Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Qingpeng ointment for the treatment of asteatotic eczema and its effect on skin barrier function.Methods A self-controlled clinical study was performed.Totally,78 patients with asteatotic eczema symmetrically located on both lower extremities were enrolled into this study.The left and right lower extremities of these patients were treated with Qingpeng ointment (Qingpeng group) and hydrocortisone butyrate ointment (hydrocortisone butyrate group) respectively,twice a day for 4 consecutive weeks.At the end of treatment,therapeutic effect and skin barrier function were compared between the 2 groups.Results The response rate was significantly higher in the hydrocortisone butyrate group than in the Qingpeng group after 1-and 2-week treatment (week 1:58.97％ vs.39.74％,x2 =5.77,P ＜ 0.05;week 2:76.92％ vs.60.26％,x2 =5.03,P ＜ 0.05),but insignificantly different between the 2groups after 4-week treatment (80.77％ vs.87.18％,P ＞ 0.05).Compared with the hydrocortisone butyrate group,theQingpeng group showed significantly increased water content of the stratum corneum after 4-week treatment (P ＜ 0.05),and decreased transepidermal water loss after 2-and 4-week treatment (both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Qingpeng ointment is safe and effective for the treatment of asteatotic eczema with gradually increasing and stable effects,and also has a favoring effect on the restoration of skin barrier function.

To investigate the curative effect of minimally invasive sclera buckling on single retinal detachment.METHODS:Totally, 100 cases of patients with retinal detachment ( 106 eyes ) enrolled in our hospital were randomly divided into observation group and control group, 53 eyes in each group. Patients in observation group were treated with minimally invasive sclera buckling, while patients in control group received traditional limbal conjunctival incision. After surgery, patients were all followed up for 6 ~18mo, during which the retinal recurrence situation, degree of vision enhancement and compliance occurrence rate was recorded. RESULTS: The retinal reattachment rate once of observation group (96. 22%) was significantly higher than that of control group (88. 68%), there was statistically significance (P<0. 05). The vision enhancement rate of observation group (84. 90%) was significantly higher than that of control group (71. 70%), there was statistically significance (P<0. 05). The compliance occurrence rate of observation group (11. 32%) was significantly lower than that of control group (32. 08%), there was statistically significance (P<0. 05).CONCLUSlON: The improved minimally invasive sclera buckling can significantly enhance the curative effect for retinal detachment, decrease the compliance occurrence rate, improve vision function, and is a scientific, practical and rigorous tool for retinal detachment treatment.

AIM:To compare the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab to those of triamcinolone acetonide ( TA ) injection for the treatment of macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion ( CRVO) .
METHODS:This retrospective study included 40 eyes of 40 patients with macular edema associated with CRVO. Twenty patients 20 eyes were treated with intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (1mg, 0. 1mL), the other 20 patients 20 eyes accepted intravitreal ranibizumab (0. 5mg, 0. 05mL). The change of best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) , central macular thickness ( CMT ) , and intraocular pressure ( IOP ) before treatment and at 1, 2wk, 1, 2,3,6mo post-injection in the two groups were observed.
RESULTS:BCVA was improved at 1, 2wk, 1, 2,3,6mo post-injection in the TA group (P<0.05) and ranibizumab group ( P<0. 05 ). No significant difference was found between the two groups ( P > 0. 05 ). CMT decreased significantly within each group ( P < 0. 05 ), and no significant difference between groups was found ( P >0.05). In the TA group, the IOP was significantly higher at 2wk and 4wk than before treatment (P<0. 05). In the ranibizumab group, no elevated IOP was observed at 1, 2wk, 1, 2,3,6mo (P>0. 05). However, the IOP at 1mo was significantly higher in the TA group than that in the ranibizumb group (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSION:Intravitreal ranibizumab is an effective and safe treatment method for macular edema secondary to CRVO. It can effectively improve BCVA and reduce CMT without ocular and systemic complications compared with intravitreal TA.

Objective To investigate the effects of enteral nutrition with galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on serum inflammatory cytokines in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation control group, SAP with enteral nutrition (EN) group and SAP with EN supplemented with GOS (GOS-EN) group, and each group was divided into 4 d and 7 d subgroups according to the time that animals were sacrificed (n=8 in each subgroup). Rat SAP models were established by injection of 38 g/L sodium taurocholate beneath the pancreatic capsule. The serum amylase, inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-10 were detected. Results At each time point, the levels of serum amylase in all SAP groups were significantly higher than those in sham operation control group (P < 0.01), and the levels in GOS-EN group were significantly lower than those in EN group (P < 0.01). The levels of serum TNF-α and IL-10 in all SAP groups were significantly higher than those in sham operation control group (P < 0.01), while the levels of IL-2 in all SAP groups were significantly lower than those in sham operation control group. The levels of TNF-α in GOS-EN group were significantly lower than those in EN group (P <0.05), while the levels of IL-2 and IL-10 and the ratio of IL-10/TNF-α were significantly higher than those in GOS-EN group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Early EN supplemented with GOS could modulate the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory response.

AIM:To investigate the impact of palmitate-stimulated macrophages on the invasion and migration of HepG2 cells and to explore the underlying mechanism .METHODS:Human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 were induced to macrophages by phorbol myristate acetate and were stimulated with palmitate (0.16 mmol/L).The culture supernatants were collected and used to incubate HepG 2 cells.The effect of palmitate on migration of the macrophages was detected by Transwell chamber assay .The mRNA expression of target genes was measured by RT-qPCR.The invasion and migration of the HepG 2 cells were assessed by invasion assay and scratch test .RESULTS:Palmitate promoted the migra-tion of the macrophages and increased the mRNA levels of interleukin -1β( IL-1β) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in the macrophages.The invasion and migration of the HepG2 cells incubated with conditioned media from palmitate-stimulated macrophages were greater than those of the HepG 2 cells incubated with conditioned media from macrophages without palmitate .The media of palmitate-stimulated macrophages up-regulated the mRNA expression of cytokines and N-cadherin, and down-regulated the mRNA expression of E-cadherin in the HepG2 cells.CONCLUSION:Palmitate-stimulated macrophages promote the invasion and migration of HepG 2 cells through paracrine/endcrine loop.

The chromatographic fingerprint was established by eluting with the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.2% formic acid water on an Agilent TC-C18 (2) column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm). Six chromatographic peaks were identified by HPLC-MS/MS method. Ten batches of Glycyrrhizea Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle were determined, and the similarity was arranged from 0.72 to 0.99. Good precision, stability and repeatability were obtained, and this study provides a reference for the quality control of Glycyrrhizea Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle.
China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

The study aims to develop a rapid, sensitive and specified method of liquid chromatography with heated electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HESI/MS/MS) for simultaneous determination of amlodipine, benazepril and benazeprilat in human plasma using amlodipine-d4 and ubenimex as internal standards (ISs). Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) with heated electrospray ionization (HESI) was used in the positive mode for mass spectrometric detection. Analytes and ISs were extracted from plasma by simple protein precipitation. The reconstituted samples were chromatographed on a C18 (100 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column with mixture of methanol-acetonitrile-5 mmol.L- ammonium acetate-formic acid (30 : 30 : 40 : 0.1) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.6 mL.min-1. The standard curves were demonstrated to be linear in the range of 0.02 to 6.00 ng.mL-1 for amlodipine, 0.2 to 1,500 ng.mL-1 for benazepril and benazeprilat with r2>0.99 for each analyte. The lower limit of quantitation was identifiable and reproducible at 0.02, 0.2 and 0.2 ng mL-1 for amlodipine, benazepril and benazeprilat, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy results were within the acceptable limit across all concentrations. The plasma samples were stable after four freeze-thaw cycles and being stored for 93 days at -20 degrees C. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study of a fixed-dose combination of amlodipine and benazepril on Chinese healthy volunteers.
Administration, Oral ; Amlodipine ; administration & dosage ; blood ; Benzazepines ; administration & dosage ; blood ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Objectives Selecting and constructing the biofilm -model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro.Observing the antibacterial activity of using Micafungin alone , or combined with Meropenem against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( plankton-grown and biofilm-grown ) . Methods Ten clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected in July 2012, constructing the biofilm-model by microwell plate from Xiangya Hospital, Central South University.The ability of biofilm-formation of these strains was estimated by crystal violet colorimetric method, and optical microscope was used to observe the shape of the biofilm .MICs of Micafungin and Meropenem against plankton -grown and biofilm-grown Pseudomonas aeruginosa were tested by broth microdilution method, and the changes of MICs were compared.Using broth microdilution method, and connecting with the crystal violet colorimetric method , to observe the antibacterial effect of using Micafungin alone, or combined with antibiotics in the inhibition of the biofilm formation and destruction of mature biofilm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.SPSS18.0 and t-test were used in comparing the differences between both treatment group and control group.P <0.05 showed the difference was statistically significant . Results Ten strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were successful in forming biofilms.Comparing with their planktonic counterparts, biofilms became more resistant to Meropenem , with the MIC raised 4-128 times. However, MIC of Micafungin could not be measured.Micafungin can inhibit the formation of biofilm in 9 experimental strains (PA1-PA9), where the minimum effective concentration of Micafungin were 156.25, 625, 10 000, 2 500, 1 250, 2 500, 1 250, 625 and 10 000 mg/L respectively.The absorbance values of the minimum effective concentration group and its positive growth control group were 0.342 ±0.020 vs 0.491 ±0.027, 0.512 ±0.018 vs 0.627 ±0.043, 0.862 ±0.021 vs 1.155 ±0.027, 0.731 ±0.028 vs 0.863 ± 0.017, 0.311 ±0.003 vs 0.447 ±0.021, 0.435 ±0.021 vs 0.597 ±0.011, 0.520 ±0.012 vs 0.605 ± 0.027, 0.611 ±0.059 vs 0.734 ±0.017, 0.223 ±0.011 vs 0.343 ±0.037 respectively, where the P values were 0.02, 0.03, 0.00, 0.01, 0.01, 0.00, 0.03, 0.01 and 0.03 respectively.The differences are statistically significant.Micafungin can damage the mature biofilm of 7 strains (PA1, PA2, PA4 -PA8), where the minimum effective concentration of Micafungin were 2 500, 2 500, 5 000, 2 500, 5 000, 2 500, 5 000 mg/L respectively.The absorbance values of the minimum effective concentration group and its positive growth control group were 1.459 ±0.014 vs 1.534 ±0.020, 1.279 ±0.020 vs 1.431 ±0.007, 1.365 ±0.024 vs 1.467 ±0.065, 1.322 ±0.028 vs 1.530 ±0.090, 0.920 ±0.004 vs 1.047 ±0.013, 1.860 ±0.005 vs 1.953 ±0.055, 1.407 ±0.005 vs 1.553 ±0.045 respectively, where the P values were 0.01, 0.01, 0.02, 0.01, 0.00, 0.03, 0.02.The difference is statistically significant.Micafungin combined with Meropenem applied in multiple drug resistant strains , which can inhibit the formation of biofilm better.Conclusions Micafungin can inhibit the formation Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm and damage the mature biofilms.Micafungin combined with Meropenem can act on multiple drug resistant strain , which may get a higher inhibition rate of the biofilm.

The article makes an interpretation of the key contents in the Guidelines to Iodine Supplementation for Chinese Residents published this year. Iodine is a key component of the thyroid hormone. Sufficient iodine intake is crucial for thyroid hormone synthesis and brain development of offspring. Universal salt iodization is the most effective strategy to compensate the iodine deficiency in daily food. For pregnant women, daily iodine requirements increase. Patients with autoimmune thyroiditis need to maintain adequate iodine status while the goiter patients should be distinguished whether it is caused by iodine deficiency or iodine excess. Iodine deficiency not only increases the prevalence of thyroid nodules but also increases the pathological types of anaplastic thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pretreatment on beta amyloid protein (Abeta) induced impairment of in vivo hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of rats.

METHODSThirty-six adult male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 6): control, Abeta25-35, BDNF, (0.02 microg, 0.1 microg, 0.5 microg) BDNF + Abeta25-35. A self-made hippocampal local drug delivery catheter and a parallel bound stimulating/recording electrode were used to deliver drugs/stimulation and record field excitatory post-synaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the hippocampal CA1 region of rats. High-frequency stimulation (HFS) was used to induce in vivo LTP.

RESULTS(1) Abeta25-35 (2 nmol) injection into CA1 region of rats did not affect the baseline fEPSPs, but inhibited the HFS-induced LTP significantly (P < 0.01). (2) Hippocampal CA1 injection of BDNF (0.1 microg) alone did not affect the baseline fEPSPs and HFS-induced LTP. (3) Compared with Abeta25-35 alone group, the averaged amplitude of LTP in BDNF (0.1 microg and 0.5 microg) plus Abeta25-35 groups significantly increased at 0 min, 30 min, and 60 min after HFS (P < 0.01), indicating that pretreatment with BDNF effectively protected against the Abeta,25-35 induced depression of LTP in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONIntrahippocampal injection of BDNF can protect against the Abeta25-35-induced LTP impairment, suggesting that the up-regulation of BDNF in the brain could maintain the normal hippocampal synaptic plasticity and may contribute to the improvement of learning and memory in Alzheimer's (AD) disease patients.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; pharmacology ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; drug effects ; physiology ; Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials ; physiology ; Long-Term Potentiation ; physiology ; Male ; Peptide Fragments ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley