OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sub-acute oral effect of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles on the oxidation/antioxidation biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines in blood, liver, intestine, and colon in rats. METHODS: Twenty four 4-week-old clean-grade Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly devided into 4 groups by body weight (n=6, control, low, middle, and high), in which the rats were orally exposed to TiO₂ nanoparticles at doses of 0, 2, 10 and 50 mg/kg body weight/day for 28 consecutive days separately. Food intake, body weight and abnormal behaviors during the experiment were recorded. The rats were euthanized on the 29th day. The blood was collected via abdominal aortic method and centrifuged to collect the serum. Tissues from liver, intestine and colon were collected and homogenated. Then enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and microwell plate methods were used to detect oxidation/antioxidation biomarkers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total mercapto (T-SH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), malomdialdehvde (MDA) and inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the serum, liver, intestine and colon in the rats. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, no significant differences in body weight, food intake and organ coefficients were observed in all the three groups after TiO₂ gavage. No significant changes in GSH, GSH-Px, T-SH, and IL-6 were observed. Compared with the control group, significant increase of SOD activity in serum in high dose group, signi-ficant increase of GSSG concentration in intestine in middle and high dose group and significant increase of MDA concentration in liver in low and high dose group were observed. Compared with the control group, a significant increase of TNF-α in liver in middle and high dose group was observed. CONCLUSION TiO₂ nanoparticle can increase antioxidant enzymes activities in blood, increase oxidative biomarkers in liver and intestine, increase inflammatory cytokines in liver in rats after a 28-day sub-acute orally administration. Among blood, liver, intestine, and colon, liver is most sensitive to the toxicity induced by TiO₂ nanoparticles, followed by intestine, blood, and colon in sequence.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Biomarkers ; Cytokines ; Nanoparticles ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Titanium

Objective To explore the pathological changes by CT scan on localized thermochemotherapy dur- ing and after the operation of human gliomas.Methods Retrospective analysis was given to the CT scan of 37 pa- tients receiving thermochemotherapy during and after the operation,and the relation of the tumorous cells and mi- crovessels and CT density by EM were analyzed.Changes of tumorous cells and microvessels after localized ther- mochemotherapy on C_6 gliomas in rat were analyzed.Results When the tumor was low dense on CT pattern,less cellular number with increasing the amount of fluid between the cells was demonstrated pathologically.On EM,a lower cellular electron density was observed.The amount of fluid in cytoplasm was increased,the cytoplasm was porous,swelling denaturation was chiefly seen in organelle.If the tumor had mixed density on CT,cellular number was more,the amount of fluid was less.On EM,cellular electron density increased correspondingly,the fluid in cyto- plasm decreased,organdie was aggregated.After thermochemotherapy,the tumor reduced,liquefied,and vanished by CT scan.It could be observed that the tumorous cell become smaller,concentrated and cataclased,finally formed apoprotic bodies and separated from the cell in C_6 gliomas in EM.The tumorous vessels was less,smaller and thinker. Some vessels only could see the base membrane and no endothelioid cells.Conclusion The remaining tumors is van- ished by CT scan.The mechanisms of tumors disappearance proposes to explain that thermochemotherapy can dam- age C_6 glioma cells and microvessels,decrease microvessels density and induce tumor ceils apoptosis.That inhibits tu- morous angiogenesis and proliferation.

OBJECTIVETo investigate of the value of monitoring of saturation of blood oxygen of the injured extremity on prevention of osteofascial compartmental syndrome.

METHODSTwenty patients of osteofascial compartmental syndrome included 13 male and 7 female with an average age of 32 years ranging from 13 to 60. There were 13 cases of tibial and fibual fractures, 3 cases of tibial plateau fractures, 4 cases of femoral shaft fractures. SpO2 on the end of injured extremities were dynamic monitored and osteofascial compartmental pressure was measured by modified Whiteside method. The data of two group were compared.

RESULTSAmong 20 cases, it's negative correlation between the data of pulse blood oxygen saturation and osteofascial compartmental pressure.

CONCLUSIONThe method of dynamic monitor extremity SpO2 can reflect indirectly the ischemia in muscle and nerve and report the early diagnosis and management of osteofascial compartmental syndrome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Compartment Syndromes ; blood ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Female ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Ischemia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; metabolism ; Nerve Tissue ; metabolism ; Oximetry ; methods ; Oxygen ; blood ; Regional Blood Flow ; physiology ; Young Adult

Adult ; Anti-HIV Agents ; therapeutic use ; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension ; HIV ; pathogenicity ; Hepacivirus ; pathogenicity ; Hepatitis B virus ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; virology ; Male ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use

We revisited the "Xiao Chaihu Decoction event (XCHDE)" occurred in late 1980s in Japan and the Bupleuri Radix related adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports in China After careful review, comparison, analysis and evaluation, we think the interstitial pneumonitis, drug induced Liver injury (DILI) and other severe adverse drug envents (ADEs) including death happened in Japan is probably results from multiple factors, including combinatory use of XCHDE with interferon, Kampo usage under modern medicine theory guidance, and use of XCHD on the basis of disease diagnosis instead of traditional Chinese syndrome complex differentiation. There are less ADE case reports related to XCHD preparation in China compared to Japan, mostly manifest with hypersensitivity responses of skin and perfuse perspiration. The symptoms of Radix Bupleuri injection related ADEs mainly manifest hypersensitivity-like response, 2 cases of intravenous infusion instead of intramuscular injection developed hypokalemia and renal failure. One case died from severe hypersensitivity shock. In Chinese literatures, there is no report of the interstitial pneumonitis and DILI associated with XCHDG in Japan. So far, there is no voluntary monitoring data and large sample clinical research data available. The author elaborated the classification of "reevaluation" and clarified "re-evaluation upon events" included the reaction to the suspected safety and efficacy events. Based on the current status of the clinical research on the Radix Bupleuri preparations, the author points out that post-marketing "re-evaluation upon suspected event" is not only a necessity of continuous evaluation of the safety, efficacy of drugs, it is also a necessity for providing objective clinical research data to share with the international and domestic drug administrations in the risk-benefit evaluation. It is also the unavoidable pathway to culture and push the excellent species and famous brands of TCM to the international market, in that it enhances the pharmaceutical manufactures the ability to control enterprise risk and eliminate the negative impact on traditional Chinese medicine. With the widely used and ADR report concentrated Radix Bupleuri injection as an example, the author provide a new approach to post-marketing clinical research.
Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing ; methods ; Safety

Background Researches showed that multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) is able to assess the retinal function in the eyes with acute Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada ( VKH ) syndrome. But the mfERG characteristics of convalescence stage of VKH are still below clear. Objective Present study was to compare and follow up the variation process of visual acuity and mfERG in acute and recovery stages of VKH syndrome. Methods This was a clinic-based retrospective study. Visual acuity, mfERG and fundus fluorescence angiography ( FFA ) were recorded from 35 eyes of 18 acute VKH cases. The period of follow-up in recovery stage lasted about 18 months with the repetitive recording results for 4 times. Results In this study, the visual acuity range in acute stage VKH was 0. 01 to 1.0, and 91.4% (32/35 eyes) was below 0.6. Compared with normal control group, the visual acuity was significantly decreased (P＜0.01). The response densities (amplitudes) of N1 ,P1 waves of the first-order kernel were significantly lowed in all the 6 rings,and the implicit times of 1-4 rings of both waves were significantly prolonged in acute VKH eyes(P＜0. 05). The abnormalities of retinal function showed a regional difference at the posterior pole retina with the dominant change in the first ring,showing a cutting off78% in the P1 amplitude. The abnormal degree of mfERG was more serious as the the increase of retinal eccentricity. In 2 months of convalescence after glucocorticosteroids therapy,the range of visual acuity were 0. 1-1.2 ,and the amplitudes of N1, P1 of 1-2 rings were greatly elevated in comparison with acute on-set (P＜0. 05 ). However, there was still a remarkable difference in the amplitudes of from 1 through 6 rings,comparing with normal. The response density of P1 wave from whole recording region was only 44% of normal. Though the visual acuity was stable during the follow-up duration, a decreasing tendency in N1 and P1 amplitudes were seen. The implicit times of both wave shortened only in 1-3 rings in recovery stages of VKH (P＜0.05). Conclusion VKH syndrome cause serious damage of posterior retinal function.Macular region is the site with greater retinal functional lesion and restore before and after medication. This hardly recovery of retinal function can last over one and half year,even satisfied visual acuity is stable after proper treatment.

BACKGROUNDThe relationship between monosymptomatic resting tremor (mRT) and Parkinson's disease (PD) remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to assess the function of presynaptic dopaminergic neurons in patients with mRT by dopamine transporter positron emission tomography (DAT-PET) and to evaluate the utility of clinical features or electrophysiological studies in differential diagnosis.

METHODSThirty-three consecutive patients with mRT were enrolled prospectively. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and electromyography were tested before DAT-PET. Striatal asymmetry index (SAI) was calculated, and a normal DAT-PET was defined as a SAI of <15%. Scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficits (SWEDDs) were diagnosed in patients with a subsequent normal DAT-PET and structural magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTSTwenty-eight mRT patients with a significant reduction in uptake of DAT binding in the striatum were diagnosed with PD, while the remained 5 with a normal DAT-PET scan were SWEDDs. As for UPRDS, the dressing and hygiene score, walking in motor experiences of daily living (Part II) and motor examination (Part III) were significant different between two groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Bilateral tremor was more frequent in the SWEDDs group (P < 0.05). The frequency of resting tremor and the amplitude of postural tremor tend to be higher in the SWEDDs group (P = 0.08 and P = 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSmRT is heterogeneous in presynaptic nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration, which can be determined by DAT-PET brain imaging. Clinical and electrophysiological features may provide clues to distinguish PD from SWEDDs.

Adult ; Aged ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parkinson Disease ; diagnosis ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Tremor ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo optimize the solid-phase extraction method by comparison of the extraction recovery of ginsenoside Re plasma samples.

METHODAfter extracted by different solid-phase cartridges with water, acetonitrile, and different content methanol elution, the plasma samples were analyzed on an Zorbax SB-C18 column with acetonitrile-water gradient elution. From the recovery achieved, the best solid phase cartridge was found.

RESULTThis method consists of using 40% methanol as the wash solvent, and 80% methanol for the elution. Among the three kinds of solid-phase being tested, Waters Oasis HLB cartridge was found to be the best one.

CONCLUSIONThe average extraction recovery of the Waters Oasis HLB cartridges was between 103%-113%, it can be used in the analysis of ginsenoside Re in plasma samples.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Ginsenosides ; blood ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphism in M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) gene and membranous nephropathy (MN) in a Chinese Han population.

METHODSA total of 430 non-related Chinese Hans were enrolled, which included 145 patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), 53 patients with secondary MN and 232 normal controls (NC). The polymorphism of rs35771982 in PLA2R gene was determined with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Serum anti-PLA2R antibodies were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSThe genotypic and allelic frequencies for rs35771982 was significantly different among the three groups (P=0.004; P<0.001). CC genotype and C allele were significantly more common in IMN group compared with NC group (P=0.002; P<0.001) or secondary MN group (P=0.011; P=0.001). In the IMN group, the CC genotype was correlated with serum albumin (Alb), 24-hour urine protein (24h UP) and positive rate of serum anti-PLA2R antibody (P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.010), and was a risk factor for IMN (OR=8.927, 95%CI:2.107-37.821, P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONThe CC genotype and C allele at rs35771982 in PLA2R gene are associated with susceptibility to IMN in Chinese Hans. The associations between CC genotype and severity of IMN as well as serum anti-PLA2R antibody have indicated that production of anti-PLA2R autoantibody in IMN patients is associated with mutation at the rs35771982 locus of PLA2R gene.

Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous ; enzymology ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, Phospholipase A2 ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo review the updated research progress about the application of echocardiography in resynchronization treatment of chronic heart failure patients.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review were from PubMed, published in English and using the key terms "heart failure", "echocardiography" and "cardiac resynchronization therapy".

STUDY SELECTIONRelevant articles were reviewed and selected to address the stated purpose.

RESULTSIncreasing numbers of studies have suggested the importance of echocardiography in resynchronization treatment of chronic heart failure patients. Echocardiography can evaluate atrioventricular, inter- and intra-ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony before cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), as a guidance to assess the optimal left ventricular (LV) pacing location, optimize the atrioventricular and interventricular delays and predict response to CRT.

CONCLUSIONSEchocardiography is both non invasive and easily repeatable, and plays a crucial role in appraisal of heart synchronism, instruction of actuator placement, optimization of the device procedure, and prediction of the response to CRT.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy ; methods ; Echocardiography ; methods ; Heart Failure ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Humans ; Radiography