Objective To prepare and characterize nanoparticles in-loaded one-way release-controlled chitosan membrane,and to explore the release-controlled rule of the film in vitro.Methods The chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by inverse crosslinking-emulsion method.The one-way release-controlled membrane was prepared by a casting method.Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to evaluate the morphological properties and particle size analyzer was used to analyze particle size distribution.The morphology of the membrane was inspected through scanning electron microscope (SEM).MTT assay was applied to determine the biological safety of chitosan nanoparticles.The distribution of the nanoparticles was observed by fluorescence microscope.The in vitro release studies were adopted to evaluate the release-controlled rule.Results The four kinds of nanoparticles had spherical shapes and uniform particle size.The size of the hyaluronic acid-coated chitosan nanoparticle was (255.40±39.10) nm.Hyaluronic acid-coated chitosan nanoparticles showed the best property of sustained release and biocompatibility.The membrane had a loose inner layer and a dense outer layer,and the distribution of the nanoparticles was uniform in the inner layer of the membrane.The release of protein from membrane was unidirectional and the membrane displayed good controlled release property.Conclusions The nanoparticles in-loaded one-way release-controlled chitosan membrane presents good one-way sustained release performance.It is potentially useful in delivery system of growth factors.

Objective To prepare three kinds of biodegradable film materials used for protein drug carrier,and compare their degradation and drug release behavior.Methods Three different biodegradable and controlled release films,gelatin,chitosan oligosaccharides and crosslinked chitosan oligosaccharides films were prepared.Protein release behavior was determined by the Bradford.At the same time,degradation rate and swelling rate were tested,and the biocompatibility of film was investigated by MTT assay.Results The release time of crosslinked chitosan oligosaccharides film was 168 h,which was longer than that of chitosan oligosaccharides film,and different in different solution.The degradation rate and the swelling rate of crosslinked chitosan oligosaccharides was 60％ (360 h) and 110.45％,respectively,while the chitosan oligosaccharides membrane was 80％ (360 h) and 113.03％.The MTI assay revealed that the crosslinked chitosan oligosaccharides film had better biocompatibility.Conclusions By comparing different properties,the crosslinked chitosan oligosaccharides film is the best choice for protein drug carrier.

Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common clinical disease that seriously threatens human health and life. Accurate location of the upper airway obstruction is the key to the diagnosis and treatment of OSAHS. Acoustic pharyngometry uses sound reflection to quickly assess the cross-sectional area and volume of the upper airway. Acoustic pharyngometry represents a simple, quick, non-invasive method for measuring upper airway dimensions which could predict sleep apnea risk. In this article we sought to introduce the application of acoustic pharyngometry in the diagnosis and treatment of OSAHS.
Acoustics ; Humans ; Larynx ; Pharynx ; diagnostic imaging ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Syndrome

Objective To observe the combined poisonous effects of fluoride and aluminum on sex hormone of male rats.Methods Sixteen weaned SD healthy male rats aged two week were selected and divided into control group,aluminum group,fluoride group,fluorine-aluminum group,four rats in each group.All rats in the experimental groups were fed with corn collected from the prevailng areas containing different fluorine contents respectively for 90 days.Serum testosterone(T)and estradiol(E2)were detected.Results Compared separatelv with the control group[(3.317±0.635)μg/L],serum T level of fluorine-aluminum group[(15.994±6.558)μg/L]was higher(P＜0.05),but aluminum[(8.134±3.134)μg/L]and fluorine[(1.868±0.367)μg/L]groups had no significant differences(P＞0.05).Compared separately with the control group[(0.319±0.072)nmol/L],E2 level of the fluorine group[(0.172±0.030)nmol/L]being lower(P＜0.05),and it was not significant differences(P＞0.05)in the control group when compared with aluminum group[(0.282±0.012)nmol/L],and fluorine-aluminum group[(0.265±0.047)nmol/L].Fluorine and aluminum interacted with each other(F=9.82,P＜0.05).Conclusion The combined poisonous effects of fluorine and aluminum may influence sex hormone levels of male rats.

BACKGROUND:Reports have demonstrated that cytotoxicity produced by ferric oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles is associated with cellular lipid peroxidation. Whether Fe2O3 nanoparticles have toxicity to macrophages, and what is the association of toxic mechanism and oxidization?OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the oxidative damage of macrophages.DESIGN: A controlled observation experiment.SETTING: School of Public Health, Southeast University.MATERIALS: RAW264.7 cells were peritoneal macrophages of mouse and purchased from Shanghai Institute of cells, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Fe2O3 nanoparticles (30 nm) suspension was provided by Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southeast University). Fe2O3 nanoparticle suspension was placed in 60 ℃ water for 10 hours,then in 37 ℃ water overnight. This procedure was repeated 3 times for germicidal treatment. Then, the suspension was packed into small bottles and stored at 4 ℃ for later use. DMEM high glucose culture fluid (Gibco Company,USA); trypsinase (Difco Company, USA, imported); new-bom calf serum(Sijiqing Company, Hangzhou); hydrogen dioxide (H2O2, Gibco Company); Kits for measuring hydrogen dioxide(H2O2), hydroxy radical (·OH), superoxide anion radical (O2·-), lactic acid dehydrogenase, ultramicro ATP enzyme and Coomassie brilliant blue protein levels (Jiancheng Biotechnique Co., Ltd.,Nanjing).METHODS: This experiment was carried out in the laboratory of Department of Labor and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Dongnan University between March 2006 and July 2006. RAW264.7 cells (Abelson murine leukemia virus-induced tumor) were cultured in DMEM (Gibco Company) containing 100 g/L fetal bovineserum, 100 000 U/L penicillin and 100 mg/L streptomycin in the environment of 5% CO2. Cell growth was observed under an inverted radical in the cells: 1.5×108 L-1 macrophages were inoculated to 24-well plate, 1 mLa well. After the macrophages were cultured for 24 hours in incubation at 37 ℃ in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2. 1.070 0, 0.5350 and 0.2675 g/L Fe2O3 nanoparticles (30 nm) suspension-intervened macrophages were set as Fe2O3 nanoparticle group, and normal saline group was set as control group. Following the intervention of nanoparticles, macrophages were disrupted with Determination of the activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase: Macrophages in the Fe2O3 nanoparticle group and control group were treated as above. The activities of LDH in culture medium were determined according to the instruction of reagent kit (Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Co., Ltd). And the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca+-Mg2+-ATPase were also determined according to the instruction of reagent kit (Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Co., Ltd) at low temperature. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Effects of different concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the production of H2O2, ·OH and O2·- in RAW264.7 cells.②Effects of different concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the activities of LDH ,Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in RAW264.7 cell culture fluid.RESULTS: ① Level of ·OH free radical in Fe2O3 nanoparticle 0.267 5, 0.535 0, 1.070 0 g/L groups was higher than that in control group, respectively [(0.605±0.066), (0.410±0.080), (0.764±0.051), (0.285±0.057)mkat/g, P ＜ 0.05]; Level of respectively [(9.935±1.159), (8.912±0.131), (13.479±0.752), (5.635±0.475)μkat/g,P ＜ 0.05]; Level of H2O2 in Fe2O3 nanoparticle 1.070 0 g/L group was higher than that in the control group [(14.695±2.815), (2.397±0.399) mmol/L, P ＜increased (P ＜ 0.05). Fe2O3 nanoparticles had effects on the activities of Na+,K+-ATPase and Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase. With the increase of dose of Fe2O3 nanoparticles, the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase were gradually decreased. There were significant differences as compared with control group (P ＜ 0.05)CONCLUSION:Increasing dose of Fe2O3 nanoparticles wouldcause more H2O2,·OH and O2·- free radicals in the cells, increase cell membrane permeability and inhibit the activities of LDH, Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase.

OBJECTIVETo establish the steriod-induced osteoporosis model with the type of Kidney-Yin deficiency.

METHODSTotally 45 female Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group,model group and Liuwei Dihuang pills(Chinese character: see text)group. The model was established by intramuscular injecting of Dexamethasone. Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text) group was administered orally with Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text). The signs and symptoms of mice were observed dynamically. All the animals were sacrificed at the end of the 6th weeks. The level of ACTH, cAMP, cGMP, TSH and E2 in serum were detected to evaluate deficiency of Kidney-Yin. Morphological changes and bone density were observed to evaluate osteoporosis.

RESULTS(1) Compared with control group, mice in model group appeared obvious Kidney-Yin deficiency symptoms, including hair dry, restlessness, excitability, hard stool, and yellow. (2) Compared with control group,the weight of mice in model group gained slower (P<0.01); the index of adrenal gland,liver and spleen decreased (P<0.01, P<0.01 ,P<0.01); the level of ACTH and TSH increased (P<0.01 ,P<0.01), the level of E2 decreased (P<0.01) and the ratio of cAMP/cGMP increased (P< 0.05). (3)Compared with control group,the bone density of lumbar vertebra and femur in model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05); HE staining revealed osteoporosis in model group mice. (4)However, the Liuwei Dihuang pills (Chinese character: see text) group can partly antagonize the inhibition of the HPA axis, alter the disordered sex hormone and the ratio of cAMP/cGMP, and reverse the osteoporosis partly.

CONCLUSIONthe model of osteoporosis with type of Kidney-Yin deficiency could be established by Dexamethasone intramuscular injection. With less interference, it wight be a stable and reliable modeling method for integration of disease and syndrome in TCM.

Animals ; Bone Density ; Dexamethasone ; toxicity ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Osteoporosis ; chemically induced ; Yin Deficiency ; complications

Objective To investigate the development trend of drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis in Jiangsu Province,and to provide the basis for further prevention and treatment of the disease.Methods In 2009,eight major counties were chosen,and in each county all diseased villages were classified into light,moderate and severe disease types according to water fluorine content based on historical data,and one village was chosen from each type.In monitoring villages with improved water,one source water and three tap water samples were collected,respectively.Five water samples were collected in water unimproved monitoring villages according to water well locations of the east,the west,the south,the north and the center.The fluorine content in water was determined according to the Standard Testing Methods for Drinking Water (GB/T 5750-2006).Children aged 8 to 12 were examined for dental fluorosis by Dean method.Residents over the age of 16 were examined for clinical osteofluorosis,and two monitoring counties were chosen,then one village was respectively chosen in each county,and clinically diagnosed patients with skeletal fluorosis were examined again by X-ray.Both clinical and X-ray diagnosis were on the basis of Diagnostic Criteria of Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis (WS 192-2008).Urine samples of 30 children aged 8 to 12 and of 20 adults over the age of 16 were randomly collected and urinary fluoride was determined by F-ion selective electrode method(WS/T 89-1996).Results Of all the 24 villages of 8 counties,20 villages were water improved,and water-improvedprojects ran normally in 18 villages,while scrapped in the rest 2 villages.One hundred and two samples were tested,and the mean of water fluoride in water-improved villages was 1.10 mg/L,while in water unimproved villages and villages with water improved projects scrapped was 1.90 mg/L.The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 42.51％(854/2009).The prevalence of clinical skeletal fluorosis was 23.23％ (2024/8713) and the X-ray detection rate was 32.00％ (24/75).Six hundred and sixty-four urine samples of children were determined,and geometric mean of urinary fluorine was 1.59 mg/L,while 370 adult urine samples were determined,and geometric mean of urinary fluorine was 2.20 mg/L.Conclusions Endemic fluorosis in Jiangsu Province has not been fully controlled and there are signs of recovery.We must pay attention to water improvement measures to reduce fluoride and the management and maintenance of water improvement projects,and further strengthen the prevention and control of endemic fluorosis.

Objective To evaluate the effect of health education on endemic fluorosis in Jiangsu province,and to provide reference data for further prevention and control of the disease.Methods In 2011,according to history prevalence of endemic fluorosis in Jiangsu province,a total of 10 countries were selected,and 3 townships were chosen in each county.Health educational activities were carried out in the classes of grade 4 - 6 in thecentral primary school.In the meantime,3 villages were chosen in each selected township where the health educational activities in the community were carried out.Before and after the health education activities,questionnaire surveys on knowledge of endemic fluorosis were conducted in each county.Thirty students in one classof the fifth grade in the central primary school were randomly selected,and 15 housewives near the central primaryschool were also randomly selected.Results After the health educational activities,the rates of knowledgeawareness in the students and the housewives were 95.90％ (2946/3072) and 92.85％ ( 1752/1887 ),respectively,and increased significantly compared with those before the intervention[71.53％(2015/2817),77.40％( 1384/1788 ) ],and the difference was statistically significant(x2 =657.337,174.894,all P ＜ 0.01 ).Before the health educational activities,the rates of knowledge awareness in the students were lower than those in the housewives,and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =6.120,P ＜ 0.05 ).After the health educational activities,the rates of knowledge awareness in the students were higher than those in the housewives,and the difference was statistically significant(x2 =21.847,P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionsThe rates of knowledge awareness in the students and the housewives are increased significantly after the health educational activities.The consciousness and activity of the target people to take part in preventing and controlling of the endemic fluorosis have been enhanced greatly.The good behaviors in the target people are gradually formed,the desired effect is achieved.

Objective To investigate the state of endemic fluorosis, running status of water improvement project to reduce fluoride in Jiangsu province, and to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of endemic fluorosis. Methods In 2008, in the ten key counties of endemic fluorosis (zone), in Xuzhou,Lianyungang and Suqian, a stratified sampling method was employed to select 40 diseased villages according to their past water fluoride survey data. All children aged 8 to 12 were examined dental fluorosis, and all adults over 16 years were examined clinical skeletal fluorosis. Thirty per cent of the 40 diseased villages were selected, and 20 adults over the age of 16 in each selected village were examined by X-ray, respectively;50% of the 40 diseased villages were selected, and 30 any time urine samples of children aged 8 to 12 in each diseased village were tested urine fluoride. In each city, select a county, the status of water improvement project to reduce fluoride, water supply capacity and coverage in the county were investigated. Results A total of 3560 children aged 8 to 12 were examined, the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 38.51% (1371/3560), tooth defect rate was 5.34% (190/3560), and dental fluorosis index was 0.8. Seven hundred and eight urine samples were tested, the median urinary fluoride was 1.47 mg/L and the range was 0.08 ~ 10.08 mg/L. Clinical detection of skeletal fluorosis was 21.3% among adults over the age of 16, and X-ray detection rate of skeletal fluorosis was 39.2% (123/314).Investigated a total of 248 facilities of centralized water improvement projects, no funds to run or damaged 49, the water fluoride > 1.0 mg/L was 18. Conclusions Endemic fluorosis in Northern Jiangsu province has not been controlled completely, but has a rising trend, we should further strengthen the supervision of water fluoride reduction.

Objective To evaluate the effect of health education on drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning in Jiangsu province in 2010.Methods Nine villages(townships) were selected from high-arsenic regions of Jiangsu province,and one primary school in each village(township) and one village from the 9 villages(townships)were selected as investigation points.Thirty pupils in the same class of grade 5 in each school,and 15 housewives in each village were chosen as research subjects.Referring to the health education questionnaire in Technique Scheme of Endemic Disease Prevention Granted by the Central Government in 2010,5 questions were selected.The reason,harm and prevention measures were reflected by the first,second and third questions.The way of knowledge acquisition and the situation of family drinking water were reflected by the forth and fifth questions.The awareness of prevention knowledge of drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning in pupils and housewives were investigated by calculating the awareness rate.Results Three hundred and nine pupils in the fifth grade and 144housewives were investigated in the baseline survey.Thenumber of response was 927 and 432,respectively; the number of correct answer was 537 and 234,respectively; the awareness rate was 57.93％(537/927) and 54.17％(234/432),respectively.Two hundred and seven pupils in the fifth grade and 135 housewives were investigated in the evaluation survey.The number of response was 810 and 405,respectively; the number of correct answer was 778 and 386,respectively; the awareness rate was 96.05％ (778/810) and 95.31％ (386/405),respectively.Conclusions Health knowledge of drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning has been improved among pupils and housewives in these areas.