy (BS), and combination of the two techniques (PET/CT + BS) for detecting bone metastasis by ROC curve analysis. Methods All 296 patients with various cancers, who underwent both 99Tcm-MDP BS and 18F-FDG PET/CT within two months, were retrospectively analyzed. These images were interpreted according to 5-point scale (0: definitely negative, 1: probably negative, 2: equivocal, 3: probably positive, 4:definitely positive for bone metastasis), and the scale of PET/CT + BS was the sum of PET/CT and BS. In light of the confirmed diagnosis derived from pathology or follow-up, ROC curve analysis was performed.The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared by z-test. Results Of 296 cases, 61 (20.6%) were confirmed as bone metastases and 235 (79.4%) were negative. The AUC were 0. 919 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) :0. 867 - 0. 971) for BS, 0. 949 (95% CI: 0. 906 - 0. 991) for PET/CT, and 0. 994 (95% CI: 0.988-0.999) for PET/CT + BS, rctrospectively. The AUC of PET/CT + BS was statistically significantly larger than that of BS (z=2. 866, P=0.004) or PET/CT (z =2.027, P=0.043), while the AUC of PET/CT was larger than that of BS, but no statistically significance (z = 0. 881, P = 0. 378) was showed. The optimal sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value(NPV) were 90. 2% (55/61), 85. 1% (200/235), 86. 1% (255/296), 61. 1% (55/90), 97. 1%(200/206) for BS, 88.5% (54/61), 97.0% (228/235), 95.3% (282/296), 88.5% (54/61), 97.0% for PET/CT, and 98.4% (60/61), 95.7% (225/235), 96.3% (285/296), 85.7% (60/70) for PET/CT + BS,respectively. The specificity (χ2 = 19.862, P<0. 001), accuracy (χ2 = 23. 361, P<0.001) and PPV (χ2 =11. 791, P =0.001) of PET/CT + BS were significantly higher than those of BS, the sensitivity of PET/CT +BS was significantly higher than that of PET/CT (χ2 =4.167, P=0.031). Compared with BS, PET/CT had a higher specificity (χ2 = 19.600, P<0. 001), accuracy (χ2 = 13. 755, P <0. 001), PPV (χ2 = 13. 608, P <0. 001), but their sensitivity showed no statistically significant difference (χ2 = 0, P = 1. 000). Conclusions The efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT for detecting malignant bone metastasis was superior to that of 99Tcm-MDP BS alone. The detection ability can be obviously improved by combination of the two techniques.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; GB virus C ; classification ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male