The shape and structure of granules are controlled by the granulation process, which is one of the main factors to determine the nature of the solid dosage forms. In this article, three kinds of granules of a traditional Chinese medicine for improving appetite and promoting digestion, namely, Jianwei Granules, were prepared using granulation technologies as pendular granulation, high speed stirring granulation, and fluidized bed granulation and the powder properties of them were investigated. Meanwhile, synchrotron radiation X-ray computed micro tomography (SR-µCT) was applied to quantitatively determine the irregular internal structures of the granules. The three-dimensional (3D) structure models were obtained by 3D reconstruction, which were more accurately to characterize the three-dimensional structures of the particles through the quantitative data. The models were also used to quantitatively compare the structural differences of granules prepared by different granulation processes with the same formula, so as to characterize how the production process plays a role in the pharmaceutical behaviors of the granules. To focus on the irregularity of the particle structure, the box counting method was used to calculate the fractal dimensions of the granules. The results showed that the fractal dimension is more sensitive to reflect the minor differences in the structure features than the conventional parameters, and capable to specifically distinct granules in structure. It is proved that the fractal dimension could quantitatively characterize the structural information of irregular granules. It is the first time suggested by our research that the fractal dimension difference (Df,c) between two fractal dimension parameters, namely, the volume matrix fractal dimension and the surface matrix fractal dimension, is a new index to characterize granules with irregular structures and evaluate the effects of production processes on the structures of granules as a new indicator for the granulating process control and optimization.

Objective To explore the clinical feature of severe enterovirus 71 (EV71) associated hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD),and genotype of EV71.Methods Fluorescent quantitation PCR was done for detecting EV71.RT-PCR was performed to amplify VP1 for sequencing and identifying genotype.A retrospective analysis was performed based on the clinical data of 15 cases with severe EV71 infection.Results EV71 nucleotide was positive in all 15 cases.The genotype of EV71 was C4.All cases had abnormal temperature and followed with nervous symptoms in the early stage.Average time was 1.26 days from onset to severe complications appearance.Eleven cases progressed to neurogenic pulmonary edema.Four cases accepted nasal continuous positive airway pressure.Eleven cases accepted oral trachea cannula mechanical ventilation.Except for 3 cases died,one case abandoned,others 11 cases were cured.Conclusion The isolated strains of EV71 in this study are all C4 genotype.All cases with severe EV71 infection were followed with nervous symptoms in the early stage,most of whom would progress to neurogenic pulmonary edema.The mortality would be cut down by using mechanical ventilation in early stage.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the occurrence of paclitaxel(PTX)-induced muscle soreness and therapeutic efficacy and safety of diclofenac sodium. METHODS:Among 84 patients with malignant tumor receiving PTX chemotherapy,56 patients suf-fered from PTX-induced muscle soreness,among which 22 female patients suffered from medium and severe muscle soreness and then were randomly divided into group A and B,with 11 cases in each group. Group A was given Diclofenac sodium sustained-re-lease tablet 75 mg orally,once a day;group B was given Paracetamol and tramadol hydrochloride tablets one tablet orally,once a day,and then given Promethazine hydrochloride injection 100 mg subcutaneously,2-3 times a day when muscle soreness could not be born. Treatment course of both groups lasted for 5 d. The distribution of muscle soreness were observed. The onset time and dura-tion of muscle soreness were also observed as well as pain relief and the occurrence of ADR in group A and B. RESULTS:Among 84 cases,the incidence of muscle soreness was 66.67%,among which mild pain accounted for 23.81%,moderate pain accounted for 13.10%,and severe pain accounted for 29.76%. Among 56 patients with muscle soreness,earliest muscle soreness occurred on the day of medication,and most of muscle soreness occurred on 1-3 days after medication,mainly manifesting as sore,activity limitation when severe,associated with fatigue. The pain relief rate of group A and B were 100%,but the incidence of adverse re-actions in group A was significantly lower than group B,with statistical significances(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Diclofenac sodi-um is similar to paracetamol and tramadol hydrochloride in the treatment of PTX-induced muscle soreness,but it is better than paracetamol and tramadol hydrochloride in safety.

AIM: To discuss the relationship between prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA) and prostate cancer and to seek a target for diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer.METHODS: A pair of primers was designed according to the published PSMA mRNA sequence.Total RNA was extracted from prostate cancer tissues and was reversely transcribed into cDNA,which was used as a template for PCR to amplify the PSMA gene.The recombinant was sequenced and the result was analyzed by BLAST.The PSMA5 gene specific primers were designed to identify its expression in different cells and prostate tissues.RESULTS: A new alternatively spliced variant of PSMA named PSMA5 was discovered when sequencing the recombinant.PSMA5 showed well pathological tissue-specificity,and its expression rate in prostate cancer,benign prostatic hyperplasia of prostate,and normal prostate tissue were 92.6%,78.8% and 10.0%,respectively.It expressed specifically in Pca cell line LNCaP,not in cell lines of PC3,bladder carcinoma,renal carcinoma,or hepatoma.CONCLUSION: A new alternative spliced variant of PSMA named PSMA5 was discovered,which was well correlated with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.This finding may give a new clue to the evolution of prostate cancer and may provide a target for the diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer.

AIM: To find out the gene structure and diversity of protate specific membrane antigen(PSMA) alternative spliced variants, and probe into the pathogenesis of prostate cancer.METHODS: 5'-RACE and 3'-RACE methods were used to amplify the 5' and 3'end of alternative spliced variant and then those viariants were sequenced for analyzing the gene stucture and diversity of PSMA alternative spliced variants of prostate cancer tissues.RESULTS: Four new alternative spliced variants of PSMA were discovered from prostate cancer tissues.Compared with reported PSMA alternative spliced variants,different insertions and deletions existed in different sites of those new variants.CONCLUSION: The discovery of the new variants confirms the diversity of PSMA spliced variants and provides the clues for seeking the target of diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects and action mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of intestinal fibrosis in ulcerative colitis. Methods Tianshu (ST 25) and Qihai ( CV 6) were the main acupoint; other points were used according to syndrome differentiation. Sixty-five patients were randomized into two groups: Group A in which 32 cases were treated by herbpartitioned moxibustion and group B in which 33 cases were treated by bran-partitioned moxibustion. The therapeutic effects and TGF-β1, Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen expressions were measured before and after treatment. Results In group A, 17 cases were cured, 12 cases improved and 3 failed; in group B, 1 1 cases were cured, 16 cases improved and 6 cases failed. Ⅰ , Ⅲ collagen expressions were obviously inhibited in the two groups, in group A in particular. Conclusion In the prevention and treatment of intestinal fibrosis, moxibustion may reduce the expression of TGF-β1, and hence to block or inhibit the synthesis of Ⅰ、Ⅲ collagens, and improve the structure and function.

BACKGROUND:Most stroke patients affected walking dysfunction. Virtual reality-enhanced body weight-supported treadmil training has been proposed as a strategy for gait training of cerebral infarction subjects.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality-enhanced body weight-supported treadmil training on lower limb motor function in subacute cerebral infarction patients.
METHODS:Twenty cerebral infarction patients (within 3 months of onset) were randomly divided into experiment group (virtual reality-enhanced body weight-supported treadmil training) and control group (conventional physiotherapy). Three-dimensional gait analysis in lower limb motor function was carried out before and after 3-week gait training. Intergroup and intragroup comparisons in the fol owing parameters were done before and after training:walking speed, cadence, step time, single limb support time (%), double limb support time (%), nonparetic swing (%), step length, pace, range of motion in the lower limb, functional ambulation category, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the lower limbs and Brunel Balance Assessment.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:No significant differences in patient’s gender, age, course of disease, affected. side, walking speed, functional ambulation category, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the lower limbs and Brunel Balance Assessment were detected between the two groups before training (P>0.05). Fugl-Meyer Assessment and functional ambulation category were improved in patients of the two groups after training (P<0.05). The improvement in walking speed, cadence, step time in affected side, step time in healthy side, single limb support time in affected side (%), nonparetic swing (%), pace, step lengths in affected and healthy sides were better in the experimental group than those in the control group.

Objective To study the effects of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).MethodsA total of 300 SCI patients from six institutions were divided into a research group and a control group. Systematic rehabilitation was given to the patients of the control group, while systematic rehabilitation and REBT were given to the patients of the research group. All patients were followed up for 1 year. Psychological state, activities of daily living (ADL), and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated with a symptom check list (SCL-90), a modified version of the Barthel index (MBI) and the World Health Organization's quality of life assessment (WHOQOL-100).ResultsOne year after treatment, the improvement in QOL of patients in the research group was better, on average, than that in the control group. The differences were primarily in mental items. The ADL ability of patients in both groups improved, and any differences were not significant. The psychological state of patients in the research group had improved significantly 1 year after treatment, while the improvements in the control group were not significant on average, except in terms of interpersonal sensitivity.ConclusionREBT had little effect on the ADL ability of SCI patients, however, it improved their psychological state significantly, and thus improved their QOL.

Objective To describe the prevalence of workplace violence against nurses in emergency departments,and investigate its related cognition and demands of nurses. Methods A total of 385 emergency department nurses from 13 general hospitals in Beijing were recruited by convenient sampling method and were investigated with the Version of Hospital Workplace Violence Questionnaire in February to October 2014. Results The prevalence of workplace violence against nurses was 89.9% during the past 12 months. The incidence of verbal abuse,threat, physical assault and sexual assault were 89.9%,70.6%,20.5% and 3.9% respectively. The responses of nurses were mainly "tolerance and avoidance","explain patiently" and "ask for help";81.6% of the nurses considered that workplace violence was inevitable in the workplace,and 78.7% of the nurses thought the hospital was not capable of dealing with workplace violence in the past. The nurses demanded that the hospital to increase the prevention of workplace violence training,to set up a sector to deal with violence events,or to take on workplace violence policy of "zero tolerance". Conclusions Workplace violence against nurses is prevalent in emergency departments. Nurses hope the hospital to have more positive attitude against workplace violence and take more measures to prevent and deal with it. Further intervention should be conducted to reduce workplace violence against nurses by individuals,hospitals,the government and the whole society.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of fibroblasts in reconstruction of composite skin, and evaluate the effect of composite skin on full-thickness skin defect.

METHODSKeratinocytes and fibroblasts were seeded on the surface of acellular dermal matrix and cultivated in vitro to reconstruct the composite skin. Adherence of keratinocytes to dermal matrix was observed. Then take rate and histological construction were investigated after the composite skin was used to cover full-thickness skin defect wound in nude mice (n = 16).

RESULTSKeratinocytes grew and proliferated to reach tho confluence on the surface of the acellular dermal matrix. Keratinocytes adhered more stablely and could not be torn down from dermal matrix in operation when few fibroblasts were seeded on the epidermal surface of the dermal matrix. After grafting, the composite skin closed the full-thickness wound in nude mouse. The total survival was achived in 10 mice (62.5%). The newly generated skin was with intact histological construction of base membrance containing laminin and type IV collagen.

CONCLUSIONComposite skin could close the full-thickness wound, and fibroblasts could improve adherence of keratinocytes to dermal matrix, which should benefit the survival of composite skin.