The aim of this study is to prepare self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of the mixture of paeonol (Pae) and borneol (Bor). Solubility test, ternary phase diagrams and simplex lattice method were employed to screen and optimize the formulation of the mixture of Pae and Bor-loaded SMEDDS. After formed into microemulsions, the particle diameter (PD) was determined and a TEM was employed to observe the microemulsions' morphology. The contents of Pae and Bor were determined by gas chromatography. As a result, while ethyl oleate (EO) as the oil phase, cremophor EL35 (EL35) as surfactant and Transcutol HP (HP) as cosurfactant, the range of the microemulsion on the ternary phase diagram was larger than other combinations. And at a ratio of 20:45:35, the microemulsions' PD was about 34 nm and the polydispersity index (PI) was about 0.2. There were 16% of Pae, 2% of Bor, 16% of EO, 37% of EL35 and 29% of HP in the prepared SMEDDS. The preparation process of the Pae and Bor-loaded SMEDDS based on Xingbi Fang is simple and feasible. This study provides a reference for the researches on the related traditional Chinese medicine and the related components.

Objective To identify the GNAS gene mutation resulting in pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ⅰa (PHP-Ⅰa) in one patient. Methods The clinical data of a patient with pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ⅰa was retrospectively analyzed. All the 13 exons of GNAS were sequenced using Sanger method for the patient and the parents. The distribution of suspected causal mutation was screened in 478 healthy controls. To clarify the origin of the mutation, we performed targeted high-depth sequencing of GNAS exon harboring the mutation for the patient and the parents. Results The clinical data of the patient with the laboratory results of hypocalcaemia, hyperphosphataemia, elevated serum PTH, together with the features of AHO, conformed to the characterization of PHP-Ⅰa. The sequencing of GNAS exons identified a missense mutation (c.479G>C, p.R160P) located at exon 6 in the patient, which was absent in DNA of the parents. The mutation was not reported previously and was not found in the 478 healthy controls. We obtained about 8000-fold coverage from high-depth sequencing of DNA from peripheral blood of the patient and the parents. The disease-associated allele C identified in the patient was not observed in the parents. The number of reads with G allele (3984 reads) was roughly equal to that of C allele (4019 reads) from the targeted reanalysis of DNA of the patient. The results from high-depth sequencing indicated a de novo mutation in maternal germ cells. Conclusions We identified a new GNAS gene mutation (c.479G>C, p.R160P) caused PHP-Ia in a patient. Our results suggested the mutation was a maternal germline de novo mutation.

Lack of proper study models has brought difficulties in the study of the mechanism of viral infection, life cycle and pathogenic mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and also become the major obstacles in development of efficient vaccine and new drugs for hepatitis C. In recent years, the establishment of robust HCV cell culture infection system and HCV transgenic animal provide powerful tools for the analysis of host virus interactions, which facilitate the discovery of antiviral drugs and vaccines for this important human pathogen.
Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; virology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C ; virology ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; virology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of OSAHS in quality of life (QOL) for children and its changes before and after surgery.

METHODSPediatric OSAHS disease-specific quality of life survey (OSA-18) and polysomnography (PSG) were used to analysis in 54 cases within 4 weeks before surgery. They were treated by tonsillectomy in 8 cases and adenoid tonsillectomy in 32 cases, adenoidectomy alone in 14 cases and were followed up in 12 to 18 months post-operation.

RESULTSThe impact of pediatric OSAHS on QOL was severe in 61.11% patients. There were significant statistically correlation between OSA-18 and AHI, LSaO2 before surgery. After surgery, the total scores of QOL were improved in 75.92% cases in general. The domains of sleep disturbance in 88.89% cases, caregiver concerns in 74.07% and physical suffering in 70.37% were significantly improved, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSPediatric OSAHS had severely influenced in quality of life of children. There are significant correlations between the survey in quality of life of pediatric OSAHS (OSA-18) and the objective data in PSG. OSA-18 can be a valuable measure in clinical diagnosis and treatment follow-up.

Adenoidectomy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Quality of Life ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; surgery ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tonsillectomy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the indications of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and clinical staging for oropharyngeal narrow in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

METHODSixty-six OSAHS patients were retrospectively analyzed, the data of physical examination and clinical staging for oropharyngeal narrow were built based on body mass index (BMI), palate-tongue position, tonsil sizes and hypertrophy degree in lateral side of oropharynx. The patients who had palatine-tongue position in degree 1 to 2 (no significant tongue enlargement) were defined as stage I (32 cases). The patients who had palatine-tongue position in degree 3 to 4 (tongue enlargement) were defined as stage II (34 cases). Among them, the patients with tonsil sizes 0 to 1 were stage I a (5 cases) and stage IIa (10 cases), another group with tonsil size 2 to 4 were stage I b (27 cases) and stage II b (24 cases), respectively. The indications of UPPP were evaluated according to the results of polysomnography (PSG) before and after operation.

RESULTSPSG in 1 to 2 years after operation showed: the surgical efficiency of UPPP had not any difference (P > 0.05) among different groups with the severity of OSAHS(labeled in preoperational AHI and LSaO2). Surgical results was better in patients with BMI < 30 kg/m2 (P = 0.023). Success of operation was defined as postoperational AHI <20/h and reduced more than 50% compared to preoperational AHI and symptoms alleviated significantly. Successful rates of UPPP in stage I b (70.4%, 19/27 cases) were statistically higher than that of other groups (I a:0%; I b:70. 4%; II a:20.0%; II b: 16.7%).

CONCLUSIONSClinical staging system for oropharyngeal narrow is based on palate-tongue position and tonsil size. It is helpful to choose the surgical indications of UPPP for patients with OSAHS. It is the best UPPP indication for stage I b patients who had no tongue enlargement (palatine-tongue position 1 to 2) and accompanied with enlargement of tonsil size (in degree 2 to 4) and their sleep breathing disorder could be alleviated through UPPP.

Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Contraindications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Palate ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; surgery ; Uvula ; surgery

OBJECTIVECompletion pneumonectomy (CP) is widely known to be associated with a high morbidity and mortality. However, in certain instances, CP offers the only chance for a cure. Now to explore the indications, prevention and management of complications as well as late outcomes of CP.

METHODSDuring a period of 21 years from January 1985 to August 2006, 24 patients received CP, representing 2.3% of 1026 patients who had undergone pneumonectomy in the same period. There were 17 right and 7 left CPs done in 20 male and 4 female patients with an average age of 58 years (range from 42 to 67 years). Lung malignancy accounted for 22 of these cases in which the indication included local recurrence in 18, second primary tumors in 2 and primary malignancies that developed after right upper lobectomies for pulmonary tuberculoma and pulmonary cyst respectively in 2 cases. Benign disease was progression or recurrence of bronchiectasis in 2 cases. Before CP, 17 patients had had a lobectomy, 5 a bilobectomy, 1 sleeve lobectomy and 1 wedge resection. There were 16 of 20 lung cancer patients receiving postoperative chemotherapy and 3 with positive residues having radiotherapy. The mean interval between the two procedures was 65 months for the whole group (5.5-360) and 32 months for lung cancer patients (5.5-120). They all underwent CP, included sleeve CP in 1 patient.

RESULTSFor all patients, the previous thoracotomy incision was reopened and maneuvers such as rib resection, intrapericardial blood vessel ligation, division of the bronchus first, local application of glues and hemostatic agents, and bronchial reinforcement were routinely used. Intrapericardial route was used in 10 patients (41.7%). Two patients had right pulmonary artery injured. The operation lasted 4-7 hours, with blood loss of 300 to 3000 ml. Overall respectability, morbidity and hospital mortality were 95.8%, 29.2% and 4.2%. No intraoperative deaths occurred. There was 1 early postoperative death after 40 days from adult respiratory distress syndrome. There was no occurrence of bronchopleural fistula, and the 25% associated morbidity rate was a result of bleeding necessitating reexploration in 1 case, chronic empyema in 1 case, arrhythmia in 1 case, anemia in 1 case and fever of unknown reason in 2 cases. Actuarial 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates from the time of completion pneumonectomy for patients with lung cancer were 77.3%, 50.0% and 29.4%. And 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates for patients with recurrent lung cancer were 72.2%, 47.1% and 29.4%.

CONCLUSIONSCP can be performed with an acceptable operative mortality and morbidity rate in selected patients. For patients with local recurrence, first and second primary bronchogenic carcinoma as well as benign pulmonary disease, treatment should be surgical when a less invasive procedure is not available and the patients are in good health. In addition, patients undergoing CP have a reasonable prospect for long-term survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; mortality ; therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the complications and clinical outcome of titanium elastic nail(TEN) versus K-wire fixation(KW) for the treatment of displaced radial neck fractures in children.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to December 2014, 56 children with displaced radial neck fractures were studied retrospectively according to the inclusion criteria. Based on the different methods of internal fixation, patients were divided into two groups: titanium elastic nail (TEN group) and K-wire fixation (KW group). Among 25 patients(15 males and 11 females, aged from 3 to 12 years old with an average of 8.6±2.1) treated with TEN, 16 patients had type III fractures, 19 patients had type IV fractures according to Metaizeau-Judet modified classification; 20 patients were treated with closed reduction and 5 patients were treated with open reduction; the time from injury to treatment ranged from 1 to 8 days with an average of (3.6±1.7) days. Among 31 patients (20 males and 11 females, aged from 3 to 11 years old with an average of 9.1±1.9 years old) treated with KW, 19 patients had type III fractures, 12 patients had type IV fractures; 22 patients were treated with closed reduction, and 9 patients were treated with open reduction; the time from injury to treatment ranged from 2 to 7 days with an average of (3.7±1.5) days. No significant differences between two groups were found in general data. Operative time, hospitalization time, healing time of fracture, internal fixation time, postoperative complications and function recovery of the two groups were compared and evaluated.

RESULTSThe average follow-up period of the patients was 22.1 months in TEN group(ranged, 16 to 48 months), and 21.9 months in KW group(ranged, 13 to 48 months). There were no significant differences between these 2 groups in follow-up duration, average hospitalization time and fracture healing time. The operation time, hospital costs and internal fixation time in TEN group were (56.6±11.8) min, (18 000±3 000) Yuan(RMB), (9.1±2.5) weeks respectively; and in KW group were(45.5±10.3) min, (8 000±1 000) Yuan(RMB), (4.8±1.6) weeks respectively, there were significant differences between two groups(<0.05). Outcome scores according to Metaizeau and Tibone-Stoltz had no significant differences between two groups(>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere is no significant difference of therapeutic effects between TEN and KW for children with displaced radial neck fractures. Because the removal of TEN fixation requires the secondary anesthesia, and the TEN costs significantly more than KW, TEN still can't replace the traditional KW for the treatment of radial neck fracture in children.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) on transcription regulation genes of host cells by gene chip assays in cultured cells with intact HCV genome.

METHODSHuh-7 hepatoma cells were cultured and infected with in vitro constructed HCV. The total RNAs, proteins and cell culture supernatants of HCV infected cells and control cells were isolated. Proteins and cell culture supernatants were used to detect the HCV replication and protein expression in cell culture system. The HCV protein expression was detected with Western blotting. Released HCV from infected cells was analyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Total RNA was qualified using 10 g/L agarose gel electrophoresis. cRNA was synthesized, fluorescence labeled and purified, then hybridized with Agilent oligo microarray (20173 probes). Differential expression of genes related to transcription in cell culture system was analyzed.

RESULTHCV was positive in cell culture supernatants and HCV protein expression was also positive according to Western blotting results. Eleven up-regulated and 11 down-regulated genes related to transcription were found after Agilent gene chip screening.

CONCLUSIONIntact hepatitis C virus cell culture system provides an useful tool for study on the affects of HCV infection on transcription regulation genes in host cells.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genome, Viral ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; growth & development ; Hepatocytes ; virology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; virology ; Transcription, Genetic

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between IL-1 gene polymorphisms and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis susceptibility. Methods: We searched published full-text from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang to collect case-control study on IL-1 gene polymorphisms with coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis susceptibility. Eight articles, including 10 case-control studies were included in our study. All analyses were performed using the Stata version 12.0 software. Results: The IL-1RA (+2018) TC or CC variant genotypes were associated with coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis risk (OR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.11-2.46) . In further stratified analyses, the IL-1RA (+2018) TC or CC variant genotypes were associated with an increased silicosis risk (OR=2.07, 95%CI: 1.45-2.95) , which were also associated with increased coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis risk in Caucasians (OR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.22-2.47) . No significant association between IL-1β (+3953) , IL-1β (-511) , IL-1α (+4845) and coal workers' pneumoconiosis and silicosis risk was found either in the overall study or in the stratified analysis. Conclusion These findings suggested that IL-1RA (+2018) may modify coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis susceptibility. Further replication studies with large sample sizes are warranted to re-evaluate the relationship between IL-1RA (+2018) and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis risk.

Objective To explore knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) and related determinants on nutrition among caregivers of those rural stranded children under 7 years of age in China and to provide evidence for setting up relevant health education program. Methods 1691 caregivers of the stranded children randomly selected were surveyed by a standard questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to screen the determinants on KAP regarding nutrition. Results Rates on awareness, positive attitude and approprite behavior were lower in caregivers of children whose parents both left (47.8%, 55.4%, 41.8%, respectively) the countryside, when compared with those only one parent was away from home (59.9%, 59.5%, 38.0%, respectively). Data from multivariable logistic regression models showed that caregivers' KAP on nutrition was related to age, educational background, average family income, and willingness on the job as well as the age of the child. Conclusion Improving caregivers' KAP on nutrition and setting up appropriate health education program were in urgent need.