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.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Fractals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Powders ; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship ; Synchrotrons ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of radiofrequency catheter ablation on left atrial (LA) size and function in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and whether there is any difference between segmental pulmonary vein ostial isolation (SPVI) and circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA).

METHODSSixty-six patients with highly symptomatic atrial fibrillation were assigned to undergo either SPVI or CPVA. Transthorax echocardiography was performed before, 1 day, 1 months and 3 months after the procedure. LA dimension, LA area, late diastolic peak velocity of mitral valve inflow (A) and peak atrial systolic mitral annulus velocity (A') were recorded.

RESULTSOf 66 consecutive patients with symptomatic PAF, 30 patients underwent SPVI and 36 underwent CPVA. After a mean follow-up of (315 +/- 153) days, 21 patients (70%) after SPVI and 28 patients (75%) after CPVA were free of atrial tachyarrhythmia. As compared with the baseline, LA area decreased at 1-month after ablation in SPVI group and at 3-month in CPVA group. LA dimension decreased also in SPVI group, but did not in CPVA group. A velocity and A' velocity declined remarkably 1 day after CPVA, and restored 3 months later. The former went back to the level of baseline, and the latter exceeded it apparently. In SPVI group, A velocity increased at 1-month, and maintained in 3-month after ablation. A' velocity increased at 3-month after ablation. No reduction of A velocity or A' velocity was found after SPVI.

CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrated a decrease in LA area and an improvement in LA systolic function 3 months after ablation for PAF. The LA damage by CPVA was more than that by SPVI, which was characterized by the reduction of LA function 1 day after procedure and the delayed improvement of LA size and functional parameters.

Adult ; Atrial Fibrillation ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Atrial Function, Left ; Catheter Ablation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Veins ; Ultrasonography

Objective To Analyze the change trend of the incidence and mortality of breast cancer in Chinese women from 2005 to 2013 in the Chinese Cancer Registry Annual Report in order to provide references for the implement of the prophylaxis and treatment of breast cancer. Methods Extracted all the records of the incidence and mortality of breast cancer in Chinese women from 2005 to 2013, applied the Joinpoint regression model to analyze the change trend of the incidence and mortality of breast cancer in Chinese women. Results The incidence levels of breast cancer among urban women in China was higher than that in rural from 2005 to 2013, the change trend of urban incidence was stable(t=-0.2, P=0.828), the rural incidence showed an increasing trend(t=7.8, P<0.001). The peaks of urban and rural incidence were in the age group of 50- and the age group of 45- respectively.The mortality of breast cancer among urban women in China was higher than that in rural from 2005 to 2013, the change trend of urban mortality was stable(t=0.8, P=0.458), and the rising trend of rural mortality was obvious(t=3.3, P=0.014). The mortality of urban women began to rise after the age of 30, accelerating to rise after the age of 75, the mortality of rural women began to rise after the age of 30, the change tended to be stable at the age of 55-69, and began to rise after the age of 70 again. Conclusions The incidence and mortality of breast cancer among urban women in China were all higher than that in rural from 2005 to 2013, the rising trend of the incidence and mortality of breast cancer among rural women was obvious, so the prophylaxis and treatment measures of breast cancer should be actively formulated and perfected.

BACKGROUNDKetanserin (KT), a selective serotonin (5-HT) 2-receptor antagonist, reduces peripheral blood pressure by blocking the activation of peripheral 5-HT receptors. In this study electrophysiological method was used to investigate the effect of KT and potassium ion on Kv1.3 potassium channels and explore the role of blocker KT in the alteration of channel kinetics contributing to the potassium ion imbalances.

METHODSKv1.3 channels were expressed in xenopus oocytes, and currents were measured using the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique.

RESULTSKCl made a left shift of activation and an inactivation curve of Kv1.3 current and accelerated the activation and inactivation time constant. High extracellular [K(+)] attenuated the blockade effect of KT on Kv1.3 channels. In the presence of KT and KCl the activation and inactivation time constants were not influenced significantly no matter what was administered first. KT did not significantly inhibit Kv1.3 current induced by tetraethylammonium (TEA).

CONCLUSIONSKT is a weak blocker of Kv1.3 channels at different concentrations of extracellular potassium and binds to the intracellular side of the channel pore. The inhibitor KT of ion channels is not fully effective in clinical use because of high [K(+)](o) and other electrolyte disorders.

Animals ; Electrophysiology ; Female ; Ketanserin ; pharmacology ; Kv1.3 Potassium Channel ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oocytes ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium ; pharmacology ; Serotonin Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Xenopus laevis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of blood lipid in patients with colorectal cancer complicated by coronary heart disease (CHD) and the effect of lipid-lowering therapy with statins in these patients.

METHODSIn 32 pathologically confirmed colorectal cancer patients with CHD, the concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) were detected at the baseline, before and after the operation, and at 6 months of postoperative atorvastatin treatment. Thirty patients with TC over 5.70 mmol/L and established coronary artery disease served as the control group.

RESULTSTC, TG and LDL-C in the 30 control patients were significantly decreased after 6 months of 20 mg atorvastatin treatment, and even further decreased till 12 months (P<0.01), but no significant changes occurred in HDL-C and Lp(a). The baseline level of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while Lp(a) increased (P<0.05) in the 32 cancer patients with CHD. Continuing atorvastatin treatment further decreased TC, TG and LDL-C (P<0.05) and increased HDL-C (P<0.05) without affecting Lp(a). The cancer patients had significantly lower TC and LDL-C levels than the control group (P<0.05), but had significantly increased Lp(a) (P<0.05). Six months of atorvastatin treatment further decreased LDL-C and HDL-C in the cancer patients (P<0.05), while TC and Lp(a) had no significant changes.

CONCLUSIONSIncreased Lp(a) in colorectal cancer patients can be associated with its anti-tumor effect. Alterations in the blood lipid profile raises a new issue concerning the safety of lipid-lowering therapy in colorectal cancer patients complicated by CHD.

Aged ; Anticholesteremic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Female ; Heptanoic Acids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lipoprotein(a) ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrroles ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of cytokines and keratinocytes in the survival mechanism of mixed auto and allogeneic skin grafting.

METHODSThirty-six SD rats were employed in the study. The rat model with mixed auto and allogeneic skin grafting and mixed human epithelial and lymphocytic culture (MELC) model were established. The change of IL-10 in the serum and the supernatant of the cultured tissue sample from the local wound was observed after the mixed skin grafting in scalded rats. And the role of epithelium in the induction of immunosuppression in vitro was monitored.

RESULTSThe serum IL-10 content in the rats with mixed skin grafting (25.89 +/- 2.82 ng/L) at 7 postoperative day (POD) was evidently higher than that in normal rats (14.20 +/- 2.43 ng/L) (P < 0.05). The IL-10 content in the culture supernatant of rat tissue samples exhibited evident different during 4-14 PODs (P < 0.05-0.01), while which was no difference to that in normal rat on 21st and 28th POD. The inhibiting effects of autologous epithelia and keratinocytes in MELC system were correlated with their dosage. After the adding of autologous keratinocytes to MELC system the cytokines secreted from Th1 could induce the secretion of cytokines from Th2 by IL-10 mediation. This effect could be corrected by the addition of monoclonal antibody of IL-10.

CONCLUSIONThe keratinocytes inlayed in the autoskin during mixed grafting could increase the local IL-10 level by activating Th2 cells, which might be one of the important reasons of the survival of mixed skin grafting.

Animals ; Burns ; immunology ; surgery ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Giant Cells, Langhans ; cytology ; Graft Survival ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Keratinocytes ; cytology ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin Transplantation ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; metabolism ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo establish an animal model of hypertrophic scar on the rabbit ears and to observe the dynamic process of scar formation on the ventral side of the rabbit ears.

METHODSFull skin defect (2 cm x 5 cm in diameter) was created on the ventral side of 60 ears in 32 New Zealand white rabbits. 1% silver sulfadiazine cream was applied to the wounds, and the dressing was changed once a week till wound healing. Four ears without operation were taken as control. Wound healing under natural condition was observed continuously for 12 months after the operation. The scar proliferation on the rabbit ears was observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope, and the scar index was determined by computer image analyzing system.

RESULTSThe color, thickness and texture of the wounds on the rabbit ears after epithelization underwent a process of scar overgrowth, maturation and degeneration. The change in scar index was in accordance with the wax and wane of scar proliferation.

CONCLUSIONThe hypertrophic scar formed on the ventral side of rabbit ears after natural healing of full thickness skin wounds was similar to that in humans. The results indicated that this animal model was ideal for the study of the developmental mechanism of hypertrophic scars and for the evaluation of the efficacy of the prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scars.

Animals ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Disease Models, Animal ; Rabbits ; Wound Healing

Objective To investigate and control the outbreak of infection caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) in a gastroenterology intensive care unit (ICU), so as to provide reference for the prevention and control of clinical multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).Methods Epidemiological investigation was conducted on 3 patients with CRKP infection in a gastroenterology ICU on January 21-31, 2018, specimens were collected with environmental biology monitoring method, CRKP in environment was searched, homology between patients and environmental isolates were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).Results Three patients were all isolated CRKP from sputum and blood specimens, all were male, with adjacent beds in the same ward, and treated by the same doctor.The number of isolated CRKP and infection rate in January 2018 were higher than those in other months, infection rate was significantly different (χ2=13.67, P＜0.01).A total of 102 environmental specimens were collected, including air and surface of objects, only 1 of which (nurse's uniform) was isolated 1 strain of KP.PFGE typing of KP isolated from patients and environment showed that there were two genotypes A and B, KP isolated from uniform of a nurse, hydrops abdominis and blood specimen of patient at bed 07, blood specimen of patient at bed 08, as well as sputum and blood specimen of patient at bed 09 were all type A, KP isolated from sputum specimen of patient at bed 07 was type B, KP isolated from hydrops abdominis in patient at bed 09 was not be typed.After comprehensive intervention, CRKP was not no longer isolated from 3 patients, and there was no new case in the ward.Conclusion Imperfect implementation of prevention and control measures for MDROs by health care workers may be an important cause for the spread of CRKP.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy profile of entecavir capsule (ETV) as a chronic hepatitis B therapy, as compared to lamivudine (LAM).

METHODSIn this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group evaluation of ETV, 232 subjects were administered a 96-week course of 0.5 mg/day ETV or 100 mg/day LAM. PCR measurement of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was conducted throughout the treatment course to determine achievement of complete virologic response (CVR; defined as less than 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA) or experience of virology rebound ( more than 500 copies/ml of HBV DNA after achievement of CVR).

RESULTSAfter week-48 of treatment, the ETV group showed a higher CVR rate (90.3% vs. LAM: 59.4%) and lower virology rebound rate (1.9% vs. LAM: 13.9%). After week-96 of treatment, the ETV group continued to have a higher CVR rate (86.0% vs. LAM: 71.4%), and virology rebound was experienced by significantly less subjects in the ETV group (1.2% vs. LAM: 11.9%, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONETV therapy can quickly and continuously suppress HBV replication in chronic hepatitis B patients, and has a lower resistance rate than LAM. Compared to LAM, ETV may be a superior long-term treatment choice for chronic hepatitis B.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Guanine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo characterize the incidence, epidemiologic features, etiologic agents and sequelae of bacterial meningitis in children under 5 years of age in Nanning, Guangxi.

METHODSA population-based surveillance was conducted to evaluate children with signs and symptoms of meningitis. All hospitals, township health centers and village clinics in the surveillance area were structured to participate in the case referral and evaluation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood specimens were obtained and processed using standardized microbiologic methods.

RESULTSDuring the 26-month surveillance period, among the children under 5 years old, a total of 1272 cases who met the screening criteria of meningitis were studied. 265 of 1272 cases were identified as clinically diagnosed meningitis, with an incidence rate of 86.36 per 100 000 population. The annual incidence rate under the 38 cases of confirmed bacterial meningitis appeared to be 12.38/100 000. Staphylococcus species accounted for the largest proportion of laboratory-confirmed bacterial meningitis, followed by E. coli and S. pneumoniae. The highest attack rate occurred in neonates < 1 month, followed by children aged 1 - 12 months in the confirmed patients. Meningitis caused by Sp and Hi mainly occurred in children aged 1 - 12 months. All cases of meningitis due to Hi and Sp were children aged 1 - 24 months. 13.16% and 0.00% of the cases survived with complications and sequelae, and the case-fatality rate was 18.42%. 40 bacterial isolates were identified from 1193 blood cultures and 23 from 1211 cerebrospinal fluid samples, but no Neisseria meningitidis was found.

CONCLUSIONMeningitis due to Hi was first confirmed in Guangxi with the incidence of 0.98 per 100 000 population. The annual incidence rate of confirmed bacterial meningitis was 12.38 per 100 000, which was considered an important public health problem in children. Staphylococci was the predominant pathogen in confirmed bacterial meningitis.

Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Meningitis, Escherichia coli ; epidemiology ; Meningitis, Haemophilus ; epidemiology ; Population Surveillance ; Staphylococcal Infections ; epidemiology