Background It has been clarified that topical administration of cholinomimetic drug or prostaglandin analogus can effectively low intraoeular pressure (IOP) in primary angle-closure glaueoma and angleopen glaucoma,respectively.The two eyedrops are often combined clinically to treat glaueomatous eye.But their effect mechanism on ciliary muscle is different.It is neeessarv to prove the clinical efficacy of combination of these two drugs.Objective This study attempted to compare hypotensive effect of individual and combinative use of 2％piloearpine and 0.004％ travoprost in normal rabbit eyes.Methods Thirty normal albino rabbits were randomly divided into three parallel groups.Lateral eye of each rabbit was appointed as the experimental eye and the fellow eye was used as control eye.2％ Pilocarpine eyedrop was instilled three times daily and 0.004％ travoprost eyedrops was used once per night in the pilocarpine and travoprost group.These two drugs were combined in the combination group.The normal saline solution was used in the control eyes IOP was measured bilaterally with Perkins application tonometer at 8:00 am on the day before and 1,2,4,8,14,24 days after the administration of eyedrops.The use of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The IOP was significantly lower on 1 day after use of eyedrops than baseline IOP in the experimental eyes in the pilocarpine group,travoprost group and combination group,but no obvious change in IOP before and after use of eyedrops in the control eyes.There was no significant difference in the baseline IOP in both experimental eyes and control eyes,however,signifieant differences were seen in various time points after administration of eyedrops between experimental eyes and control eyes(P＜0.05).Compared with baseline IOP,IOP declined by 17.5％-22.0％ in pilocarpine group,23.8％-26.4％ travoprost group,27.6％-32.0％ in the combination group.For normal eye,piloearpine+travoprost showed a more power lowing IOP effect.Conclusions Hypotensive effect of combinative use of 2％ pilcoarpine and 0.004％ travoprost is strongest in comparison with individual use of pilocarpine or travoprost,but less than the statistical sum of individual use of these two drugs in a 24-day duration in normal eye of albino rabbit.

BackgroundDry eye is a multi-factorial-induced tear film and ocular surface disorder.Immunoinflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of dry eye.As inhibitor of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs play an anti-inflammatory and anti-hypersensitivity role,and it can be a potential treatment for dry eyes.ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (0.1％topical pranoprofen) on moderate to severe dry eyes and its mechanism.MethodsThis was a small sample of randomized controlled clinical trial.Thirty right eyes of 30 patients with moderate to severe dry eyes were included in the study according to the diagnosis criteria and randomized into two groups.The patients of the trial group received topical administration of 0.1％ pranoprofen plus 0.1％ sodium hyaluronate,and those of the control group received the topical 0.1％ sodium hyaluronate only.Ocular surface inflammation index scores (OSDI) and ocular surface fluorescine staining (OSS) scores were measured under the slit lamp,and tear film break-up time (BUT),Schirmer Ⅰ test values were evaluated.The expression of human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) and CD11b in conjunctiva epithelial cells were detected by impression cytology and flow cytometry (FCM).All the indexes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Informed consent was obtained from all patients.ResultsThere were no significant differences in terms of age and gender and their baseline values between the trial group and control group (t=0.412,P=0.684;x2=0.240,P=0.624),and so were all the indexes (P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the OSDI,OSS scores and cells positive for HLA-DR were lowered but the BUT was delayed in the trial group on day 15 ( t=2.43,P=0.03;t=2.83,P=0.01;t=3.29,P=0.00;t=3.23,P=0.00 ).No significant differences were found in the Schirmer Ⅰ test value and CD11b expression between these two groups (t=0.17,P=0.87;t=0.28,P=0.79).The OSDI,OSS scores and BUT were significantly improved,and the number of cells positive for HLA-DR were reduced 15 days after administration of drugs in comparison with before treatment in the trial group ( t =12.30,10.70,6.10,7.92,P =0.00 ).However,there were no comparable alteration seen in these indexes before and after the usage of drugs in the control group ( P＞0.05).Positive correlations were found in HLADR expression with OSDI and OSS ( r =0.601,P =0.018 ; r =0.586,P =0.022 ) and a negative correlation in HLADR expression with BUT (r=-0.697,P=0.004) on day 15 in the trial group.ConclusionsTopical usage of 0.1％ pranoprofen is beneficial for remitting the ocular signs and symptoms in moderate to severe dry eyes.This study illustrates that topical usage of 0.1％ pranoprofen can down-regulate the expression of inflammatory markers in conjunctival epithelial cells.

Objective To investigate the distribution of water-borne fluoride and the current status of water defluoridation project by improving drinking water quality in endemic fluorosis areas in Shandong province,and to provide scientific basis for making strategies in prevention and control of the disease. Methods According to "the National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2004, 2005 and 2006", 113 endemic fluorosis diseased counties(cities, and districts) of the province's 17 cities were screened in order to investigate the fluoride level in drinking water in fluorosis villages, recheck the fluoride level after implementing the water defluoridation project, and investigate the current status of the water defluoridation project. The fluoride level in drinking water was determined by F-ion selective electrode. Results There were a total of 5816 water defluoridation projects in the province. Most of them were carried out by drilling a deep well to get under-ground water. The wells still in good condition were accounted for 72.80% (4234/5816). Intermittent operated wells were accounted for 3.11% (181/5816). Abandoned wells were accounted for 24.09%(1401/5816). Level of water fluoride was determined in 6940samples from fluorosis villages(villages that not carry out the water defluoridation project as well as villages carried out the water defluoridation project with abandoned wells were included) and the value that lower or equal to 1.00mg/L was determined in 2987 villages which accounted for 43.04% (2987/6940). Level of water fluoride that over 1.00 mg/L was found in 3953 villages which accounted for 56.96% (3593/6940), and the highest level of water fluoride was 11.33 mg/L. Level of water fluoride were determined in 4415 samples from water defluoridation project and the value lower or equal to 1.00 mg/L was in 2983 wells which accounted for 65.53%(2983/4415). The value over 1.00 mg/L was in 1522 wells which accounted for 34.47%(1522/4415), the highest value of water fluoride was 9.71 mg/L. Conclusions Level of water fluoride in up to 1/2 of the villages and 1/3 of the projects, is still higher than the standard in Shandong province. Nearly 1/4 of the project has been abandoned. The current situation for endemic fluorosis control is still not good in the province, countermeasures for endemic fluorosis must be carried out as soon as possible and surveillance of water defluoridation project must be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of several additives (sodium acetate, phenylalanine and amidocaproic acid) on glycyrrhizin production in Glycyrrhiza uralensis cells.

METHODThe different concentration of additives were administrated into the medium at the beginning of the culture. The glycyrrhizin content in G. uralensis cells was analyzed by HPLC.

RESULTThe lower sodium acetate concentration of 0.1 mmol x L(-1) enhanced the glycyrrhizin content by 2.4 times and the higher sodium acetate concentration resulted in the higher accumulation of cell biomass. Glycyrrhizin content increased slightly when the phenylalanine dosages increased gradually from 0.1-2 mmol x L(-1). The highest glycyrrhizin content of 14.10 microg x g(-1) was obtained with the addition of 2 mmol x L(-1) phenylalanine which was 3.60 times compared with the control. The addition of 0.1 mmol x L(-1) amidocaproic acid increased the glycyrrhizin content by 2. 24 times. With the increase of the concentration of amidocaproic acid, the glycyrrhizin content decreased slightly and the higher concentration of 2 mol x L(-1) inhibited the accumulation of glycyrrhizin.

CONCLUSIONThe addition of sodium acetate, phenylalanine and amidocaproic acid to the medium were effective approaches to enhance the glycyrrhizin content in G. uralensis cells.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; metabolism ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; metabolism ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; metabolism

This paper presents a novel monitor which uses ARM controller AT91SAM7S64 as its main processor, LCM (Liquid Crystal Display Module) for displaying ECG waves, SD (Secure Digital memory) card for data storage and RF module PTR8000 for radio data transmission. This portable monitor boasts alarm function for abnormality and can provide dynamic ECG monitoring for patients.
Computer Communication Networks ; Electrocardiography ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; instrumentation ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; Telemetry ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of combination therapy of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) with methotrexate (MTX) on collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rats.

METHODSTotally 55 male SD rats were stratified by body weight. Nine of them were randomly recruited as the normal control group. The rest 46 were immunized with type II bovine collagen (C II) for establishing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) model. Forty successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into 4 groups according to swollen toe degree, i.e., the CIA group, the TMP group, the MTX group, and the TMP plus MTX group, 10 in each group. Rats in the MTX group were administered with MTX (1. 2 mg/kg) , once per week for 4 continuous weeks. Those in the TMP group were administered with 40 mg/kg TMP, once per day for 10 continuous days, and then discontinued for 7 successive days, and continued for another 10 successive days. Rats in the TMP plus MTX group were administered with a mixture of equal dose MTX and TMP, and when MTX was discontinue, TMP was administered according to the way in the TMP group. Equal volume of saline solution was given to rats in the normal control group and the CIA group. Clinical parameters including ankle width (mediolateral diameter) and hindpaw swelling were measured at day 0, 4, 11, 18, and 26 after treatment. Rats were sacrificed 28 days after treatment, their knee joints and ankle joints were collected for pathological analyses. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A were detected by ELISA. Changes of fibrinogen (FIB) and platelet aggregation rate (PAg) were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the ankle width and hindpaw swelling increased significantly (P < 0.01), contents of FIB and PAg increased obviously (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17 increased remarkably (P <0. 01) in the CIA group. Obvious cell proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, hyperemia and edema of synovial tissues could be seen. Pannus formed and immerged in cartilages, resulting in necrosis. Compared with the model group, changes of ankle width and hindpaw swelling were all alleviated in each medicated group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Of them, the effect was superior in the MTX group to that of the TMP group and the MTX plus TMP group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Contents of FIB, serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 decreased significantly in the MTX group (P < 0.05). Contents of FIB, serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 decreased significantly in the TMP group and the MTX plus TMP group (P < 0.05). Besides, serum levels of FIB and IL-6 were obviously lower in the MTX plus TMP group than in the TMP group and the MTX group (P < 0.01). Levels of PAg and IL-17A were more significantly lowered in the TMP group than in the MTX plus TMP group and the MTX group. Pathological changes could be alleviated in each medicated group, with the optimal effect obtained in the MTX plus TMP group.

CONCLUSIONCombination of TMP with MTX could significantly ameliorate inflammatory reactions and FIB contents of CIA rats.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cattle ; Collagen Type II ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hemorheology ; Interleukin-17 ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Male ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Pyrazines ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Synovial Membrane

ObjectiveTo find out the condition of endemic fluorosis in Liangshan and Boxing counties of Shandong province,and to provide the basis for future prevention and treatment of the disease.MethodsIn 2007 -2009,100 water facilities per year were selected in each county and the water fluoride was tested in Liangshan and Boxing counties of Shandong province.Ten households were selected and their water fluoride content was measured.Dental fluorosis prevalence and dental fluorosis index of school children aged 8 - 12 were checked in all monitored places(3 villages in each county).Meanwhile,urinary fluoride was detected in children carried dental fluorosis test.ResultsIn 2007 - 2009,the median of urinary fluoride in Liangshan county was 2.35,3.73 and 1.29 mg/L,respectively; dental fluorosis detection rate was 72.73％ (88/121),78.08％ (57/73),and 70.64％ (77/109),and the dental fluorosis index was 1.43,1.76 and 1.34.While in Boxing county,the median of urinary fluoride was 4.50,6.71 and 5.64 mg/L; dental fluorosis detection rate was 95.93％ (118/123),99.06％ (105/106),94.41％(152/161) and dental fluorosis index was 2.23,2.54 and 2.09,respectively.ConclusionsThe effect of prevention and control of endemic fluorosis in Liangshan county was better than that of Boxing county of Shandong province.Altering water source is an important measure to control endemic fluorosis.More defluoridation project should be carried out in endemic fluorosis areas.

Objective To investigate the current status of endemic fluorosis in Shandong province, and to provide the scientific evidence for making strategies for prevention and control of the disease. Methods According to "The National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2008", thirty-four counties were divided into mild, moderate and severe endemic fluorosis areas and a village was randomly selected from each category of the area to carry out the monitoring of endemic fluorosis. The content of fluoride in drinking water and urine was determined by F-ion selective electrode, dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was diagnosed by Dean method and skeletal fluorosis diagnosed by clinic and X-rays. Results The monitoring was done in 70 water-improving villages in 34 counties, among which 54 villages had water fluoride content ≤ 1.00 mg/L and accounted for 77.14%(54/70), 16 villages had water fluoride content ＞ 1.00 mg/L and accounted for 22.86%(16/70), the highest water fluoride content was 4.46 mg/L. The monitoring was also carried out in 32 non-water-improving villages in 34 counties, among which 9 villages had water fluoride content ≤ 1.00 mg/L and accounted for 28.12%(9/32), 23 villages had water fluoride content ＞ 1.00 mg/L and accounted for 71.88% (23/32), the highest water fluoride content was 4.09 mg/L. The total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 45.81%(1988/4340), the index of dental fluorosis was 0.97 and the rate of dental damage was 6.91%(300/4340). The urinary fluoride values above 1.40 mg/L were found in 55.33%(1417/2657) of children aged 8 to 12, with the highest urinary fluoride concentrations was 18.53 mg/L. The rate of skeletal fluorosis by clinic and X-rays in adults older than 16 years were 4.25% (2462/57 968) and 28.40%(23/81 ), respectively. The urinary fluoride values above 1.60 mg/L were found in 55.86% (1130/2023) of adults older than 16 years, with the highest urinary fluoride concentrations was 25.44 mg/L. Conclusions Endemic fluorosis in Shandong province has not yet been effectively controlled,control situation is still grim. Prevention efforts need to be further strengthened.

Objective To investigate the present situation of water-improving defluoridation project and the distribution of water fluoride in fluorosis areas in Shandong province. Methods In 2005 - 2007, according to "The National and Shandong province Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control", the water-improving form,water type and the running status of defluoridation project in 17 cities of Shandong province were investigated, and the water-fluoride of the running projects were determined by F- ion selective electrode. Results A total of 5816projects were built that involved 8776 villages, 110 counties, 17 cities distributed in Shandong province. In which,the drilling of water-improving projects accounting for 94.55% (5499/5816), under-ground water type 97.73%(5684/5816);operating normally accounting for 75.91% (4415/5816), 7246 villages were supplied with the water, beneficiary population 6 946 459 people, non-normal projects accounting for 24.09%(1401/5816), including 1530 diseased villages. There were still 4415 projects running well. The projects with water fluoride lower than 1.0mg/L were 2893, accounting for 65.53% (2893/4415). The water fluoride higher than 1.0 mg/L accounted for 34.47%(1522/4415), ＞ 2.0 mg/L of 548, ＞ 4.0 mg/L of 97, and the maximum value of water fluoride was 9.71mg/L. Conclusions Nearly 1/4 of the water-improving projects in Shandong province are abnormal. The water fluoride of the project of more than 1/3 are exceeding the standard( ＞ 1.0 mg/L) in 4415 projects, and water-fluoride of 97 projects are higher than 4.0 mg/L. More measures should be taken to strengthen the supervision of the projects and monitoring of water fluoride.

Objective To understand the current status of the prevention and control of endemic fluorosis in the southwestern area of Shandong province. Methods In 2007, the progress of water-improving defluoridation, the operating state and water fluoride content of the water-improving project, which was determined by fluorosis selective ion electrode, and the inhabitant related indexes of endemic fluorosis were extensively surveyed in the three main fluorosis counties-Jiaxiang, Yuncbeng and Liangshan of the southwestern area of Shandong province. Results Among 1371 fluorosis villages in the 3 counties, 53.61%(735/1371) of which had undergone water-improving defluoridation, the rate in Jiaxiang, Yuncheng and Liangshan being 38.0% (220/579),65.51% (378/577) and 63.72% ( 137/215 ) respectively; the normally functioning rate of this project was 76.73% (564/735), projects out of order accounted for 23.27% (171/735). Among 263 well-functioning projects from the three counties, the rate with water fluoride higher than 1.0 mg/L was 35.36%(93/263), the maximum value being 4.17 mg/L. The urine fluoride content of 440 children aged 8 - 12 years and 484 adults over 30 years old were examined in 13 fluorosis villages of the three counties, the geometric mean was 2.98,3.06 mg/L respectively; the individual maximum was 12.83,14.49 mg/L respectively; the detectable rate of dental fluorosis among children aged 8 - 12 was 84.28% (649/770) ,17.66%(136/770) had defect and the index of dental fluorosis was 1.89; the rates of the clinical and X-ray skeletal fluorosis of the adults aged more than 30 were 44.40%(234/527) and 24.67%(130/527) respectively, and the abnormal electrocardiography rate was 32.43% (168/518) in the adult, mostly T-wave abnormality. Conclusions The progress of the water-improving defluoridation in the southwestern area of Shandong province was relatively slow, the water fluoride content of the water-improving projects seriously exceeded standard, and the condition of the fluorosis had not been effectively controlled.