Oral mucosal drug delivery has the advantages of rapid drug absorption, no first-pass effect and good patient compliance. However, factors such as low drug dissolution, saliva carrying the drug into the gastrointestinal tract and the existence of physiological barriers in the mucosa may affect the mucosal permeation and bioavailability of the drug. Nanotechnology applied to drug oral mucosa delivery can overcome the above disadvantages and obtain efficient absorption effect. This paper describes the physiological structure of oral mucosa and the factors affecting the absorption of drugs in oral mucosa, reviews the application of nanotechnology such as liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanoemulsions, polymer nanoparticles, polymer micelles and nanohybrid suspensions in oral mucosal drug delivery and the mechanism of promoting drug absorption, summarizes the main problems of current research, and gives an outlook on the application of nano oral mucosal drug delivery system. The main problems of current research are summarized, and the prospects for the application of nano oral mucosal drug delivery systems are discussed.

Objective To establish a quick,economical and reproducible method for high-quality RNA extraction from pancreas.Methods We utilized TRIzol Reagent and liquid nitrogen to isolate total RNA from the rat pancreas.The RNA quality was determined by detection of its content and optic density(A) at 260/280nm,and electrophoresis in 1% non-denatured agarose gel.Then reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was performed to detect expression of the pancreas-specific genes.Results The content of the total RNA extracted from the rat pancreas reached 3-6?g/mg pancreatic tissues,and A260/280 ratio was 1.75-1.89.Electrophoresis of the total RNA showed 28S and 18S rRNA bands with clear smear between them.The RT-PCR products of pancreas-specific genes including insulin 1,glucagon,?-amylase and housekeeping gene ?-actin all exhibited clear bands on 1% agarose gel,which were located in the expected positions,respectively.Conclusion These results suggest that we have successfully isolated the high-quality and intact RNA from the rat pancreas with TRIzol Reagent and liquid nitrogen.The extracted total RNA can be used in RT-PCR for pancreatic gene expression.

OBJECTIVENeurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus persists in brain of the immature and adult mammalian including human and it can be regulated by physiological and pathological events including nutritional status and seizures. The present study was designed to investigate the potential effects of malnutrition followed by status epileptics on hippocampal neurogenesis in the immature rat.

METHODSRat pups were divided into 4 groups: malnourished (M), nourished (N), malnourished plus seizures (MS) and nourished plus seizures (NS). The rat pups of group M and group MS were maintained on a starvation regimen from postnatal day 2 (P2) to P18. The status epilepticus of the rat pups in group MS and group NS was elicited by unilateral microinfusion of kainic acid (KA) into the amygdula at P15. Rat pups of the 4 groups were given bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) intraperitoneally twice daily for 2 days beginning at P17. At P19, the rat pups were killed and the brains were processed for BrdU mitotic labeling combined with double-label immunohistochemistry using early neuron- or glia-specific markers TuJ1 (beta III tubulin) or GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein).

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the latent time of seizure between group M and group N [(12.4 +/- 2.6) min vs. (12.1 +/- 2.9) min, P < 0.05]. Histological assessment did not reveal any evidence of hippocampal cell loss after status epilepticus in either group. BrdU-labeled cells were significantly higher in the rats of group MS (374 +/- 18) than group M (303 +/- 20), group NS (312 +/- 24) than group N (269 +/- 18), respectively (P < 0.01). There was also significant difference between group M and group N, group MS and group NS, respectively (P < 0.01). No significant difference was seen between the rats of group NS and group M (P > 0.05). Approximately 60% of BrdU-labeled cells coexpressed TuJ1, and 5% approximately 10% of those co-expressed GFAP.

CONCLUSIONEarly malnutrition do not alter KA seizure susceptibility and the behavioral manifestations of seizures at P15. Although malnutrition and status epilepticus can increase the proliferation of newly developed cells in the immature rat respectively, malnutrition followed by status epilepticus further increases this proliferation. Furthermore, most of newly developed cells differentiate into early neurons.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Body Weight ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Hippocampus ; chemistry ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Malnutrition ; pathology ; Neurons ; chemistry ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Status Epilepticus ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Tubulin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the distribution of macrophagemigration inhibitory factor gene (MIF) -173 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of Chinese Han population in Zhejiang province.

METHODSThe DNA samples were extracted from EDTA blood of 142 unrelated healthy individuals. Alleles of MIF -173 SNP were genotyped by using the techniques of tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP)-PCR Meantime the PCR products were cloned and sequenced.

RESULTSThe authors detected three kinds of genotypes at the MIF -173 locus, and no deviation was observed from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The final results were the same completely, whatever either tetra-primer ARMS or RFLP-PCR was used to check the MIF -173 single nucleotide polymorphism. Statistical analysis showed that the distributions of MIF -173 SNP alleles and genotype frequencies were significantly different between Chinese Han population and European Caucasian(P< 0.01), but no significant difference demonstrated to happen between Chinese and Japanese(P> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTetra-primer ARMS is an accurate, rapid and economical method for SNP genotyping.There exists ethnic difference in the distribution of MIF -173 SNP alleles.

Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; methods ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of ketogenic diet (KD) on the clinical and electroencephalogram features in children with pharmacoresistant epileptic encephalopathy.

METHODThirty-one children (19 boys, 12 girls) aged 7 months to 7 years (mean 2 years 5 month) with epilepsy refractory to conventional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were included in this study. In addition to their original AED treatment, the children were assigned to different ketogenic diets based on their age. The prospective electro-clinical assessment was performed prior to the KD and then one week, one month and again 3 months after the initiation of therapy, respectively.

RESULTThe reduction of seizure frequency in 52%, 68% and 71% of all patients exceeded 50% one week, one month and three months after KD treatment respectively. KD is particularly effective in myoclonic astatic epilepsy (MAE; Doose Syndrome) and West syndrome with 100% and 81.25% of the patients having a greater than 50% seizure reduction, respectively. After 3 months of KD treatment, more than 2/3 patients experienced a reduction in interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and improvement in EEG background.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical and electroencephalographic improvement confirms that KD is beneficial in children with refractory epilepsy.

Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diet, Ketogenic ; methods ; Dietary Fats ; administration & dosage ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; diagnosis ; diet therapy ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Intellectual Disability ; diet therapy ; drug therapy ; Lennox Gastaut Syndrome ; Male ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Spasms, Infantile ; diet therapy ; drug therapy ; Syndrome ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCR) on the healing of anastomosis following low anterior resection in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

METHODSBetween May 2001 and August 2007, 192 patients with T3 and T4 low rectal cancer (distance from the tumor to anal verge

RESULTSAll patients fulfilled the study. Of the patients, 17 cases were diagnosed tumor free after the neoadjuvant therapy and were not operated on. Other 24 cases were found got complete tumor response with pathological examination after the operation. A total of 41 cases (21.4%) got complete tumor response with the neoadjuvant therapy. Surgery was performed in 175 patients, and 166 patients (95.3%) with sphincter-saving resection, 134 patients with low anterior resection (LAR, double stapling technique) and 32 patients with Park's endoanal anastomosis. Six patients were operated with abdomino-perineal resection (APR) and 3 patients with Hartmann's procedure. Anastomotic leakage was found in 9 patients (5.1%), 6 patients (4 cases of rectovaginal leakage) with LAR(double stapling technique) and 3 patients (1 case of rectovaginal leakage) with Parks technique (P > 0.05). Anastomotic leakage occurred in 2 - 10 days post operation, and were managed properly and got desirable results.

CONCLUSIONNeoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy would not affect the healing of anastomosis obviously if being applied reasonably in locally advanced low rectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Anastomotic Leak ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Preoperative Care ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; therapy ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effect of magnetron sputtered niobium nitride (NbN) on the bonding strength of commercially pure cast titanium (Ti) and low-fusing porcelain (Ti/Vita titankeramik system).

METHODSSixty Ti specimens were randomly divided into four groups, group T1, T2, T3 and T4. All specimens of group T1 and T2 were first treated with 120 microm blasted Al2O3 particles, and then only specimens of group T2 were treated with magnetron sputtered NbN film. All specimens of group T3 and T4 were first treated with magnetron sputtered NbN film and then only specimens of group T4 were treated with 120 microm blasted Al2O3 particles. The composition of the deposits were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). A universal testing machine was used to perform the three-point bending test to evaluate the bonding strength of Ti and porcelain. The microstructure of NbN, the interface of Ti-porcelain and the fractured Ti surface were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy depressive spectrum (EDS), and the results were compared.

RESULTSThe XRD results showed that the NbN deposits were cubic crystalline phases. The bonding strength of Ti and porcelain in T1 to T4 group were (27.2+/-0.8), (43.1+/-0.6), (31.4+/-1.0) and (44.9+/-0.6) MPa. These results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and differences between groups were compared using least significant difference test. Significant inter-group differences were found among all groups (P<0.05). The results of SEM showed that with treatment of Al2O3 or NbN, alone, pre-cracks were found in the interface of Ti-porcelain, while samples treated with both Al2O3 and NbN had better bond. EDS of Ti-porcelain interface showed oxidation occurred in T1, T2 and T3, but was well controlled in T4.

CONCLUSIONSMagnetron sputtered NbN can prevent Ti from being oxidized, and can improve the bonding strength of Ti/Vita titankeramik system. Al2O3 blast can also improve the bonding strength of Ti/Vita titankeramik system.

Dental Bonding ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Magnetic Fields ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Niobium ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the infectivity and virulence variation caused by mutations in the 5' untranslated region(5'UTR)pyrimidine-rich tract of coxsackievirus B1(CVB1)genome.Methods Five pyrimidines in the 5'UTR pyrimidine-rich tract(nt563-nt573)of CVB1 genome were substituted with purines by site-directed mutagenesis.The mutant,CVB1/m563-573,was purified by plaque assay,and subjected to infectivity and virulence assessments by means of cytopathic effect(CPE),plaque forming,one-step growth curve,and 50% lethal dose(LD50)assays.Results Sequencing data revealed that the sequence of pyrimidine-rich tract in the 5'UTR of CVB1/m563-573 mutant was exactly identical to our design(C565A,U567C,U568A,U570A,and U572G).CPE assay showed that the infectivity of CVB1/m563-573 was weaker than that of its prototype CVB1/wt(A490=0.710±0.074,0.812±0.092)though no significant difference could be observed(t=-2.204,P>0.05).Plaque forming assay showed that the plaque quantities of CVB1/m563-573 were(6.40±1.52)×103,(11.60±2.19)×103 pfu/L and the plaque diameters of CVB1/m563-573 were(2.00±0.35),(2.47±0.41)mm at 46 and 58 hours pestinfection,respectively.The plaque quantities of CVB1/wt were(8.40±2.51)×103,(11.80±1.92)×103 pfu/L and the plaque diameters of CVB1/wt were(1.80±0.27),(2.85±0.44)mm,respectively.There was no significant difference between the plaque quantities and sizes of CVB1/m563-573 and CVB1/wt(t=8.000,0.985,10.000,9.000,all P>0.05).One-step growth curve demonstrated that the numbers(lg)of CVB1/m563-573 progenies at time-points of 3,5,7 h postinfection were 2.10±0.09,4.28±0.03,7.44±0 and that of CVB1/wt progenies were 2.80±0.02,4.77±0.02,8.55±0.01,respectively.The replication of CVB1/m563-573 was significantly slower than that of CVB1/wt at all three time-points(t=-13.151,-24.319,-47.714,all P<0.01).The LD50 of CVB1/m563-573(3.10×109 pfu/L)and CVB1/wt(1.26×107 pfu/L)indicated that the virulence of CVB1/m563-573 was significantly weakened compared to that of CVB1/wt.Conclusions The infectivity and virulence of CVB1 are weakened by substitution of pyrimidines with purines in the pyrimidine-rich tract of CVB1 5'UTR.Site-directed mutagenesis in the pyrimidine-rich tract may be a strategy for developing attenuated CVB vaccine.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the quality and spatial distribution features of semen and to evaluate the reproductive health of the males in the Chongqing section of the Three-Gorge Reservoir area.

METHODSWe collected semen samples by masturbation after 2 -7 days of abstinence from the men in Nan'an, Shapingba, Zhongxian, Wanzhou, Yunyang and Wushan of Chongqing, which are geographically and demographically representative of the Three-Gorge Reservoir area. We analyzed the semen quality of all the samples and evaluated the reproductive health of the men.

RESULTSThe mean value of the five semen parameters of the male subjects from the six districts was within the normal range, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, rapid progressive motile sperm, and total motile sperm. Those from Shapingba, Yunyang and Zhongxian exhibited abnormal sperm motility. According to the WHO criteria, normal value of all the semen parameters was found in less than 50% of the semen samples from the six districts, in 47% of those from Yunyang, and only 16% of those from Wanzhou. Spatial distribution maps of the semen parameters revealed significant spatial differences in seminal quality among the six districts, the highest in Yunyang, and the lowest in Wanzhou and Wushan that are located in the middle and lower reaches of the Three-Gorge Reservoir area.

CONCLUSIONThe mean value of semen parameters was low in a large proportion of men in the Chongqing section of the Three-Gorge Reservoir area, with spatial differences along the Changjiang river.

Adult ; China ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility