[Objective] To investigate the therapeutic effect of Shugan Jianpi Decoction , a formula mainly composed of Radix Bupleuri, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Radix Codonopsis, Radix Astragali, Placenta Hominis, etc., in treating iron-deficiency anemia and to explore its mechanism. [Methods] One hundred and seventy-one cases of iron-deficiency anemia were randomized to two groups: group A was treated with Shugan Jianpi Decoction and group B with ferrous sulfate for 4 weeks. Symptoms and signs of anemia were observed and levels of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and serum ferrin (SF) were detected before and after treatment to evaluate the effects of the two drugs. [Results] The symptoms and signs of anemia were improved and levels of Hb, RBC, MCH and SF were increased after treatment in the two groups ( P

This paper is composed with the cardiac sound measurement and analysis system for in-home use of heart abnormality monitoring. The heart sound acquiring system is composed of a traditional chest-piece, earphone, microphone, and IC recorder. The recorded data is transmitted to a computer by USB interface for analysis based on the cardiac sound characteristic waveform (CSCW) method, which is extracted from an analytical model of single degree-of-freedom (SDOF). Furthermore, the characteristic parameters [T1, T2, T11, T12] are defined by the time intervals between the crossed points of the CSCW and a threshold value (THV), which are related to the first sound and the second sound and are used for discriminating normal and abnormal heart sounds. Also, an easy-understanding graphical representation for these parameters is considered, so that, even for an inexperienced user, he or she is able to monitor his or her cardiac status easily. Finally, a case study on the abnormal/normal cardiac sounds is demonstrated to validate the usefulness and efficiency of this proposed system and the cardiac sound characteristic waveform method.
Algorithms ; Heart Auscultation ; Heart Sounds ; physiology ; Humans ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Software Design ; Stethoscopes

A fluorescence method is found for determination of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The method is based on the interaction of fluorescein with BSA to form a complex in Tris-HCl buffer of pH 2.2. The complex exitation wavelength is 467 nm, the emission wavelength is 515 nm. The linear measurement rang is between 1.8-500 mg/L for BSA, F = 26.776 C + 2.8082, r = 0.9999. This method is sensitive,steady,and low cost for determination of BSA.
Animals ; Cattle ; Drug Interactions ; Fluorescein ; chemistry ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; analysis ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; methods

To seek convenient and effective method for reconstruction of edentulous jaw, Maló and his colleagues developed All-on-Four implant immediate-function concept. The principle of All-on-Four is to support the full-arch prosthesis by 4 implants and to achieve immediate loading after surgery. Its advantages include avoiding additional bone grafting, evading critical anatomical structures and immediate prosthesis. In recent years, All-on-Four technique has been widely utilized in clinical practice as a viable approach for edentulous patients. With the auxiliary of guided surgery and biomechanical researches, All-on-Four has achieved predictable clinical results. In this paper, the development, investigation of biomechanics and main points of surgery and prosthesis of All-on-Four were briefly reviewed.

BACKGROUND: Afatinib, a second-generation irreversible epidermal growth factor inhibitor receptor for the development of non-small cell lung cancer and secondary drug resistance, has low bioavailability and adverse reactions due to current oral administration. The aim of this study was to prepare a novel drug delivery system, afatinib liposome, and to establish a method for the determination of encapsulation efficiency. METHODS: Four different preparation methods were used to prepare afatinib liposomes, and the optimal preparation process was determined by comparing the encapsulation efficiency and particle size. RESULTS: It has been verified that sephadex microcolumn centrifugation can be used to purify afatinib liposomes, and UV spectrophotometry can be employed to determine the entrapment efficiency of liposomes. Among different preparation methods, the encapsulation efficiency of afatinib liposomes prepared by ammonium sulfate gradient method was 90.73% and the average particle size was 108.6 nm. CONCLUSIONS Ammonium sulfate gradient method can be successfully applied to prepare afatinib liposomes that performed higher encapsulation efficiency and smaller particle size. The UV spectrophotometry employed to determine the liposome encapsulation efficiency was easy operation and with high accuracy.
Afatinib ; Capsules ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Liposomes ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Quinazolines ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use