AIMTo develop a near-infrared diffuse reflectance analysis (NIRDRA) method for rapid noninvasive quantitative determination of ambroxol hydrochloride in half-finished product particles and non-blister-packed, blistered tablets.

METHODSAll spectra were measured with a Fourier transform spectrometer equipped with a PbS and a InGaAs detector, an external integrating sphere, a rotating sample cup, and a fibre-optic probe for reflectance measurements. All samples were scanned from 12,000 cm-1 to 4,000 cm-1, and each sample spectrum was obtained as an automatic mean of 64 scans. No spectrum pre-processing method was used, and spectral regions, 4,602-4,247, 12,000-7,498 and 6,102-5,446, 12,000-5,446 cm-1 were selected to develope mathematical models by partial least square method for half-finished product particles and non-blister-packed, blistered tablets samples, respectively.

RESULTSThe optimal rank and mean square error determined for half-finished product particles and non-blister-packed, blistered tablets samples by cross validation method all was 6 and 0.306, 0.972 and 1.492, respectively, the average recovery was 100%, 100% and 102% respectively; and the RSD was 1.17%, 1.70% and 1.78% respectively.

CONCLUSIONResults showed that the NIRDRA method was rapid, simple, noninvasive and sensitive, and it can be applied to assay the content of ambroxol hydrochloride in half-finished product particles non-blister-packed and blistered tablets.

Ambroxol ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; Expectorants ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; Quality Control ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods ; Tablets

OBJECTIVE: To establish a reliable, exact and practical method to prepare DNA samples for sensitivity-test purposes. METHODS: The micromanipulation method was employed to prepare exact quantity DNA samples used to study the sensitivity of Profiler Plus Kit-ABI PRISM 310 system. RESULTS: We succeed in establishing a micromanipulation method to prepare groups of DNA samples, which contain 1-11 cells in turn, and also succeed in using them to study the sensitivity of Profiler Plus Kit-ABI310 system. CONCLUSION The method we have established is proved to be a reliable, exact and practical way to prepare DNA samples for sensitivity-test purposes.
DNA/isolation & purification* ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; Microscopy ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Specimen Handling/methods* ; Tandem Repeat Sequences

Objective To investigate the association between cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) caused by antiepileptic drugs and HLA-B*1502 allele. Methods In 31 epileptic patients presented to the Epilepsy Clinic of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College between January 2007 and May 2008, 13 had CADR to carbanazepine (CBZ) including 6 with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and 7 with mild maculopapular exanthona (MPE);15 were CBZ-tolerant, and 3 had lamotrigine (LTG)-indueed MPE. All the patients underwent examinations using polymerase chain reaction with sequence specific palmers to analyze HLA -B*1502 allele frequencies, with 30 healthy subjects without a history of using CBZ or LTG as the control. Results HLA-B*IS02 allele frequency was 100% (6/6) in patients with CBZ-SJS, 57% (4/7) in patients with CBZ-induced MPE, and 33% (1/3) in patients with LTG-induced MPE. The frequency was 7% (1/15) in CBZ-tolerant patients and 10% (3/30) in the control subjects. Compared with the CBZ-tolerant patients and the control subjects, the patients with CBZ-induced SJS and MPE had significantly increased HLA -B*1502 allele frequency (P<0.05). Conclusions HLA-B*1502 allele is associated with CADRs to CBZ in epileptic patients.

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) vectors have been shown to mediate long-term transgene expression in mice and nonhuman primates. We have adapted viral vector system based on two rAAV vectors, namely rAAV1 and rAAV2. We have generated rAAV vectors expressing the envelope glycoprotein (E1 and E2) derived from Chinese HCV patient (genotype 1b) and used these to immunize BALB/c mice. We detected the total antibody titer by IFA and neutralizing antibody (nAb) using in vitro HCV neutralizing assays based on HCV pseudotyped particles. Furthermore, IFN-gamma ELISpot assay was used to assess the T cellular response against HCV at 12 weeks after rAAV1-E1E2 immunization. We also analyzed HCV envelope glycoprotein expression in muscle of rAAV1-E1E2 immunized mice. Our data showed: (i) rAAV1 directed long-term expression of HCV genes in mice; (ii) immunized intramuscularly with a single dose of rAAV elicited durable and effective immune responses in mice; and (iii) Moreover, rAAV1-E1E2 induced higher total antibody and nAb titers than rAAV2-E1E2 did. These data suggest that rAAV1 vectors could stimulate robust, durable, and effective immune responses against HCV.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis C ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology

Human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) was highly expressed in Escherichia coli by inserted the synthesized whole hPTH cDNA into the vectors pBV220 and pET22b. After expression and disruption, the purified product was acquired through cation exchange chromatography and reverse phase chromatography. From the results of N-terminal sequencing and MALDI-TOF-MS analysis the recombiant prtein was indentified as intact hPTH. In in vitro Bioassays the recombinant hPTH stimulated adenylate cyclase as the standard did. In ovariectomized rats the recombinant hPTH markedly increased the femoral bone mass and bone mineral density.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Ovariectomy ; Parathyroid Hormone ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sequence Alignment ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

OBJECTIVETo add DXS7133, GATA198A10, DXS9896 and DXS6797 to the panel of forensically validated X chromosome markers, and apply the multiplex amplification system to a population study and forensic analysis on the Hans of Chengdu.

METHODSThe PCR products were detected by the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining method. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of females was tested and every forensically interested value was calculated.

RESULTSSequencing revealed that their common sequence motifs were tetranucleotide repeats. Population genetic data were obtained by analyzing 120 unrelated females and 100 males from Chengdu Han ethnic group. In this population, DXS7133, GATA198A10, DXS9896 and DXS6797 exhibited 6, 6, 11, 8 distinguishable alleles respectively. Chi-square test demonstrated that genotype frequencies in females did not depart from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Power of discrimination for female samples for the four loci were 0.7962, 0.8021, 0.9675, and 0.9444. The parentage testing in 32 cases revealed a typical X-linked inheritance and no mutations.

CONCLUSIONDXS7133, GATA198A10, DXS9896 and DXS6797, which are highly polymorphic in Chengdu Han population, are appropriate for individual identification and paternity testing involving a female child.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Chi-Square Distribution ; China ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo solve the problems in the accuracy and standardization of short tandem repeats-polymerase chain reaction (STR-PCR) typing, the authors adopted the molecular clone technology in producing the standard allelic ladders of D1S1676, D2S2735, D11S1977 and D22S444 loci and applied them in a population study on the Hans in Chengdu, China.

METHODSPCR was used to produce several different allelic fragments of these loci. PCR products were eluted from the gel and re-amplified by PCR. The purified allelic fragments were then blunt-end subcloned individually into the pGEMR-T plasmid vectors and the recombinant were transfected into competent E.coli DH5alpha TM cells. The results of sequencing confirmed that the size and the construction of the inserts were correct. The recombinant plasmids DNA with the inserts were then used as template for re-amplification to generate the four loci standard ladders.

RESULTSThe authors succeeded in producing large quantity of standard allelic ladder of these four loci, with which the genetic polymorphisms of these loci in Chengdu Han population of China were studied.

CONCLUSIONThis method is of high value for forensic DNA typing to construct standard ladders. D1S1676, D2S2735 loci are robust for forensic analysis in Chinese Han population, whereas the value of D11S1977 and D22S444 loci is limited.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Genetics, Population ; methods ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the condensability of mandibular length.

METHODSIn six goats were used in the study. Corticotomy at right mandibular angles was performed via extral-oral accession. Special devices were applied to shorten the mandible by 0.5 mm per three days respectively.

RESULTS1. Mandibular angles of the six goats were shorten by 0.8 cm to 1.3 cm respectively in 48 days to 78 days; 2. In spite of the lower ascending ramus moving forward and angles being blunt, the occlusion scarcely varied because of contralateral bite-lock; 3. X-ray demonstrated that, at first, bone density in contracted areas declined, and then increased gradually to almost normal density; 4. Under microscope there were three tissues layers from central to lateral within the bone gap: fiber layer, cartilage layer and bone layer, and fiber layer gradually transform into cartilage layer with the fixed time. At the end of fixation they all transform into bone tissue.

CONCLUSIONContraction osteogenesis is actually a process of compression, absorption and rebuilding. It is feasible that using contraction osteogenesis to shorten the mandible via cortcotomy.

Animals ; External Fixators ; Female ; Goats ; Male ; Mandible ; surgery ; Mandibular Advancement ; methods ; Oral Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Osteotomy ; Periosteum ; surgery ; Pressure

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship on the prevalence rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and hepatitis B vaccination in urban citizens aged over 20 years old which would led to the development of strategies on HBV control.

METHODSA total of 3744 subjects from general population were randomly selected in this study. Both ELISA and radio immunoassay were used to test five items of HBV infection, including HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc.

RESULTSThe overall standardized infection rate of HBV was 51.7%, and HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc were 4.5%, 48.5%, 0.3%, 3.5% and 51.4%, respectively. The two lowest HBsAg positive rates were found in the groups under 30 years old (2.9%) and students (2.6%). Anti-HBc rate among men was significantly higher than seen in women (P < 0.05), and showing a trend of increase with age (chi2 for trend = 256.2, P < 0.001). The standardized rates of HB vaccination in this population was 17.6% and decreasing rapidly with age (P < 0.05). People who had been vaccinated had both lower rates of HBsAg and HBV infection but higher rate of anti-HBs than those who had not (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHB vaccination in adults showed a reducing rate of HBV infection in the general population. Together with the enhancement of expanded program on immunization towards HB vaccination in neonates, much attention should be paid to HB vaccination in adults.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting multidrug resistance-related protein (MRP) and bcl-2 genes in modulating drug resistance and apoptosis of K562 and K562/ADM cells.

METHODSTwo siRNA constructs targeting respectively bcl-2 and MRP genes, were synthesized and transfected either alone or in combination into K562 and K562/ADM cells via lipofectamine2000. MTT assay was used to evaluate the viability of the transfected cells at 24, 48 and 72 h Post-fransfection, and RT-PCR was performed to determine the mRNA levels of bcl-2 and MRP. The effects of MRP siRNA and bcl2 siRNA on the apoptosis and the protein expression of Bcl-2 and MRP were evaluated with flow cytometry.

RESULTSIn K562/ADM cells, the IC (50) decreased from 12.81 microg/ml (ADM group) to 3.74 microg/ml (ADM+MRP siRNA group), 6.82 microg/ml (ADM+bcl2 siRNA group) and 2.51 microg/ml (ADM+MRP siRNA+bcl2 siRNA). Similarly, in K562 cells, the IC50 decreased significantly from 6.75 microg/ml (ADM) to 3.22 microg/ml (ADM+MRP siRNA), 3.56 microg/ml (ADM+bcl2 siRNA) and 1.84 microg/ml (ADM+MRP siRNA+bcl2 siRNA) (P<0.05). Flow cytometry demonstrated significantly increased apoptosis of the cells following MRP siRNA and bcl2 siRNA transfection, which also resulted in significantly decreased expressions of MRP and bcl-2 proteins (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTreatment with both MRP and bcl-2 siRNAs inhibits the target gene expression, and increases the drug sensitivity and apoptosis of K562 and K562/ADM cells.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; genetics ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; Doxorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection