OBJECTIVE: To delevop a UPLC-MS method for determining the content of olein in rat plasma, and investigate the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of nanoparticles of coix seed oil in rats. METHODS: The rats were divided into three groups randomly. They were administered orally suspension of the raw material of the coix seed oil, Kang lai te soft capsules and nanoparticles of coix seed oil, respectively. Blood samples were collected at 0.083, 0.167, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h and the concentrations of olein in rat plasma were determined by UPLC-MS. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by 3P97 pharmacokinetic program. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetic parameters of olein in the the raw material of coix seed oil, KLT soft capsules and nanoparticles of coix seed oil in rat plasma were as follows: ρmax were (5.43±0.45), (7.54±0.44) and (7.30±1.13) mg·L-1, respectively, with significant difference between the nanoparticles and raw material (P<0.05), while no significant difference between nanoparticles and common oral prepatation(P>0.05); AUC0-∞ were (68.71±5.12), (46.61±3.86), and (178.91±6.26) mg·h·L-1, respectively, which was the highest for the nanoparticles. The relative bioavailability of olein in the nanoparticles of coix seed oil was 260.38% to the raw material and 383.84% to the common oral prepatation. CONCLUSION : The nanoparticles system can increase the bioavailability of coix seed oil and improve its biopharmaceutical property.

Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Occupational Health Services ; organization & administration ; Population Surveillance ; methods ; Risk Assessment ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; standards

To evaluate the automated segmentation algorithm for detection of intra - retinal layers to process images obtained from ultra- high resolution optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) . Graph theory and the shortest path search based on dynamic programming were applied to automatically segment the 8 intra - retinal layers. We experimentally verified the accuracy and reliability of the algorithm. The results showed that the intra-retinal layer boundaries between automated and manual segmentations matched well. The algorithm successfully segmented the intra- retinal layers in glaucoma, high myopia, and retinitis pigmentosa patients. The proposed automatic segmentation for intra-retinal layers provides a promising tool for quantitative analysis in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Rice stripe virus (RSV) causes dramatic losses in rice production worldwide. In this study, two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 16E6 and 11C1 against RSV and a colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic strip were developed for specific, sensitive, and rapid detection of RSV in rice plant and planthopper samples. The MAb 16E6 was conjugated with colloidal gold and the MAb 11C1 was coated on the test line of the nitrocellulose membrane of the test strip. The specificity of the test strip was confirmed by a positive reaction to RSV-infected rice plants and small brown planthopper (SBPH), and negative reactions to five other rice viruses, healthy rice plants, four other vectors of five rice viruses, and non-viruliferous SBPH. Sensitivity analyses showed that the test strip could detect the virus in RSV-infected rice plant tissue crude extracts diluted to 1:20480 (w/v, g/mL), and in individual viruliferous SBPH homogenate diluted to 1:2560 (individual SPBH/µL). The validity of the developed strip was further confirmed by tests using field-collected rice and SBPH samples. This newly developed test strip is a low-cost, fast, and easy-to-use tool for on-site detection of RSV infection during field epidemiological studies and paddy field surveys, and thus can benefit decision-making for RSV management in the field.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; CDC2 Protein Kinase ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glioma ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab plus methotrexate combination therpy in Chinese with rheumatoid arthritis patients.Methods This was a double-blind placebo-controlled phaseⅢclinical trial,173 patients who had active rheumatoid arthritis were randomised to placebo(n=86)or infliximab(n=87)group on a background of a stable dosage of methotrexate.Patients were assessed at weeks 0,2,6,14 and 18.Results At week 2,the American College of Rheumatology(20)response criteria,which represent a 20% improvement from baseline,the same results with swollen joint count,tender joint count,du- ration of morning stiffness,VAS score,CRP,ESR were achieved in 52.9% of patients,compared with 14.0% of patients receiving placebo plus methotrexate.A 20% improvement was achieved in 75.9% of infliximab plus methotrexate at week 18,compared with 48.8% of patients on placebo plus methotrexate(P=0.0003).A 50% improvement was achieved in 43.7% of infliximab plus methotrexate at week 18,compared with 25.6% of pa- tients on placebo plus methotrexate(P=0.011).Infliximab was well-tolerated;withdrawals for adverse events as well as the occurrence of serious adverse events or serious infections were similar to those in the placebo group.There was only one case of tuberculosis in the treatment group.Conclusion Treatment with infliximab plus methotrexate is more effective than methotrexate alone in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.It has rapid onset of effect and the efficacy is persistent.

Biodiesel fuel produced with the enzyme-catalyzed esterification and transesterification of high acid value waste oil through ultrasonic assistant was explored. Propyl oleate, biodiesel, converted from high acid value waste oil and 1-proponal catalyzed with immobilized lipases from Candida antarctica and Aspergillus oryzae in conditions of ultrasonic assistant. Commercial immobilized lipase Novozym 435 from C. antarctica was used as biocatalyst catalyzing high acid value waste oil and 1-proponal esterification and transesterification to propyl oleate under the ultrasonic assistant conditions and different conditions such as lipases amounts, initiatory molar ratio of propanol to oil, frequency of ultrasonic and power of ultrasonic were investigated and optimized. It is revealed that the enzymatic activity of Novozym435 is enhanced and, in particular, enzyme-catalyzed transesterification activity is enhanced obviously under the ultrasonic assistant conditions. Low frequency and mild energy ultrasonic is a key factor for enhancing enzymatic activity, emulsifying oil-propanol system and accelerating the speed of produce diffusing in the system. Under the optimal ultrasonic assistant reaction conditions, such as Novozym435 amounts 8% by oil quantity, initiatory molar ratio of propanol to oil 3:1, frequency of ultrasonic 28 KHz, power of ultrasonic 100 W and temperature of water batch 40-45 degrees C, the conversion ratio to propyl oleate reached to 94.86% in 50 mins in comparison with the highest conversion ratio to propyl oleate 84.43% under the conventional mechanical agitation conditions. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that various short chain linear and branched alcohols (C1-C5) show high conversion ratio to fatty acid alkyl esters (biodiesel) under the optimal ultrasonic assistant reaction conditions. On the other hand, ultrasonic energy is propitious to reduce the adsorption of product propyl oleate, by-product glycerol and other emplastics in system on the surface of immobilized lipase Novzym435 and recyclable Novozym435 possess clean appearances, well decentralizations, no agglomeration and easy washing and well operational stability.
Bioelectric Energy Sources ; Catalysis ; Esterification ; Gasoline ; Lipase ; chemistry ; Ultrasonics ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the whole sequence of SLC26A4 gene among 1552 deaf students from 21 regions of China with SLC26A4 hot spot mutation IVS7-2A > G and analyze the epidemiological state of enlarged-vestibular-aqueduct-syndrome (EVAS) related hearing loss in China.

METHODSDNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 1552 students from deaf and dumb school of 21 regions in China. The nationality of the 1552 cases covers Han (1290 cases), Uigur (69 cases), Hui (37 cases), Mongolia (31 cases), Yi, Zhuang, Bai, Miao and other 13 nationalities (125 cases). Firstly, all subjects were analyzed for the hot spot mutation IVS7-2A > G by direct sequencing. Those carrying a single heterozygous IVS7-2A > G were given further analyzed for the probable second mutation in other exons except exon7 and exon8 of SLC26A4. One hundred and fifty cases with normal hearing were in the control group.

RESULTSThe sequencing results revealed 197 cases carrying IVS7-2A > G, of whom 83 carrying IVS7-2A > G homozygous mutation, 114 carrying IVS7-2A > G heterozygous mutation. Of the 114 cases with heterozygous IVS7-2A > G, 78 cases were found to have another mutation and 36 cases were found no other mutation in SLC26A4. Of the 1552 cases, the percentage of cases carrying homozygous IVS7-2A > G and compound heterozygous mutations was 10.37% (161/1552). Of the 78 cases with SLC26A4 compound heterozygous mutations, the mutations except IVS7-2A > G were found mainly in exon 19, 10, 17, 15, 11 + 12, 14 and 3. Twenty-one novel SLC26A4 mutations were found. In the control group, there were only 3 cases carrying heterozygous IVS7-2A > G, and no other mutation in SLC26A4 was found.

CONCLUSIONSSLC26A4 mutations account for at least 10% of EVAS related hereditary hearing loss in China. It's of great importance to screen SLC26A4 gene for making aetiological diagnosis for deafness. The discovery of novel variants of SLC26A4 gene makes the mutational and polymorphic spectrum more plentiful in Chinese population. We also provide preliminary evidence for the hot spot areas of SLC26A4.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Vestibular Aqueduct

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) expression in myocardium of scalded rats in early stage of a burn injury, and to analyze its relationship with myocardial edema.

METHODSThirty-six healthy Wistar rats were divided into normal control (n = 6, without scald) and scald (n = 30) groups according to the random number table. Rats in scald group were inflicted with 30%TBSA full-thickness scald on the back, and intraperitoneally injected with Ringer's solution for antishock treatment. Myocardium tissue from left ventricle and serum specimen in rats of scald group were collected at post scald hours (PSH) 2, 8, 12, 24, and 48 (with 6 rats at each time point). Myocardial water ratio was determined by dry-wet weight method. The distribution of AQP-1 protein in myocardium was observed with immunohistochemical staining. The expression of myocardial AQP-1 mRNA was assessed with quantitative real-time PCR. The serum content of cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) was determined with ELISA. The rats in normal control group were detected with above-mentioned method. Data were processed with one way analysis of variance and LSD test. Correlation analysis was performed between AQP-1 mRNA and myocardial water ratio, AQP-1 mRNA and the serum content of cTnI in scald group at each time point.

RESULTSCompared with that in normal control group, the myocardial water ratio in scald group was markedly increased during PSH 8-48 (P values all below 0.01), and it peaked at PSH 12 [(80.79 ± 0.12)%]. In both groups, AQP-1 was mainly expressed in endothelial cells of capillaries and pericellular membrane of myocardial cells. The expression of AQP-1 in scald group was markedly increased from PSH 2 to PSH 48. The expression of myocardial AQP-1 mRNA in scald group was markedly higher from PSH 2 to PSH 48 than that in normal control group (P values all below 0.01), and it peaked at PSH 12 [(6.2 ± 0.7)%]. The serum content of cTnI in scald group was obviously higher from PSH 2 to PSH 48 than that in normal control group (P values all below 0.01), and it peaked at PSH 12 [(5.83 ± 0.51) µg/L]. There were statistically positive correlations between AQP-1 mRNA expression and myocardial water ratio (r = 0.849, P < 0.01), AQP-1 mRNA expression and the serum content of cTnI (r = 0.973, P < 0.01) in scald group.

CONCLUSIONSAQP-1 may play a key role in the development of myocardial edema in rats with scald.

Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; metabolism ; Burns ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cardiomyopathies ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Edema ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Troponin I ; blood

OBJECTIVETo inquiry into clinical-pathological factors influencing cytological accuracy of pancreatic head lesions.

METHODSCytology was retrospectively evaluated in 94 inpatients with a mass in head of pancreas existing with chronic pancreatitis in the past decade, the results of cytology were compared with clinical pathology or clinical follow-up to estimate the value and accuracy of cytology in detecting pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic clinical-pathology includes size of mass and component of mass which was composed of cancerous mode of development including shape of conglomeration, nest and pervasion, and pancreatic ductal epithelium inside the vicinity of 1 cm around the mass. Pancreatic ductal epithelium were divided into PanIN1, PanIN2 and PanIN3 three types according to classified criterion of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN).

RESULTForty-six patients were pathologically diagnosed as pancreatic cancer and five patients as chronic pancreatitis, accordingly, 29 malignant, 5 suspicious, 10 atypical hyperplasia among of them 5 malignant, 3 hyperplastic ductal epithelium, 1 nondiagnostic results due to interfered by blood and 3 insufficient specimens. 43 patients were clinically diagnosed as chronic pancreatitis. Cytologic evaluation of pancreatic cancer has an 84.2% accuracy less than or equal to 2.5 cm and 71.9% larger than 2.5 cm. Shape of conglomeration, and nest have more accurate than pervasion in cytological diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONSCancerous mode of development is a vital factor influencing accuracy of cytology, cytological estimation of atypical hyperplasia and is still waiting for further investigation.

Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy, Needle ; Chi-Square Distribution ; False Negative Reactions ; False Positive Reactions ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity