Objective To explore the antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility of chitosan-nano-silver complex thermosensitive hydrogel. Methods There were 4 groups: group A (containing 1 ×10-5 chitosan-nano-silver complex thermosensitive hydrogel), group B (containing 5 ×10-6 chitosan-nano-silver complex thermosensitive hydrogel) , group C ( containing 2 ×10-6 chitosan-nano-silver complex thermosensitive hydrogel) , group D ( chitosan thermosensitive hydrogel ) .The antibacterial activity of the samples against six kinds of gram-negative bacteria, one kind of gram-positive bacterium, three kinds of fungi were measured by bacteriostatic circle.The cytocompatibility of the extraction to NIH-3T3 cells was studied by SRB. Results The antibacterial activity enhanced with the increasing of nano silver concentration in chitosan-nano-silver complex thermosensitive hydrogel, whose antibacterial activity was better than chitosan thermosensitive hydrogel; its extraction has no cytotoxicity, thus showed good cytocompatibility. Conclusion The chitosan-nano-silver complex thermosensitive hydrogel is a potential novel wound dressing.

AIM: To investigate the effect of Chinese propolis on the activity of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in LPS-treated vascular endothelial cells (VECs). METHODS: Confluent VECs were stimulated with LPS at the concentration of 100 μg/L in the presence of 0.5% fetal bovine serum. The cells were treated with Chinese propolis at the concentration of 12.5 mg/L for 12 h and 24 h. The viability of VECs and the level of nitric oxide (NO) were detected by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and chemical method, respectively. The activity of PC-PLC was measured using L-α-phosphatidylcholine as substrate. The protein levels of TLR4, nuclear factor-Κb p65 (NF-Κb p65) and p53 were determined by Western blotting. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was examined using a fluorescent probe, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescin (DCHF). For the measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential, the fluorescent dye JC-1 was used. RESULTS: Treatment with Chinese propolis for 24 h had no effect on the viability of VECs. However, the levels of NO and ROS were significantly decreased by Chinese propolis. PC-PLC activity and NF-Κb p65 expression were significantly depressed by Chinese propolis treated for 12 h, and the expression of TLR4 and p53 were dramatically decreased by Chinese propolis treated for 12 and 24 h. No effect of Chinese propolis on mitochondrial membrane potential was observed. CONCLUSION: Chinese propolis depresses the activity of PC-PLC and the expression of TLR4, and then inhibits the downstream signal molecules such as NF-Κb p65, p53, ROS and NO in VECs.

Objective To evaluate the value of ultrasound elastography score and strain ratio index in the differential diagnosis of thyroid solid nodules. Methods Eighty-six thyroid solid nodules of 69 patients were divided into 2 groups based on their pathologic results: benign nodules group and malignant nodules group.Compared with pathological results, each thyroid solid nodules' elastographic scores and strain ratio index were respectively analyzed. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of elasticity score and strain ratio index were calctlated.The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn according to the results, to choose the best cut-off value.Results There were 67 nodules in benign nodules group and 19 nodules in malignant nodules group. The diameter of benign nodules was (2.05 ± 0.21)cm, malignant nodules was (1.62 ± 0.12)cm. There were no significant differences in the elasticity score and strain ratio index between benign and malignant nodules(t= - 1.736, P ＞ 0.05). Malignant lesions had a higher score and strain ratio index(median 3, 3.97, respectively) than benign ones(median 2, 1.66,respectively, Z = - 5.290, - 5.450, all P ＜ 0.05). If the cut-off value of the elastographic scores was equal or more than 3, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 84.2%(16/19) ,86.6%(58/67) and 86.0%(74/86), respectively,with an area under ROC curve of 0.854. If the cut-off value of the strain ratio index was equal or more than 2.50,the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 89.4%(17/19),86.6%(58/67) and 87.2%(75/86), respectively, with an area under ROC curve of 0.911. Conclusion Elasticity score and strain ratio index are helpful in differentiating benign and malignant lesions of thyroid with high clinical value.

Objective To evaluate tear ferning changes of conjunctivochalasis.Design Prospective case study series.Partici- pants 30 patients(60 eyes)of conjunctivochalasis and normal subjects were selected.Methods The subjects were observed with gen- eral ophthalmic examination and tear fern test(TFT).Tear ferning was classified into 4 types.TypeⅠand TypeⅡare normal.TypeⅢand TypeⅣare abnormal.Main Outcome Measures The type of tear feming.Results TFT showed that tear ferning was de- creased in conjunctivochalasis group(TypeⅢand TypeⅣoccupied 61.7%).The difference between conjunctivoehalasis and normal control group was significant(P

Objective Survey of Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital hand hygiene facilities at all levels was made with improvement measures proposed.Methods Hand Hygiene Norms for Medical Workers questionnaires designed by the Ministry of Health was used in a field survey on hand hygiene facilities of 89 TCM hospitals in Guangxi.Results Facilities of the non-hand-touch taps,hand sanitizer and hand disinfectants were found satisfactory at key departments at all TCM hospitals in the region,yet poor performance with the hand drying facilities.Hospitals with such departments with non-hand-touch taps,hand sanitizer and hand disinfectants accounted for 93.3％,100.0％ and 100.0％.Only 41.6％ of the hospitals were found to use dry hand towels as drying facilities.Significant difference was found at various levels of hospitals' hand hygiene facilities.Conclusion The hand hygiene facilities at such hospitals in Guangxi are receiving growing attention,yet further investment is still required for further improvement and compliance of the medical staff in hand hygiene.

Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo discuss the cause and treatment of acute limb ischemia in endovascular therapy of the lower extremity arterial occlusive disease.

METHODSClinical data of 54 cases of acute limb ischemia in the endovascular treatment of 685 cases of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease from June 2003 to April 2012 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 43 male and 11 female patients, with a mean age of 72.3 years (ranging from 56 to 82 years). The major causes which resulted in acute limb ischemia included: arterial embolization of 43 cases, arterial thrombosis of 8 cases, arterial dissection of 3 cases. The acute limb ischemia occurred in the process of balloon angioplasty/stent in 36 cases, catheter-directed thrombolysis in 17 cases, Silverhawk atherectomy in 1 cases. Thirty-two cases were treated by endovascular treatment, 9 cases by surgical procedures (bypass or embolectomy), 13 cases by the combination of endovascular therapy and surgical procedures.

RESULTSTreatment were successfully accomplished in 50 of 54 cases, and failed in 4 cases which had surgical amputation. There were no deaths in all the patients. Forty-five of 54 cases were followed up for the average of 40.3 months. Six cases had ischemic symptoms recurrence in 43 artery embolization patients, in whom 4 cases were cured by endovascular treatment, 2 cases were cured by toe amputation. One case of bypass anastomotic stenosis and one case of stent restenosis were successfully cured by endovascular treatment in 8 arterial thrombosis patients. One cases of below-knee artery stent occlusion in 3 arterial dissection patients was cured by medical treatment. Four cases of amputation patients were followed up in good condition.

CONCLUSIONSMost patients of acute limb ischemia complicated in endovascular therapy could be treated by endovascular therapy. Surgical procedures in time is still the best choice for the patients in whom the endovascular therapy was not satisfied.

Acute Disease ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; therapy ; Atherectomy ; Female ; Humans ; Intraoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Ischemia ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Lower Extremity ; blood supply ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents

Objective To evaluate the effects of valsartan and carnitine on cardiomyocyte Calpain-1and Bcl-xl expressions of dogs with chronic alcohol intake-induced cardiomyopathy.Methods Dogs were randomly assigned into 4 groups(n=7 each):(1)alcohol fed(free access to 5%,1st week;10%2nd week;500 ml 25%bolus plus free access to 5%from 3 to 24 weeks,A);(2)alcohol+valsartan (5 mg·kg-1·d-1,B);(3)alcohol+carnitine(300 mg·kg-1·d-1,C);(4)Control(D).After six months,all animals were assessed for left ventricular(LV)function by echocardiography.The Bad and Bcl-xl protein expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.The expression of Calpain-1 protein was determined with Western blot.Myocardial morphology was quantified on HE stained slices and under electron microscopy.The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated iotin-dUTP nick end-labeling(TUNEL)was performed for apoptosis analysis.Results Compared with group D.LVEDD and LVESD were significantly increased while EF and FS significantly decreased in group A.In alcohol fed group,expressions of Bad and Calpain-1 protein were significantly increased while Bcl-xl protein expression was downregulated,all changes could be significantly attenuated by intervention with valsartan and carnitine(all P<0.05).Conclusion These data suggest that alcohol could promote cardiac myocyte apoptosis,reduce cardiac function and aggravate myocardial remodeling which valsartan and carnitine could reduce alcoholic cardiomyopathy by downregulating Calpain-1 and Bad protein expression and upregulating expression of Bcl-xl protein.

OBJECTIVETo determine the role of IGF-1/PI3K pathway and investigate the molecular mechanism of Fuzhenghuayu (FZHY) therapy in a spontaneous recovery rat model of liver fibrosis.

METHODSThe liver fibrosis model was induced in male Wistar rats by administering 8 weeks of twice weekly CCL4 intraperitoneal injections without (untreated model) or with once daily FZHY (treated model). Normal, untreated rats served as the control group. At weeks 4, 6 and 8 (fibrosis) and 10, 12 and 14 (spontaneous recovery) after modeling initiation, effects on protein (a-SMA, IGF-1, PI3K) and mRNA (IGF-1, PI3K) expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. Serum markers of liver function (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) and liver cell damage (alkaline hydrolysis, HYP) were measured. Histology was performed to assess the degree of inflammation and fibrosis (Ishak scoring system).

RESULTSIn the untreated model group, progression of liver fibrosis (weeks 4, 6 and 8) was accompanied by gradual increases in inflammation, necrosis, serum ALT and AST, and hepatic expression of a-SMA protein and IGF-1 and PI3K protein and mRNA; however, during the spontaneous recovery period (weeks 10, 12 and 14) the IGF-1 and PI3K protein and mRNA levels rapidly decreased and the HYP level, Ishak score, and a-SMA hepatic expression also decreased. The FZHY-treated model group showed significantly lower fibrosis-related up-regulation of IGF-1 and PI3K protein and mRNA expression, HYP level, Ishak score, and a-SMA hepatic expression at each time point (vs. untreated model group).

CONCLUSIONThe IGF-1/PI3K pathway may contribute to progression of liver fibrosis. The mechanism by which FZHY prevents liver fibrosis in a rat model may involve blocking of the IGF/PI3K pathway and inhibiting HSC activation.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDCholesterol-lowering therapy with statins has been reported to reduce the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined application of extended-release niacin and atorvastatin on lipid profile modification and the risks of adverse events in patients with coronary artery disease.

METHODSConsecutive 108 patients with coronary artery disease and serum total cholesterol (TC) > or = 3.5 mmol/L were randomized into two groups: group A using atorvastatin and group B using extended-release niacin (niacin ER) and atorvastatin. Plasma lipid profile, glucose, and adverse events were assessed at the hospitalization, and 6 and 12 months after treatment. In addition, clinical cardiovascular events were evaluated after 12 months of treatment.

RESULTSThe levels of TC, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in groups A and B, but the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and ApoA increased by 29.36% and 40.81% respectively after 12 months of treatment in group B (P < 0.01). The medications were generally well tolerated in the two groups. No significant difference of adverse events was found between the two groups (group A: 3.2% vs group B 5.1%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCombined use of extended-release niacin with atorvastatin was superior to atorvastatin monotherapy alone in lipid profile regulation. Combination therapy with niacin ER and atorvastatin was well tolerated and safe in patients with coronary artery disease.

Aged ; Anticholesteremic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apolipoproteins A ; blood ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; drug therapy ; Female ; Heptanoic Acids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Niacin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use