OBJECTIVE: To establish the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of the caulis of Chimonanthus nitens and evaluate the product quality by chemometrics analysis method. METHODS: The method was developed on an Amethyst C18-H column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm)by gradient elution with acetonitrile-water (containing 0.1% formic acid) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 mLmin-1. The column temperature was maintained at 28℃, and the detection wavelength was set at 254 nm. The main characteristic peaks was identified by comparing the retention time and UV absorption characteristics. Then 10 batches of the caulis of Chimonanthus nitens were evaluated by similarity assay, HCA, and PCA. RESULTS: The HPLC fingerprint of the caulis of Chimonanthus nitens was established and three main peaks were identified. The similarity of 10 batches of the caulis of Chimonanthus nitens was about 0.978 0 to 0.991 9. CONCLUSION: The established method can be used for the quality control of the caulis of Chimonanthus nitens.

Objective To explore the epidemical pattern of acute schistosomiasis in Poyang Lake area so as to provide the scientific evidence for control-strategy-making. Methods The data of acute schistosomiasis in 12 counties along Poyang Lake from 1960 to 2007, including the data of 2 special investigations from 1982 to 1984 and from 1987 to 1989 were collected and analyzed with the retrospective investigation methods. Results There were 29 864 cases of acute schistosomiasis in 12 counties of Poyang Lake area from 1960 to 2007, accounting for 85.5% of the total acute schistosomiasis cases of Jiangxi Province. The largest number of cases existed in Yugan County, accounting for 18. 7%. The peak of acute schistosomiasis prevalence was in 1987 with 2 088 cases. However, the case of acute schistosomiasis declined significantly, keeping at a low level, since 1990. During the 2 special investigations, the people whose age were lower than 30 years old, were the susceptible populations of acute schistosomiasis (86. 1% and 82. 9% , respectively) , most of them were peasants and students, and the infection rates were 57. 4% and 21.2%, 61.7% and 21. 8%, respectively. Fishing and swimming were the main infection ways, with the infection rates of 43.0% and 44.9% , respectively. The peak season of infection was from April to October. Conclusions The river bank and continent of Poyang Lake are the main infection areas, the spring and autumn are the main epidemic seasons and the susceptible populations are the peasants, fishmen and young students. It is very important to enhance the comprehensive prevention and treatment measures in the key areas and population for schistosomiasis control.

Objective To elucidate the immunologic mechanism and clinical effect of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with dendritic cell and cytokine induced killer cell (DC-CIK) immunotherapy on patients with pancreatic cancer.Methods Seventy-two pancreatic cancer patients were divided randomly into 2 equal groups,one treated with HIFU only the other treated with HIFU and DC-CIK immunotherapy.Ultrasound imaging and a variety of immunological indexes were recorded before and after treatment and the clinical effects in the two groups were compared.Moreover,autogenous tumor cells were isolated from the combination therapy group and the killing activity of DC-CIK which loaded tumor antigen processed by HIFU on autogenous tumor cells was observed.Results Tumor antigen processed by HIFU can improve the killing activity of DC-CIK on autogenous tumor cells.After treatment,the immunological indexes,of all patients were better than before treatment.(58.26 ± 17.97 versus 52.15 ± 14.22 pg/ml with IL-12 22.14 ± 6.39 versus 17.36 ± 5.73 ng/ml with HSP70 and 0.94 ± O.34 versus 1.32 ± O.61 ng/ml with TGF-β,P ＜ 0.05 ) ; The combination group was significantly better than the HIFU group with regard to the average scores of quality of life (75.89 ± 19.65 versus 67.22 ± 16.34,P＜0.05),pain (3.15 ±0.82 versus 3.59 ± 1.04,P ＜0.05),tumor markers (107.55 ±27.58 versus 123.63 ±34.12 U/ml) and survival time (18.92±6.47 versus 13.36 ±5.78 mos).Conclusion HIFU can improve the immunologic status and anti-tumor response in patients with pancreatic cancer.HIFU combined with DC-CIK has good synergistic therapeutic effect for treating pancreatic cancer.

Objective To explore the immune effects of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma and to investigate the imaging methods to evaluate HIFU's efficacy.Methods A total of 32 patients with pancreatic carcinoma treated by HIFU were enrolled.The freeze-thaw antigen was prepared by freezing and thawing the cancer cells.HIFU antigen was prepared by cancer cells sonicated by HIFU.The killing effects of no antigen activated dendritic cells (DC) induced T lymphocyte (DC-T),freeze-thaw antigen activated DC induced T lymphocyte (freeze-thaw antigen-DC-T) and HIFU activated DC induced T lymphocyte (HIFUantigen-DC-T) in autologous pancreatic cancer cells were detected by lactic dehydrogenase kit.The changes of immune indexes [heat shock protein 70 (HSP70),T helper lymphocyte Thl/Th2 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)] before and after H IFU treatment were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbnent assay (ELISA) method.The changes of clinical efficacy indexes [visual analogue scale (VAS),performance status (PS) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9] before and after HIFU treatment were compared.The instant and recent (two months) efficacy of HIFU treatment were evaluated by contrast enhanced ultrasonograph (CEUS) and computed tomography (CT).The line q test was performed for comparision between groups.t-test was applied for comparision before and after treatment.Results Compared with freeze-thaw antigen,the killing effect of HIFU antigen-DC-T in autologous pancreatic cancer cells was higher (40.24％ ± 10.56％ vs 46.93％±13.26％,q=3.44,P＜0.05).HSP70 [(17.31±4.75) ng/mlvs (22.84±5.56) ng/ml],Th1/Th2 (1.24±0.36 vs 1.47±0.31),TGF-β [(1.39±0.41) ng/ml vs (1.04±0.38) ng/ml],VAS (3.97±1.32 vs 3.26±1.18),PS (2.76± 1.02 vs 2.21±0.86) and CA19-9 level[(135.39±37.45) U/ml vs (114.82±30.51) U/ml] improved after HIFU treatment compared with those before treatment (t=4.278,2.739,3.542,2.268,2.332 and 2.409,allP＜0.05).CEUS and CT showed that blood supply and the volume of the tumors reduced after HIFU treatment.Conclusions HIFU is effective in treating pancreatic carcinoma,improving immune status of patients and enhancing antitumor response.CEUS can real-time evaluate the efficacy of HIFU treatment.

Objective To evaluate the effect of epidural block on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical operation for gastric cancer under general anesthesia.Methods Sixty ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 65-75 yr,with preoperative Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ＞ 23,scheduled for elective laparoscopic radical operation for gastric cancer under general anesthesia,were randomized into epidural block group (group E,n =30) and control group (group C,n =30) using a random number table.Epidural block was performed at T8,9 interspace before induction of anesthesia.Anesthesia was induced with iv injection of midazolam 0.03 mg/kg,propofol 1.0-1.5 mg/kg,fentanyl 3-4 μg/kg and rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg.The patients were endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated.Anesthesia was maintained with iv infusion of remifentanil 0.15-0.25 μg· kg-1· min 1 and propofol target-controlled infusion (target plasma concentration 2.5-3.0μg/ml).In group E,10 ml of mixture of 0.25％ ropivacaine and 0.04 mg/ml butorphanol was injected via the epidural catheter at 30 min before skin incision.In the two groups,the mixture 10 ml mentioned above was administered via the epidural catheter at 10 min before the end of operation followed by patientcontrolled epidural analgesia.The development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (MMSE score ＜ 21) was recorded within 72 h after operation.Blood samples were collected from the internal jugular vein to detect the concentration of serum protein S-100β.Results The concentration of serum protein S-100β was significantly lower at 6,12 and 24 h after operation,and the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction within 72 h after operation was lower in group E than in group C (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Epidural block can decrease the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic radical operation for gastric cancer under general anesthesia.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of rosiglitazone on chemokines secretion in renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods Cells were divided into four groups: control (CON), LPS (1 mg/L),rosiglitazone (10 μmol/L), rosiglitazone (10 μmol/L) +LPS (1 mg/L). MCP-1 and IL-8 expression was measured using real time PCR and ELISA. PPARγ was knockdown by RNAi to investigate whether the inhibitory effect of rosiglitazone was PPARγ-dependent or -independent. The NF-κB in nucleus was detected by Western blotting. The DNA binding activity of NF-κB was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Results Compared with CON group, the expressions of IL-8 and MCP-1 were increased by (4.30±0.45) and (4.80±1.29) times in mRNA level, (1.39±0.18)and (2.11 ±0.47) times in protein level, respectively, in LPS-stimulated HK-2 cells (P＜0.05).Application of rosiglitazone followed by LPS significantly reduced IL-8 and MCP-1 secretion compared with LPS group (decreasing by 66.37% and 71.88% in mRNA levels, while 41.68% and 47.87% in protein levels) (P＜0.05). In pcDNATM 6.2-GW/EmGFP-miPPARγ transfected cells, IL-8and MCP-1 only were decreased by 18.16% and 16.83% in mRNA level, while 11.39% and 11.86%% in protein level in rosiglitazone pretreated group, showing no significant difference compared with LPS group. Rosiglitazone did not block NF-κB nuclear translocation while significantly inhibiting the DNA binding activity of NF-κB. Conclusions Rosiglitazone inhibits the expressions of MCP-1 and IL-8 via a PPARγ-dependent mechanism in HK-2 cells, resulting from inhibition the DNA binding activity of NF-κB.

Objective To investigate the protective effect and therapeutic window of DGMI on ischemic stroke in rats,and to explore the related mechanism.Method The rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 90 min followed by 72 h of reperfusion.DGMI (i.p.,1.25,2.5,5.0,and 10.0 mg/kg,Bid) was administered at 1 h after the onset of ischemia.Neurological score was evaluated after 24 and 72 h of reperfusion rcspectively.In fact volume,cerebral water content,oxidative stress markers,and IL-1β were evaluated after 72 h of reperfusion.The rats were treated with DGMI 5.0 mg/kg 0.5 h before reperfusion or 1 h,2 h,3 h,and 6 h after reperfusion to determined therapeutic window.Result Treatment with DGMI (2.5,5.0 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated neurological deficit,infarct volume and cerebral water content after cerebral ischemia reperfusion.DGMI also reduced the content of malonaldehyde (MDA),IL-1β,down-regulated the activities of creatine kinase (CK),lacticdehydrogenase (LDH),and up-regulated the activities of superoxide dISmutase (SOD).Treatment with DGMI 5.0 mg/kg exhibited protective effects when administered at all time points except for 6 h after reperfusion.Conclusion DGMI plays a certain protective role in ischemic stroke of rats,and the effect may be related to the improvement on the antioxidant capacity of brain tissue and the inhibition of overproduction of inflammatory cytokine.Moreover,the therapeutic window of DGMI isless than 6 h after reperfusion.

Cancer is the most important leading cause of death worldwide, with about 10 million deaths caused by cancer in 2020. In situ gel drug delivery systems have attracted much attention in the field of pharmacy and biotechnology due to their good histo-compatibility, excellent injectability, high drug delivery capacity, slow-release drug delivery, and less influence by the in vivo environment. Meanwhile, in situ gel can be combined with chemotherapy, photo-thermal therapy, chemokinetic therapy, immunotherapy and so on to deliver drugs into the tumor site in a less invasive way without surgical operation, forming a semi-solid gel reservoir in the tumor site to realize in situ tumor combined therapy. In this paper, the author summarized the research progress of anti-tumor in situ gel delivery system in the past 10 years, introduced its commonly used polymer materials, classification principles and specific application examples, and finally summarized and discussed the key issues, in order to provide reference for the development of new anti-tumor drug delivery system in the future.

Brain delivery of drugs remains challenging due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). With advances in nanotechnology and biotechnology, new possibilities for brain-targeted drug delivery have emerged. Biomimetic nano drug delivery systems with high brain-targeting and BBB-penetrating capabilities, along with good biocompatibility and safety, can enable 'invisible' drug delivery. In this review, five different types of biomimetic strategies are presented and their research progress in central nervous system disorders is reviewed. Finally, the challenges and future prospects for biomimetic nano drug delivery systems in intracerebral drug delivery are summarized.

Background: Laparoscopic hepatectomy is increasingly being used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). How?ever, few studies have examined the treatment of recurrent HCC in patients who received a prior hepatectomy. The present prospective study compared the clinical efcacy of laparoscopic surgery with conventional open surgery in HCC patients with postoperative tumor recurrence. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 64 patients, all of whom had undergone open surgery once before, who were diagnosed with recurrent HCC between June 2014 and November 2014. The laparoscopic group (n = 31)underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy, and the control group (n tion time, intraoperative blood loss, surgical margins, postoperative pain scores, postoperative time until the patient= 33) underwent conventional open surgery. Opera?could walk, anal exsufation time, length of hospital stay, and inpatient costs were compared between the two groups. The patients were followed up for 1 year after surgery, and relapse?free survival was compared between the two groups. Results: All surgeries were successfully completed. No conversion to open surgery occurred in the laparoscopic group, and no serious postoperative complications occurred in either group. No significant difference in inpatient costs was found between the laparoscopic group and the control group (P = 0.079), but significant differencesbetween the two groups were observed for operation time (116.7 ± 37.5 vs. 148.2 ± 46.7 min, P = 0.031), intraopera?tive blood loss (117.5 ± 35.5 vs. 265.9 ± 70.3 mL, P = 0.012), postoperative time until the patient could walk (1.6 ± 0.6vs. 2.2 ± 0.8 days, P < 0.05), anal exsufation time (2.1 ± 0.3 vs. 2.8 ± 0.7 days, P = 0.041), visual analogue scale pain score (P < 0.05), postoperative hepatic function (P < 0.05), and length of hospital stay (4.5 ± 1.3 vs. 6.0 ± 1.2 days,P= 0.014). During the 1?year postoperative follow?up period, 6 patients in each group had recurrent HCC on the side of the initial operation, but no significant difference between groups was observed in the recurrence rate or relapse?free survival. In the laparoscopic group, operation time, postoperative time until the patient could walk, anal exsufation time, and inpatient costs were not different (P > 0.05) between the patients with contralateral HCC recur?rence (n = 18) and those with ipsilateral HCC recurrence (n = 13). However, intraoperative blood loss was signifi?cantly less (97.7 ± 14.0 vs. 186.3 ± 125.6 mL, P = 0.012) and the hospital stay was significantly shorter (4.2 ± 0.7 vs. 6.1 ± 1.7 days, P = 0.021) for the patients with contralateral recurrence than for those with ipsilateral recurrence. Conclusions: For the patients who previously underwent conventional open surgical resection of HCC, complete laparoscopic resection was safe and effective for recurrent HCC and resulted in a shorter operation time, less intraop?erative blood loss, and a faster postoperative recovery than conventional open surgery. Laparoscopic resection was especially advantageous for the patients with contralateral HCC recurrence.