OBJECTIVETo study release mechanism of berberine hydrochloride (BH) from carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan pellets for colonic delivery.

METHODThe pellets were prepared by ionotropic gelation technique. The effects of the kinds of enzyme and enzyme concentration of dissolution media on the release of BH and the erosion properties of the pellets were studied.

RESULTCompared with the dissolution media without enzymes, the release of BH and the erosion of the pellets were increased obviously in the media with rat cecal and colonic content or beta-mannase, the degradation of the carrier material of pellets by enzymes was the main factor which result in the erosion of the pellets. With the increased of beta-mannase concentration, the release of BH and the erosion of the pellets increased, the amount relationships of the release of BH and the erosion of the pellets were approximately 1:1. The release of BH exhibit Peppas equation, the n value was more than 1.

CONCLUSIONThe release mechanism of BH from the pellets was enzymatic erosion-controlled, which indicates the potential of the pellets to serve as a colon-specific drug delivery system.

Animals ; Berberine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Colon ; metabolism ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Mannans ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; beta-Mannosidase ; pharmacology

Objective To understand the status of drinking-water supply and the progress of waterimproving projects in drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Henan,and to provide scientific data for related government departments to carry out prevention and surveillance plan for those areas.Methods Questionnaire survey was carried out in all the villages in drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Henan in 2010.Each village was given one set of questionnaire.Results By the end of 2010,the total number of fluorosis villages in Henan was 25 434,among them 11 484 villages had been conducted water-improving projects,accounting for 45.15％.Currently,9267 water-improving projects worked properly,accounting for 36.4％(9267/25 434)of all villages surveyed,and 80.7％ (9267/11 484)villages had water-improving projects.The projects in 2217 villages do not work properly,accounting for 19.3％(2217/11 484) of all projects.There were 5832 water-imp.roving projects conducted amnog 2005-2010,accounting for 50.8％ (5832/11 484) of all water-improving projects.Among villages with no such projects,97.5％(15 769/16 167) of them used shallow groundwater,and in villages with water-improving projects,89.6％ (8303/9267) of them used deep groundwater as drinking-water supply.Conclusions After 2005,the water improving progress was significantly speed up in drinking-water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Henan,but progress of the water improving projects is relatively slow due to changing and expanding of fluorosis areas.The government should increase investment and improve the proportion of waterimproving defluoridation.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the complications and the early clinical effect of less invasive stabilization system and the femoral condylar support plates in the treatment of AO type C distal femoral fractures.

METHODSFrom September 2007 to February 2012, 46 patients with AO type C distal femoral fractures were retrospectively studied. Of all patients 25 were treated with less invasive stabilization system including 14 males and 11 females with a mean age of (56.3±4.2) years old; according to AO classification, there were 14 cases of C1, 8 cases of C2 and 3 cases of C3 with a mean hospital stay of (15.6±1.7) days. While 21 cases were treated with femoral condylar support plates fixation including 12 males and 9 females with a mean age of (53.8±5.1) years old;there were 13 cases of C1, 6 cases of C2 and 2 cases of C3 with a mean hospital stay of (17.8±2.2) days. Comparative analysis was performed from the operation related index,postoperative complications and Evanich score of the knee joint function between the two groups at follow-up.

RESULTSAll 46 patients were followed up from 13 to 38 months with a mean time of 19.6 months after surgery. Complications included 1 case with infection,3 cases with internal fixation failure, 1 case with nonunion and 1 case with activity limitation of the affected knee. The differences in the incision length, blood loss, fracture healing time were significant between two groups (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the duration of operations, hospital stays and the incidence of postoperative complications between two groups (P>0.05). The statistical significance was also found in the Evanich score at last follow-up between two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPatients with less invasive stabilization system fixation had the characteristics of less trauma, shorter fracture healing time and better functional recovery. Less invasive stabilization system had became one of the ideal internal fixations in the treatment of AO type C distal femoral fractures.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo explore method of recombinant gene lentivirus containing LIM mineralization protein-1 (LMP-1) in transfecting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC), and to observe the effect of gene LMP-1 on proliferation effect and expression of BMSC.

METHODSSix clean SD rats aged 4 weeks were selected, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were extracted under sterile conditions and cultured to the third generation, then divided into three groups:control group (the third generation of BMSC), lentiviral vector transfection group (PGC-FU-GFP and Polybrene were injected into the third generation of BMSC) and recombinant gene transfection group (PGC-FU-LMP-1-GFP and Polybrene transfection were injected into the third generation of BMSC). After 48 hours' transfection, fluorescent expression were detected under immuno-fluorescence microscopy; lentiviral transfection efficiency were detected by flow cytometry; effect of lentiviral transfection on BMSC were evaluated by MTT; gene expression of transfected cells were determined by Western Blot.

RESULTS1) The third generation of BMSC was cultured successfully,and transfected with MOI:100. After 48 hours, green fluorescent expression were detected and transfection efficiency was 67% under immuno-fluorescence microscopy; 2) Compared to control group, there were no statistical differences between control group and other two groups; 3) Western blot teast showed that 72KDa specific band was observed in recombinant gene transfection group and its size was similar to LMP-1 fusion protein (50 kDa+28 kDa=78 kDa).

CONCLUSIONThere is no effect of recombinant gene lentivirus containing LIM on BMSC, and can effectively influence the expression of LMP-1.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; LIM Domain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; virology ; Osteoporosis ; genetics ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective:To investigate the underlying mechanism of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor FK228-in- duced apoptosis of the prostate cancer cell line DU145.Methods:The inhibitory effect of FK228 on DU145 cell growth and its cytotoxicity were determined by MTT assay;cell cycle arrest was detected by flow cytometry assay;morphological change was observed by Giemsa staining;and defined kinase protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis.Re- suits:FK228 obviously inhibited DU145 cells growth,arrested cell cycle at G_0/G_1 phase,induced cells morphological changes and degraded several kinase proteins,including EGFR,Her2,Raf-1,Src,Cdk4 and IAP member Survivin.The degradation of these kinases blocked Raf-Mek-Erk and PI3K/Akt survival signal pathways,inducing apoptosis.Condu- sion:FK228 may induce DU145 cell apoptosis through depletion of multiple kinase proteins and blockade of survival sig- nal pathways of DU145 cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate a new method for correction of claw hand deformity after burns.

METHODSFrom May 2006 to Jul. 2010, 12 patients with claw hands deformities after burns were treated with skin grafts (11 hands) and skin flap (1 hand) with unsatisfactory results. Then elastic traction (skin traction or skeletal traction) were performed with individual functional brace.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 0.5 to 2 years. Elastic traction was effective in the correction of metacarpophalangeal joint deformity, buttonhole deformity, thumb-in-palm deformity, scar contracture, and palmar arch deformity.

CONCLUSIONSElastic traction is a simple and effective way for the correction of claw hand deformity after burns with less morbidity and stable results.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; complications ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand Deformities, Acquired ; etiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Traction ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the water quality and running status of the dringking water improving project in Xuchang,Pingdingshan and Nanyang,thus to provide basis for scientifically evaluating social effects.Methods Stratified sampling was used in the levels of counties and townships and villages,with the number of checked counties greater than or eaquel to half of the projected counties(13/24),the checked townships more than 40 percent of the projected townships(42/102),the checked villages greater than or eaquel to 30% of the projected villages(56/186).We listened their statement,reviewed the documents,examined carefully the water projects before we made the appraisal.Results More than 95%(129/136)of the projects had water quality reports,among which 90%(122/136)were provided by county level centers for disease prevention and control,75% (102/136) of water samples were collected by centers for disease prevention and control,80%(109/136)ofcounties organized an acceptance check-up group,92%(125/136)projects well preserved water source.Conclusions The dringking water improvement projeets in countryside are basically normal in terms of construction and management,the water supplied is qualified,so the expected goal is achieved.However,duties of each department are not explicit and the communication is inadequate,so collaboration should be reinforced.

Embryonic hematopoiesis in mammals is characterized by successive temporal and spatial changes. Previous investigations indicate that in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ES cells) derived from 129 mice can mimic embryonic hematopoiesis to some extent. To investigate the in vitro hematopoietic differentiation capacity of ES cells derived from C57BL/6 mice, the authors initially established the murine ES cell line with standard identification methods employed. Next, two-step culture system was utilized for embryoid bodies formation and the appearance of different hematopoietic precursors was confirmed by CFC assay, cellular chemical staining as well as RT-PCR. The results demonstrated that the ES cell line MES-1 fulfilled the criteria of ES cell line and its progeny after in vitro differentiation included primitive and definitive erythrocyte precursors, mixed colony-forming cells and granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed the molecular consistence of transcription factors and hematopoietic markers with cellular event. In conclusion, MES-1 established from C57BL/6 mice was able to differentiate in vitro to a variety of hematopoietic precursors, thus could partly recapitulate embryonic hematopoiesis.
Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Embryo, Mammalian ; cytology ; Erythroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Erythroid Precursor Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Erythroid-Specific DNA-Binding Factors ; Gene Expression ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; genetics

To establish methods and requirements for quality control of rhLFA3-IgG1, biological potency of rhLFA3-IgG1 was determined by CD2 molecule competitive binding assay on Jurkat cell surface. Purity of rhLFA3-IgG1 was analyzed by SEC-HPLC and IEC-HPLC. Peptide mapping was preformed by tryptic digestion and RP-HPLC after sample reduced and carboxymethylation by DTT and indoacetic acid, respectively. CHO host cell protein and Protein A residual were detected by ELISA separately. The quality control methods and requirements, such as biological potency, the physical-chemical characteristic of rhLFA3-IgG1 had been established. The methods and requirements for quality control of rhLFA3-IgG1 showed advantages of assuring the products safety and efficacy, which can be used for routine quality control of rhLFA3-IgG1.
Binding, Competitive ; Biotechnology ; methods ; CD2 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD58 Antigens ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; Jurkat Cells ; Molecular Weight ; Peptide Mapping ; Quality Control ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; chemistry

PURPOSE: To determine the duration of antimuscarinic therapy for overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) appropriate for assessment of the efficacy of treatment, and to evaluate the possible predictive factors for response to therapy. METHODS: All OAB patients who visited a urology outpatient clinic of a tertiary referral center and who were prescribed 5 mg of solifenacin or 4 mg of tolterodine extended release capsules daily were enrolled in the study. Patients were asked to continue therapy for 6 months. All enrolled patients completed the patient perception of bladder condition, overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS), and the modified Indevus Urgency Severity Scale questionnaires. All patients underwent uroflowmetry. RESULTS: A total of 164 patients were enrolled and 125 patients (76%) had at least one follow-up visit. The mean follow-up interval was 1 month (range, 0.5-6 months). Sixty-two patients (49.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 40.7-58.5) responded to antimuscarinic treatment. The median time for the onset of response was 3 months (95% CI, 1-6). Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model revealed that elevated baseline OABSS was an independent predictor of responsiveness to therapy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed an optimal OABSS cutoff value of > or =7, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.70-0.88; sensitivity, 91.9%; specificity, 60.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The median time for a therapeutic response was 3 months, and OABSS was the only predictor for responsiveness. These findings may serve as a guideline when prescribing antimuscarinic treatment for OAB patients.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Capsules ; Cholinergic Antagonists ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Solifenacin Succinate ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Tolterodine Tartrate ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive* ; Urology